SPL Discussion Thread

**Stuttgart88** · 02/11/2006, 9:24 AM

Well, looks like all those "Celtic have one foot in the secound" round comments were very premature, predictably enough. Lots of work to do yet.

**geysir** · 02/11/2006, 9:56 AM

But the other foot was always in the grave. It was torture to watch such a leaden arsed, right from the kick off, arthritic performance. You could draw parallels with Ireland in Cyprus, a couple of bad errors and the the whole team gets infected with the jitters. Pearson was consistantly the wrong player at the wrong time.
I'd still expect a showdown performance against Man U. In scoring 3 goals the advantage has shifted to Benfica with a home game against Copenhagen.

**drinkfeckarse** · 02/11/2006, 10:10 AM

Funnily enough I predicted 3-0 to my friends after the Celtic Park result. I had a feeling they'd be a little too silky at home and could've got 12/1 on it yesterday except I don't like betting against my teams.

Poor performance though and the pressure is very definately on now. 2 draws will do though or 1 win I think assuming Benfica will beat Copenhagen at home and lose away to Man Utd.

**eirebhoy** · 02/11/2006, 4:00 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Well, looks like all those "Celtic have one foot in the secound" round comments were very premature, predictably enough. Lots of work to do yet.

I always expected a Benfica win tbh. Last night was worse than I expected though. A 2-0 defeat would have been fine but 3-0 added to Man U losing means it couldn't have gone much worse. I wouldn't expect less than a draw against United though and Benfica have little chance of getting anything in Old Trafford. Copenhagen away will be tough now but Celtic are still favourites for 2nd. Benfica lost a home match which puts them on the back foot.

**Poor Student** · 02/11/2006, 4:05 PM

Playing Pearson was such a bad mistake. His touch and passing are woeful and his positioning looks like that of a headless chicken. He should have gone 4-4-2 with Zurawski or 4-5-1 with Jarosik. I know neither are in great form but Pearson has a lot of shortcomings as a player and is not good enough for 90 mins at such a level.

**eirebhoy** · 02/11/2006, 5:58 PM

Aye, I never rated Pearson. Kilbane is a much better player than him which says it all. I would have played McGeady on the left with Maloney off Miller. Plenty of teams play with 2 wingers and 2 up front. Sno and Lennon should have enough to cover while Naka and McGeady will always get back when not in possession.

Benfica were excellent off the ball I must say.

**Junior** · 03/11/2006, 5:10 AM

alright folks, not logged on too much these dayus currently off travelling and in an internet cafe in Yichang, China.

Was looking fairly good since I've been away, league form was good and great home win against Benfica until an hour ago and I've just read the match reports on Weds game. Defeat not unexpected but I wish we didn't gift the opposition these head starts making everything doubly difficult.

Tough game tomorrow against Hearts, hopefully we can bounce straight back!!

Hail Hail

PS: Is McGeady fully fit now?

**eirebhoy** · 03/11/2006, 9:03 AM

Yeah, McGeady will almost certainly start tomorrow.

**bmozza** · 03/11/2006, 10:42 AM

McGeady should have started in Portugal in hindsight. What has happened to Malony this year?? Easily our best player last year, not quite happening for him this year. Apart from the lovely ball for Miller to set the goal against Benfica in Paradise, not much else from him??
Also...Pearson obviously started to protect the left wing...however did you see how far away from his man he was when the cross for the 1st goal was swung in? He was in no mans land. McGeady this year has shown as well as going forward that he's well able to cover back, and I don't think we would have conceded that goal if he was playing.

**drinkfeckarse** · 03/11/2006, 11:52 AM

He's only started a handful of games since returning from injury. Give him a chance, he'll come good again.

**bmozza** · 03/11/2006, 4:01 PM

Yea I know he will, but he was injured for the start of last season, played a couple of reserve matches on his return and burst back into the senior side with that wonder strike in the old firm. He never looked back after that and went on to win Player of the Year!!

**Junior** · 05/11/2006, 1:09 AM

Go on the Celtic!!! nothing like leaving it late to keep the excitement!!!!!!

**tetsujin1979** · 05/11/2006, 1:13 PM

Paddy Power pay out on Celtic in November!!

**londonirish17** · 06/11/2006, 1:07 PM

Seems that other bet companies are willing to do the same following this
w-e's results...

**bmozza** · 06/11/2006, 2:36 PM

Celtic come back with 5 mins to go to beat Hearts 2-1.
Rangers lose to Dundee Utd by same score.
Stokes bags another hat trick.
My Sunday team wins in the cup 4-2.
Great f*cking weekend!!

**drinkfeckarse** · 09/11/2006, 8:03 AM

I couldn't believe the Rangers result last night. Confidence must be horrendously low to be beaten 2-0 at home to a first division side. Paul Le Guen has obviously underestimated the Scottish League and the in yer face attitude of most teams.

There's no way he'll be sacked I think as he has a good pedigree with Lyon (albeit with a lot more cash than the other teams had available) but the players he has signed have been poor and don't seem interested in battling to win a game which you have to do in Scotland. Interesting how they are doing well in Europe where you don't have to scrap and get more time on the ball.

I expected a lot better from his Rangers team as his arrival was widely heralded as a huge coup. Early days I know but there's no doubt now that he has a huge job on his hands to turn results and confidence around.

**RogerMilla** · 09/11/2006, 11:25 AM

agreed , i think le guen thought he could fancy dan his way to the title but he paid no attention to the fact that celtic are tough too , as you have to be in the SPL

**Stuttgart88** · 09/11/2006, 2:39 PM

One of my least favourite people, Chick Young, said the following as the SPL season opened:

I am prepared to push the gamble button and suggest to you that the persuading of Paul Le Guen to succeed Alex McLeish at Ibrox will win the title.

It remains an impressive appointment. People in France are still staring into their pastis, stroking their moustaches and making Gallic hand movements about the wonderment of one of their most talented young coaches taking a job in Scotland. Allez Les Bleus, right enough

Wonder what he thinks now!

**eirebhoy** · 09/11/2006, 2:53 PM

I have to admit, I thought Le Guen was an excellent appointment based on his success at Lyon. When you see how well Houllier is doing though it can't be a tough job.

I don't rate Houllier at all.