The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
After Neil Lennon resigned we discussed how Celtic have recently appointed managers to address the most glaring deficiency of the previous boss. Gordon Strachan bought in value markets, whereas Martin O’Neill pretty much bought players who appeared on Match of the Day or Sportscene.
Despite his success, Gordon was manager of Celtic, not the leader of the club; there was always some distance between him and a section of the support. As a consequence, we next appointed the guy who ‘invented’ the Celtic huddle.
Tony Mowbray was close to our hearts, but he was also a flop of a Celtic manager. People inside the club knew this from the first week he was there when he asked to spend close to £4m on Marc-Antoine Fortune.
Tony was out of sync with scouts and coaches. How do you fix that? You appoint one of the coaches who saw it all happen.
Neil Lennon didn’t have many obvious deficiencies. If we were to ask what his weakness was, there would be a range of answers.
Perhaps as a consequence, we’ve gone out with a clear remit: our manager should be intelligent, technically capable, insightful, and have a progressive and modern approach to the game. He must dovetail with the infrastructure we have worked so hard to build up, and be in tune with strategy.
All we know today is that the criteria for the job was correct and our man matches that criteria.
Ronny is one of the scientific innovators in the game who has had the ‘Moneyball’ tag applied. Back in 2009 I wrote about the books, Moneyball, and the football spin-off, Why England Lose (now re-launched as Soccernomics). I also put a copy of Why England Lose into the hands of a senior decision maker at the club.
The point about Moneyball and this type of analysis cannot be abbreviated in few short sentences, and it is certainly not as prosaic as ‘buying low and selling high’ – that’s old news now, which makes it a dead topic as far as Moneyball is concerned. The Michael Lewis book which did so much to publicise ‘sports economics’ was actually titled, Moneyball – The Art of Winning an Unfair Game.
The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
The game is unfair because others have more money, or more experience, or more sympathy with officials, or whatever your circumstances dictate. But most sports are also full of enormous inefficiencies.
Football clubs are hostages to ridiculous forces, just listen to the names within the game who urged Celtic to appoint a well-known name in order to put bums on seats. Some clubs do this – put a ‘name’ in, in the hope they sell some tickets, without realising there are enormously difficult football games ahead.
The football industry is top-heavy with fools with big budgets who don’t know what they are doing. Celtic’s job is to build a team who can compete at an ever-higher level in the Champions League. To get there we need a ruthless conviction against the inefficient nonsense which paralyses the rest of the game.
In 10 years I’ve never once agreed with a Celtic managerial appointment. I welcomed Gordon, Tony and Neil while saying the board have made the wrong decision. All of these appointments are risky, there are no guarantees – for short-term or long-term success. Guru managers don’t exist and Ronny has years of work ahead of him to build Celtic ever-higher, but I couldn’t be happier at his appointment. Eye on the prize…. it’s all about winning.
Welcome to Celtic, Ronny, you’re going to love it here, but keep your kilt on.
All of this and 300 Celtic fans at the CQN the Lisbon Lions gig in Greenock tonight! Hold me back!
Lladro replica World Cup trophy
My thanks to Liam, from East Kilbride, who donated his prize memento, a Lladro replica World Cup trophy, commissioned by the Spanish FA in 1978, and acquired by Liam in 1982. It will be auctioned on Saturday with proceeds going to our Mary’s Meals school kitchen appeal. You can get involved in the auction, or keep an eye on it as it happens, here. The auction takes place at Great Western Auctions, on Dumbarton Road.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his tome, All the Best.
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tonydonnelly67
12:46 on
Enjoy your time with the family, I have the good fortune to be able to see my grandkids on a regular basis. They’re here this weekend and we’re getting ready to go out to the swimming pool. I could sense the emotion in your last post and I just thought how lucky am I compared to others.
Auldheid
I posted yesterday about where the European ceiling is for non super clubs.
Unless you can spend >€150M on wages each year, the quarter final of the Champions League is the terminus given the current concentration of talent in such few clubs over the past decade.
FFP won’t change that substantially.
For Celtic, and without environment change, the question is can we get to that level, and if so, can it be repeated?
