McGreedy?

He's spent most of the last 2 years running back to help Naylor while getting no support in return.

 

totally agree mate, i dont think mcgeady has a footballers brain either. i say that to people i know all the time.

all he can do is dribble. thats it. im sorry but me personally id rather have someone who couldnt beat a man but who actually had an end product.

 

he has always played like this! played against him when he was getting flown down to london for trials with arsenal. all he did that day was go past our team, then double back so he could take the * again! think he just loves to go past people! Now needs to realise that he needs an end product if he wants to be remembered as a celtic great!cos at the moment its just no better time to start then wed

 

What we need to do is give him and the other players a hundred balls each and practice there shooting from outside that box, coz there,s very few players in our squad that can hit a decent shot!!!

Mcgeadys usually go in the stand, not critisizing just something i would get the players to do if i was the gaffer, It could come in handy, we probly will need to score from outside the box against dynamo rangers considering they got a lucky goal on 7 mins then crawled there arses into that shell !!! mega defensive

 

forget the shooting give mcgeady 100 balls & get him to beat his man & cross them in until he learns how to do that 1st then he can work on shooting

 

The numbers show that when Maloney was on the pitch, he contributed at a steady rate. McGeady is the only attacking player that contributed so infrequently. I could write you a standard deviation showing he's well outside the mark of everyone else -- but being that nobody on this board would understand it, that would truly be wasting my time.

Sheridan, Samaras, JVoH -- even reserves like McCourt, and Mizuno -- all had a FAR bigger impact on our offense than McGeady for the time they were out there.
As you can see, everyone is in a pretty tight group, within 70m of eachother. Except McGeady, whose over 100m off from the lowest contributor in that grouping.

Stats aren't everything (ie: I can easily show why Samaras' numbers are inflated), but you'd better have a good reason to be that far off. So far all anyone has come up with so far is "BAWWWW, you must have too much time to waste". I daresay, you've all let Hume down.


<table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 504pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="673"><col style="width: 54pt;" width="72"> <col style="width: 53pt;" width="71"> <col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 74pt;" width="99"> <col style="width: 84pt;" width="112"> <col style="width: 101pt;" width="135"> <col style="width: 90pt;" width="120"> <tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 54pt;" height="17" width="72">
</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 53pt;" width="71">minutes</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">goals</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 74pt;" width="99">assists</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 84pt;" width="112">mins per goal</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 101pt;" width="135">mins per assist</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 90pt;" width="120">mins per involvement</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">McCourt</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=6+29+11+8">54</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">1</td> <td class="xl24" x:err="#DIV/0!">NA</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">54</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">54</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Samaras</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=1140+60+90+90+74+20+82+67+11+47+52+15+28+90+21+78+16+120+18+15+90+16+14+76+62+46">2438</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">17</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=3">3</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">143</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">812</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">121</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">McDonald</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=1182+90+90+90+90+90+8+90+90+120+87+90+90+69+90+90+120+90+71+90+90+90+90+90+90+90+69">3436</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">18</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">7</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">190</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">490</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">137</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Naka</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=1058+90+90+83+90+90+90+90+120+64+90+90+90+90+90+120+61+70+82+34+90+90+90+85+90+90">3217</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">9</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">13</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">357</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">247</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">146</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Sheridan</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=614+1+3">618</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">4</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">154</td> <td class="xl24" x:err="#DIV/0!">NA</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">154</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Venegoor</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=484+1+16+70+23+79+73+38+75+62+63+77+90+1+75+19+74+90+90+90+76+14+28+44">1752</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">6</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">4</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">292</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">438</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">175</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Maloney</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=1853+30+90+61+1+1+62+22+21">2141</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">6</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">5</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">356</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">428</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">194</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Mizuno</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=12+90+62+7+20+2+8+5">206</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">1</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">206</td> <td class="xl24" x:err="#DIV/0!">NA</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">206</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl25" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">McGeady</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="" x:fmla="=1515+90+90+76+90+90+75+90+28+27+90+90+90+120+90+79+88+82+85+90+28+90+90+90">3373</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">7</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">4</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">481</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">843</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="">306</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

 

You're putting too much trust into your stats, variables like opposition, players missing sitters and keepers making great saves aren't accounted for. And also the fact that Nakamura and Maloney took corners and free kicks (although to be fair I don't remember Maloney scoring from one last season).

