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.
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BMCUW –
He he ;-)
*****CQteN Dream Team Update*****
34 teams submitted.
Goalkeeper choice, really down to two, IMO
Artur or Big Fraz. A hard call…….
HH
CRC
Doccqten@gmail.com
Just in to say…..
______________
twists n turns
04:33 on 12 February, 2014
_______________________
Thanks for posting that sir.
Noted the date of the next meeting and will try to attend – will get more clued-up nearer the time. A lot of the comfort-zone brigade on here don’t like JF or her ilk but hey, for me…I would be at the front of the queue to by my SB if – ‘true’ Tims like JF were pulling the string at CP.
As an aside….I know this might sound a bit barking but, If the empty seats at CP don’t renew….I predict that Celtic PLC will fall into administration before Christmas.
And, do you know what else….I’d advise the occupants or, owners of the empty seats to NOT renew and swallow the medicine.
Ye see, imho, the only way that the CELTIC will resemble themselves again will be when the, parasites / charlatans / chancers in sharp suits who have, by their train-wrecking leadership, emptied the stadium to the extent that, 20k crowds will be remembered as the halcyon days – they(bored) DD et al…have to be gotten rid of as they don’t give a flying feck about ANY Celtic fan – all they want is YOUR money, then they put YOU ootside again.
Your shares mean feck all cos you own feck all.
In all likelihood, by the way thing are going…Celtic will probably clinch the League title by drawing at home to Ross County in front of a 10k crowd. imho
Sack the sharp suited bassas who’ve emptied the stadium NOW!!! – CSC
Medicine time – Take Care Tims – Off oot.
cheers twisty
good read for my morning commute….
macjay
disappointed with your disregard for a sizable turn out..
many attended or stood outside Celtic park when the old board shafted us?
Top of the morning to you from a chilly, windy Fife where the snow of yesterday is getting a fright. Pretty much all gone.
Good, comprehensive coverage of the open meeting and nice to see a good turnout. For every one of the 200 who got to Glasgow for the meet there will be a thousand at home and abroad who couldn’t make the meeting but share the concerns.
Time for the board to come out against the OB Act and the implimentation of that law by their very own Frankenstein’s monster, FoCUS!
The boards talk of “under the radar” action by them is hardly credible when they take such actions as they do against the GB.
“Under the radar” or underhand by “Behave Yourselves” Bankier and the boys?
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
05:07 on 12 February, 2014
I couldn’t make the meeting but share the concerns. Cheers for posting TnT
RANGERS captain Lee McCulloch says that if his side win the Scottish Cup, League Cup and League One titles, he will consider them to have completed The Treble.
McCulloch said: “It would be three trophies and that, to me, is a treble,” said McCulloch. “Why not? It’s not our fault that we’re not in the Premiership.
“I’ll be shouting about it, whatever we can win this season. People can talk and we’ve already been written off for the Scottish Cup – it’s been said that we’re not even in the top five to win it.” (Scotsman)
“Not your fault”Lee?.Then please tell us whos fault it is.Was it those Chelsea fans again?.Dodged their taxes and VAT,dodged their debt to hundreds of people?.
Surely someone in the MSM asked you who was to blame?.No?.
Well I find that very strange.Oh well,back to your dark room for a lie down.”Treble”indeed.
Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies the day?
The Tennents’ Sixes was more prestigious than the Ramsden’s Cup.
Turkeybhoy
08:27 on
12 February, 2014
I have to agree, if you’ve got three competitions and you win them all that’s a treble. By definition. It can’t be anything else.
If Dumbarton managed to win the Championship and the Scottish Cup, I wouldn’t be denying they’d got a double.
I agree, we’ve played our best football this season with a three man midfield. Lenny knows this but he was short of choices on Saturday (perhaps Biton should have played) and the tactic backfired.
‘Quizball’ was more prestigious than the Ramsden’s Cup.
just perusing iShortie……………..
with regards to Moffats gambling ban…
I’d now double it or perhaps ‘treble’ it
on account
of that ‘shirt’ and tie combo………….
Topper.
Read the report from CST meeting / GB love in/ moan fest, I laughed at the question to the GB where they for there actions on the banners they displayed, and what was there answer NO, well! no surprise there then eh? lol, it reminded me of when Sevco where having an investigation into there own seedy little business, and they came back with a nothing to see here, all is well.with us, same kinda thing, GB leaders will never change ( who ever they are) runs kinda along the lines of put this sentence together, pram out toys toss the of the, nothing but a waste of time for the CFC board, GB died, move on, deal with it, but that’s my opinion, others have there’s and rightfully so.
From TNT`s 4:34 post:
“the GB were urged to once again attempt to make contact with the Club ”
I am sure some GB members use CQN. If they do, I would urge you, through this medium, to keep us up to date with ALL attempts at communication and Celtic`s response.
Such a course would help prevent unhelpful guesswork on here.
JJ
tonydonnelly67
09:00 on 12 February, 2014
GB died, move on
you’ll be in for a surprise on Sunday ;-)…………………….apparently!!
tony D said:
“GB died ………. but that’s my opinion”
Another example of why I the view that everyone is entitled to an opinion is meaningless.
Tony, there are many people much more deserving of your disapproval than are the GB
JJ
hoopslegend Mo Bangura has played in bounce games more prestigious than the Ramsden’s Cup.
Jungle Jim…..
With regards to the Green Brigade will they return when the safe standing area(s) are brought into the ground?
TD
As an attendee at the OM I witnessed several members of the GB.
“I (don’t) see dead people”.
