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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Hello…….hello………
John O’Neil 11:34 on 12 February, 2014
People express their opinions. Political beliefs may cause upset for some fans, presumably those who hold political views that would upset other fans.
Such is life in a democracy. I may not agree with you, you may not agree with me. But we are obviously both entitled to our opinion without declaring war.
On the other point, throughout history Christians have persecuted others as well. The world is a bad place.
HH
philbhoy
You will get called a Hun with that kind of post :-))
FourGreenFields
I did in the past!
Hope you and your Mum are well!
Jim McGinness was right – Celtc FC’s football structures – suck !
Ain’t that right Jimbo ?
That why ye were bundled into the back of a van and never to be seen again after presenting yer findings tae the ‘bored’ ?
As I’ve said umpteen times on here and, elsewhere – there isny wan Celtic supporter to be found on ‘any’ level if Celtic’s executive structure. imho
Neil Lennon – a Celtic supporter ?
The 1st time Neil pulled oan the hoops was, the 1st time he’d seen the hoops.
Ain’t that right Neil ?
House of cards FC. imho
Ernie Lynch
WTF
philbhoy
Fine mate , she’s doing well .
Thanks for asking .
Hope you and the family are all well .
KEVJ
There are plenty of Celtic supporters worldwide,including Scotland,who have never seen us play.
And when any of them finally achieve their ambitions to watch the Hoooooops in the flesh,they will have attended one match more than you have in the last few years….
FourGreenFields
All well thank you!
Thank the good Lord.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC
12:05 on 12 February, 2014
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Oh, are ye talkin the day ?
Well, that’s grand.
Btw, what was yer point again ?
BT
I think you need to read Ernie’s post again.
Hope you are well!
KEVJ
Aye,bud. I couldnae resist an open door,thank you kindly.
Even though closed ones are generally more interesting.
To answer your question,my point was directly related to yours about Neil.
The GB do not divide the Celtic support. Anyone who goes to the games can vouch for the fact that the greatest shows of unity are GB led….Glasgow`s Green and White……Let`s all do the Huddle…..stand up for the Champions etc. Any division comes from those who believe the MSSM`s portrayal of the GB.
I do accept that some fans don`t like any rebel songs being sung but the singing of rebel songs is hardly exclusive to the GB.
JJ
Livibhoy
Great post from earlier. I share your every sentiments re the Scottish Cup, though mine go back a bit further. Didn’t necessarily have to be be at the final either, some of my earlier memories involve listening to the games on the world’s greatest ever invention, (no, not the wireless), the transistor radio. And then of course being able/allowed to go to the Cup Final itself. I do not know offhand, if we ever won the Cup at Celtic Park, might have done, but to fail to lift our game when that was a real possibility, well it’s not easy.
Your post should be pinned on the wall of the home dressing room at Celtic Park. If they didn’t get it last Saturday, they would definitely get it now!
BT
All ernie is saying is that it is not true. Calm down !
JJ
philbhoy
quickly scrolling through….
that statement should not be made even if to prove a point…….
JUNGLE JIM
Is Scotland now the only country in the world where political comment at a football match is proscribed?
Just as well they didnae try that before we all showed Maggie the red card.
Movement down south on safe standing areas.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26141427
Bristol City plan to install rail seats at Ashton Gate
League One Bristol City plan to become the first club in the United Kingdom to install rail seats, which have been pioneered in the German Bundesliga.
The seats can either be unlocked or locked to create a standing or seated area inside a stadium.
Regulations currently prohibit their use in football, so they will initially be used for rugby games at Ashton Gate…………..
cv
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC
12:10 on 12 February, 2014
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Well, ye see….I’m of the mind that Neil is the poster-bhoy for a clique whose goal in life is to – snaffle – the money oot of Celtic fans hauns.
Did they snaffle my money ? Naw.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC 12:05 on 12 February, 2014
KEVJ
“There are plenty of Celtic supporters worldwide,including Scotland,who have never seen us play.
“And when any of them finally achieve their ambitions to watch the Hoooooops in the flesh,they will have attended one match more than you have in the last few years….”
Ouch.
Chavez,
Can we therefore assume that you would have no problem with the other fascists expressing their equally odious views at Celtic Park?
Some CQN posters seem to be fond of linking a major world faith to child abuse. They may wish to link the BBC with child abuse. They might want to link children’s homes with child abuse. Actually, the reality is that child abuse can occur anywhere where children and adults exist together.
Good old Ernie Lynch. Defending a foul set of ideas which sent scores of believers to their deaths. The reason for the deaths? Having the audacity to think differently to the Marxist/Communist way. Ernie is still scared of Billy and Sam’s effect on Irish Catholics but he seems ambivalent about the fate of the many Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Orthodox believers who were persecuted by the Marxists. Nice one Ernie.
