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 team selection in another crucial game was mind boggling. The performance certainly for the first 30 minutes was brutal. The post match comments though are for me the most worrying aspects of Wednesday night.
Lenny can’t oversee another CL qualification- God knows where players will be playing on the team sheet.
Our board should be talking to Broonie and CalMac to ascertain the feelings in the dressing room and looking at all options. If Lenny retains significant support in the dressing room then give him more time. If not then move now but his days should be numbered.
MELBOURNE MICK
Agree with you that bigoted bar stewards like McCoist have no place on this site.
There is obviously no editorial policy.
IMO
Hope you are good!
Morning all
https://madaboutepl.net/2020/08/liverpool-linked-with-kristoffer-ajer-transfer/amp/
PHILBHOY
Thank you for responding, i thought everybody was in the huff, lol.
Luv your posts here and SC.
As we all say KTF, some need to remember what that means.
H.H. Mick
NL cannot make the comments he did in public about players not being committed, maybe wanting away and get away with saying he shouldn’t have made these comments, it is out there now, what happens is now for the board, in my opinion he made a bad result worse . Who are the players who have spoken to him wanting to leave and is he picking them, the press conference today will need to be about the upcoming game nothing else, we need to win on Sunday.
Maybe jk will be doing the press conference today
The pain and anguish of Wednesday’s defeat is beginning to recede somewhat but in the cold light of day after calming down big questions have to be asked of the club as a whole.Why are we never prepared properly for these qualifiers ? They take place (pandemic withstanding) ar the same time every year surely the club should have a plan for this and have signings in place in time for these games instead of scrambling around for players usually after we have been eliminated. How many project players have we brought in over the years few of which have made the grade a definite policy of quantity over quality.Castagne of Atalanta springs to mind we could have signed him for not much more than the Boli/Taylor combined fee and no doubt sold him onto an EPL club for a huge profit.If we are selling players for £25 M you cant expect to replace them with £2M players £9 would have bought Castagne leaving us with £16M in the bank from the sale of Keiran.
Hope yer well Melbourne Mick. KTF indeed. It’s not that difficult mate.
Love your support for our Lurgan Legend. Lenny made mistakes but he is human and we are not entitled to win. Going one nil down clock ticking you have to go for it. Mistake was at 1-1 not keeping two back. Sound like there is some Prima Donna stuff going on with the players agents. Let them go. When I grew up win lose or draw was good enough for a Celtic fan. Ten is immortal. Europe can wait.
Hail hail. KTF.
Taurangabhoy
THE HAND OF GOD: Your arithmetic is good but Peter does it better! Who cares if the ‘replacements ‘ are way way below the KT standard?
His way the profit is almost 100% and the bonus secured.
Can’t believe NFL’s public vilification of the players. A poor show. Should try it on the MIBs!
We have had bad results in Europe many times over the years. I’m old enough to remember losing in the first round of the European Cup, the season after winning it, that didn’t make us a bad side. We have a decent squad, one that can continue to dominate domestically, taking us to the magic 10. Let’s do what Celtic fans do, moan and groan but continue to support our team. Back to business on Sunday. HAIL HAIL
FRANKTERRY on 28TH AUGUST 2020 7:57 AM
spot on amigo……..people really do have short memories!
Tommy B….to be fair that was a fairly decent Dynamo Kiev team…not a Cluj or Ferencvaros.
FOURSTONECOPPI on 28TH AUGUST 2020 8:49 AM
Indeed. Have a good day, pal :-)
Good morning CQN
Stayed off for a couple of days after Wednesday night debacle
Still fuming, we should not have lost that game.
Players
Boli & Griffiths should be 1st out the door.
Rumours on Rogic, Ajer & Ntcham have been floating around for months
My bigger concern
We have known since last season, the defence is weak
We have released, Simonuvic, Gordon, & Hayes.
Hendry out on Loan, Fraser Foster back to his parent club, then add Boli to the mix
So what have we done to prepare our defence for a challenge in reaching the champions league ?
Signed a goalie.
Not exactly addressed a known weak area of the team
Who do we blame for this extremely poor planning / strategy????
