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]
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No Supermo Bangura?
I feel a bounce/flounce comin’ on
TBJ Praying for Oscar Knox 16:49 on 11 February, 2014
If our right back gets forward james never covers and efe has to come across leaving a gap in the middle
———————————————————————-
In that situation the defensive midfielder should drop back to cover, and the left back should move across. Shouldn’t be rocket science for players/coaches at this level.
Boa noite,
ALERT – The following screed has nothing to do with Celtic, it’s all about the Libertadores. Jog on past unless you’ve a general fitba interest.
Well the Group stages of the Libertadores start tonight and out of the eight groups Brasil has representation in six of them.
Libertadores success has become a bit of a Holy Grail for Brasilian clubs and (generally) teams in the Libertadores tend to do so at the expense of League form, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see any of these teams featuring in the Brasileirão Serie “A” race this year.
Anyway, here we go:-
Group 1 – Atletico Paranã.
AP are lumped in alongside Velez Sarsfield (Arg), The Strongest (Bol) and Universitario (Per).
AP sneaked into this group via a penalty decider against Peruvian side, Sporting Cristal last week. AP managed a runners up spot in last year’s Copa do Brasil, but (over, IMHO) relied on Paulo Baier to get there. This year, they’re an inexperienced team with a new manager, so will struggle.
AP entertain The Strongest tomorrow night in a game which may very well decide who accompanies Velez into the next phase.
FIRST MATCH VERDICT : AP Home win tomorrow. Just.
Group 2 – Botafogo.
Fogo back in the tournament in the first time in 18 years are in with San Lorenzo (Arg), Union Espanola (Chi) and Independente de Valle (Equ).
Like Paranã, fogo are a team in restructure after losing pivotal midfielder, Seedorf. At best, fogo will likely end up bimbling thru a 2nd/3rd place battle with Espanola. Canny see anybody taking first place away from the “Pope’s XI”, San Lorenzo in this group.
Coincidentally, fogo are at home to San Lorenzo in their opening game.
FIRST MATCH VERDICT : Draw.
Group 3 – No Brasilian team
This group comprises of Cerro Porteño (Par), Deportivo Cali (Col), O’Higgins (Chi) and Lanús (Arg).
I hope (well, just because) O’Higgins who won a National title for the first time in their 58 year history, do well in this. However, they have opted to play all their home games in Santiago rather than their home ground.
Lanus are a well organized side, but you can never write off Porteño.
Group 4 – Atletico-MG.
Won it last year and then crashed n’ burned spectacularly at the World Club Championships in Morocco in December.
AMG are in with Nacional (Par), Zamora (Ven) and Sante Fé (Col).
Now that Ronaldinho has realized that nobody else wants him, he is back in the AMG fold, so AMG are pretty much an unchanged side from last year. However, Cuca, the manager, has left for the lure of Chinese wonga. Replacement, Paulo Autori having had patchy/little success at previous clubs, Vasco and São Paulo last season.
AMG are away to (Hugo) Chavez family owned, Zamora tonight and should get thru to the next stage. However, watch Santa Fé who were last year’s semi-finalists and by all accounts stronger this year
FIRST MATCH VERDICT : Atletico-MG. Away win.
Group 5 – Cruzeiro.
The other Mineiro team. Cruzeiro are in with Defensor (Uru), Real Garcilaso (Per) and U.Chile (Chi).
Rumours are that this is the year Cruzeiro will focus on the Libertadores. Or so the rumour mongers say.
A solid defensive triangle of Fabio (keeper) with Bruno Rodrigo and Dede in central defence and a fluid midfield trio of Goulart, Dagoberto and last year’s POTY, Everton Ribeiro, supporting Borges up front, make them an interesting prospect and should be strong enough to get out of the group stage, probably with U.Chile.
Cruzeiro open their campaign away to R.Garcilaso tomorrow night.
FIRST MATCH VERDICT : R.Garcilaso. Home win (because they play in Cuzco)
Group 6 – Gremio
Gremio land in the “Group of Death” alongside Newell’s Old Boys (arg), Nacional (Urg) and Atletico Nacional (Col).