KEVJ
So anyone who hasn’t for geographical reasons seen Celtic play isnae a real Celtic supporter,but someone denigrating the club from top to bottom on a daily basis is?
Interesting viewpoint,that.
Big Nan you have mail.
After reading a wee story this morning I was reminded of an author that I was fond of in my teens. AJ Cronin, born in the parish of Cardross near Helensburgh. One of the most popular authors of his day and someone who dealt with issues that are still relevant today.
If any of you guys are readers then I would highly recommend any of his novels but The Citadel and The Green Years along with Hatter’s Castle were my personal favourites.
John O’Neil
You say you’re upset by the left wing beliefs of JF and others. I’m upset by your right wing beliefs, but I don’t deny your right to express them. I’ve seen you voice support for some I would love to shoot on sight but there are other fora where these matters can be discussed.
You’re undoubtedly a committed Celtic fan and I agree with many of your posts, but don’t try to belittle others because their politics differ from yours.
HH
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC
12:17 on 12 February, 2014
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Awe – huv ye been playing ‘twister’ again ?
Ha.
JOHN O’NEILL
History is littered with tales of authoritarian/totalitarian dictatorships which have persecuted all sorts of religions and faiths. Communism is only one of them.
There are other examples of communist and socialist states which lived quite happily with religion in their own society.
KEVJ
No,mate. Like I said,open door.
BMCUW
Possibly North Korea would also be a little unhappy with some political commentary at football matches but I have never been there. Anyway, you are being very harsh on Scotland. Political comments are allowed but they must be the right kind of political comments.
JJ
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC
12:21 on 12 February, 2014
KEVJ
No,mate. Like I said,open door.
_________________________
Should be more careful…they kind a doors have nasty habit of hitting ye oan the erse on the way oot.
new article posted.
ger57,
Hello. Can you give examples of my right wing opinions? Who are those people who you would metaphorically shoot? Those ones I like? Puzzled. Ger57, Left wing politics do not upset me. Extreme Left wing politics do upset me. They led/lead to the deaths of innocents. They are not compatible with Celtic FC’s history and never will be.
Cheers eddie, a lot of Green about this morning Green Years, Green Brigade.
As for those against the GB I don’t know where you are coming from, but they are the one bit of innovation, vibrancy and pleasure that has been introduced in the last decade and more at Celtic Park.
The poorest thing I have seen recently is “Behave Yourselves” Bankier, who I have only heard/seen when being negative about our support or suggesting we model ourselves on the Tartan Army! FFS
It is rumoured that he is thinking of giving out those Russ Abbott, See You Jimmy wigs at the turnstiles and the choir to replace the GB is to be dressed in Celtic tartan kilts!
He looks a mean sod with his gimlet eyes and even when he was trying to be nice in accompanying John Keane (Good guy and Celtic legend) out to unfurl the flag managed to look like a real patronising bastard.
H.H. eddie
Afternoon all
Day off work and before I have my midday repast and an afternoon of spring cleaning*I thought I’d stick my oar in.
JOHN O’NEIL
I like your posts and although my political standpoint is a bit to the left of yours and my religious faith less robust also you seem a well read man who thinks freely. But – there is always a but- I think that second guessing Brother Walfrid’s wishes with regard to Jeanette Findlay and her admiration for Trotsky and the tenets of Marxism ( hopefully on her part as opposed to frequently disastrous interpretations of it) is a bit weak sir. Even before the end of the 19th Century Celtic seemed to have moved away from Walfrid would have wanted for the football club he started and have continued to do so for much of the ensuing period. Or maybe I’m second guessing him myself.
I do not know what Jeanette Findlay’s motivation – her ‘agenda’ as many now say- and have no idea if she has any desire to become Chairman or CEO of Celtic and establish it as a Marxist collective in which priests and religious people will be discriminated against . I doubt it very much but I don’t know. Others who post on here – all like you posters I like- are more certain.
Perhaps it would be fair to give some benefit of the doubt to Jeanette and the Celtic Trust in thinking that her and their motivation is to have a role for a supporter who pays his or her way to sit on the board who is not drawn from the legal, financial, commercial and political establishments. At the moment we have a board which seems utterly distant from the aspirations of much of the support and with at least one ‘ordinary’ supporter on that board that would change a little.
I am aware that the Celtic Trust remains a small pressure group at most and perhaps too sidetracked by the entirely separate issue of the Green Brigade. It has to both grow and be seen to be less politically aligned than it appears to become genuinely relevant . But I hope they do.
Sorry for rambling on to no great effect but it beats hoovering
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
*actually unpacking 4 boxes which have remained unopened since I moved four years ago.
Gotta Go..Mo.
seeya..
Kojo
Still,Laughin
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