FC Sion v Celtic: 25/08/11

I think we need a natural left footer at left back. Our game seems to be rely on quick overlapping on the wings as much as possible.

We break down everytime there's a right footer at left back. McCourt can cut in to make room for Ledley bombing up the wing.

And I think it's that with both of the formations. The 3 in the middle with Forrest and McCourt running the wings or else Stooper up front with Brown and McCourt on the wings.

Harsh on Forrest but I don't think this is the type of situation that we can rely on a young lad to be the most creative player there.

 

Right no Mulgrew



-----------------------Forster

Matthews---Majstorovic-------Wilson------Wilson


Brown---------Kayal-----Ki-----Ledley---McCourt


----------------------Samaras



(If Kayal is out)


Same back 4


-------------------Wanyama


Brown------------Ki-------Ledley-----------McCourt


-------------------Samaras


Subs:

Forrest
Stokes
Hooper
Cha
Hooiveld
Zaluska
Commons


Could possibly play Stokes and Hooper upfront, but I think We should load the midfield to play it safe.

 

just heard mulgrew is out for sion; unbelievably bad luck guess ledley will have to play lb because wilson there simply does not work

my team would now be

forster
wilson
wilson (k)
dan
ledley
brown
ki
kayal
commons
hooper
stokes

if kayal, kelvin and hooper are fit though

 

-----Forster----

Ledley--Wilson--Maj--M.Wilson

Brown--Ki-Kayal--Commons
------Maloney-----
----Samaras-------

Maloney runs off Samaras knock downs....

 

Based on our last two performances I really can't see anything other than a defeat in Switzerland.

If Neil Lennon turns to Samaras again I think I'll simply give up, I'll not even attempt to watch or listen to the game.

If we do go out I can really see Desmond and Lawwell coming under severe pressure from a large section of the Celtic supporters. I mean what the * are they doing with our season ticket money, probably giving themselves nice dividends I guess.

 

From this article it looks unlikely we will play one up front. Hoping that Hooper is fit too, but I wouldn't be surprised if SAmmy and Stokes started up front together.

For me I'd like to see Commons dropped and Forrest brought in.

Misses kill Celtic but Georgios Samaras strike gives Neil Lennon hope Swiss tie can be revived...