Gremio are another team in transition and have been subject to much speculation about their defensive abilities (they’ve only won 2 out of 6 State games, against “lesser” opposition this year, so far). Although other teams in their group are in various stages of rebuilding, it’s a big ask for Gremio this time around, and realistically second place will be their best here.
Newell’s with Bernardi, Banega, Maxi Rodriguez and Trezeguet likely to be favourites here.
Gremio are away to Nacional tomorrow night
FIRST MATCH VERDICT – Draw.
Group 7 – Flamengo.
Flamengo last won this in 1981 when they beat Liverpool.
This year they are in a supposed “favourable” group with Bolivar (Bol), Emelec (Equ) and Leon (Mex).
Flamengo have had a decent State championship so far, but are a team with cashflow issues. Biggest signing this season will be a name familiar to a few, Elano.
Flamengo should be good enough to go through from this group, probably with Leon.
Emelec have significant injury issues, with Bolivar owned by David Beckham’s pal, Marcelo Clauro rumoured to have more interest in MSL shenanigans.
Flamengo are away in the Nou Camp to, Leon (who Carlos Slim recently purchased a 30% stake in) tomorrow.
FIRST MATCH VERDICT – Draw.
Group 8 – No Brasilian team.
Peñarol (Uru), Arsenal (Arg), Dep. Anzoãtegui (Ven) and Santos Laguna (Mex) make up this group.
With domestic Uruguayan football, supposedly, in the doldrums. Arsenal, a very unspectacular workmanlike side and Dep Anzo relative newcomers, you have to fancy Santos Laguna’s chances here.
That and the fact they play in the hoops!
Boa noite
(and good luck if you’re puntin on any o these).
Monaghan1900
16:19 on
This is what is getting them so excited.
http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/Purchase/ViewDocument/17695356
Setting Free The Bears……….Glad to see you have the stats on Anthony Stokes on assists for the season with 5 ranking him in second place on the list. It gets tiresome with some on here labeling him a selfish git.
Thanks for replies re Murrayfield-apologies to Begbie and the East Coast Bhoys :},BSR i thought Firhill capacity was around 16,000,so agree 10,000 is too small.I know it’s not an easy fix but i think it’s worth a debate.
Weeminger-We have struggled recently even with games included on the ST,to get decent crowds.We tried to give ST holders 2 free tickets v Partick recently,without success,granted it was Christmas time.Rugby Park is the only decent sized stadium for some games,but we wouldn’t want to give that mob any money.
Wherever the first CL qualifier is it should be free to ST holders..that would help get a decent crowd. So should the second game!
hankray..
AT:
Not always selfish…too often horrible decision making!
Cork Celt…………..Let’s hope we have another superstar in the O”Connell dynasty.
Cliftonhill would be a much better venue than Murrayfield, but probably not be available as the Rovers will be on European duty come July. Wee double tonight Sheffield Wed unbeaten in 10 at home to Wigan. Torquay at home to bottom club Northants. Good odds.
HH
Still hacked off with Sat team selection, esp young Matthews. This happened before, in the Nou Camp of all places !
Justafan……….We’re 21 points ahead in the league – he’s obviously doing something right most of the time.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
17:17 on
11 February, 2014
Mighty Mo only started 3 games in the hoops and sadly therefore does not make the shortlist :-)
HH
CRC
Re Murrayfield or Firhill. I think UEFA rules state any stadium used must have certain criteria required to play European games. Methinks Firhill might just fall short.
eddieinkirkmichael
Are the Co-op HQs really in 1 Balloon Street in Manchester?
Does Nena live at No.99 behind a red door?
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name
17:04 on
11 February, 2014
With Cameron announcing that flood affected companies can delay paying taxes expect fire engines at ipox with pumps at full tilt
====================================================
What, like they were going to pay them on time sans floods?
Croppy @ 17.15
Good shout.
