1. Having trouble logging in by clicking the link at the top right of the page? Click here to be taken to the log in page.
    Dismiss Notice

Georgios Samaras

Discussion in 'Ex Players' started by donnegal celt, Jul 17, 2011.

Discuss Georgios Samaras in the Ex Players area at TalkCeltic.net.

  1. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2006
    Messages:
    80,375
    Likes Received:
    28,811
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Broony
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Celtic Symphony, YNWA, Grace
    No, up front. Commons would be the one going back to attacking midfield.
     
  2. Zander Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2010
    Messages:
    23,800
    Likes Received:
    6,382
    Location:
    Irvine
    I agree with this which is why I think he could excel in this formation. Our strikers have been drifting wide.
     
  3. murphy88

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2010
    Messages:
    17,341
    Likes Received:
    7,343
    I honestly just think his link up play is dreadful. And hopefully, if the last two performances are anything to go by, that is how we will look to play from now on. The passing and movement has been the best I've seen from us in a long time. I just don't think Samaras fits into a system like that. The style of football doesn't suit him. He struggles to move the ball quickly. He is more comfy putting the head down and running with it.
     
  4. Seán_67

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Messages:
    5,940
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Teenage Wasteland
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Jinky
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Willie Maley
    I like when people realise the distinction between an actual left winger and a left midfielder :50:

    So much more attacking freedom when you play as a genuine winger; essentially part of the forward line.

    You're right Dev - that's Sammy's best position, it's just a pity the way we generally play necessitates more of a defensive contribution than he's usually willing to give
     
  5. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2006
    Messages:
    80,375
    Likes Received:
    28,811
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Broony
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Celtic Symphony, YNWA, Grace
    There's a major difference to starting central and drifting wide than starting wide and drifting in. This formations been working so well because our strikers have been starting central and dragging the centre backs wide, Commons has been exploiting the spaces made, Joe Ledley and Scott Brown as well.

    It's about fast paced passing and movement.

    Neither of which Sammy does. He doesn't deserve his starting place just now, not when we've played as good as we have without him.
     
  6. Mr. Slippyfist

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,213
    Likes Received:
    7,333
    It's proven that Izaguirre is at his absolute finest when he has a guy like Ledley or Commons in front of him - couple of guys who offer SOME sort of defensive capabilities, whereas with Samaras in front of him offers very little in general.

    That said, Samaras (moreso in Europe) has shown what an attacking threat he can be wide left.
     
  7. murphy88

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2010
    Messages:
    17,341
    Likes Received:
    7,343
    However, on the flip side, we showed this year to be very one dimensional a lot of the time when he played. Looking to hit a long ball to him. Which was infuriating and brutal to watch in all honesty.
     
  8. murphy88

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2010
    Messages:
    17,341
    Likes Received:
    7,343
    That's the thing though, do we want a winger. Because more often than not, they are luxary players, and do very little in a defensive sense.
     
  9. Zander Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2010
    Messages:
    23,800
    Likes Received:
    6,382
    Location:
    Irvine
    Stokes has been picking the ball up on the left flank alot and running at the defense from the left...essentially going wide, and cutting inside, but you're right Sammy couldn't do that. o_O

    I do actually agree with the fact he might not be able to play the faster passing game but time will tell...we are in a purple patch, so maybe he shouldn't start...but he will play against barca. That much I'm sure of
     
  10. Mr. Slippyfist

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,213
    Likes Received:
    7,333
    Absolutely - it's shown that tactic HAS had it's use at certain points, but (imo) it is used FAR too often.

    We have by far the two best footballing centre back pairing we've had in the team for a LONG time, the keeper should be rolling it out to them almost every time and allowing the team to build from the back, instead of aimless big punts up to Samaras.
     
  11. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2006
    Messages:
    80,375
    Likes Received:
    28,811
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Broony
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Celtic Symphony, YNWA, Grace
    The essential question here - is he good enough to change the way we have been playing to fit him in? The answer is no.

    There will come a time he'll be back in the squad and playing great again, it's his time on the bench just now.
     
  12. Seán_67

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Messages:
    5,940
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Teenage Wasteland
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Jinky
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Willie Maley
    :50:
     
  13. Mr. Slippyfist

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,213
    Likes Received:
    7,333
    Agreed 100%.

    The system that has been in place for the last two games has produced absolutely sensational football and the best we've played in years - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

    Although, Samaras is clearly a Lennon favourite, so................
     
  14. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2006
    Messages:
    80,375
    Likes Received:
    28,811
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Broony
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Celtic Symphony, YNWA, Grace
    The encouraging thing though is Sammy was fit for Ross County, when we first tried that formation and didn't play.
     
  15. Mr. Slippyfist

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,213
    Likes Received:
    7,333
    That's true.

    If he doesn't start against Barca I will be very surprised.

    Hope he doesn't, but I think he will :54:
     
  16. Zander Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2010
    Messages:
    23,800
    Likes Received:
    6,382
    Location:
    Irvine
    Tbh I'm just * off how some people seem to have turned on Samaras because other players have been doing well. It really * me off.

    Talks of selling or punting him is ridiculous
     
  17. murphy88

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2010
    Messages:
    17,341
    Likes Received:
    7,343
    If he does play against Barca, then we are going to see a very similar tactic to the one we seen in Amsterdam. That is a certainty I think. We have nothing to play for, I would go out and try and play our football they way we have been. Because this pass back to Forster and then an aimless punt up the park is chronic.
     
  18. Zander Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2010
    Messages:
    23,800
    Likes Received:
    6,382
    Location:
    Irvine
    I really do hope we stick to this new formation vs Barca
     
  19. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2006
    Messages:
    80,375
    Likes Received:
    28,811
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Broony
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Celtic Symphony, YNWA, Grace
    An actual discussion on football... It'll never catch on :icon_mrgreen:
     
  20. Zander Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2010
    Messages:
    23,800
    Likes Received:
    6,382
    Location:
    Irvine
    First time for a couple of days anyway!!! :56: