I watched Hull batter Leicester City on TV last night without putting the ball in the net. The sheer volume and quality of chances entitled Hull fans to some consolation in the valid football adage, ‘these days happen’. Those absent from Celtic Park on Saturday are likely to assume we similarly battered Ross County, but they would be wrong. County defended throughout but were never under anything close to intense pressure.
This is one of the right times of the season to have a performance like that, they are of little use in the first week in February, when the transfer window is closed. Clues abound as to where we need to strengthen, most pointing to the forward line. John Guidetti’s drop in form over the last month has dropped like a stone, but he’s still comfortably holding onto the striker position. Neither Stokes, Griffiths nor Scepovic are putting pressure on a young off-form player.
There is also the playmaker position, which appears to be on the bench. Kris Commons has been dropped before in his Celtic career, often for important games in Europe, where more industrious, but less talented, players were chosen. I spent most of Saturday’s game waiting on Kris coming on, but if his general level of fitness counts against him for a starting position, his lack of 90 minute outings since his injury earlier in the season means that his late-game cameos look even less industrious.
As I’ve been saying since July, we only have one playmaker and if he’s not playing or off form, we’ll struggle. With a match-fit Commons on from the start yesterday, we would have won comfortably. I’m happy to accept we need a playmaker who’ll cover 15k in 90 minutes, so sign one, but if we’re going to let Commons go, or wither on the bench, sign two, before we end up dependent on one man again.
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notthebus
15:43 on 29 December, 2014
Good Article Paul
At the meoment ,we have three variations of Peter Grant , but no Paul McStays
___________
My cat agrees:)
Btw…so do I. HH
Paul
to be a “gifted player” you have to have a first touch. Take some time to review the early part of the legia game, when we were doing well and 0-1 up. look at the touch of commons (and Mulgrew) and the pressure it put on the team as a whole. A pressure we did not recover from and then you’ll know why he warms the bench.
Before someone else thinks of it –
Sack Deila (sorry), and appoint Commons player-manager.
You know it would work.
Further Thoughts…..
Wan needs Silk in order tae mak a Silk Purse.
Ronny his A Bunch of……Shall Ah tell Ya?(Bettah no.. ed)
tae work wi’.
An It has bin already Said.. that Wan canny Mak a Silk Purse ..
Using Those.
This Windae.. Ronny , wull hiv a Chance at bringing in ..the Beginnings..o’ theType of Players whom he
believes wull respond tae his.. well..Promptings in a Mair co operative Manner.
We kin only Hope that He is Successful in carrying out ..that task.
Right?
Kojo
Still.. Laughin’
QF
16:32 on 29 December, 2014
I agree. Same vs Ajax in Amsterdam last season. His decision making is often poor in Europe too. Do you remember what he did in the 1st minutes of each half in the San Siro last season?
I thought back in the 70’s there was far too much flare at Celtic Park – especially on the terracing!
MWD said AYE
We have a manager who over thinks an over complicates things. We are Celtic. We play 2 up front, base rest of team round that. Our manager so obsessed with wingers that he’s forgotten you need people in box to put them away.
On a more humourous topic, I read this from the well known Rangers International spokesperson on intellectual matters on Sky Sports, Andy Goram :
“I think the board bowed down to fans who wanted Ally McCoist out. They wanted change. Ally has been put on gardening leave but he is still on the same money which is fine as he deserves that.
“Kenny McDowall has been brought in as the manager until the end of the season but we still have the same coaching staff, we still play the same system and we still have the same players so nothing has really changed.
“But Kenny will do it his way now. He will have to make changes because you can’t hope things will turn around. You have to make them turn around.”
Let’s continue to be amused by what is happening across the way. Leave our football decisions to our manager, get behind Celtic and enjoy what is left of our season. We are doing ok.
I once over thought something. Brain swole up for days. Still haven’t recovered!
MWD said AYE
Pardew to Crystal Palace.
Poor Joe Ledley.
I was somewhat surprised to read yesterday that we do not have adequate indoor training facilities at Lennoxtown.
Given our climate, i would have thought this was in place..
According to the Herald article Ronnie has asked for this as a priority, but again this costs money, and the board have the unenviable dilema of spending on infrastructure, or giving us, the fans, some eye candy on the park. I suspect the money isn’t there for both ?
