Shakhter Karagandy covered 5k more ground than Celtic last night, 500m per outfield player. That’s 5.5m per minute, per player, or an extra meter every 10 seconds or so. That kind of advantage means that when the ball breaks loose in and around the danger area, the more active team are in space – which happened at both goals.
Conversely, when Celtic were in advanced positions Shakhter players were there in numbers. The difference was not caused by exceptional exertion by Shakhter, in their match with Maribor last night, Viktoria Plzen covered 11k more than Celtic, or a clear 2 meters every 10 seconds per outfield player.
Despite enjoying the vast majority of possession the Celtic players were lacking in movement and ideas. Being short of ideas is one thing but lack of movement is altogether unacceptable. We have to prepare fitness levels ahead of the second leg meticulously; Inverness on Saturday is only relevant for those who need game time ahead of Wednesday.
The Mouhokolo-van Dijk novice partnership was a surprise; a lot of faith was shown in players few of us know much about. Could we have held Kelvin for another few weeks? Would it have been less of a risk to play Ambrose and/or Mulgrew in defence? Yes to both, I suspect.
We learned Georgios is not a striker in 2009. He is one of our most effective players when away from home but not as a striker. Anthony Stokes is a striker but his style is just as unsuited to the formation we played last night as Georgios’. We seemed to pick a team to combat Shakhter’s strengths which didn’t play to our own.
I’m not convinced signing a player one week before an important game is an ideal preparation but taking the money early for Hooper, weeks before Amido Balde (or anyone else) has settled and considered a viable starter, is a calculated risk which is now in sharp focus.
We should also show some respect to Shakhter. The club are miles out of their depth at this stage of European football but they left with all the credit. After the game, manager Kumykov played down his chances, “we are not the favourites”. He’s a clever man who knows what he is doing.
It is possible Celtic will play as badly next week but it’s more likely that we will put on a vastly better performance. Between now and then we have plenty of opportunity to wallow in an embarrassing defeat, so knock yourself out, but I’ll hold fire until the tie is decided, which I expect to be in Celtic’s favour. Bring it on.
You got to love European football.
Penalty kick practice, please……
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if we cannot dispose of a team in my opinion among the worst we have ever played, then we will be were we deserve to be, the Europa league, this mob will be cannon fodder regardless of which competition they end up in..
Masty – i will give them a bit of leeway as they are new but i felt they could have been more agressive in attacking the first ball.
Masty @ 15;25 on that note,
As you all know we have been debating our signing strategy for
our much needed replacement Striker for some time here on CQN.
Particular attention has been placed on transfer value/limit.
I have been largely unsatisfied with the arguments made against
persuing targets of equivalent value to that which we have already received.
Hopefully someone with opposing views to mine can provide some clarity.
I’ve struggled to put a fine point on it before, but I will try again…
Gary Hooper, Goalscorer Extraordinaire, a key player for us, was sold.
No problems here, we did quite well to receive 5.5M. Well done.
We had known for some time that this would be the case.
Knowing this, the club have had plenty of time to identify a suitable replacement.
Many of us were/are excited about the prospect of Finnbogsson.
Seemed to be a perfect replacement. Excellent record. Just what we need.
But business could not be concluded.
The problem? The selling clubs valuation didn’t match ours…
OUR Valuation? This is where I struggle to understand.
I do not claim to understand the intricacies of football management and
player acquisition but this confuses me.
My naive understanding is that we are trying to replace a player with one
of similar quality. To me this means we should be willing to pay the same
fee as that which was recieved.
Otherwise we are looking at a MANAGED DECLINE of standards.
Ah but,
“our aim is to come out of transfer windows in a stronger position”
I hear you say…
How does that work exactly?
Lets imagine Gary Hooper had a twin brother, Barry Hooper…
This imaginary player has identical stats/history/attributes etc.
Would we have been willing to stump up the cash for him?
I doubt it. Dont want to pay the asking price.
Again there are subtle complexities which I do not comprehend.
But the Finnbogsson scenario really perplexes me.
We are told that OUR valuation is lower than that of the selling club.
Now correct me if I am wrong,
Buying clubs do not stipulate prices.
Selling clubs set prices.
Are we trying to find a replacement for our Player?
If the NL/scouts/Club have identified the man, and said,
“This is the guy. We’ve found our man. He will do the same job.”
Then surely his value equates directly to that of his predecessor.
Otherwise what are we observing?
In any business is it rational to expect to improve the standard of
product by replacing constituent parts with that of lower quality?
Let me reiterate.
The club identify a target.
The criteria is that the signing should have the same impact.
This player is believed to be as good as the other.
To fulfill the same role.
Capable of doing the same job.
Similar abilities.
Interchangable.
But somehow not worth the same value.
I dont get it…
I’m not daft.
I understand the club wish to make a profit.
In this respect they have been succeeding.
(Up to this point.)
Last year Celtic achieved their goals.
Performed above reasonable expectation.
Massive cash injection from CL.
This will not happen every year.
The icing on the cake.
Additionally player sales were outstanding.
Doesn’t happen every year.
The cherry on the cake.
Maximised All possible revenue streams.
Couldn’t have went better.
You can’t have your cake and eat it.
Stick Commons up front with his back to goal and play the ball in low to him.
He has the ability to take the ball in, turn and shoot.
That way, his lavk of pace wont be exposed and he wont have to try speculative 25 yarders.
Rogic has the intelligence to provide the passes.
Now to sort out the defence!!
Malone Bhoy in support of Wee Oscar
15:31 on
21 August, 2013
Straw pole. If you were in their shoes, would you be confident of winning the overall tie? I would be. Backs to the wall (against an un-creative side) – sneak a goal – tie over!
……………………..
We could slaughter a sausage supper in the tunnel and out the fear of god into them.
THE deciding factor.
Malone Bhoy in support of Wee Oscar
15:31 on 21 August, 2013
Straw pole. If you were in their shoes, would you be confident of winning the overall tie? I would be. Backs to the wall (against an un-creative side) – sneak a goal – tie over!
—————————————————————–
they will be lucky to get over the half way line, Wednesday will be the Alamo re-lived.
What we need on here is a fresh batch of Zengh Zi eligibility jokes, that would fair cheer the place up, member the good ol days when for weeks on end joke after joke about Zengh Zi’s eligibility just kept comin in and we were all LOA off all over the place, aye we had some right good laughs back then, I’ll start the ball rollin, seen Zengh Zi in the pub last night, he was rippin’ up stuff and bangin’ oan windaes, apparently he’d just found out he might no be eligible for the return leg….
VMHAN – You might well be right. It does seem a bit odd that 100 plus seats were damaged by celtic supporters. It’s just so frustrating – the GB was as close to the jungle as we got.
As for the GB Barca display, Messi etc weren’t talking about the quality of football on display, they were talking only about the fans. You are right – it is shocking the board don’t financially recognise such as display – this did better PR for celtic than all the stodgy Euro displays in the last 5 years.
Malone – yes i would. But think of utrecht. I was at the home game and thought we were a shoe in to progress. If we score in the first half their 2-0 lead wont feel so comfortable for them.
Its a funny old game……
Strange how we can’t keep possession and pass from side to side, when we are trying to run the clock down
I’ve heard and dismissed rumours re Tony Watt.
I’m still curious why a guy who blasted a belter in against the world’s top team in CL last season is suddenly not the answer.
Maybe Tony is big baws… Maybe he needs the chance to show it. Half of being a genuine star is having a colossal ego. Tbh he always looks willing when I see him
The moon bhoys….. I heard he is only returning if we are guaranteed cl football. Thats the class hes in…..
