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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blood, sweat then tears?
Still down South. I managed to rearrange meetings to watch the last 20 mins yesterday. Covered more ground doing that than some of the players on the park.
Been getting sympathetic comments from my English colleagues all day. Got to get back North soon!
But the answer is still:-
YES
On the plus side, the UK’s strict immigration laws will prevent the Kazakhs from importing a ram for paganistic slaughter prior to next Wednesday’s game.
Our timorous first teamers should be less put off at the sight of the 12-inch model of Stonehenge that will likely form the makeshift replacement as the centrepiece of the pre-match incantations.
Beginning to wonder if any of our players bet on a Celtic defeat yesterday….
#ianblackcsc
Barcabhoy 15:01
If Neil starts Charlie anywhere other than centre half next week, I fear for our future in this competition. I also fear for Neils future, as top managers do not continually make the same mistake, just to prove they can see something nobody else can.
——————————————————————————–
Agreed – with both of your points in fact.
So many things seem to keep going wrong and nothing done. Someone (Sipsini?) rightly pointed out that when Izzy attacks nobody seems to cover LB when the attack breaks down. This has been going on for ages – happened in the LC semi-final v Falkirk 18 months ago!
Forster’s kick-outs – happened at Cliftonville. Kayal ended up giving away a foul and getting booked.
Neil also seems to have a blind spot re Forrest. I’m not going to have a go at the lad because he’s a decent player. But when he ain’t playing well he shouldn’t be in the team.
Why don’t we pick up on these things and stop them from continually happening?
Kojo – I always imagined Nuttsy was a squirrel for some reason.
Is it Possible that Neil.. is Just .. well.. Not Really up tae this type of Joab?
Think Aboot it.
Ah wull get back tae Youse.
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
glass two thirds full,…..Forsters kick out led to the 1st goal, watch it again
cultsbhoy loves being 1st forever & ever
That dumb post should be removed!!
Grrrr
If wee james had put his header a foot either side of the keeper…. If izzy had taken a breath before his wild shot from 12 yards out….. If commons shot was an inch lower…. We woulf still be complaining that we were sh1t3
16 Roads
Hiya, Pally?
Na.. Nutsy,is a Baby Duck.. but ,he is pretty .. Squirly.. Ah must Admit!
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Good summing up Paul.
While I am unimpressed with the board’s “approach” it is a red herring in this case.
An ill-prepared squad and poor tactics is the responsibility of the football department.
That means the coaching staff and manager.
Sure we didn’t give them enough resources to climb Everest.
That is no excuse for failing to conquer Ben Lomond.
Fan-a-tic is spot on about the key tactical problem.
Natural movement has obviously been coached out of our players by the mantra of “just keep passing and wait for the space to appear”
Hail Hail
Squirrely… Should be.
Sorry Aboot ,that.
Kojo
I see my post caused concerns. It was not my intention to do so.
The news comes from serious source Sports.kz . The article says about shocked Celtic players, possible official claim to UEFA.
The source does not say, if Celtic players, the coaches did anything official at the place.
Why Sports.kz that Celtic will consider offiial claim ? This I don’t know.
His he left yet?
Hiv we signrd emdy?
http://thecelticnetwork.com/2013/08/21/its-healthy-to-ask-questions/
Back to Basics- Glass Half Full
at 16.08
Hiya, Pal.. Pleased tae Meet Ye..
Ah believe the Ye hiv jis Won.. The Watch.
Dang!
Ah wiz beginning tae Think that Ah could be able tae Keep It!
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Tactics where shocking! Samaras lone striker? Mulgrew in midfield? Throwing two new central defenders together in a game of this magnitude? Managers tactics aside, whe have known Hooper had been leaving for months and wasn’t replaced. The board took a gamble on the current squad being able to navigate the qualifiers without replacing the spine of our team and it looks like it has backfired. Laughable! Can we at least have the balance sheet on the bench for the return leg please.
RT
If yer auntie etc….we didn’t
I would be the opposite I suppose, anything else is a bonus.
Which 2 games btw ?
HH
We are set up to play counter attacking football away from home in Europe- Sammy being perfect for this as he excels in running at retreating defenders- Shaktar nullified this by playing the same way and allowing us the ball- knowing that we lack a midfielder who can thread a pass to a running centre forward- which didnt really matter as we didnt have a running centre forward either- Sammy isnt one- so plan A didnt work
We didnt seem to have a plan b
From what I have seen of us at home this season- and in the away game at Shaktar then we are likely out of the CL- our wingers need space to run at players and Shaktar will not give us that space- they will defend in depth and throw 40 yard shy’s into our panicking defence- unless CP can frighten them enough. Without the GB can we do that?
