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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Burnley78- I think the Murrayfield venture will be a flop.Given Saturday’s attendance,how many will go to a place where road links and parking is poor,bottom tier only probably,little atmosphere as stands are well back from the pitch,guys on holiday when games scheduled.Allied to the fact the Club will have to subsidise tickets and possibly transport,why not play at a packed Firhill,tickets first come first served with a much better atmosphere.How many will we get at Murrayfield v Elfsborg for example? About the same as will fill Firhill.HH
CultsBhoy
Fair do’s, just my pedantic post for today.
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
15:50 on 11 February, 2014
Maybe we could have an icon for those that just want to have their say but only want to hear from people who agree with them. I’d suggest an icon of someone cowering under bedsheets would convey the point.
Rant well and truly …. just started :-)
Hahahaha!
The ole Left Back problem could re occur in summer when Izzy goes to the World Cup,
or we could be captured by the Karagandy’s in the CL regions.
Bada Bing @ 16.35
Completely agree. I fail to see any logic in the decision to play these games at Murrayfield.
JohnnyClash
16:42 on
11 February, 2014
What if the game’s free. Free to ST holders then free on a 1st come 1st served basis to non ST holders.
Think we could fill Murrayfield then?
Bada Bing,
I`ve used City Pass before in Seattle and it`s good value. I intend to use City Pass in Chicago this year but I noticed that the New York pass is $106. I`m sure it`ll be worth getting.:-)
There is another card, New York Explorer which is about $180. That`ll keep you busy!
so Alex Rae wants a democratic forum so that fans can be involved in a footall club?
£569,000 recipient of an E.B.T with side letter and commenting on financial matters
The lack of dissent in the media is beyond parody and truly laughable
‘old firm’ equals ‘dead firm’ Alex.no amount of media build up will change that.
Sftb
I spose my point is that neither give any defensive support and that leaves our full backs exposed at times.
The difference in izzy when Charlie is in front of him is he will overlap knowing cm will cover him.
If our right back gets forward james never covers and efe has to come across leaving a gap in the middle
Sftb
Alf Ramsey ? I preferred Alf Garnett . :)
Badabing.
I used it in the past. Kept me busy for 3 days and I didn’t use all of the tickets. Well worth the money.
Just think, if only ole Rangers were still here we could easily have reopened the ‘Big Hoose’ for the CL games
When a team is 21 points ahead in the title race and with an unbeaten run that stretches back many, many months a certain arrogance and infallibility creeps into it’s play which reaches the stage of just turning up for the fixture with certain victory assured – perhaps this is the current dilemma of Celtic and possibly the manager. Aberdeen put on a performance on Saturday that certainly surprised me and the performance the pocket dynamo that was our old friend Wilo Flood. It was good to see the Dons taking the game to Celtic and not parking the bus, we want competitive matches in the SPL and fair play to the Aberdeen lads they gave us a game. We had some great chances to score but failed to take them, from headers in particular.
Snow falling steadily here making the Auld Grey Toun a whiter shade of grey.
Thinking about forwards tracking back. Anyone remember the semi v Dundee Utd last year?
Forrest, Stokes, Hooper and Commons did virtually no tracking back. Okay, Wanyama was there but the team lost three goals! :-) Scored four though!
Interesting to read that some are not happy about games being played at Murrayfield.
We must get cheap tickets,we must have subsidised transport,it’s not fair that we have to travel 30miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh,let’s play the game at crap grounds instead of a modern stadium with great facilities for the fans.
What about the supporters from the east of the country,who travel to the home games,should they not be subsidised ,what about the Irish supporters should they not be helped with travel costs,I have stated on here before,I think the club is missing a trick here by not doing this.
C’mon guys wake up ,Celtic does not belong to the supporters in the West of Scotland only,Celtic belongs to all of us.
You can always stop off at Harthill,Whitburn and Livingston on the way.
bada
Firhill holds 10,102
Murrayfield 67,000
Show Business CSC
We could always stop off and visit Subo[feat. Pebbles]
THat’s if she’s not going to the game herself.
Murrayfield 67,000 [it’s an omen!]
I bet Murrayfield has approx 1,888,000 nematodes.
I have mentioned this before but I will mention it again.
Celtic could fill Murrayfield with supporters from the Lothians and still need more seats.
Let’s see who turns out. I reckon tickets will be around £20. Lots of tourists around the city that time of year. Why not catch a CL game in a top stadium?
It’s a win win for Celtic. Why go to a sub-standard ground?
How many clubs in Scotland actually have a stadium that would pass the safety and pitch regulations for the CL? Not many I would wager!
LB
With Cameron announcing that flood affected companies can delay paying taxes expect fire engines at ipox with pumps at full tilt
One thing people are maybe missing and something I seen on the way to work this morning on the auld bone rattler.
Murrayfield has bars! Loads of them. Could ole Pistol Pete be looking to use the loop hole in the RFU laws to get alcohol on sale at a Celtic game as a trial.
That should boost the crowd!
LB
weeminger
Was it confirmed that it had to be played in Scotland ?
Would an infested Murrayfiled not be good cause for us seeking an alternative ?
Have a great evening Celts l
Hail Hail
it is great being a tim
weeminger – Even then I wouldn’t expect it to be anywhere near full….unless it was against box office opposition AND we had signed some box office talent AND Subo was doing the windfall draw.
What would give Celtic the best chance of progressing – 10,102 in Firhill or 20,102 in Murrayfield?
fanadpatriot
You can always stop off at Harthill,Whitburn and Livingston on the way.
I would not take the road through Harthill unless I had no other choice.
Burnley78
The pitch is being fixed after the 6 nations.
LB
I hear young O”Connell on the Celtic under 20’s is a nephew of Paul O”Connell, probably one of the greatest rugby players in the World.
When Celtic were ordered to replay the infamous Rapid Vienna game, it had to be over 100 miles from the scene of the crime *ahem*. Pitoddrie would have done, but they chose the old Old Trafford which held 60,000.
It’s not just ole NFL that makes tactical mistakes.
When Izzy goes a World Cup.. Ahuntin’…
Who wull We Get as His Replacement..????
Well..Neil..n Co.. ur way aheid o ye..
They ur oan the Joab..
they are Lookin’ High n Low fur an Izzy Replacement..
So far.. They hiv come up.. well.. Empty..
But..
They ur Lookin’..
Hmmmmmmm
Sure they ur Lookin… but in Ma Ain… Not Humble. In the Least..Opinion…
They ur Looking in awe the Wrang Places.
Sound Familiar???
They should be Lookin’ at the Possibily o’ bringin in wan o’ Oor Yoofs.. tae fill that Temporary Spot.at Left Back..when Izzy Goes off tae the wars.
Hey..Don’t Knock that suggestion.
‘
Fur it sure woiked, afore…and very Lately, tae
It wiz when we Loast.. Adam n Lustig..
But.. We did the Right Thing..in this YIn..
n Looked tae oor Yoof System..
Brought in… Fisher..
n.. A Star Wiz Born..
Fisher,is turnin intae a Very Capable Replacement..fur oor Right Back Position.. n Who Knows..?
He Could Tak over fae oor. Dizzy Dean like Captain..in a wee While.. n Play a Very
important Part in a Much Improved..n… resuscitated.. MId Field.
Noo who hiv we goat,in the Yoof System..who could tak over fur .. the Wonderful.. well.. Almost Wonderful.. Izzy??
The kid.. Chalmers..
Noo he is ..in Ma Opinion.. A Wonderful Prospect..
Fur ..he kin Tackle..n he He Kin Motor.. He kin Dribble wi the Best..
n Most of all.
He kin Cross.. Fairly. Accurately.
Ah say Fairly, fur he is not the Finished Article,yet..
But.. Even at this Stage in His Development..
He crosses far,far Mair Accurately.. than The Almost Wonderful . Izzy.
Who if he Could Cross the Ball Accurately n CONSISTENTLY..
Would be worthy of the Stand Alone Adjective… with the “Almost”..Omitted.
Oh.. wait a minute.
Furget the Kid..
Ah believe that wan o Ma Crack Researcher..has jist done tole Me..
That Chalmers is oot Oan Loan.
Curses…
well.. Noo Ah hiv tae dae a Spot of Re- Thinking..
Excuse Me..
Ach..why should Ah knock Ma Sel Oot.. Thinkin…
Celtic..wull Probably..
Switch.. Young Adam over tae Left Back.. when Izzy goes tae the world Cup..
That’ll Woik.
But..like Ah said.. They should Relly Use that opportunity tae Bring Forward
Wan of the Young Prospects fae Oor Yoof System
Ah know tha Kojo wid.
Kojo
Still,Laughin.