I think PL has already slaughtered the Gb in preparation for the game…
Media in Kazakhstan say that Celtic will consider official claim to UEFA concerning ritual slaughtering of the ram before the game. Celtic players were shocked when they saw stains of blood on the way to the pitch. Neil Lennon told at the pre game press conference told that he respects local traditions but was not aware what he will see next day.
TnT – Yes.
We are going to crush that mob.
Ohmni
15:34 on 21 August, 2013
Masty @ 15;25 on that note
————————————————————
your preaching to the converted my friend.
Rwe – i could fair murder a sausage supper right now…. Pure starvin so um ur……
Hardly surprising that they covered more ground when they were playing the football equivalent of the Standing stones of Callanish.
Lack of movement has been the norm for the team under Neil Lennon.
We have coached most of the movement out of the players with our cautious system.
The bringing back the thunder was simply advertising spin.
The fans are the only ones bringing the thunder to Celtic park as the team with its slow ponderous style is more akin to a whimper.
Was at the home game against Effesborg and the crowds enthusiasm was quickly dampened by the teams approach.Thank god for the Green Brigade or the stadium would be a morgue.
Young James Forrest got it in the neck for his performance that night when our tactics did everything to diminish his strengths.Took so long to get the ball to him that they had closed him down and left the sideways and backwards pass as his only option.On the one occasion he got an early pass he skinned his man and put in a dangerous cross.After that the service to him consisted of high punts and so we nullified him ourselves.
It’s not just economic hardship,tv and board parsimony that’s causing attendance’s to decline .Our style of play is mostly boring with an occasional flash of brilliance from one of our better players.
We have a coach who is very limited and unable to implement even the most basic system properly.
The space afforded to our opponents and the way we seem to be outmanned all over the field is proof of that.
The lack of progress for our youth is also testament to coaches cautious approach.
We need to change something as we are going in the wrong direction in what should be a very stable time.
I would start with the coaching staff.
What annoys me is when players after getting humped Joe Ledley we could take six of this mob Lustig with his comments Lennie with we are not out yet in my opinion we should stay stume and do our talking on the park. H.H.
the battered bunnet
14:00 on 21 August, 2013
If Shakter are only half as lucky in the return leg as they were last night, we’ll need to score 4 to progress.
That makes the team line up a straightforward case of playing…
…Sammi on the right, Derk on the left, and Amido point man, supported by Commons in the hole, with Watt and Stokes either side of him.
Tally ho!
————
Yep I’d go with that.
I was still on holiday when Derk made his debut against Ross County but by all accounts he looked a threat every time he got the ball.
Who can forget Sammi’s debut at Kilmarnock where he cut in from the right to curl the ball in with his left foot?
Play Sammi on the right, Derk on the left, Balde up front and Commons behind him.
Celtic to win in 90 minutes.
Zbysek – cant understand why we would complain now. We endured a century of our rivals doing unspeakable things to goats without do much as a by your leave……
Weefrathetim could maybe offer up one of his chickens to be sacrificed,voodoo magic style,just before the kick off next week.
It is worth a try I think.
zbyszek mówi, trzymaj się oscar
15:38 on 21 August, 2013
Media in Kazakhstan say that Celtic will consider official claim to UEFA concerning ritual slaughtering of the ram before the game. Celtic players were shocked when they saw stains of blood on the way to the pitch. Neil Lennon told at the pre game press conference told that he respects local traditions but was not aware what he will see next day.
———–
Shaktar 2 Lambs 0
While I understand those who say we are better than SK, and we should have won….
We didn’t, end of.
So far this season, we have had a disasterous pre season, which I was under the impression we were preparing for the CL, I saw very little of the players pre season that started the CL games.
We were unconvincing against Cliftonville, shocking against Elsfberg, struggled against Ross Cty, no the may west against Aberdeen.
Brutal against SK.
For the life of me, I can’t see where the optimism comes from, combine this with selling our only real goal threat, and our best midfielder.
I’m with Snake on this, sadly.