Also don't forget that the stats paint a very different picture in the 2007-08 season. I don't have the figures for minutes played, but McGeady got over double the assists of anyone in the squad, contributing 19 with McDonald and JVOH both contributing 9. He was also the highest scoring midfielder with 8 goals to Naka's 7.

For me a poor year last season (although not as poor as many make out) doesn't change my opinion that he is our best player. As others have said, the danger he poses to teams is reflected by the attention he recieves from oppostion defences, who without exception double up on him on every possible occassion. I'd say he's technically our second best player (behind Crosas) and although he admittedly stagnated last year he's still only 23 with his best years ahead of him. If we're talking about where players should be by this point in their career then look at Shaun Maloney who is 26 and has done absolutely * all since Strachan's first year.

He's got a great long ball on him, he's very quick, he has good stamina and upper body strength, his dribbling, touch and trickery is sublime (qualities like these are why we love football in the first place) and he's the only outlet of any quality in our whole squad which is vital in against top opposition (see his performances in both Benfica games of the 07-08 season). He also has excellent work rate and determination to keep playing when things are going against him, qualities rare in a winger.

His play can be very erractic but don't let the (admittedly numerous) * crosses and shots fool you into thinking he doesn't have these attributes in his locker. Anyone with a memory of the 07-08 season will remember the countless inch perfect balls he put in and although there's still plenty of improvement to be made in his shooting (he often seems to get a poor connection) he's still scored a fair few great goals from distance is not as bad at it as many make out.

And Hume is an empiricist *.

 

I'm putting too much trust in the numbers, eh?
That's odd... because half the people in this forum already think McGeady is little more than a showboat with no end product. It's been said a million times over. The numbers just confirm what so many people already think of him.

Some other notes:
- There's a reason McGeady doesn't take corners or FKs. Even with Naka gone... that's not going to change. Naka and Maloney take FKs and corners because they can actually cross a decent ball. It's McGeadys' fault he can't cross or shoot for * -- and the very reason he doesn't take corners or FKs.

- He *SHOULD* be our best player. He's our most talented -- bar non. But the fact is that he's the weakest link until he grows up and comes up with an end product.

- Maloney provided as much to the team last year as McGeady, in a fraction of the minutes Aiden had. Downplaying Maloney only makes McGeady look that much worse.

- He's had 1 single good season at Celtic. The rest have been just like last year. He's regressed. Until he has an end product, that's how it is. I don't see anybody around here clamoring for Sammy to start every game because he lit the SPL on fire for a limited time. Same rule goes for Aiden.
Players are only as good as their current form.

 

McGeady's form slumped as most players did after being shackled under Strachan, he constanstly had to help out Naylor and never got much support in attack. Teams made it harder by doubling up on him.

Give him a chance to build with Hinkel on the right or Fox on the left then judge him under Mowbray.

Skippy JVH both scored reduced totals last season, Sammy couldnt hit a barn door for 3 months, Naylor continually got played whenever fit despite looking like a nervous wreck on the ball, Browns passing shooting and general awareness need improving and he cost over 4m. Lay off Aiden give him a chance under Mowbray.

 

I don't think Shaun Maloney gets enough credit for what he brings to the team! Look at when he came back last year before he got injured! He was on fire! In his first game back, he comes on after 30 mins, set samaras up twice and put in a man of the match performance! He was performing consistantly well up until his hamsting went in december! He has been our best player so far this season in pre season and was our best player along with Nguemo last week against moscow! People forget about the amount of assists he provides like for Fortune last week when he missed a sitter! Statistics only show up when its lead to a goal and not a sitter! We would miss Maloney if he was'nt in the team!

