Elfsborg vs Celtic,Wed 7th August'13 KO 6.45pm (BBC Scotland)

It's astroturf and it suits the fast skillful players, we need one goal to make them panic and a second to kill the game off completely.

 

So you're saying we'll struggle then

 

12 months ago I would've been bricking it for this game but after last seaosn's exploits in Europe I feel relatively confident for tonight. It will be tough, we are playing the Swedish champions but I think one goal will virtually kill the tie.

I hope we keep things tight early on as they will go for the jugular from the start. If we can bed into the game they will start to throw more men forward and then hopefully Sammy, Commons and Forrest can exploit the gaps.

That should be the game plan for tonight in my opinion.

The first goal is always important but I think tonight it is vital. If we get it then the tie should be straight forward from then. If not then it could be a really long night.

 

We have organized so about 100 Swedish celts stand closest to the official away stand, we will sing with you today and support the team.

 

Good to hear!

 

Right I have been thinking a lot about what team I would want to play tonight and think we should go with this:

Forster


Lustig Wilson Mulgrew Izzy

Matthews Brown Ledley Commons

Forrest

Samaras​

With Matthews offering a bit of extra defensive nous down the left but also being a very viable attacking threat. Commons to drift a bit and pick passes and Izzy providing the width on the left. It’s a very quick team going forwad and should be deadly on the counter. The ball needs to be moved quickly forward as I expect us to be under a bit more pressure than we are used to tonight; move the ball quickly to Forrest, Matthews and Samaras who should be under orders to be as direct as possible and run at their defence. In the match last week there defenders showed a tendency to take the man down instead if they were beat, rather than try and recover the ball. We can exploit this down both flanks.

I think Matthews has previously shown an eagerness to get forward and also into the box whenever he has played on the right wing and is quite comfortable either there or right back. It can provide a very good balance between attack and defence. It also gives us the option of long throw in’s from the right flank. This formation would be all about doing things at pace.

To my eye last week we looked much fitter than them, they were flagging by the end… and that was us a week earlier in pre-season we’ve had more training and an extra game by then. We should be feeling much better.

Charlie Mulgrew’s passing at the back is also a deadly option and the fact that they lost 2 goals on the weekend from set pieces he offers us an option either directly taking a free kick or getting onto the end of Commons taking one.

I’m quietly confident but it’s a big game and it’s going to be a tough game. Here’s hoping lads because we need the Champions League. We cannot show any sloppiness.

 

Forster

Lustig Wilson Mulgrew Emilio

Matthews Brown Ledley Commons

Stokes Samaras​

Get an early goal and we can chill

 

Forster
Lustig Wilson Mulgrew Izzy
Matthews Brown Kayal Ledley
Commons
Samaras

That's the team I'd play purely because I feel this is a game where counter attacking will be most important for us, however we must try not to concede too many and defence will probably be slightly more important than attack in this one.
​

 

I'm between this team and Devski's, to be honest. Probably swaying toward the fact that Forrest should start, and they'll likely be fearing that he does which is close to good enough for me.

* * it about tonight, if truth be told.

 

Was very close to going for his team but Forrest's ability to run with the ball at pace and run at players made me go for him in the end up.

 

I'm no great fan of Forrest and I think he hardly ever turns up in the big games, but tonight is surely set up for him. They will have to come out and have a go, so it's set up for counter attacking football. And I like Dev's team because with Matthews at RM over Forrest, we have a better defensive set up on that side also. Forrest can be suspect when tracking back at times. Matthews, Forrest & Samaras are perfect for tonight in my opinion.

 

I'd like to see matthews start in the midfield

 

Can't wait to see Sammy head the ball into the back of the net.

 

This, we are missing out not playing Matthews though Lustig deserves his place in the 1st team.

Forrest has been off the ball, don't want him to start.

 

**prayz** rt if u cri evrytiem

 

Forrest: coch cen I pls plai

Lenny: no james... ur benched


rt if u cri evrytiem

 

I'd go mostly with this, but I can't believe so many are leaving Stokes out of the starting equation?

Forster

Lustig Wilson Mugrew Izaguirre

Matthews Brown Commons Ledley Samaras

Stokes

Stokes is technically the inform striker along with Samaras. Both need to play.
​

 

Stokes showed last Wednesday that a lone striking role does not suit him one bit. Perhaps we will get away with that option in the SPL, but I don't think that is the best option for Europe. He was one of the worst players on the park last Wednesday, mainly because he was up top himself. And i'm fairly confident we will go 4-5-1 tonight.

 

Stokes is the main striker for me but I think this is a game where our main striker is going to be isolated upfront himself. I fon't think that's the role for him, back to the WGS where McDonald was the inform striker on the bench.

I would be happy if he starts though, I've got faith in him.

 

If they played like they did in the last game, Balde should def make an appearance in the scond half, we need big physical players to bowl over there defenders at set pieces