Ajax vs Celtic, Europa League Group A Match 1, 17/09/15

Still reckon we'll beat Molde twice or win/draw... 4 points minimum is probably what is needed from those games, for us to have a chance of qualifying.

I'd take a draw at home to Fener, but reckon we could beat them.

 

9 points at home should do it and it should be achievable. We have beaten far better teams than those 3 at home.

Time to make Paradise a fortress again.

 

I'm thinking along the lines of

Ajax away 1 point

Ajax Home 3 points

Fener Home 1point

Fener away 0 points

Molde home 3 points

Molde away 1 point

9 points

 

9 points at home please.

 

I had to go outside the pub for the last 5 or 6 mins I was a bag of nerves haha.

Funny how one result can turn your whole outlook, things looking positive again.

 

We've certainly got the beating of all the teams in the group, Molde i quite like as a team.
Fenerbace come here now needing the win. They might bottle it at Celtic Park.

We start games really well, finish them really badly. So that comes down to the system, the mentality of managing the game after we take the lead and just as importantly, getting the timing of the subs right and subbing the right players.

If not for the red card, Ronny would have kept players on just to chase shadows, when we could be picking them off on the counter attack so easily with them pushing for goals.

The Malmo manager hit the nail on the head when he said we don't have the legs for ninety minutes as a team. Lustig is really the proof of that. We never did get a decent left back. We need GMS on the right cutting inside and getting goals. We need some time to get Alan into the team and see what he brings and Simunovic looks like he slots into the defense without any problems at all.

 

So what about all this pish about how fit we are? I've seen garbage on here about us being one of the fittest in Europe. Didn't look that way to me.

 

We were very fit last season. Didn't look it last night though.

 

Agreed, well said buddy, this is why I used both and trained hard at it. Play a small player team I used man on man, against height and quality I went zonal. Totally correct, knowing your opposition was key, why my assistant (no coaching) was ex Grade 1 ref, ref'd all levels, knew each managers and players strong and weak areas.

Zonal is best, but you need utter focus whole game and 11 players knowing where to be, the point made saying "Zonal gives attacker best run" Not really, zonal done well allows defender to force header, stand firm, jump well, all I ever asked was "Just get in the way". Last season and Lenny's last, didn't we break clean sheet records? Forster then Gordon?

 

We park the bus Vs Barcelona and other top sides, most domestic teams do it to us. Izzy was doing well against probably their best player. Seen both yellows, 2nd one was very harsh, 1st one confusing, red card I watched over and over, Izzy went in fairly.

We have a ton of forward players, all young bar Commons, he must play big games behind striker, scores and assists. On his day would out-score Griffiths as his accuracy in shooting is superb

 

To be fair Molde only lost out to Dinamo Zagreb on the away goals rule in the earlier champions league rounds and with last nights result on top of that there is clearly no weak link in this group. Every game is going to be tough. So certainly getting a point on the road in Amsterdam is a very solid start.

 

totally agree! was thinking this before last night. we got * out of the CL by a Scandinavian team with some to spare imo. I've gone from us or Ajax fighting for 2nd with Molde an outside chance to now thinking this group could go any way. No easy games though.

 

It's a bit early to say if this was a point gained or two lost, and if it hadn't been for Izzyguire's brain fart we would have had three points in the bag, and no doubt about it.

As it stands I am seeing it as a point gained, because I didn't expect us to get anything out of this game, especially coming on the back of the Aberdeen reverse.The plus factor was Simunovic who looked the part alright, the trick will be to find the right partner beside him, who that might be I have no idea off. Still * off with Deila's continuing exclusion of Anthony Stokes from the team, and that will continue to be a source of irritation for me whilst an off form GMS keeps Stokes out of the team.

Kris Commons played exceptionally well and would always be in my team just behind the striker, and I can't wait to see what difference and energy that Scott Allan would bring to our midfield, given an extended run in the team.

 

I thought Boyata did really well last night. Also think Simu could be the leader in the centre of defence we need and that he can help keep Boyata calm and get him settled. Boyata will come good, he's obviously still adjusting.

 

It was * laughable how many were going with us getting battered by 4's and 5's and getting a right good going over. None of that ever looked likely whatsoever..

It's only a baby step but it's a step in the right direction. This place and the feeling amongst plenty, has been painfully depressing of late. If last night gave us just some small glimmers, it was that we are more than a decent side, even at this early stage of introducing new faces and everything gelling. I wouldn't even say individually yet, that our player's are bang at it. I still feel we're carrying some through bad spells, so that for me is another positive sign that when we have our best 11 on the park, fighting and playing for each other, when familiarized, we'll be more than fine..

I'm far more optimistic, one game or not, and I think that optimism and confidence will transpire on and off the park from here on in. That performance and result, was massive for all of the above. We needed it, and although we did it the Celtic way by making it hard for ourselves, we restored credibility..

It's amazing what a game of football can do for your mood and outlook..

 

I'd £2.50 on him to score first 25/1 & £5 on him to score anytime 9/1. BOOM!! Lol

 

So close yet so far

 

I agree. Good post.

I know what we're like though lol. We better not waste this start to the campaign.

 

Finally watched game, couldn't do it yesterday. Referee was woefully inconsistent.

Thought Griffiths' efforts on two decent chances were disappointing. Way the game ended, feel like we dropped points, but I would've bitten your hand off for a point before the match.

Looking at a tight group, hope we can do the business at home.

 

Had €5 on at 40/1 :icon_mrgreen: