I got my haircut today. Sitting, waiting in line, usual habits were cast aside and I picked up a newspaper; what an alarming read. Neil Lennon was quoted as saying, “I’m not big on tactics. It’s about the players and they have to go out onto the pitch and apply that.”
I couldn’t disagree more. It’s all about the tactics. Players need to be sufficiently fit, fast and fearless but all the talent in the world can be ripped asunder if it’s not tactically well organised. I had been watching Celtic tactics closely for 20 years before Martin O’Neill arrived. Back in 2000, watching Celtic was like going to school. My eyes were opened to how a defence is organised, how to stage an attack that fits your strikers and how to buy with a playing strategy in mind.
We had seen plenty great players since our last great team: McStay, McClair, McGrain, McAvennie, Burns, Nicholas. We’d seen courage and directness: the Bear, MacLeod and Provan, and cameos from Moravcik and Larsson, but we were forever found out, a plucky team who would flatter to deceive. Celtic would regularly dominate Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen – who understood too well the importance of tactics – and lose 1-0, and we went 30 years without beating a team from a major European league.
Martin O’Neill clearly demonstrated that successful football teams are all about tactics, not the players, nor courage, not even an aggregate ocean of skill.
>90% of football games are won and lost before kick-off.
As for the on-going orgy that is dominating front pages (good grief). Get used to it. As I’ve said many times, positions are absolutely entrenched when it comes to the songs debate. Neil Lennon and Ian Bankier are in for a disappointment if they think they, or any of the rest of us, can “self-police” those who object to being inhibited from singing about the IRA. I’ve encouraged this so often I’m not going to waste my your time with it anymore.
Celtic are set for an extended period when its reputation will suffer, there is no avoiding this. Unfortunately, not everyone listens. My great sympathies go to the £X per hour Celtic stewards who have to put themselves in the front line of this confrontation.
If I can offer any advice on a related subject… Songs and banners affect individuals, who will often be selected randomly for exclusion. Lateral movement in the stands, which happened last weekend, will get an entire section of the stadium closed by Health & Safety. If this creeps back into Celtic Park there is a real risk of council action. I’m pretty sure Michael Davitt didn’t place the sod on Celtic Park before bouncing left to right and back again. It’s not a key part of our heritage, don’t pick fights you’re going to lose.
CQN Magazine, issue 5, will be out soon. After 4 issues online and shipping single copies from Magcloud in the US, we’ve ordered a print run locally. You can order now with credit/debit card or Paypal and buy direct from the UK for only £5 by clicking on the link below.
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BMCUW, some of my reports? :-)
SffS
some of the stewards at CP deserve neither support nor sympathy
Green Oak
aye it’s safe money ..they cannot afford to lose points today
they are pure pash and ICT are ripping them open -despite what commentator saying about sitting in ..they are picking them off!!
fix is in..
mightaswellcashinCSC
Kitalba,
I would have thought that, by now, everyone would have realised that Paul67, talks for nobody but Paul67.
I am disappointed in you even asking that question.
This is a totally independant Celtic football site and anyone who thinks or believes otherwise has no place on it.
Cheers,
Martin42
.
Tactics..
It’s All in the Mind..
Ask Sammi..
Lenny is NOT a Tactician..
He is a Mind Motivator..Ask Sammi..
Summa
Paul 67
Like your self I was suprised by Neils comments IMHO, the way he set up the team on Thursday was tactical, dropping Stokes was tactical, having KI cover for Mulgrew was tactical, Young James a free role was tactical, pressing high up the pitch was tactical. Maybe I over complicate things
Paul 67,
I actually think Neil Lennon is upper average when it comes to tactics, but I do agree that today ‘s team is very similar to the team of the early 80s.
At that time we had a good bunch of players around 22 – 24 , consisting ofBurns, McLeod, aitken, McStay etc, supplemented by one or two older players like McAdam.
Unfortunately , as is the case now , when we have a decent group of 22 24 year olds, the older players are the lesser players. Substitute McAdam , a good honest pro, for Majstorivic , again good honest pro, but both are not the class that we need.
Somehow , we need to find the cash to either buy , borrow or blag , a couple of top quality players , with a bit of street wise savvy.
