Sitting thinking on this piss-poor season so far and realised I just kept asking more and more questions in relation to what’s went so wrong since the end of a historical season(s). So ive noted down a few…its not a blame thing, its a reaching out wondering just what is needed to get us all back on track…feel free to add your own in comments..try and avoid the useless abuse where possible, shouting out rude names never solved any problems or scored a goal. -Desi
Questions
Players
• Its all gone quiet on the pitch, wheres the communication?
• Why is our best attacker our left back? Doesnt that indicate something is wrong rather than something going right?
• Why did everything work so well for the Rangers game?..Motivation different for that one? If so why?
• Why do all our forward players play with back to goal, not even the wide men play side on let alone face on.
• Why do we have 4 wingers ( at least! – Ed) and none of them hit the by-line or is it they just aren’t meant to?
• What is the plan if Broony unavailable. He plays every minute of every match so does anyone know?
• Do the Management instructions confuse you into a state of paralysis?
• Do players feel genuinely challenged to maintain their place in the side?
The System (4-2-3-1)
• Why is Broony now picking up the ball from centre halves in his own half?, what happened to ball playing centre half bringing the ball out into opponents half?
• With Broony back so deep, why are the 3 players behind the striker not coming back to fill in large gap that is then generated and being easily covered by opposition
• Do we actually need 2 holding midfielders in SPFL? In fact do we even have 2 holding midfielders or are players just regressing to safe zones?
• The 3 forwards behind the striker..do they know where they are meant to play as they always seem to get in each others way out on the park?
• What happened to that Gordon high sweep out to Lustig who would nod it down to MacGregor to carry forward, remember such variation in our link up play? Remember we had link up play?
• Brendan Rodgers said the system had changed which had an impact on players like Sinclair, is the new system simply wrong?
• Why do we only have 1 system of play, why don’t we have multiple systems to fit differing opposition?, Remember we used to hear talk of “we switched to a diamond and that sorted it!” style explanations?
The Manager / Management team
• Were all the middle to front changes at Kilmarnock really necessary or was it just a case of bowing to support demand for change or overly keen to show the players who is the Boss?
• Why did everything work so well for the Rangers game?..Tactics different for that one? If not was it just lucky opposition played as they did?
• Why does the Manager try and fit players into his system rather than the other way around? For example does anyone believe Griffiths can play with his back to goal and have to ask is such a systems maximizing our players key abilities?
• The plan was we would be playing with 2 up front which suited when we had Dembele and Edouard…was there no reality check that this plan wouldn’t even get off the ground or at least have alternatives readily in hand?
• How did we get to the state that we are now relying on players like Ryan Christie ( going out the door), Lewis Morgan ( just in the door and back from injury) and Mickey Johnstone (a wean) to save the day?
• Why so many injuries and impact to players during training?
• What set pieces and dead ball practice if any takes place at Lennoxtown?
The Board
• Have you projected how bad finances would be in not filling the top tier in 2019?
• How long will talks with Kilmarnock for Stephen O’Donnell take in January before we see a signing success or another disappointment?
• In January we could lose Boyata and Begovic. Is a centre pairing of Ajer and Hendry really a testament to your purchasing power?
• The marketing campaign is ‘Only the Bold’…whats currently so bold at Celtic?
• Why delays in Broony and Forrests new contracts..wouldnt they two be the easiest to get over the line?
DESIMOND
IMO,there is a very simple answer to all of your questions. In theory,it already exists,but as we have seen for well over a decade now,it doesn’t.
The Plc board exist to fund the football operation. Maximise revenue from a strong commercial stream,which along with matchday income,is provided to the football operation to continually improve.
The Football operation exists to be successful on the pitch,which will enable the Plc board to maximise revenue from a strong commercial stream. Success breeds success.
Near the end of the season,the manager and the CEO discuss budgets and targets,which ares in the team require strengthening. The CEO then uses his nous to sign these players targeted by his manager.
After all,the manager is at the top of his game and the CEO is a financial genius.