Monaghan1900 16:19
The RFFF money is sitting doing nothing and we should use this resource to hit back at our enemies.”
————————————————————————
I’d hold back on that one for a bit. Might be another holding company to save soon…..
“CQteN Dream Team”
****************send your teams to doccqten@gmail.com*****************
Now is your chance to select your CQteN dream from the last decade
Rules are very simple:
Select 11 players from the list below, forming either a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation
So you will need:
1 goalkeeper
2 full backs
2 centre backs
3 or 4 midfielders
2 or 3 forwards
and of course….
1 manager.
Each player on the list below has made at least 10 starting appearances from July 2004 to date during the CQteN decade.
So no Henrik, then!
When you are selecting the players, you should ideally base your selection on their performances during the CQteN decade, but then again that is your choice.
Send your selection to us by email to doccqten@gmail.com with your CQN blog name (if you do not have one, then you need to get thinking as well)
Anybody can enter: bloggers, lurkers, friends and family, but you can only enter ONCE.
The closing date for entries is 3pm Sunday 9th March 2014
The CQteN dream team will be announced at the CQteN night on Friday 14th March and there will be a couple of prizes for the closest teams selected to the winning team.
Over the coming weeks, to assist you in your selection, we will select a category and list the players relevant appearances and goals. So watch out for these on CQN.
Good luck and get selecting.
HH
CRC
doccqten@gmail.com
——————————————-
Goalkeepers
Artur Boruc
David Marshall
Fraser Forster
Lukasz Zaluska
Mark Brown
Rab Douglas
————————————–
Full Backs
Adam Matthews
Andreas Hinkel
Cha Du-Ri
Charlie Mulgrew
Daniel Fox
Darnell Fisher
Edson Braafheid
Emilio Izaguirre
Jackie McNamara
Lee Naylor
Mark Wilson
Mikael Lustig
Mo Camara
Paul Caddis
Paul Telfer
Ulrik Laursen
————————————————-
Centre Backs
Bobo Balde
Daniel Majstorovic
Darren O’Dea
Efe Ambrose
Gary Caldwell
Glenn Loovens
John Kennedy
Joos Valgaeren
Josh Thompson
Kelvin Wilson
Stanislav Varga
Stephen McManus
Steven Pressley
Thomas Rogne
Virgil van Dijk
——————————————
Midfielders
Aiden McGeady
Alan Thompson
Baram Kayal
Barry Robson
Didier Agathe
Evander Sno
Efrain Juarez
Jiri Jarosik
Joe Ledley
Juninho Paulista
Kris Commons
Landry N’Guemo
Marc Crosas
Massimo Donati
Neil Lennon
Niall McGinn
Pat McCourt
Paul Hartley
Ross Wallace
Roy Keane
Scott Brown
Shaun Maloney
Shunsuke Nakamura
Stephen Pearson
Stiliyan Petrov
Sung-Yong Ki
Thomas Gravesen
Victor Wanyama
Zheng Zhi
————————————————
Forwards
Anthony Stokes
Chris Sutton
Craig Beattie
Craig Bellamy
Derek Riordan
Gary Hooper
Georgios Samaras
Henri Camara
James Forrest
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
John Hartson
Kenny Miller
Lassad Nouioui
Maciej Zurawski
Marc-Antoine Fortune
Robbie Keane
Scott McDonald
Teemu Pukki
Tony Watt
—————————————–
Managers
Neil Lennon
Tony Mowbray
Gordon Strachan
Martin O’Neill
hankray, As far as I know they are cousins not uncle & nephew.
Up over goal
I think the poor people of Harthill are misunderstood.
Bourne
Pardon my ignorance but I always thought the definition of a midfield player was someone who played in what they call today – the middle third of the park
Commons never came anywhere near the halfway line on Saturday – instead he played in a the last third near the Dons goal
Now either he was not doing as he had been told by not tracking back to help the midfield or he was playing to instructions trying to play in between the lines as the pundits would have it!
Either way by halftime it was clear that the plan wasn’t working and should have been changed
HH
JohnnyClash
17:07 on
11 February, 2014
Sorry I realised my post was little confrontation, and I should have put the question first.
To answer my own question, I think we’d fill or be very close to filling it, if it was free. It’d certainly be far more in demand than would make any other stadium practical.
You certainly don’t want to be in a situation where you’re having to ballot ST holders, even for a paid ticket. It just puts people off.
ianinascoli-Thanks,looks good value for what we want to see in NY.HH