Physicality problem, especially midfield

Maradona was incredibly strong on the ball. Extremely physical.

 

Its been a decade since Barcelona won the Champions league.

You dont need to Bobo Balde to provide a physical presence there. You just need to be strong with and without the ball.

Engles is 6 foot. Scott Brown is 5'9. No contest as to which one provided more physicality in our midfield.

 

It's not as simple as physical strength.
The major issue is Celtic midfielders shrink into their shell in very high intensity games, avoid tackles they are perfectly capable of physically making, shrink away from taking responsibility and being positive and revert to uber safe, negative walking pace football because it's easier to do - but it's also so easy to play against.

It's a mentality and attitude issue, not a physical one.

Peak Barca always had an holding #6, whether Busquets or Mascherano - both happened to be world class with the ball too - importantly, they were not physically imposing in any way, just very, very competitive - something we are not.
The value of a top drawer #6 cannot be over estimated but the whole midfield must be willing to compete.

Xavi and Iniesta then and even today, Gavi and Pedri get stuck in, whilst our guys back away and avoid the responsibility or the battle.
Rodri injured at Man City, look how the rest struggled without that lynchpin.
Paul Lambert at Dortmund supporting Sammer and Moeller, hardly a physical beast, but could read the game and was not afraid of the battle.

 

That first paragraph seems about right.

Personally, I can't really relate to the second paragraph TBH. I don't really care what a has-been Hun right back thinks, doubt Maeda does either and don't think we need someone of Maeda's class to terrorise him TBH.

 

For CL games and the ones against the Huns, we do need a physical, combative midfielder. But that's a total of 13-14 games per season, at most. This is why I'm hoping we sign a CB/DM, or a LB/DM.

 

His last season not so much. After Henrik and Lubo left wd lost a good bit flair in that team that we couldn't replace. We tried David Fernandez and then Juninho...didn't work. Bellamy fit the bill but couldn't stay.

The last season we lost it on the last day but had resorted to just completely outpowering teams.

Valgaeren, Mjallby, Varga, Bobo, big Sutton and big bad John. Also Thompson, Lennon and Petrov were tough as nails too.
Imagine as a defender them all bearing down on you at a corner!!!

We definitely resorted to just simply power in O'Neil's last season.
* Scott McDonald though ya wee hun * ye!!

 

This just isn’t true. None of it.

 

Our three recognised first pick midfielders, McGregor, Hatate and Engels are not renowned for being combative. McGregor I would put down as a grafter, Hatate creative and Engels technical.Therein lies the problem, much the same as. In my experience and opinion, the most successful midfields, usually consist of two combative midfielders and one creative. The Villa game highlighted how easy our midfield was swotted aside, and we have lost the midfield in the games against the Huns this season.The balance in our midfield is way off, and something which needs addressed in the summer by the management, if we wish to scale greater heights, especially in the Champions League.

 

Watching Brighton midfield (in fact whole team) tonight, and it's absolute joy to watch - the sheer athleticism, positivity and sharpness as well as the willingness to put the tackles and harry the opposition is quite something to behold.
Totally outplaying Liverpool, creating multiple chances - just not taking them (MoR just missed a sitter! - edit just had an assist for 3-2 up)

That's what we should aspire to versus our walking pace, take care of the ball bollocks against more competive opposition.