Tom English: Celtic need to reset European targets

Wanyama was so good he had to play every game. When he left, we went with an attacking midfielder as opposed to a defensive midfielder who broke up the play and could play possession football.

It was purely a tactical thing to play a pressing game and that left as open wide right.

That's how we lost goals against Milan, a game in which we were comfortable until the subs came on.

That's how Scott Brown got his red card, it's how we lost the game against Ajax because nobody could hold up the ball in midfield.

If you take out the Barcelona game, which was a bit of an experiment, we lost two games 1-0, one of those games against Barcelona and Ajax away. Milan at home we were comfortably beaten, but Milan away we lost on a tactical decision to try and win the game.

So we weren't that far away, but the results came from not having the cover in right/central midfield and we just didn't have the strength in the midfield that we would have had if Wanyama had been in the team.

Last season we got results because we were solid in midfield. People often misinterpret hard work and team spirit, tactics and a never say die attitude for luck.

But realistically, if the budget was tight you have to adjust the teams you go too to buy players from. It wasn't just that we didn't even really attempt to replace Wanyama, it was just that by the time that deal went through there was nobody like that around, whereas in the next transfer windows their probably will be.

Some windows are just terrible, but we did get guys in, just not really anyone with the all round physique, stature and technique of Wanyama and those are harder to find.

 

thank you... a good common sense look at it once the passion dies down a bit... think there was only ours and arsenals groups that stood head and shoulders over all others in difficulty...
and besides which... I dont hear any other sides saying thank gid they got us, for an easy draw, despite results... we gave all that we ciuld and took it to 2nd last week for a chance to still qualify...

 

I agree... we didnt lose because we couldnt score... we lost because we couldnt defend right... wanyama/brown combo allowed our mids and strikers to move more freely... that freed up the odd chance and more upfield set pieces and corners... brown was out of his depth on his own as holding role, our midfield was constantly being pulled vack to cover defence... few chances, even fewer goals... we need a rock of a holding midfielder and we'll wee our team shine again...

 

Aye the first two games could easily have been draws and that would have tied the group right up. Last year we'd have been delighted with draws.

We did however have players for right midfield who didn't play. McGeough and Fisher.

Everybody would say well it's a high level, but another reason we messed up was that we didn't utilize the full squad and that really came from the theory that the best form of defense is to attack, when it's really about having an extra man in midfield. Especially away from home. It's that extra man that keeps the shape and what brings the so called luck.

We take off Matthews against Milan, you put on Boerigter, 4-3-3 and it leaves a pocket of space for players to run into. Boerigter doesn't track back quickly enough, it's maybe why he was sold and i think Milan knew this, switched the attacking right back to left back and brought in Robinho to play in the space in front.

It's a tactical thing, not that we couldn't compete. If you throw on Balde, the Milan manager, who does tend to over think things, then has to re-evaluate his substitutions.

You would think that if Matthews went off, you'd put on a right midfielder to see the game out. But that's not what we signed, quality wise, and it leaves the dodgy temptation to throw caution to the wind.

 

English is one of the better jouralists in Scotland.

 

I'd go with this. Don't always agree with what he says, but it's obvious he's not a hurting orc which is makes massive change.

 

No idea who is he but his name makes me assume he is a *

 

He may have been a while ago but its pretty evident he has complied with the MSM now. The paper he works for bans the word Sevco. Fact.

 

Should look at his Twitter, always making snide remarks about us.

 

Can't disagree with anything he's said there.

 

What da * are ya talkin about. Being in the CL Group Stages is THE most crucial thing for Celtic.

 

I think he is stating the obvious.

Last season we played to the absolute best of our ability and we got lucky when we needed it. This season we have tried to build a team on the cheap, didn't play well, and didn't get lucky.

I cant see what there is to disagree with here.

 

What was it English came under pressure from celtic fans on his twitter account and he got all sticky and defensive not answering saying that celtic fans were starting to creep him out..

Guys a * and loves a little dig our way reguarly..

 

We got what we deserved.......nothing

 

* this nonsense. We will set our goals high, and continue to be proud of our team when they meet them. No point setting the bar low, we are Celtic.

 

The aim should be to give it our all. We can beat anyone on the night. Not all teams can realisitically say that.

For the time being, going into our 3rd consecutive CL season will be fantastic. We're slowly but surely building up and up.

This season was solid, and one that could've gone either way in every match if we'd simply taken our chances.

We should be strengthening our team well between now and the beginning of the qualifiers.

Just being there has been great. But finishing 3rd in the group should be our minimum.

We may be 4th seeds but we shouldn't be finishing 4th at all.

Next season should provide us an easier group and should provide European football after xmas.

 

Listen bhoys,

when a person like Tom English, who has achieved so much in the game and has won as many honours as he has done, writes an article concerning our club you should be thankful. A man of great wisdom, widely accepted around the world as an over achiever by the footballing governing bodies, has deemed oor wee club worthy of his personal advice... and you clowns want to ridicule the man.

The man is reason and logic personified