Remember it was Congerton, who was poor at scouting
What has Hammond delivered ?
We/ Celtic need to have a serious look at ourselves and our strategy
Are risking our future, no one else, but our club can sort this
Still fuming
TOURANGA BHOY
Loved your wee rant the other night, shows you care deeply, just
like the rest of us.
How many times have we all let rip at family members when they let
us down, but we still love them forever more.
As regards the wantaways, they’ve conned us for too long, get them
sold or in reserves, will it be to the detriment of the team? yes.
but i’ll understand things better.
Still hope to be down your beautiful part of the world as we’ve got a
free cruise lined up when we get back to normal.
H.H. Mick
Ivehadto….
If that is tge cae he will be playing in the reserves until he learns how to be a player, never mind Liverpool. Ffs
the case..
MELBOURNE MICK on 28TH AUGUST 2020 7:55 AM
Correct, CQN Not Lazy Journalism is the quote, so why troll the Sun & Record then splatter it
all over CQN? Keep the blog separate and have a dafty news page somewhere else.
MELBOURNE MICK on 28TH AUGUST 2020 7:55 AM
While i’m on here can anyone tell me why we need an opinion
from the cheekie chump McMoist on CQN?
Who gives a feck?
Talking about chumps, big Jimmy’s favourite word for erseholes.
How are you Jimmy?
H.H. Mick
…………………..
MICK…
Ive not been on here for a few days, but I did post 2 or 3 times earlier in the week as I hadnt seen you on here, and I was asking if you were okay ?
I am fine Mate…apart from Lurkin the last few days and seeing so many Posts on here from CQN Strangers, who Ive never seen before…funny how they all come out whenever Celtic lose and/or mess up. This includes CHUMPS from other Blogs…who are only interested in boring the rest of us to death with their TEDIOUS, BORING, and mind boggling CRAP …( You know who they are) !
Sadly, some on here have responded to these Chumps…which only serves to feed them the attention that they are forever seeking…that has been sad to read, and if I named one particular Poster who has been an “Attention Seeker” since Day 1…I would probably be barred from this site…its just a shame to see some engaging with this particular Chump….who offers nothing to this Blog, and who continually re-hashes the same Trivial, Self Centred Tripe in almost every Post, is at it yet again, so I am gonna take a break from here and hopefully its only a matter of time before this particular Chump really angers someone on here ( As he has done in the past), and gets warned/ and/or banned yet again from this Blog.
Stay safe MICK…..and get as feckin drunk as you like…thats what I am gonna do today ( Friday) LOL.
HH Mate.
MELBOURNE MICK….
I meant to also say that while I dont like to see Celtic lose any game….for this season anyway…I couldnt care less about being in Europe.
For me…its ALL about the MAGICAL 10 !
HH Mate.
There are a few problems for Lenny to address
a) how does he move forward after accusing players of lack of commitment. Of the 4 Harry Brady “outed” ( there’s been rumours for months on at least 3 so def nothing new ) one didn’t play, and the other 3 didn’t look like they weren’t trying (of course mental state could be different )
b) Of course we will get behind him but he can’t afford another poor result or defeat esp if it’s Triggers Broom.
He’s a giant of a man but I fear his time is running out as our manager. Decisions can’t be based on emotions the cold hard facts are there that we are regressing at an alarming rate, so much so that we’ve made the European papers
AS Fall of a European Great (I know were minnies financially but we can’t even beat fellow minnows anymore).
Are we waiting till Christmas again before we go back to 3-5-2, that’s the most baffling decision after team selection
Sh@te happens, we lost and lennon said nothing we did not already know, silly as it was. We are always way to open to counters and need to sort that out if we want to improve as a team. If that doesn’t change then the results with not change.
I dont like the idea of keeping unhappy players so if they want to leave let them go for the best offer unless the bid is miles out. I hold no ill will towards anyone of then.
Last thing no player should walk into the team if form dips.
