Is pre-season a worry? Is Lennon's team making any progress? Will he get any cash to improve the squad?
1. Pre-season is simply about getting fit. We got pumped in last season's pre-season games, albeit by decent quality teams likes Ajax, and we went on to do rather well. 2. We've gone from SPL runners-up to SPL winners and last 16 of the CL so I would say we've progressed under him. One thing I would like to see is us returning to the style of football we played in the 2011/2012 season. Last season we were turgid and predictable at times. 3. He'll get some, not a lot.
1) I'm slightly concerned. I always am. 2) On the evidence of the friendlies. No progress is evident. Behind closed doors..... Anyone's guess. 3) If Lennon says we are 2-3 players short of CL..... Then we'd better invest somewhere.
I don't see the point in bringing in more players, perhaps a striker but time to blood the youngsters, short term we may suffer some poor results. This is where I want to see progress, around 50% of our team coming through the youth system and becoming regular 1st team players.
1] I think so, especially the way our defensive flaws have been exposed so easily. 2] Compared to 3 or 4 years ago, yes, but now we have stalled. 3] Investment is needed, without a doubt if we intend moving forwards.
1. Don't give a **** about pre-season. Get fit for the competitive games. 2. Some players have progressed (Mulgrew, Ledley, Matthews, Forster) Some have severely stalled from early promise (Kayal, Izzy) I also have to agree that some of the football on display in the SPL last year was boring as **** to watch. 3. Investment is sorely needed if they are going to qualify for the CL again. Teams will be wary of Celtic this year compared to last.
To what end? Playing kids means poor results, poor results means no CL, no CL means less money, less money means less investment, less investment means cutbacks, cutbacks mean fewer coaches and players, fewer coaches and players mean shifter product.
I like the idea of this here. However where are the youngsters? Why havent they had more game time with so many apparent injuries? Are they actually good enough? We cant just play them if they arent We need to see youngsters but we also need investment in the team. Nothing wrong with 1 or 2 players who are proven ready to step in and 2 or 3 youngsters also to stake a claim to replace those leaving the squad from last year We will have lost a few on last years squad (Miku, Wanyama, Lassad, Gershon) and a few more to go (Hooper - stokes is still with out a contract also) - so we need 5 or 6 new faces- be it from pastures new or from the youth team? We should be cash rich having got to the CL and sold Wanyama. Im not saying spend it all (we have already spent £5m on 2 lads), but 1 or 2 more decent level players is not a lot to ask especially if we now lose our top scorer for another £5m in on top of all that We also need a proven player or 2 to keep the fans coming in. We cant rely on the kids or un knowns to be certain to step it up to keep the interest there
Pre season should be played behind closed doors its a big waste of time. Yes we are making progress but do we need to make anymore? Rangers wont challenge for 5-6 years and throwing all our eggs into the champions league basket is a risky strategy. I expect lennon to be given between 5-8 million to spend on the squad this summer just to freshen things up.
1/ If i was a tim i'd be a tad concerned that the week before a crucial CL game my team takes a hammering from a German 2nd division side . Not because the result means anything but i would be expecting my manager to use such games to give as many players who will be starting in the CL game valuable match practice . 2/ Celtic last season had their worst start to a league season in 15 years . Did well in the CL though so .... 3/ Doubtful . He may get a bung if you qualify for the group stages .
I don't mind bringing in players but it the guys we bring in to make up the numbers such as that Israeli defender last season why? Its just makes it harder for the youth to break through.