What could possibly go wrong in this best of all possible worlds
“The plc board exist to fund the football operation” I would contend that in reality the plc board exists to protect and further the interests of its shareholders by profiteering from all channels, including from the football operation. I believe PL’s bonus is linked to exactly this
That’s actually a legal requirement. If we don’t like it we shouldn’t follow a PLC.
For me, the most worrying aspect in all of this is BR’s comment that we can expect this to continue for most of this season. How can he know this. The players we have, albeit a weakened squad from laast year, should be more than good enough to get the job done. So how can he be sure that nothing is going to change, unless he has no plans to try and change things. If that’s the case, then he’s already quit the job in all but name. Worrying times.
Stephen,
Yes, that is my take on the situation. However, I believe that BR is too professional a manager not to do his best to improve performance, unless he knows that he is going to exit shortly.
Rebus
Players and managers are professional. They do what they are paid to do. In this case, it seems to me, they are being paid to make the SPFL look more competitive, to make the TV package more lucrative.
The people who attend matches? Replaceable fodder, in the Board’s view.
This. Competitive football is what brings in the crowds.
Once folk adjust to the idea that football in Scotland is now a competitive sport (maybe even fairly so for the first time since 2000) and that competition raises standards, gates will increase all over.
The challenge for Celtic is to realise the competition has upped it’s game particularly physically and respond. Malumba looks to fit that part.
He Brown and Ntcham should be mainstays.
Sinclair I’m afraid is no longer a starter.
Play the big guys to protect the ball players and practice shooting from a distance.
Auldheid,
I agree with your suggested tactics but I am not sure of the meaning to attach to your use of “fairly so”. Do you mean the game is now “fair”? Or do you mean it is “fairly competitive” for the first time since 2000?
Rebus
I may get pelters for this but if it was indeed to continue we would have a right to ask what Brendan is doing (not has done) to earn his money. The players are good enough but the team isn’t…..
Desi, good questions. Excellent I’ll let you know when I have any answers! One observation. Remember a key game at Pittodrie when Nir Bitton would bring the ball out of defence, move up the pitch and then make a key pass? The sheep had no answer to that style of play. Ajer can also bring the ball out well. That would help get the ball up the pitch and into danger zones more quickly.
At one point the other night we had Boyata standing on half way line with arms up in the air and ball at his feet..he had nowhere to go and no-one wanting the ball off him…cue the crowd booing at him when in fact the poor guy was being left high and dry being asdked to cover his position AND direct play!
D.Mond? Don’t want to appear pedantic,but could you put I.L after the “r” word……Resistance beats Persistance….Strip the Titles…
Maybe because the poor boy wanted to leave,caused upheaval,with some players still refusing to even talk to him….
One factor in mitigation: that pitch at Kilmarnock is a dangerous disgrace and I can understand players being cautious when running on it, especially when intending to change direction abruptly.
The Killie pitch is no excuse for total absence of any football tactics on display. especially as its just the latest poor performance.
I honestly had no idea what the plan was yesterday…you can tell when a teams told to counter or get ball to wingers..yesterday I just saw folk like Christie and Mulumbu running about and others totally absent…no idea what the plan was there.
We have played vastly weakend teams in 3 away games,this season,The manager is a tinker man and has not got a clue,time for big changes,new manager ASAP,and new investors and board. Always play our strongest team not third rafters who have no place at Celtic
Truth is some players not good enough and I can’t believe Rodgers not interested he’s always telling us he’s a Celtic fan how can he not want it to work
Question: Who is more of a Celtic supporter? Brendan or Peter? Check the facts….
1. We never credit the opposition – Kilmarnock were fit disciplined well organised and kept their shape for 95 minutes ( A bit like the Celtic side who beat the best club side on the planet 2-1 in the CL )
2. I am in no doubt that the MANNER of Dembeles parting caused two shockwaves in that we had no time to replace him and also I think it has damaged the morale of Olly and French Eddie
3. Two poor results and we,the best fans in the world ?? want to lash out at our managers our players our board and our club like spoiled “Weans”.
