The First Cut Is The Deepest
Well that’s us oot the 1st trophy of the season. The win you can win before all others. Maybe it’s not got the prestige of the Scottish Cup or the League, maybe it doesn’t get you a place at Europe’s top table at the end of it but it’s still nice to win. Especially when a domestic treble could be on but we were getting ahead of ourselves thinking that far ahead.
What we didnae legislate for was being deservedly papped oot on oor arse by Falkirk. A team we knew could cause us problems- form team in the SPL at the moment and a decent fitbaw side- but we really didnae think they would come to CP and win. The fans and players didnae think they could come to CP and win.
So how did this deserved defeat happen? Was it because GS made 6 changes to the team that started at the weekend? Nah. The team that started and finished last night’s game is guid enough to beat any opposition in the SPL. They are also guid enough to get a game for any other SPL team. The changes did not, for me, lower the standard of the team.
Did the fact that it was an iffy performance, maybe due to the changes, contributes to the deserved defeat? Not for me, we have been iffy for weeks, seem to have discovered an inconsistency and a self doubt when we have the ball. But we have played worse and won recently. The changes should have been for the good of the team as apart from those who suffered from ring rusty-ness others have been getting playing time recently.
Maybe the changes unbalanced the midfield. Pearo now looks like a man who knows he is in the last chance saloon and canny hack the pressure, and Tommy G was, well, how could I put this nicely, looked like a guy who has hardly played for 18 months. Riordon played well- took a guy from my work last night, Burnley fan knows Andy Paton, and he thought Riordon was well impressive- worked hard and showed he can do a job for us.
But still there was enough quality on the park to over come those slight tweaks to our normal system and personnel.
It must be GS fault then? Nah, not having that one. When we saw the team everyone said strong line up and he couldn’t be accused of taking the game lightly. Maybe his subs could be questioned- bit harsh Tommy G was knackered, Sno don ok but Miller on right wing???- and the fact that once again we allowed the 138-year-old 250 fags a day Lapaty run the show but again he had enough quality on the park during the whole 120 minutes to dispose of Fawkirk.
So it must have been a fantastic fawkirk performance then? Nah. Couldn’t get a skinny supermodel between the teams on the night, while they did play well and contributed, for me, to a good game of fitbaw - a view back up from Burnley, mind you he watches Burnley and Accrington Stanley so is that a guid sign? – they were 2nd best for the 1sthalf and all of extra time but they did win the 2nd hands doon.
Ah the deserved defeat was caused by us the fans, taking the game lightly and only 15,000 of us turning up. Bolloxs! Roond aboot me towards the end of the game, extra time and pens there was enough fretted faces to tell that we were taking it serious and when Miller missed the pen the reaction was just as bad as it would have been in a European pen shoot out.
Nah we lost because we didnae take oor chances when present with them. An iffy performance maybe but two off the line, goalie had a few saves, number of free heiders, wasted free kicks and one off the post we had enough chances to bury the game.
Worst though is the fact that we weren’t ruthless enough when we had the CHANCE to win the game. Going 1-0 then losing a goal a minute later. Skool bhoy stuff. Shouldn’t happen. That goal should have knocked the stuffing oot of the bairns and we should have seen the game oot easily.
Even worse than that is even though pens are a lottery we had the chance to win on them. We had the bloody chance to bury a WINNING pen to save the further lottery of sudden death. Even before that we had the chance to heap pressure on them by going in front before they took the last pen.
That’s why we didnae deserve to win. We never took oor bloody chances no more no less no other analysis needed. Nae excuses. You need to take your chances at any level to win games, don’t take them ye get papped oot.
Arguments can rage all they want. Fitbaw is aboot chances, goals, opportunities; fawkirk took theirs and guid luck to them. Is the surprising nature of this beast called fitbaw no the reason that we love it? The fact that lesser teams can beat big teams on any given day? We have no divine right to win.
More worrying for us is that now we haven’t had a decent performance for at least 4 games. The Hertz game faults were papered over due to the ending. Hertz’s played oor midfield of the park, so did Killie and Benfica. Last night in the 2nd half Fawkirk played us oaf the park.
That is something GS needs to look at. It’s not that the players are not guid enough- a charge in close season- it’s they are just not playing as well as they should. Winning has blinded us maybe that oor performances maybe haven’t been worthy of the praise the team have been getting. But winning is all in this game and there are no happier fans than fans of a winning team.
It’s sticking by a team going through an inconsistent patch or bad spell that is a sign of a true fan.
Hail Hail
What we didnae legislate for was being deservedly papped oot on oor arse by Falkirk. A team we knew could cause us problems- form team in the SPL at the moment and a decent fitbaw side- but we really didnae think they would come to CP and win. The fans and players didnae think they could come to CP and win.
So how did this deserved defeat happen? Was it because GS made 6 changes to the team that started at the weekend? Nah. The team that started and finished last night’s game is guid enough to beat any opposition in the SPL. They are also guid enough to get a game for any other SPL team. The changes did not, for me, lower the standard of the team.
