Put simply it was a poor game that suffered from a real lack of excitement and any regular goal mouth action. We started with a front two of Samaras and Stokes. Lets hope this is the last time we ever see such a partnership. Samaras must be the most annoying and inconsistent player I've even seen in a Celtic strip and how he got a new contract is beyond me. Why Stokes was also instructed to play out wide is a mystery that only Lennon can answer. On the occasions that the Greek tragedy did manage to flick the ball on there was no one there to collect it. In fact, the whole team was disjointed. Chances were at a premium throughout the game but on the rare occasions where we did get through their defence our shooting was awful. Kris Commons needs to recover his form because some of his kicking wouldn't have looked out of place at Murrayfield. Overall, 0-0 is not a disaster. We didn't lose an away goal and we travel to Switzerland with (fingers crossed) Kelvin Wilson and Gary Hooper both fit. They will have to open up if they want to score and if we can snatch an away goal I think we can see out the game. Lose an early goal though and we could be out of Europe before the competition starts properly again. Last night was a bad night for Scottish football. Let's hope we can restore some pride in the 2nd leg.
It was a very poor display from Celtic. Passing and movement were frustrating to watch - it looked like they were nervous for a large part of the game. They were also extremely poor at pressing the ball and stood off the Sion players far too much - Beram Kayal and Gary Hooper were badly missed. Playing Anthony Stokes on the wings seemed an utter waste of a player who was probably the only one who could have scored last night although such chances seemed practically non-existent. Kris Commons looks far from fit and why he is allowed to step onto a pitch carrying what looks like up to a couple of stone overweight is beyond me. In saying all of that, however, Sion were very well organized defensively and would have been difficult for any team to break down. All-in-ail, a frustrating night but as you say, not a disaster - though I think we have our work cut out in the away leg for sure.
We do need to bear in mind that it wasn't a disaster - 0-0 at home is better than a score draw. I can't believe I'm saying this but we might also end up being VERY thankful to Forster - the save from the free kick with about 15 mins left could be important. The same team we put out last night with Izzy, Kayal and Hooper would've destroyed that mob - this is the most worrying aspect - a couple of key players down and we looked pretty toothless
I think Lennon got that one all wrong, we need a ****ing striker bad and what the **** was he doing with Ki last night stupid place to play him?
We need a striker We need a central defender. We need leaders (I'm talking board level) who will not balk at spending (or risking) two to four million plus wages for players who will make the difference (cf Glasgow Rangers- Jelavic). Last night highlighted Celtics inadequacies and the board are simply not equipped or capable of serving the needs of this passionate support that Celtic has. We are not out yet but I believe that the lights have gone out in the board room ( about two minutes after the Porto game actually).
Welcome to not606 oztim. You're right to an extent about the Board. Although times are financially difficult in Scottish football I think we have been guilty of not spending at the right times. It as clear, for example, during Strachan's last season that the team was out on it's feet. With just the addition of a couple of new signings we would have had a very good chance of winning the league that year and making it 4IAR. Instead we were pipped by Rangers and have been struggling to match them since. The good thing is that Lennon and his scouts have a good eye for a young player good enough to not only walk into the team but to improve as they do so. if you need any help navigating not606 let me know. It can seem a bit daunting at first but once you get used to it it's very easy to find your way around. If you're feeling particularly adventurous you might want to participate in the General Chat forum but be warned: it's not for the faint-hearted.
Disappointed last night but we don't often start European campaigns well so i'm confident that we can get at least a draw in Switzerland.
Of course the team was dis-jointed we were without our 4 best players, still Reading between the lines think Sion will get thrown out for playing those players last night
I think the disjointment (is that a word?) came about because we had Commons on the right and Brown on the left with Stokes seemingly told to hug the touchline rather than move inside. Of course, missing four of our best players doesn't help but I felt we had enough quality on the field last night to travel to Switzerland with at least a goal lead. I would like us to go trough for what we do on the pitch but if FC Sion don't get kicked out for fielding ineligible players serious questions must be asked of UEFA. Both they and FIFA threatened Sion not to play them before the game. If they let them away with it then what kind of message does that send out?
"Default? Woo hoo! Default: the two sweetest words in the English language... de fault, de fault, de fault
We did create chances though, its just they fell to Samaras who didn't want to mess his hair up! There were 2 headed chances he had in the first half which were awful attempts, it looked like he was trying to get away from the ball on the second chance! Commons also had a decent header in the first half. I just didn't understand why we played the same 4 in midfield as the weekend but changed their positions!& then put our main goal threat out on the wing! Not sure if Lenny is trying to act all clever & make out he is a tactical genius but we should have played to our strengths because they were ****e and we could have been 2 or 3 up at half time.
I wouldn't say they were sh@te, no stretch of the imagination makes them good , but they had a decent shape and were never going to be steam rolled over, still think it was a penalty , definetly contact there , though Stokes was looking for it. Thought our best chance was Brown at the end but he snatched at it , some of his passing was woeful last night . Another amazing crowd we get 52000 for Europa qualifying , Rangers get 29000 for champions league qualifying
If we would have played the same team as we did the weekend we would have shown how **** they were. We did have chances, Samaras had 2 headers, Commons had one all poor efforts. We did open them up in the first half by stretching the play so their defence wasn't all that people are now making out. Even Lennon has come out & said it was our finishing that cost us the win. Stokes & Hooper if in the position Samaras was in would have had a goal in the first half. Sion had a few chances because we were pouring forward to get a goal as we couldn't believe how we hadn't scored, but they were pretty **** going forward too.
If we would have played the same team as we did the weekend we would have shown how **** they were. We did have chances, Samaras had 2 headers, Commons had one all poor efforts. We did open them up in the first half by stretching the play so their defence wasn't all that people are now making out. Even Lennon has come out & said it was our finishing that cost us the win. Stokes & Hooper if in the position Samaras was in would have had a goal in the first half. Sion had a few chances because we were pouring forward to get a goal as we couldn't believe how we hadn't scored, but they were pretty **** going forward too.
ST - What's with this? How come I didn't get the same welcome from you when I joined a couple of months ago? LOL!
ST - To be honest, I couldn't care less what UEFA do or don't do to FC Sion in respect of the players fielded, First and foremost I just want to see Celtic beating them on merit regardless of who they field.
You're not welcome though. Beat it In all seriousness. We seemed so toothless up front last night. Stokes seemed to have been told by Lennon to "do a Sammy" and Sammy was "doing a Sammy"
It's because I'm a mature, welcoming and sensible Mod now. Pre-Mod I would have just told you to **** off! Anyway, welcome. If you're ever in Edinburgh give me a call and I'll bum you