Celtic FC
Not PLC.
ExiledTim – the optimism comes from experience of having been here before, disagreeing with your analysis of how we have performed in at least two of the games you mention and knowing anf maybe just, in my case, because i am naturally optimistic, hopeful and look at football as a source of entertainment and joy……
Perhaps…..
HH
Noted big Myuoloko defends like Bobo. Man and ball. 2 yellows, 2 games ..
A bit more finesse and positional sense required..
That said , 2 goals in first. 20 mins next week..
KTF
DBBIA
From earlier, wholeheartedly agree – these games/friendlies taking place within a professional season seem commonplace – they’re just plain wrong. Needless grubbing for pennies when we are now worrying about millions.
Bad strategy.
And young Herron is on his toes after being the only player taken and not played there.
Ah, the extremes we go to to make life extremely difficult for ourselves. The Celtic Way…
Thinking about complaining about the sheep’s blood?
The players were “shocked” at the sight?
It just gets worse and worse.
There being Dublin.
On most days, the possession statistic is the one that generally determines the superior side. Not sure what it was last night but I am sure we were well ahead. Yards covered reflects the team that was chasing the ball more. The only thing we didn’t do was convert our chances. I have never seen us create so many away in Europe. We will be fine next week.
Paul67
Great summation .
We failed to prepare .
Which meant we prepared to fail.
Mistakes from boardroom, boot room and dressing room.
Still we have an opportunity to make amends .
We will miss the GB as much as any player .
The club need to solve this issue also.
They are on very dangerous ground, but don’t seem to realise this , or simply don’t care.
TT
Barcabhoy
Re Chas slowness in midfield , he is only there as a one trick pony – dead ball delivery. In addition , his lack of pace means that against any quality opposition , Chas cannot be given a berth at centre half.
Pleased that Chas has progressed since his return but he has limitations which I believe the mgt are aware if , hence where he is fielded in domestic and European games.
The Moonbhoys
Zheng Zhi would sign but can’t make up his mind if it’s the year of the chicken or the lamb.
Robert Tressel
Maybe Shakter will croker it by noonan.
Sorry.
Optimism beats alternatives in my book.
Just had a word with Stephen Hawking. He tells me the percentage chances for next week are:
0-0 – 10%
1-0- 15%
2-0- 25%
2-1- 15%
3-1- 10%
1-1- 10%
3-0- 5%
Any other score – 10%
So there you go – we have a 40% +chance of going through or taking it to extra time, or if you are a glass half empty type – around 60% we won’t progress.
I posted what the media in Kazakhstan say. The news is true.
I’m not the ram, at lest I think I’m not.
I certainly hope the complaining about ram slaughter is a joke.
Makes us look a joke and the millionaire players and manager look pathetic if true… their poor delicate constitutions. And we think they’ll worry about 40k supporters singing?
Silence of the Lambs CSC
Sir Paul,
Is there a Substitute fur Intelligence? I put tae the Company.
Well… Is There?
“Yes,” says Nuttsy…” there is.”
“There is?” Say I.. in Astonishment.
“Advice.” says Nutsy…. “Advice..and the Ability..nay… The Humility , tae ACCEPT that Advice.”
Hmmmmmmm..
“How diz this Relate tae Celtic..and it’s present Disillusionment?” say I.
“Don’t ask me”.. says Nutsy.. “How should Ah know?.. Ah am only …a Baby Duck!”
“Oh! Ah furgoat.. You’re Nuts~ Dumb as a Brush.. Thick as Pig’s Doo Doo,
Loast the Key tae yer Attic!”
“Sure Ah am..But, Ah dae know one Thing……..”
“Whit’s That?”
“Sammi, is No A Lonely Linwood Striker!”
Kojo
Still, Laughin’.. because.. we kin Win this Thing at Parkheid.
16 roads
Read Zbyszek’s post and have a lie down.
or watch NFL’s media conference on Celtic YouTube
HH