Did the fact that it was an iffy performance, maybe due to the changes, contributes to the deserved defeat? Not for me, we have been iffy for weeks, seem to have discovered an inconsistency and a self doubt when we have the ball. But we have played worse and won recently. The changes should have been for the good of the team as apart from those who suffered from ring rusty-ness others have been getting playing time recently.
Maybe the changes unbalanced the midfield. Pearo now looks like a man who knows he is in the last chance saloon and canny hack the pressure, and Tommy G was, well, how could I put this nicely, looked like a guy who has hardly played for 18 months. Riordon played well- took a guy from my work last night, Burnley fan knows Andy Paton, and he thought Riordon was well impressive- worked hard and showed he can do a job for us.
But still there was enough quality on the park to over come those slight tweaks to our normal system and personnel.
It must be GS fault then? Nah, not having that one. When we saw the team everyone said strong line up and he couldn’t be accused of taking the game lightly. Maybe his subs could be questioned- bit harsh Tommy G was knackered, Sno don ok but Miller on right wing???- and the fact that once again we allowed the 138-year-old 250 fags a day Lapaty run the show but again he had enough quality on the park during the whole 120 minutes to dispose of Fawkirk.
So it must have been a fantastic fawkirk performance then? Nah. Couldn’t get a skinny supermodel between the teams on the night, while they did play well and contributed, for me, to a good game of fitbaw - a view back up from Burnley, mind you he watches Burnley and Accrington Stanley so is that a guid sign? – they were 2nd best for the 1sthalf and all of extra time but they did win the 2nd hands doon.
Ah the deserved defeat was caused by us the fans, taking the game lightly and only 15,000 of us turning up. Bolloxs! Roond aboot me towards the end of the game, extra time and pens there was enough fretted faces to tell that we were taking it serious and when Miller missed the pen the reaction was just as bad as it would have been in a European pen shoot out.
Nah we lost because we didnae take oor chances when present with them. An iffy performance maybe but two off the line, goalie had a few saves, number of free heiders, wasted free kicks and one off the post we had enough chances to bury the game.
Worst though is the fact that we weren’t ruthless enough when we had the CHANCE to win the game. Going 1-0 then losing a goal a minute later. Skool bhoy stuff. Shouldn’t happen. That goal should have knocked the stuffing oot of the bairns and we should have seen the game oot easily.
Even worse than that is even though pens are a lottery we had the chance to win on them. We had the bloody chance to bury a WINNING pen to save the further lottery of sudden death. Even before that we had the chance to heap pressure on them by going in front before they took the last pen.
That’s why we didnae deserve to win. We never took oor bloody chances no more no less no other analysis needed. Nae excuses. You need to take your chances at any level to win games, don’t take them ye get papped oot.
Arguments can rage all they want. Fitbaw is aboot chances, goals, opportunities; fawkirk took theirs and guid luck to them. Is the surprising nature of this beast called fitbaw no the reason that we love it? The fact that lesser teams can beat big teams on any given day? We have no divine right to win.
More worrying for us is that now we haven’t had a decent performance for at least 4 games. The Hertz game faults were papered over due to the ending. Hertz’s played oor midfield of the park, so did Killie and Benfica. Last night in the 2nd half Fawkirk played us oaf the park.
That is something GS needs to look at. It’s not that the players are not guid enough- a charge in close season- it’s they are just not playing as well as they should. Winning has blinded us maybe that oor performances maybe haven’t been worthy of the praise the team have been getting. But winning is all in this game and there are no happier fans than fans of a winning team.
It’s sticking by a team going through an inconsistent patch or bad spell that is a sign of a true fan.
Hail Hail
posted by Keving at Wednesday, November 08, 2006
13 Comments:
Arctic- from last thread, Seven text me with the exact same moan. I noticed an increase in “neds” and people taking advantage of the public sale but I think these people are the ones who are barroom or skool yard big mooths go once in green moon.
They expect perfect performances and will moan when they dinnae get it.
Heard a few shouts of hurry up want to go home etc must admit before miller missed his pen I said “go on Kenny I’m starving!!!” in a sarcastic tone to one of ma mates who was moaning aboot being up to go to his work at 2 in the morning.
The cis cup has got so much bad press that people treat it with distain. Easy passage to the final where we win it most think and forget they are they to support the team.
Notice cyberdom has increase with the anti GS and moaners again. Were do these guys hide?
Kevin
Yeah alot of the fans last night didn't strike me as regulars. Thanksfully!
I wanted to go home too it's just the guy who was moaning struck me as the type who turn up and say "Go on then Celtic, entertain me. I pay your wages and demand to be entertained."
They don't get behind the team but just sit there constantly moaning, which shock horror, doesn't actually help Telfer, Caldwell, Mcgeady etc.
Ahh well, C'est la vie!
We'll just need to win the big one to get the treble!!
:)
A reshuffle of the midfield is needed I think as we just don't seem to be creating many chances. We now play a much more patient game even around the edge of our opponents box and near enough never hit a shot for the sake of it. It's all long build up play which is becoming to predictable.
We need to be able to chop and change it much more regularly as not to allow our opponents a minutes peace. With Big Jan back it gives the option of being more direct and a target to hit from the by line.
