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<\/a><\/p>\nIt was the bit after that that caused the problems as Celtic conceded four goals, two penalties , a red card and any credibility they had earned on the European stage with a naive and shambolic performance in Poland last night.<\/p>\n
You all know what happened. You’ll all be feeling a little shellshocked just now, and one or two of you may even be looking for a new telly, a new laptop, or perhaps even trying to stick your season card back together.<\/p>\n
But, it is only half time, and Legia are probably just as shocked as we are at the final result.<\/p>\n
Instead of picking the bones of last nights episode, and blaming whoever for whatever, lets look a little deeper, and ask a question that seems to have escaped everyone else.<\/p>\n
Why didn’t John Collins, or Scott Brown, assistant and captain respectively, point out to Deila that two in midfield does not work at this level, especially away from home ?<\/p>\n
Its been tried before, it didn’t work, so when Deila discussed his plan with Collins, surely Collins would have had his reservations and mentioned them ?<\/p>\n
Or the senior players such as Mulgrew and \u00a0Commons, why didn’t they say something ?<\/p>\n
Deep down, I couldn’t see any way that Celtic would lose that game last night, and in the event, Legia didn’t show us anything that we shouldn’t have been able to handle. The only way we would lose is if we chucked it away.<\/p>\n
The manager was equally shocked;<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m unbelievably disappointed. We started quite well, scoring the first goal. Then we gave up under pressure and conceded an easy goal.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cFrom there we lost our heads and started to lose the ball in the centre of the pitch so many times. We didn\u2019t stay together at the back too.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe second half started OK but we were not together as a team. Some were pressing high, some were pressing low instead of them being together.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cSo it was a very poor performance and worst of all is the commitment and the energy. That\u2019s what concerns me most.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe have to learn from this very quickly. We have an away goal and still have a chance at Murrayfield with the fans behind us as I know they will be.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Well, thats a given, at least. But the honeymoon period just shortened.<\/p>\n So , lets return to the questions above.<\/p>\n Did Deila consult the senior players and his assistant before the game, and tell them how he going to set the team up ?<\/p>\n Thats without the ridiculous decision to play the new winger. Its not his fault, but he was clearly out of shape and overawed by the hostile atmosphere, and should not have started.<\/p>\n If consultation took place, its reasonable to assume the players voiced their reservations about playing with four forwards away from home in a European game-Deila says we kept giving the ball away in midfield, but we only had two ball winners on the park- and that means that he either tried to convince them it could work, and so they gave it a go.<\/p>\n When it started to go wrong, confidence dropped, and a mauling was on the cards.<\/p>\n The other side of the coin is , what if no concerns were raised ? Does this mean that Deila won’t listen, so theres no point ?<\/p>\n Or does it mean that certain players have already decided they don’t want to be here any more ?<\/p>\n On last nights evidence, it seems one or two have already chucked it.<\/p>\n So, next week at Murrayfield Celtic must score three without reply minimum to advance. Its not over yet, and playing the strongest eleven -whoever that might be-in familiar, effective positions might just do it.<\/p>\n We can deal with everything else later.<\/p>\n The Poles won’t know what hit them at Murrayfield, but we need a return to the diamond with Commons at the head, arriving to finish off moves, with, Griffiths and Stokes up front. They at least will battle.Ambrose won’t play, so Lustig will have to shuffle to centre half, with Adam Matthews going right back. With Emilio Izaguerre restored on the left, Johansen, Mulgrew and Biton can take the other three midfield slots. I know, I’ve left out Calum MacGregor, but this is a game for old heads.<\/p>\n Until the players fully understand, and are capable of executing the style of play that Deila demands, then stick to what we know.<\/p>\n Of course, all theseproblems, and last nights result, \u00a0could stem from the downsizing, and a million other reasons to blame Lawwell and the rest of the board. But lets leave that for another day. Even Neil Lennon, who says he saw it coming….all thats for another day.<\/p>\n Right now, theres a team that needs supporting.<\/p>\n
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