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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Too disappointed to post any opinion on last night’s game – however this will be controversial, It is my opinion that Neil Lennon is clinically depressed – my heart goes out to him.
Perhaps the whole lockdown has got to him – his shape & demeanour has concerned me since the start of the season. He has had problems in the past – this Chinese plague is affecting more people than we imagine.
He has a lot on his plate – I agree with him that those who are looking elsewhere must go – who are they? My guess would be the following five, Eduard, Ajer, Calmac, Christie & possibly Ntcham. We know the first two are coveted by EPL clubs – Brendan wants Calmac & Christie has longed for the Stuart Armstrong route for at least a year. His father Charlie Christie was in the media quite recently talking up his son’s ability to play in the EPL.
We are in trouble, how much it remains to be seen.
Simple ,stop putting out 10 man teams,Frimpong caused more bother when.on.than the tidy,Young James did all night,of course he has purple patches but now seems intent on moving ball as opposed to causing impact,Taylor doing the same.
Not impressed by NL outburst,no sooner we hear of a Sevco player revolt than.Neil declares we have one also,how daft is that.
A lot will be said about lost revenue,but if we dont use it when we have it what’s the point,so no loss..
I would accept a bid for Ayer he is a weak defender, get the max and reinvest via a new manager.
KINGLUBO on 27TH AUGUST 2020 4:25 PM
Big Wavy
Never knew you were such a puritan, apologies none the less if I offended you.
All the best
KINGLuBO
—
You didn’t. It’s been a pretty consistent house rule from day one. Means nothing if we don’t self-police it. Happy to be belittled by you for keeping that on track.
I’d sell Ajer. Exactly the right time to get a decent price. Great at running into space with the ball but a lot to learn defensively and in the unforgiving premiership, I think he’d sink.
Of course if we end up buying McKenna or some utter dud for a fraction of the money as a replacement I reserve the right to cry uncontrollably.
Gene- I read on here and Sentinel Celts from guys who watched Ferencvaros last couple of games, the summary, style of play,and danger men were exactly what we saw last night, bits and bobs?
JHB – I was thinking the same. Lennon doesn’t look happy and actually looks unhealthy of late. If players want to leave, that’s fine and that’s football. Lennon cannot take that personally.
He wants the 10 so badly and I think he feels the board are letting him down – bringing in below average players , not filling the urgent positions quickly enough and not moving players along.
This business needs to be done ASAP – even if it means we pay more or lose money in selling. The 10 is THAT important.
There is something far adrift when two of our last four managerial appointments have been on the basis of The same man being handy, cheap and drooling for the job.
I’m torn on selling Ajer. Get £10m+ and reinvest in a couple of decent centre-backs that will improve our team and allow us to go back to 3-5-2 then yes.
Scramble about a couple of days before the end of the window, get Duffy in and another young “project” while the money sits in the bank, no.
I’d rather have Ajer than the latter.
CORKCELT @ 4:21 PM,
Lenny’s words were more than clear…
…If some of you don’t want to be here, leave.”
He can hardly state that then allow those players to stay. If Ajer wants away he should go.
Hail Hail
Or keep him and play him centre midfield build the midfield around him he can play , covers the ground but doesnt enjoy contested headers, give him that vision might just settle him down.
Anyone trust Neil to invest any money we get for Ajer wisely? Doesn’t matter who we sign if he doesn’t know what formation to use .
OK Chairbhoy but not at a cut price deal, demanding that is a form of blackmail.
as someone who watched celtic home and away over 57 years, went to every game leading up to the big one nantes duklaprague vojvodina etc im so feckin devastated by this fiasco, we were once the kings of europe, now we are a laughing stock,that hurts me deeply.H.H.
Dessybhoy,
Ajer has the turning circle of an oil tanker. Watching him twist and turn in midfield would be a thing to behold.
There’s no doubt that everyone who posts or lurks on here is very disappointed by the bottom line – that we last last night. But I’m heartened to see that many have been able to separate their disappointment in the result from our performance on the pitch and so still select 3 players that were deserving of a relative degree of praise. 12 outfield players took part last night and 8 of them have received votes. It’s arguable that we played better last night (losing by a goal) than against Dundee Utd (winning by a goal).
Anyway, still almost 5 hours to get your feelings out and stick 3 names in an email to me at CQNPOTY@GMAIL.COM .
Related to that, despite games currently being played behind closed doors does anyone know whether a “sponsors man of the match” gets announced at the ground? Just curious…
I said here at lunchtime yesterday that the only danger from this team ( having actually
watched them) was being caught on the break. I also suggested that asking the defence
not too venture too far forward was an idea that might be floated.
I’m not being payed a large amount of money to manage Celtic or having all the hours
of the day to think about it so how could I and other posters yesterday see it?
