Gio is getting me excited

A number of small tactical changes and has helped highlight Gerrard's tactical deficiency. Great interchanging from players and running of the ball has vastly improved by all. Pushed the defence 5/10 yards forward as noticed other teams have pinned us back to our ten yard area when we have things like goal kicks and this has this season heaped pressure on us. Teams figure you out so you have to change it up. Great signs from GVB
 
I never made the game today so watched it on RTV and pre match Neil McCann highlighted the way only one full back is 'allowed' to attack at a time, and the other has to hold back, noticed it loads of times today.

Don't think we'll see many full back to full back goals from now on, but we'll 'keep the zero' more than we were earlier this season.
 
A good instant improvement in defending, workrate and physicality. Always the basis for a good Rangers team. Today we played some very good football too.
100% correct, the best Rangers teams need to be able to stand up for themselves given what passes for referees in Scotland.
 
I like how he's changing little bits at a time and making us look more like the side we should be.

Today I loved how Barisic was more central when we were in the final third. He's a real threat from distance and should be encouraged to take up these positions and take a pop. Let's face it our midfielders aren't exactly much of a threat from there.

Also, I think today was one of the first times in a long time that we actually played the ball into the space ahead of the man instead of to feet (or behind :rolleyes:) ALL THE TIME. Did my nut in Gerrards team doing that constantly. It makes such a difference the ball beating a man and getting in between lines rather than the man having to do all the work and allowing them time to reshape.

I'd love to have heard an explanation as to why we needed to play to feet (usually too slowly to boot). It's as if he didn't trust the players and they all became robotic versions of themselves, just taking the easy option.
I was useless at football but one of the basic rules I was taught was to let the ball do the work.
 
He is just what we have required, long may it continue.
Was hard to see how we'd improve on what Gerrard and his team brought to us but continuity wise I have no fears and the footballing gods have smiled on us that he was ready and available to slot in immediately.
 
It is a really positive start.

The width he is encouraging and this desire to get back to front quicker than under Gerrard are really noticeable already.

I understood both Warburton and Gerrard/Beale's position that teams can do less damage to you if you have the ball. It makes sense but I think you need a level of player to maintain that for 90 minutes without putting unnecessary pressure on the defence and I don't think we have that level of player across the whole team.

Gio seems to take the more pragmatic approach that you can sometimes trade possession for territory and put the opposition under more pressure by letting them have the ball but so deep that they are the ones at risk from making a mistake.
 
It is a really positive start.

The width he is encouraging and this desire to get back to front quicker than under Gerrard are really noticeable already.

I understood both Warburton and Gerrard/Beale's position that teams can do less damage to you if you have the ball. It makes sense but I think you need a level of player to maintain that for 90 minutes without putting unnecessary pressure on the defence and I don't think we have that level of player across the whole team.

Gio seems to take the more pragmatic approach that you can sometimes trade possession for territory and put the opposition under more pressure by letting them have the ball but so deep that they are the ones at risk from making a mistake.
That ties in with what he was saying about transitions after the Hibs game. Seemed like it was a game plan that didn't quite work, mostly down to slack passing on our part. It makes sense tbh, let the opposition come forward so we can then exploit the space rather than passing side to side round a packed defence all game
 
There was obviously something wrong with players who the year before had gone the season without defeat and had specialised in not losing goals - to one where they were giving every team at least a goal start. Gerard leaving and the issue being resolved, in the short term at least, is beyond what we could have hoped for.
 
I'm glad Gerrard's gone
I’m very grateful for what Gerrard did for us. Delivering 55, consecutive old firm wins, fantastic European nights. I felt towards the end he had reached the end of his tactical limitations. The time was right for him to go. It was all becoming a bit about Gerrard rather than Glasgow Rangers. I am delighted with Gio and we have been very to get him. The futures bright………..
 
Game by game Gio is getting me more and more excited, this guy just has it. Let's hope the wins continue and we have a shuddering climax on 2nd Jan before the winter break.
Gio is the man.
It's early days and a long way to go in the title marathon, but a very good start.
 
Everything just seems calmer, and more controlled. Asking the players to be disciplined and keep it simple.

