When looking back on last season I suggested we would not have won the league if we persisted with the 4-2-3-1 formation that brought us to the brink of crisis in December. Creativity was ponderous and the players looked out of ideas. We switched to three at the back after the winter break and rolled towards the title. The same players looked commanding and worthy winners.
There were many failures last night, but reverting to the tried-and-tested-and-failed formation is high on the list. If there is another reason we failed to score more with so much possession, I don’t think it had a material impact.
After the Hamilton Accies demolition, it felt churlish to gripe about the volume of chances we conceded, but I could foresee having to write today’s article. High on my mind that day was what some unknown, but infinitely better, European striker would do to us in qualifying. We are wide open to the counter attack. Ferencvaros’ winner was a dreadful goal to concede – a clearance from the middle of their own half that we failed to defend. Although Elhamed was culpable, it was a consequence of how we play.
You have seen the opening goal before this season. Accies threw a set piece into the box, which was headed to the edge of a penalty area that was a Celtic Free Zone. We have conceded three goals this season, two of them as a consequence of not getting out to the edge of the box for the second ball at set pieces.
Neil Lennon seemed more upset about the second goal – which involved a clear individual error – than the first, which was a systemic failure to defend set pieces. We do not push out with rehearsed purpose. Motherwell will know that and if we do not fix it by Sunday, they will exploit what Hamilton and Ferenvaros already profited from.
For years I have written here that suggestions players do not look interested is a naïve comment by people that do know little about football, which is usually borne out when they burst into creativity following a tactical change. Neil threw this theory (and his players) under the bus after the game. Whatever mistakes Neil Lennon made last night, we know the man well enough to be sure something significant lay behind his post-match comments about players not wanting to be at Celtic.
We have been here before, from Kelvin, to Moussa to Dedryck. Based on the manager’s comments, I have no doubt some of the current crop are up to the same tricks. This is very disappointing, but it is not why we were knocked out of Europe, again, by a team with that cost a fraction of our own, and on this occasion to a team who have played fewer games than us.
The value for money return on our wage and player investment spend has brought historical highs domestically. Money spent is the blunt weapon that’s delivered nine-in-a-row, three trebles and counting, but we are regularly out boxed by European financial minnows, and if you blame Hatem Elhamed for last night, you are missing the big picture.
On a tactical note, I am not getting into whoever wants a move until the window closes. There are very important weeks ahead. Eye on the (remaining) prize.
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The Blogger…I’m sure one of our resident coaches will give you an answer…
Apologies to those I offended last night. I don’t expect apologies back for your comments wanting the new and old players sacked and the manager who has been a rock for Celtic. I have seen the blessed Martins team put out of cup games by worse teams and I have seen Celtic defend for 90 and win on a breakaway goal. That’s fitba for you. I won’t apologies from my lack of class as I have never claimed to have any. Back to lurkin. Try to enjoy the rest of the season.
The next couple of weeks should be interesting. Players in, players out, manager under scrutiny and we need to stay in touch in the league while all of this is going on. FFS we should be cantering to the ten. Instead we look like we want to sabotage it ourselves. Mental.
I imagine all clubs have certain players who want away. Surely, it is incumbent on a good manager to manage those players, getting maximum commitment before looking to secure a good price for those who leave.
The ‘nuclear option’ of inviting all disgruntled players to leave is as dangerous as it is foolhardy.
Amateur hour
Big Packy…I’m a few years older than you(unfortunately)…got good genes though. Most of my family got into their 90s…dad 92, mother 99…
I’ll probably wake up deid the morra… 😂
lifegoesoncsc…
TAURANGABHOY
No need to apologise, it’s all about opinions.
However, I do have a different take on it. You saw O’Neill’s team lose to worse sides in cups. Maybe but in CL qualifying? Three times!?
If this was a freaky one-off you’d have a point but it isn’t. It has become the norm.
UNCLE JIMMY
True and if Lennon really felt that way, why wasn’t Ntcham sold last year when it was said there were bids on the table?
