SPL Discussion Thread

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Originally Posted by Junior

- 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.

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by geysir

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.

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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).

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Originally Posted by geysir

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by geysir

I saw Bobo was on the subs bench.

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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;)

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.

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Originally Posted by Poor Student

Central defence and midfield look dodgy though.

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by Pat O' Banton

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

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.

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I've read great things about Sno. Can someone educate me pls?

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I've read great things about Sno. Can someone educate me pls?

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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?

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

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?

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

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?

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.

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!!

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

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

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Originally Posted by geysir

Has Sno played in any competitive games yet?

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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.

It's on Setanta Ireland too.