If that means selling Ki or Kayal for £6 / £7 m a piece and using the wages to get a bit of Quality, then so be it.
Finally , on tactics, we need to get much better at set pieces.
We had at least 5 / 6 corners the other night and 4/5 decent set piece opportunitiies.
On virtually every occasion the revered Mulgrew, who is IMHO no more than a good pro, wasted them.
If we had taken just one of those, we would still be in Europe.
Apologies if posted already, but I see FIFA are getting tough on Sion, to the possible benefit of Manchester Utd…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/dec/17/sion-manchester-united-champions-league
Inverness Penalty Claim
Paul67:
No offence intended, it was just a question met with and answer that I appreciate, and mate, no offence but you’d have to live ten life times before I believe I’d take offence with you.
I heard on RC that Le Petite Merde on the pitch at Mordor at half time, they really do deserve each other
#Rangerspenaltysweepstake ……………………………………….57 minutes
watchin dodgy stream of rf tv
message at HT to rfc tv from some rfc fans watchin the game at Irish embassy in Krakow !!
haha
good for them
jist as well they’re not gettin papped oot
people are funny
hope they get to Mass when they’re over there
:)
If it’s true regards jellylegs dropping in the box twice in the first half ,then operation penalty kick is definitely on IMO .Trouble is ,have the bookies sussed it yet
hail hail
.
Kit..
Paul has been Stating ‘That’ Opinion well before PL and Lenny stated theirs..You know that Surely..
Summa
Dallas headed for the referees room to instruct the MIB to give his heroes a penalty.
Paul67
I know it was only a briefest glance at the blatt…;-)
but surely we are not taking one comment -attributed- to lenny and judging that this is his complete view of tactics ??
I have watched Lenny try a few things out ..some work… some don’t
he was one of the most astute players I have ever seen anticipating the flow of play
trust the evidence on the park –
any chance Lenny may have been spinning a line ..and why not
HH
M
Martin42:
I think you jumped the gun a wee bit there. I have no malice for Paul67, I HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT AND ADMIRATION (and hopefully a lose friendship), but that does not mean to say that I can’t ask an honest question without agenda.
Paul67
in such a small league facing the same opposition on dodgy pitches then tactics and team selection are vital. If you read Neil quoted in a paper it is probably taken out of context, his only other answer is that Neil believes he is a tactical genius.
I’m sure he knows enough about the game tactically, where Neil needs to wise up in his dealings with the media, his policy of answering questions honestly all the time rarely works in football, needs a bit more of the MON strategy of answering his own questions
Charliesmitheerscfc
Paulus LXVII, Salve Salve;- Season’s greetings to you and yours. Watching our southside neighbours on a dodgy stream, I see our old friends Messers Dallas an one Maurice Johnstone in attendance, wonder if they paid to get in. Anyway, they are no very good.
By thier friends so shall ye know them.
Greenwells
Gaudeamus igitur iuvenes dum sumus.
Summa:
Paul does not write the rule book.
I dont care wither Lennie is a master tactician or not if he can get performances out of the team like Wednesday nights he will do fine for me.H.H.
SFFS 1558
LOL,bud. Well remembered.
Paul 67
I totally agree with your article.
I was pleased to see that you included Murdo Macleod’s name on your section about, directness.
I know every fan has their favourite players and, MM was not the best player I have ever seen in the hoops but, I’ve yet to see a midfielder for us who could do the entire shift in ‘every’ game the way that Murdo did for us ?
I thought that Beram Kayal was going to be a midfield dynamo like Murdo but, in all honesty he can be a bit of a tight-ripper! IMO!
Murdo Macleod ‘The Real Highlander’ CSC.
Anyway, off oot.
P.S. Remember that there is a delayed transmission of tomorrow’s game at perth on, BBC Alba @17:30pm.
Huns 0-1 ICT
St.J 0-4 Celtic
Hail! Hail!
Laters
Seasons greetings to everyone
Hello Paul, I posted this as you closed the last thread, but, given your comment about `not picking fights you cant win`I thought I would repost it – hope that`s okay.
