I know we had nothing up front, but Odsonne Edouard has looked more of a passenger in some games this season than Patryk Klimala and Moi Elyounoussi this afternoon. The game was lost elsewhere.
Newco’s shape allowed them to dominate space whenever we had possession. They were able to swiftly double up on Jeremie Frimpong and Diego Laxalt when the ball went wide, while they were compact enough in the middle of the field to keep Celtic from penetrating their final third.
Games are won and lost on mistakes and yet again we are talking about the defensive line at set pieces. Connor Goldson’s ploy of standing offsite in the hope that a defender would break the line and play him on, was not subtle, but it was effective. It was an excellent cross from the free kick (which wasn’t a free kick, but no excuses), Duffy was an enabler and Valarie Barkas could have done better. Questions remain for both.
Culpability was less clear at the second goal, which was well worked. With so many Celtic players in the box, you would expect one to get in the way of the drilled cross, but it fell to Goldson; teams who create chances get these breaks. It was a deserved goal (again, no excuses, but the handball!).
The last time we dominated Newco was two years ago in a 1-0 win at Celtic Park when Olivier Ntcham controlled the game and scored the winner. Stephen Gerrard learned from that day as Olivier has not had a sniff against them since.
Being ineffective up front and shaky at the back are worries enough, but the biggest concern is that we were unable to do anything to change the flow of the game. An inability to control the any part of the game is more worrying than poor defending or not attacking. It is more worrying than the result.
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BHOYJOEBELFAST
I agree.
ROLLING_STONE
Forgetting the affiliation, the person and looking at ability only, I’d probably take the goalkeeper too.
MARKIEBHOY on 18TH OCTOBER 2020 1:55 PM
His record is good domestically but he has spent £35m and inherited a double treble winning team on its hay to a treble treble.
Compared to BR domestically, I think Neil’s record is slightly better, but its likely a matter of handful of games and Neil has not had the threadbare squad BR had.
More fundamentally, with the money spent and squad at his disposal, what half decent manager wouldn’t have that domestic record?
We relied on FF heavily last year in Europe (Lazio twice and Rennes at home) and in the LC final. When he wasn’t around to save the day, we had a lot of disasters – and continue to do so.
Five home defeats in a year to Cluj, Copenhagen, Sevco twice and the Hungarians is evidence enough to me that Neil, at the very least, will never take us forward and grow the team and, frankly, should be nowhere near the job.
Add Cluj,Copenhagen, Ferencvaros to this season’s form……IMO a better coach could get a lot more out of the squad we have,
RC @ 1:50 PM,
Yes, some incredible set ups.
Chelsea have local academies in our area, they hoover up every kid with potential and fund local coaches to work with them in Colleges. That isn’t even their main Academy.
It is a huge operation.
When I started watching Celtic, Stein, Fallon and Mochan were the manager/coaching team assisted by many good “trainers”.
To think we can excell in modern football with the set-up we have is absurd.
Most academies at top clubs have a better coaching set up than Celtic’s first team. The players know this.
Hail Hail
I have absolutely no time for Dermot Desmond but I do believe that his Celtic Investment is emotional & wasn’t motivated by a simple desire to make more money.
The guy is absolutely filthy rich, any money he might make from Celtic is chicken feed to him.
Having said that, rich men will want to run everything & anything they are involved in at a profit. They just can’t help themselves.
Desmond is no exception to that rule, I reckon he would see it as a crowning success if he brought us into the EPL set up.
Anyhow I think we have bigger worries right now, than Desmond & his ilk.
GEEBEE1978 on 18TH OCTOBER 2020 2:00 PM
ROLLING_STONE
Forgetting the affiliation, the person and looking at ability only, I’d probably take the goalkeeper too.
I would take the keeper they had on the bench over ours.
Rolling Stone
In the game in December they were even more experienced.
They fielded Jack, Katic and Aribo against Arfield Barker and Helander.
94 more appearances.
But compare the games – we had 60% possession and shots on target
were 5 each.