I posted from Celtic live wifi that we were losing the midfield battle at HT, the same as the rest of the Internet, it seems.
I also said we’d struggle if we didn’t change, but like Neil Lennon and his coaching staff I do not believe it is as simple as that. I reckon if you were to check all the stats ( we’ve beaten Aberdeen twice already) as sftb and others have attempted, we win with two recognized wingers. I call them non combative players, and I include Commons Forrest and Samaras.
NFL has also criticized Commons but exempts Forrest?
Aberdeen had one extra man only, because you’d hardly describe Nial McGinn or Johnny Hayes as anything other than wingers. The difference was they were hungrier and played closer to midfielders, than our midfielders, if you know what I mean. Consequently three days later I don’t think Aberdeen are tactically smarter than Neil Lennon, they’ll be beaten when they are not so wound up to win.
Celtic in the meantime will win the League by a record margin, sometimes playing with two widemen, a la Johnstone and Lennox circa 1967.
Hail Hail
bigshuggy-VG
setting free the bears supports res. 12 & oscar knox
17:36 on 11 February, 2014
eddieinkirkmichael
Are the Co-op HQs really in 1 Balloon Street in Manchester?
Does Nena live at No.99 behind a red door?
Yes and Yes
The Big Balloon Mc Coist lives there as well.
bobbyrussell-i thought of that mate,without wanting to offend another section of our support-Cliftonville passed the criteria.HH
CRC
I take it ole Henrik isn’t on the list because it would be a gimme?
Good evening friends. *whistles* *It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….*
Bournesouprecipe
The Old Trafford Rapid V experience was incredible though…..
The pre game high and feeling of invincibility as the cavalcade went down the M6.
The post game low as big Roy hit the post and they went up the park and scored.
I love Danny but that night I think we did not have his best game for us. Willie mcStay for me had his greatest Celtic game at right back in the 2nd leg (1st game) when Danny was injured.
If Ah wur King…
Celtic wid Play…
EVERY SINGLE GAME.. nae Maitter the Calibre of the Opposition..
with..
A THREE MAN MIDDY.
Noo.. Presently that wid be..
Broonie, Biton, Mulgrew..
Na..Ah didnae furget aboot… Stefano..
Ah am Lookin, here fur .. Brute Strength.. n.. in Broonie, Biton n Mulgrew..
That is aboot the Closest tae Brutish Strength,fur oor Middy.. that we kin Rustle Up..
fae among oor Cadre of Mid Field Prospects.. oan oor Books, as this time.
Ah wid like whit Passes fur Brute Strength..in Oor Mid Field.. tae Be
Well.. Bruter.. but, We kin only use that whit is Available.
Noo, in awe the Ither Positions..
Celtic , kin Use ..whomsoevah …that they may Choose…in Any way that they may like..
But…
We must hiv a Rock Like.. or.. Even.. a Cement wan, as in oor Case.
Middy… fur AWE oor Games
Aberdeen, Beat us.. wi..
Two .. “Brutish” Guys,in Thur Middy..
Ah know that is Stretching Yer Credibility a wee bit too Much..,
So wid Ye Believe…
Only WAN.. Brutish Strength , Mid-Fielder.. n wan.. Willin’ Helper??
A Brutish Middy..is the Only wey tae go..
Am Ah right?
‘Course, Ah Am..
Ah alwiz Am.
N.. that’s Awe She wrote..
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
Burnley 78
I think the cross border invasion game was in the Guinness Book of Records at one time *Real world Records*
We went for the big pay day, I hitched a ride in a Skoda
you don’t forget nights like that.
Looking for some help, can anyone recommend some decent free software that would let me open and edit Microsoft word and excel docs? I’ve tried one so far that didn’t work
Paul:
“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.”
———
Or it’s Giorgios Samaras
#getthefingeroutbigman
cqn nerdtastic moment
it’s very interesting how much attention p67 is giving to the Aberdeen match. I don’t know if it’s his focus on strategy or an obsessive seeking of the underlying reasons behind what we see – I favour the latter – I think he is a no bullshi*, what ‘s really going on type ‘. could be wrong, but this week has been interesting .
