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.
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4 days on and I’m just as cheesed off now as I was at time up on Saturday, if you’ve been able to shrug it off and move on I’m jealous,
Given that everyone including me has us over the finish line in terms of winning the league, I can’t see where the excitement is coming from heading towards the ‘business end’ of the season,
The Scottish Cup, that’s where it was supposed to come from, but now it’s some sort of new clean sheet league record, whooppee doo,
I agree it’s ridiculous but I feel the support are due some sort of apology from the Club after that Cup exit, we won’t get one of course but I don’t believe they know just how much that defeat hurt the vast majority of us,
The only thing that’s going to cheer me up now is more bad news about deedco, or Leigh Griffiths hitting a hat trick on Sunday, or an assurance from our beloved club that Tony Watt will be given his chance next season to establish himself in the first team.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
09:23 on
12 February, 2014
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?
The question should be”To who do you give your support”.A bunch of transient suits sitting in the good seats,who will walk away one day very rich,or the fans who will be there “Week in,week out,they are always there”Tommy Burns.
If another set of suits appear down the line,and further rip apart the support,do you just blindly go along with it?.Do you just blindly go along with anything the board say?.
I know another set of fans who supported a now defunct club that did the same thing.
The fans are Glasgow Celtic,that includes CSA,GB,CT,all fans who go or support Celtic as best they can.
Celtic adopting the Eastenders approach with the Green Brigade
When the viewing figures drop they used to bring back nasty Nick Cotton to create a story.
Livibhoy,
Half the managers in the EPL live in dread of the bullet. They operate on a fraction of the resources available to Moyes, and yet receive more pressure and criticism from supporters and press.
On another note, Man Utd like to tell us they are the world’s biggest football club but when it comes to it they aren’t, Real Madrid are. Fergie tried to play mind games with the RM chairman a few years ago, rubbishing his claim that Ronaldo was on his way to the Bernabeu. Real simply upped the ante to get their man, and swat Fergie down while they were at it. The Bully was bullied by a bigger boy. Real are possibly the only club in their stratosphere but I must add that they are not my favourite club as I see them as the Huns(establishment) of Spain, with the corruption to match, well maybe not quite. A Moyes experiment would have to finish top two and lift a cup, or be offloaded pronto.
Vmhan
Welcome back .
HH
“Week in,week out,they are always there”
-not now they’re not; for a whole variety of reasons.
Vmhan
Speaking from the heart, a few on here could do with taking a leaf out your book.
Had a quick look in on the GB forum a couple of days ago and it seemed they were organising a meeting for Sunday pre-match then arranging to watch the match together in the same establishment. Has there been a change that will see them back at CP sooner than expected?
Can’t wait to see the GB return, whenever it is. They are supporters who actually live up to the name.
Let the People Sing
HH
The Spirit of Arthur Lee
10:59 on 12 February, 2014
Celtic adopting the Eastenders approach with the Green Brigade
When the viewing figures drop they used to bring back nasty Nick Cotton to create a story.
…………………………………
Good analogy.
Maybe if ole Lee McCulloch wins third division player of the year he could say it’s the same as the ballon d’or.
Chairbhoy 10:50 on 12 February, 2014
“Guess I’m the only Celt that wants them to win it.”
I wouldn’t worry too much about that. It’s not going to happen.
MWD loves agenda setting muppets.
200 people at a public meeting is a huge number. If you don’t believe me try organising one. The average turnout for an election or by-election hustings in Glasgow is about 25. 200 people turning up to discuss issues at Celtic reflects a huge level of concern about the way things are going at Celtic and in Scottish football. The club would be daft to ignore that. A heads in the sand approach could see a huge drop in numbers next season.
Weeminger
Well done to Bristol City. It has to happen here. I’m a big fan of the Bundesliga where safe standing is now almost a prerequisite at stadiums, due the atmosphere (best in Europe) and spectacle it provides.
Chavez
Agreed! It would be good though that if those who are all too delighted to slate the attendance and those who attended amde an effort to turn up and give their tuppence worth the debate would only become healthier.
MWD
Rock Tree Bhoy 10:53 on 12 February, 2014
The best team in Scotland, Celtic lost to the second best team in Scotland, Aberdeen in a cup tie.
Why does the support, those who bothered to turn up, deserve an apology?
Celtic lost. It was a poor performance. The best team won. It happens. No one is happy about it. That’s professional sport for you.
HH
Marrakesh Express
It would be good for Scottish clubs to lead the way on this.
The go ahead for the pilot was given in late 2011 I belive so not sure what the hold up has been since then.
From the safe standing roadshow website, they recommend at least 10% of the ‘home’ areas and 5% of the away end be converted to accomodate standing areas.
Not before time, they want people in the door, give them the choice to sit or stand.