BP1
Know how you feel, dont think this is a sticking plaster job either sadly, think the international break after Sunday’s game will be instructive of how seriously the board view this failure and what is going to be done about it.
Ajer’s agent wants the price so he can pick up the phone and start advertising. Give him the price and get Ajer moved on. Like Boyata we’re being held to ransom by bang average defenders.
Who does Ajer think will come in for him ? Is Klopp watching last night saying that handsome young chap that went for a walkabout at that corner kick is my type of defender ?!
Paul the spark
You’re assuming then that Lenny gets to choose which players are purchased.
I’m far from convinced that’s the case. In fact, I believe Lawell decides who is purchased and the manager of the day Just has to get on with it.
I agree with all those who say that Lenny doesn’t look his best at this time. I’m very concerned about his suitability to lead us through what was always going to be a very stressful season with all that is at stake.
I hope those upstairs are keeping a close eye on things. Last night’s performance on and off the park, will not have helped in that regard
I firmly believe that succession planning for next season must start now. I’m not sure that the required vision is there though.
I wonder if Lawwell is regretting the shower room coronation now.
Act in haste- repent at leisure!
btw – since klimala and Ajeti were not fully fit and ready for last night – I would have tried Ajer up top with someone playing off him.
Its a bit out there but he did play center forward earlier in his career – he would have held the ball up , been an areal threat and could outmuscle their small defense.
I’m a couch Clough type:)
Neil has accepted blame for the defeat…..in todays TIMES……. so perhaps all youse pussies could move on
DESSYBHOY, cheers pal, still devastated tho 👍
If Eddies not fit for Sunday will we play with no centre forward then ? They’re about the same standard of team in the main with a game plan
Keep Ajer and play him in Brown’s place?
Been up since 4.30 this morning and still as grumpy as eff, one good thing tho, took my motor in for it’s MOT this morning at 7, first of the day and yer man who did the test just burst out laughing when he saw my top, he then proceeded in perfect brit to tell me that we we a joke last night, he explained that he has been following Celtic since he was a kid, Spanish footy doesn’t interest him, we had a very decent conflab about things and he passed my motor even tho he shouldn’t have as the back brakes were a tad dodgy, they are now fixed, digression over, we were brutal last night, no other explanation for it, from the top to the bottom we were rank, how do we fix it, better folks than I who are paid squillions don’t have the answer so how the eff am I supposed to have it, I thot that the Canman made a very succinct point about the TIAR, he has his doubts that we will be allowed due to the business plan, thank eff he said it afore I did as I have been thinking the exact same thing.
We can kiss goodbye to any decent incomers and wave goodbye to all our decent assets, we are getting what we have sown.
We needed a centre-back anyway, if Ajer stays. If he leaves, we’ll need two.
I hope the Duffy deal hasn’t been dependent on what Ajer does.
We’ll need Duffy +1
BB1967
DD orchestrated the shower room coronation
Geebee1978
Could you imagine Duffy being the last man back for their 2nd last night? He’d be crucified today for his lack of pace.
Fix the system then get the players doing what they do best.
TOPKAT, your obviously a neil lennon fan dont know how old you are but ive seen it all the kellys and the whites ,dont ever call celtic supporters pussies thanks in advance.H.H.
If Lennon is ill he should be removed from post immediately, wrapped in cotton wool and should utilise the clubs private health care scheme.
Get a new man in now before he collapses on the job.
CORKCELT @ 4:41 PM,
OK Chairbhoy but not at a cut price deal, demanding that is a form of blackmail.
Well agreed, last thing we need is a Dutch auction, but if he doesn’t want to be here and we can get a good price for him he should go.
The Elephant in the room for me was Eddy…
…in his pre match presser Lenny said he had a bit of a thigh strain but was ok to play. Is Eddy using Dembele tactics?
We’ll see how he plays Sunday.
Hail Hail
Is it wrong to think that a 9 in a row team should be performing better in Europe?
Roddy McDonald played centre forward for Celtic in a European tie.
Might have been the year Sean Fallon was in charge after Jock Stein’s car accident.
INIQUITOUSIV on 27TH AUGUST 2020 3:57 PM
Spot on.
We’re getting done tactically against Dan Patrescu, Rebrov and Slippy G.
We need to address that sooner or later.
So angry am still posting on the last thread
Following a sound sleep…and some hair-o-the dug…I can’t believe how angry I still am…last night was a disaster…from shape to tactics…Lenny got it all wrong….I expect there will be more downsizing to come….
FrustratedCSC
H.H.
JOBO
I suspect that some posters are happy that Celtic lost.
Take the dosh for Ajer and get Duffy in. Ajer is a diddy.
As for Turnbull, he said he has started the season well and feels good. So he must be close to a start at the weekend, so let him hit the ground running.He doesn’t need 3 months to get to know how we play.