 

I like the stats (What site are they from?) The problem with stats is they really don't tell you everything as there are to many variables that are not covered by them. As someone else said for every person who thinks that Mcgeady is pish you'll find someone who disagrees which is just as well as it wouldn't provoke a forum or debate!
As i said now is the make or break season for Aiden, the shackles are off under Mowbray and i hope he can respond! (Starting Wednesday)

 

I think the stats might be a light unfair on McGeady - although they do highlight how (like Scott Brown) he needs to significantly increase his end product.

I think that the wing/forward position could be described as the most "impact" position of all. Unlike Mizuno, Maloney and McCourt; McGeady played pretty much the entire season while also playing in the majority of cases the full 90 minutes. So while Mizuno and McCourt could impact games late (and meanwhile on "form"), McGeady was a regular including his off-form days which surely impacted on his average "action per minute" or whatever you're calling it.

Also I think his assists take a battering because he was simply played on the wrong-side to create. What we haven't seen is him being consistently played on his favoured right foot - getting to the by-line and providing crosses. Last season he was doing this on his unfavoured left, which would again surely impact his productivity. O.K. so he was encouraged to cut in on to shoot on his right, but the first thing opposition managers would say before any game is a) double mark McGeady, and b) give him the rough treatment.

So in my eyes there are numerous reasons why his minute per action isn't as high as the other impact subs.

Finally, there are some clear points to be made - he can do it at the highest level. He is proven to be our best player at beating his man one on one. He is our most experienced (for celtic) winger. I say let him go wild either behind the strikers or on his favoured right and the stats will improve.

P.s.

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics"...

 

I'd also like to add I rate Maloney equally with McGeady, in fact perhaps better. But all this talk of replacing McGeady with Mizuno or McCourt is just nonsense. The best 2 wingers we could hope for for years could be the McGeady/Maloney combo.

 

McGeady isn't good e nough to play behind the strikers, he has zero end ball and cant shoot to save his life! He has had his poorest few games for Celtic and he has been playing on the RIGHT had side!! You say he is our best player at beating his man one on one and i cant argue with that but there is no point in beating your man if you cant provide chances for the strikers!!! No final ball!

 

Apart from the friendlies (which for this argument shouldn't really count), he's only had the one game on the right - Moscow. Where he was one of our most productive players (only Maloney was better). That combo was a roaring success on Wednesday, if only Fortune could have put his chances away and McDonald provided any option up front.

 

I prefer McGeady on the left because I like him cutting in onto his right foot given that he can't cross a ball there is no point in him hitting the byline, but then I think Maloney is more dangerous when he cut's in on his right foot, he tends to have a killer pass more often than not! I'd love to see Maloney in behind the strikers, think about the amount of FK's we would win in and around the box with his quick feet!

We could have and should have won 3-1 last week with Fortune's 2 misses and Sammy's header! Lets just hope the bhoys can pull it off tomorrow! Hail Hail

 

True Just saying that McGeadys crossing is perceived to be poor because he's been using his unpreffered left for donkeys. Get him to the by-line and get him on his right and you'll see much improvement! This actually created one of Fortunes gilt-edged opportunities.

 

I'm mostly comparing McGeady to others who played significant 90m games... primarily Maloney and Naka, and then McDonald, Samaras, and JVoH.
I included the reserves in there just to show how even players like Sheridan, who everyone agrees is *, fit right into the tight statistics group that you'd expect McGeady to be in.

As for being played in the wrong position -- goes for Maloney and Naka as well. Maloney was played all over the place last year, wherever we needed him at the moment. Naka is no more a RM than McGeady is a LM and has the same issues crossing with his left foot from the right side. I could also say the same thing about Naka being doubled up and kicked about. In the end, Maloney and Naka still contributed at a solid rate, McGeady did not.

I hope you're right that he turns it around -- that is the preferred solution, but I seriously doubt it.

PS The statistics only prove what we already know: McGeady has no end product.