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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Well for those being satirical about number of midfielders, maybe Celtic knew this was coming hence bringing in Turnbull in good time.
Also when counting midfielders , wingers are also designated midfielders.
So you will often have 5 playing & maybe 3 on the bench.
Factor in injuries suspensions & lack of form having 12/14 midfielders is not as daft as it might sound particularly when 3 or 4 of that number are academy kids.
THELURKINTIM
Coping……….just!
Ate and drank too much during lockdown and put on a err, a few pounds.
Taking remedial which no easy!
Take care.
PHILBHOY on 27TH AUGUST 2020 7:05 PM
If the manager is selecting players who want away that is surely sackable.
###
Only if wanting away means they have put their tools away.
Which doesn’t have to be the case.
PHILBHOY, only thing i can say ,luv ya to bits, god bless to you and yours👍
Can’t blame Ntcham for wanting to leave. Hugh quality but overlooked for Btoony (for sentimental reasons).
ERNIE LYNCH
Only if wanting away means they have put their tools away.
————————————————————————————-
I have no sensible response to this.
BIG PACKY!
You take care too!
Philbjoy…I call ma lockdown belly an investment…🤣
Get players that want away….eh away.
Otherwise a bigger rot will set in.
Tell them they can go and if form dips drop them. They should not be near our first team if their standards/performance slips just because they want away. The only winner there is a player and the club/fans suffer.
HH
D :)
Lennon’s problem is there are toooooo many players to pick from.
So it looks to me like he’s picking players other than on ability.
Surely that’s a sacking offence ERNIE?
philbhoy 👍
And yet, despite last night’s disappointment there’s now just 1 of our outfield starting line up that has yet to secure a vote. CQNPOTY@GMAIL.COM
What a feckin’ mess.
Every August.
Can someone please tell me where Turnball plays? It’s a genuine question.
If he were to start at the weekend, who would probably drop out to accomdate?
Thanks.
THELURKINTIM
The reality hit me when I had to buy trousers with a 40″ waist.
I wore them once, and since I started remedial, I can get into the auld 38’s!!
They are on a hanger in my bedroom and on display……………..lest I forget.
Mind you, I’m 6’2″ so it’s hard to see I’ve got a gut. Not!!!!!!!
Bada
Sky sports understands after that I stop reading as a) they’re no friends Of Celtic b) they regurgitate made up pish for weeks and weeks and pass it off as news
When have you ever watched sky and thought oh that was a nice positive piece on us there.
If the 4 all go then we’ll need the long transfer window to get replacements. How long we been looking for a CB now and still feck all.
Lennon should follow them out the door
Just been back on to check the number of youth team players in the squad and there are none, but the number has dropped to 12 . So your bang on corkcelt, we also have quite a few out on loan and the point I keep trying to make is quality over quantity all day long
Go Tell- I agree, but Ntcham wanted away last summer, rumours for months Ajer wants out,Lawwell has had long enough to move them on,and get replacements in
D66
sign Martin..he’ll sort it 😂
Phibhoy…if yer 6’2″…u make me feel taller 🥂🤣
H.H.
*Philbhoy
PHILBHOY, big packy was my late great uncle who took me to parkhead all those years ago ,he was 6 foot plus im 5 foot 6 inches and have a 40 inch waist, but 40 years ago i had a 32 inch waist ach memories 😍😍
It’s all very well playing at being a coach. We all do it from time to time. However, playing at being a doctor is not right.
BP…you referred to the Bolton Wanderers flop, then you embraced him, now you want him sacked again…it’s make your mind up time…luv ya to bits :-)
No problem Pitymevin. and the 12 include Henderson & Luca who have yet to establish themselves.
I reckon Rogic is definitely leaving & Turnbull is probably replacing him, if Ntcham goes he will need replacing too & Brooney is probably going to retire at end of season.
Our main problem is in defence, we need a centre half and a left back right now & if Ajer goes we will need a second centre,
Eddie & Christie will also need replacing if they go.
We could be looking at a much changed landscape by the end of this window.
I reckon Rogic is definitely leaving & Turnbull is probably replacing him
—–
replacing him where?
on the bench?
or not in the squad?
he couldnt lace Rogic’s boots
but i would stick him straight in the team for sunday
The game is done….history. Learn from it. Poor tactics. Simple.
Lads – tighten up!
Celtic Quick News CSC.
Ignore the fakers and the pith takers!
HH
If Ntcham is one of the players wanting away then it didnt
appear so last night,in my view our best performer.
Where does Turnball play??
PLEASE.
NORMANSTREET49 on 27TH AUGUST 2020 7:56 PM
The game is done….history. Learn from it. Poor tactics. Simple.
………………………………………………………………..
You are not watching.
Lennon is not learning anything.
Same as it ever was.
His time is up.
Gordybhoy64…best performer last night is a misnomer…best of a bad lot would b more appropriate
I’m still mystified by last night’s selection and tactics especially given the knockout format and from Ferencvaros tactics in their previous qualifier. Does the manager not sit down and learn from mistakes or watch opponents?
Ntcham is not the messiah…..but he’s a good enough player to build a team around. I really hope he stays
THE BLOGGER……………..
Seen it posted on here he would be a straight replacement for Broony.
Also seen replacement or similar to Ryan.
Someone posted today he could play left back.
Me, I see him as a bench warmer.
Bada we usually sing from the same sheet so no change there
Tell them they can go when we’ve got a replacement go 3 at the back Shug, CJ and Bitton
Frimpong wide right and a feckin striker thru the middle
A major rebuild of the team is a concern this season – I’d expected it next summer but if we lose Rogic, Griff, Eddie, Ntcham, Ajer and Christie to follow Forster from last season then we’re in very dangerous waters.
I feel we need to limit the player exits to 3 and move the rest on after the season ends.
Duffy and Benkovic in alongside Turnbull would stabilise things quickly.
I think Ajer, Ntcham and Eddie will go. Christie, Rogic and Griff at the end of the season.
We were here 3 years ago with Boyata refusing to play and Dembele going after Athens. We’ll come through this and hopefully not make August 2021 another crisis month.
WEE BOBBY COLLINS, we both are roughly the same age, we probably stood beside each other in the jungle, so anything you say im with that, luv ya to bits buddy👍
EXPAT_CELT
Ferencs last game was on tv last week.
Loads of ghuys on here watched it in full.
Lennon said he’d watched “bits and bobs”.
Get rid now please!
http://etims.net/?p=15988