As Brendan Rodgers mulls over additions to his coaching staff, one possibility, Kolo Toure, has taken a position with the Ivorian Olympic team.
Kolo’s role at the club in the early part of last season, when he steadied a shaky defence sufficiently to see us through the Champions League qualifiers, could be reprised this season. Due to injuries, we’re short in central defence, while running with only two strikers until January (at least) seems tight. A Kolo-type figure may help both positions.
Scratch deep enough, however, and it gets more complicated. Kolo did well at the start of last season but was soon erring consistently, before being retired by omission. This was someone playing at the top of the game the season before.
Bringing in another experienced addition to the squad to patch gaps in defence or attack works on paper when you look at Kolo’s early work, but there are significant downside risks. The match fitness of anyone out of contract right now is unlikely to make them suitable to undertake hugely important games in the coming weeks.
Then there is the question of attitude – Philippe Senderos once looked like a good idea, but Phil took a red card instead of jumping for a ball, when his team needed him most. The small matter of money also has to be considered: Kolo was paid a fortune for his time in Glasgow; straight from the football budget.
Opportunity cost is another issue. Kris Ajer will not see a great deal of first team action this season, but his development would be hampered more with a 35-year-old team-mate on £35k per week as first reserve. And surely we hope to promote a striker through the ranks?
The final issue to consider is what will happen to the squad in the final week of the month, if Champions League qualification is secured and the transfer window gets into full swing. We were scourged for so long by squad fillers.
Sign quality combatants, able to last a season in the first time and with years of development ahead. This is where strategy has to be.
Listen to the new CQN Podcast below…
SUMMER SALE, KENNY OF THE CELTIC ONLY £10 – WWW.CQNBOOKSTORE.COM
412 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- »
Neustadt-Braw on 10th August 2017 9:33 pm
enjoy the celebrations
HH
TOSB
Maybe he reprised it for ‘Up Pompeii”, but sure it was originally used in ‘Carry On Cleo” by KW, as Julius Caesar.
Chairbhoy- Auldheid- Ferguson had a nickname on another blog of Captain Unbookable, i think he got booked twice in 2 seasons….
TOSB.
When I came on line earlier. Your post was still there but TDs had been deleted, so I never saw his, just your reply, so obviously yours,wasn’t deleted at the same time.
MIT, I told you, it’s between you and Connaire for last man to be deleted.
One of the mods doesn’t like inane ramblings about foxes or cats but opera is ok, so fill your boots.
If you are coming over in September give us a shout and I will bore you about The Civil Rights Movement, Malcolm x and Sam Cooke.
P.S. Leicester are nicknamed the foxes. Their goalie is nicknamed the cat or as some posted earlier is that taking the Schmeichel
Hail Hail
THETIMREAPER on 10TH AUGUST 2017 9:27 PM
Stevie May is a cracking signing for Aberdeen, if he stays fit he will score 20 goals. Could be the difference between 2nd and 3rd.
———————–
Need to sign a couple of refs to cement that 2nd place.
BeatBhoy
Just googled it. You are absolutely right, Sir.
KennethWilliamscsc
TOSB
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kvs4bOMv5Xw
MiT
Are you a…..
MIB?
Moderator in the Black?
;-)
HH jamesgang
JNP
I am looking at heading to Dublin September 9, and then heading to Glasgow Sept 15 for a few days … would be great to meet yourself and anyone else when I am there … although, I think you and I have to set some ground rules for the rest … if they want to kick about with us, they have to be prepared to sing some Sam Cooke tunes with us! or maybe some Otis
BEATBHOY on 10TH AUGUST 2017 9:32 PM
Point of infamation. . . Was it not Kenneth Williams?
Carry On Cleo.
Jamesgang…. you calling me an Anglican? I know you may be one of the few CQN’ers bigger than me, but thems fighting words!
