With the arrival of Marvin Compper all four of Celtic’s central defenders will feel an increase in pressure to make the starting line-up. Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko may already have other places on his mind but neither Dedryck Boyata and Kristoffer Ajer will know where they fit in the manager’s plans.
Ajer (19) fits our style of play better than any of the existing options. So much of our play depends on the central defenders being able to control a quick pass, move it on, or run with the ball. Boyata and Simunovic accomplished this well away to Anderlecht, but their movement, first touch and composure on the ball has dipped well below that level.
I have some concerns about Ajer defending. He has not been tested rigorously and I have noticed a tendency to allow strikers to drift into space, so we should be cautious about putting too much responsibility onto his shoulders.
What is clear is that we play better football and are a better team with him in the side. That alone is enough to merit keeping his place.
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Jozo & Erik away is the consensus.
Leaving Dedryck, Kristoffer & Marvin as CBs with Nir as back up or defensive midfielder.
I hope Marvin is a commanding defender. We have too many “nice” guys in defence and Craig Gordon doesn’t seem to impose himself on those in front of him.
We need leaders. Brendan alluded to that in his Road to Paradise book.
Forwards are invariably faster than defenders and in that respect Ajer is no different from every other central defender that I can recall. Quick centre backs are as rare as hen’s teeth. Players with pace are almost always used in the attacking third of the pitch.
Howvere, Ajer is a real footballer who has composure, strength, height, confidence and a hunger to improve. He leads a “sensible” life & will be an absolute stalwart in our defence – he will be the next Virgil – with all that this means financially for Celtic. Talk of his full international call up is no surprise.
He’s openly admitted that he is learning every day on how to play centre back. (see his Celtic TV interview after the Dundee game)
His positioning, physicality & turning still need work, but these are things that Compper, Kolo & John Kennedy can help him with. Simply, that Ajer has emerged as our most able central defender despite these shortcomings says so much. Read that any way you want :o))
Incidentally, Alec McLeish’s record of identifying talented youngsters and then developing them – is non existent. Thus his opinion is only as valid as the next drinker at the bar. He’ll remain the “man with no real job” for quite a while yet, but he’ll be availablle for any radio talk show, pundit party or ghosted print column that he stumbles over.
For all the talk of central defensive frailties, we looked much better once Oilvier Ntcham replaced Scott Sinclair on December 30. The midfield has actually been as culpable as the defence all season, and this was clear again that day. Talk of fatigue/number of games for me doesn’t help Celtic. This was not an excuse last season at the same when we were less fit (according to Bredan himself). It seems pretty clear that other SPFL teams have developed strategies to neutralize our possession & attacking play. This in turn exposes the limitations of some players who look good when, virtually unchallenged, they have time to knock the ball around the defence/Broonie. We all know who they are.
The High Press that Celtic used to such good effect last year has come back to bite us.
Rather than concede two thirds of the pitch to us – a common sight last season – teams this season have pressed us when we are in possession all over the field. Last season, we successfully countered any high pressing from domestic teams by the speed of our counter attacks. EG a few of our goals against Rangers were scored in their attack to defence transition phase.
This season we have lost Patrick Roberts (through injury) & Nir Bitton (injury & team shape). For me, losing these players has significantly affected our ability to transition with the same purpose & outcome. Patrick’s contirbution was/is often underrated in my opinion. His control, speed & postioning made it almost impossible for defenders to legally mark him, while his passing in the last third led to so many of our goals on the break.
Similarly, Nir Bitton’s passing from our defensive shape produced vital goals. Think Moussa’s 2nd goal in the 5-1 at CP or his pass to Rogic for the 1st goal against Aberdeen in the LC Final. Leigh knows this too.
Brendan is an honest man so he will know that despite talk of game-fatigue & such, he would have expected his players to have been fitter at this time this season than they were this time last season. The perception is that they aren’t. In my opinion, that is misleading.
Our tactics & strategy are fine when opponents concede possession to us or their own press leaves them vulnerable to our counter. When we are without the key players that releived that pressure – such as Roberts of Bitton – and we have no alternative plan, then we struggle to break out. Introducing Ntcham into central midfield gave us such an option on December 30. Had he not come on I feared we we would concede a goal.
Brendan naturally favours his own men (Scott Sinclair was with him at Chelsea & Swansea), but loyalty has an equilibrium that is often invisible until it’s too late. Like any relationship, you ride out the rough and hope that improved times are just round the corner. Disentangling the personal from the professional is a challenge, but Celtic need a manager who can do that. It is one of the keys to sustained success. Jock had it in the early years, but less so latterly.
Selecting players who have lost their form/edge in the hope that they will re-discover it is initially regarded as a sign of loyalty & confidence, but if the edge remains lost then it very quickly becomes a millstone around the manager’s neck.
