02 Feb 2016 12:47:48
Well, that's that. Hands up anybody that actually thinks we have now got enough to get through the CL qualifying? Assuming we win the league.
Even though, in our hearts we knew this window would end in bitter disappointment, we hoped, we always hope.
The defence is still not strong enough in depth. We still have Boyata and although, hopefully, the only time Ambrose will wear the hoops again, is sitting in the hoos watching us on the telly.
Sunday showed all of us at least, that we need strengthening as there is not enough class to give me any confidence under RD they can pull it off unless the draw is very kind. I hope I'm wrong.
Time will tell, but it seems the heart of Celtic is now one devoid of ambition. It has for many years been so to my eye.
The question that causes me anxiety is how far will be ahead of rangers if they spend some money once the get promoted, for they will.
RD has brought in a guy who has form, but not in the football sense and that to me sums his judgement in every area.
Keep taking the Valium lads.
02 Feb 2016 13:01:10
While there is always room for improvement, I would be happy to see us enter qualifiers with the following defence:
Gordon
Lustic Šimunović Sviatchenko Tierney
With the following making up the XI:
Brown Bitton
Roberts Rogic Armstrong
Griffiths.
02 Feb 2016 13:35:46
I think our big problem is fitting our signing in to our squad. Who will drop out for Roberts Richards cole etc we are ridiculously top heavy with players who are all similar quality and will be hard to move on for any return.
Defenders, tierney boyata simunovic sivachenko ambrose janko O'Connell fisher lustig izzy mulgrew
Midfield, brown bitton mcgregor gms Armstrong Forrest Allan Roberts Henderson johansson stokes
Forwards, Griffith Cole ciftci Richards Nesbit
Add in the goalies and your up to 30 players which is a ridiculous drain as there isn't many players that are above average ability.
02 Feb 2016 14:04:04
Jim1972, The whole point of us having so many players is for 2 reasons. 1) we play a hell of a lot more games than anyone else so change is needed throughout the season and 2) It's a development tactic so that no one rests on their laurels. The players know there's competition so have to perform. I half expect McGregor and Armstrong out of the team to face Aberdeen. I might be wrong though.
02 Feb 2016 13:57:36
The list grows commons rogic
02 Feb 2016 14:28:03
Cmcbhoy how did that squad work out with Europe and how many of that squad don't get any game time yet pick up wages constantly draining resources. There are far too many players who don't get game time and can't be moved on they just sit and run their contracts down
Boerrigter stokes janko O'Connell Cole Allan ciftci commons Forrest mulgrew etc
We need to trim at least 10 of those players and add 2 better players not similar level players
02 Feb 2016 16:46:41
Jim1972, I'l refer you to any my recent posts about Europe and taking time. I agree some have to go but we can't just ship out players if no one wants them. Of that list Janko has been injured and if we didn't have him wheres the RB cover? O'connell's a kid that'll get time eventually, Mullgrews been injured and will play some games, Forrest will play games, Cifti is away on loan and Allan will definitely play more at some point. Look at decent clubs that play a lot of games, they have large squads. Why should we be any different? Aye Boerrigters been a waste but so was big Bobo and others. Martin O'neill was a legend but what he wasted was insane but no one mentions that.
02 Feb 2016 16:50:22
Gordon, Forrest, Mulgrew, Commons, Izzaguire and Lustig are players in my mind, who's best games are far behind them.
Boerigter, and Cole have nothing to offer and we have far too many midfield players vying for similar roles.
In addition we have to keep Boyata and Ambrose apart and a distance of around 3,000 miles should cover it.
Bailly
Janko Sviatchenko Simunovic Tierney
GMS/ Roberts Johansen/ Brown/ Bitton Rogic Allen/ Richards
Griffiths
Still leaves the young goalie, Armstrong, [Boyata or Ambrose], Christie, MccGregor and two of the above surplus covers a squad.
02 Feb 2016 18:12:27
My point is we need to stop buying these players as they aren't any better than what we have so why buy them. We had fisher who whilst not great is no worse than janko, we bought 3 centre halfs so where does O'Connell get a game as he's behind ambrose and mulgrew also. Why sign Allan when he clearly isn't better than Henderson who we sent to hibs as his replacement. Will Christie get game time? Who will Richards get a game ahead of, why sign Cole?
Personally I would rather we had 20 outfield players who we can try to improve rather than 35+ which means you have players who know they won't get a game and will possibly hinder training and will restrict the likes of nesbitts progress as he should play against Stranraer ek and the Particks etc rather than Cole etc.
02 Feb 2016 18:58:24
i get your frustration jim, it's clear we have a difference of opinion. i think football has changed and a big squad is needed. no one knows if these guys are better as they've not played enough. i trust rds judgement as no matter what peoples opinion he knows how to build a team on a shoesting budget and develop players.
02 Feb 2016 19:00:25
Jim we have 70 registered players. That takes into account the development squad but 70 is too many. Look at the amount of average midfielders as you have pointed out. We are not buying players better than what we have we just buy same as or worse than. Young kids won't develope because they can't get close to first team. Why buy Cole. Can't get game can't get fit. Man city guy comes highly rated but he will keep other youngsters out of the team. The signing policy looks crazy.
02 Feb 2016 23:24:40
I am sure at nearly every club there are some fans who are totally frustrated with their squad . There are others like Rabmac, who always wants Celtic to do well who can see the makings of a good team from the same squad . We have people who are glass half empty proponents and we have people who believe the glass to be half full.
We have fans who have wound themselves up into a knot and can no longer enjoy Celtic no matter how they play . When Celtic string a few good results together they are hurting so much that they switch either back to the last European campaign or forward to the next.
03 Feb 2016 10:00:00
Wether the glass is half empty or half full as a supporter I don't want to settle for a half. Ps your an idiot if you think people are hurting if we win,personally I don't see how Carlton Cole Richards boyata Forrest gms Armstrong and even Griffith is going to progress us with Ronny giving the tactics?
03 Feb 2016 13:21:54
Jim in your negative haste to condemn, u don't even allow Richards the opportunity to kick a ball for us . Some encouragement from u and some confidence building.
03 Feb 2016 13:52:23
People claim Ronny hasn't had an input on transfers well Carlton Cole i'm certain he did and we can all agree he's a dud and looking at Richards record and stats if this is ronnys type the sooner he goes the better. I'm sick to my back teeth watching the club being run into the gutter but if you want to give Richards and co a fair crack of the whip then why not sign joey Barton and ched Evans next.