For me it’s a no brainer. Bring in at least 2 quality players who will fit immediately into the team, and into Ronnie’s percieved strategy. No more projects please.
And on those really cold days when training is difficult, well get up early,sit on the phone for an hour, and book out Toryglen for the day.
I thought we had a decent crowd in on Saturday, and the display again was awful. I have family members who are ST holders and trying to get some of them to attend at the moment is hard going. My young nephew left with 30 mins to go on and, for him this is unheard of.. We can all see that the team is stuttering, but I’m prepared to stick with RD and see if we get an improvement over the coming months, but i suspect that I’m in a minority.
HH
Kojo,
Ronnys formation has me stummyfied at the moment…thought I’d make a new word up for new year.
We play with most of the team on the wings…practically no midfield and one up front.
The players are getting results only due to there own football knowledge…it’s not coming from the strategy our manager is trying.
Like most, I hope I’m wrong and RD gets it right!
There, their :)
Ah always run intae opposition tae Ma Suggestions..oan Here..
The Fact that Ah continue tae Dae so..
Is tae be Expected..
Ah jist happen tae Think ..almost Diametrically.. tae Maist of Ma CQN
Brethren..
Cases in Point..’
Ah Detest.. Broony…
Efe..is a Menace. he wull always be a weak Link..
He should Never Get a Game,in a Defensive Position..
‘
Izzy, wid mak a Creditable .. LEFT WINGER.. he is NOT a Defender.
He is Totally MIS CAST in that Capacity.
McGregor..is NOT Celtic Class.. He is Far too “WAN FITTED.”
n.. He is Also far too limited in Brain Power..
These are jist a few of the Differences in opinion which Ah Hold from the Majority of Guys oan Here..
N..
Here is Anither , Person, in which Ah hold a Divergent Opinion from that of the Majority..
‘
Ah Like Ronny.,. Ah Approve… wholeheartedly, in his Appointment.f. a Manager of Ma Beloved Club.
He has the Right Ideas..
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
glasgowdave
16:46 on
29 December, 2014
I agree. we produced the best team in Europe (and possibly the world) when all we had was Barrowfield.
up_over_goal
16:46 on 29 December, 2014
Perhaps Palace is a better option than where Ashley wants him to go ???
67 ECW
Sorry if it’s been answered before, but why can’t Kris Commons cover upwards of 10k in 90minutes…
He’s a professional footballer and hardly a true ‘veteran’ at 31?
Maybe Ronny feels he is not running as much as he could? I dunno.
I do remember feeling very frustrated at Aiden McGeady for similar reasons – his failure to run when not in possession – and WGS made sure he either did it or didn’t play.
I already notice James Forrest developing similar traits. Switches off when not on the ball, stops and complains if dispossessed etc.
Throughout the development years in this country, these boys were probably given license to do less tracking and working due to their ability. However, you then end up with Aiden being criticised for club and country and not plying for a Bayern – watch the workrate of Robben, Di Maria or even Antonio Valencia!
Since Commons has come back from injury, what has he done to justify getting a game, nada. Gone in a huff cause he ain’t getting his 2 year deal !!!!
Time to leave him out altogether till he gets rid of the fat and proves he wants to contribute, too much energy spent discussing why he isn’t in the team, he isn’t in the team because he won’t put in the effort.
For me the problems at our club stem from the players identified by our scouts. Far to often over the previous 3 seasons or so we have brought in players recommended by our scouts that just aren’t woth the money we paid for them and were definately not worth the wages we paid.
For me the recruitment of a director of football is the number 1 priority for our club. I’ve read on here that PL is involved with the recruitment of players and the signing of youths etc. If this is true then it’s no wonder our club is in such a mess with so many players being signed then not used.
PL has no background in football, that is a blatant fact, he should have no say, other than to set the footballing budget, in footballing decisions.
Appoint Dir Of Football. I’d then alow him 3 months to assess our domestic and overseas departments and bring forward a cohesive strategy going forward. I personally would reduce the size of the 1st team squad freeing up wages to sign 2-3 expierenced pros on desent wages. We’re not asking for a team of players on 40-60 grand a week but surely if the money available is managed better then we can afford a couple of players on 40-50k a week.
A good shout out for Dir of Football? Davie Hay, with Tom Boyd as his assistant.