I expect we’ll yoyo along. We don’t have the wherewithal to sustain what is effectively over-achievement, irrespective of how we choose to spend what money we have.
Another one of our academy players, Lewis Kidd, joined Queen of The South yesterday after being there on loan Go0d luck Lewis.
On the topic of the Da da doo Ron Ron song. After we beat the deceased at Ibrox in the centenary season, a crowd of us were in Heraghty’s. Some of the Not the View crew were in. To the tune of Da da doo ron ron, they started their version. We played them on a Sunday and we won 2 1 , we won 2 1 yes we won 2 1
After all the expected criticism from the media and our ex player about Ronny, let’s hope he makes them enjoy some humble pie.
Auldheid
I,m sure it was Willie Wallace in an interview with Jim Craig for celtic TV that spoke about how quickly and naturally you become one of the family once you join the famous Glasgow celtic.
Also sure he spoke of spinny away to celebrate scoring against the “deid club” and looking up and seeing members of his family :)))))))
Thogh as has been well noted on here I have been wrong often :))
Day two of “mum sitting” I need a rest :))))
She is asking
“how can you talk to p0eople you dont know on that thing(laptop)” every 5 mins.
It’s celtic fans mam “Awwwww Ahhhh see says she tellin lies
“what are ye laughing at while looking at that thing for”
I’m tellin them about you Mam
” Aye that will be right I’ve heard of everything now” says she shaking her head.
Till later all
Marspapa
It’s a horrible word. Daily Ranker is much more suited to that rag’s agenda and a lot less offensive.
Tonydonnelly67
the most magical word you will hear is when they call you ‘grandad’
enjoy
fillingupCSC
Marspapa – Agreed; as its full of sh*te, is The Daily Rectum perhaps a better option ?
HH
I’m Moneyballed oot.
And I’m feeling fine.
MWD and AYE
Just watched Australia hammer France in Brisbane. Very impressed by the New Zealand referee and the touch assistants. Referee was always in control of the match and the referee and assistants worked together well as a team. It was great to see both teams get explanations of ‘controversial’ decisions from the referee. The respect for the referee by players on both sides was a sight or sore eyes. I hope the Scottish ‘masons in the black’ were watching and learn from this. Unfortunately, one can only dream.
I wonder if there was a falling out between PL and NL. Is it possible NL was told the team was boring and fans were losing interest ? Annoyed at this suggestion, perhaps NL decided to adopt the offensive tactics that saw us clobbered in the CL. Celtic were, however, much better to watch after the league title was confirmed and the shut out record was stopped. More offensive tactics were used. Annoyed at the interference from above Johan leaves, then Neil quits end of season. Johan and NL have a lot of pride and did the right thing. PL also “did the right thing” as fans were staying away from boring games. Hence we now have an attack minded Ronny Delia in charge. I wish Neil and Johan future success and thank you. Thanks to PL also make the club so successful
Welcome Ronny, Hail Hail
battered Bunnet , agree that Pedro eased Lenny out. It wasn’t just his wish for an EPL gig as pushed by his agent Reilly ; however he did not embrace the strategy. His only interest was the first team.
I like the cut of the Delia character, John Collins would be a good no 2 . Anytime I listen to him he is insightful and understand the peculiarities of Fitba in this country.
I am not normally one to praise Pedro, but on this occasion I do esp as we dodged a bullet with Keane.
‘Daily Rectum’ for me.
Retard is a horrible word.
HH!!
Kitalba
She remembered and is lookin forward to it.
A wee can and sit back and enjoy :))
Just told her someone from Austrailia said to remind you BGTs on,
She folded her arms raised her eyebrow and said
“i,m starting to worry your going off your head son”
“what are you doing on that thing”
Thank you for thinking of her.
Till later
Need to go she is looking at me strangely:))))))
Good afternoon all
Marspapa, great point. Why don’t we call it Andrex, it’s all it’s good for. Great blethering the other day, much appreciated. :-)))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
taurangabhoy
12:43 on 7 June, 2014
Celtic will play their 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds home ties at Murrayfield this covers the period from the 23/22 July to 5/6 August
Oooooooooooppppps
Australia
Live auction in just a few moments the Lladro for Malawi Kitchen. Lot 256.
http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/great-western-auctions-ltd/catalogue-id-2893603/live-bidding
TOSB
when forced to contemplate that failing tawdry tabloid I like to think of the Thugs’n’Thieves headlines the premature, gloating pictures of hearses and the litany of derisory comments about us and ours that disgraced those pages……….