I’m certain that all the players will benefit from time with family in a sunny climate, but this break is relative – since all the other teams will have the same benefit.
Deluding oursleves about the reasons for the drop in performance levels can only be a PR exercise. The reality is that we have lost key players, others have lost form & our tactics/strategies have not been adjusted sufficiently to cope with the new tactics from domestic opponents.
Our alternative tactics may be inadequate or the players we have selected have been unable to implement them. I suspect that it’s likely a combination – Ntcham’s timely substitution against Newco suggests that – but this break gives Brendan & his team the opportunity to sort that out.
It’s a long few weeks until Brechin – a phrase I never imagined I’d say.
A healthy & fulfilled 2018 to all hereabouts.
Lennybhoy
So is admin happening before or after the roofs fall in?
Pinch of salt.
MWD
S1916 – rogic is not the type of player that can work his ass off for 90 minutes and he has not been great this season at all not at any point. I love the individual footballing ability he has and dont deny he can be a joy to watch but if he is the answer i need to know the question. He lacks mobility, spend and stamina all of which are very necessery when your in a team that plays a high press game. He has had one great game in europe that i can remember, the other very forgetful. We need to be objective about all our players if we are gonna improve
HH
MOONBEAMSWD on 3RD JANUARY 2018 5:15 PM
Yip, I agree with you D, just posted link as Sipsini posted he tried to cut and paste.
I rarely pay credence to what Phil has to say these days.
We are being told the same old bull for last 5, going on 6 years now. They continue to limp along and amidst this talking of a planned insolvency event, they announce a loan deal, where’s the money coming from. They are the establishment club and will be propped up by them for all time!
It is no longer bordering on tedious alas!
Apinchofsaltcfc…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Sad to see Erik go, if that’s what happens. I think he’s a very good footballer.
He never seemed to recover (in the eyes of the manager) from the mistake which led to Miller opening the scoring in our 2-1 victory at Ibrox last season. Given how many mistakes have been made by his defensive partners since, that seems harsh…
On Phil’s latest… Hmmmm… I’m really sceptical whether the Sevco board have discussed administration as the ones to lose out would be… the Sevco board, who have loaned all the money to keep the club/company going.
Where’s the benefit in administration? They could easily cut costs now, by selling players and not signing any. Or selling/leasing back Auchenhowie or Ibrox… (which Paul tells us they have considered before, in other lifetime).
These are much less drastic measures than administration, which would leave directors out of pocket, the club deducted 10 (25?) points, and see them lose many players from an already thin squad – plus also result in a transfer ban for some time.
Their name – already mud in football circles – would be even muddier.
Just can’t see it myself. I reckon they’ll stumble on till season ticket renewal time, by which time King will have left and the Parks will be in full control.
Lennybhoy
I wasn’t having a dig. Just saw you post link, read his first para. Stopped. Same old guff as you say.
It’s all about the money.
At least he doesn’t beg though.
MWD
MOONBEAMSWD on 3RD JANUARY 2018 5:38 PM
Sorry D, I knew you weren’t having a dig mate, I should have made that clear when posting. To hasty in trying to support your conclusion…a pinch of salt…:)
Hope you and J are well.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Going by the fanfare…not on Scotland Today, the first signing of Murty’s tenure looks like the player jumped in to a car with his Contract in an envelope…no signing fanfare.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Snyde go to the bother of digging up a QPR fanzine guy, to talk up Gossendinho, and even he found it hard to find any good points….
how will we replace scott brown
positives
– he came from scottish football so inherently understands the challenges of operating here – for not understanding the challenges see krancjar and bruno halves
– he overcame personal tragedy and got on with it
-he has amazing stamina so has been able to adapt to playing motherwell to cup finals to psg
-he has shown he can adapt to different managers and approaches to managment of the clubs (not always evident in the epl)
-can tell players off
-can talk to refs
-can eyeball opponents
-knows how much there is to the club
-he stayed with us
negatives-
he’s not an all time great of greats :maestro etc
-his left foot shots are crap
finding all that when we’re close to a market which pays 75 mil for vvd will be impossible
Oh and the Snyde verdict is that Sevco have too many good MF’s and he won’t get a game…
I’ve Had To- Broonie will be the hardest guy to replace since Henrik.
John51 on 3rd January 2018 5:14 pm
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Good post, agree with a lot of it.
Personally, I have been surprised to see Sviatchenko (e)scapegoated by Brendan. (See what i did there, Hun lit luminaries?)
Erik certainly fits the ‘leader’ mould personality-wise, and I think he’s the more accomplished of our defenders. Pros – experience, attitude, positional awreness, attacking threat Cons – height, pace.
