Biton, Johansen & Griffiths.

Oh yes, similar to Deigan, his intelligence and tactical awareness is often lacking.

 

Browns sloppy play I think stems from him always playing near the point of exhaustion, he never stops running so isnt the most composed of players. But his touch and ability to turn or beat a player is good and passing good mostly but there is sloppy ones a lot due to as I was saying the too much running about.

I was watching recent highlights and noticed there was 4/5 games in a row recently he had good attempts at goal. I usually slag him for not shooting enough.

Start of this video

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIMckLcBnVI"]Rampant Hoops canter to victory over Killie - YouTube[/ame]

2:36 into this video

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O90FRIdXqyU"]Ruthless Celts bulldoze Hibs at Easter Road - YouTube[/ame]

Start of this video

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9heo-SZOApM"]Stokes scores hat-trick as Celts keep clean sheet again - YouTube[/ame]

7:49 into this video

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7-1DNnCpVk"]Watch extended highlights as Celts march towards title - YouTube[/ame]

 

4:07 into this one as well

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKrMk6qgkdU"]Watch extended highlights as Celts blitz Buddies - YouTube[/ame]

5 of the last 7 League games he's went close to scoring.

4 of the 5 shots with his left-foot too, although that seems to be his best foot for shooting. His 3 best goals have all been left-footed shots, the curler at Ibrox, the almost replica of that against St Mirren and the one he scored a few seasons ago where Donati done the backheel against Gretna.

 

I don't agree. Like all players he can make the wrong decisions sometimes and I acknowledge that I haven't been to a game since 2001, long before Brown's days (and some things are so much clearer when you're there in person so it's entirely possible that I'm talking nonsense); yet what you describe is not what I see on my computer screen and I know I find myself getting frustrated because we're sitting too deep, or worried because we're leaving ourselves exposed at the back, etc, etc far less often when Brown plays.

Brown plays a captain's role and his positioning and passes are not just about his own role in attack and defence, but also about organising the team as a whole: how much should we press, how much should we sit back, are we starting to get a bit unbalanced down one flank etc, etc, etc.

The cognitive load must be enormous; but good teams need to be able to react and reorganise in real time on the pitch, without always waiting for the coaching staff to reorganise things (positioning, personnel etc).

 

I think there's a difference between tactical awareness and decision making. My point was more in line with the decision making (he usually knows what to do but will do something baffling at times) - whether it's because of exhaustion or whatever, he often has the right idea but will then misplace a pass or something. Just the momentary lapse in judgement. He has flaws - if he didn't then he wouldn't be here. It's about identifying them and nullifying them with those who play around him. Constructing a good side for Celtic, with our budget, is like a jigsaw. If we paper over our faults (which I think has been done with players like Sammy or Brown) then we don't offer the right platform for these guys to succeed. We saw it immediately with Johansen - trouble playing in a two-man midfield. We've seen it with Efe - he needs a guy like van Dijk beside him. We've seen it with Stokes - he needs somebody to work off of. Brown is like any of them, and to bring these things up isn't bashing him or making him a scapegoat, it's just thinking of ways which we can make the whole more than the sum of the parts. The three-man midfield does that and I think that Brown will adjust well.

 

Brown's time is up. Thanks for the service Broony, but you've outstayed your welcome. Time to punt him.

Really liking the look of Biton lately, think we could be onto a class player there. Pleased with how Johanssen has started as well. Better options imo. I'll forever remember Brown for the Broony vs Diouf, but his time is up.

 

Brown has just generally been off form too, he started the season brilliant too and was great all the way up until he got sent off against Barcelona, since then he's not been playing as well although not been that bad either.

 

I'm just in from work and i'm probably playing catch up with the days goings on but that statement actually gave me a hernea.

 

You can't expect any more from an Earsling.

 

Fishing or not, A totally unacceptable comment about our captain.

 

It's hard to disagree with this but IMO comparisons with Sammy are a little unfair on Brown in this regard. Every year Brown improves his game that little bit more, irons out a few more flaws (I've said it before: he must be one of the hardest trainers). I love Sammy and he has many beautiful qualities; but let's be honest, year on year improvement isn't one of them- he is what he is.

 

I shudder to think of a team with no Brown but Samaras every week ya mad man.

 

I think it is time Brown leaves as well, we are entering a new era at Celtic, a new system is being developed it seems and the players coming in all have a certain something about them whilst players like Brown and Samaras are older players who from my point of view should be moving on to accommodate the new system.

 

What the * is all this * about Brown? Fickle * around here, always needing a target.

 

I think you are being a bit harsh there. Scott Brown has been outshone by the likes of Biton and Johansen in recent weeks.

 

It's not about "needing a target".

Brown is a good player but other than his drive there isn't a whole lot to his game. Aye he can beat a man sometimes and has pace, but his scoring record from midfield is dire and he isn't great defensively.

If we want to progress as a team and play better football - something a lot of us have been wanting for a long team - then players like Brown need to be weeded out of the team. Biton and Johansen are better on the ball, they keep possession well. They are better footballers than Brown.

 

I agree. Possibly one of our poorer players in the past few games.

Why on earth would that mean that people should call for him to leave the club? He had a fantastic start to the season and he will get there again.

Pretty sure he was taken off with a knock a couple of games ago which may be contributing to his performance levels.

But why should that mean that we turn on our captain and ship him out of the club. When he isn't in the team and things don't go so well everyone calls for him to be back in.

Just seems like an absolute knee * reaction that strangely coincides with no Samaras or any other regular scapegoat.

 

Hadn't seen much of Johansen prior to his signing but been very impressed with his displays. Looking like a quality signing already.

 

There is a lot of knee * merchants on this forum. Trust me if we lose to Aberdeen on Tuesday we will see the potential Neil Lennon replacement thread being bumped by the usual suspects.

 

I wouldn't sell him, of course not. It's not turning on him, it's progressing as a team.

Really don't understand the big deal. He doesn't add a lot to the team outwith his drive and passion.