1. Persisting with 2 wide men in every game.
This tactic works at home in the SPL. Teams tend to defend deep against us, so it's certainly the best way to get in behind them with 2 wingers. However, it does not work against better sides such as Celtic or the likes of CSKA. It leaves the (already depleted) central midfield with too much work to do and teams can cut through us with ease. Eck's stubbornness with this 4-2-4 formation is the sole reason for our disappointing results in the bigger matches.
2. Playing players continually out of position.
There's no doubt Eck's hands are ties with regard to team selection. Arveladze, Prso, Novo and Lovenkrands are all capable of versatility from time to time but essentially, all are strikers. If he does intend to use one in left or right-midfield he must play him there all the time and not change from game to game, minute to minute. Taking off our most likely looking striker against Maritimo then putting a striker-cum-left winger on the right and our right winger on the left is almost laughable. He can say he's short on the left, but he was responsible for buying new players. The lack of midfield players bought in lieu of the little used Marvin Andrews/Zurab is nothing short of criminal in our financial state.
3. Mystifying media quotes.
We can all feel the pressure occasionally and the Rangers job is one of the most stressful undoubtedly, but lately Eck seems to have lost the plot with strange media quotes. Speaking after the Maritimo game he mentioned how the players were out on their feet, yet he only uses two subs?! After dropping Zurab from a successful looking defensive partnership he mentions nobody should walk back into the team, yet immediately brings back Craig Moore after a 2 month Olympic disappearing act?! These are the ramblings of a confused, lost man who no longer has what it takes.
In my opinion these are the 3 main reasons why Eck has now failed at Rangers. Every manager should stick by his tactics and general thoughts, but his have ultimately not worked and he, as a good man, should admit to that.
We might have no money and struggle to attract/afford someone with more experience or calibre but at the end of the day, anyone could surely get more out of the likes of Arveladze, Prso, Ricksen et al who all seem lost to Eck's way of thinking.
Thanks for the treble Eck. Those were good times and you did well for a man not being backed by the board. Maybe you're a sacrificial lamb, but someone has to take the blame.
It's time to go.