It’s probably easier to start with what went right last night, than what went wrong. Efe Ambrose was the epitome of composure, trying to retain possession whenever possible, his transformation since Juventus has been remarkable. van Dijk, Lustig and Izaguirre each did well. Fraser Forster had a few saves to make, but this was one Champions League game he didn’t need to pull off a wonder-save. He was totally exposed for the goal but otherwise Ajax didn’t really stress the Celtic goalkeeper, a clue, perhaps, to the solid performance of those immediately in front of him.
Our top two Champions League performers, Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons, both put in their least effective game at this level. Samaras’ normally-reliable touch and ability to hold the ball deserted him, while Kris looked like a guy returning from injury. Slowly.
The minutia of these games are analysed by each team and after last month’s game, Frank de Boer clearly identified that Georgios was the major cog in Celtic’s machine. The striker was triangulated by opponents each time the ball came near him.
Neil Lennon was left with few choices in the middle of the park. Mulgrew and Kayal would not have been his first choice partnership, given a free hand, but the only practical change there would have been to introduce Joe Ledley. It’s far from clear what difference this would have made.
Celtic persisted in playing down the left long after it was evident this strategy was unproductive. Late in the first half one wag text me to say, “Time to bring Forrest on”, which told the whole story. Anthony Stokes was adrift, largely unconnected to the ankle clipping going on behind him. In short, our play was predictable and correctly predicted by do Boer. We didn’t have a Plan B, which even the best of teams need to avoid defeat occasionally in the Champions League.
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Lads,
please post your CQN nap for week 14 here…
Cheers, fleagle1888
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : Week 13 results & standings
tommytwiststommyturns springs up the table with a big outsider – Drumshambo @16/1.
Other winners : Som mes que un club (Houblon des Obeaux @12/1) and leftclicktic (Majeyda @7/2).
+£14.00 Rockon Neil Lennon (4)
+£11.00 Som mes que un club (2)
+£10.00 Bada Bing (3)
+£ 5.50 fleagle1888 (3)
+£ 4.50 What is the Stars (2)
+£ 4.00 tommytwiststommyturns (1)
+£ 1.50 16 roads (2)
-£ 1.00 bonbhoy (2)
-£ 3.50 Kilbowie Kelt (2)
-£ 3.88 PF Ayr (3)
-£ 4.00 valentinesday (2)
-£ 6.00 BULL67 (2)
-£ 6.00 El Madrigal (1)
-£ 8.50 Cathal (1)
-£ 8.50 green T (1)
-£ 8.50 leftclicktic (1)
-£ 8.50 MHARK67 (1)
-£ 8.80 voguepunter (1)
-£ 9.25 Che (1)
-£ 9.50 twists n turns (1)
-£10.00 BMCUWP (1)
-£11.19 Burgas Hoops (1)
-£11.20 Sponsored by Cheetah (1)
-£13.00 Magnificentseven
-£13.00 pedrocaravanachio67
-£13.00 petec
-£13.00 unionbearBhind
*No selection (wk 11) : Magnificentseven, pedrocaravanachio67, petec
*Non-Runners :
Cheers, fleagle1888
Testing
Twelve Strings 15:35 @ Doncaster
Golanbrook 2.00 nass
13:50 @ Doncaster -Tartiflette – NAP!
The very best of luck to one and all.
Morning all……….for obvious reasons,my choice ‘Upholland ‘ 1.15 Doncaster
Zulu Oscar
3.50 Wincanton
awrabest
Jings, crivvens… what a card at Doncaster… I’ll take a chance on :
Favourite Treat (1.50 Donc)
…in a mugs yankee with Princess Loulou, Conduct, Four Winds.
:)
fleagle1888
Aiteen Thirtythree 2.40 Wincanton.
Good luck all.
De La Bech 2:40 Wincanton……….really difficult day
punting wise,could have 6 go’s and get nothing.
Today’s unluckily placed second place finish will be at Doncaster 3.00 MAKING EYES.
Good luck y’all. We’ll need it!
YOJOJO
DONCASTER 15:00
GL all
Kelso 250 Swift Arrow
Good luck everyone
mhark thats a nonner mate….get the pin out again!
13.25 Naas – Much Wants More
happy Punting
HIGHLAND CASTLE for me today.
335@Donny.
Hoping we don’t meet our Donnybrook at a highland fortress,about time we mullered this lot!
Eton Rifles 2.25 Doncaster….to get me out of a Jam..
Crafty Roberto 15:05 Sandown
Mysteries 12 30 Kelso please.
Good luck all
That should be mysteree!
Myboyalfie 1.50 Doncaster
Talking Sence.
Kelso 1340
Arrabest!
Cocktail Queen in the 3:00 at Doncaster.
Good luck.
T4
Also going for Cocktail Queen in the 3.00 at Donny, be lucky bhoys & c’mon the hoops
Lahaag (15:35 Doncaster)
Court by surprise …14-40 wincanton
highland colori 2:25 Doncaster
best of luck everybody!
HH
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : Week 14 results & standings
Rockon is trying his best to lead from the front, with yet another winner (Swift Arrow @5/1).
Others : Som mes que un club naps two-in-a-row (Talking Sence @15/8) and finally Che (Zulu Oscar @5/1).
+£19.00 Rockon Neil Lennon (5)
+£12.88 Som mes que un club (3)
+£ 9.00 Bada Bing (3)
+£ 4.50 fleagle1888 (3)
+£ 3.50 What is the Stars (2)
+£ 3.00 tommytwiststommyturns (1)
+£ 0.50 16 roads (2)
-£ 2.00 bonbhoy (2)
-£ 4.25 Che (2)
-£ 4.50 Kilbowie Kelt (2)
-£ 4.88 PF Ayr (3)
-£ 5.00 valentinesday (2)
-£ 7.00 BULL67 (2)
-£ 7.00 El Madrigal (1)
-£ 9.50 Cathal (1)
-£ 9.50 green T (1)
-£ 9.50 leftclicktic (1)
-£ 9.50 MHARK67 (1)
-£ 9.80 voguepunter (1)
-£10.50 twists n turns (1)
-£11.00 BMCUWP (1)
-£12.19 Burgas Hoops (1)
-£12.20 Sponsored by Cheetah (1)
-£14.00 Magnificentseven
-£14.00 pedrocaravanachio67
-£14.00 petec
-£14.00 unionbearBhind
*No selection (wk 11) : Magnificentseven, pedrocaravanachio67, petec, Sponsored by Cheetah
*Non-Runners : MHARK67
Cheers, fleagle1888