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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Ah, the old MON/crap goalkeepers/Seville chat. Depresses me every time.
I see Rab Douglas in the street regularly.
Every time I see him I think ‘Seville…ya bassa.’
If we make eye contact…he knows. And he knows I know.
Cool more Mafia
John Barnes before Ronny your havin a laugh
I watched the West Ham v Aston Villa game during the week.
After another dismal performance and relegation an absolute certainty, I watched the Impressive contingent of Villa fans unfurl a Sack the board banner at the end of the game.
I can understand that.
GREENPINATA
It would never happen at Celtic Park.
The banner would have been confiscated before the off.
TRADITIONALIST88 – Many Thanks… HH
BMCUW,
Ha, maybe true but Villa were playing away.
HH.
Just think, ye could be a Villa fan!
Count yer blessin’s.
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chairbhoy
No probs.
Just found it slightly concerning as BRTH had been very positive in the past about changes in football brought about by new media and our place in the future of European football.
I understand the frustrations that exist because change is slow and we can’t have patience for ever. I took Lawwells comments as a positive. And surely the same 10-12 clubs from Europes top leagues can’t just play each other all the time with an annual jaunt to the USA!
Mind you with the latter stages of the Champions League being the same every year some would say they’re well on their way.
But every week…
HH
Wouldnt it be a novel idea if our PLC actually branched out and started up/purchased other companies etc to actually make us money for the football team, isnt that their remit?
Seems every bedwetter is having their say all over the papers and even as a story on here. As Gary Neville has proved so far, being a pundit/armchair analyst/complete tool (and he’s a good pundit) doesnt mean you have what it takes to or have the know how to manage a club.
So Ronny if you’re looking in, you can count on my support
Dearie Me, just see the garbage in the ET re the RA.
Even the dugs in the street knows it was a joke, but anything to get tore into Celtic is fair game.
Scum.
new article posted.
More attacks on Big Rab for Porto game! If it wasn;t for him we would not have reached Seville
Mjallby was at fault for each goal
it’s a team game, that was a god team . We have no team now… No one knows their job so they all stand around and no one does anything. Hayes goal should never have happened. the second goal was disgraceful.. Same as RC second goal.no one tries to think where the ball will goal they wait to see and then react….tool ate by then. every player on their heels.. that’s why we never score scrappy goals… defenders are always reacting quicker
CHRIS PEA GREEN 150 Sandown
KnowyerfateearlyCSC
Wicklow Lad 15:55 @ Wetherby.
Lads,
naps on here today please…
Cheers, fleagle1888
Lads, Week 27 selections & results are updated here :
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/as-big-a-game-as-well-have-for-the-rest-of-the-season/comment-page-12/#comments
Cheers, fleagle1888
(–Beirut CSC–)
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 27 Standings
a quietish week on the winners front, no changes at the top…
+20.50 > Zihuatanejo (5)
+16.75 > 16 roads (7)
+11.00 > Nye Beavans RS (6)
+9.33 > bonbhoy (5)
+6.50 > BMCUWP (5)
+5.83 > hashadenough (7)
+3.75 > Rockon (5)
+2.58 > El Madrigal (5)
+1.45 > leftclicktic (5)
+0.50 > Graffitionthewall (6)
-1.13 > gerryfaethebrig (5)
-4.00 > Angel Gabrial (4)
-5.83 > green T (6)
-7.50 > Cosy Corner Bhoy (3)
-8.00 > tommytwiststommyturns (2)
-8.25 > PFayr (4)
-8.88 > Bull67 (4)
-11.00 > Burgas Hoops (3)
-11.50 > twists n turns (2)
-12.00 > Gweedore Celt (1)
-12.10 > Eurochamps67 (4)
-12.50 > TheBarcaMole (2)
-13.13 > Fastbhoy (4)
-14.00 > voguepunter (2)
-14.90 > fleagle1888 (3)
-15.50 > The Bhoy from the Village (2)
-15.55 > Onemalloy (3)
-15.95 > Thunder Road (3)
-16.00 > Cathal (1)
-17.13 > What is the Stars (3)
-19.75 > Som mes que un club (2)
-21.63 > Dim Sam (2)
-27.00 > 21-5-79 (0)
Cheers, fleagle1888
(—Beirut CSC—)
15:30 @ Sandown – Le Reve – NAP!
Good luck everybody.
Nap for the day
4.05 asandown – Perceous
Best of luck to all
Cheers GFTB
Tea For Two 2,25 Sandown
15:40 Leopardstown – Road To Riches
Happy Punting
Bitofapuzzle 2.45 Wetherby – Good luck everyone.
Perceus….4:05 Sandown.
Good luck everyone.
Pnot Alexandre Leop 2.30
Sandown 330 La Reve
Good luck everyone
Wetherby 1:35 RENARD
Good luck!
Morning. .,
Fleagle – PF Ayr is on the lash again, so asked me to put his nap up….well that worked for him last week! He goes for Summery Justice in the Sandown 3:30.
Back later with my own pick.
T4
Morning., Lunar Deity 3.30 Lingfield please.Good luck.
Definitily Red @ 2.45 Wetherby
Here’s hoping for some good fortune!
Deputy Dan 2:05ffos las
morning VP
Lads, tough one to call today…
Realize (3.30 Lingfield)
Cheers, fleagle1888
Cold as ice 1.45 link.
Friendly Royal in the 1: 35 Wetherby for me
Good Luck to all
Hail Hail.
Fleagle – I’ll take a chance on long term absentee Medinas in the Sandown 3:00.
Cheers,
T4
Zabana. 230 leopardstown