SPL Discussion Thread [Archive] - Page 19

geysir

14/09/2006, 11:58 PM

- Lennon. I've been a big fan & supporter of Lennon, despite his many celtic fan critics. However, last night I was disappointed, sooooo off the pace, relied on team mates far too often to do the tracking back and recovering the ball (Gravesen on a few occasions for starters). I know he put in some decent challenges but it wasn't enough for me, the game largely passed him by.
It's ironic that Lennon is getting slated by Celtic fans when his performance against Man U was applauded by some media in England and Scotland.
His was a masterclass in simplicity re positioning and ball distribution. His choice almost everytime was the best one available, something which escaped the rest of the defence. Minimalism at its best.
Strachan particularily praised his contribution. I regret not seeing more of him when he was at his prime. I can see why O'Neill placed so much trust and confidence in him and still Strachan hangs his hat onto what is left of him.
In a rare position forward late on, his pass out to the left wing was simple and perfect and ended a period of huff and puff.
Sure Gravesen should do the serious tracking back, surely at the wage he's getting I wouldn't expect him to let his granddad do it.
I didn't notice many Lennon tackles, maybe there was a good reason for that :)
His time is coming near but there is still a sharp football brain on that slowing body.
I saw Bobo was on the subs bench.

drinkfeckarse

15/09/2006, 7:43 AM

Lennon has that affect on people, you either think he's sh!te or you think he's a decent player who keeps it simple.

I change my mind from one week to the next :D

Junior

15/09/2006, 8:40 AM

It's ironic that Lennon is getting slated by Celtic fans when his performance against Man U was applauded by some media in England and Scotland.

Lennon gets slated week in week out by 1000's of Celtic fans and many support the role he plays (me included in the main).

His was a masterclass in simplicity re positioning and ball distribution. His choice almost everytime was the best one available, something which escaped the rest of the defence. Minimalism at its best.

Obviously thats Lennons, trademark style of play. However its not always the simplest, sometimes its frustatingly the most negative. Again, he almost cost us with a short backpass (resulting in Caldwell having to foul Saha by obstructing him, even though he got away with it). Remember its only 3-4 weeks since he gifted a goal to hearts in the same manner.

- Thats fine when you are in posession, Utd had the Lions share of that.
- After watching the game again last night on TV, Lennon gave his fair share of ball away, as well as Gravesen and Co.
- At places like OT, you simply can't afford to have one player in your 11 who needs team mates to track back for him, particularly a defensive type player!! Gravesen covered double the ground (25 yard dash, when Lennon was probably 10 yards away) to get back and recover a Lennon error at one point. Additionally Leenon was giving out at McManus for allowing Saha/Scholes a shot from the edge of the box, who was the nearest player to him, not closing down??? Lennon.

I am general a fan of what Lennon does for Celtic, but on Weds we needed more than what he provided.

I saw Bobo was on the subs bench.

Indeed, played 90 minutes in the reserves on Tuesday night, defensive injuries meant there might be need to bring him in. Thankfully Varga has gone and we even got money for him!!!! And to think people doubted Roy Keane was a Celtic fan;)

Poor Student

15/09/2006, 10:25 AM

It's a strange thing with Bobo. At the time he went off to the last African Nations a lot of people were glad to be rid of him. While he was gone people began to pine for him. I think he's better than Caldwell defensively. Caldwell can hit a better pass but they both get caught dallying on the ball within the vicinity of their own box. Celtic have a good goalkeeper, good full backs, good players down the wing and a good striker. Central defence and midfield look dodgy though. It's a long rebuilding plan for Strachan. Rome wasn't built in a day.

drinkfeckarse

15/09/2006, 12:06 PM

Central defence and midfield look dodgy though.

I'd agree with you to a point about central defence but I think Celtic have got some good options in the middle now with Graveson, Jarosik, Lennon, Pearson, Sno and Maloney all capable of doing good things there.

eirebhoy

15/09/2006, 2:21 PM

Ah balls. Wilson out for 6 weeks or so with a broken metatarsal. Any player but him. :( Paul Telfer it is...

Stuttgart88

15/09/2006, 2:30 PM

Wasn't his best showing but considering his season so far are you seriously doubting that he isn't better then what was on display in Stuttgart.

I'm not having this penalty was Boruc fault stuff

On basis of Wednesday's performance, yes. On basis of his second half vs Holland and SPL games, no. I was simply asking if it's still now perceived as a cowardly decision. I'd say it was more of a value judgment which Wednesday's showing vindicates.

Put it this way: McGeady is a better player than he showed ahgainst United. Reid is a better player than he showed against Germany. Nothing proven therefore.

On Boruc, he's got to at least accept part of the blame in my opinion, as an ex-keeper. It's the same as defenders lunging into tackles. It just invites a bad outcome. His decision to chase that ball was an error of judgment in my view.

