What a different 5 months makes.
At almost exactly this time in May, we were celebrating winning the title. Today, we find ourselves lamenting a European horror-show for the second time in just over a year.
Sadly, the European embarassments are threatening to over-shadow the European accomplishments acheived during Walter’s second spell in charge.
Our style of play has been horrific on the eye since day one. Despite attempts to improve it in pre-season, the competitive fixtures we’ve had thus far have only resulted in the standard of play getting worse. The players seem physically incapable of making a 5 yard pass or receiving the ball at their feet, confidence is low and there is a severe lack of character and leadership within the starting 11.
10 first-team squad members being moved on was spun as a positive, one many of us tried to buy into this summer – and with the exception of the form-starved Barry Ferguson, not one of the players moved on in the summer was a regular starter. It appears that the lack of numbers in the squad and lack of funds to improve has brought about an almost inevitable degree of complacency amongst the squad and come January, there will be no funds at all to improve it.
There is no fight, no hunger, no drive anywhere in that starting 11. A starting 11 which was assembled at a decent cost despite the more recent financial troubles we’ve had. The blame for that can lie at the door of only one man.
With there being next to no chance of Walter Smith being given any funds to strengthen this January and more to the point, with the trio of Walter Smith, Kenny McDowell and Ally McCoist all approaching the end of their contract in the same month, there is every chance that these factors, along with the hefty wage they all take home, will result in them moving on. The cushy relationship that existed between Walter Smith and David Murray will not be a huge factor anymore with the banks keen to recoup some of the debt the club has run up.
A rough few months lie ahead, and it may be about time for our new chairman to spring into action.
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