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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Neil Lennon is a fantastic young manager.
He is only 4 years into a massive job.
All managers make mistakes except the special ones like Mourinho who stick to experience, tried and tested formula and don’t take any risks.
We have had two bad results all season – Karagandy away and Morton home.
Both were terrible results and possibly as a result of our manager taking the opposition too lightly.
The Aberdeen result was against a team on form in the same league as us who took their chances on the day and who played very well. The unexpected injury to Mulgrew also contributed IMO.
It’s OK to be annoyed with a manager at times, I’m sure Neil is annoyed with some of the players but no one should be going over board about this result like phoning radio stations and journalists and ex-footballers that are only good at talking about the game but have never won anything in their life. That would be really pathetic.
an dun,
James and Sammi can’t or won’t. Either way it is not in their game.
Messi and Xavi doing it are what makes them Messi and Xavi.
Bada Bing
How many times have you been to New York?
You must have seen/been and done everything.
Did you have your fekn eyes shut?
On a generous note. I think a few folk on CQN must be revising their opinion of Willo Flood. Ice watched the guy a lot this year. I’m aware he was POTY at DUFC twice… He was unlucky at Celtic, it would appear?
A lot of CQN ers had it in for Willo for not being Stephen Fletcher?
Ohits
Forest Off
Heart it cultsbhoy- something happened to him when he came to CP
& thats not a threat :)
adi_dasler
Oh well a treble will have to do .
HH
Paul67
Tactics at top level football have a significant outcome on the result , however I believe that our recent stroll in the park with teams standing off us , got us a bit lackadaisical …… young Stefan joined during these non-threatening encounters and I believe he got a rude awakening on Saturday, Neil expected the 2 centre mids to have enough about them , with KC dropping back.
The defence should not have been changed.
Wiseaftertheeventcfc
The “two central midfielders with two attack-minded players” is a definite no no for games against CL opposition. Being too open cost us dearly last year against Juventus. This year’s failing in Europe especially against Milan at home and Barcelona away were too open for us. We learned how to defend in Europe over the past couple of years and should stick to that until we’re ever much better equipped to compete openly at that level. Same applies for certain opposition at home. Albeit we’ve lost three ‘mainstream’ midfielders in Ki, Wanyama and Ledley recently. Add in Kayal and suddenly we’re short in this area. Time to find out how good Bitton, Rogic and hopefully Henderson are. When our pals across the city are back in two years we’ll certainly need a midfield who can compete physically as well.
BSR,
He could argue all day if he wished, but wingers is what they were.
Jock ‘s Golden Rule was not to ask a player to do what he was incapable of doing – and asking JF, Sammi and you must include KC and AS in that bracket, to do defensive duties is like asking me to dance the lead role in Swan Lake!
Changes should have been made at half time at the latest, or even after Adam took the kick in the ribs.
I hate to and rarely criticise Celtic players or staff, but it wasn’t the defeat on Saturday that annoyed me, as I could find consolation in the bigger picture; but it was the causes of that defeat that rankles.
I have to agree wholeheartedly, lack of vision, or fear of change is what seems to come of our dugout for the last while. It seems NFL is taking the MON mantra to heart, of playing the players you trust. And the GS mantra of change for changes sake. So I feel, NFL is in conflict with these mantras plus whatever advice he is getting from the back room staff. We as Celtic supporters can quite clearly see the failings of the team, and what does or doesn’t work, so why can’t our coaching team see it.
RantdoneCSC
CultsBhoy
19:33 on
11 February, 2014
On a generous note. I think a few folk on CQN must be revising their opinion of Willo Flood. Ice watched the guy a lot this year. I’m aware he was POTY at DUFC twice… He was unlucky at Celtic, it would appear?
A lot of CQN ers had it in for Willo for not being Stephen Fletcher?
Possibly true. But truth is that at the time what was required was a striker. Ultimately lack of said striker cost us the league.
Still gutted after Saturdays result:( especially with the real chance of sevco achieving the treble this year! League – ramsdens ….. And admin 2 !!!!
thomthethim
I agree, in terms of what I’d have done, but he hasn’t alluded to tactical failure, despite the internet tsunami,
Another example of a wing wizardry is when he played Samaras and Boeriggter in the Camp Nou, and copped six,
*Not sure if Boeriggter qualifies even as a winger*
The podium for CQteN Dream Teams submitted.