Stuttgart88

15/09/2006, 2:32 PM

Junior

15/09/2006, 2:58 PM

He's big, strong, athletic and young (19 I think). Still not sure what role he would play, certainly hasn't looked to be particuarly creative, so maybe more of a 'breakdown the opponents attack and start attacks' type player

Looked great against Chelsea but average in some of his other bit part performances. Thats about it to be honest, unless someone has seen more of him in Holland.

geysir

15/09/2006, 3:30 PM

Has Sno played in any competitive games yet?

I see it's all over the wires that Gravesen has retired from international football. I saw him play his last game for Denmark against Iceland recently.
Probably just as well for Celtic, he was struggling to keep up with the pace of the current Danish game which in the first 25 minutes is played at a breakneck relentless pace.
He hit one sublime 50m pass for their 2nd goal. He was well and truly knackered after an hour and was subbed.

Poor Student

15/09/2006, 3:41 PM

I'd agree with you to a point about central defence but I think Celtic have got some good options in the middle now with Graveson, Jarosik, Lennon, Pearson, Sno and Maloney all capable of doing good things there.

I'm unconvinced about Jarosik so far. Whatever you say about Lennon it's his last season. Pearson is a handy sub to tighten things up, full of pace and energy but ultimately lacks the teachnical ability to be a starter. Maloney is best deployed on the right and Sno is not the finished article by any means. Graveson, well I hope his Man U performance was down to rustiness. I think there will need to be another substantial signing for central midfield in January or the summer. Maybe young Scott Brown off Hibs.

If John Kennedy could return to his pre-injury self that played against Barcelona it would be an immense boost and like a new signing.

eirebhoy

15/09/2006, 3:41 PM

I've read great things about Sno. Can someone educate me pls?
I didn't think he'd make it until I seen him against Chelsea. He honestly outshone all of Chelsea's midfield that night and was excellent. He's a player that'll probably be playing the holding role in a few years but I certainly wouldn't trust him in that role atm. He's huge and looks a lot older than 19. He seems like a player that can easily make mistakes but his passing is very good and isn't afraid to put himself about.

That Wilson injury has really put me on a downer. I'd actually prefer Nakamura, Venegoor, Gravesen, Balde, Boruc or anyone else to be out for 6 weeks. If only because it means Paul Telfer is forced to play. He might aswell have been playing for Man U on Wednesday.

As for Jarosik. He has played over 30 odd champions league games, Mourinho liked what he saw of him and he did well at Birmingham last season. He was the best player after McGeady in pre-season and followed that up with an excellent performance on the opening day against Kilmarnock. He's been pretty poor since then but how many games has he played in central midfield?

Junior

15/09/2006, 10:50 PM

As for Jarosik. He has played over 30 odd champions league games, Mourinho liked what he saw of him and he did well at Birmingham last season. He was the best player after McGeady in pre-season and followed that up with an excellent performance on the opening day against Kilmarnock. He's been pretty poor since then but how many games has he played in central midfield?

And to be fair he linked up well with JVoHin the Man U game.

londonirish17

17/09/2006, 10:40 AM

Although I am a Celtic fan I really appreciated the fact that some fresh air was breezing through the SPL last year with the likes of Hearts and Hibs. For the benefit of the game but certainly for the credential of the SPL it would not be bad if you would could start every season with 3 or 4 pretenders for the title. Unfortunately as things seem to turn out, for the time being at least, everything is set once again for a Celtic vs Rangers title race. I am probably a bit harsh( and I want to apologize to Hearts supporters) but Hearts results on European level against opponents like AEK and Sparta show that they seem not ready to compete at this level and their recent domestic performances are not quite convincing as well, so I think that unless Celtic or Rangers struggle against weaker opponents there will be no surprise this season.
What is your opinion?

Stuttgart88

18/09/2006, 9:13 AM

This weekend's results suggest Hearts may well actually be Celtic's main threat this year! If Celtic beat Rangers on Saturday it'll be a massive result.

tetsujin1979

18/09/2006, 9:25 AM

Rangers have been poor enough so far this season, the new manager has brought in a few new players and they're taking time to gel. The UEFA Cup game away from home on thursday doubtless played some part in sunday's peformance too. Celtic seem to be the most consistent team so far in the SPL, and took longer than expected to finish off a well organised Dunfermline side, but Hearts were the same this time last season, so lets not start counting chickens before the eggs have even been laid!!

Fingal hoop

19/09/2006, 12:35 PM

Le Geun will be under huge pressure if R*****s are beaten on Saturday

RogerMilla

19/09/2006, 1:01 PM

the second title is celtics to lose i reckon , it will go down to how we perform on the saturdays �fter our euro games , those are the key victories that could deliver the league

Delbertt

19/09/2006, 1:17 PM

Has Sno played in any competitive games yet?