HH
BIG JIMMY on 28TH AUGUST 2020 9:39 AM
Hi big man, hope you’re doing okay? I posted this yesterday but I reckon it’s worth repeating as you had some problems with supplies at the start of the pandemic. There’s a good chance that the shortages/panic buying will be a lot worse in January due to a no deal Brexit so make sure you’re well stocked with the essentials.
It may not happen but better to be safe than sorry!
Take care,
FT
Go tell the Spartim
Now that we know, through Lenny’s rant, and not rumours that it’s
true that there’s a few players don’t want to wear the hoops.
What is the blogs decision, do we play them or to the detriment of the
teams performance stick them in the reserves and risk the holy grail
of the ten.
My thoughts are feck it ! we’ve done the nine twice, nobody is bigger
than our club.. put in the reserves and then punt.
How about a list? it’s been a while. lol.
H.H. Mick
PL should be sacked. For last 6 seasons his policy of waiting till last minute to sign players means we are not ready for qualifying rounds. Shouls alaso sack person who spends money on players that are obviously not wanted by the manager.m A complete waste Kouassi. Schved, Bayo etc Oh and sack NL.. for most important game of the year he yet again tries to be smart and pick a system none of the players know.
we have qualified twice for CL in that time. approx. £100 M lost and the only reason we get players like Dembele to come here
Remember the “Standing up for Neil Lennon ”
Fickle fans. Short memories. Too many here piling on to denigrate a true Celtic man.
Fans, yes. Supporters, never.
CLINK\O/ 3X3 on 28TH AUGUST 2020 10:13 AM
Well said.
Players who don’t want to wear the Hoops should get to feck. This is a team sport so why have someone around who isn’t on your side. Hardly likely to get 100% commitment.
While I agree that the 10 is more important, I can’t agree that Europe “doesn’t matter” as the two could be linked.
What if that defeat forces us to sell Eddie to plug the gap? What if the exit was the last straw for Ajer and Ntcham?
People will argue we don’t budget for the CL but there’s no doubt in my mind that it affects the players we can attract/keep.
I still hope we go and get the ten and to be honest, we’re probably still slight favourties. But let’s not pretend the club is in a better place on and off the field than what it would’ve been had we won the other night.
CLINK\O/ 3X3
Maybe that’s why in future we shouldn’t appoint “true Celtic men” as it would seem they’re beyond criticism even when justified.
Abuse is never good and of course, I’d love Lennon to go on and complete the ten – I even named my son after him (I told the missus it was after John Lennon otherwise she’d never have agreed to it) but we can’t bury our heads in the sand and refuse to admit when there are failings.
If this was a freaky one-off, fine. But when the same mistakes happen repeatedly, I think it’s only fair fans take to the forums to highlight this.
Not a surpirse to see modern techniques around using data poo-pooed on the site and across the wider Celtic support. Works for modern clubs and god forbid, being used by the Hun to better effect, which we should be worried about.
We value more a man pointing and clapping loudly to the stats that prove he can’t win as many duels and his impact is dwindling.
More worrying to see the medical story revealed first hand by Kieran about painkillers to keep him going.
It seems our version of applying 17th century leaches, shouting ‘Keep the Faith’ and ‘In Lenny we trust’ is still the way to go for some. Like any placebo, its impact is purely an illusion.
Our run is masking some real problems at the club.
HH
@ SUPERSUTTON on 27TH AUGUST 2020 9:04 PM
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?
‐—————-
Its amazing to see certain posters in a race to the bottom to lower our standards.
Nevermind not competing with the top 5 leagues or even the B leagues of Portugal and Russia. Nevermind the Dutch, Belgians, Swiss and Austrians. Now down to the Hungarians.
Having a bigger turnover and more money is only a determining factor when we play a team that has more than us; if we have more than them, it really is of no importance.
I believe we were rated in the top 32 most valuable clubs at the end of BR’s 2nd year- I think it was a Deloitte report, but would need to check.
How quickly we are falling…
CLINK\O/ 3X3 on 28TH AUGUST 2020 10:18 AM
Players who don’t want to wear the Hoops should get to feck. This is a team sport so why have someone around who isn’t on your side. Hardly likely to get 100% commitment.
