I have a semi-regular correspondent, Raymie, who, over some considerable time now, has expressed concerns when Celtic play two central midfielders with two attack-minded players in the wide berths.
Intuitively, we should be attack minded against all Scottish opposition, especially at home, but football parks are big open spaces which requires a lot of industry to cover effectively. Scott Brown is the epitome of industry while Stefan Johansen appears to be cut from the same mould, but with James Forrest hugging the right touchline and Georgios Samaras playing his usual role on the left, Aberdeen had men over in central midfield, which ultimately determined the outcome of the game.
Neil Lennon seems to know not to play Forrest and Samaras together, they have only both started in wide positions in one league game since September, which was an uninspiring 0-1 win in Inverness. Forrest replaced an injured Kris Commons 28 minutes into a game at Easter Road in October, but although James scored Celtic’s only goal, this was one of only three league games this season we’ve dropped points.
The manager, of course, was part of a robust midfield in his time at Celtic, with Paul Lambert to one side of him and tough-tackling-always-running Alan Thompson to the other, although neither Lennon nor Lambert had the mobility of Scott Brown. It wasn’t until Martin O’Neill left and Gordon Strachan took over, that we got to see the likes of Nakamura on one wing and Maloney on the other.
If you were lining up against Celtic and realised they had two in central midfield your game plan would immediately crystallise. Teams will mostly face Celtic with only one striker, allowing five in the middle, most or all of whom will play tight. This creates a numerical advantage in the most crucial area of the field, and a basis to build forward moves on the occasions, however rare, they are able to do so.
Compare Saturday’s performances with the two comfortable wins over Aberdeen this season. In august the 0-2 victory was achieved with a midfield of Brown, Kayal, Ledley and Mulgrew. None known for their creativity but Celtic cruised nonetheless.
November’s 3-1 win saw Brown, Ledley, Mulgrew and Samaras in midfield; Aberdeen didn’t get a sniff.
One final word on the players……………
Most of us watched the away defeat to Shahkter Karagandy with some annoyance at the ITV commentators’ regular accusations that the players were not applying themselves appropriately. Neil Lennon gave voice to our objections after he heard the commentary while reviewing the game. The game went against Celtic but it was absurd to suggest the players were not applying themselves fully.
Reading comments on CQN and listening to the manager after Saturday’s game I felt we were in similar territory, with Neil saying, “We gave the players all the preparations needed”, “I can hardly single out any player, maybe James [Forrest] and Stokesy, to come out with any credit”, “There was a lack of composure, particularly in midfield and at full-back”.
I just don’t buy the lack of application or focus accusations which have been flying around here in recent days. Players spend all week gearing up for game time, when it looks different on the park, there is usually a tactical reason.
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
[calameo code=0003901710a55b5798f06 lang=en page=1 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
681 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- »
Bankibhoy @ 20:12
I posted that as I recalled that some time ago someone on here had posted that they liked his music (it may have been you, and if it wasn’t you, maybe someone else will check out the link and enjoy it)….
I saw him last year, and also enjoyed the show. He is playing in New York this Friday, and I had hoped to get down for the weekend with the better half, but she is heading to Australia this weekend, so sadly it is a no go for me….
Johann
Forward planning is ensuring that I’ve sorted tickets for all upcoming Celtic games :-)
Goodnight Timland
Still struggling with my CQten dream team.
I wonder if Jose will be his usual magnanimous self if things stay as they are at West Brom?!
HT
Was just thinking if I could watch one of his teams for a full season , winning or not .
No for me thanks.
HH
Dessybhoy, I can only talk for myself here mate , I bought a qashqui last year , this being my second one . I find it a smashing roomy car . It includes sat nav . Glass sunroof with retracting cover . All round forward and reversing cameras . Bluetooth. Central locking . Cruise control . Climate control . Auto wipers . auto lights ( come on when reach a certain darkness ) retractable mirrors . Large boot . Fog lamps All included . Not so on some of the other cars you mentioned . Hope of some good to you .
Jimtim
Jose has galloped down the tunnel – get it roon ye!
It’s a joke, ok we lost I’m certainly not happy that’s why I have stayed away, I was in today for a wee laugh, but I checked back to what people had posted, and you know what, I wasn’t surprised, the amount of Tim’s in here post, and post well I will stand by them and the team, manager, board,and PL, but honestly the Huns in here with Tim/ Mick /Taig nicks are a joke, and I am taking it up on my self to tell you, your team is sheet, or shite, I hate your club for what you stand for, and what you are, you are the dregs of of humanity of this country and the pond life of this nation, I am upset with the weekend result of my team, and not a happy camper, but as most of you know, I don’t slag my team, my manager, or the board, it’s called, FAITHFULL THROUGH AND THROUGH, a thing people have forgot in this site, this weekend.
big-cup-winners
21:33 on 11 February, 2014!!Bada Bing!!What has Billy Davies done to his eyebrows ?
Maybe Cupids has a treatment room…
How does Luiz get a game for Chelsea,a bombscare.
BB
Sideshow Bob – well named!
Well done WBA had them @+1 – rescued the night. :-)
Ohits
I don’t doubt his ability as a coach and manager but couldn’t ever forgive him for the tactics he employed against us in Seville.
Jonny the Tim
21:40 on
Phil was posting last week that Graham Wallace was not at Ibrox all week yet on friday night he was photographed by Willie Vass sitting next to the Easedale brothers. It would appear someone isn’t exactly on the ball here.
jude
Whit scoop wis that ?
