Last week we discussed the benefits consistency of selection to allow partnerships in defence to form. Injuries have made this impossible since. I am far from sure pairing Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths will be our turnaround tactic, but establishing partnerships in advanced positions is almost as important as defence.
We scored eight goals against Hearts, Ross County and Hamilton in the three games we paired Griffiths and Edouard, this is not a return we should base any conclusions on, but this Celtic team needs consistency of selection more than any I can remember. Neil Lennon will have to balance the need to foster a working partnership with concerns about Leigh, in particular, playing two games a week. Giving him 60 minutes tomorrow might be the call.
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HH
Four reasons why Christie needs dropping:
1. Poor in the collective press – never seems to know when to stop and hold the line, too eager to chase the ball leaving others in MF to get dragged out of position to cover his space.
2. Gives away too many free kicks in opposition attacking third, further exposing our weaknesses at set pieces.
3. Pot shots galore! Probably at NL’s instruction as NL has said he wants his team to take more shots. But likely success rate of goal is very low – somewhere between 2-5%. Instead this breaks up fluidity in our possession and build up play.
4. His delivery at set pieces has been very poor this season in particular.
Time to drop Christie for Wed/Saturday.
MON
At the moment, THE most important game we face is our next one, at home to Dundee United. We absolutely must win that one to keep our league season alive. In fact, we just about have to win every game that’s going. We are 16 behind with 3 games in hand. So even if we win those 3 AND win our 3 remaining (Covid-permitting) games against Sevco we would only be 2 points ahead! So, eyes on the prize boys – beat Dundee Utd tomorrow and focus on nothing else.
TB,
I cannot understand this obsession with Paddy Roberts.
He had his chance and wanted away. Since leaving us he has been punted about many clubs without any sort of impact.
How much game time has he spent since he decided to ” better ” himself. ? Absolutely minimal. So there is no way he would be match fit.
If he cannot get a game for Middlesbrough then he will not be able to get a game for us.
Where next for Paddy, who knows but it will not be in the East end of Glasgow.
Our jersey will most certainly not shrink to suit Paddy Roberts.
HH.
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The Grifter absolutely has to start tomorrow alongside Eddiewardo, both are showing signs of positive improvement even if that has not translated into inplay goals from the latter. Both are and will benefit from the type of forward passing that Turnbull and Soro are capable of. Not that Di Broonie isnt, he is, but DT and IS are both capable of it and could be another partnership in the making. Not just defence and attack that needs them, midfield too and we have had a few over the years.
If we sign Roberts he wont be match fit, he didnt want to stay after being a hero, leave him be, Forster unless he signs a 4 year deal leave him where he is and we would need to sell Barkas anyway.
We need a pacy defender preferably left sided as we dont have one to play in a 3 or 4 at the back, keep playing 2 up front defend from the front and get the midfield four right in every game, keep Ayer at right back.
Sell the players on the fringes or those with no prospects of breaking through.
I would like to see more of young Henderson he is one to develop.
Jack and Arfield out for game on Saturday, don’t be surprised if Sevco get a ‘Covid outbreak’ and get the game cancelled
Celtic need to work hard whoever plays. It is not about partnerships but about the team. Eddy has to play with all our players and not with Griff. We need to work as Unit, running off the ball, pressing while not in possession, Unselfish support,
This is the Team ethic which has been missing in our games, I’m not sure Lenny can motivate this squad but we have to support him in his struggles.
There is a chance the Covid emergency will get even worse and the League might be closed down with Sevco’s average points total giving them the title, We need to make inroads to their lead and if the worst happens then go down with a fight,
BB
SKY are touting them as champions , for that reason it will go ahead.
Does anyone know why Henderson, after playing so well when we beat Lille, hasn’t been near the team since?
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!!BADA BING!! on 29TH DECEMBER 2020 12:55 PM
Jack and Arfield out for game on Saturday, don’t be surprised if Sevco get a ‘Covid outbreak’ and get the game cancelled
Mibbe the SPFL would award us a 3-0 and 3 points , if Sevco can’t fulfil the fixture ,d’ye think?
