‘Flabbergasted’ – BBC pundit dumbstruck by what he saw in Rangers clash v Ross County
Billy Dodds has claimed that Rangers fans were left “flabbergasted” by the lack of service provided for Alfredo Morelos against Ross County on Sunday.
The Colombian drew another blank in the Scottish Premiership, with his last goal in the league coming against Kilmarnock on Boxing Day, but the ex-Scotland international was quick to point out that his problems in front of goal weren’t all of his own making.
The Gers edged their hosts 1-0 thanks to a deflected Ryan Kent goal late on, but Dodds believes that things have got to change if they are to get their star striker back on the scoresheet.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound (March 8th 2019, 6pm), he said: “We keep saying, the keyword is confidence.
“Shot to pieces for me. His touch continually let him down throughout the game, especially one in the first half.
“He’s not handling that [pressure], so he’s not in a good place, Morelos. It’s concerning for Rangers and he doesn’t look half the player he was.
“I think we have to throw into the mix – to be fair to Morelos – he has had his problems, he’s not turned up, he’s not in a good place and he’s not playing well. But [against County], my word, he never got the service. The Rangers fans, they were flabbergasted time and time again, exasperated when they got into good areas, but they couldn’t produce anything.”
Does Dodds have a point here?
In both respects, yes.
On the one hand, it’s blatantly clear that Morelos’ confidence is low.
His expected goals rating against County was 0.72, just a tiny bit under his season average of 0.74, as per Wyscout, and yet he couldn’t find the net from four attempts on goal.
One in particular, a free header from just under 12 yards out, was a gilt-edged opportunity break his duck, but he failed to make proper contact and the moment passed him by.
That being said, Dodds is right to suggest that the Gers aren’t creating enough either.
Taking Ianis Hagi as an example, the young playmaker managed just three accurate passes in the final third, as per Wyscout, a marked deduction on his season average of 6.44.
Similarly, he registered just two accurate passes into the box, down from his usual 4.72.
That drop off is emblematic of a team who are struggling to find their mojo at the moment, and Morelos is definitely suffering because of it.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox View: Desperate Gers talent needs to stop trying so hard.