—
Commitment on the field on Wednesday didn’t look a problem. Commitment on the bench on the other hand??
Time is a healer – Im still down but not as low as wednesday
With my positive head on – I am trying to convince myself that Wednesday night was a blessing in disguise !!
I know – but bear with me
if ever a result (or a humiliation) can galvanise a team then surely that performance on Wednesday will do it
NL went into a rant because he felt let down by the payers
The Christie as a centre forward debacle and McGregor as a left back will never make sense to me
But deep down NL has the same desire as we do
We could be witnessing a bit of pressure due to the 10
Wednesdays result could be a wake up call
Complete focus on 10
67ECW
CHAIRBHOY on 28TH AUGUST 2020 5:24 AM
JAMESGANG @ 11:27 PM,
It always amazes me when, the considered and smart Celtic supporters get caught up and brain washed by the propoganda…
From my recollection BR made a lot more comment about the way Celtic were officiated domestically. Him, Steve Clarke et al were the ones complaining about the officiating in Scottish Football matches at that time.
In fact, so much so that a bunch of managers got together with the SFA and their officials for a summit, remember?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46902736
Lenny (then at Hibs) was voted as the representative of the managers, then Steve Clarke was given the Scotland job and Brendan Rodgers left and nought was done – it is now business as usual again.
…”Much of the KT maltreatment took place under BR. But not all. And Celtic failed in their duty of care to protect him from over playing and hammer throwers.
What makes you think Brendan Rodgers maltreated KT, not his style at all imo.
As stated, BR made representations about the way Celtic players were officiated.
For the best part of three months before Brendan Rodgers left he didn’t play Kieran. In fact Kieran needed serious treatment and an operation.
However when Lenny came and took over from BR as caretaker it was him that played KT despite the medical conditions.
Why? Did someone want Kieran in the shop window, obviously BR wasn’t prepared to do that.
As usual, when looking at “the rhats” time – only the facts have changed to protect the guilty…
Anyway once the 2018/19 season was over KT got his operation and did his recuperation with Arsenal who restored his career…
Thank goodness for that young man’s sake.
Can you remember the CQN leader at the time KT left – insinuating we might have sold Arsenal a pup? A pretty sad read in the light of where we are today.
https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/kt-medical-advice-player-hierarchy-being-ready-to-make-a-deal/
I don’t know what his medical advice has been, but if you read about chronic osteitis pubis, you get an insight into where an athlete’s head may be when he has a persistent injury that is not responding as hoped…
“Osteitis pubis is a painful degenerative condition of the pubic symphysis, surrounding soft tissues and tendons…. It is currently considered as one of the most debilitating pain syndromes for athletes. Although the condition is considered self-limiting, it often requires stoppage of sporting activities for several months, representing a significant problem especially for elite athletes.”
…If we are serious about making progress as a football club, we need to take our player trading onto another level. That means everyone has a price and we should be ready with replacement options whenever a value offer arrives…
At Celtic, we love our history more than any others do, but football is all about tomorrow. Time to get busy writing the next chapter.
Hail Hail
———-
Good morning.
And thank you for your kind reply.
Let me respond to your points in reverse order if I may.
I thought the CQN leader about KT’s transfer was bitchy and bitter. The tone I’d expect from a jilted teenager, yet written by an adult about the future health and career of a young man who’d played his heart out for Celtic since he was a child.
For my part as a poster, I was consistent from early in his career in saying he should have been blooded into the team, using Izzie to make up the remaining minutes.
My j’accuse towards BR was principally the way in which he overplayed him, especially when he was carrying a knock. I’ve had an occasionally bad back for 30 years because I was too young and too keen to miss a big game. And that was for a team much less than Celtic!
Imho the reason that BR didn’t play KT for 3 months was because he couldn’t. Because he’d broken him.
Actually, for me the most disappointing allegation of all, is that his captain told him to suck it up and pop the pills/take the injection. Given how Broonie has been hirpled at times with long term injuries, that’s where the Celtic duty of care should have started.
HH jg
Just noticed Aribo been ‘injured ‘ for a couple of weeks…..rumoured to have been in Spain recently….