That was a match, yesterday wasn’t.
I believe that we have a decent squad of players but they have a system
and clearly defined roles – we don’t
Our keeper does not look confident. Appears a bit nervous with that sieve in front of him.
CHAIRBHOY on 18TH OCTOBER 2020 2:10 PM
would go as far to say that most of the women’s premier English teams have a better background staff/trainers than our current set up.
What event will force a much-needed change ?
Several posters belief in blind faith? – Nope. Nice sentiments but birthday card pish really.
Neil Lennon’s self-reflection? – Nope. Him, his agent and his media buddies are doubling down and blaming players, COVID and anything else.
Hitting the bottom against Rangers next time around? – Probably. They could have stepped up an extra gear yesterday I believe. Would a heavier defeat come our way? You bet. We looked terrified yesterday.
I think this is just slow car crash stuff. Neil won;t see out the season and we’ll lose 10IAR. There is no mythical fightback on its way sadly. The huns are correcting their faults from last season, we are just building a bigger squad but failing to develop a team.
Not sure histiorians looking back at this season will be as kind to Mr Lennon and his team as some on here. What a pity. Could have been so different.
Survived the shitey 90s. I’ll survive this car crash.
HH
I think the point is that Desmond recognises our market requires competition.
Burying the Huns ain’t good for business. Sky ain’t in the game for prime time slots showing us play Aberdeen over and over again.
That’s what he sees as value in his investment. Ultimately knowing what makes money or what makes sense to those who might help us (them uns included) get to a new league.
HH
Big Wavy
I think the season and Lennon’s future hinge on the next 3 games.
If we were to find ourselves significantly further behind they might press the
eject button.
While down at the dog walk met a hun I know who said to me, there was only one real save in the match at the end from your greek fella. The rest my gran could pick up and our goalie had none at all!
We have the players We do not have the motivation or formation.
Not just yesterday Other teams have sussed us We have become easy to frustrate
God bless you Neil. But the King is dead long live the King. (So to speak)
Change now.
67ECW
Markiebhoy,
I don’t think so fella. I think we’ll trundle on keeping close enough (mostly as the other teams are shit) to der hun until groundhog day pops up again at new year.
We’ll fizzle out with a whimper and as others have said react in the summer because the business model requires it rather than soonish.
Sadly.
HH
CQN has made sad reading since that game yesterday but , to be honest, I feel, like most, that the time is up for manager. He deserves all the support we can give him for what he has suffered because of his love for Celtic but, imo, he is not the one to take us forward. For whatever reason(s), we are getting poorer rather than better and nobody in the management/coaching team seems to know what to do.
Who to replace him? Alex Neil or Eddie Howe could well improve us. Would they come?
IMO
All this DD & PL wanting Sevco to win tgd league us just plain nonsense.
Dsy afer tge game & disappointed but there is no way I am giving up on the league until its out of our reach. And that isnt just now.
HH
Big Wavy – I think DD and Sky see the benefit of a real title fight, it’s good for business. There is no way, however, that DD wants the huns to win the title. He and PL know the collateral damage next season will be huge if that happens.
I believe they have simply assumed that we had the personnel in place to deliver 10iar. That our squad and mngmt could be trusted to deliver.
The board will want to allow Lenny a chance to get back on track. He was their choice. Lenny will have told them what he has told the media – it wasn’t his fault.
As others have noted, we have a hard run of games coming up (while they have an easier period).
Stick or twist? This was discussed last night. I’d twist but I would guess the board will “stick”.
Neither approach makes 10iar anymore than 50-50, and that is being generous. They are favourites now.
From 4th tier football to top of the SPFL in 8 years.
And we laughed at them every step of the way.
Desmond doesn’t give a flying fek for the common supporter. He does not share our dreams and aspirations. He’s a businessman, the fact that he is a billionaire means nothing in terms of his desire to make more money. His comments about deadco being a great institution and their “relegation” being a sad day for Scottish football tells you all you need to know about him. Old Firm means money.
