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A Reality Cheque

First of all, a warning…I was tempted to just leave this article.

I told myself “Let it go..its just the 2nd game…it will pass..breathe..move on”.

12 hours later and Im still just as angry so here it is.

Now if you don’t want to read a rant that’s just going to  go all over the place, then just feel free to close and ignore.

Still here?

Are we sitting comfortably?

Yes?

Ok?…lets begin..

..

What the fuck was that yesterday?

Honestly..When have you last seen  a non showing such as that?

The Rodgers Rangers defeat springs to mind and even then there were rumours of sickness within the Celtic Camp.

As far as I know, everyone was feeling fine yesterday and there are no straws to be clutched at whatsoever.

 

It was truly horrendous.

No Celtic players turned up. In my view only Ajer wanted to drive forward and actually force the game. The rest were all standing in the sunshine with backs to goal or passing sideways and causing no problems whatsoever. We were playing a team including Kirk Broadfoot for gods sake and he was smoking cigars by the end while we resorted to bringing on Bolingoli.

That’s how bad we were.

Bolinfuckingoli.

At Kilmarnock of all places.

The place were his Celtic career was meant to have ended.

 

What an utter shambles.

As Ralph says in the Diary, did the missing fans mean the players couldn’t rise to the demand on the pitch.

If that is the case then  we need to bring in a Sports Psychologist pronto as the stadiums will remain empty for quite a long while yet.

 

Everything about yesterdays game annoyed me. Even the goal we scored was weird. It went in and seemed to take about a second to register “Oh its a goal!”.

Fair play to Ryan Christie for scoring it and Eddy for making the free kick with the lovely turn and run, sadly those were the only 2 plus points for us in the whole game.

The rest was a car crash of Apathy, Laziness, Timidness and downright Ineptitude. And that covers players and management.

The goal we conceded was shocking. Brown and Jullien combined to offer  less presence than Peter Pans shadow and the ref awarded the penalty for Chris Burke to slot into the net. Jullien tried that “I think the ball was out Ref!” puppy dog look but no-one cared after watching such a pathetic attempt at stopping a guy on the by-line going nowhere.

On  a recent podcast we had talked about Jullien becoming the Poster Bhoy. Hes all over the advertising and the media output. Well, time to forget that Advertising Ambassador role and get back to the basics big man. If Klimala can bulk up and work on his physical game then so can you.

Everyone knows Lyndon Dykes rag-rolled you last year, but every Celtic fan expects you to have learned from that experience.

Do not hesitate.

Do not make sad eyes at the referee.

Clear the lines and stand your ground.

Yesterday Julliens performance was like watching Jozo on Astroturf meeting Jack Hendry at Firhill, abysmal and we demand more from our very highly priced and paid Centre half.

Killie continued to get stuck in and we continued to get stuck out. We had no idea what to do. Frimpong and Forrest stood next to each other on the right whilst on the left Taylor ran up the park only to kick the ball to a Killie player and Mo Elyounoussi just ran about like a headless chicken wearing ankle weights.

Killie players must have wished they had taken sunglasses as they could have put deckchairs down to enjoy their day even more.

Behind the non entity wide men sat Calmac and Broony who did nothing bar step forward 5-10 yards and pass the ball around in wee triangles. Calmac resorted to trying daft shots from distance and everyone just groaned and watched the clock slowly run down.  As mentioned Christie at least scored the goal to save the point and Eddy made it but other than that, they did nothing else of note.

 

Its the fact that we didnt even huff and puff without blowing Killies house down that really annoys.

We were like an asthmatic wolf with emphysema if we want a huff and puff comparison for yesterday. Forrest missed a high cross in the first half and Klimala missed one in the second. That’s about all I can remember. The rest was run up the sides and not get a cross in…run the ball into a crowd and lose it…run all the way up to the 18 yard line, stop, turn back, get the ball back to Ajer and repeat the process until everyone falls asleep.

So just in case your still wondering, I reckon the players were rotten.

The players however follow the Management lead.

That was utterly dreadful.

I know folk will say “It was a penalty they scored from” or “These thing happen!” but in this season of all seasons, every game is critical. I expect the Management team to know exactly which tactics will win the game, what changes will change a game and what personnel can contribute to ensuring the 3 points are secured in every League match.

