Morning, Noon and Goodnight
Bloody expectations. We are now almost at oot of this earths atmosphere after oor performance in the second half at Tannadeechie. It was certainly the best spell of attacking fitbaw seen from the hoops this season, but then in truth that wouldn’t have been so difficult. But that’s 22 wins oot of 23 against the Hibernians of the Dee so 3 points is always a given reward for oor efforts. Our second half also proved that I really know sod all aboot fitbaw.
After a 1st half, seven and me had a text conversation. Basically we were questioning GS system of playing Jaroisk as a supporting striker and the benefits of having Shuggie Nakamura on the park. After going behind Celtic huffed and puffed but never really looked like blowing the Dee defence doon. Though our ball retention was good, chances, as per se, were at a premium as usual on oor road trips.
This was mainly down to Naka and Jaro. Naka couldn’t find a hooped jersey with the help from a sat nav system and Jaro’s work rate, well lack of one, was the main reason we were creating nano. Naka had his worst game since arriving from Italy. Every pass found a tangerine jersey, every corner meet the defender at the front post and in every tackle he lost the baw. But his worst game produces his 1st hat trick in the hoops and it was so Japan-easy for him in the end.
His drifting into the box from his wide berth is something for me he doesnae it do often enough. He should be scoring more goals by arriving from that position and I feel it is one area of his game that we don’t get value for money from. How many times are balls swung in and there is no one arriving late, Aiden has done it against them from across the river a few times, to take advantage of a blindside run?
Naka says the reason for this, is he is covering the forward runs of the former Stan P and the current Tommy G. after he drifted in to devastating effect on Saturday he should be as selfish as Tommy Sheridan at a swingers party (allegedly) and get himself in the bloody box mare often.
Jaroisk created all Naka’s goal. One was a knock back across the goal, the other his miscued overheid kick fell kindly to oor Japanese bhoy and the 3rd was a lovely cushioned pas back into Naka’s path. But overall Jaro still disappointed. He looked like a lazy lanky streak of pish but a lazy lanky streak of pish with ability to change the game if he could be bothered.
I thought and still do that Jaro was a fantastic signing. Even after the guy from the Brum told me to watch his temperament and attitude I thought his ability would shine in the Scottish league. I mean a guy who has played for CSKA and Chelski in the CL should surely be able to handle Motherwell, St Mirren and Dundee Utd. But his wishy-washy performances and attitude have been a bemusement to me.
Right, GS is playing him out of position, but then would he get into the midfield on the current form of the guys who are holding the jerseys. For a guy trying to establish himself at a new club he is taking the stereotype of moody eastern European superstar a bit to far for my liking. But then again he could be useful tomorrow evening and he did have a better 2nd half on Saturday.
With the gravedigger oot, it looks like a Sno and Lenny midfield partnership which, for me lacks the balance of Lenny and Gravesen. Could maybe do with a bit more forward thinking in there so could Jaro once again be called into the role in the hole with added defensive responsibilities?
While Sno looks to be a find, again he is as ruff as a gypo’s wife and as raw as the burgers you get outside CP. Again on Saturday his heavyweight boxer build was not used and his tendency to try and steal the ball instead of tackling them like his look-alike Edgar the Bulldug Davids is my main gripe with the big fellow. He is also lackadaisical on the ball and gets caught but this is Europe not the schoolyard kick and rush of the spl.
But I have no worries about throwing the big fellow in the mix. He has ability and the right experience alongside will see him ok. If he does nothing stupid and keeps it simple early on he will grow into a game, we want him to grow into the game, as his story is so typically Celtic. A fairytale if you would have asked him a year ago he would have laughed at you if you told him he would be playing in the CL.
How many other teams in Europe are going into a European game talking aboot playing a 19 year old in midfield, a defensive partnership with a combined age of 48, sweating on the recovery of a 20 year old who we will replace with a 23 year old player of the year if he doesn’t make it and a squad which on the whole will be playing in only their 3rd CL game?
Magic, bloody magic and I for one canny wait. Underdog status don’t you just love it? Any result tomorrow night will be a triumph for this young side, it will be a like a welterweight knocking oot a middleweight, it will be a triumph of work rate and togetherness over ability and streetwiseness. It will just be a humdinger of a result if we even get a draw as I for one are willing to take the draw and take oor chances of getting something from Man Yoo at home and Fc Copenhagen away.
Our expectations of victory may be justified as we have a fantastic home record but that goes for sod all when we look at the lack of experience in the squad. We are playing against an experienced European side that will handle the atmosphere of CP no problem and have knocked oot better teams than us. They are misfiring just now but most observers now say they are better than they were last year and their league position both at home and in Europe belays their ability.
It’s a bloody interesting game; it’s a game we will be up for both on and off the park. Fantastic expectations indeed…
Mon The Hoops
Hail Hail
After a 1st half, seven and me had a text conversation. Basically we were questioning GS system of playing Jaroisk as a supporting striker and the benefits of having Shuggie Nakamura on the park. After going behind Celtic huffed and puffed but never really looked like blowing the Dee defence doon. Though our ball retention was good, chances, as per se, were at a premium as usual on oor road trips.
This was mainly down to Naka and Jaro. Naka couldn’t find a hooped jersey with the help from a sat nav system and Jaro’s work rate, well lack of one, was the main reason we were creating nano. Naka had his worst game since arriving from Italy. Every pass found a tangerine jersey, every corner meet the defender at the front post and in every tackle he lost the baw. But his worst game produces his 1st hat trick in the hoops and it was so Japan-easy for him in the end.