………..an appropriate title for that blatt would be The Rectum imo……..
As some of the new oddly determined bloggers want to impress upon us – it’s all about opinions………………everyone has one.
The Rectum it is…………..
HH
Back in quickly. Yeah, Marsapa you are right. Time to consign that term to history. ‘Soup taker’ and ‘back of the bus’ also belong there along with some of our chants.
All the best Marsapa.
On the face of it this is the first appointment the board have put some thought into in years but lets not kid ourselves on about strategy. MON got the gig because DD liked him. WGS got it after meeting DD & MON at horse racing. Mowbray was apparently down to John Park & Neil was simply in the right place at the right time. Deila clearly impressed in negotiations with Johansen so again an element of luck – would he be on the rador otherwise? What possible strategy has Deila & Keane on the same shortlist? A calm team builder who develops versus a hot-headed loner who needs a big budget. Lets all back the new manager but lets not pretend we know he’s the right choice or there was a strategy. Lets hope he’s a success but if so the appointment has a large slice of luck.
Tiny Tim
I feel your pain. Been there. Done it.
Lesson? Don’t recruit experience. Recruit talent.
Weefrathe Tim that is being disrespectful to Andrex!! just don’t even buy it or mention it. Hail Hail Hebcelt
mickeybhoy1888 Ithink the fixtures commence 15/16th July Hail Hail Hebcelt
We also need confirmation on structure. Is he a coach with no say on signings? As new manager i’d have something to say about a dodgy left back being given a new contract and a gk who hasnt played in years going through medical. Unless this is not his remit. Either way we should be told. When judging a manager you look at his signings but this would be harsh if he isnt making them
Bognobhoy,
I was wanting to change Daily to Dreary, I thought it had a better ring to it :o)
Ah, bugger, didn’t meet reserve!
oneneillennon
Who’s the dodgy left back?
HH
leftclicktic:
Tell your ol’ dear to get 50p each way on Lucy Kay.
Oh oh oh oh Mandeila day
Whats latest with craig gordon ?
Thought we would have learnt our lesson with the injury prone defender we gave contract to last season.. Steven .
Hardly an inspiring signing.
If forster is offski id be expecting a better and younger keeper than gordon to come in .
Have we released any players yet ?
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
was only seconding marspapa’s post
THE DREARY RECTUM sounds better
i wouldn’t light a fire with that rag…
HH
Has Ronny signed anyone yet?
I see John Collins mentioned again as a possible no2 ,would this be a Lawell appointment or a Deila appointment. By Deila’s own admission at yesterday’s press conference he knows very little about the teams he is about to face so I would say his knowledge of scottish coaching staff is basically the same. I don’t know who Deila’s no2 was in Norway but is there a likliehood that he would see his former no2 as his future assistant at Celtic Park.
In my opinion I cannot see John Collins being prepared to be a no 2 to an appointment who arguably has managed at a lower level than Collins has managed at himself. Would you be prepared to be a No2 to an unknown quantity especially when you have been mentioned as a No 1 in the past
Thereagain I am not privileged to know what financial package will be being offered to Deila’s no2
Ps I am Chris Suttons camp in the papers this morning….something’s not right
Hebcelt
Correct but Celtic Park still out of commission for the purpose it was originally built for
SOAL- I was in the prawn sandwich section at the 2003 SCF,walked in to the lounge at half time,WGS was standing with Tim Booth fae James.
“A sinister black helicopter has been seen circling above Parkhead, some say it landed very close to the office of one P. Lawwell………….”
I would like to see Willie McStay back as No 2,knows the club and done really well with the reserve team for years.Though him and PL will need to bury the hatchet.
A big thanks to all who organised and put together a great night in the Greenock CSC last night.
Truly inspirational to be in the company of some Lions and a magnificent Celtic support.
Does anyone have an email address for Paul67 or John-Paul Taylor? Thanks