Naka

in Scotland we are very good at the contact part and not alot else, hence the state of the game

 

I actually texted my mate during the game to say he looked disinterested and lazy but he is still a great wee player when he pulls on the hoops!

 

To be honest im a lover of those who get stuck in, theres not much better than seeing a player from youre team make a cracking challenge and coming out on top, Bobo used to do it great (when he won the ball!)..

IMO, this is where footballs going wrong these days, ponces prancing about diving everywhere everytime they get touched its not on.. Naka does need to make more challenges, its part of football. The day its not a part of football will be the day I stop following it, I dont have much time for non-contact sports.

 

Having vision, skill and technical ability is different from "pounces diving about"
Who would you prefer to watch every week - Arsenal for vision and skill or Birmingham where tackles are plentiful?

 

Thats inaccurate because Arsenal have many players who can and will get stuck in, Cole, Toure, Cambell, Lauren & Gilberto all do this.. Im saying we need a balance with a few attacking players with flair i.e. Naka and a few defensive players who are willing to get stuck in i.e. Jarosik & Lenny.

 

i would agree with the fact that the balance needs to be right. I just take exception to the mentality of a technically gifted player is a "luxury" and needs to be fitted in.

 

But having vision, skill and technical ability is not enough, it has to be married with physical strength, athleticism and desire. Every single one of Arsenal's team have more of the above than Naka. This is a debate about whether Naka lacks these elements not about idealistic football. I cannot think of one player with who struggles with the physical side of the game more than Naka but can think of several who have his technique.

 

Although in saying this Naka has the time to work on his physical strength and this is something which can be built.. However often technique and skill takes years to master, get Naka in the gym over the summer and our problems will be solved.

 

I don't think anyone is suggesting that. One who struggles/shows no interest in the physical side of the game is a luxury because he won't tackle or track back or contest headers/50-50s whereas the entire Arsenal midfield will.

 

It is not solely his physique, its his attitude towards that side of things.

 

Considering the amount of goals and goal assists Naka had last season I would suggest he did not struggle but was hugely influenual in us winning the SPL. Not bad for a fairy!
I would also suggest you are pre occupied by the physical side of the game. we have plenty in our our side who can compensate for Nakas over exaggerated short comings in this department, whilst he compensated for their technical short comings - balance

 

Petrov was on form for about half the season and he score and assited more goals than Naka

 

did he? How many more assists?

So you think Naka wasnt influential but struggledd?

 

As i said, it is the genuine competitive games that concern me. How well do you think he did against Hearts? You constantly lambast Lennons performances against them. How well did he do in the World Cup? I'm afraid that making a full of Garry Hay of Kilmarnock is not the yardstick...

 

The central midfield position is the cataylst to how the team performs in tight games. In doesnt matter so much when teams come to CP to shut up shop. If they are dominated it adversely effects the amount of possession we have, also importantly, it effects the position of the players when we get possession.
Therefore in games were the central midfield is dominated it is harder for our creative players to have an influence as they tend to get the ball in our own half with limited opinions ahead of them.

 

I noticed that some people like joehill cant understand that we are in difficult period now, we cant afford 6m players like a few years back(its also the reason we are in this situation now) and we are downsizing a bit. I think we should focus on our players strenghts rather than weaknesses bacause we could moan all day. Lets be realistic our budged comparing to other CL teams is a joke so lets not expect wonders in Europe, I think third place is realistic, anything else will be a bonus. You are slagging off our biggest signings last season: Naka and Zurawski who you like it or not were vey important players for Celtic last season and with them in our team we hammered whole SPL. I agree Naka is not Ronaldinho but he is cracking wee player and a joy to watch, every player has weaknesses and bad games and I can live with that. If you cant accept Celtic players and our current difficult situation you can go and support Chelsea, they will have great CL run.

 

Ha ha, that is a load of rambling nonsense. In tight games you NEED your so called creative players to prove to be the difference. Furthermore, our midfield should not be getting dominated, if it is being dominated then you must replace the least effective members.

 

Listen, as a fan i have the right to question peoples attitude as in effect i contribute toward their wages. As for our budget being a joke compared to our CL rivals, at no point have i said that i expect to out perform the top clubs either. If i was a Chelsea fan i'm sure i'd find things to complain about.

 

Yes Im sure you would .

 

Neil lennon

Your understanding of player positioning is top notch!