Welcome to Celtic Alex Valle

Building something.

Keep him on.

 

Or maybe a look ahead to set up in Europe away from home?

 

Think that was his 3rd assist today? @Morcombe tracks these, he'll know.

But definitely agree that gettign a run in the team has been good, and can see him gaining confidence with every start to show more and more what he can do.

 

Lovely assist, think it's his place to lose atm.

 

Should be 4 assists but it'll be officially 3 cause I doubt he'll get credited with the first goal today, with there being a ricochet before the goal

 

Taylor's distribution is indeed good, but c'mon, he is sometimes even getting bullied in Scotland

Something that also Valle could suffer from but he is still young and maybe will be able to compensate his small stature by his superior technique. You can clearly see the deference between a player that learnt how to treat a ball at La Masia and one that learnt it here.

For me it's pretty open who takes the number one spot at LB atm.

 

For GT, half the time a it’s target man pulling onto him from dead balls in Scotland and he handles the targeting well.

Pretty clear to me its gonna be horses for courses as I see them as very different styles. In a tactical discussion, GT is not gonna be replaced any time soon imo.


The understanding of that role is superb, even if he can’t be what we want technically or physically. Although I think he is very clean technically also.

 

Officially his 3rd today.
1st was the headed assist for the equaliser against Falkirk.
Second was the backheel flick to idah in the 6-0 vs. St johnstone
And then yesterday against motherwell.

 

Cracking assist yesterday, still needs to improve his link up play with Maeda though.

 

Would give Taylor a run out in midweek and keep Valle fresh for sheep.

 

Maeda is suffering from Taylor not being in the side. Has been dreadful in fact. Valle doesn't have the same connection and it shows. Has done well covering for Taylor but will be happy to see Taylor back in and see if it can get Maeda playing a bit better.

 

There's a connection between the two when they play. That left hand side is a big part of the way we play. Surely everyone sees that? I know Taylor has his detractors but his play allows Maeda to be more involved. Some partnerships are better than others and sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Valle doesn't look like that connection is there yet. Maedas body language has been telling for the most part.

 

Those were top players, Maeda and GT aren't at that level and doubt they would ever get to it. I think Taylors influence can often go unnoticed and its coincided with a drop in form for Maeda. I've no problem with Valle coming in and he's done pretty well fitting in. Maeda is possibly is being overplayed but I think BR and the medical team will be on top of his fitness metrics. It could just be he is jaded or a simple dip in form. There is def something amiss.

 

I don't Valle will be dropped. Though as a loan player without an option to buy we are in a tricky situation. Taylor also hasn't signed an extension. But that's a different discussion.

With Maeda being a big part of our pressing it's important to get him back on form. I'm fine with Palma being back in the squad but his drop in form and contributions from when he first came in is remarkable. Brendan bringing him back in is a second chance for him. Seems like it was down to perhaps an attitude more than anything else.

The overall squad is fine. I think everyone was happy with the signings, eventually, and the depth it has given us. Our performance levels have dipped a little but isn't really a concern for me. Every that comes in looks more than capable and nobody is a certainty to start any game now. Which is healthy.

 

Very early days but as things stand i favour valle over taylor. His displays in CL against atalanta and motherwell have got me really excited about what level he can hit, but whatever level that is, I feel confident it will surpass that of taylor!

Valle looks like he operates with more intent and doesn't ponder as much as Taylor does. He also looks more dangerous going forward.

Not going to sugar coat it, I am.pribably one of them that gives taylor a hard time but even when he is having a good run I just never feel like its to the standard we should expect at celtic. He is steady to good lb, with a bit of development I wonder how far valle could go