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Tactical
Howler Pounced on by Wolves
For
the second game on the spin Rangers contrived to throw away a
position of superiority to drop points at Loftus Road. Against
Preston they lost the lot, this time it was two dropped against a
Wolves side that bossed the game for long periods. Questions will
once again be asked about the tactics and changes made, or not, by
the manager.
There were changes aplenty following the collapse against Preston.
Royce remained in goal behind a reshuffled back four of Bignot,
Shittu, Rose and Edghill. Rowlands returned on the right of
midfield, likewise Bircham in the centre, to team up with Santos and
Cook. Gallen was shifted back into attack to partner Furlong. Day
was on the bench for the last time for a while as he has agreed a
month’s loan at the aforementioned Preston.
Rangers started the game brightly with Gallen looking far happier in
a striking role. It was his partner that went closest in the opening
minutes though following good work from Cook. Silky passing saw the
ball fed to Cook and his near post cross was nodded straight at
Oakes by Furlong. Rangers were not to be denied for long though and
Gallen stroked the R’s into the lead
Cook was once again involved as he played Gallen in for a run at the
Wolves defence. He managed to break the challenge of former
Sunderland man Jody Craddock before calmly steering the ball past
Oakes into the corner. This was Gallen’s first goal since he scored
in the home win over Burnley at the back end of October!
Wolves’ game plan was clear for all to see. Their five men across
midfield were stretching the play but they were struggling to eek
out any clear cut chances. Korean winger Seol headed an effort at
goal that was easily gathered by Royce.
A
clever freekick almost released Kenny Miller but his touch deserted
him when he needed it most. Leon Clarke was proving a threat in the
wide areas and was giving both Edghill and Bignot a fair working
over. The half ended with the visitors dominating the game but still
not finding many clear routes to goal.
It was something of a surprise when the start of the second half
brought a tactical reshuffle from Holloway.
Despite playing well up front Gallen was shifted to the right to
make a five man midfield leaving Furlong alone up front. The
formations were now like for like but a seed of negativity seemed to
have been plated in Rangers’ minds.
Ball after ball was now raining down on the R’s centre backs and
both Shittu and Rose needed to be at their very best. In the middle
of the park Ince had taken the game by the scruff of the neck by
taking over refereeing duties from the inept Atkinson. Ince is still
a moaning git after all these years and as his ability deserts him
further he seems to become ever narkier. It was a real old struggle
now and the game was hardly one for the neutrals to enjoy.
Rangers were content to sit back and try and defend their slim
advantage whilst Wolves were struggling to make anything of the bulk
of possession.
Furlong and Rowlands both went close to doubling the lead but when
these chances didn’t go in things started to get tense.
It
was clear that the midfield battle was being lost. Santos was on yet
another booking and turning in a terrible display and alongside him
Bircham looked absolutely cream crackered. Hoddle seemed to notice
this and brought on two fresh midfielders whilst ours continued to
toil on. Olofinjana and Cooper replaced Seol and Cameron and things
picked up almost immediately.
Cooper smashed a freekick against the wall after Ince had seen
another offence missed first time by his assistant. For Rangers the
two best players of the first half, Cook and Gallen, were both being
starved of the ball. When Gallen did finally see it reach him he
sent over a delicious cross that just evaded the flying Furlong.
Olly finally decided that he needed to go back to a 4-4-2, some
thirty minutes after the rest of us it seems, and Santos was slung
up front. This probably had something to do with trying to keep him
out of trouble as he was being more of a hindrance than a help as we
tried to keep our heads above water.
Furlong missed a great chance to put the game beyond doubt following
an error from Joleon Lescott. He tried to clear a ball and misjudged
it horribly. Furs was through one on one with Oakes and the Wolves
keeper did well to see the effort away. Furlong should have done
better and in truth most expected him to such has been his form this
season. Gallen also came close to a second when his drive from
outside the box deflected off of Craddock and span wide.
Wolves came within a coat of paint of equalising when Cort managed
to find space at the far post. He headed powerfully at goal only to
see Royce tip his effort onto the post. The ball rolled along the
goal line and was eventually hacked clear.There was not long to wait
though for the scores to be levelled. Cort found acres of space
after Cooper had strode unchallenged through the midfield. He turned
Bignot with ease and slammed an unstoppable shot past Royce to send
the Wolves fans mad. In truth it was no less than they deserved as
they had dominated the game for long periods as Rangers struggled to
figure out what they were supposed to be doing.
Edghill made a vital header to deny Clarke at the death as Wolves
went in search of a winner. The final whistle came as a relief and
there was a brief outbreak of booing, directed more at the
management that the team I think. There were a series of baffling
decisions and the choice of going with five in midfield cost us the
initiative, surrendered all the space along the halfway line and
left Furlong woefully unsupported when the ball came anywhere near
him.
With Ipswich being beaten at home by Watford tonight they will be
fired up for Saturday and we may well feel the backlash. If we play
like we did in the second half we will get battered. Gallen needs to
stay up front, he looked far more at home when he played their in
the first half. Gino needs to come in for Edghill who was appalling
tonight and Georges needs to have his sensible thinking head on and
not his pick up a booking in the first half then do bugger all for
the rest of the game head on like he did tonight and last week.
So,
who is looking forward to the Ipswich game then? What? None of you…
simon@qprnet.com |
