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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Robinbhoy,
Harry Brady of CU claims strongly that Ntcham, Eddie, Ajer and Christie are the four who want away.
Lennon should have kept his mouth shut last night. Accepted responsibility for the joke team selection end of.
if Ivan Toney has signed for Brentford then we have missed out big time, money wasted on our current bench warming 2 strikers would have gone a natural goal scorer in , this bhoy looks the real deal, dearie dearie
Lively debate is fine but less of the sweary words.
CQNhouserulescsc
got
Big Wavy…if that’s true….we thank thum for their service n move on…but I hope that it’s mischief making pish
is rogic not on the want away list?
THELURKINTIM on 27TH AUGUST 2020 6:36 PM
Big Wavy…if that’s true….we thank thum for their service n move on…but I hope that it’s mischief making pish
—
I don’t know. He’s meant to be well connected and this stems from the Killie match when Neil had a go at them. Ajer dropped seemed strange so early on and I just wonder if the ‘he thinks he’s better than he is’ might just be Christie….
The fact that it’s out in the open means we are now playing a game of ‘who done it”?
Hey guys
Come to the east end
Do some stretches at lennoxtown
Get paid £220K a year!
Win win.
big wavy
All for one
And one for all
.@SkySportsNews understands that representatives of Kristoffer Ajer and Olivier Ntcham have asked Celtic for valuations of the two players, for potential moves away from Parkhead.
Lennons comments were irrelevant – the players he called out showed plenty commitment these last couple of games. Call them out if there has been a lack of effort but that’s was not the case.
we lost because of not killer instinct in front of goal coupled with poor defending
I imagine nothing will happen before the Motherwell game, After that there is a 2 week break and if Desmond decides Lenny’s time is up, they will then most likely line up his successor & offer a decent pay off and Lenny will be allowed to resign with dignity.
Will it happen? Possible but if I was a betting man I’d say Lenny will see the season out & then go,
However I do feel he is skating on thin ice, and I wouldn’t rule anything out.
Anyhow all the gum bumping here might help some to release their frustrations but that’s all it will achieve.
Funny but it’s only when things go badly wrong that you can make a judgement on who you’d want minding your back in a crisis.
RTB : are you a hen?
Neil Lennon has previous in losing must win games. Inverness Cally when we lost 3-2 to lose the league. Semi finals against Hearts and Ross County. League cup final against Kilmarnock. I also agree that his demeanour and physical condition would suggest that he is suffering from depression again. His health is more important than Celtic’s fortunes so it might be best for him that he stands down.
Ya beauty another midfielder, 15 and counting, only need another 3 and that will be enough.
Players lining up to leave after Lenny goes on record last night to say they can go.
His post match comments made Slippy G look like a seasoned manager.
We appear to have a complete lack of professionalism running right through the club.
Idiotic comments from the manager post match.
This will not end well.
Stebhoy…and lack of starting striker(s)…last night was a train wreck
https://twitter.com/anthonyrjoseph/status/1299038477179379713?s=12
Seems Ajer and Ntcham want out
Who didn’t have an inkling that we would lose last nights game once you heard we were using the failed no centre forward system? The result was no surprise. Failing to learn from mistakes means you continue to fail.
If we knew these players wanted out for the past 6 months why didnt we buy replacements and why are we still playing them in the first team?
Fail to plan – plan to fail
IVEHADTOCHANGE
Didn’t think anything would bring a smile to my sour face today , but that did!
BIG PACKY1
Ok, but don’t come on here and talk rubbish, always looking for a reaction.
I know a Celtic director and he is no Tory.
I can understand Ntcham wanting away.
Should be in his prime but only a bit part player with us because the manager doesn’t rate him or trust him.
I’d want away too fgs!
Ajer has had his head turned. I’m guessing he’s a better midfielder than a centre back .
A shame we didn’t find out for sure while he is here.
STAIRHEEDRAMMY- exactly
Ajer needs to get real. He has LOADS to learn before he can play in the english championship never mind EPL
I feel that Lennon is very lucky that there are no fans allowed into the game on Sunday.
And I agree with posters who have commented on his overall demeanour. Not good. His bizarre team selection and shocking comments merely added to suspicions.
He looks a beaten man for whatever reason.
Time for DD to step in.
Philbhoy…that’s my motis operandi..and if truth b told…ours 🤣
H.H.
If the manager is selecting players who want away that is surely sackable.
Unless big Pete knows and wants them in the windae.
We are a very well run business, but the football division is sliding into a mess.
philbhoy..careful..most posters flounce to SC
HH
Stairheedrammy
Can’t disagree with any of that
PHILBHOY, ok pal take it easy, im just going by other posters and im not looking for a reaction, and i dont talk rubbish, well sometimes maybe😍 hope you are well.👍
THELURKINTIM
Hope you are better than good, notwithstanding current football disasters!!
BIG PACKY1
Aye ye ur!
Am well and hope you and Joan are too.
Philbhoy…am trying to maintain a level of niceness that’s unsustainable…other than that am fine thanks 🤣 Hooping u n C n O r coping
H.H.