RRC:
02:19 on
12 February, 2014
I reckon McMoist will get manager of the year
It is Scotland we’re talking about, yeah?
Only if he can get time off from being knighted to collect award.
Make no mistake. On Saturday Celtic fashioned a stick that will be enthusiastically wielded on their fans backs, should THEY win Scottish Cup.
Robert88
I don`t know but I hope that either the GB or something similar does. We were so poor as a support against Aberdeen that I was hoping any GB members at the game would somehow get together again to reignite or support. Sad, I know, that we have become so accustomed to being led by the GB that we have forgotten how to support our team. Obviously, I include myself in this.
JJ
`our` support, not `or`.
Cheerio for now.
JJ
Margaret McGill
02:43 on
12 February, 2014
Neil is cutting his teeth with Celtic.
Part of overall problem. Celtic requires more than a managerial work in progress.
I in no way blame NL.
I blame those who were looking for a cheap, pliant opting following Mowbray fiasco.
Jungle Jim,
The board finds the GB far too extreme and I’m not trying to be all American and make them sound like al qaeda! however if the GB won’t be accepted into the ground by the board and or fans which i think many are tired of some of the nonsense that’s been going on, why cant another group of fans form?
The lateral movement problem goes away with the standing areas, the other problems singing certain things, smoke bombs etc, aren’t needed, if GB aren’t prepared to back down, maybe another group can be formed, that will behave a certain way and I’m not saying tow the line of what the club necessarily wants but behave properly!
We are all there for the same reason, but the GB doesn’t represent my thinking or many other fans thinking.
Jungle Jim 09:00 on 12 February, 2014,
JJ, a couple of weeks back Vmhan posted that there was going to be some news on the GB situation coming up. I’ve been in Spain the past week and not viewing the blog much. Did Vmhan post what this news was?
I see JJ has off ooted so if anyone else can answer the above, I thank you.
TD, don’t you bother as I doubt I’d understand you gibberings anyway as my enigma machine is in for a service at the moment..
Interesting to note those looking to play down the open meeting are setting it as a GB\Celtic Trust\JF agenda.
They might wish to go back and read the first sentence – acccchhhhh! Na. I’ll post it here and save them the time
‘The meeting was again very well attended by more than 200 Celtic supporters who were members of all recognised supporter organisations and none.’
Looks like some are blind to the ‘recognised suppoprter organisations’ bit!!!
MWD loves agenda setting muppets.
HT
The Tennents’ Sixes was more prestigious than the Ramsden’s Cup.
That made me shudder… For all those fans complaining that being knocked out of the cup was the end of the world, just remember when the ONLY silverware we had was a six aside trophy…
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
07:08 on
12 February, 2014
You`re obviously a good bloke.
Antagonism among our supporters is counter productive to Celtic F.C..
Agreed?
Consider what is in the best interests of Celtic before what is in the interests of the Celtic trust and the G.B.
Where do your priorities lie?To whom do you give your loyalty?
Like most bhoys, I played a lot of football when I was a kid, and was still playing in my thirties.
Mostly, id play midfield, left, right, or centre.
Now, in all that time, I never played in a 2 man midfield, and from a technical point of view, I don’t see how that can work.
Imo, there should always be at least three in the middle of the park.
From what I can see, and from what I hear….Scott Brown has become as good as Paul McStay.
What is holding Celtic back, is the managers use of his favourites.
We have relied too long on Scott Brown, we need to change the way the midfield plays.
I want to see a centre mid who can pass and score, and doesn’t get suckered into getting sent off.
Scott Brown has been fortunate to be Celtic Captain, and don’t get me wrong, has been a good player for us….but, its time for a change of direction.
You all saw Barry Robson( a player we shouldn’t have sold), and Willo Flood boss the midfield against us, and that is where the problem lies…..no creativity through the middle.
HH
‘All recognised supporter organisations’
– the Mustn’t Grumble CSC weren’t invited, or I would know.
Still, mustn’t grumble.
Retired members of the…………………………..
…………..Amalgamated Tanner Ba’ Appreciation Society
(Clydebank and Scotstoun div)
………….have contacted the meeja to say that that the
…………………………………….Harland St / Puggie Commemoration Challenge….
( an enthralling contest held over several days in the school summer holidays, involving upwards of 40 pre-pubescent. proto- Jinkies was more prestigious
than “Big Lee’s Treble……”.
Aye!.
gorbalstam
08:10 on
12 February, 2014
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
05:07 on 12 February, 2014
I couldn’t make the meeting but share the concerns. Cheers for posting TnT
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Thanks.
And cheers to you too,Tam.
Macjay
Apologies for quick reply but I’m just going into a meeting.
My loyalties are to my fellow supporters, we are the club.
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
07:57 on
12 February, 2014
cheers twisty
good read for my morning commute….
macjay
disappointed with your disregard for a sizable turn out..
————————————————————————————————-
Yep.
I allowed sarcasm to get the better of me.
I feel,nevertheless,that my point is valid.
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
09:29 on
12 February, 2014
My loyalties are to my fellow supporters, we are the club.
——————————————————————————————————
I take your point,but the team is bigger than the player,and the club is bigger than “some of ” the supporters.
Cheers.
Don’t know if it’s been posted already among a plethora of fact and figures but just noticed in an article this morning …..first time since 1982 we have been out of both cups before the quarter final stages
Another interesting fact Arsenal board have backed their manager to the tune of £227,000,000 in incoming transfers since they last won a trophy
I wonder if we could win a couple of trebles if we had that money
Scottish football abandons plans to automatically relegate clubs in administration: New punishment for clubs i… http://t.co/MkXtSE9AJ7