******CQteN Dream Team*******
So who will select 2 wide players in their team of the decade?
Will anybody select Lenny as player and manager?
Only time will tell!
Over the next 2 days, we will start to provide analysis on the goalkeeping position. Down to a choice of 2 for me personally, but we will give the other contenders a fair mention, ok a mention :-)
HH
CRC
So, it seems maybe we should have signed Willo Flood in the January window? Is it “Willo Window 2 – The Revenge”?
BSR,
I mentioned to my barstool mate on Saturday that if we were to get anything from the game, then it would be via Forrest.
No one else carried a threat.
Surely no one can argue that the 4-2-4 formation has been a success when used in a game of any importance.
The two previous Aberdeen results disguise the fact that we struggled to have any dominant control of the game.
The scoring times and patterns suggest otherwise.
To have four out and out forwards, with little or no defensive abilities, apart from Sammi defending corners, is culpable and, Neil Lennon or not, is inexcusable.
As I said at the time, let’s see if he can devise a game plan that is not mired in the late 60s.
He has the whole of the run in to cone up with something.
He still has Biton and Henderson at the Park, along with Johansen.
Give it a go, Neil.
glasgowbhoy try this:
https://drive.google.com/a/kellygang.co.uk/?urp=http://docs.google.com/&pli=1#folders/0B1wpXJgBycuDaUEtMjRwbmtLSFE
Rapid Vienna cheated us out of what I have always suspected was our chance of winning a European Trophy in the 80’s. Aberdeen won the Cup Winners Cup and even Dundee United got to a UEFA Cup Final which was played over two legs. Celtic had a good team at this time and Rapid Vienna, who were comprehensively beaten at Celtic Park, went onto the Final. Thankfully they lost to Everton but they should never have been there.
Barrowlands was amazing after the Celtic Park game.
glasgowbhoy – or this :
https://www.openoffice.org
Ajax in Europe. The Parallels.
A late discussion the other night was on how Ajax, with a similar Scout/Develop/Sell policy to Celtic had fared in UEFA competition over the past 10 years
In terms of the CL, not too well , but it is interesting to see how they have coped with similar trading conditions to Celtic.
The main difference seems to be that Ajax faced stiffer competition in their league and lost the title more than we are likely to do in at least the next two years as long as we set our player standard as qualifying for the CL proper as our target.
However their support did not fall away, possibly because of that sterner domestic competition and there is the conundrum for Celtic. Set the standard higher than is needed to win the SPFL and qualify for CL proper but reduce domestic competition, set it lower and risk not qualifying for the CL where the rewards are very very tempting.
So what if crowds fall? The money from consistently reaching the CL more than compensates. In fact use that money as last year to reduce SB prices and the crowds that make the occasion do not drop to a level that affects domestic atmosphere. Indeed why not hire the modern day version of the Tiller Girls to replace the GB to lead the singing and dancing? The Americans do that sort of thing..
The Ajax story can be followed here
http://www.europeancuphistory.com/clubs/ajax.html
and here
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/110783-ajax-transfer-policy-lacks-ambition
and here
http://swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/why-ajax-are-no-longer-dutch-masters.html
A fair bit reading but perhaps such information is required to provide a more realistic expectation level?
Glasgowbhoy – I use OpenOffice not found anything it can’t open or save as Microsoft documents.
Burnley 78,
I don’t think we are allowed to take the show on the road outside Scotland, and besides I don’t see opposition agreeing.
However, we could make it free entry or a nominal £1 and recoup revenue via merchandising and catering.
Throw gauntlet to fans by branding it around the 67k capacity of Murrayfield and importance of 67 in our history?
Know yer hoverpitches from yer naming rights
http://www.theguardian.com/football/quiz/2014/feb/11/football-stadium-quiz-grand-designs
and it’s what makes the blog what it is – you can think what you want but this is what the evidence says