Other way around more likely .
Absolutely no point in bringing anyone in,he won’t be match fit,and NL wouldn’t play him,I would wait until next season, when the place gets emptied, starting with Lawwell. Soro has only been involved recently, through accident rather than design.McGregor will be the next one with a long term injury, from playing too much football, see Tierney and Forrest .
I’d rather read a ‘Forstering Partnership’ story where we agree to swap Ntcham for big Frazer, who we need.
I’m in the ‘no thanks’ camp for wee Paddy; his moves to prove he was way better than us have tanked big time.
Our reserves Cameron Harper gets plenty plaudits; either him or Mikey should be grabbing wee Jamesy’s wide jersey instead (and at a fraction of the cost btw).
Here we’re blessed to have 60 days no local COVID transmissions.
BB’s right about the Sevvies and covid; I reckon when injury bites they’ll be pulling masonic levers to have the league called early; suits them and our Board as they can say…if it wisnae for early wrap up we coulda caught them. HH
SAINT STIVS on 29TH DECEMBER 2020 1:06 PM
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Sevco have 56 points from 20 games – 2.8 points per game. Celtic have 40 points from 17 games – 2.353 points per games. The problem in reducing that margin is that we aren’t scheduled to play our game in hand until Feb 10th, Feb 17th and March 3rd. So even if we win tomorrow and Sevco lose, then beat them on Saturday then we would still be behind –
Celtic P 19, points 46 = 2.42 points per game
Sevco P 22, points 56 = 2.55 points per game
And, yes, I do accept the irony of me suggesting earlier that we should only focus on the Dundee Utd game. But I’ve typed this all now…. ;-)
Dundee Utd first and foremost – we should be aiming to be home and hosed by HT – allowing Soro & Griff 45 mins rest for Ibrox. Getting some minutes into MJ and Ajeti with three points secured will be a good outcome tomorrow night.
We’ve a season defining few days ahead of us. It will be a staggering turnaround should we gain 6 points in the next two games.
Yes, in normal times we’d be looking tobuild partnerships and establish a settled side. But these are not normal times, so it’s horses for courses as far as I’m concerned.
A team set up to play Dundee United is not the same as a team set up to play at Mordor.
Go with the team that beat Hamilton against Dundee Utd.
My team for Mordor.
———————-HAZARD—————————
AJER———JULLIEN—-DUFFY————-TAYLOR
NITCHAM——-BROWN——SORO——-MCGREGOR
————-GIFFITHS——-EDOUARD————
Taylor is told on no account cross the half way line.
Brown and Soro protect the back line.
Ajer, Julliene and Duffy provide a threat at set pieces.
Between the, Nitcham, McGregor, Griffiths and Eddy should be able to create a couple chances. Take 1 of them and escape with 1-0.
Go gung-ho and we’ll get hammered.
I have said since august this covid situation will be used to advantage sevco.
Bolingoli goes to Spain for 1 day and we have 2 games postponed and the squad has to isolate for 2 weeks. The first minister condemns Celtic. This punishment has had a severe impact on this league campaign.
While on Scotland duty Christie sits beside Armstrong and is banned from playing has to isolate for 2 weeks although he was being tested on a daily basis.
Arfield has an illegal house party and the first minister commends sevco.
If we win at ibrox and the covid situation deteriorates in the New Year sevco will want the league season ended. Usually what rangers/sevco want they get. The very same people who demanded null and void last season will be clamouring for sevco to be awarded the title.
Watching Class of 92,cracking programme,the money at that level is unbelievable, 6 centre backs costing £17k a week😮
Bada Bing
It might not be a bad thing as we are still a few games away from being at our best. Sadly I can’t see us beating them at present (It’s been 10 years since I felt like that)
GARNGAD TO CROY on 29TH DECEMBER 2020 2:05 PM
“Sadly I can’t see us beating them at present (It’s been 10 years since I felt like that)”
I can! We are improving, they’ve gone backwards the last few weeks. We’ll win there and they will go into reverse! Fasten the “leather belts”. por cierto.