3. Leftclick.
2. Roy Croppie.
1. BigShuggy.
Pog, missed by 1, you were 4th.
But no prizes for that.
BigShuggy, well done, but the prize is for getting closest to the Dream Team as chosen by the Blog.
doccqten@gmail.com
Sevco Treble – Administration , Liquidation and Annhialation .
Johann, it will be Admin 1 and the previous club were liquidated, they did not go into administration as the MSM would have you believe.
VP-I think this is my 8th time :],trying to plan this trip a wee bit better .
Can I Have
Still hold the believe NFL knows more than me, who thinks like others the format was wrong, he’s got the job, the platform, the badges, and the back up team, and the twenty one point lead.
You mention fear, or maybe a reluctance to change, that’s a young managers mistake.
Cheers fab.
Feel like a right ficko now!
HH
Ricky Lambert has missed 2 sitters in the first five minutes .
An Dun
Don’t tell me AS doesn’t do closing down. He times his run expertly but only after the defender has the ball completely under control. Then Anthony jogs up to his opponent and stops stock still five yards from the man whether or not the clearance is complete. Remarkably, this clever ploy hasn’t resulted in the anticipated goal glut – yet.
If only they had read this first ;-)
And from Belfast too.
cqn’s bsr has not been available for comment and is said to be considering his next post
http://celebrity.uk.msn.com/news/clarke-tops-most-desirable-charts-1
winning captains
18:14 on
11 February, 2014
EVEN Dundee United?
I think you’re being a bit unfair there – that 1980s Dundee United side was absolutely first class.
I should know – my bidie-in in the 80s was an Arabs fan and I can hear the post-match gloating after they played us even now.
But agree re Rapid. We beat the cheating b******s fair and square. I am not sure if we would have beaten what was a very good Everton side in the final, but knowing us we probably would have.
HH
Pog-I stand corrected-hh
Dream Team submitted although I am worried that Aberdeen would over run my side in midfield. Can we have a subs bench please in case I need to change it?
“CQteN Dream Team”
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
Think the tactics and team selection were wrong on Saturday. But the biggest factor and one we have seen before was the apparent lack of motivation. it was a Scottish Cup tie on Saturday, not so sure the Celtic players realised that.
bournesouprecipe
15:35 on 11 February, 2014
Hot Dates!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What are you doing with a photo of my wife…?
Mike in Toronto
re Gregory Porter gig in Glasgow…
Good shout……
……..we saw him last year at the Cork Jazz festival ( nice!)
Great gig, he didn’t take himself too seriously……very enjoyable night out,
he is one hep cool cat in a bizarro hat………
TeaCosy CSC
A point to think about regarding your Dream Team selection.
Some players were past there peak in the time frame.
Some have not yet had the longevity of others!
The best players in the period, not the biggest legends whose bolt had been shot, nor a youngster who may go on to great things, but those who achieved in this period.
Ach, it’s up to you.
Statistics will be provided soon to give you all some more to consider with regards your team.
So maybe hang fire.
An example!
Martin O’Niel did not win a title in the time frame, Gordon Strachan 3, Neil Lennon 2, ok it’s gonna be 3.
CQN began in July 2004. If you don’t agree with that, ask. Paul67.
No one has picked Zengh Zi apart from me!
Shocking.
Wee miss my favourite ball winning top goal scoring influential midfield man Joe but hey he’s only gone a week.
Looking for some advice, I am due to change my car in October I am seriously thinking about a crossover 2wd, at present I have looked at a Qashqai, Hyundai ix35 or a Kia Sportage any CqNr.s owners of these vehicles and can advise I would appreciate this.Thanks in advance
Evening all
First off. Is Thom the Tim really Darcy Bussell?
Second . Jackie Mac. That list is rubbish . Anybody over 15 allowed to vote?
Third . CQN Ten Team
Boruc
McNamara
Izzaguirre
Ambrose
Van Dijk
Nakamura
Petrov
Wanyama
McGeady
Sutton
Hooper
Manager: Strachan
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon, supporting WEE OSCAR..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
20:06 on
11 February, 2014
bournesouprecipe
15:35 on 11 February, 2014
Hot Dates!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What are you doing with a photo of my wife…?
______________________________________
Pal forgive me, she told me she was single.
jackie
Wee Emilia……………………. shsnsdndodudxhsbsnsky