[Matchday] Celtic V The Huns, Sunday 29th December, KO 12:30, Sky Sports football

Not one of their midfield players are physically imposing which is surprising given how they out battled us in there two games in a row.

Basically tells us that they wanted it more than us.

Can’t happen again.

 

That’s me just home.

What did it finish?

 

Was called off mate..

The queen died..

 

They dropped morelos for that game and played Flannagan, a right back and a * one at that, at left back in place of Barasic.
You have stated that Lennon got it right, but if anything from the other recent games vs them, it shows that the case was more that Gerrard got it wrong.

Your entitled to your opinion, but theres been four games surrounding that game that suggest that Lennon still hasnt worked out the solution to their press.

edit: i got that wrong. Three games.

 

The game we won at Ibrox our tactics were completely different from the other three games. What the huns did might have had some bearing on the games but why play completely different tactics for the next 2 games after you've won a game with an aggressive pressing game. The game at Ibrox is the only one we've put serious pressure on their defence/keeper when they're in possession and their defenders are the weakest part of their team - not pressing them and forcing mistakes is criminal. We retreated to the halfway line and stood off them in the other 3 games and the game at Ibrox under BR.

 

They did have a far superior team in the cup final and on Sunday than the game at Ibrox.

We never dominated the at Ibrox either..we smothered them.

They were unlucky not to get something in our 2-1 victory at Celtic park last year too..that is when you could see they meant business.

I'm not sure NL will get this right against them, that's 4 games he's had and never been that convincing even though he's had two wins.

Next game against them is massive.

 

Massive is the word, but equally before we get to that we have to start scoring from the numerous chances we create, and get out of the rut we are in with 1 goal wins against much weaker opposition. Resumption of the season sees the huns with 4 home games while we have 4 away ties, not the best scenario following our capitaulation at CP last week.

 

Correct me if im wrong, but what you are trying to say is that, not only did NL change a winning formula from the ome that won at Ibrox, but that in 180 minutes of dire football vs them that he hasnt thought to revert back to said tactics?

 

Every game is now massive,not just at the shitpit

 

Exactly. And I have been a fan of NL, wanted him to get the job and stuck up for him when we got the few bad results earlier in the season so I'm not usually a Lennon critic.

 

The fullgame is on youtube for those who can bear to watch.

First twenty minutes we were abysmal on the ball, panicked and couldnt string more than a couple of passes together. Our forward passing was shockingly bad.

With three up top, Christie played too advanced probably trying to occupy the hole when we needed to extra option in the middle of the park. Even on the ball, mcgregor seemed to play infront of Brown, instead of alongside him and as a result we rarely played straight to mcgregor from defence. Mcgregor, for me has to offer so much more than what he did in terms of making himself available and overall play. Totally out of sorts.

Too slow to close down in wide areas.

Throughout the first half, when we won the ball we often gave it straight back or kicked it out of play, putting pressure on ourselves.

Marking on kent criminal for the goal. Ajer distracted by the run of Aribo who wasnt followed, Kent left unmarked and Brown and Julien (who did excellent job on Morelos imo) not marking anyone. Frimpong also needs to be getting closer and showing Barasic down the line as he has him for pace. Allowed him time to pick his pass.

Our advanced players seemed to isolate themselves and i think the movement was particularly poor. It seemed like our defence passed to the first midfielder
(Mostly Brown) and then couldnt find the next man further forward.

for both corners at the time of the goal, our marking is terrible. Julien and Ajer twice allowed Katic and Goldson freedom
to run and there looked to be confusion as to whose man Katic was (looked Juliens initially, picked up by Ajer who simply failed to make any kind of challenge. Unforgivable. need to get tighter and more physical on them.

Edouard for the most part uninvolved and watched closely by Katic and Goldson who didnt have to worry about too much else.

we seemed to look brighter wen Bitton came on and we went 3 at the back because the added width for Frimpong and Boli stretched their midfield more and opened up space. I think had we started 3-5-2 We would have won. It was the right call that came far too late. Should have, would have, could have, i know.


Ratings for me

Forster 6
Frimpong 6
Boli - 6. actually did okay and seems to be a scapegoat for me.
Didnt do a lot wrong and there certainly were worse.
Ajer 5
Julien 5 - dealt well with morelos but poor marking at katic goal. Better than Ajer for me tho.
Brown 6
Mcgregor 4/5 - didnt want the ball enough, especially when his back was to their goal. I thought he was really poor throughout imo. Other than the shot for the goal.
Johnston 5
Forrest 4. Terrible use of the ball. Worst performer for us on the day.
Christie 4/5 struggled to get anything going.
Edouard 5 - isolated out of the game for large parts.

Ntcham looked bright when he came on. Wanted to get on the ball and offered support in attack.
Bitton made assured passes.
Griffiths has hardly been involved. Surprises me that people expected too much. Off the pace and isnt conditioned to such a game.

 

Imagine coming away with this after we'd just been beat..

 

Ridiculous that someone thought we'd beat them by that score..

 

Aye I know mate we'd only gone and beat them at their own dump 2 nil going on 4 earlier in the season with the beast keeping it respectable..

Silly score predictors..

 

Really...we only had two shots on goal that day...
However...we matched them physically.. we won

 

We had 2 shots at goal by Jonny in injury time alone..

More lies..

 

One led to the goal ...we didn't have many attempts that day ..but yeh...it was a good performance.

 

So we had more than 2 shots on goal..

Cool. We got there in the end..

 

3 then...if that makes you happy... because one led to the goal I kinda by passed it.

 

I think I'm finally over it. up the ra