Celtic have not endured three games in a row without scoring since March 2007, when they failed to find the net against AC Milan, Rangers, then Falkirk.
Neil Lennon is confident that damaging drought will not be equalled in Switzerland on Thursday. If it is, the best Celtic could hope for would be extra-time against Sion.
And with a dreadful strike rate at spot-kicks continuing to be their Achilles’ heel, the Hoops better hope this Europa League play-off tie doesn’t go down to a penalty shoot-out.
Lennon, although perturbed and frustrated by his side’s sudden profligacy, remains convinced there are goals in his team.
Given how much is riding on this tie, he can’t afford to be wrong. Not even when reminded of the albatross around his neck – Celtic’s away record in Europe – does the manager’s faith waver.
Sure, they lost in Braga and Utrecht in his first forays on foreign fields as manager, to add to the litany of poor results on the road built up by his predecessors.
But Lennon prefers to recall the night two years ago when Celtic went to Moscow to play a Dinamo side who had already won 1-0 at Parkhead, and turned the tie – and the stats – on their head with a 2-0 win.
“Nobody expected us to go there and win, and I will take, if not quite comfort, at least some positivity from that result,” said Lennon as he prepared to fly out to Switzerland tomorrow.
The hero of the night in Russia was Georgios Samaras, and he has carved a niche for himself as a away-day, go-to-striker for Lennon.
But with the tie balanced as it is in favour of Sion, and given Samaras’ indifferent performance in the first leg, the lone-striker tactic may have to be abandoned on this occasion. Lennon wants to go in with his big guns blazing, and said: “Hopefully Gary Hooper will be back. He’s our main goal- scorer, and he and Stokes are a good partnership which can get goals.
“Samaras didn’t play on Sunday, so he’ll be fresh and has scored away in Europe before (in Tel Aviv as well as Moscow two years ago).
“Ki is likely to knock in a goal and Kris Commons can score, too. So, there are goals in the team. We’re just not seeing that at the minute.”
And there’s the rub. The performances in the last two games have been in stark contrast to the goal-fest in the previous match, against Dundee United – when five different players scored.
Lennon has let his annoyance be known, both in the dressing room and the press room. He simply will not tolerate the inconsistency which has afflicted them at this early but crucial stage of the season.
The blame is not laid at the door of any individual or department of the side. It is addressed to all, including the manager himself.
“I have to take responsibility as well, and I will,” explained Lennon as he reflected on a troubling few days at the club.
“I’m not excluded from criticism, and if it comes my way, that’s fine. But the players have to play better and handle the pressure better.
“They can’t be wasteful in front of goal as they were against St Johnstone. If you miss so many chances and concede at the other, then you are going to lose games.”
It’s a simple equation, and one which has an even simpler solution – rediscover the cutting edge, and put opponents to the sword.
The thousands who filed into Celtic Park expecting to see just such an execution in the games against Sion and St Johnstone let their disappointment be known.
This, in turn, increased the anxiety shown by the players.
So, could the fact this tie will be played away from home with no more than 600 Celtic fans present work to their advantage?
Lennon quickly answered: “After Sunday, they don’t need any more motivation to put things right. They just let that game get away from them, and that’s the most disappointing thing.
“They lacked bit of leadership, though I’m not pointing the finger at Scott Brown. The discipline went, and they panicked. It was probably not as bad as Ross County, but it was close to it.”
Dealing with the peculiar pressures that accompany the nice wage offered by Celtic has always been the challenge.
The manager is happy to advise his players on how to escape the criticism. “Win games, play strongly and get back to what we are good at,” he said in a tone which indicated this a demand, not an option.
Lennon knows how quickly things can change. The 10 days since the Dundee United demolition have confirmed this.
An early goal would go a long way towards ridding the players of their debilitating anxiety attacks in front of goal, and restore much-needed confidence.
The manager said: “Our mentality has to be better and we have to find a way of scoring a goal. Hopefully, some of our missing personnel will be back. It shows when they are out, though it shouldn’t, really.
“But you can see just how important these players are to the way we want to play. It’s still no excuse, however. We still had enough quality players out there on Saturday to win and we certainly had enough chances.”
Taking even one might be enough to see Celtic safely through in Sion. With so much at stake, it is a night for strong personalities, and Lennon remains confident he has them in his ranks.
“I’ve seen it from this team many, many times. Generally, there is a good mentality. I did not see it on Sunday, and that was the disappointing thing. We can’t afford to have too many more days like that if we’re going to be successful,” he said.
Certainly not on Thursday, if another early Euro exit is to be avoided.

 

I agree with the folks saying Ledley for LB,if Hooper,Kayal and Wilson fit id play...

foster
Mathews M.Wilson K.wilson Ledley
Brown Ki Kayal McCourt
Stokes Hooper

 

Is this game on the telly at all?

 

Premier Sports its' on. I'm sure you'll get a link no problem.

 

cha the wilsons ledley

brown kayal ki forrest

commons
stokes.

 

McCourt over commons anyday in this tie, commons has been pish so far this season

 

I think we should just go for it Hoops is fit. Keep them on the back foot. With Hoops movement off the ball he will create space, thats why we need a natural wide player to get in behind them. If we got out at least we go out trying not the usual "What if ?" scenario

Forster
M.Wilson Danny Kelvin Ledley
Brown Kayal Ki-Sung McCourt
Stokes Hooper

​

 

ledley at left back? do you remember utrecht?

 

it is a last resort.

 

Forster

Cha Majstorovic K.Wilson Matthews

Brown Kayal Ledley McCourt

Hooper Stokes


If Hooper's out Forrest left wing and McCourt behind a striker. Not sure whether that must be Stokes or Samaras

 

Im hoping Sunday was the kick in the * we needed before this game.We need and deserve a reaction from the players.If we do then i think we could stroll this 3-0 if not we'll be lucky to scrape a score draw

 

Forster
Wilson Wanyama K.Wilson Matthews
Brown Ki Kayal Ledley Commons
Samaras​

Big Maj will get showed up if played, the guys a bomb scare.

 

The formation and team, for me at least, relies on Gary Hooper's fitness.

If he is fit, we go two up. If he's not, we play 1 up and two wingers.

 

well after that * up on sunday i gotta say its out my system now and im looking forward to thursday , maybe a kick up the * is what the team needed

My team if the injurys are all out,

...................Forster............................
CHA... Majstorovic.... Wanyama....Wilson

Forrest....Brown......Ki........Commons
.................MCcourt................................

................Samaras.................................

 

Zaluska
Cha Vic Kelv Wilson/Matthews
Brown Ki Kayal Ledley
Stokes Hooper