4. Last but not least has anyone really looked at the wage bill in the interim balance sheet ???
Kilmarnock was latest piss poor game…not a singular event.
We have played well against one team ( Hunnites) and only beat them 1-0…even the Rosenborg first CL game saw them go ahead as we walked about in a daze before waking up.
Two poor results?
you sure thats it. This total to you to me football is fucking boring old wank
We should still beat them easily,full of players that failed in lower leagues,tactics shite ,selection shite ,bring backLennon before it,s too late
We have played vastly weakend teams in 3 away games,this season,The manager is a tinker man and has not got a clue,time for big changes,new manager ASAP,and new investors and board.
longish post gone missing.
Rebus
Congratulations to Tiger,welcome back.The scenes on the 18th were brilliant.
Question: If Celtic are open to all,does that include Irish,RC supporters with over 100 years of history of Celtic support indulging in some Rebel Songs whilst waving the Tricolour?…
Indeed Wisnae me. The question is what Investment over what time frame gives the best return. Us fans will think investing in players will vastly increase the likelihood of success and provide the greater return. Similarly investing to progress in th Champions League might even be considered conservative given our wealth. If the product is attractive, the money will follow. Frustration arrives with the current limited ambitions of the board which appears happy with domestic success, a foray in Europe and the occasional big money sale. This complacency is hurting us right now
Questions: Can anyone name Lee Congerton’s (no laughing at the back) scouting “team”?
Does Dermot Desmond,a.Have a good working relationship with BR? and b.Does D.D. trust BR to spend money wisely given his “record” up till the present?…
Please please not Stephen O’Donnell is that the level of player that we are aiming for? anybody can get a game for Scotland,christ have we not learned from Jack Hendry he was a Wigan reject, o’donnell is a Luton town reject I rest my case
From what I have seen…O’Donnell is a tough competitive fit right back that can actually get up and down the park and be a threat in final third whilst steady in his own area.
Hes affordable and dependable.
Whats not to like?
i’d rather have him than some loanee.
As we keep getting told….Andrew Robertson was a Celtic reject
That is one of the problems…Im not sure the system is clear to anyone, especially the players.
Who covers for Tierney when hes away up on the wing?..The sitting midfielders?..a centre half?…both..neither?
Where does Sinclair or whoever playing winger go when Tierney thinks hes in his way?
Does such a thing as “left half” exist anymore?
Who is helping Forrest so far out on the right on his own?
Who is providing counter attack when Forrest comes back so deep to help defence?
When was the last time we saw a midfielder pick up the ball and drive forward..cue memories of Rogic against Huns..
Havnt commented on ages , just been reading the diary. Hello again bhoys!
I for one agreed with brendans changes , we have been flat and pedestrian with the usual players so he brought in young quick fearless players in Johnson and Christie. I thought the two of them did well , Christie was running at the defence trying to make things happen as was Johnson. Was also good to see Griff start however these guys aren’t propper match fit so we won’t see what they can do until they have a run in the side. I reckon we won’t be so pedestrian with an up to speed Christie Johnson and Morgan playing .
In my opinion out big loss is Armstrong who have the opposition another attacking midfielder to think about , I said this even with ntcham last season, he doesn’t break the lines and get forward so we are left with this slow crappy football we used to get when Brown and biton played together. Maybe we should try rogic beside Brown as the big man can play box to box like Armstrong did.
I don’t think it’s a crisis though, we have good players , I am excited about the young lads we have like Johnson Morgan and Christie , we should get all of them in the team and take the shackles off. We really need an attacking right back to balance out the work teirney does. Where is Ralston? Hail hail
Lawwell out!
Boyata out!
Brits Out!..
News I heard yesterday and summarised on the diary has now hit Sky News. Still could be rubbish but extremely worrying if true. No naivety about it The Cha… stick to forecasting team line ups.