Snos going to be startin tonight against St Mirren in the cis cup, think alot of the fringe players will get a run out tonight.

eirebhoy

19/09/2006, 4:45 PM

It's on Setanta Ireland too.

FootballsKing

19/09/2006, 11:19 PM

yeah it was essentially a second string team from what i saw which was only a few moments. sno, o'dea and balde all played

Stuttgart88

20/09/2006, 8:54 AM

Any comment on O'Dea's performance?

By all accounts Anthony Stokes was excellent for Falkirk last night. Good goal too I read.

Delbertt

20/09/2006, 10:30 AM

Any comment on O'Dea's performance?

O'Dea played very well lastnite was very impressed with him at left back, i think i would have picked him or sno for motm, McGeady changed things when he came on second half nd played very well also

RogerMilla

20/09/2006, 10:31 AM

o dea looks a very assured player but a bit slow , most likely he will be a centre half rather than a full back , sno was excellent

Junior

20/09/2006, 10:40 AM

Didn't see the game.

Sno - Got the Celticfc.net MOTM
O'Dea - "looked assured at left back" but by the sounds of things didn't have a great deal to do.
Mcgeady - Come on for the 2nd 45 and seems like he created a few opportunities, though held on to the ball for too long on a few other occasions.

eirebhoy

20/09/2006, 11:19 AM

O'Dea was put through a few test last night. :)

Distribution - He did seem to hump it up the pitch a few times but he did put in a few decent crosses. When he kept it short he always took the right choice and looked very comfortable on the ball.

Defending - St.Mirren had a proper winger on O'Dea's side who didn't really get much of the ball. He ran at O'Dea once trying to trick him and O'Dea easily dispossessed him, leaving the St.Mirren player look like a fool. :)

Pace - A St.Mirren player ran down the byeline once and O'Dea's lack of pace was really shown up. He had to cut inside to get the ball off the Mirren player as if he ran right towards him he wouldn't have catched him.

Overall a decent performance but definitely lacks pace to be a left back. Might have a future at centre half though which is his position anyway.

OwlsFan

20/09/2006, 12:38 PM

Centre-halves need pace these days as well. The days of being up against lumbering centre-forwards are mostly gone and most forwards now are pacey.

McGeady did well but does overdo it on occasions.

eirebhoy

20/09/2006, 1:32 PM

I actually didn't think McGeady was too impressive when he came on. He could have beaten that left back all day as he was rubbish but he was back to the McGeady from last season. Choosing the wrong options, under or overhitting passes, getting caught in possession, etc. In saying that, he did change a dull match when he came on.

tetsujin1979

20/09/2006, 2:26 PM

Thought McGeady's best moment came from a set play, the ball was played to him from a corner on the right, and he rifled in a low shot that went just wide of the post. Other than that he was average.
O'Dea was solid, but lacked pace. Thought he did well on the overlap a few times, but this left the left side of defence exposed.
Slightly off topic, why were the commentators pronouncing it O-Day? I went to school with a bloke called O'Dea who pronounced it O-Dee

OwlsFan

21/09/2006, 6:50 AM

Slightly off topic, why were the commentators pronouncing it O-Day? I went to school with a bloke called O'Dea who pronounced it O-Dee

Yeh like Cahill is K-hill, McGrath is Ma-Grat, Kinsella is Kin-SELA, Moran is Mor-ran etc etc

RogerMilla

21/09/2006, 8:56 AM

anyway roll on the game against scotlands third power on saturday
i predict 3-0 celtic

Stuttgart88

25/09/2006, 8:05 AM

Again, couldn't see anything of OF game. No Setanta and missed all news bulletins. Saw Miller's goal on youtube.com. Neat finish but build up was all about McGeady. Papers say McGeady was excellent.

Anyone care to expand?

drinkfeckarse

25/09/2006, 8:50 AM

Had a game myself so only saw a little bit of it. Missed the first half but saw 20 odd minutes of the 2nd half and during that time Rangers were the better team although you could say for all their possesion they didn't hurt Celtic a lot.

In that time I saw Boyd hit the crossbar and Prso had a header cleared off the line so on another day it could've been 2-2.

At 1-0 Strachan took Nakamura off and replaced him with Sno which suggested he was content to try to hold on to the lead (something that I hate to see) and Millers goal seemed to me to have caught Rangers on the break.

Still, I wasn't complaining :)

Junior

25/09/2006, 9:54 AM

First Half Celtic were by far the better team.

A Lennon cross, a great header from McGeady which was well saved, Graveson knocking in the rebound. Aiden also had a 25yrd drive that clipped the crossbar.

