Celtic are well behind the position they should be at this stage of the football cycle which started in the summer of 2014. This week’s two defeats are a symptom of that. A year ago, then-new signings Armstrong and Mackay-Stevens contributed to two highly credible performances against Inter Milan, which indicated we were on a positive trajectory, but pretty much every available indication since has pointed south.
Aberdeen were poor in the first half last night, but shortly before their opening goal om 31 minutes I noted that they were defending comfortably, despite our dominance. We had not made a chance which tested them. We often need a lot of possession before the goals flow.
There is a flip side to that ratio. We often lose a lot of goals compared to the possession we allow opponents. All teams take a direct approach to attacking Celtic – get it forward and shoot. Better still, win a corner. Football games are about two things: scoring goals and not conceding goals. Some work is being done on the former but I’m concerned our shape does not accommodate the achievement of the latter.
We’ve kept 4 clean sheets (Kilmarnock, St Johnstone, Partick, Stranraer ) in the 18 games since beating Dundee United 5-0 in October. Only Thistle (1-0), Dundee (6-0) and Dundee United (5-0) have lost at Celtic Park without scoring since…………… Ross County on 1 August.
Records will show that yet again we lost a crucial goal at a corner kick. What will be lost in time is the sheer panic caused by the Aberdeen corners which didn’t result in a goal. I’ve never seen a team defend set pieces so poorly over such an extended period.
There could be many reasons why we’re not in the Champions League knock out stages right now, but I’m sure the reasons we’re not comfortably ahead in the league is that defensively, our shape and organisation is not good enough. We concede too much space in dangerous areas. This is why we’re not miles ahead of a team with vastly weaker resources.
On the way forward:
It’s of the upmost importance we win the league. As it stands, we will achieve this. Colin Kazim-Richards, despite being of journeyman-pro stock, gave us a dimension we’ve not had in 18 months. He, Kris Commons, Ryan Christie, Patrick Roberts and Erik Sviatchenko will all have a positive impact on the remainder of the season.
Ronny has got a lot wrong, but he was right about one thing after the game last night, “The players need the fans’ support”. Those who suggest that anytime is a good time for recriminations probably don’t have a good grasp on the complexities of any given situation. There will be plenty of time for recrimination in June, right now, we need to keep our eye on the prize.
Win the league, then we’ll talk.
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Joe Ledley looks like he is being frozen out by Pardew. Wonder if we can get him on loan?
What am I dreaming for-I’ve got a nightshift to start!
BMCUW
Yep completely agree. Leave Griffiths and A.N.Other in advanced positions forcing the opposition to keep players back.
HT
Insipid…. Is perfect
Is it the manage, is it the players ?
By your post the first 31mins were good so for less than two thirds of the game where were the players ? Scott Allan should be in the team and I have said that since we signed him (although he was out injured for a good bit) we have wingers who don’t cross, and this one up front only works if the 3 behind are actually scoring, my only gripe with Ronny is the sticking by the system but chopping and changing of personnel but sticking by his unworkable system !
anyway, I think we are being let down a bit, in my opinion Ronny has went far too with the young guns, when we are on top and look to be flying as soon as there is a set back the boys go into a shell……. Two weeks ago we beat Hamilton 8-1 then the Accies drew with Hearts….. Some fans want a challenge then when there is a challenges some moan….. Apologies about the entitlement comment……… Not directed at you but sometimes the cap might fit
HT/Gerry Are we not offering these men enough to stay?
Feeling all your pain Bhoys.I’m heading out now for a game of golf with some fellow Celtic fans.27 degrees celcius today here in Melbourne. I know there is going to be lots of discussion re our recent results.Had a wee look at the stats of all our competitive games this season Euro and domestic.My count we have named 34 different players in our squad .Is that a lot or what? Whoever it is that picks the team .Is it EENY MEENY MINIE MO. Anyway Keep Well,
Geroid- Hope u got your shirt ok.
there’s no need to recommend boycotts as those who are there more regularly than some,are witnessing a form of apathetic boycott before our very eyes.
I haven’t read back yet but I will
Maybe
There were loads of predictions around cyberspace about Ronnie being sacked today.
Apart from the gruesome Giggs “Lie” Moyes, Lennon and others have been mentioned.
Postulating unfounded rumors based on voices from within about MON and others is just plain mischievious and is harmful to Celtic.
The media no doubt are having a field day, seeking views from people who don’t have our best interests at heart.
I hate the personal attacks on our management and players.
DD, PL, RD, JC and JK are subject to bitter personal prejudice.
What relevance is the temperature of Lawell’s driveway or the length of DD’s moustache?
Talk of lost dressing rooms is pure speculation and probably completely inaccurate.
Take everything printed in the media with a large pinch of salt.
Those independent observers who covered up and ignored the disaster downstream and then gave the inept M&M management team a passing mark on their adventure.
It’s time for us to support, one definition of which is:
a thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it upright
BMCUW
Would take Ledley or Kayal back just now no problem, enjoy yer night shift mate
HH
Gerry
Have Aberdeen got better or are we poorer?
Just back from the GAA Club, Under 18s doing their circuits in the gym. No Rap type music blasting though, The Wolfetones on full blast, great night!!
Maybe we should try that at Lennoxtown?
Boycott now and get our club back from pension chasing Lawell
HT
That’s what I was saying, if Victor or Joe don’t want to stay what do you do ?
Fling in Virgil & Denayer last season….. Some people are slagging Craig Gordon but if I worked with two guys who are immense in front of me then I am more protected…..
Ht
Tonny deila
Lol
Opposition teams flood our 6 yard box at corners ,and start pushing around Gordon and anyone else around him,I hope Sviachenko can start bossing our own box. GMS put in a corner with about 10 minutes left,it went right across the GK,we didn’t have 1 player in Aberdeen’s 6 yard box.