I understand your comment, but, I am not sure that I understand your criteria for defining what is a `win` in these circumstances. In many circumstances, I would rather lose a good fight, than be on the wrong side, even if that side wins. Given that the club was set up for chartiable purposes, in my opinion, the social dimension of Celtic has to be in the mix to some degree, and should inform how we judge Celtic and those in charge.
What do we consider to be a `win`n this situation…. the problem is that you (and this is not intended as a personal criticism in any way), have an idea in your head as to what it means to win and lose in this situation. However, (i) it is not articulated, and (ii) it may or not be shared by some on this blog, but not shared by others.
As theologian and a practicing lawyer (I know, I’ve heard all the jokes!), I see the difficutly of language, and the problems it can cause, everyday. What often I see is that people are having a debate or discussion, but are really having two separate debates without realizing it. this leads to frustration because we then feel the other isn’t hearing or listening, and this in turn leads to arguement.
We all see this acutely in many of the debates on CQN. We disagree on whether PL and NL are doing a good or bad job, for example, without first articulating exactly what job it is that we think they ought to be doing.
We cant fairly criticize PL or NL for their comments, unless and until we understand where the comments are coming from. That is, what do they understand their roles to be. To answer that, we must first ask what does Celtic mean in the year 2011.
the underlying question – and in my mind, the most important one – is ‘what is Celtic today? and what is its role in society?’ Once we discuss that, much of the underlying disagreements are understood and contextualized. But, if we are to move forward, this is a discussion that must be had.
Before anyone can properly criticize – whether it is DD, PL, NL, or anyone else involved in running Celtic, the first question that must be addressed (and one that is often ignored) is what exactly is Celtic FC? Is it a business? A football team? A community and/or symbol for the Irish/Catholic community in Scotland? A group under which anyone who opposes the insidious racism and hatred in Scotland (as personified in Ran**** FC), can join together? All of the above?
Depending on which of these aspect(s) you view Celtic to be (or perhaps something else), you reach different conclusions on how the club, and its members, are performing, or even what they are supposed to be doing.
DD, PL – what they think they are supposed to be doing, they do well (run a business on a budget). If you judge them on this criteria, then clearly they are doing okay (compared to many other clubs in England, and one in Glasgow). If you judge them on recent ROI (on the field, as opposed to the balance sheet), then they dont fare so well – not bad, but not great.
If you judge them on the criteria of being an organization that was created to aid the poor in the east end of Glasgow (which, largely, meant the Catholic community), then, clearly, they are not doing so well.
In order to properly judge, for example, the club’s recent dealings with the GB, you must first define the criteria by which they are to be judged. From a business perspective, the clubs recent comments are understandable; certain songs, and Thursday’s banner, are going to cause problems for the club, and will damage its bottom line. Of that, now, there can be no doubt, and so, the comments and position are logical. The real question is – is that (basically, a business) that Celtic is? While, realistically, that is part of it, in my opinion, Celtic is much more than that.
Celtic, like Barca, or Athletico Bilbao, are more than businesses, and, in fact, are more than football teams. They represent something more than a bottom line, or winning trophies. Clubs like these spring from, are part of, and are supposed to represent, their communities.
As such, while I understand while our club leaders speak out against things that they perceive as hurting the bottom line, I dont understand their silence on other matters. Why criticize our fans (sometimes, rightly), but remain silent on the horrors across town, and in Scotland generally?
the answer to this is probably two-fold: from a business perspective, it doesn’t help, and historically, it is clear that the ‘old firm’ (a term I do not use myself) mentality has, in fact, been the order of the day (we dont s**t on them, and they -at least as an organization – dont s**t on us).
But, for me, this isn’t good enough. I can understand PL and NL ‘protecting’ the club, but that doesn’t mean failing to stand up for the rights of the members of that club. If they feel that they can criticize celtic fans for singing the Symphony (and, personally, I still see a very large difference between political and racist/sectarian songs – but that is another discussion), then, in my opinion, they have an obligation to similarly draw attention to the hatred across town.
I see the comments on here everyday, and it frustrates me to see good Celtic men and women fighting amongst themselves, when (i) we know that they all want the best for the club, and (ii) this allows much larger evils – in Govan and throughout Scotland – to be ignored (and it is those evils that Celtic were created as a response to).
