Adam Matthews has been on top form this season, his pace and partnership with Mikael Lustig have been unfailing for Celtic, so Neil Lennon will clearly feel robbed at a top players injury-enforced absence for three months.
It could be worse.
An injury to Forster, Ambrose, van Dijk or Izaguirre would be difficult to accommodate but we are not short of right side-midfield options. James Forrest is now back from injury and although Derk Boerrigter joined as a left-sided player, he has already featured on the right for Celtic. If Boerrigter plays on the left Samaras, Commons and Stokes can all feature on the right.
One man’s cloud is another’s silver lining, just ask Beram Kayal, who kept Victor Wanyama on the bench until he was injured in December 2011. Victor got the run in the team he needed and never looked back.
Signing van Dijk was a response to an unexpected transfer request/not in the right frame of mind to pull a jersey on statement from Kelvin Wilson, but the major planned summer activity was to inject pace into the team for Champions League games, specifically through Boerrigter and Pukki. For various reasons we’re not there yet, maybe Ajax at home later this month will change that.
Blown away by the 1254125 donations, which have flooded in since Friday. Each donor, from those who donated £5 to the several who gave £125 (like it!) are a credit to the spirit of those whose footsteps you walk in. Promise to stop pestering with a link to the page. Soon.
Thank you.
The Sean book, 90 years of pure Celtic:
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Thing I have noticed about Izzi’s game since his injury; he very rarely hits the bye line on the outside of defenders now. Usually cuts back inside. Opposition knows pretty much how to counter that now.
JustsayinCSC
Gerald
Pal.. Tell Me Something..
Why hif ye IN fur Me?
Ah am entitled tae know..since every time ye Mention Ma Name..
Ye ur being Intentionally … Mean Spirited towards Me..
Ah am Dying tae read..
Why ye hiv it “IN”… Fur Me?
Whit Did Ah ever dae tae You?
Ah hiv never even conversed wi ye,afore..
Strange
Anyway..Let’s Hear frum you.
Kojo
Still,Leaving
I just happened to click on the BBC Scotland sport and the main story shows a photie of (look away now) the Cardigan blowing kisses under the headline:
“Rankers boardroom turmoil must end.”
This is the guy who until very recently was the CHAIRMAN of the board.
What did you do then Walter?
Like McOist, you took the 30 pieces of silver and shafted the fans.
“Turmoil must end”, just so you can get another wee cushy number.
God, why is this even sports news, why are they given a platform?
More to the point, can’t the huns see thru these parasites?
Hell mend them!!!
TSD
Like to see the last of you!
H.H.
Sorry for being late in replying. Been busy.
kitalba
13:36 on
8 October, 2013
thomthethim:
Tommy Burns was Baggar Vance was Tommy Burns, for me, his/their genius was in their empathy and encouragement.
I have no idea what Jim McGuiness’s job description reads like, but I do know that despite all the talent and the promise, nobody has established themselves in the first team since his arrival. I’m not saying that is his fault, I’m saying I don’t know why he’s there.
******
I thought that my post explained his role at the club.
I don’t think that Tommy Burns produced a steady stream of first team players.
I always thought that his strong suite was as a mentor to young lads.
Tommy was “too nice” to be a successful manager, as was proved when the 3 Amigos ran rings round him.
Nice guys don’t make successful coaches.
Mc.Guinness is not there as a coach. There are plenty men filling those track suits.
He is employed as a Sports Psychologist and Performance Director, to try and help youngsters bridge the gap between Development Squad and First Team.
Sometimes it is not lack of talent that stops these lads, but more of their overall attitude, application and personal development.
I think that already we are seeing more boys training with the first team.
There are also a few very promising players out on loan, gaining valuable first team experience, away from the pressure cooker of CP.
Personally, I think that it should be in every young players contract that they go on loan.
Then you will see who has the qualities required to make the grade at Celtic.
Just catching up
scottishleaf
15:19 on 8 October, 2013
That was the kind of post that makes me see pictures in my mind:))
I hope that makes sense as it is a complement of the highest order
Thank you for posting it.
Ps Lennybhoy and his friends well done on the tickets
Till later group meeting calls
TSD, I trust you’re well this fine day.
Perhaps you’d like to enlighten the Celtic supporters on this blog with your thoughts on this piece about the manipulation of the sectarian attacks in Scotland.
http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/catholics-and-sectarian-crime-hardly-victims-by-johnbhoy-part-2/
Murdochbhoy, enjoying himself and laughing at the troll.
TSD,
As always, I can’t hang around for you to search Google for some obscure fact, I catch up with your superior English answer in the morning.
