{"id":7348,"date":"2015-06-29T09:45:02","date_gmt":"2015-06-29T08:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7348"},"modified":"2015-06-29T09:51:26","modified_gmt":"2015-06-29T08:51:26","slug":"celtic-diary-monday-june-29-revolutionary-technique-at-lennoxtown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7348","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Monday June 29: Revolutionary Technique At Lennoxtown"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’ve seen a vast improvement on the pitch over the season in the players, as they gradually adapted to the style of play the new manager wanted, but he also wants players to think about what they are doing, and analyse their own peformances.<\/p>\n

Is that happening ?<\/p>\n

Adam Matthews, speaking in the Evening Times, shows that it is. He was talking about the Inter milan games last season, when Celtic made an arse of the defending at home.<\/p>\n

In the first game against Inter we tried to play like we did in the Premiership in Scotland and against better opposition you just can\u2019t do that.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes Emilio Izaguirre and I were caught up the pitch at the same time and they punished us for that. We had a meeting after it and agreed if one of us goes forward the other one tucks back.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat made sure we were far more compact in the second leg. There were no gaps between us. That forced them to go round the outside and play crosses into the box.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIn that situation, we know we can defend crosses. I think we have learned from our games in the Europa League and will be well placed going into our European games now.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Now thats fairly basic stuff, and we could ask what they were playing at, but at least they have realised their mistake and worked out for themselves why they went wrong.<\/p>\n

To illustrate the point, we’ll refer to a book by Jim White. No, not that one, this guy knows what he’s talking about. It’s called “You’ll Win nothing With Kids ” and is the fairly true tale of a Manchester sports reporter who coaches a kids team in his spare time.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Worth reading.<\/p>\n

Now, in his line of work, he got to spend a day at Carrington, where Manchester United train, and ends up meeting Brian McClair and Rene Mullensteen.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Naturally, he picks their brains for help in coaching his own team, and learns one startling thing. At Carrington, when the kids are playing, the coaches don’t offer advice from the sidelines, which at a young age will encourage kids to decide what to do for themselves.<\/p>\n

\u00a0We’ve all been to, or played in, kids games, and advice is often at hand whether it’s needed or not from over enthusiastic parents and enthusiastic but ultimately clueless coaches.<\/p>\n

\u00a0As a result, McClair explains in the book, the kids don’t know what to do as their thoughts are blotted out by cries of “pass it ” , “shoot” “get rid of it “, or in my case “who picked that stupid fat bastard ? “.<\/p>\n

\u00a0All of which confuses the player because he doesn’t get time to think for himself.<\/p>\n

At one game early last season , I watched Ronny Deila watching the players from the sideline, arms folded and hand across his mouth. Maybe he was trying to stop himself from screaming at the players, having seen a few things he didn’t like.<\/p>\n

\u00a0At the time, I was reminded of Tony Mowbray, and feared we’d landed another passionless dud. However, it appears that part of Ronny’s philosophy is to encourage the players to not only play a certain way, but to understand it as well.<\/p>\n

\u00a0After all, whats the point in training players to play a certain way all week and then having to spend the entire game shouting at them ? Might as well just accept they won’t do as they are told and get rid of them.<\/p>\n

And bring in someone who will.<\/p>\n

And once you’ve taught them one way, they will be more receptive to other ideas, which in turn will make the team more adaptable, and more able to think for itself. After all, a manager can do very little once the players are on the park, so it does make sense to encourage them to think more about what they are doing.<\/p>\n

\u00a0This is going to be an interesting season.<\/p>\n

Not one that will interest Amido Balde, brought \u00a0to replace Gary Hooper by perhaps one of our more optimistic staff members will be joining Metz, in France, after his contract was terminated , presumably shortly to be followed by that of the idiot who found him.<\/p>\n

With Teemu Pukki also away, at a loss, after failing to make the grade, no wonder Celtic are taking their time over adding another striker.<\/p>\n

Then there’s John Guidetti.<\/p>\n

Former Celtic Striker John Guidetti Chased By Three Italian<\/h1>\n

Clubs<\/h1>\n

Which takes it to a total of four that have chased him this summer.<\/p>\n

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Jelle Vossen, who according to some sources, is not actually on Celtics radar, has been told by his club to make his mind up over his future.<\/p>\n

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Note it’s Genk who are demanding an answer, and not Celtic. No doubt the hacks are hoping that the player Celtic are not in for can decide that he wants to stay put, so they can say he has snubbed the East End.<\/p>\n

\u00a0They do like a bad news story at the Record. for some reason, they think it sells papers.<\/p>\n

Nikita Jelavic, Ricky Lambert, and pretty much anyone else you care to name has been linked with a move to Celtic Park this summer to add to Deilas strikeforce, but this speculation simply proves that the hacks have got absolutely no idea.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

\u00a0This week sees the start of the season. Celtic face Den Bosch at St. Mirren Park, and the Europa League starts.<\/p>\n

Talk about sneaking in the back door.<\/p>\n

Have a look at this fixture list;<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Fair old achievement for Spartans.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Meanwhile, the campaign to sell season books at Ibrox continues. With John Eustace, the man they wanted to be captain having headed south to consider the offer from Mark Warburton, well, when he stops laughing he will, the next hidden gem to be dug up is Reece Wabara, recently released by Doncaster Rovers.<\/p>\n

Dean Furman, a product of the Murray Park conveyer belt of talent, speaks very highly of them, thanks to Level 5PR.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cReece is very \u2028attack-minded and he\u2019s very much in the mould of Barcelona full-back Dani Alves because he\u2019s very quick and \u2028loves to get forward. Defensively he\u2019s strong too.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Dani Alves ?<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has lovely ability, loves to beat a man and puts good deliveries into the box. He had quite a few assists last season and if I\u2019m honest, he should \u2028have had many, many more.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t speak for the new manager at Rangers but if he\u2019s looking for a young, athletic full-back who can \u2028create and join in play, Reece ticks all the right boxes.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Hang on, Dani Alves ?<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has been a real pleasure to play with. He came to Oldham from Man City having been in and around their first team and their reserves.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cReece stepped up to men\u2019s \u2028football very quickly and adapted very well. In the last year or so, I feel he has really kicked on.<\/em><\/p>\n

That Dani Alves ?<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was one of the top \u2028performers at Doncaster and he has progressed an awful lot.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI know Reece very well. We travelled into Doncaster just about every day for the last year.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a very exciting player and Rangers fans would love him.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Dani Alves of Barcelona ?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not at all surprised he has gone up there because I know the club very well and I\u2019ve told him all about it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe would talk about different \u2028things in the car and any time there has been a mention of Rangers, I\u2019ve only said good things.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cReece has asked me a few questions and I can\u2019t speak a bad word about the club. I had a great time there.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

And Brazil ?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe size of the club, the fanbase and the history attached to it is fantastic and I just tried to let him know what it\u2019s all about.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know his plans but if \u2028something is happening and he does want to know any more than I\u2019ve told him already, I can only give him a glowing reference.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Apparently, he’s just like Dani Alves. In what fucking way ?<\/p>\n

Here’s Alves ;<\/p>\n

Club<\/span>[<\/span>edit<\/a>]<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Bahia<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n