After a fairly even first half, Celtic didn't get started in the second half and were lucky to lose by just 2. There seemed to be a sense of "we are too good for this mob" - a lack of urgency - a lack of concentration.
There were few pass marks today. It seems clear that our inability/unwillingness to buy a good, solid and experienced left-back could cost us dear this season. Wilson is not a left-back and would be better than Hinckel on the right. He tries to go forward and cross with his left, but it is a waste of time.
I was suprised that Barry Robson didn't start the game and even more suprised that he replaced Hartley rather than Brown in the second half. I'd even have considered taking Brown off, moving Caldwell into midfield and bringing Loovens on.
I don't know what Venegoor of Hesselink did to get sent off, but I don't think it made much difference. We still had a chance at 3-1 with 10 versus 10. Boruc's spill merely confirmed the lack of concentration in the whole team.
Maybe the goal that Nakamura scored at the end will be the difference between the teams at the end of the season.
I agree with Bobby's last post. When does the transfer window close?
Perhaps complacency is coming from the boardroom down! Don't expect anything to happen in the last 24 hours of the transfer window Stachan has said as much. His willingness to toe the party line that we are just a wee skint Scottish club is beginning to wear thin. I see John Reid gave an interview after the CL draw. Well worth a chairman's salary. I was pleased to see Maloney return but otherwise the future does not look good.
ReplyDeleteI thought we played well in the first half, without making many clear-cut chances. As Diggy wrote, we didn't appear in the second. Does Brown have compromising photos of Gordon's missus? How else can he continue to get games? Rangers fans are now calling him "Agent Brown".
ReplyDeleteIf we feel superior to TFOD I don't know why. It looks like a mediocre Celtic will slog it out with a mediocre Rangers over the coming months. Hey, mission accomplished Celtic plc!
The CL will be difficult to watch and I don't think Aalborg will be that bad a side. I agree Celtic were not there in the second half and Boruc's display was a shocker. But I don't think McGeady has got started this season yet either.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of activity in the transfer market is worrying. Are we waiting for Bobo to go before we spend money. We should have gone all out for a left back. Why buy another centre half who the manager says is not better than we have and still be abysmally weak at left back. I can't believe we cant afford a half decent left back who is better than we have.
I didn't see much fight in the team. Brown even seems to have lost his tackling edge and still does those soft hospital passes. Unless I'm missing something Robson is an obvious first pick for central midfield. And Harley I think is flattered in his role. When Rangers attacked there still seemed to be room for Thomson in front of the back four. I think Caldwell would be better there.
Rangers did well in offloading Cuellar they don't need anyone that good to win the league. With no European distraction for them we will have to win nearly every game to keep up with them. I can't see us doing it unless we really raise our game. Agree about complacence but on a positive note there was something supremely complacent about Naka's goal.
I think Sunday's game highlighted yet again some managerial deficencies. Whatever the truth about the board's parsimony, its been clear for well over a year (3 transfer windows) that left back is a problem area, yet it has not been addressed. That's a football management responsibility. Secondly, Mendes' goal, while brilliantly executed, was a direct result of Strachan's tactics, in pushing players upfield, presumably in a effort to reduce the number of Rangers players in the Celtic penaly box at corners. A dodgy tactic at the best of times, never mind being tried for the first time in a Rangers game. Finally while Brown, has to take responsibility for his poor performances (although I thought he had a good first half on Sunday before disappearing), I don't think Strachan is getting the best out of him in the position he plays him. It may be that Brown is not suited to playing with Naka and Adian but if that is so it again raises a question over the manager's transfer dealings.
ReplyDeletePicking up on Bobby's point re investment I attach a link to the recent PWC report on SPL clubs finances for 2007/07. Even with my limited smattering of accountancy knowledge its clear that we are in stronger position to invest in players than our south side neighbours. I'd love to know why we don't.
Link is -
http://www.ukmediacentre.pwc.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=2858&NewsAreaID=2
John, I think the Mendes goal was more a result of Paul Hartley losing concentration. Everyone in the stand could see Mendes was free. Rangers had fewer players forward for that corner than we had back, yet he was given acres of room.
ReplyDeleteI thought the 3-up to counter Ranger's strength in the air (and our lack of it) was OK, but it needs every player to be concentrating and doing their job. I think he scored because Hartley didn't do his job.