Personally Spurf, i'd disagree. I think that's quality there. He's got 2 centre backs closing him down, and he's got to get the ball out of his feet after the slightly misplaced pass before he does anything. I don't even think most players in that position would have taken a first time shot, or shot at all tbh with you. I can see any number of players in recent years who would have totally f**ed that up, and just given the ball away trying to lay it off. Not only has he had the composure and vision to go for goal, but he's picked his spot in what was a very small target area and beaten the defenders and the keeper with total composure. People were going on about lamella's simple goals, but to me that is a vastly better finish, and one which shows real quality. To me it's a fantastic goal, which shows not only fantastic instinct, but clinical execution. imo mate.
How did the boys play today ?? I know Celtic fielded a weak side due to their CL games, but did the team play as clinically as possible ??
Highlights: http://www.footballorgin.com/2014/08/pre-season-friendly-match-celtic-v.html You have to listen just for the commentary. Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal to Tottenham!
It was an absolute walkover. The gulf in class was ludicrous and it was little more than a training exercise. A really disappointing fixture and a waste of time, in my opinion. I can't see what we've gained out of this one.
"A really disappointing fixture and a waste of time, in my opinion. I can't see what we've gained out of this one." I read other comments about the CL stuff, but TBH a quick check shows they were in CL qualifying mode exactly 12 months ago too. So not very likely they would field a strong side unless they utterly demolished their opponent in the first leg (which they didn't) . Perhaps there were also some commercial benefits for Spurs by agreeing to play in Finland.
Exactly. Why arrange a game against a side that we know are going to be heavily weakened? Celtic were always going to win the league last season and they were always going to be playing CL qualifiers at this stage. It's a terrible choice of opponent. I can't see how we'd have made much money from a relatively small crowd and a game that wasn't televised. Playing in one of these pre-season tournaments, perhaps the Schalke Cup, would've been far better preparation, in my opinion. We've got a big enough squad to field two teams in two days and still give various subs a run out, if the likes of Carroll and Ceballos were included in the travelling group.
"I can't see how we'd have made much money from a relatively small crowd and a game that wasn't televised." It doesn't make much sense does it. Perhaps a PR "favour" to somebody in Finland. The USA games has been the work-out. Schalke (depending on their line-up) will be the fine-tuning for the opening PL game.
The point being Rob that it's very unlikely that Kane will get that kind of time and space in the PL. That is not to say you may be right about his potential, I hope you are, but for me that is not a good example.
Couldn't really miss it ? What total and utter crap. My best would be that you have an issue with Kane, because it very clearly wasn't the sitter you describe by any stretch of the imagination.
I have no issue with Kane, just from what I've seen over the last few years suggests to me that he won't be a top level striker.
Personally, i dont see why he wouldnt get that much time in a prem game, particularly on the break or towards the end of a game. You say he has time and space, but in terms of space, he basically has two defenders closing him down and he has the top corner to aim at, and in terms of time he has just enough to get it out of his feet, pick his spot and get the shot off. A less instinctive player wouldnt have had time to do even that. He makes the time and space by picking his spot so quickly. Irrespective of how much time and space he has though, he uses it brilliantly. I dont see what purpose is served by arguing over whether the defenders would have been standing off him like that or not if it was in the prem, and tbh i dont see how you could reach a definitive conclusion on that anyway. the fact is that they werent there, but he has still taken the goal superbly well. What difference dies it make if he had a man marking him and he had to beat him first ? I just dont get that. Not every prem goal follows a feint to throw the defender off, or a touch to beat him. I appreciate your view is different, but for the record, i remain of the view that it's a superb striker's goal. If people dont want me to keep mentioning lineker, then i'll say i could see van nistelroy scoring it just the same.
Imo it's a very easy chance against weak opposition, I would expect any professional striker to score from there.
The standard of the opposition has little to do with how the player deals with the opportunity. I thought Kane showed a good strikers instinct and deserves credit for that.