The sheep eaters ran more because we had 70% of the ball. If we had took our chances we would have knocked the stuffing out them. Simple as that.
Beat them on the park or not at all!
25thmay1967 16:04
That’s my point. Happened v Cliftonville – then happened again yesterday. Did nobody at the club pick up on it and try to eradicate it?
Sir Paul, very disappointed in your summation.
No account of extenuating circumstances, rather a complete dismissal of any.
It ill behoves you!
I shall return to this forum returns when it reverts to something like FAIR!
H.H.
Just logged on. Haven’t read back. I’m guessing folks have been getting all angry and the usual suspects have been taking a kicking.
Just wanted to say that I think Cha Mul Grew is better deployed at centre back than in midfield. That’s all.
Off out to slaughter a sheep.
Oscar KnoX my Hero, Clark Carlislewas spot on with his comments last night. he was saying what a lot of us was watching.a back four that were useless,and again lennon and his coaches ,not for the first time either, picked thewrong players,will we win nxt Wednesday, I hope so. If not then there will have to be changes,
Yes, I predict we’ll win 5-1 on the night
RWE – You should read Zbyszek above.
Plus I do not wish to listen to anything that Lenny has said or has to say at this moment in time.
Have a nice day.
Kojo -Pity it’s only a duckling,it would have done for rightly sacrifice next week had it been a fully fledged duck.
Cheerio the noo.
Paul 67, incisive and accurate observations.
When I’m watching from the stand ( telly angles can be deceptive), I’m pretty tolerant of players having a bad day, stray passes, a formation that didn’t work or just the opposition playing better.
But I really lose patience with a lack of workrate. Those statistics, sadly, don’t surprise me. Nor others, when the exasperation at a lackadaisical approach is palpable.
If, like me, you’re unfit and crap at football, yet find yourself screaming, ” for crying out christmas, I could’ve got to that ball”…
That frustrates my systolic.
If, Celtic Players, you’re having a bad spell individually, or maybe just aren’t good enough, try and be at least mediocre in an energetic fashion. We’ll probably wish you well for the future. But you can’t hide in a Celtic jersey.
Jazzy
Furget aboot the Board.
The Board Kin only Act oan The Requests that are Made to it.
The Departmental Managers pass oan thur Requests..
The Board.. Considers those Requests.
That is Basically whit a Manager’s Joab it.
It is tae ..well..Manage… his Department.
A Manager is A Very Important Position.
Jock Stein, wiz the Quintessential Manager..
A guy who came along.. Weighed up his Options..
And used his RESOURCES , available to Him
TO THE MAX.
He Never Used Excuses.
Ah Hate Excuses.. Ah stoap Listening.. as soon as a Hear the Woid.
“But…..”
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Stairheedrammy says cmon Oscar Stairheedrammy says cmon Oscar
Again, spot on. People are advocating Derk, and maybe he will do a job, but they won’t allow us to use our weapons and we don’t have a playmaker to open them up. We also don’t have a target-man (certainly not bedded in) capable of causing problems with crossed balls.
Unless we get a very early goal we are in for a very edgy and frustrating Wednesday night.
Zbyszek
I’m not the RAM lol
No mate your the bull
taurusCSC
:-)
The team selected last night should not have been playing on Saturday against Aberdeen. That was the first major blunder. Why we persist with Izaguirre, the second. Playing Scott Brown in a holding midfield role the third and last but not least Samaras as the lone wolfe. Nuts.
gallowgate mad squad
15:36 on 21 August, 2013
…………….
Thanks for your reply, there are moves afoot and politics being played I think
V
Johnny Clash
at 16.19.
Yes,my friend.. You are correct..
Darling Charley’s Best.. mebbe.. Only.. Position in the Team set -up..
Is..
The C.B. Position.
Even..well.. Nutsy.. Knows THAT!
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Lets put things in perspective here….
Long throw ins are luck.
I would say its 60-40 in favour of the team who’s throwing the ball that one of their players will win it. Obviously the thrower and the rest of his team mates know who he is throwing the ball at while the defending team have to guess. That being the case advantage straight away to the attacking team. Now, where the knock on will land is 50-50, great odds when in your opponents 6-18 yard box. Do it often enough and a goal is bound to come. To blame a new defensive partnership against those odds is daft in my opinion. ANY team in the world is capable of losing a goal in those circumstances. The main problem last night was in the final third of the park. So there.
Still convinced that a decent , professional performance with the right levels of concentration can give us the three goal margin required to see us through, if for no other reason than every Celtic player on the pitch last night , with the possible exception of Commons it seems, has a lot of self respect to win back.
paul67
last night was the first time for a while i’ve felt sick to my stomach before duting and after watching celtic, but i’m with you, holding fire until the tie is decided