Maybe we wanted Turnbull in first.
TAURANGABHOY
No need for an apology!
We all have differing opinions on here but we all support the Celtic.
Home game in CL qualifiers and we play without a striker.
And lose.
The managers excuses indicate to me that his baws are not that big afterall.
He should walk.
Hope you are good!
GEEBEE1978
So we sell Ntcham and Turnbull takes his place.
Will that be in and out the team like Ntcham?
If so what’s the point?
We have a core of players who have been playing together for a long time
We have a very effective plan A
We don’t have a plan B
We play the in an environment which doesn’t make bedding 😁 n new players easy
The Hun have figured out how to play against us
It’s going to be a long season
Philbhoy… Neil will eventually walk (rather than be pushed). I hope it is as a hero and not a villain…
I think Celtic should get rid of Lennon and appoint a team of managers from CQN who will agree about tactics, team selection and buying/ selling of players.
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS
I’ll probably wake up deid the morra… 😂
I hope not!
Said a wee prayer for you anyway!
PHILBHOY
Agree with you in a footballing sense but Lennon might argue losing someone who doesn’t want to be here and replacing him with someone delighted to be here.
I think Turnbull will play.
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 27TH AUGUST 2020 8:25 PM
Philbhoy… Neil will eventually walk (rather than be pushed). I hope it is as a hero and not a villain…
……………………………………………………
I hope so too!
It just depends how long he hangs on.
GEEBEE1978
I hope he plays!
If he doesn’t what’s the point?
Philbhoy…👍🏻
Yes, play Turnbull from the start, he’s fit and rarin’ to go…(but not at LB) :-)
I think Celtic should get rid of Lennon and appoint a team of managers from CQN who will agree about tactics, team selection and buying/ selling of players
—
the outcome would be the same
we would still lose to teams in europe that we should be winning against
but then again the team of CQN managers would be paid much less than lennon
so expect a call from Lawell tomorow to forward that idea 🤔
“RON BACARDI on 27TH AUGUST 2020 8:25 PM
I think Celtic should get rid of Lennon and appoint a team of managers from CQN who will agree about tactics, team selection and buying/ selling of players.”
I have been thinking along those lines myself :-)))
Mind you, we would bring in a heck of a lot of players, play them in a multitude of formations and not a one would be a failure.
Buenos noches.
WBC…i for one…hope u wake up 2morrow…
yaauldbassaCSC
H.H.
** YOUR OPINION MAY WELL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE **
With 75 minutes till the polls close, only 1 vote separates the top 3 from last night so still time to make a difference! ;-)
CQNPOTY@GMAIL.COM
Results out just after 10pm…
PHILBHOY
As I say, I think the point is, he’s delighted to be here where the person he’s replacing wants out.
At least we know where the blame For last night lies – the manager and the players.
Just as it was for Malmo, AEK, Cluj etc. Mind that time we sneaked past the mighty Karagandy in ET. Woo hoo
Cut and paste for next year, where we’ll get in even if we don’t win the league (now looking highly possible).
Qualifying R2 the new benchmark.
Now looking forward to the asset sale rationalisation. ‘Despite the fans buying all those season books etc, it’s just not enough. We are a business after all and this CL elimination is very expensive yada yada’.
Most fans know where the club sits in the pecking order. We generally don’t have delusions of grandeur. But we also know when we’re punching below our weight and understand that the ‘business model’ isn’t delivering credibility outside our frankly terrible domestic league.
I’m as desperate as the next guy for 10, but I fear it’s being used to distract from year on year regression.
I love Lenny. He’s brave, clever, has integrity and never shirks anything. He’s not a great manager. He doesn’t seem to have a great tactical brain or by his own admission, great coaching ability. His strength appears to be motivational and man management. If that’s not working with the current bunch of prima donnas, what’s left?
Whatever happens this season, it must bring a huge end of season clear out. And I don’t just mean from the dressing room.