Picking the midfield is going to be tricky for Gordon and I don't envy him. I would always have Naka but who with?! Gravesen, Jiri, Lennon, Mcgeady, Pearson, Sno or Maloney. Pick three from that bunch.
Mcgeady~~~~~Jiri~~~~~~Gravesen~~~~~~Naka
That's the only one that hasn't been tried I think.
I feel we are missing a bit of dig and heart in there. I'm hoping the real Tommy G steps up soon..........
Or roll on January for a new midfielder........
Meant to say that Riordan looked good last night but my God is he skinny! He needs to hit the gym like Shaun and Aiden have.
Add him to the list of midfielders above.
artic- as kevin said i totally agree with everything u said regarding the majority of fans last nite.
i was behind the goal the penalties were taken and the guy behind me just moaned constantly at mcgeady for the whole game calling him all sorts. others just moaned at anything and everything.
as u say wot purpose do they think this constant moaning achieves as common sense tells u it doesn't help the players.
there was definetley a lot of people who weren't regulars.
kev- pearo was pretty rank and has been over the last few games. i like him as well and think he has a lot to offer but last nite and games like that he should be taking his chance to shine.
riordan probably was the best man. i noticed how skinny he was when he was taking a corner and mcgeady was standing near him and looked a lot broader.
team for sunday will be interesting especially the midfield.
that was a wee bonus rangers going out tonight as well.
A friend in Italy has asked me what the song "let the people sing2 is about. i`m really not familiar with it and maybe it is sung more at away matches. Help?
In the interests of Karma (accentuate the positive!)can I congratulate Hibs and St Johnstone on their wins last night.
Hearts appeared to be a pale shadow of the `in our faces shock troops` who played at Celtic Park but maybe Hibs were too good.
Oh aye that song. This land is our land! I`ll e mail him immediately. Milan beat Brescia 4-2 last night in the Coppa Italia. It was 0-2 at half time due to errors by the Milan goalkeeper Kalac.
I think the Falkirk game was like the St Mirren league cup game except we had Beattie to take his chance, didn`t let them come back and added a 2nd. It gives us something to recover from. It`s about time we won with some style and a few goals.
I think the Rangers situation is similar to ours in 90s. Quick solutions and false dawns but I`ve been keeping that quiet so that they keep on doing the same things! :-)
Our press hadn`t even mentioned the French managers fate at Spurs and Portsmouth until earlier this week. They had faith, "in PLG we trust!"
Sorry. It`s from the original by Woody Guthrie, "this land is your land".
Back to football. That referee Graham Poll is certainly equally as famous as the top managers and players now.
Also was Ian McCall on the TV commentary team last night talking while he was munching through a packet of chocolate digestives?
Whatever happened to Ayton Sandwich biscuits?
I`ve no idea what was supposed to have been said but if bad language is used then be ready for the consequences. Just think of Naka, the silent footballer!
Funnily enough when Di Canio was berating referees at Celtic he was just learning english and despite looking as if he was blowing his top the words were ever so polite. :-)
It was Triestina 1 AS Roma 2. Sorry about the delay, the Yahoo e mail was behaving badly.
Interesting midfield, the only sure thing after Tuesday was that Mick, Lenny and Naka are on the teamsheet! :-)
To be honest I don`t think that our players are very outstanding. Look at the back four, how good are they individually? The unit is good though! Giving them a rest
I think that`s the problem for the manager when people ask why more young players are not blooded in the team. How outstanding are the young players? Are Irvine and Lawson stars in div 1? What about Grant (injured), Ferry (injured), the Icelandic pair, most of our young players look like wee boys. Look how Hearts and Falkirk players just pushed McGeady rather than tackle.
I think having a favoured strike partnership would take the pressure off a number of areas in then team. We need to score more goals!
As the song goes, Celtic know all about their troubles.....:-)
Come on the Bhoys for the visit to St Mirren on Sunday. Winning the next 2 games with Hearts v Rangers next Sunday would be brill!
Have a good weekend!
That was radio hell!
David Begg and Craig Paterson were in heaven for a few minutes there. Lappin of St Mirren sounded world class!
Onwards and upwards! Eeeek! :-0
How do we break out of defence if everyone is back? Our 2nd goal against Benfica was the model but we seemed to be unable to break out yesterday when St Mirren had their good spell.
That`s the problem with everybody back. I know that JVoH and KM like to help in defence but if Mick is clearing the ball it just comes right back.
I may listen to some of the Falkirk game tonight just for fun, for a laugh, ha ha ha. I`ll check if the commentators pick a team to favour or am I (and my wife ) just paranoid.
On radio yesterday they were supposedly engulfed by e mails asking why there hadn`t been a one minute silence before the match. I had observed a 2 minute silence on Saturday and Sunday, both at 11 o`clock. My choice and not dictated to by the "minute silence facist brigade" The way they went about saying that it wasn`t because it was Celtic that were involved was sickening to me. As a tax paying TV licence buyer how come my choice of footy club excludes me from fair treatment?
The Rantmeister!
Post a Comment
<< Home