Agree with everything except guly. Thought he was brilliant today. Especially that run up the middle to lay off jay who was offside!
Didn't see much today because I was working [nothing changes], but I recorded the match for later. I suspect that Saints were probably a few weeks away from a proper level of match fitness and that they were a yard or so short, with a consequential lack of time to make the right pass and move. I did see Nigel in his interview with Jim Rosenthal afterwards. Quite a few confirmations of bits and bobs of information there. More players to come in, etc... Also nice to see Ken Monkou again.
Neither is Lukas Podolski, but he's useful and scores goals. Just one of those things that gets done to get more good players in a well-balanced team. I'm glad NA sees it as an option that we can use. Despite the ressult, I'm quietly pleased with the manner of the performance against a very good Ajax side. Looking at their pre-season so far, that was the first proper test they've had. We created chances and were unlucky not to take them. A fully prepared Saints probably would have been more clinical and that bodes well gor when we start the competitive seasonn. JWP and Morgan looked good competing with a strong Ajax midfield. i like the central role that Lallana was playing where he has freedom to drift as he does without worrying so much about getting back in position.
Instant smile having Ken start proceedings. I thought it was a very positive performance, well after a shaky start anyway. Clyne is going to be a great signing, as will Paulo if he bides his time & let the coaches help improve him. J-Rod plays like he's been here a while already. I thought Frazer looked a bit of the pace to start with, but nothing that game time won't fix. The kids all look great, so hungry & very composed considering the opposition & the fact it was televised. Good times.
thought Richardson would be first choice, but young Clyne linked up really well with Guly and adds that pace that we lack. Clyne will be 1st choice
Think Rickie is of the same opinion as myself about friendlies. He turns it on when it matters, not when it doesn't.
Good way to get a seat on the bench for the real matches though, he has bulked out over the summer that is obvious.
Guly had a good game, but that is not his best position, but he was starting to meld with Clyne, they could be lethal if that carries on.
Okay, this needs some context: On midfield Jansen played his first match of this season for Ajax. Same thing for Vermeer. It was the first start for Sigthorsson and Van Rhijn. Celtic played against half a youth team that has been together for 3 years now. You played a first team that just got back from their holidays. Hence the reason why Eriksen, Van der Wiel, Sulejmani and Boilesen weren't included with the squad. Just adding some nuance there that's all. The Ajax squad that was fielded against Celtic was anything but the same as today.
I agree - thought both had good games - particularly Clyne impressed. Clyne was not tested too much defensively; but he did not look to comfortable under high balls and his lack of height may give us some problems.
Nononono, that's not an argument in this, it's a match, 11 vs 11 and wether you don't want to see it or not, it's still a match that you can win or lose, or draw for that matter. When a team wins, theyre doing great, and the form is getting there and all the bs that comes with it. If a team loses then all of a sudden it's 'just' a friendly or it's pre-season and it doesn't mean aaaaaaaaanything at all, swear to god! It's all bullocks. A team on a winning streak in pre-season usually does goed in the first weeks of the regular season, it works like that in Baseball, Basketball, American Football, Cycling etc. etc.
He was the one that scored the 1-1 at Old Trafford in March during Manchester United - Ajax in the Europa League. 1 minute 2 seconds [video=youtube;2Bm6zCB2Ycs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bm6zCB2Ycs&feature=related[/video]
Thought Saints did well after first 25 mins. Only Fonte's mistake made the difference. Impressed with the young'uns. Not impressed with the new shirt. Liverpool 1980's. If we have to have a naff shirt it should be a striped naff shirt, i.e. Dimplex. Was never going to buy that one.
Wish people would stop banging on about the ****ing shirt. We get it. You don't like it. It looks like an old Liverpool kit. Blah blah ****ing blah.
I never think it means anything, win or lose. For example, last year, Super Bowl winners Giants won 2, lost 2 in pre-season. World Series winners St Louis Cardinals went 14-16-1. Barcelona drew with Hadjuk Split and lost to Guadalajara. Man City have, this season, lost to Al Hilal and and drawn with Dynamo Dresden.