When watching Lenny and Kennedy on the sidelines, You just dont get the impression they are discussing the finer points or spotting an area of minute advantage that can throw the game in our favour.

Everyone knew Killie would be resolute. Everyone knew the pitch would be small and artificial. The key would be speed of movement and speed of thought. We had neither. The inspirational tactics appeared to be limited to cries of “Come on!” from the sidelines.

There were no insightful changes of positioning or passing, just random “finger in the air” swapping sides of Jamesy Forrest and other lightweight forwards at times or one long punt now and again.

What happened to the 3-5-2 plan?

Im honestly not sure if we can accommodate Frimpong and Forrest in the same side as there doesnt appear to be any linking up partnership taking place. On the left ( and right) , I dont see any overlapping or by-line hitting runs with balls being pulled back for advancing midfield runners. You know, the sort of run and passes that would have actually created chances yesterday rather than going central through a crowded areas.

Up front I dont see anyone charging ahead of Eddy to both give him an out and create space for him to produce some magic. The worry for me is such games may make Eddy think “Fuck this!”

We might all think we have the most skilled squad in Scotland but the reality is we need to play the right team at the right time in the right place. We have so many lightweight forwards that are great when things go their way but when its tough, ugly and cramped, they can soon disappear or appear leaden footed. We are like Man City. Can play lovely football, can impress with beautiful goals and then all of a sudden, look powder-puff when a “small team” stands up and dares says “Thou Shall not pass!”

Yesterday we were crying out for an Anthony Stokes character to grab the game and drag our team forward. Lenny went for Klimala, Bolingoli and Ntcham and Elhamed. None of them made any difference as the movement never changed. The Tempo never adjusted. We looked laboured and lost for ideas for most of the match. In the week we had all been celebrating Nakamura on Twitter, it is a reminder that sometimes you need that special person to step forward when the pressure is on. On yesterdays showing, there’s not many contenders.

So that was 2 points dropped but a lot more than 2 questions being asked of Lenny and his side.

I pray we can take this reality check and say “Lesson learnt!’.

The team on the park need to be the best one for that game. If that means folk like Broony need to get subbed early or benched for Ntcham then so be it. If it means a Forrest or Elyounoussi needs to bide their time while we concentrate on the wing backs then fair enough. If it means bedding in Klimala alongside Eddie then we can appreciate that new relationships take time.

Of course, it may also be a wake up call for The Board. Could it be the stimulus for a spending spree. Stop laughing at the back. It could see a Fletcher being signed to help give us a target man option for such games etc or a robust Centre half, maybe even a veteran campaigner who as well as being pragmatic and level headed will be forceful enough to ensure Jullien acts when needed rather than the current laissez-faire approach at times.

I know this may all seem extreme and to some an over-reaction but in this season of all seasons, every away game is going to be like this and we need to all be on our toes and ready from the first to the final whistle.

Fingers crossed, yesterdays Reality Check will be the rock from which this seasons campaign is built upon.

 

Ratings

New Keeper – Debut and nowt to do bar pick ball out of net  -5

Taylor – Ran up and down and crossed to no-one all day – 5

Jullien – Weak and needs to adopt an attitude – 4

Ajer – Tried to drive forward at least – 6

Frimpong – Decent first half but couldnt find space – 6

Forrest – Non existent bar missed header attempt – 4

Broony – Started okay then faded and faded – 4

Calmac – Sideways, short passes and long shots, Ineffective. – 4

Christie – Scored long range free kick. Ran about.That was it. – 5

Elyounoussi – No meaningful contribution I can remember. – 4

Eddy – Won free kick. Met wall of Killie players at every other turn. – 5

 

Subs

Klimala – Tried to get into game. Didnt bar header attempt – 4

Elhamed – One run from deep..weak left foot shot. – 4

Bolingoli – He actually tried to hit the byline to be fair! – 4

Ntcham – Played 5-10 yards passes for last 1o mins with no penetration.- 4

 

Manager

Terrible. Needs to make some tough and correct decisions and clearly identify the tactics needed in each game. If the tactics arent working then needs to change early as well as motivating players to be on front foot from the very start until the very end. No passengers allowed.  – 3

 

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Monti
3 years ago

A couple of Doug Rougvie types needed at Celtic, that was rancid yesterday & not acceptable.
Every point is precious this season & we can’t just not turn up, even if we don’t play well, you MUST win the game!