I do think that the Club have the right, if not the duty, to speak out about issues of social concern and/or things that hurt the Club. My issue is the selectivity with which it has been done of late.
In my view, the club must come out and say, not only what it is against (swearing, the GB, seemingly, or anything that might hurt its bottom line), but it (PL and NL, in particular) have a duty to say what Celtic represents today, and what it stands for, and what it is opposed to. So, I welcome their criticism of me and my views, but I expect the club to be similarly vocal in its criticism of – to be blunt – Rangers and sectrarianism. On that latter score, the club has been completely lacking leadership.
In today’s reality, and in our society, it is impossible to not consider Celtic FC (and PLC) as a business. And, as such, it has needs and demands, and will act accordingly. However, certain clubs (like Celtic) are more than that. yet, it seems like those aspects of the club are being forgotten by those in charge. In order to respect its past and history, the club must come out and condemn acts of racism and sectarianism which impact on the club and its supporters (and not just those they see as perpetrated by its followers).
Unless PL and NL see the club as only a business (and nothing more), then their recent criticism of Celtic fans is hard to accept. If it hurts the club (or even its bottom line), the club has a right to speak out. However, if Celtic is still more than a business, then, the club also has a duty to speak out on the wider issues that effect the club and its followers in Scotland.
Once we know how those in charge view the club (and their roles in it), we know whether they are doing their job, or, even, if they are the people that we want to be representing us and the club.
More important than short statements about this song or that song, the club must come out and explain what it sees as its role in society in Glasgow, and Scotland today.
So, is Celtic a PLC… or a repository for (c)atholic ideas, and a vehicle to right wrongs in society…. both, or some kind of hybrid of the two…. or something entirely different.
but, befofre we can talk about `winning`or `losing`we have to ask what it is we are trying to win…. a balanced budget, or SPL an European titles or an organization that aims to make society better…. or all of the above, and in what measure.
I am not saying that I have the answers. But, a lot of the discussion of late is about the details. What we need first is a discussion on the larger issue of the club’s identity in today’s society. Once we reach some consensus on that, I think much of the other debate will resolve itself.
Some (probably many) will think this is all nonsense, but I think that we are fighting today to define Celtic`s identity in Scotland …. all I am saying is lets have that debate out in the open.
anyways, just some thoughts, and in and out today, if anyone wants to chat.
bournesouprecipe says:
17 December, 2011 at 16:01
These things even themselves out over a season. The ref got it wrong today and never awarded a pen, the ref got it wrong last week and awarded a pen. The world of the SPL remains in perfect harmony and balance.
bournesouprecipe at 17 December, 2011 at 16:01
ball to hand, man, ball to hand
move on … or else !!!
;o)
Ha! Second penalty claim for ICT denied!
Unbelievable? Not so much ….
another stonewaller turned down for Caley
Madden will bring the fog.
.
Kit..
It’s 3:12am here..so thats 4:12am with You..
The Orcs better drop points after me staying up this Late..:O(
Summa
Ceaser67 says 17 December, 2011 at 15:43 Maddens the ref. Emdae go to school wae him??
I think hes from EK mate, he was marked for stardom by. ……Dallas.
The ICT penalty falls into the, “I’ve seen them given” category.
Given to Rangers but not to us obviously
Cheating masonic bassas….
Jeeeezus did I just hear that right?
Rangers started this game – a home game – against Inverness Callie – with ONE UP FRONT?
The Son of Walter is living up to billing.
I meant the first claim … haven’t seen the second one yet
good to see ICT keeper launch into his defence for failing to pick up a Jellylegs heidy
at least he is focused ..that’ll do for me
By Associated Press,
GENEVA — FIFA threatened to suspend Switzerland from world soccer on Saturday if its national association does not discipline litigious club FC Sion within one month.
If the suspension took effect, Swiss champion FC Basel would be prevented from playing Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16. The first leg is scheduled Feb. 22 in Basel.
0
Basel advanced from its Champions League group ahead of Manchester United, which would logically be reinstated by UEFA.