67 European Cup Winners
Not a chance – but would love to have seen the look on Pardew’s face.
Kojo
It is my experience that those who hold divergent views from the majority are more likely to have a sound argument.
For what it is worth, I agree with your opinion that Ronny D has the right ideas. I disagree with your assessment of Scott Brown. I sometimes feel that Brown`s worth to the team is only in evidence for those of us fortunate enough to be able to attend games.
JJ
Tim Malone Will Tell
16:13
very wise words there mate.
Guernica 1658:-
Do you have access to the stats on how much ground Celtic players cover in each game? I ask because I have no idea how much ground Kris Commons typically can or does cover when he is on the park and how this compares to other players.
Its maybe irrelevant to talk about how much distance Commons covers in the 90 minutes as he doesn`t get 90 minutes these days for whatever reason and seems set to leave the club.
I`d also like to see stats on how many times each player surrenders possession or skies a cross out of the park? Or even how many tackles are attempted and won by each player in the team.
I think such stats would quickly highlight the real deficiencies in the team and I suspect that Kris Commons would not feature as a weak link.
eddie
I looked back to read those wise words but there was no post at 16:13.
JJ
Sipsini
Ah agree .wi thee, pal..
Inasmuch, that .. Ronny appears tae be .. Trying some Bizarre n Hard tae Understand
team Formations..
Howevahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…
Ah believe that he is Desperately Trying tae Mak That Silk Purse..which Ah hiv already mentioned,earlier in Ma Musings.
As tae be Expected..he has had Nothing but Failure tae Show fur His Bizzare
Manipulations in his Team Formations.
He has Failed..Miserably.. just like the Guy who First told Us..whit wid happen..
when he said..
“Guys.. Ye canny Mak a Silk purse..oot Anything but.. Silk.”
Ronny.. Has Done Proved that.
He needs tae Throw oot the Auld wine.. n.. bring in a Barrel of the New.
That is the Only way.. tae Dae it..
Gie Ronny, some slack..n.. also.. Some Time..
He wull Succeed.. in his endeavors..but we must Be Patient..
‘
Meanwhile..he is doing Fairly well.. with whit he has Inherited
Celtic ,are Top of the League..n Still in Several other Tourneys..,
Ah Like Roony’s Attitude.. He wull succeed in the End.
If…He gets the Time , that He needs.’
Nice Chatting ,pally
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
up_over_goal
17:01 on 29 December, 2014
67 European Cup Winners
Not a chance – but would love to have seen the look on Pardew’s face.
Not a chance is exactly what Pardew would have said
67ECW
Stephan Johansen covers every blade of grass at Celtic Park, so much so his skills have been compared to the man that cuts the grass at Celtic Park.
TheOldies CSC
kojo
17:11 on 29 December, 2014
Kojo your posts are less complicated than RDs tactics
67ECW
——
Sack Oor Clueless Simpleton Manager !
Sack Oor Clueless Divisive Chief Exec. !
Sack Oor Clueless Marxist Pope !
—-
RanchoFranco For New Manager !
KevJ For Next CEO !
Kojo For POPE !
SORTED..!!!!
——
—-
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2014/12/29/conservative-catholics-angry-as-pope-plans-to-issue-encyclical-on-climate-change/
Conservative Catholics Angry as Pope Plans to Issue Encyclical on Climate Change
by Donna Rachel Edmunds
29 Dec 2014
Next year, Pope Francis will issue a rare encyclical calling on Catholics the world over to do their bit in reducing emissions, the Observer has reported.
The pontiff also plans to make a series of speeches and summit appearances in the run up to the UN’s climate conference due to take place in Paris toward the end of 2015, with a view to influencing the outcome of the meeting. The conference, which will be the 21st such annual climate conference, is widely seen as a deadline for global negotiations on climate change, and the event at which new legally binding targets will be set.
Bishop Marcelo Sorondo, chancellor of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences, has told Cafod, the Catholic development agency: “Our academics supported the pope’s initiative to influence next year’s crucial decisions.
“The idea is to convene a meeting with leaders of the main religions to make all people aware of the state of our climate and the tragedy of social exclusion.”
At the UN conference in Lima last month, Bishops from around the world gave voice to frustrations that the richest countries in the world are not doing enough to reduce emissions, which they see as a social injustice to those living in poorer regions.
