Celtic 0 - 4 Leverkusen

I don't care if you're being sarcastic, I'm taking it.

 

It isn’t a straight choice between abandoning even the most basic defensive principles and parking the bus. Even pretending it is doesn’t do Ange’s case any favours.

Managers trying to adhere to their ‘philosophy’ with absolute conviction is honestly one of the most ridiculous things in the modern game, imo.

In any other walk of life, words like “rigid, stubborn, unflexible” are pretty much universally regarded as negative traits often targeted at people perceived to be rather old fashioned and stuck in their ways. On the other hand, things like “flexible, adaptable, open minded” are all seen as modern, desirable traits.

In football it’s the complete opposite. If you exhibit those ‘negative’ traits you’re seen as modern and progressive. Can’t say I’ve ever understood why.

Ultimately, if someone can’t produce a football team capable of adapting tactically to best meet the needs of a particular situation or opponent, then I question how much of a manager they really are at all.

 

Not at all, it was a great comment mate. No sarcasm intended.

 

At least no new injuries occured, it seems?

 

Aye because Rennes were pish. There’s zero comparison there. Leverkusen are that good and we could of scored 4 or 5 against them if we were more clinical. Hradecky probably had the game of his life.

 

We had as many shots as them, more possession and plenty of time in their half.

The fact is they are more clinical. The Bundesliga isn’t ordinary, what a mental statement.

 

Hospital pass he was given is acknowledged and well known. Nevertheless, the results are totally unacceptable.

Celtic as a club are a pitiful, unfunny joke. We're cannon fodder in Europe and we are officially in 'the making up the numbers' category. For plenty in the support its enough to be irrelevant in Europe as long as they are chucked a few trite platitudes from visiting European teams about the atmosphere being so great. Stein would turn in his grave at what we now are. Celtic jerseys aren't for second best. If only that was true, Celtic jerseys are for 5th, 6th and 7th best nowadays.

 

Is it done yet?

 

Great post, sums up my sentiments.

Ange can stick to his principles all he wants, but if he can´t / won´t adjust that to the current quality of the squad, and the quality of opponent, it´s just plain arrogance imho.

Martindale got the better of Ange, and it wasn´t rocket science either. In fact, it was a good example of how to set up a team to the best of it´s strenghts, and sticking to the gameplan 100%.

There´s nothing positive or progressive in being unflexible.
I´ve been shot down in flames a number of times, when pointing out he needs to be pragmatic and adapt.
Being able (and humble enough) to realize this is what makes a great manager.
There are no two ways about it.

 

You poor *; you completely missed the sarcasm.

 

Even reading the post you’ve replied to, sarcasm is not clear. Especially over the internet.

 

No injurys and won’t play a better team at Parkhead this season. Only positives.

 

Christie is turning out to be a huge loss. He suited the system down to the ground, particularly playing on the left. Jota is a real talent but he doesn't have the work ethic of Christie who covered the inverted full back to great effect. Same with Abada. He doesn't offer enough cover. We lose the ball in a bad area and a very good team like Leverkusen will severely punish you. Anyone thinking because we should have scored a couple that somehow proves Ange is onto something is deluded. Leverkusen could have been one up in the first two minutes. After our burst of 20 mins which we always have the legs got a bit more tired and Leverkusen started to work us out. Turnbull is not a number 8 and when you see him in his own box tracking back I am not filled with confidence. The inverted full backs leave us totally exposed with the wrong personnel to provide cover. Rogic waw blowing out his * after 30 mins last night. Leverkusen began to nullify McGregor and we had no answer. To be honest I am done with Ange. Totally naive; ridiculously reckless and no in game management. Even in the 90th minute we were cut wide open pushing forward as if getting a goal back meant something.

 

Dunno if anyone has mentioned the ref but he was a * joke

 

Problem isn't that we don't have enough players, it's the suicidal defending with these players at his disposal.
Sure, if he could sign world class £80million rated players, he would be fine. But he doesn't have that, needs to adapt his game plan to suit what he has. He, for sure, deserves to be given stick for that, specially as we sit 6th in the domestic league!

 

Just so indicative of how much Lennon is disliked.

 

Would like to see Cal Mac played further forward and Soro, McCarthy or Biton step up and make the DM position their own. Turnbull and Rogic don't do the defensive side of the game well enough to both be in the same midfield against good opposition.

 

we will get better at playing out in the face of a full court press, we just will, the longer the players play it they will get better

austrailia got better at it and so did his other clubs, seeing starfelt turning around a pressing player 2 or 3 times last night and running up the park before playing a pass inside or down the line was a beautiful sight to see

we wil also get better players as time moves on, keep the faith guys we seen how our fortunes could start to turn last night if we were more clinical with our chances

i think were about to start turning the corner in the league and confidence will start to grow from there on in

 

I agree with some of what you say but some of it I don’t.

In terms of we are playing well a lot of the time this isn’t really true. We play well in short spells in games offensively, pull of some nice moves but defensively and out of possession we always look like an accident waiting to happen. Our pressing or lack of it from half the team is shocking and one of the reasons why we are shipping goals and chances.

Turnbull and Rogic are not fine in midfield at any level, we badly need better in their positions. We could probably get away with playing one domestically but not both.

We need two centre midfielders badly, preferably one to take the 6 position from McGregor so he could move into Turnbull’s current position and another to provide the 8 from the RCM position. They would be an absolute priority for me for January and even looking now at a stock gap free agent.

I do agree with the point on physicality, Kyogo has been good down the middle so having brought in a big winger would have made a lot of sense. Jota has been great but given his deal is a loan we could have got him and bought another more physical option, particularly given Jota looks capable on either wing. A full back option won’t happen as Ange has ours stand in the centre circle, Ralston is a big unit for a right back and we signed Scales who is the same on the left but the issue is Ralston isn’t good enough and Scales we don’t know about as he isn’t playing.