HH
Just back from a cold vale park 2-0 flattered us but it’s 3 points
the entire stadium open for a crowd of 3734 -about 60 away fans -could almost count them
No it’s called being naive and not understanding the concept of a blog.
Forster
Lustig
Balde
Van Dijk
Izzaguire
Nakamura
Wanyama
Petrov
Thompson
Sutton
Hartson
Martin O’Neill
Another 19th century result for Jose tonight?
HT
All his teams are the same , his type of footballs no for me .
http://www.thefootballlife.co.uk/post/76352466547/how-much-money-do-rangers-have-left
On the £1.8m hole in Sevco’s bank account that will reveal itself before the end of the season.
So-o-o-o…..
Megawattie Has Now Score Nine Goals For A Mid-Table Belgian Team…
From His Limited Number Of Starts…
And Appearances As Substitute…
He Has Scored More Goals/ Per Minute On The Pitch…..
Than Even Kris Commons…..
Never Mind Our Deadly, And Much-Vaunted ‘Forward Line’…..
Yet We Persist With ‘Projects’ Like
Stokes….
Time For Malky McKay…?
~~~~
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
20:51 on 11 February, 2014
Mail demands foreign aid to be spent on replacing British carpets 11-02-14 THE Daily Mail has called on the government to stop sending money to poor foreigners when it could be used to replace carpets right here in Britain.
The newspaper has launched a petition which has actually been signed by people.
In a hard-hitting editorial the paper said that British carpets must always come first and that most foreign aid was used to build Chinese spaceships.
—-
Haw…..Maggie McGill’s Backward Brother….!
British Tax-Payers Funding The Chinese Space Program…?
It’s Even Worse Than That….
We’re Also Funding The Indian And. Nigerian Space Programs….
And They’ve Both Christened Their ROCKETS , ‘Kilbowie Kelt’….
After Some Dubious And Obscure Individual From G81….
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/420791/Now-Britain-forks-out-foreign-aid-for-Nigeria-to-join-the-space-race
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/rod-liddle/2013/08/to-infinity-and-beyond-your-taxes-might-put-a-nigerian-in-space/
http://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/441612/Why-give-aid-to-a-country-sending-rockets-to-Mars
Viva The Falklands Islands..!
Viva Nigel Farage & The British Tea Party… !
Bhoylo83
Same as mine apart from two >}
HH
Just a few words of wisdom before I retire for the night. We lost on Sunday for these three,simple reasons: Too many of our players played badly; we missed a couple of very good chances ; Aberdeen played well.
Good night all,
JJ
JJ.
Saturday. …..
Other than that goodnight. .o)
Right bhoys aff tae ma pit , 1 hour ahead here .
HH
Tony Donnelly 67
at 21. 59
Pal.. Ah hiv read a few o’ Submissions oan Here.
N
Ah hiv enjoyed whit ye hiv hid tae say..
Howevahhhhhhhhhh
Ah think in yer Last wan..which Ah hiv jist read
Let me tell ye..
If..
Ah..wiz tae adhere tae awe or any o ‘ the No No whick Ye hiv Listed as. being
Taboo Subjects, fur Discussion oan Here..
Ah wid Hiv tae turn in Ma.. well.. Ma… Fiba Fan’s Card.
Pal..
A Sports Fan is Dooty Bound tae.. Bitch..n Beef aboot his Beloved Team..
It says it right he in Ma..Handy Dandy… Celtic Fan’s Rule Book.. which Ah always keep … well…. Handy..
Fur Ready Reference..
Pal..A Luv ye like a Bruvver..
But.. ….
No Way, wull Ah adhere tae Any o’ yer No Nos…
It wid tak awe the Fun oota reading n writing in this Blog..
in which Ah luv tae read..n write…well…in.
Nice Chatting
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
TET
Let me guess.. right back and left wing?
B-)
timomouse
22:09 on 11 February, 2014
http://www.thefootballlife.co.uk/post/76352466547/how-much-money-do-rangers-have-left
On the £1.8m hole in Sevco’s bank account that will reveal itself before the end of the season.
Try before lent starts.
JJ
4) The manager made mistakes in team selection and tactics.
……there, fixed that for ye :-)
Bhoylo83
No >}
Middy and CB
HH
5)The same mistakes we have seen in cup ties before,starting with Ross County
6) Subbing our 2 top scorers when we need a goal.
Sorry JJ.HH
TET
Aye i changed my cb at the last minute haha
Jonny the Tim 21:40
A wee teaser from Phil.
@Pmacgiollabhain: I have detected a few tremors in the SMSM today that they are-finally-going after the RIFC/TRFC financial story. #Progress
—————————————————————————————
Hmmmm. Don’t think they’ve got to grips with the RFC financial story yet!
Bhoylo83
Fraser Foster
Mikael Lustig
Emilio Izaguirre
Joos Valgaeren
Virgil van Dijk
Alan Thompson
Neil Lennon
Shunsuke Nakamura
Stiliyan Petrov
Chris Sutton
John Hartson
Manager…..MoN
Must admit, possibly made a mistake with Joos, swithered between him and Bobo, wtf, it’s only a game >}
HH
Doc sent you my CQteN dream team one of my picks for central defence was a Virgin Van Duke ! But I have faith in you knowing who I meant :)
Hooper heading for Championship ???
Coming to a pub near you?
Cock scratchings
Wee football question if anyone is interested.
During his managerial career, Alex Ferguson has managed 11 players who have subsequently went on to become managers themselves in the English Premier League.
Can you name them?
I’m off, so if anyone is interested, the answers have been posted on the last page of the previous article “Defence need to play-up for their keeper”.