GARNGAD TO CROY- I’m confident of winning on Saturday, but I think the damage has been done, there’s not enough in the other teams to take points from them ,sincerely hope I’m wrong.
Garngad to Croy on 29th December 2020 2:05 pm
It might not be a bad thing as we are still a few games away from being at our best. Sadly I can’t see us beating them at present (It’s been 10 years since I felt like that)
———–
Same here, I’d take a postponment as I can’t see us beating them at the moment. Problem would be more of a fixture backlog.
thanks BGcelt :)
Neil Lennon saying he is happy with the players he has ,Well that tells me he will be away at the end of the season.
we don’t have an option paul67 on LG – considered management is long gone, nuanced selections is a luxury we can’t afford – we have been dire; anybody has been able to spook us or hammer us; get the players who play well on the fe&*in field.
AN DÚN on 29TH DECEMBER 2020 1:18 PM
Dundee Utd first and foremost – we should be aiming to be home and hosed by HT – allowing Soro & Griff 45 mins rest for Ibrox. Getting some minutes into MJ and Ajeti with three points secured will be a good outcome tomorrow night.
We’ve a season defining few days ahead of us. It will be a staggering turnaround should we gain 6 points in the next two games.
……………………
Just in case you are unaware. Tomorrow’s game against Dundee United is a 3pm kick off. I wouldn’t want you to miss it.
No wishing for postponements here. I’ve watched a couple of their last few games. We can take them.
Paddy Roberts is a no from me.
Is this the extent of our scouting.
We badly need 1 wide man in during January,
but surely we can attract better than PR
I’m more worried about the refs on Saturday than them.
Some major BS on here today.
Ghuys between their lead & Covid worries the 10 in a row looks a long shot so for me I’m just looking forward to enjoying every game we play.
Any day we have a game gives me a huge lift in these depressing boring days.
A game at a time & see where that leaves us, if we fall short at the end of the day, so be it,
We regroup & get our Title back next season.
Bada – I take your point earlier re the ither teams takin’ points off the huns…………
If Collum had done his real job last weekend then Hibs might have dented if not derailed the huns journey………………..
I’ve no idea what Celtic we’ll see at the weekend but if we do beat them the mibbery and sleekitry will only worsen.
I just want us to give them a right good fight and show what we can do.
The spine of the team needs sortin’ and we’ve taken too long to address the basics but let’s make them work hard.
HH
Haven’t posted for a while HH Hope 2021 brings us some joy, and respite from Covid.
re; Bhoy from the Boyne comments. Spot on with Christie, to me he seems like he is playing on his own, with no thought of his team mates. Don’t get me wrong he is a very talented player. But at the moment, he is in his own space and created his own bubble. Very odd situation., i hope it gets resolved, and lets hope the winning continues! HH God bless all CQN troops for the New year! HH
!!BADA BING!! on 29TH DECEMBER 2020 2:25 PM
GARNGAD TO CROY- I’m confident of winning on Saturday, but I think the damage has been done, there’s not enough in the other teams to take points from them ,sincerely hope I’m wrong.
……………………..
Keep The Faith Bada. If you’re confident of a win on Saturday and we achieve it then the gap would be reduced to 4 points (provided we win our games in hand). We would still still have two games left to play against them so it would be in our own hands. Bet you feel better now. :-))
I’m hopeful that St. Mirren can take something off them tomorrow. I’m currently watching a recording of their recent 3-2 victory over the Huns. I noticed that Saints’ right winger Dylan Connolly went in hard on Balogun and Bassie in the first half and generally caused them mayhem. Their big No. 25 Erhahon committed a really bad challenge on Zungu. I would have wanted a red card if he’d done it against us. I think the ref tomorrow will be looking to red card one of these two players to dampen down St. Mirren’s exuberance.