It seems that Erik was held responsible for the defensive frailties in March as the Huns powered their way to a truly magnificent 1-1 comeback. In relaity, he was exposed because he was dragged out of position due to Boyata’s wandering heid. I argued at the time Boyata’s woeful positional sense was Erik’s downfall – sheer luck for Dedryck that Waghorn wa struly pish; if you remember Waggy missing a one-on-one with gordon afte rDedryck’s abysmal concentration/reaction had let an easyily-intercepted through ball right through his legs.
Had that gone in the knives would have been out for Dedryck. Last Saturday, he was again exposed – wide open spaces for the Huns’ poor finishing and CG’s wonder-goalkeeping to save our necks. Boyata’s lost a lot, imo – no goal threat, poor,poor decision-making and hopeles spositional play. Without Jozo conducting, he’s a wandering minstrel without a decent tune. Pros – physical presence, commitment, athleticism, pace. Cons – concentration, positional sense, diminishing attacking threat, limited passing ability.
Sadly, the capture of the South-African dutch bhoy fell through last year, and he looked the VVD replacem,ent type – could ping a lovely 30-yard pass.
Right now, Jozo is our best natural defender, but his injury problems are beginning to outweight his worth to the team. Perhaps the experience of big Marvin will help. Remains to be seen.
Ajer- still looks a bit raw and erratic to me. Huge unit of a lhad, but needs focussed defensive coaching and time will tell. Broonie’s barnstorming days were coached into disciplines midfield consistency, so hooping Ajer can be moulded similarly.
Ntcham – needs to start every game beside Broon. His quality showed through against the Hun; steadied the stricken ship, turned the tide and forced them back; some beautiful moments of footballing calm amid the torrent of chaos we had let the game become. He’s got class; but gametime is crucial – he looks the type of quality player who needs to form a solid midfield partnership. Him and Broon can tie up the title before April.
Kouassi – No idea what the off-field problems hinted at are. But he could bea right good combative midfielder if we can get his head right and get him in there with Broon and Ntcham. Loan him to Hibs/Killie/Dons. Sicken the Huns.
Totally agree what John51 stated about other teams’ new high-pressing attitude beginning to show up the limitations of some in our squad – notably Callum, who has come on a ton, but now needs to get even sharper and more surgical from the greta positions he’s finding himself in; e.g two hopeless hoofs at goal from 25 yards against the hun with attacking options wide open either side of him; costly wastefulness.
As for loyalty – Brendan affords Sincy a lot, but I still think those magic feet deserve some further slack; he was on the verge of exploding into devastating action v the Hun, but instead those two missed brought nothing but criticism; it’s a fine line that he’s been on the wrong side of too often this season. However, I’d rather have him on the park with the possibilit yof a game-changing moment than on the bench; we can afford his luxury a little longer and hope the mercurial and lethal Sincy returns for the second-half of the campaign.
Moussa- did look like his head’s been turned. Take £25 mill if we can get it and move on.
Griff – weathered the selection storm, knows the fans love him. Expect him to tear up the sPL from a starting berth for the rest of the season.
Edourd – bhoy will be energised if Moussa moves, can provide a bit of class when called upon/give Griff some competition. Will we shell out £8 million on him?
3 weeks to go? Feels like the summer, but pish. Will spend the next fortnight praying for a hurricane in Florida to lighten the mood….
Who’s this new Hun, Goss?
Is that one of the twins from the Nineties boy-band, Bros? When will he be famous?
Plastic eyeballs??!! Total sickos!!
I thought Ajer had a good game on Saturday. Speed is not the most valuable asset for a good defender. Both Ambrose and Boyata are very quick but prone to overdoing it and making an error. I’m not sure if Ajer will be good enough but he’s only 19 and is very composed. Fat Pat McCluskey was very slow, but a good defender.
I watched a bit of the St Mirren v Morton game and would say the boy Morgan is very much in the project category and way short of being near our first team. Only time I’ve seen him, mind you.
Sorry to hear that Kouassi may be going on loan. Been here a year and we’ve never really seen him. I can’t imagine we paid as high a figure that’s been mentioned for him previously.
Sandman, John,
Give us a break; too many spurious personal viewpoints. Expect Brendan to be addressing any faults with the team with our reference to this blog.
Without reference to us.
exactly BD
https://twitter.com/andymuirhd/status/948617000011681792?s=08
KT on holiday…..
now not many people know this, cant remember who said that but here goes when i was long distance before i retired, used to run from brighton to portsmouth, halfway along the coast road you come to a beautiful place called arundel and when you look up the hill there is the castle and cathedral, whats unusual about that its a catholic cathedral yes even tims in sussex.
Big Packy
Is that not where Goodwood Racecourse is and where Guy Harwood used to train his horses?
Big Packy.
Good story. I’m doing this from memory but I’m sure John Dunlop the famous Derby winning horse trainer had his stables in Arundel.
Do you have a quiz question this evening? I enjoyed last nights.
Hail Hail
Sandman
Nice to have a blether & exchange opinions
Ron B
Have a lie down in a dark room.