.
BarcaBhoy
Think outside the box. Whoever though Agathe would be a terrific wing back, or whoever thought the greatest goalscorer in World football would be a 5’6″ converted winger.
..
Sorry to be Pedantic but there is No way Sammi if 5 Feet 6..;-)
Summa
Good evening friends.
My dear,dear,dear,friend.. The Singing Detective
Hiya,Pally..
How’s tricks?
Nice tae Greet Ye,as usual.
Na.. Adam wull Still be Able tae Mak those Long Throws..
Look , At Me..
After Ma Surgeries, Ah could Play Play the Minute Waltz,By Freddy Chopin…oan the Piano..in Under .. Wan Minute!
and Ah nevah could .. before!
Nice chatting,palomine.
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
Voguepunter,
Thanks for the lift this afternoon, yer a gent!
Tuesday Club now :-))
CT.
On tge mebd then sir?
Hope you are progressing well
Bt.. Sausage fingers??
Winning Captains that’s a rubbish list
Db..
Aye.. 8))
Not missing Wilson our top defender from last season thanks to van Dijk and the ever improving Ambrose.
Not missing Hooper thanks to old stirking guard of Stokes, Commons and Samaras.
Not easy signing strikers – hopefully PL takes note and signs up tried and tested.
Bt.. You all packed fur yer school trip?
Don’t know what all the talk is about.
Never a pen.
The Man of steel got plenty of the ball, in fact it was great play, he seen his brother was in trouble and sprinted to slip in behind him and cover the space.
He’s not that type of player oh, and the injury didn’t actually come from the tackle it was how he landed.
bbcscotlandbrainwashedCSC.
Every day that God gives us, Ally loses 40,000 pounds.
Well, not Ally exactly, but the Company/the Club/the Team.
WeightWatchers R Us CSC
My Dear Kojo…..
You Had Relatively Straightforward Fractures Of The Clavicles…..
Adam….Alas ! ..Was Less Fortunate….
Apparently He Has Disrupted His Acromio-Clavicular Joint…..
Rather Than Sustaining A Simple Fracture Of The Clavicle….
A Much More Serious Injury……
Which Is Likely To Leave Him With Reduced Function In The Shoulder Joint..
And A Vulnerability To Further Injury….
Whenever He Is Brought Crashing To The Turf….
DB
Awaiting Mrs BT doing the packing..
BT,
Doing well thanks.
BTW, was that Dolphin/Jamie Carragher speak there?
‘-))))
CT
Maybe after 6 or7 in the dolphin.
BT,
Enjoy Tunisia, Sahara Beach is excellent.
.
Courtesy Lost Bhoys..
Stato
Aside from the fact that they are actually a fortnight and not a week, it is a dire time for those of us who have no real passion or allegiance for our respective National teams.
Despite being based in Glasgow we are still subjected to the incessant Sky Sports fascination on a very average England team who will no doubt qualify for this latest major tournament but will then crash and burn before the main teams even break sweat.
The one thing that this break provides is an opportunity to take a breather and reflect on how Celtic has performed so far this season.
Passing opinion on the performance of the players and manager is always subjective and often contentious, demonstrated across the ‘virtual’ Celtic world in its ugliest form after we suffer a defeat.
Statistical analysis on player performance and key game activity can often help to breakdown how a gamewas won or lost and this is a concept that most clubs invest heavily in nowadays.
Opta and Prozone are two of the better known companies that produce detailed performance statistics for clubs, but sadly they don’t rate the SPL worthy enough to share this information to the common supporter.
We can get some of this data for our CL games given the prestige of the competition so we can actually find out how many kilometres Scott Brown really covers in a game until he decides to tickle the ribs of a South American superstar.
So, using the most basic of info available let’s look back at the season so far and identify who have been our key players and performers to date.
Champions League
Celtic has played 8 games in the competition so far this season. They have won 4 of those games, drawn 1 and lost 3.
The team achieved its primary objective of qualifying for the group stages of the competition, despite a huge scare against Karagandy when the width of the crossbar kept us in the tie. Whatever else is said, this is the only statistic that matters to the club given the rewards and prestige that the competition brings.
Celtic opened up with a convincing 3-0 first leg win against Cliftonville but results (and performances) decreased on a game by game basis with subsequent 2-0, 1-0, 0-0 and 0-2 results. This was redeemed somewhat with a final 3-0 win against Karagandy but the opening 2 group games have seen defeats without scoring both times, despite hugely encouraging performances.
If you add this onto the two last 16 ties against Juventus and ignore the qualifiers then we have played 4 games in a row without winning or scoring, harsh but true.
