How to set our defense against RFC?

The clash is soon to come, the blue mob are running riot in the league, which mixes badly with our defensive woes. The last encounter showed that we can score, but it's the performance of our defense that will be crucial. How to prevent early *-ups(and generally, in the whole match), that is what Mowbray and his associates should be asking themselves. Here's my idea how to survive the Huns' attacks. This assumes Verkhovtsov will be available.
Zheng Zhi as sweeper with license to go forward and help the midfielders sometimes. But generally, he should be behind the other 4. These are:Fox(Naylor), Loovens, Verkhovtsov and Hinkel. Naylor as an option if people think Fox leaves us overly exposed at the back with his runs.
Your ideas?

 

We've not got Verkhovtsov yet have we ?

 

Talk about this after the Killie game.

http://www.talkceltic.net/forum/celtic-chat/75029-january-3rd.html

 

Re-opened.

 

Hinkel - Loovens - Caldwell - Fox

 

never mind how the defence is set-up just try set up the attack and midfield to try and prevent the defence from having to touch the ball :icon_mrgreen:

 

And when the huns do their usual nasty punt up the pitch to either Miller or Novo what do we do?

 

Guess its going to just have to be the usual 4, everytime there in our half it will be peering through your fingers material

 

set it up were we have a flat bak 4 no overlaping fullbacks leave the attacking to our attackers ,if we do that put on mcginn with mcgeady and use him as a winger and striker ,skippys position it will give us stability.

 

You know ive been thinking about how we play . We have 2 full backs who are good going forward so why not play 3 cd and let them be wing backs and that can be 5 in defence when needed and 3 when we are goin g forward and then we can have the players in front in any formation with w/e players what do you all think ?

 

5 in defence seems like were going for a draw. We need to put pull force out on sunday. We need to stay in attack focus we are at home aswel.

 

Hinkel - Heid - Loovens - Fox
The best we can do sadly. Its gotten so bad now id consider throwing in Thompson, the new Belarus guy if we get him or O'Dea if he is back in time.
Btw N;Guemo gone is he?
Because that is a right kick in the balls for the back 4. Suppose it will be Robson and Crosas if he is.

 

I dont see the point in having a roaming roled sweeper.

Our defence seem to confuse themselves,so no need to confuse them further by having to 2nd guess if our sweeper is sweeping or attacking.

 

I really think that there will be less chances than we had at ibrox earlier this year. More presure to be clinical. It gets harder as well with the Kilmarnock game not on. A bit * and lousy from Killie there like. Great timing, as usual everything gears up for Rangers who will be sky high despite them being *.

 

It's a matter of not taking any * from the dirty, cheating lowlifes and taking chances when we get them. Sort that out and we'll beat them.

Only problem is, we can't take our chances and all three of our defenders are regularly ragdolled by Kenny Miller.

 

The thing with Zhi is that he's good at both attacking and defending, so maybe he could contribute to attack a bit, while in the sweeper role. If Caldwell wasn't out of form, he'd be the sweeper.

 

start the way hibs started with them on the back foot and keep them there.if watty plays 4 4 2 we ll win by a couple

 

So are you saying he should start in an attacking role...an attacking line up,and if caldwell is playing *,then zi should be dropped to a sweeper role.

 

The defence should pick itself. My own choice would be

Caddis Loovens McManus Fox.

The element of surprise is vital in an Old Firm clash.

What is important whatever back four is selected by TM is that they are on the same wavelength with each other, and I include the Holy Goalie who must make the six yard box his own, and ensure the defenders are watching who they should be watching. I much prefer man marking to zonal defending, as I believe man marking is a more secure way of defending your goal. To me zonal defending is too rigid a system and hard to implement for the players. It is of crucial importance that the full backs do their job correctly, and do not allow themselves to loose their markers or be pulled out of position by attacking midfield opponents. And it is of paramount importance that the full backs do not allow dangerous crosses to come into our box. That has been our undoing all season. To finalize, the goalkeeper must be commanding and organise his defence and any walls correctly, the centre backs must know who they are marking, and do not allow dangerous balls to bounce inside our box, and clear their lines properly and diligently.No cheap free kicks given away around the edge of the box either, and they must assert themselves from word go on their targets.

Do this to the letter and we may well get a clean sheet on Sunday.

 

Well, if Caldwell played better, Zhi would be more used in midfield. This way, I'd play him as a sweeper, kicking Gary out of the squad.