His drifting into the box from his wide berth is something for me he doesnae it do often enough. He should be scoring more goals by arriving from that position and I feel it is one area of his game that we don’t get value for money from. How many times are balls swung in and there is no one arriving late, Aiden has done it against them from across the river a few times, to take advantage of a blindside run?
Naka says the reason for this, is he is covering the forward runs of the former Stan P and the current Tommy G. after he drifted in to devastating effect on Saturday he should be as selfish as Tommy Sheridan at a swingers party (allegedly) and get himself in the bloody box mare often.
Jaroisk created all Naka’s goal. One was a knock back across the goal, the other his miscued overheid kick fell kindly to oor Japanese bhoy and the 3rd was a lovely cushioned pas back into Naka’s path. But overall Jaro still disappointed. He looked like a lazy lanky streak of pish but a lazy lanky streak of pish with ability to change the game if he could be bothered.
I thought and still do that Jaro was a fantastic signing. Even after the guy from the Brum told me to watch his temperament and attitude I thought his ability would shine in the Scottish league. I mean a guy who has played for CSKA and Chelski in the CL should surely be able to handle Motherwell, St Mirren and Dundee Utd. But his wishy-washy performances and attitude have been a bemusement to me.
Right, GS is playing him out of position, but then would he get into the midfield on the current form of the guys who are holding the jerseys. For a guy trying to establish himself at a new club he is taking the stereotype of moody eastern European superstar a bit to far for my liking. But then again he could be useful tomorrow evening and he did have a better 2nd half on Saturday.
With the gravedigger oot, it looks like a Sno and Lenny midfield partnership which, for me lacks the balance of Lenny and Gravesen. Could maybe do with a bit more forward thinking in there so could Jaro once again be called into the role in the hole with added defensive responsibilities?
While Sno looks to be a find, again he is as ruff as a gypo’s wife and as raw as the burgers you get outside CP. Again on Saturday his heavyweight boxer build was not used and his tendency to try and steal the ball instead of tackling them like his look-alike Edgar the Bulldug Davids is my main gripe with the big fellow. He is also lackadaisical on the ball and gets caught but this is Europe not the schoolyard kick and rush of the spl.
But I have no worries about throwing the big fellow in the mix. He has ability and the right experience alongside will see him ok. If he does nothing stupid and keeps it simple early on he will grow into a game, we want him to grow into the game, as his story is so typically Celtic. A fairytale if you would have asked him a year ago he would have laughed at you if you told him he would be playing in the CL.
How many other teams in Europe are going into a European game talking aboot playing a 19 year old in midfield, a defensive partnership with a combined age of 48, sweating on the recovery of a 20 year old who we will replace with a 23 year old player of the year if he doesn’t make it and a squad which on the whole will be playing in only their 3rd CL game?
Magic, bloody magic and I for one canny wait. Underdog status don’t you just love it? Any result tomorrow night will be a triumph for this young side, it will be a like a welterweight knocking oot a middleweight, it will be a triumph of work rate and togetherness over ability and streetwiseness. It will just be a humdinger of a result if we even get a draw as I for one are willing to take the draw and take oor chances of getting something from Man Yoo at home and Fc Copenhagen away.
Our expectations of victory may be justified as we have a fantastic home record but that goes for sod all when we look at the lack of experience in the squad. We are playing against an experienced European side that will handle the atmosphere of CP no problem and have knocked oot better teams than us. They are misfiring just now but most observers now say they are better than they were last year and their league position both at home and in Europe belays their ability.
It’s a bloody interesting game; it’s a game we will be up for both on and off the park. Fantastic expectations indeed…
Mon The Hoops
Hail Hail
posted by Keving at Monday, October 16, 2006
5 Comments:
I agree that Naka was having a stinker in the first half but he is always dangerous at free kicks and corners so I would give him sixty minutes. Having said that though all three goals were from open play!
The Benfica game is going to be extremely tough and I hope everyone remembers that. We aren't going to have all the ball and run over the top of them. They are a quality side packed with skillful players and i would bite your hand off for another 1-0 win tomorrow. Too many fans seem to have illusions of grandeur and think we can beat anyone at CP. I believe we can but don't expect us to.
I hope alot of the GS nay-sayers and Anti-Telfer brigade maybe try and cheer up tomorrow. Maybe get behind the team and set them on there way to victory.
Prediction:
Celtic 2 - Benfica 0
(JVoH, Nakamura)
This is the game that we`ve been building up to and it will be a pity if some important players miss it. However it`s up to the replacements to make their mark. When was the last time a football match at Celtic Park was this exciting? In the sixties people would put the Celtic tie on to go to these big games, maybe even get the suit out too.
Thanks to joaninjesi for letting me go on our wedding anniversary. 19 years! (The very day that McAvennie had his bust up with Woods and Butcher. It was very sunny.)
:-) Come on the Bhoys!
haha you are right regarding wot we were saying at half-time.
i think it will be a very hard game as well but fancy 1-0 and jvoh(hopefully the big man will make it)and ps i love the cheese-burgers outside celtic park.
pps can't wait for tomorrow night the nerves are building already.
Enjoy the game K and 7! Gut wrenching tension? Cheap at twice the price!
I may check out `More than 90 minutes` I got it a couple of years ago and it was full of belated match reports. I`ll give it another go, it looks like `Alternative View` has disappeared.
Tonight, we`ll be there!
That was a good night out. The football supporter in me may think that it was as good as it gets and it`s downhill all the way :-) but the potential of the team to get better has a greater likelihood. Well done Gordon and the team!
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