HH
moonbeams wd. kano 2000 \o/ supporting neil lennon 29.9%. champions. c’mon wee oscar.
10:41 on 12 February, 2014
……………….
Did you get involved in that MWD? I was over in Derry a couple of weekends ago for Caolans surprise birthday, brilliant weekend of music as the wee mhans mates are all musical and they all done a bit, hope your well mate.
V
Eddiecarmichael, listen to JF on ‘Desert island tims’. She speaks about Trotsky and friends.
Moonbeams, fair point if those meetings are accessible to any Celtic supporter.
Ernie, no I am not a Communist, but believe it or not some family history is very interesting in that regard. How do our Polish supporters feel when they hear certain Celtic supporters wishing to promote Marxist beliefs?
Antipodean, you struck life’s jackpot if you were born in a Capitalist country like Britain. Others quite literally die trying to get to Britain. Having said that, it is not a perfect system. The problem is that no perfect system can or ever will exist.
Tony D, thanks. Personally, I think there are many positives within the different Celtic groups. They also highlight the board’s inadequacies but those good points are overwhelmed by the extreme political influences.
Steinreignedsupreme @ 11:07,
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that. It’s not going to happen.”
Well that’s a huge possibility ~ let’s hope it’s the Rovers that do the deed.
Hail Hail
Steinreignedsupreme @ 11.14
“Why does the support, those who bothered to turn up, deserve an apology?”
if you assume we’ve already won the league then effectively our season ended on Saturday, prematurely, that’s why.
But you are right of course, just been unable to shake off that ‘gubbed’ feeling.
Vmhan
No mate. I just put on my white medical coat, sat on my hands and zipped my mouth incase I offended anyone. ;-)))
I’m good V. Yourself?
MWD
Rock Tree Bhoy 11:25 on 12 February, 2014
Experiencing highs and lows is part of being a football fan. It’s a day like Saturday that makes the trophy winning days all the better.
traditionalist88
11:03 on 12 February, 2014
……………..
I’m aware of the meeting but my thoughts were that regardless of any outcome that we will see and hear the GB back soon, if not Sunday it’ll happen.
I think TD is better placed to know more about the GB due to where he drinks :>)
LTPS
Not once have I heard JF and friends acknowledge that their political beliefs may cause upset within some sections of our support. They castigate the board for their arrogance but might JF and friends not also suffer from the same affliction?
JF and friends, would Brother Walfrid have approved of certain Celtic supporters wishing to promote ideals which are contradictory to the Christian ethos of Celtic FC? One could of course highlight that Celtic’s past boards quickly disposed of the charitable Walfrid vision and so subsequently that early Christian ethos was already lost. Fair point. It is a different matter however to promote ideas, such as Marxism, which usually lead to the persecution and death of Christians. Walfrid would surely have not wanted that malignant influence to infiltrate the Celtic support/club.
traditionalist88
Its not just a question of allowing fans to stand, its the benefits coming from this decision. The Jungle and the Kop were great spectacles for those sitting in other parts of the stadium. The noise generated drives the team on, and I’ve spoken to ex Celtic players who’d vouch for this ‘power’ the old Jungle gave them when needed. The 4-2 game in 79, and the Sporting Lisbon 5-0 games were examples. Older Liverpool fans will talk about the Kop ‘sucking the ball into the net’. They will convince you that the Kop did this V St. Etienne in the 77 EC semi-final when all looked lost.
Bring back the atmosphere and bring back the fans. The sooner the better.
You done right then MWD!
Crap time of the year for me, I like the sun and there’s no work for me in Lanzarotte!
100mph forecast for Wales and NW…… Batten down the hatches time!
Offski!
TONY WATT last night revealed he will have talks about his Celtic future after his loan spell with Belgian club Lierse.
The Scotland Under-21 hitman has netted seven goals in his last five games and was voted Player of the Week earlier this month.
Lierse have stated they would love to sign the striker on a permanent deal and he has hinted he would be willing to open talks about staying.
Watt admits he will have a talk with Hoops boss Neil Lennon, saying: “I haven’t thought much about my immediate future.
“I will have to talk to Celtic and wait to see what is decided, but I love Lierse and Belgium.”
Source DR.
100mph wind’s V. My farts are stronger than that. How long have you been away from Greenock again. lol
MWD
John O’Neil
11:23 on 12 February, 2014
We’re very lucky.
Human beings in one form or another have been on this planet for about 2 million years.
There have been a number of economic stages during that time.
We happen to be living at a time of advanced capitalism.
This is the highest stage of economic and social development that we as a species can attain.
This is as good as it gets.
Nothing better is possible.
There can be no more advanced system.
It’s just one hell of a coincidence that we happen to be alive to experience it.
As the Good Book says
Where there is no vision, the people perish.