I always felt Gerrard struggled with dealing with players who were not the standard he was. Like he knew how he would have done things as a player, but didn't know how to solve the same problems with players who are not of his ability.

The change in Borna is evident. Defend first, and he's done it well, and then only go up the field when the situation is right. Hes blocked more crosses in the last 3 games than all of last season, but we're still seeing him up the touchline. It's like he was doing to much before, trying to be everywhere, now it just looks far more disciplined, and he looks happier.
 
He doesn't seem to have changed that much but the team plays with more hunger (as obvious yesterday) and the small changes he has made had a big impact.

Maybe Gerrard leaving was the best thing after all :)
 
Brilliant start for our Gio. Under Gerrard we’d probably have ground that game yesterday out 1-0.

Sadly I don’t see us getting a result on Thursday but one can hope. It’s a dead rubber so hopefully Lyon play a weakened team.

Tynecastle next weekend is the bigger game for me and it’s a must win.
 
We’re no longer trying to walk the ball into the net, Gio has clearly got them shooting on sight now.
 
Still early days but couldn’t have wished for a better start. I had some real fears that some heads had gone after the performance in the cup semi but Gio has come in and turned it around immediately. Hunger and desire is hard to gauge but on the eye test alone, it fo like we’ve raised those
 
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I’m very grateful for what Gerrard did for us. Delivering 55, consecutive old firm wins, fantastic European nights. I felt towards the end he had reached the end of his tactical limitations. The time was right for him to go. It was all becoming a bit about Gerrard rather than Glasgow Rangers. I am delighted with Gio and we have been very to get him. The futures bright………..
Yeah I agree, very grateful for what he done for us i can't stress that enough but time was up, the management team didn't seem to be getting the same tune out of the players and tactically becoming a bit to predictable !
 
Lyon will be a big test for him and this squad. A proper quality team.
I’m gonna try and take the Lyon game as a bit of a free hit.

We can’t finish any higher in the group, there is no major footballing benefit to be had (yes, extra money I get that, but away from home against the #1 seeds who have a 100% record, we need to be realistic).

We have a potentially very tough away league game right after.

Rest some key players.
Get minutes in guys who need it.
Hopefully at worst a close defeat.

And focus on the bigger issue of the next league match.

If Gio’s team lose their first game, I will try and keep it in perspective that it’s basically a dead rubber now and of little consequence compared to other games this month.
 
Hes got the pedigree, he's the look and he's got the makings. I feel excited about the guys he's got around him though especially Vos. Once the team have settled into the coaching and training I can only see clear blue sky's ahead.
 
Craig Moore and Neil McCann were talking pre match about Advocaats philosophy. I am paraphrasing but will go back and listen again.

They said they worked on a 5-5 principal. 5 players for defence and 5 players for attack. You can see early signs of this though it’s more 4-6 today. With one fb staying further back when the other goes. We really limited them today and hibs on Wednesday to very few chances.

I found that interesting too. It helped that Neil McCann and Craig Moore were team mates of Gio and knew exactly what he was doing. With only 5 players allowed ahead of the ball, the 2 full backs had to come from further back allowing the 2 wide players, of the front 3, more space on the outside, stretching their defence. To help that, Alfie has been told to play between the 2 goal posts inside the opposition box. This gives flexibility for Aribo and Arfield to break through in the old inside left and right positions or for the FBs to come from deep. It also gives our CBs more cover when an attack breaks down. You could see that very clearly v Dundee, particularly when Wright and Sakala were both on. Even Hagi was playing a wider right. And what about Borna. A different player!
 
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I wonder what he, and his entourage, think of the general standard here in Scotland ? I always wonder about that...
 
I’m gonna try and take the Lyon game as a bit of a free hit.

We can’t finish any higher in the group, there is no major footballing benefit to be had (yes, extra money I get that, but away from home against the #1 seeds who have a 100% record, we need to be realistic).

We have a potentially very tough away league game right after.

Rest some key players.
Get minutes in guys who need it.
Hopefully at worst a close defeat.

And focus on the bigger issue of the next league match.

If Gio’s team lose their first game, I will try and keep it in perspective that it’s basically a dead rubber now and of little consequence compared to other games this month.
Absolutely, not expecting much from it, though won't complain if we can do another result like 2007.
 
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