BMCUW
Yer numbers mate has made more internet threats. Good luck with him. Moby off. Cheers buddy. HH.
North Cyprus (Formely Baku) Bhoy,
You have mail.
Thanks,
Clogher
Gerry
We had relatives in Wilson street and Park St.
Locals of a certain vintage will know of Googsy.
Leicester, Watford, and Newcastle lead with the ole 4-4-2
Bada Good point. John Clark always protected our keepers. Took no shit from anyone (including Refs!)
HT
You use MacGregor or GMS…. Why not Brown & Biton
Are Aberdeen better ? Maybe, because they have beat us twice more than last year, and Ronny was manager last year, there is now a 12pts reverse and we are 3pts in front, so Ronny is better off this season than last….. No ??
Are we worse ? Not for me
Would you have MacLean or Commons
Would you have Rooney or Griffiths
Would you have MacInnes or Ronny
In my opinion we play the cards we are dealt…. No cheating
ABURNTOUTCASE on 4TH FEBRUARY 2016 11:13 PM
HT/Gerry Are we not offering these men enough to stay?
——
They don’t want to stay, that’s the problem.
I do have some sympathy with the board at Celtic in this regard. We have to be realistic, the EPL (and even the English Championship) is the land of milk and honey in comparison to what we can afford to pay players.
Wanyama? Didn’t want to stay.
Hooper? Didn’t want to stay.
VVD? Didn’t want to stay.
Denayer? Didn’t want to stay.
We can’t force footballers to remain at Parkhead if their dreams (or pound signs) lie elsewhere.
However, losing these types of players and replacing them with the McGregors and GMSs of this world goes a long way to explaining why the title race is so clear.
Bada Bing
Yes we need a boss and an organiser at corners and set pieces.
Someone who shouts instructions, cajoles fellow defenders and is prepared to stand his ground.
Lustig, Boyata are far too passive.
We need a Rieper type in charge of the middle.
Bada Bing
It was a great corner flew across their six yard box by GMS and like you said not a Celtic player in sight.
This system of ours can only be effective when midfielders commit to supporting Griff by attacking the final third.
As i said earlier our team is totally static.
Good teams pass and move we usually pass behind our player and stand watching.
I think the criticism of Gordon is also unfair.
His angle was off on first goal last night but in last two games he has made some good saves to keep the scorlines from being embarrassing.
Clogher Celt: I assume that if you are going to the Ireland game on Good Friday evening that BMCUWP and myself will be hanging onto your coat tails! ! Anyway , what happened to ‘ Lent finishes at 3pm on Good Friday?
I think my first trip to pittodrie was around 78:
I didn’t see us win till Paul mcstay debut.
I think I saw us get beat by 3 often.
Frank mcdougall. Eric black. McMaster.
They used to kill us
HT
Like yourself I’ve witnessed some heavy defeats at Pittodrie (Frank McDougall springs to mind) but last night was as insipid a performance as Ive seen up there. I think you know the answer to your question whether we’ve deteriorated or that pile of crap have got better. They just had more dig than us and that’s not acceptable
HH
GG
I stayed in Davidson Street, even when I had lived there for a few years I was still planning my exit, thankfully I knew the Monklands and Coatdyke area so had plenty of routes home
HT Aye,but….Naw,you”re right! Disnae hauf rip ma knitting though.
Gerry
Ok.
Wanyama/Ledley v Brown/Bitton?
I’d have the first two.
Gerry compare two Celtic players with opposition players to try to make the point that Commons and Griffiths are better players.
By the way, I think they are.
You then compare Ronny with MacInnes.
Surely with better players we should be considerably better, no?
I do think we have decent players, I’ve said that. Four days ago we were in a position where we could be a step closer to a treble and 9 points clear in the title race. Things could be worse.
However, my opinion is that our often shocking organisation and individual lack of heart have resulted in us being in the current situation 4 days later.
Right now there`s a confidence problem in our team.
That creates fragility.
Personified by G.M.S.in particular.
Is
INSIPID
word of the day.
It certainly fits last night’s display.
Too many laddies, not enough men.
We had better quality players than Aberdeen last night. They had stronger characters.
Tierney , Erik, Griffiths ..Brown ( in parts) stood up. Biton is way too classy for this team… His midfield team mates were like chameleons merging in to the grass when Nir was looking to make a pass… None more so than Forrest – the fastest player in SPFL yet never quite reaches a 50-50?!?!?
The rest were not Celtic standard.
TWENTYFIRSTOFMAY1979 on 4TH FEBRUARY 2016 11:28 PM
Lack of fight should never be applicable to any Celt. Sadly, it can for some.
Sviachenko looks the type we need more of,I don’t think he will be messed around,and will take responsibility.
“the fastest player in SPFL yet never quite reaches a 50-50?!?!?”
☺️
Macjay G”day/Morning. Where is that coming from? Was that fragility there 2/3 weeks ago?
Away to ma kip. Night night. HH
While Armstrong has been poor the last two games some of criticism is ridiculous.
Like wise GMS who was playing well till Efes red card against county and thereafter never got service and stood out wide disconnected from game..He is a little lightweight but has good feet and links well with Griff.
The real problem is centre mids where there is neither defense or offense.
Johansen runs about a lot without any real purpose.
McGregor has the odd nice moment but is easily taken out of physical games.
Brown hopefully will bring some steel and effort when fit.
The big problem is Bitton.He has poor positional sense so is often wrong side of ball.He can’t tackle and frequently slows down any forward momentum we have by taking the ball ,hesitating then passing backwards and standing still.
A vehicle without and engine is just a lump of steel.
Fix the engine and we will improve enormously.