Vmhan
Probably why TD dislikes the GB so much. he canny get to the bar for them. lol
MWD
Chairbhoy 11:24 on 12 February, 2014
Sevco have reached the last eight of the Scottish Cup, and are almost guaranteed a place in the semi-finals, without having played anyone of note. The draw has been extremely kind to them.
But they will almost definitely play Premiership opposition in the semi-finals.
Of the teams they could possible play, I will confidently predict Sevco have no chance of beating any of them.
The illusion that Sevco are some kind of force in Scottish football is going to be cruelly exposed when they come up against fitter, better organised and more skillful opponents, who haven’t taken an extended lunch break from the garden centre to play a game of football.
moonbeams wd. kano 2000 \o/ supporting neil lennon 29.9%. champions. c’mon wee oscar.
11:13 on 12 February, 2014
Chavez
Agreed! It would be good though that if those who are all too delighted to slate the attendance and those who attended amde an effort to turn up and give their tuppence worth the debate would only become healthier.
MWD
The more the merrier, mate. There are people happy to organise public meetings and report the debates back to Celtic and I think that’s a good thing. The club are doing well with some initiatives but on others they are creating huge problems. They have to sort that soon.
Standing area?
Not for me!
I can still remember getting pissed on, the bad breath of the guy behind me, the dangerous surges forward, the horrible fart smells, aye, ok, enjoy.
Vmhan :)
Marrakesh Express, absolutely, I’m only too aware of the spin offs and so, I’m sure, are the club. This is not rocket science, one just has to look at the German stadiums for atmosphere and attendance levels – its all linked. Vital for getting the next generation of fans hooked as well – growing up watching a p1sspoor Celtic side it was the atmosphere that got me hooked anyway- its not there at the moment.
Interestingly, in Germany(I know we always hark back to Germany but they are the ones who have it up and running) for every 10 seats there is space for 18-20 standing. I believe for the pilot scheme it will be a 1:1 ratio but I suspect for financial reasons we will mirror the German system before too long – it has proven to be safe so the pilot scheme is simply a box ticking job. Can’t wait for it.
John O’Neil
11:34 on 12 February, 2014
‘It is a different matter however to promote ideas, such as Marxism, which usually lead to the persecution and death of Christians.’
###
Rather in the way that Catholicism usually leads to the sexual abuse of children?
Last Saturday perhaps illustrated the difficulties of a team that is full of hard working committed journeymen can pose a team of transient talents reared for sell-on.
I have been a critic of the board recently for many things but can’t fault them for their policy of buy cheap and sell on at a profit.
It’s what Celtic has always done and Willie Maley even tried, twice, to sell on the great James McGrory, and it was only McGrory’s love of Celtic that stopped him leaving.
On a day that marks the 87th anniversary of Johnny Thomson’s debut it is interesting to think that had he lived he would have been sold.
Thats no criticism of Celtic it is the reality of the league we are in. If we produce a gem we cut and polish it and sell it at a profit and then go looking for more rough diamonds.
An article by a US journalist on Celtic’s 1931 tour of the USA & Canada caught this mercenary admission, and boastful character of Willie Maley:-
“William Malley, Celtic manager for forty-three years, made no secret of his intentions’ to recruit any likely looking prospects after being informed of the ability of William Linglebach, center forward of the Philadelphia booters.
Linglebach, former star of the Penn eleven, was the last to be picked by the committee choosing the amateur opposition because of his lack of practice.
The Celtic manager pointed to his roster. “Can you name any of these,” moving his finger up and down, “who has had any previous senior club experience?
We rarely take finished players. That is why my present squad is the youngest in Scottish League, first division, and why we’ll continue to recruit em.”
Thomson Fine Young Goalie
There is John Thomson. He is our goalie, and a right good one too. I think he is the best Scotland has produced in a long while. He came to us when he was seventeen years old. He has been with us five years. Played International against England this year and was unscored on.
“James McGrory—that chap over there. He has held the goal-scoring record since 1926-27, when he accounted for forty-nine. He made the only two goals against England. He played one of the greatest games of his brilliant career in the first game against Motherwell. What an opportunist!”
########################################
McGrory’s principle, and Thomson’s tragic death perpahps thwarted Maley’s wish for money, which kept our club alive.
After all we needed money as the establishment then, like now, was not kindly disposed towards us and banks wouldn’t throw money at us as they did at our neighbours, the team once known as Rangers.
John o’neill
It is a different matter however to promote ideas, such as Marxism, which usually lead to the persecution and death of Christians. Walfrid would surely have not wanted that malignant influence to infiltrate the Celtic support/club.
*************
You appear to be advocating censorship there, buddy. Are we only a ‘broad church’ when people’s opinions coincide with your own?
Chavez 11.44
You know the script – sing ‘Let the People Sing’, and then, well, complain when they do.
HH
Well at least I’m not chasing the podium.