Bid Wavy
I know in my heart that sadly you are right
Owners aren’t supporters, they don’t feel it like we do.
CORKCELT on 18TH OCTOBER 2020 2:10 PM
‘I have absolutely no time for Dermot Desmond but I do believe that his Celtic Investment is emotional & wasn’t motivated by a simple desire to make more money.’
###
Is there any evidence to suggest the guy was a fan before he bought his shares?
Will DD & PL gamble on losing the league, along with about 10k STs…..
BIG WAVY
Burying the Huns ain’t good for business. Sky ain’t in the game for prime time slots showing us play Aberdeen over and over again.
——————————-
Even with the Huns it isn’t great business.
BT showing EPL games at the same time as ours has made a huge dent in the numbers watching.
Last season one of our games against the Forces of Darkness had only 120k SKY subscriptions tuned to watch the game.
We were often the ‘table setter for SKY Super Sunday…. not anymore.
Yesterday we were up against Everton , Liverpool . If Gerrard was not managing Them there would be very little interest outside of our own fan bases.
The Onlooker
DENIABHOY on 18TH OCTOBER 2020 2:42 PM
‘Big Wavy – I think DD and Sky see the benefit of a real title fight, it’s good for business. There is no way, however, that DD wants the huns to win the title.’
###
And what if they go bust if they don’t win the title?
Would he prefer that?
Next three league games are huge.
The morning after…
Julian played well enough for us but I recall that Dykes, Morelos & similar would physically do him.
Seemed to me that we signed Duffy as a counter to that plus he had that EPL “experience.”
His limitations elsewhere in his game were exposed yesterday.
He looked uncomfortable with the ball at his feet & twice almost lost possession because he was unaware that Morelos was behind him.
Hard t tell on the computer but was Barkas shouting a lot.
From my cheap seat I heard nothing from him but then it’s all Greek to me.
CBs & defenders play better with commanding keepers who inspire confidence.
He may be a decent keeper (looks ok so far) but does he let the back line know what’s happening?
With CBs then…who is top man there? Who’s the man the rest listen to?
It seemed that both Ajer & Duffy were pointing & talking…but who was listening other than Stephen Welsh & Diego Laxalt who were too inhibited for different reasons??
Heresy moment now. It seems to me that to accommodate Scott Brown’s inclusion the manager has to make compromises with other players. He build’s his team around that fact so that we have Ntcham & McGregor both playing in positions that tend to nullify their strengths while exposing their limitations. Callum leaves his foot in but Olivier doesn’t but that is only part of it. Callum’s ability to play perfect passes into the feet of strikers, wingers etc is only matched by Tom Rogic. When he plays so deep we lose so much of our threat in the last third. Olivier is a threat in the last third generally but again much less effective playing deeper. Both players are wasted if they’re used more just turning, chasing & closing down as deep as they were yesterday.
Frimpong’s threat was neutralised by Kamara & Barisic as part of their game plan so we had few crosses from the right.
Laxalt impressed with his strength, pace, resilience & crossing but it seemed a surprise to Klimala & Elyanoussi when the ball came in from the left.
For me, we missed Ryan Christie. His willingness to run at their defence with the ball & go for goal would at least have been another option. For me, Callum’s Christie like run in the first half was the best bit of football from Celtic yesterday.
All of this is just my ramblings but the worst part of all of this is that i have come to the inescapable conclusion that there is significant dysfunction within the club.
Unhappy players
Either those who appeared to want to leave in the last window Ntcham, Edouard, Ajer, Christie, Rogic – not signing con tracts, being sold to Qatari clubs, moping about, playing without any real conviction. Then we have Griff who needs constant supervision off the field & is missing for half our games.
Also was Elyanoussi assured that he’d start every game as part of the deal to extend his loan deal for another season?
KT’s admissions on the Slaney blog show were not that kind to the management ref treatment of players.
Is there a problem within the management team?
Is JK on good terms with NFL?
The post match media session yesterday from NFL was obviously an exercise in damage limitation but not for the first time his comments had many Celtic fans asking whether he’d watched the same game as they had.
