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Moneyball Christie, subversive right hemisphere

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Celtic always had the look of winners last night, but until Odsonne Edouard pounced on the rebound from Ryan Christie’s shot, the outcome was in the balance.  We are going to face a lot of packed defences like that this season, though fortunately or not, that could be the last we see of them in the Europa League.

Christie was back to his best.  I know his stats are far from impressive and he is criticised (by others) for his decision making, but I spent almost three years during Brendan Rodgers time wanting someone to mix it up.  Take shots that would force the keeper to work or a defender to block, or play the low percentage pass that we all know is going to miss most of the time, but will result in loose balls in dangerous areas.

Those poor stats are a consequence of randomness, which is something we loved in Frank McGarvey, but that was before the stats came along to both inform and confuse.  Stats are all about interpretation, which is the real lesson of Michael Lewis’ Moneyball for those who never read the book, or those who did, but didn’t understand it.

I tried most of the second half to figure out what changes Neil Lennon made at halftime that freed up Jeremie Frimpong.  During the first half, he was so well shackled, I considered the Sarajevo left back as a possible recruit.  At the break, the suggestion was made to me, maybe he is better as an impact player?

Sarajevo certainly opened up at the break, which may have helped, but Jeremie was back at his impactful self during the second period.  Credit also to Greg Taylor, who had his best game in a Celtic shirt.

I’m still pretty gutted about not being in the Champions League and at the manner of our exit, but Pot 1 seed in the Europa is an important place to land.  Last week we spoke about how it was to our advantage that all domestic rivals also reach the group stage.  We didn’t want them having a week to plan games against St Mirren etc., while we traverse the Continent.  Not this season.

That kind of left hemisphere thinking was nowhere to be found once kick offs were underway last night.  You can’t fake this stuff, it is just not possible to subvert the tribal instinct (which is why nationalism is so potent, and why Celtic is my only identity).  But, in a crisp and sunny autumnal morning, logic is back on top.  No one will get an easy pass to the title this season, including Celtic.

Uefa’s methods of seeding have never been perfect, this is not tennis, but those pots are full of variance.  I’m hoping to avoid sides from the big nations.  Farewell, Copenhagen, Basel, Sporting, Rosenborg, Legia (sorry, Zbyszek) and yes, even Galatasaray.  Strong sides are out of Europe, the potential to join them was real.

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  1. i'vehadtochangemynamebacktojackiemac on

    Night night y’all.

     

     

    Toppada league the marra

     

     

    Imissmasscsc

  5. An Tearmann on

    SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 3RD OCTOBER 2020 8:55 PM

     

     

    Good chat bout term world class.

     

    from memory Bobby Charlton also agrees with you.i think it was after a testimonial game he and bobby played,and the same debate was being had.Bobby said he would have loved lennox in his side.speed etc.

     

     

    Heh good to hear your entering retirement.when is the swally?- dont answer😊i am workin from the pearly gates in the way lol.enjoy anyway😊

     

     

    hh

  7. David66 on

    Barkas

     

     

    El Hamed Duffy Julienne Ajer

     

     

    Frimpong Broonie Cal Mac RC

     

     

    Eddie

     

     

    Griff

  10. Scaniel on

    WBC at 9:38. Many Thanks. My youngest daughter works in the film industry and I was going to recommend it to her ….. after I’ve watched it, of course. Cheers.

  12. Midfield Shield Celt on

    GENE on 3RD OCTOBER 2020 9:35 PM

     

    Hi Gene, sorry for delay. Eh, 4-5-1 I’m not sure, but they were very compact, maybe a fluid system, I’m not sure, but I would like us to play like that in ‘all’ European games – just don’t lose. It sound’s boring, but it might be a wee bit more connected to the reality of our European stock at present. Some might say, “oh that’s Walter Smith, park the bus!” I’d rather mould Celtic’s European shape, formation, tactic’s, etc, on Neil’s ‘two’ outstanding performance’s against Barcelona, when we played superbly, tactic’s, formation, and shape wise, we only just lost in Barca 1-2, then we won the next group game at home, on our 125th birthday, on a never to be forgotten night, against one of the greatest team’s to ever play the game. Magic! 👏🍀

     

    Neil Lennon, managed, coached, disciplined, and moulded those two outstanding performance’s. Could he consistently do it domestically? Why not? Hope so.

  13. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Tontine Tim@ 6:11pm …

     

     

    Thank you.

     

     

    Marvelous stuff.

     

     

    I’d urge everyone to go back and read TT’s post.

     

     

    Worth reflecting that in that 20-year post-war pre-Jock period he describes in such fantastic detail …

     

     

    We won the league once and the cup twice.

     

     

    These days, by comparison, WE ARE COMPLETELY SPOILED.

     

     

    Enjoy.

     

     

    Hail hail

     

     

    Keep The Faith

  15. Midfield Shield Celt on

    BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 3RD OCTOBER 2020 10:19 PM

     

    That’s what Neil said when he came back to replace Brendan. “The fans are spoiled” as, murmers, and groans, were loudly heard inside the stadium, only week’s after Neil’s return. He is of course correct. When he said those words, the first thing that I thought about, was when these same fans were loudly heard, with their groans, as Neil tried to keep possession for us, by passing the ball back the way to safety, in our first European semi final in, 30+ years. Astonishing.

  19. TheLurkinTim on

    Glad to see yer family reconnect went well Big Jimmy…happy for you

     

     

    Hope Mrs TET test went well…am worried TET hasn’t updated

     

     

    Sarajevo, as I predicted, went as I predicted lol….bring on the 0-4 St Johnstones

     

     

    H.H.

  20. timhorton on

    FB

     

     

    Leeds to finish in the bottom four ,i think they will be a lot higher than the bottom four.

  21. TheLurkinTim on

    Jobo…I made getting up early 2day, to watch the game, a priority…too bad it was only Saturday…av missed a day somewhere 😂

     

     

    H.H.

  25. TheLurkinTim on

    Tontine Tim amazes all of us wae his memory of Celtic wiki lol….(an accusation I saw) wtf

     

     

    Whurs ‘GG….a miss his updates

     

     

    H.H.

  38. Tontine Tim on

    TLT, I have an eidetic memory, in my 8th decade various Celtic books and wiki just reinforce what I can recall.

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