GEEBEE1978
Who is he replacing?
When we sourced him originally I thought he was a replacement for Broony.
there’s a BIG difference between a player who has ambitions to play at a higher level league and a player who doesn’t want to play for current club.
Lennon suggested the latter – that is an issue. Get them out
`Whatever happens this season, it must bring a huge end of season clear out.`
WHATEVER happens? Hmmm…
So it’s ma 50th birthday next October 22nd…pretty sure am gonna b around 4 it…CQN makes me feel young lol
H.H.
THELURKINTIM
Is that aw ye ur?
Appearances eh?
(Only kiddin’)
Broony?
Why did we spend £3m on Soro?
Rogic gone, Nitcham gone, Christie gone.
That would make sense.
Tom’s a legend.
The other two can GTF.
If Nitcham and Christie (what the feck was he doing with that back heel flick?) are amongst those NL was referring to, then Turnbell should start at the weekend.
Let’s not fanny about.
Stupid red card for Glentoran, 0-0
If the agents of Ntcham and Ajer want fees for the players, give it to them.
Ntcham 20M
Ajer 25M
The EPL is crazy money.
Cash in, then strengthen, want away players should be sold but we must reinvest every penny, no more 2M duds.
Kouassi and Soro were replacements for Brown…..
LurkinTim
I’m 50 on 22 October next year! Cannae wait…
As an aside, it’s a good season for agents.
Their clients can shirk it if 60k fans aren’t breathing down their neck.
Thelurkintim…thanks! I’ll do my best.😊
The champions of Hungary beat the champions of Scotland. And we are shocked by that? In fairness, I was but should that be the case?
Ah but, we spend more on our players than they do so we should be better than them. In my opinion we were.
Also, they have access to players from countries we do not. Heck, we aren’t even allowed to play two guy from the USA that we have actually signed.
It’s Systamatic Failure P*sh (To The Tune of Three Blind Mice)
Yeah, Dermot-D & Son, & Peter L Need To Have A Good Look @ Themselves.
& It Goes Like This:-
Systamatic failure p*sh, de-de-de, systamatic failure p*sh.
We wave good bye to 150Mill, over 9 attempts to get into the CL,
It’s systamatic failure p*sh, de-de-de, it’s systamatic failure p*sh.
There is Mutiney in the Dressing Room, with Melcontents stirring it up,
it’s systamatic failure p*sh, de-de-de, it’s sytamatic failure p*sh.
Our Defence is in self destruct mode, with no plan ‘B’ when things go wrong.
It’s systamatic failure p*sh, de-de-de,systamatic failure p*sh.
We are all shouting out, to strengthen our Defence, yet the Board
wants to stick with makeshift Men, it’s systamatic failure p*sh.
Tactical awareness plans, de-de-de, tactical awareness plans.
The Ipad is thrown into the trash Can, with no back up plan, & no
end product, or penitration scan, it’s systamatic failure p*sh.
Positive 3-5-2, de-de-de, positive 3-5-2, de-de-de.
Inappropriate & Negative tactical plans, that might as well be
thrown into the trash Can, with no appropriate back up plan, it’s
systamatic failure p*sh, de-de-de, systamatic failure p*sh.
Key-key games, de-de-de, those key-key games.
We might as well no bother turning up, cause we keep producing
it’s bad luck time, however we don’t produce the goods when
we cross those lines, (onto the field & make it happen time) & we
wave good bye to key Global entertainment time, with systamatic
failure p*sh, de-de-de, it’s systamatic failure p*sh.
On YouTube:-There is a Celtic minded channel, named
The Celtic Mind Set. Hosted by Paul, with Jim.
It’s certainly food for thought, for all our Community
out there, which gives a fair minded view, & constructed
oppinions, about our beloved Club, & serious issues,
which needs to be addressed, asap, for us to move
forward in the right direction, & few home truths.
Hail Hail ! All (AKBW1888)