CELTICvFALKIRK TODAY 13/08/05

Hartson? Trees die standing...
Didn't run to much, but he's efficient as *.

 

sorry but hartson and maloney should be starting even hartson beattie but magic better get his finger out or im afraid he will go down the same road as bratbak

 

I didn't say that they shouldn't. Hartson is priceless but imho he wouldn't be so efficient somewhere outside of Scotland/England. Maloney should play instead of Lennon who cannot make a one forward pass. I'm still looking forward to see much better cooperation on a line Nakamura (with Maloney) - Zurawski & Hartson. Naka slept in the first half today.

 

Well bhoys thats us back were we belong (top off league) I think G.S. is playing Zurawski out off position,should leave him on the bench next week i would play Maloney,he knows what its like playing against the huns but if things are not going our way put him on 2 see if he lives up 2 his price,but 4 now hes not scored maybe he will do it against the * huns hope so :*: be scared u huns

 

Torq calm down mate I doubt he was poised to shine in this game, and I doubt he'll shine in the next game or the one after that. My personal opinion is it might even take half a season or so.

Have only seen bits n pieces of todays game so can't really comment on it, but I believe he's had another good (= useful to the team) but goalless peformance?

I think his face on the pitch says a lot, he's not a happy chappy at the moment, and there's a lot of things stacked against him.

The language barrier + settling in Glasgow + getting to know his new team are three that may take some time to resolve, but are only a matter of time.

It seems the service he's getting from midfield is nowhere near Wisla or the NT where he is 100% trusted by his treammates, and he can't be happy after making fruitless runs while the ball is passed in the opposite direction by his teammates. And his confidence not riding high, so I guess he lacks his usual flair and doesn't create much for himself.

There's also somewhat unexpected competition for his spot in the team (in the form of Maloney and Beattie) and - I find it somewhat disturbing - even some Poles are statring to slag him (even though they know full well what a good player he is).

To top it all off, Celtic are out of Europe (and I am sure one reason he wanted to join a foreigh club was to play in the CL) while - ironically - his former team are on the edge of making it to CL...

To make a long story short, it's time for Maciej to grit his teeth - and prevail in his struggle he will. Of all this, the thing that's worrying me the most is that with Hartson on Celtic plays schematic football, and it's a scheme that Magic doesn't fit in well.

I would love to see Maciej partnered with Maloney, but atm Hartson is holding all the aces, so not likely to happen quickly.

It will be interesting to see how Maciej performs in the upcoming NT games.

 

We struggled to created a chance from open play again today. The reason is blatantly obvious. When attacking we always have to go wide as BBJ steps out of play, he only moves on anticipation of a cross. Zurawski is working his socks off running both channels but when he recieves the ball his options are limited due to his highly esteemed partners non-movement. Similarily when Naka breaks from midfield he has to look for a wide player for the same reason. The wide players aren't getting behind the defense and the moves continually break down or backwards and hump a long ball which 90% of the time results in us conseedind posession. A player with pace playing off Zurawski (+ we have plenty) gives us so many more options. We would start to destroy these teams. Pace + skill destroys mediocre teams, physical player brings us closer to their level.

 

Anyone know where to get highlights on the net?

 

IMHO ehhh naw. Lenny holds the team together, and he's linking up well with Naka, * at least i heard his name on the radio, i think they mentioned stan 2 times, hes not himself the now. i would play Zurawski and maloney, give john a rest, but then again the now that could be a crucial mistake cause he's the one scoring. so its a catch 22. Don't drop the captain, he's class! the team have only been playing together for about a month so new things just need tried out. + if its Lenny's play that * u off as a supporter of celtic u should be used 2 it, the calm controlled way pays of instead of kicking the ball 2 f*** knows. (i can get frustrated with the play 2, but he's 2 valuable not 2 have) IMHO.

 

Having watched today's match one more time, and taking into consideration some previous games, i want to state this loudly and clearly:

Hartson should be benched immediately. His lack of movement, technique and anticipation is hurting this team's performance. There's a lot of skilled guys in the team working their * off only to create 10 chances for one barrel-built giant, who makes profit of 1 or 2 of them. No wonder he scores so many when he barely leaves opposing team's area and is a target of every single ball played into the box and also no wonder this team struggles so hard against everyone when it's tactics is so one sided and easy to read. Maloney & Zurawski upfront!

 

Are you HH in disguise ?

 

why don't you tell us where you think he is wrong instead? and why?

 

That's a good one. Great argumentation. Brilliant thoughts. I take your point.

 

I'm only trying to inject a bit of humour mate, if you knew who HH was then maybe you would get it, touchy * eh ?

 

So who is HH? Apparently omitting this info is what caused your attempt to "inject a bit o humor" to fail (at least for some, myself included)

 

if you actually read any of the posts on the forum then you would probably know.

 

I must say this attempt worked much better, it actually made me chuckle.

Have you got anything to say about the morol's post on benching Hartson though?

I think his opinion, a fairly radical one at that, deserves some sensible discussion. I tend to agree with what he wrote, though I believe Hartson should be given a chance to score and later in the game Zurawski brought on for him. Egg., play one half with Hartson, the second half without him - and do it for several games - and it would be interesting if we saw the difference.

 

i really like your point of view vvex
you sound like a true zurawski fan, but with good, realistic opinion

i agree 99% with what u wrote, but i think zurawski goal account will be opened soon (my bet is on game against huns - if zuraw will play of course but it will take longer for him to play what he is expected than that anyway

 

FOR POLISH MEMBERS

Ahem..John Hartson - Does not play attractive football, can hardly run, is fat - say what you want, but the man is scoring. What is a strikers job? TO SCORE!!! I cannot believe some (excuse me) arseholes who are calling for Hartson to be benched...6 goals in the last 4 games I think? What does he need to do to get a little praise? I agree with one of you who says his style only works in Scotland/England, although he is the top goalscorer for Wales, so infact his style does work world-wide. I dont know what your problem is with him, if he keeps scoring then shut up. "the best way to silence fans is to score" - clearly doesn't work with you guys does it? Again Lenny1 mentioned the fact that we lose possesion 90% of the time we play a long ball for Hartson, I agree with that. I think we should change this mentality, but keep Hartson on the pitch!

Magic - The problem with you lot is that you love Zurawski so much that you are starting to say bizarre things, putting the importance of one man ahead of a full team. I understand you have not seen Zurawski play so poorly before, but Hartson is on fire at the moment and Zuraw obviously isn't...we will not remove a man on top form, to try and get another man on top form. How many times will I say this - when the first goal comes for Magic, it'll be the start of a new exciting era. You guys should try meditating, just take deep breathes and relax your mind. You are in denial, saying things like "Zurawski is better than all of Celtics strikers put together", "SPL is worse than Polish league" - maybe thats true, but why does Zurawski make it look as if its far more superior than the Polish league? Once Zurawski settles in he'll be a superstar, I have no doubt about it...right now it must be agreed that he's not doing well, at his own fault.

Lennon - I Cannot be bothered, I've wrote enough already..my hands hurt!! Lets just say he does the "behind the scenes work" off the ball, only true football spectators notice his importance, and players like him are required in every team IMO. Do me a favour, watch him next game and tell me how often he loses the ball ok?

PS. This was not intended to cause any offence.

 

I totally agree Petrov19.

 

mr Petrov, the point about Hartson is simple i.e we would create more chances and ultimately score goals (from whoever) is we had to 2 mobile strikers. Pace and technique destroys SPL defenses, the physical approach brings us closer to their level.