Sorondo himself, who is known to be close to the Pope (they are fellow Argentinians), said “Just as humanity confronted revolutionary change in the 19th century at the time of industrialisation, today we have changed the natural environment so much. If current trends continue, the century will witness unprecedented climate change and destruction of the ecosystem with tragic consequences.”
Pope Francis is known to be sympathetic to the sentiment. Last October he addressed a meeting of Latin American and Asian landless peasants and other social movements, telling them: “An economic system centred on the god of money needs to plunder nature to sustain the frenetic rhythm of consumption that is inherent to it.
“The system continues unchanged, since what dominates are the dynamics of an economy and a finance that are lacking in ethics. It is no longer man who commands, but money. Cash commands.
“The monopolising of lands, deforestation, the appropriation of water, inadequate agro-toxics are some of the evils that tear man from the land of his birth. Climate change, the loss of biodiversity and deforestation are already showing their devastating effects in the great cataclysms we witness.”
In March, the Pope intends to visit the Philippine city of Tacloban, which was devastated by typhoon Haiyan in 2012. Following the visit, he is expected to issue a rare encyclical on climate change and human ecology, urging Catholics the world over to take action on those issues. It will be sent to 5,000 Catholic Bishops and 400,000 Catholic priests, who will be expected to disseminate the contents to their parishioners.
Neil Thorns, head of advocacy at Cafod, told theObserver: “The anticipation around Pope Francis’s forthcoming encyclical is unprecedented. We have seen thousands of our supporters commit to making sure their MPs know climate change is affecting the poorest communities.”
However, the Pope’s increasingly left wing agenda is already causing a divide within the Church, and this latest encyclical is only likely to worsen it. Pope Francis himself has sent out mixed signals on a range of doctrinal issues, mostly concerning the status of divorced Catholics and gays, but his willingness to give his more left-wing bishops a platform has sown seeds of dissent.
In November, Cardinal Raymond Burke, prefect of the Apostolic Signatura (that is, president of the Vatican’s supreme court) said “At this very critical moment, there is a strong sense that the church is like a ship without a rudder.” Burke has lately emerged as a leader to the traditionalist wing of the church.
Meanwhile, Cristina Odone, former editor of the Catholic Herald, has said: “Francis achieved miracles with his compassionate, off-the-cuff comments that detoxified the Catholic brand. He personifies optimism — but when he tries to turn this into policy he isn’t in command of the procedures or the details. The result is confusion.”
The climate encyclical will only exacerbate the situation. Dan Misleh, director of the Catholic climate covenant, said: “This encyclical will threaten some people and bring joy to others. The arguments are around economics and science rather than morality.
“A papal encyclical is rare. It is among the highest levels of a pope’s authority. It will be 50 to 60 pages long; it’s a big deal. But there is a contingent of Catholics here who say he should not be getting involved in political issues; that he is outside his expertise.”
And one of the factions who will denounce the paper as political will be the powerful US evangelical movement. The conservative Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation has already declared the US environmental movement to be “un-biblical” and a false religion.
A spokesman for the Alliance, Calvin Beisner has said: “The pope should back off. The Catholic church is correct on the ethical principles but has been misled on the science. It follows that the policies the Vatican is promoting are incorrect. Our position reflects the views of millions of evangelical Christians in the US.”
—-
celt for life
Commons didn’t all of a sudden become a bad/lazy player?
He’s being pushed out the door as his wages are too high for our boards liking.
Reap what the board is sowing…
Aw ffs naw!!!!!
hun skelper
15:39 on
29 December, 2014
http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/750996818?-10583:834
So true, applies to a few on here HH
Yep.Overflowing with Prima Donnas on here.Then they have a cheek to talk about the hun.
No idea of where the “We want a better league”mob went to.Get one and their bottle crashes.
Just read a piece from Frank McAvennie, what total pish he talks. When he played at CP it was always full. Total nonsense !
If RD thinks Johansen is the playmaker we are missing then we r fooked.
It would be folly to let Kris go without 1 or 2 replacements lined up. It is imperative that we re-sign Kris or bring in quality alternative (s).
Awe naw……. No you Awe Naw. :-)
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
HT,
Explain ffs?
Rocket alert !!!