Scoring goals from open play is still an issue for us as we need to go back to the Spartak away game last season to find the last time we achieved this, again ignoring the qualifiers.
We have managed to maintain an average of 55% possession in the 8 fixtures but the contrast is obvious with 73% against Cliftonville dropping to 29% against Barcelona.
Fraser Forster is the only player to feature in every minute of all 8 games this season. Brown, Samaras, Lustig and Commons have started all 8 games but have been substituted or sent-off in at least one of the games.
Based on minutes on the pitch so far the following players make up our starting XI. Forster; Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Izzaguire; Brown, Commons, Mulgrew, Forrest; Samaras and Stokes.
Samaras once again leads the way with 3 goals, Commons and Forrest have 2 each with Ambrose and Lustig the other 2 goal scorers.
Unsurprisingly, Samaras has been our star performer in the competition so far winning Man of the Match in 4 of the 8 games so far. The top 3 performers in the competition based on nominations received via HailHailMedia are 1. Samaras (29%) 2. Ambrose (12%) 3. Commons (11%).
SPL
Celtic has played 8 games in the competition so far this season. They have won 7 of those games, drawing 1 and sit top of the table with a game in hand which is an excellent start given our European commitments to date.
We have almost repeated the pattern from the first half of last season with tight encounters at home that have resulted in narrow victories in most instances. Away from home we have been pretty comfortable in winning each game with the possible exception of the Dundee United game.
We have averaged over 2 goals per game but have only kept clean sheets on 3 occasions.
We have managed to maintain an average of 57% possession in the 8 fixtures and this is consistent across all fixtures so far with 51% being the lowest and 65% being the highest.
Fraser Forster and Scott Brown are the only players to feature in every minute of all 8 games this season. Izzaguire, Ambrose and Matthews have started all 8 games but have been substituted in at least one of the games.
Based on minutes on the pitch so far the following players make up our starting XI. Forster; Lustig, Van Dijk, Ambrose, Izzaguire; Brown, Ledley, Mulgrew, Matthews; Commons and Stokes.
Stokes leads the way with 5 goals, Commons has 4 and Samaras has 3. Mulgrew and Pukki have 2 each with Forrest, Matthews and Balde being the other goal scorers.
Van Dijk has been our star performer in the competition so far winning Man of the Match in 3 of the 8 games so far. The top 3 performers in the competition based on nominations received via HailHailMedia are 1. Van Dijk (20%) 2. Stokes (19%) 3. Commons (12%).
Overall Summary
Based on total time spent on the pitch then we have the following starting XI. Forster; Lustig, Van Dijk, Ambrose, Izzaguire; Matthews, Brown, Samaras, Commons; Stokes & Samaras.
This won’t come as a surprise to anybody and the main observations from this are that we have missed Ledley and Forrest for significant parts of the season through injury and only Van Dijk from the new signings has made any material impact on the team.
Pukki is sure to feature in that line up as the season progresses and we would hope for Ledley, Forrest and Boerrigter to be more prominent as well, especially with the news that Matthews is to miss the rest of the calendar year through injury.
In terms of Man of the Match nominations received for all games we have the following five players leading the way – Samaras (17%), Van Dijk (12%), Commons & Stokes(11%) and Ambrose (10%).
Samaras and Commons are joint leading scorers with 6 goals, Stokes has 5 goals and Forrest has scored 3 times.
I did qualify the blog at the start by stating that statistics can HELP to tell a story and analyse the influence of a game. However, as our game against Morton proved there is only one statistic that matters which is scoring more goals than the opposition.
We have been relatively successful in doing that so far this season but the level of competition will increase over the next few months and we need to hope that our squad is string enough to cope and that more of the new signings can make an impact.
Summa
Right that’s it….. Nite nite Timland
Beddy baws fer me… An two more sleeps!
Play nice……….
TomtheThim
Hiya,pally?
Nice tae greet ye..
In General ..In everyday Life…. as a Measure of Success…It is Awe Aboot Money…
Howevahhhhhhhh…
In Soccer, as in Awe Sporting Pastimes..
It is Awe Aboot hivin the Right Attitude!
Mr. McGuinness , possibly has the Knack of Instilling Attitude ,where Little o that Commodity Existed, before…
And If He Hiz.. then.. Ah wid be Surprised..
Ah believe that .. A Guy , Who Disnae Hae the Right Attitude,in order tae Become a Success at Soccer.. or anything Else,really..
Wullnae, reach his Full Potential..
If Ah wur In Charge..of the Youngsters..
