Pace, movement, awareness but most of all commitment

So far it has been a joy to watch today.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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What a difference it makes to see a team full of energy and commitment. The players are giving each other so many options, Crosas, Maloney Samaras and Skippy all linking superbly. We still look iffy at the back especially both full backs and there is still a big gap between the CB´s and midfield but that’s being very picky.<o></o>
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Got to say Maloney is in a different class than McGeady playing wide left, he is always aware of what’s around him and bring others in to the game, there is almost always an end product. I would like to see McGeady moved out to the right side with Naka playing through the middle.<o></o>
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Anyhow fantastic to see the team play with such freedom and creativity, long may it continue.<o></o>
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Well there is the defensive problems, we are just too soft at the back, Caldwell just can´t head it, see the goal just scored.


FFS see Caldwell again, rushes out gets nowhere near the ball and leaves a big hole behind him, we really do have defensive frailties, where is Loovens or Balde for that matter.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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Therein lies the problem.

Look at that first goal, * pathetic. Ball gets lobbed into the box, simple knockdown and its in. Caldwell with his arm up. What the * is he claiming exactly?

Then he charges out like a * idiot and its in again.

 

We are just incapable of defending, it´s becoming laughable.

 

McManus and Caldwell are liabilities really. Caldwell is the better of the two, but that's not saying much.

 

Totally Agree Would have Caldwell in before Mick.

 

Why did we spend £3 mio for backup?

 

It was a good job we scored 4 in the first half or once again our defense would have cost us points.

The Mick, Caldwell debate will start all over again, however the simple fact is both are just not good enough. The same can be said about both full backs although it was Naylor´s first game back from injury so he gets the benefit of the doubt.

A wee question.

At 4-2 today why did we bring on Naka and Sheriden and not 3 millon pound Loovens or a DM player?

Surely we needed to bottle the game up a bit instead of opening it up.

 

Yeah we looked like a different team today with that bit of pace and energy from a number of players. The midfield was very entertaining with brown playing really well, maloney had a good game and Crosas looks good as well. The defence is a worry as usual wilson, mcmanus in particular. It was good to see naylor back. Samaras looked the part.

 

Crossas was not really in the second half, proberly needs a few games under his belt.

Mcdonald would not last the 90 minutes after coming back from Injury.

Would rather Naka came on any day other that muppet Donati.

Why change the Centre halfs with 20 Mins to go, to give a £3m player a run out, he either starts or he does not, personaly i would play him in front of Mcmanus, he will have to wait for an injury or a suspension tho before he gets a chance.

 

I agree with Crosas, I would have replaced him aswell and I would also have taken Skippy off. I just think we looked very open through the middle of the park, when Motherwell got there second we looked most likely to conceed another goal.

For me Loovens for Crosas put Caldwell in the middle of the park and Naka for Skippy. Would have given us a CM of Brown, Caldwell and Robson this would have killed the game.

However the game finished 4-2 so it worked, it just makes more sense to me to defend a healthy lead when under presure, rather than open the game up.

 

Agree there mate, forgot about caldwell playing the holding role.

Just dont trust Donatti in that role one bit.

Think Caldwell is quite good in that role, had a great game for Scotland agast France in that position.

 

It was good to see crosas starting as he gave Celtic a spark. He and Maloney proved there passing was unstoppable at times and it looks good for our midweek game against Aalborg!:icon_mrgreen:

Another positive out of the game shows that the likes of nakamura and mcgeady just cant think they turn up and expect to get their place in the team. As alot of players' places are up for grabs i think Celtic will take positives due to everyone trying to prove their place in the team.:icon_mrgreen:

Although the defence did prove to let our away cleansheets again, but i dont think we should take that away from celtics performance today.

 

I thought Caldwell was poor today, especially in the air.

Like you though I don´t trust Donati, especially with so little game time. As you say mate Caldwell looked decent in the holding role for Scotland so it would have made sense to stick him in there today at 4-2.



P.S Neil 1888 Good post.

 

Yeah agree, Strachan should have killed the game. Crosas looks good with the ball at feet, not sure about his tackling abilities yet ! Good job Robson was in there at times, Scott Brown was tremendous, he was everywhere, Skippy should take a leaf out of his book for work rate ! Definiteley got to go with Maloney and McGeady wide, they would terrorise teams ! Plus it would mean we are not constantly going down McGeady's wing all the time !

 

More importantly why was Crosas subbed and not Brown, who yet again was a * headless chicken?

Seriously, what does it take for Brown to get dropped?

 

I thought that was actually one of Brown's best games lately and he was in the 2nd half a lot more than Crosas.

Oh and Hinkel in for Wilson hopefully

 

Now mcgeady and naka know they have to keep performing other wise they will be replaced, so they cannot strol into the team. Shame that mick and caldwell simply roll into the team thogh

 

Dont agree. He put himself about but thats not enough for a 4 million pound player.

 

Like Ricardinio said I also think Brown had a decent game today, I think this was down to him being played wide right, as he has less to do out wide (keeps himself out of trouble) and as always he seems to finnish games better than he starts them. Crosas played very well but looked tired and needed replaced IMO.



Also as Ricardinio said I also hope Wilson keeps Hinkel out the side, he is the lesser of two evils.