God knows, you would think it was still the close season by the lack of football talk on the forum. Watching the game last Saturday night I noticed that Matthews in particular and Izzy to a lesser degree got little or no help from their team-mates. It seemed every time Ronaldo or someone who had temporary switched places, attacked the full back Matthews had no one to help him out. Young Dylan was trying his heart out to make an attacking impression and was doing that well until his horrible injury. Kayal never got in beside Matthews and neither did a centre back. I hope this isn't a major problem this season. I know Boyd does a good job chasing back. Saturday night was only a glamourous friendly but in order to play well, everybody has a job and must do it. We can't switch on to do this dirty work when we feel like it, and instead of just blaming the back four, look to see what else could be the problem. AS far as I can remember there was no one within ten yards behind Matthews when his man got the ball. If someone was backing AM up he could have attacked ball with the knowledge his team mate could get the ball. That just did not happen.
We were playing arguably the best club side in the world with a weakened team. They'd just pumped AC Milan 5-0. We lost 2-0 with only 4 subs on the bench. I'll take that and move on to talking about competitive games.
More importantly super how will we set up in Dingwall ?? Obviously the team will be picked with one eye on the champions league . Lustig and Ki to start to push claims , Mulgrew , ledley Samaras and Hooper rested, a few youngsters thrown in ???
Would it not have been simplier just to start the footballing based article without trying (and failing) to be a smart arse Spot on Clawed Baw!
In my opinion, I doubt Lennon will rest any 1st team player unless they have a slight injury... I think it needs to be as close to full strength as Dingwall will be a tough place to get a result (36 games unbeaten) and the team (those available) needs to get to full fitness - Hooper needs a goal as well!
11 players shipped out ... the team needs freshened up with at least 3 players who will displace/challenge others in the 1st team to make a competitive squad. Not squad players ... players who can step straight in.
Lawell isn't going to authorise any more signings until we're in the CL group stages. And why would he, we could probably put out two teams this year and finish first and second in the SPL.
Winning last week I thought might have got things moving on the transfer front , as stated 11 moved on and a worrying injury list .Can't believe we havn't done anything so far .
I'm hoping that Celtic are holding out to get better targets who may be keeping their options open until later in the transfer window. I'd rather we did this than the buy someone in a panic.
What did he ask of you for the board? I asked him for an Alloa Athletic board and he wanted titty pics of me first.
I agree. We only need to make three marquee signings this year and we'll leave Rangers dead and buried. Wait a minute...
We're guaranteed European football. Do you really think Lawwell is going to hand Lennon more money if we're in the CL instead of the EL?
Exactly, the targets would have been set months ago. I think the main caveat on spending being getting into Europe, as you say, it didn't matter if it was EL or CL. If Celtic buy anyone they'll be in the £1-2 million price range. The board aren't daft.
Baw Claw, It shouldn't matter if we are playing one of the best sides in the world or a simple SFL3 team. We must play the right way because if we don't do it always we won't remember and mistakes costs qualifications and SPL titles etc. We played in my opinion very stupidly last Saturday and Harry if we play like that this weekend we will lose to Ross County. I think Lennon will leave it to the last minute to decide his formation and players. He will need his best possible players but he won't want to take any risks with people like Sammy and Hooper etc. if they are carrying an injury he will prefer to not play them. Lets hope he gets it right. Pud you love to come out with smart comments yourself, however you rarely if ever generate any interest as a poster yourself. Why did you hassle Mick so much to become moderator when you have so little to contribute to the board. I hoped and expected good things from you but I am disappointed. Buying players, there are very few players telling their agents to get them a club in Scotland and those players who are would not be the players we want. I think without Champions League Football it will be nearly impossible to attract the type of player we want. There is no point of us lloking to England because they have completely lost any sense of value. Liverpool paid £35m at the start of the year and then decided to starve him of quality service. In the summer they dished out £1m for not even a reserve player, no they spent £1m on a 13 year old child. No point of us looking at Rhodes or anyone else because them tv wealthy EPL teams will make us look like paupers. The only time EPL teams seem to look for value is when they are eyeing up one of ours. Someone says we have moved on 11 players, so what, the fans could not tolerate any of these players on the pitch for us. I think N. Lennon and P Lawwell could buy the hit or miss type player like Neil has brought in, but now with the team almost complete, just a couple pieces of gig saw missing I think they want to buy the players who want to play in the Champions League
