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I think Forster, Vic and Sammy are going to be the key in Barcelona, the keeper is obviously going to need to play a blinder, Vic will need to shackle Xavi and Iniesta, and Sammy is where we will hit them - fast, when Alves is up the pitch.

The most vital point raised in this thread was Devlin saying about Vic not getting booked early - if this happens I think we're *, if he plays well I don't see why we can't scare them.

I've said in the past that I feel the absolute key to the way we play is keeping the tempo up. Against Barcelona this is truer than ever, they play a patient game - we cannot allow them to get into any sort of rythmn with their passing and sit back, we have to go for the jugular right from the start, or we dont stand a chance.

Over the two games, I think we'll get something off them, at least a point. I really believe we will.

Against St Mirren I'd play a second string - we should still beat them. That isn't being disrepectful - it is a fact.

Teams:

St Mirren

Forster
Ambrose Rogne Mulgrew
McGeough Kayal Twardzik McCourt
Lassad Watt Miku
​

Barcelona​

Forster
Lustig Ambrose Mulgrew Izzy
Wanyama Ledley
Forrest Commons Samaras
Hooper​

 

I think Vic is suspended for Barca.

Can anyone confirm?

 

No.

 

I am so looking forward to the barca game. i have been waiting for a champions league game like this for years. cant wait.

 

Two keepers and Forster upfront, if I may say so myself that could be a tactical master stroke.

just imagine this hulking geordie steaming at you trying to win a header :smiley-laughing002:

 

the dilemma I have is were I would put Ambrose, I say that because Wilson while he has been playing fantastic of late has an almost Caldwell esq lapses in concentration and can make silly mistakes so were you got Ambrose in your line up is one of two places I'd put him.

then there is the combined energy, stamina, strength and composure (well Ambrose atleast) of having Wanyama and Ambrose manhandling the midfield and trying to dominate Xavi and Iniesta.

it's hard for me to choose obviously trying to dominate a midfield that contains Xavi and Iniesta is tough for any team but in the end I think I would want Wanyama and Ambrose chasing down those two because they have the stamina to keep it up and if it were to actually work we would stand one * of chance of sneaking something

 

The Hand is getting pelters here.

 

Well, if we consider we just beat Spartak on their own patch, and Spartak placed a couple in the Nou Camp pokey just the other week, then why not?

 

thats it exactly it, I dunno if it is a subconscious thing or not but I feel it was that result and knowing previous to that Spartak ran them to wire, that makes us believe we can actually get something out of this

 

What does eveyone think?

Defend v Barca or Attack and risk a 6-0 pumping?

 

Park the bus and hope to hold out - maybe even get lucky and nick something on the break or from a set-piece.

It'll be a long night but i can't wait.

 

I understand the point of this - but WHY do we have to do this?

We have a young adventurous team - why not just let them go for it and take the game to arguably the greatest team in the world.

Keep it tight at the back and let your forwards express themselves.

Would much rather lose a game trying to take the game to the other team, than going out and defending for their lives.

I see it all the time when visiting teams come to Celtic Park and hope for a draw with 10 men in defence - they gain absolutely no credit for me.

The same would be thought of us in European circles - the wee diddy team from Scotland who just bent over, hoping not to get shafted, but ultimately weren't able to sit down for a week anfter being * by the Barca.

 

Absolutely mate.

We need to shake this European "minnows" tag - and stand up and be respected.

We have started the ball rolling - now it's time to give these Big Boys a pasting they'll never forget.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Young exciting team we've got. No one expects us to win or even get a draw. I say just attack attack attack ! What's the worse that's gonna happen?

Would much rather see our bhoys playing their natural game than sitting back like deadco a few years ago.

 

The worst that could happen is we get 4/5/6 put past us, but I'd respect the team and the manager more if we had a REAL go at them.

 

Its going to be hard to attack against a team that is going to give us very little ball, the best way to beat Barca is to hit them on the break, there so dodgy when they lose the ball in midfield if you can get the team to push up then their defence is very suspect..

 

I don't see it as being too negative.

We play when we get a chance but have to try and frustrate them and get men behind the ball - they're a brilliant team and i don't think it's bending over to show them a bit of respect - they've some of the very best players in the world.

 

Obviously they need to be shown respect, but obviously we cannot show them TOO much respect.

You're correct mate - they are a brilliant team. They are a brilliant team because they are allowed to control games, as imo most of their opposition sits back hoping to achieve the same feat as suggested above by playing defensive.

I firmly believe that we are not going to achieve any sort of success by letting them play their game. We need to attack them and exploit this glaring defensive frailty they are currently operating with.

 

What I was talking about mate. Like you say, we wont't have much time on the ball. Gonna need to press them constant. Fitness levels will have to be very high.

 

Exactly bud :icon_mrgreen: If we get beat 6 nil but go for it then I'll still be proud of them. But don't see why we should sit back for them to hammer us?