Griffiths out!
Lawwell out!

Monti
3 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Need a couple of players in that side who are physically & mentally tough.

Lawwell you have been warned, mess this season up & you should find somewhere to hide!

No excuses, get the players in through the door!

Now!

Man in Denial
3 years ago

Agree with all the points made. Totally abject performance. New faces essential.

Who the feck is challenging Jullien for his place ?

Devoy45
3 years ago
Reply to  Man in Denial

Desi, your rant was right on! You spoke for many of us. I hope Lenny logs into our Forum. We need to get sorted early on. 3-5-2 and no passengers.

Andy
3 years ago

I agree 100% with your assessment. After the Hamilton game I expressed real concern to friends about our powder puff centre back pairing, against a better side we could have lost 3 goals easily. Jullien ( or big Julie as I call him) gets bullied far too easily and needs a rocket. Rottweiler defender required urgently or we will be in bother. We appear to have been fortunate with the 1st and 2nd round Champs League draws but unless we strengthen the team I fear we won’t make it past the 3rd round. One more contaversial point, Broony looks a mile off the pace and I’m not sure if he should feature every game

Monti
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Another thing as well, get that waste of space Griffiths out the fucking door, he’s had one chance too many at Celtic.
The biggest season in a lot of our lives has arrived, yet this wee fanny can’t be bothered to get himself into mint condition and help us achieve our goal, so why fucking help him then, and don’t give me all this has mental health, depression pish, so do a lot of us, yet we have to get fucking on with it.
Fuck him, get him off the books!

Bgbhoy
3 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Well said.

Scott
3 years ago

Agree with everything you said mate, that was fucking shambolic yesterday

Cartvale88
3 years ago

There are serious issues about the formation played yesterday on a narrow pitch. There are issues since Lenny returned to Parkhead, he appears to be a yes man, the empty tabard JPK adds nothing to his management skills.
Yes Desi I agree with a lot of the points raised, but it has to be horses for courses.
Yesterday ELYANOUSSI, FRIMPONG and TAYLOR were to lightweight, Killie payed to their strengths,. DICKER AND Power just bully opponents. Our management do not learn lessons, the team lucky not to concede more against Hamilton, yesterday we were lucky to get a draw.
When a bullying team plays against our defence they collapse, think Livi or the Wankers. There seems to be an issue with sourcing strong bullying defenders, Simo was poor, Julie (n) flatters to deceive but seemingly our priority is a left back.
As for Brown he looks at the end. Does not inspire and headless chicken comes to mind, a bit like Lenny.
Some fans will sing the usual, things can only get better, but until there is a change in the penny pinching, bringing in projects attitude Celtic are going nowhere.

Sean Fairley
3 years ago

100% spot on……. You get pelters if you slate the team especially at the start of the season.

‘That’ yesterday was polar opposite to how we should be.

I wouldn’t have given any outfield player more than a 3.

I doubt if we have learnt anything….. Hopeless on plastic has been an issue for years.

As you said…. The season of all seasons….. Must do a helluva lot better than yesterday….!!!!

CalledByCthulhu
3 years ago

Jullien led Ligue 1 in defensive headers won, a league where virtually every team has a physical, athletic centre forward. He was poor on the day but he is a good player and is capable of winning a physical battle. Yesterday, he was left isolated too often and that’s partly down to defensive organisation but largely due to the positions we were giving the ball away. Our passing was terrible, both in terms of tempo and accuracy, as was our movement up front. This was a collective failure. We do need cover at centre half but more than that we need to get the balance in midfield right. The rest will follow.

bog
3 years ago

Duffy having his medical the marra for a season long loan!

highseastim
3 years ago

Can’t believe you get French Eddy 5, he was woeful, as for 6 for Frimpong his crosses were every bit as bad as Taylors.

Do they do shooting practice in training??

highseastim
3 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Ah well, I suppose we see it differently, but I see looking through the Celtic forums that the usual “fall guys” are getting the fall out, some of our fickle support are getting to be on a par with the huns!?

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