Big Packy
Meanwhile in Lewes in Sussex is where they burn effigies of the Pope on bonfire night
Bit of balance then
DESSYBHOY yes goodwood is not that far.hh.
JIMMYNOTPAUL. possibly though cant be certain.hh
Big Packy
Duke of Norfolk owns Arundel Castle & the land there.
Duke of Norfolk has traditionally been the premier Catholic Duchy in England.
Also has title of Earl of Arundel and many others.
GENE. yes but that is east sussex the proddy end, arundel is west sussex.hh.
John51
Think he owns half of Mayfair
JOHN51 hey john you bloomin well no more than me.lol.
Good evening fholks. I’m looking for two spares (preferably close to each other and lower tier) for the match v Hibs on January 27th.
TIA
I’m not doing a blog post on the recent Derby. Match analysis does not get as many reads as the more general analysis articles. Plus, by the time I’ve watched the game back, captured the data and written up and formatted an article, everyone has moved on! But thoughts on the 0-0 draw coming up.
Despite emotion and frustration on the day, by the fundamentals, Celtic should have won this game.
Celtic KPI The Rangers
61% Possession 39%
418 Completed Passes 214
82% Pass Completion % 69%
77% Possession Effectiveness 62%
1.770 xG 0.560
6 Shots On Target 3
15 Total Shots 9
9 Shots In Box 6
1.802 xA 0.886
3 Big Chances 2
242 Total Team Impect 136
28 Possessions In Box 15
2 Defensive Key Saves 4
4 Defensive Key Errors 0
54 Challenges Won 45
TRFC tactics of a high press and early long balls, fighting for second balls brought some successes. The away teams’ chances came from Celtic errors whist the Light Blue reshuffled rear-guard was admirably error free.
Celtic’s passing was very poor. What does “very poor” mean? 82% pass completion is 7% below average. Those are the margins. Less than 10% turns “complete control” into “disjointed and broken”.
The 2 full backs in particular could not connect with teammates. Lustig gave away 20 open field passes. Before the Dundee game he averaged 6.9 incomplete passes per game. He has given away 38 in the last 2 matches. He usually hits 90% pass completion – 64% here.
Tierney was not much better. He gave away 12 open play passes, completing only 29. He averages 82% pass completion and hit 71% in this game. Huge difference.
And Gordon averages 88% open play pass completion and managed 73% here. Brown was effectively tracked – he averages 78 passes per 90m and managed 47 here. Therefore Celtic did not have an initial platform to play.
Domestically, the only games Celtic have completed less forward passes that take out opponents, they drew with Kilmarnock and Hibs at home. No surprise a similar result here. Poor “pack” rates are due to good pressure, yes, but also poor passing and poor movement.
Celtic had 6 shots on target, 9 inside the box and 1.770 xG. Low for this season, but not the lowest. In terms of chances created, Celtic were right on average domestically at 1.802. All usually enough to win a game.
Celtic completed 0 out of 11 crossing attempts. Such numbers when repeated saw draws against Motherwell and Kilmarnock, defeat to Hearts, and a 2-0 over Partick.
The Gers went very direct, completing 214 passes, the 6th most Celtic have faced domestically. 69% pass completion is 1% below opposition average. 2 shots on target is 1 more than average. xG of 0.560 and xA of 0.886 are above average. They maximised their chance creation. But couldn’t take their chances either.
The Light Blues performance was similar to other Scottish sides that have thwarted Celtic this season. The question is why is this happening more often than last season? My forthcoming midterm report(s) will consider this.
thinking there cant be many catholic cathedrals in england, the other one i know pretty well is christ the king in liverpool, been to mass there many times and i doubt there is many catholic churches in wales never mind cathedrals, such a shame because i feel closer to the welsh than the english but dont tell my wife i said that.hh
Big Packy
Would they not have been all Roman Catholic Cathedrals up to the reformation?
Happy New Year Bhoys. I’d a great festive season here in Éire which involved plenty of nights out so needless to say I’m in major detox now.
Great pictures doing the rounds on social media of Kieran Tierney meeting fans and signing autograps for fans outside the Hoops Bar in Tenerife. What a top Bhoy.
HH
DESSYBHOY yes funnily enough remember on a tour round york minster cathedral you could see where the confessional boxes were blocked off shame.
Big Packy.
York Minster, I thought was a fabulous place to visit.
I done it with the official tour, everything is bright and beautiful, then you get to the reformation period and its all black/dark.
Hail Hail
Ron Bacardi on 3rd January 2018 6:57 pm
Sandman, John,
Give us a break; too many spurious personal viewpoints.
===================================
You’re right; Ridiculous.
People expressing some thoughts and opinions about Celtic.
And on a Celtic blog too. Tut-tut. There goes the neigbourhood.
I blame the interweb.