Ah wid Do this ..the easy way..
All the Kids whom Ah judged tae be Bereft of the Right Attitude, as tae the way they Aspired tae play the Beautiful Game..
Ah wid simply.. Eliminate ..
Na…No … Ah widnae Whack ’em!
Na , simply tell them that Celtic and They hiv reached a Parting of the Ways..
And .. Wish them awe the Best..in their Future Endeavours.
Ah wid not Waste Ma Time.. In Retaining or Endeavouring tae Train.
Any Younster,whom Ah deemed
Didnae sport the Correct Attitude towards Learnin his Craft ..and Having the Stick to itness tae become..
All that he could Become,in the Sport.
Ah wid Possibly.. eliminate …
Seventy Five Per Cent o the Younsters whom we Hiv oan oor Books, by Passing this Kinda Judgment..
But.. Ah wid be left wit a Clutch of Kids.. whom Ah wid be conifident that Ah wiznae wasting Ma Time Wit.
Kojo
Still,Laughin
Winning Captains,
I’m in please.
HH
.
Paul Ince 5 Match Stadium ban for Violent conduct..
Summa
MOJO!
With pleasure!
You see, your not real!
Your are a ‘ misnomer’ ,you don’t exist, not any real form!
You forever leave ‘ missives’ on here, and always, hidden in it is a ‘subliminal’ message, harmful to someone from the ‘Celtic Family’ , usually, concerning someone whom does have recourse to rebuttals.
A few weeks ago you were aggravating for a change of Manager, citing that he should be
replaced by the ‘ sleekit’ Karaganda manager, ’cause sleek it ones’ have more to offer!!!
Wonder just how many ‘sleek it ones’ you know.
Further to that you came on here and castigated the Celtic Captain, saying that he was ‘died’ to you, his apology meant nothing to you.
Celtic welcome all faiths, Christain, Jew, Gentile, etc., your failure to accept ‘brownies’ ‘mea culpa’, says more about you!, than he!.
From time to time you regale us with little snippet of your previous existence, London cafe’s , who you met there, etc., all nonsense of course, you are a figment of your own imagination,
You life obviously has been contrived from ‘cuttings’ picked up from the ‘ editing room’ at Disney, or Pixar!. You are simply not real! You are quick to chastise others when ‘ in your mind’ the have ‘slighted you’, however you are not slow in coming forward to tell other people
exactly what you think of them, you are ‘a bullie sir’ .
H.H.
great work summa
I spoke to an old pro last week, fairly well known midfielder from early to late 70s but rather not mention his name.
I asked him about playing against Jinky…’I was told to take him out but couldnt get near him’
I asked about playing against Rangers 1872…’I was told to take the ball past Greig and Forsyth which I did, only for both to threaten me with a broken leg if I tried it again’.
John Greig Rangers greatest ever player. Totally sums them up.
Summa of Sammi….
Great stats there and lots to chew over.
However, a genuine question.
Isn’t our league position better at this stage than at the same point last year?
Taking into account the CL games, if we are better off, it could indacate:
– we are stronger overall
– the gap is widening btwn us and the rest of the SPL
If tit is the second case, and the gap is widening year on year, there could be EITHER a clamour to get the huns back into the SPL asap OR hopefully manoeuvres for us to move on to new greener pastures.
My dear,dear,dear,friend.. The Singing Detective
Well.. Ah suppose that Diz mak a Difference..
If.. Young Adam diz hiv a Mair Complicated Fracture than wit Mine wur..
Ah only knew that Mine Wurnae even that Sore..
Sure, Ah couldnae Raise Ma Airms.. much.. without Discovering that ..
It wiz Impossible tae raise them any Further, Without. hiving Excruciating Pain
But..if Ah didane dae that.. and ye kin Bet that Ah Didnae…
Then .. Ah didnae have any Pain.. slight Discomfort.. but nothing tae write Hame aboot..
All in all.. Ah Figured that If Ye ever Hid the Choice of eethur Fracturin’ a Clavicle..or
Hiving a Toothache…
Ma Advice.
Go with the Clavicle!
Nice Chatting..Palomine
Kojo
Stiil,Laughin
Winning Captains :::::::::: Ditto
Kojo,
That is his brief…..to sort out the wheat from the chaff.
You are correct, you either have the right attitude or you don’t.
How and ever, in a youth, it may be latent and requires to be released.
Hence the shape up or ship out approach.
Mc.G will be able to determine how these kids conduct themselves away from the manager and coaches gaze.
Kojo…
Aren’t The Midgies TERRIBLE…..
This Weather….?