:)
Team for tomorrow then,
Gordon
Lustig Bitton Jozo KT
Brown Ntcham McGregor
Forrest Griffiths Sinclair
Only decisions really are Bitton or Ajer and Ntcham or Armstrong.
voguepunter on 10th August 2017 9:41 pm
That gets my vote for post of the night :-))))))
HH
voguepunter on 10th August 2017 9:41 pm
That gets my vote for post of the night :-))))))
Correction……..Funniest
…….Auldheid still best
but the night is still young
HH
HH
funniest……..
Auldheid still the best
TimReaper …
I haven’t seen the team play this season … so your selection has me wondering … how is the midfield lining up … is Brown playing wide of the three? when he was younger, that was where I always thought he was best … or is it more of a 4231, with Brown and Ntcham as the 2?
Dena29
Cheers Dena,hope all is well with family.Luv n hh
MIT 9.47.
Excellent stuff.
Hopefully see you then.
Hail Hail
Turkeybhoy
Aye, wee clip @ 9:43 posted.
VP
Class. Crisp. SOAL-likecutvwas that good!
MiT
;-)
HH jamesgang
!!BADA BING!! @ 9:40 PM,
Yeah, don’t doubt it, he was the dirtiest player in the League an awe… Wish I was as conscientious as Auldheid and could put my hands on the stats…:)
Hail Hail
Turkeybhoy
Gold for Turkey via Azerbaijan in 200 metres.
Mike in Toronto
If you are in Dublin in Sept I would like to meet up
voguepunter on 10th August 2017 9:54 pm
Cant complain ………… well I could , everyone has something or they are lying :-))
hope you and yours are all well
HH
MiT
So far Ntcham has been playing in a deeper midfield role sitting alongside Brown. His passing is tidy but we’ve not seen much in the final third. It remains to be seen if that is his game or not. Looks a decent addition though.
Marvellous.Hardly any sleeps before the Celtic play again.
JAMESGANG
SOAL like ….geezabrekk,I’m not losing my marbles(yet).
Cheers big fhella hh
Lennybhoy.
If you are still lurking.
Dave Jenkins tweeting Patrick Roberts has been given the green light to secure another season at paradise on loan.
Have you heard anything tonight?
Hail Hail
THETIMREAPER on 10TH AUGUST 2017 10:03 PM
MiT
So far Ntcham has been playing in a deeper midfield role sitting alongside Brown. His passing is tidy but we’ve not seen much in the final third. It remains to be seen if that is his game or not. Looks a decent addition though.
Very low key report from you there TTR.I really think the boy has been excellent.Dont think I can remember anyone just fitting into the team so quickly.Will be a Superstar for us.Along with all the others.
WITS … that would be brilliant! I haven’t been back to ireland (donegal) since I was a kid, and have never been to dublin ….really excited!
JIMMYNOTPAUL on 10TH AUGUST 2017 10:05 PM,
Who is Dave Jenkins ?.
MiT
No one does a car tour of Dublin better than WITS. Take your family. All of them. Take some neighbours, colleagues, friends.
No matter how many, how ‘big boned’…the bold WITS will fit you all in……
What a Bhoy!
HH jamesgang
THETIMREAPER
Ntcham has settled really well into the side and has been quite disciplined in that deeper role.
He has come forward with one or two potshots so far though, and looks like he is just bursting to be a bit more offensive. BR will know his strengths and will play him where he thinks is best.
Jamesgang
That was some carry on.
I am like the Marines. Never leave a man behind.
Mike
I will get you my phone number or email address
Do you have contact details for anyone on here who might also have mine
Feeling left out tonight.
Never been moderated.
In fact i’ve probably never had a post read.
Calimero CSC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ovzN-0hJgI
Turkeybhoy.
He’s based in London has over 41,000 followers,freelance journalist, I think.
One of the Celtic sites had retweeted his tweet.
Hail Hail
WITS … I’ve got a few contact … BMCUWP, WDH, etc… so, we will sort it out … no worries. As much as I am looking forward to seeing Ireland, I am equally looking forward to meeting a lot of the CQN’ers I have chatted with for years.