First 20mins of 2nd half, Rangers were the more dominant but Celtic rode their luck a little and Miller scored the 2nd at the perfect time, to kill the game off. Mcgeady ran with the ball for about 40 yrds and slipped a slide rule pass beyond the fullback, Miller slotted it home.

I didn't think it was a great match tbh, but very happy with the result. Rangers are a poor side, huffed and puffed but I didn't think the result was in any doubt.

It was a poor day for Rangers, they lost, Miller scored and Lennon/McGeady (depending who you go with) got MOTM!!!

Lennon was superb yesterday and deserved MOTM IMO. Just goes to show, I thought he was poor against Man U, off the pace, but yesterday he was excellent, winning and keeping the ball, something that Graveson needs to get up to speed with doing!!

Atmosphere was pretty decent, and a long days drinking finished off with a kebab brought a great Saturday to an end:D

geysir

25/09/2006, 7:20 PM

Junior, maybe you were a wee bit harsh on Lennon against Man U. :)
Is this the first choice starting midfield: Nakamura, Lennon, Graveson and McGeady ?
Could Jarosik not do a fill in job at RB or is Telfer bearing up ?
I'm really looking forward to the CL game at CP, it's been a long time coming.

Junior

25/09/2006, 10:58 PM

Thats the starting Midfield alright. Maloney is fit again and was our player of the year last year so he will be chomping at the bit to get a first 11 spot. Miller has now got off the mark with his first goal and obviously Zurawski wants a starting place to partner J VoH. Jarosik is more of an attacking midfielder, so I've never thought of him filling in at RB, can't see it to be honest. Balde is fit again, not sure if Mcmanus (he has played leftback) or Caldwell could play out at RB?? they couldn't do any worse than Telfer thats for sure.

Telfer it is at RB then Im afraid. The distribution by both fullbacks (Naylor as well) on Sat was awful and that will have to improve, we saw what giving the ball away easily can do against Man U.

Nakamura is real quality, but does have a tendency to go missing in games, hopefully at CP he should be productive, but Copenhagen will be tough, no nonsense type players, it will be interesting to see how he copes with that sort of attention. Attackwise though, we have plenty of options and Im really looking forward to McGeady shining on the back of his great performance on Sat and not so good one at OT.

Its a sell out and should be a great atmosphere. Fingers crossed its 3 points on the board....

drinkfeckarse

26/09/2006, 8:07 AM

I think Caldwell might go to right back myself with Bobo coming in alongside "Mick"

RogerMilla

26/09/2006, 9:15 AM

drinkfeck , that would be a great answer to copenhagens physicality, i hope he goes with that and drops telfer.

Plastic Paddy

26/09/2006, 9:58 AM

Doubt it. Telfer is one of WGS's tried-and-trusted types (although Christ only knows what he sees in him) and so it's unlikely he'll make way. Strachan has used Caldwell as a centre-half only so far this season and IMO will be unlikely to switch him away from this role in something as high-stakes as a CL game. I thought he might have tried it in last weekend's stroll-a-thon instead... ;)

:ball: PP

RogerMilla

26/09/2006, 10:15 AM

well he cant drop caldwell so it will be bobo again on the bench , bit of a waste of his talent..

Plastic Paddy

26/09/2006, 11:22 AM

Bobo and "talent" in the same sentence... wonders will never cease.

:ball: PP

drinkfeckarse

26/09/2006, 11:32 AM

Doubt it. Telfer is one of WGS's tried-and-trusted types (although Christ only knows what he sees in him) and so it's unlikely he'll make way.

Very true although he surely realises his limitations. I mean, Telfer isn't naturally first choice so it's not as if Strachan kisses his hole and if Celtic were in a Champions League semi final against Barcelona I doubt very much that Telfer would get the nod.

Still, the chances are that he won't change a winning team unless he has too.

Scram

02/10/2006, 9:09 PM

Fcukin hell! Looks like every second or third Rangers supporter in this large section are doing a Nazi salute :eek:

http://i9.tinypic.com/34sksjq.jpg

Dodge

02/10/2006, 11:02 PM

will they be fined or sanctioned in any way for that?

yeah they were probably the only side making gestures and singing songs that day

gustavo

02/10/2006, 11:04 PM

Isnt this against the rules about starting a thread about Scottish Football outside its own thread?

Dodge

02/10/2006, 11:18 PM

yep, thats why I merged it :)

Poor Student

03/10/2006, 10:09 AM

Yeah, the general discussion on that kind of fan behaviour is also banned. Stick to the football.

eirebhoy

14/10/2006, 2:59 PM

Nakamura puts in one of his worst performances in a Celtic shirt and still gets a hattrick. :D Very slow start from Celtic but as soon as the first went in they got into their rhythm. It'll be interesting to see what Strachan does when McGeady gets back. Miller started on the bench today so I wouldn't be suprised if he fits McGeady and Maloney into a 4-5-1.