As fans we can all say it was a poor goal or they played better – but he’s the man who coached & chose that team so frankly, I expect more humility & responsibility from him when he’s part of the failure.
We need leaders who don’t hide from the obvious truths that we can all see on the field.
The usual hysteria after a defeat.Sack everyone.A lot of it coming from fans who were delighted at the signing of Duffy.The very same who were singing the praises of Frimpong.The same fans screaming for Lenny to be sacked,were praising him for the defeats of Lazio and finishing top of a Euro group.Tell you what,its about time we took a good look at the players.We are the ones who laud them as “Brillliant”.Not a Hun player would get into our team.As if we had a team of Superstars.We have not.Our “Creative players”were not to be seen yesterday.Ntcham,a disgrace,yet many on here tell us he is class.Once again it was left to Broony to try and combat the Hun midfield,because others never turned up.Duffys performance was a disgrace.The Huns danger man,at set pieces,and he was nowhere near him.Sauntering about in possession.Hitting 40 yard diagonal punts to Frimpong,with Barisic towering behind him.A total shambles from him.Bbbbbut ,he is Irish,and from Derry.Not a patch on Jullien,who is not fancied by many on here.
Lenny has been hamstrung this season so far by the stop,start,injuries,Covid,Griff,letting him down,Eddys loss of form,Ajeti not up to speed.Christie,hit and miss.He played what he had at his disposal yesterday,the least he could have expected was a bit of fight.Anyone can have a bad game,but if we can see them trying,OK.His only sin for me yesterday,was not playing Griff from the off.Those looking for him to be sacked ,and a “Big name” brought in,in October,ain’t happening,so back the man,or keep pouting the petted lip.
The usual hysteria after a defeat.Sack everyone.
A lot of it coming from fans who were delighted at the signing of Duffy
—-
can you name any of the fans who have shown hysteria on here since yesterday and who were also delighted with the Duffy signing?
or did you just make that up?
c’mon. own up. you made it up didnt you?
CHAIRBHOY
Best post of the day
We have wasted a lot of money on transfers. I would be looking at the scouts and DOF for a start.
I think we were doing fine with John Park as the head of scouting.IMO
We are to light all over the park as a poster said yesterday “tippy tappy players”
“rangers” have built from the back and it shows in the EL.
We need better planning in putting a TEAM together.
I dont know why we didn’t go for David Marshall we could have saved a lot of money and a good keeper into the bargain.All just my opinion.
Good Evening from a very despondent Land Downunder. As our very own Melbourne Mick has been posting regarding our Lockdown and torment at not being able to socialise, I have a duty to praise this man for his magnificent effort of supporting the Wine growers of this fair land. We have been looking forward to an announcement when we can all get together and have a party.Mick would be there,Guinness in one hand Rid Biddy in the other . Well we will need to wait a bit longer . Be patient. The game was so disappointing for us all. But we are not like them. We don’t have their bitterness and hatred. We are just going to get on with our lives,involve ourselves with our Celtic community and hope that our players will realise that wearing that jumper means so much to so many good people. I have had the pleasure of meeting a few of Micks CQN pals out here.I hope after this pandemic is over that we might get a visit from more of you. Please take care and God Bless. A big HAIL HAIL from the Mornington Peninsula. Paddy.
TURKEYBHOY
Could you tell me what you’ve been drinking, I wouldn’t mind some
St Tams
A flagon of Raki it seems :)
Have we ever had 5 debutants in a Sevco or Rangers game before?
WeeBobbyCollins @ pages ago
He used to read CQN but no doubt like a lot of others got fed up with the haters.
Have we ever not had one shot on target against thems in a game before.
But manager just glossed over it by saying we played well in the first half .
Watching a different game from me
Milan game, for me, an unwanted distraction.
God forbid we lose more players to injury, and/or get horsed and the heads go down further.
Pittodrie on Sunday all that matters. A good solid win will get us back on track, and make us feel better I’m sure.