01 Nov 2013 21:07:19
January transfer window
Goalkeepers - With Neil Lennon more than hinting it will be a issue hanging onto Forster and with the World Cup next year, it looks like he could be off. I hope it offers over 10m at least. Zaluska has stepped up when we have been without goalkeepers and Forster was on loan from Newcastle but I just don't think he can do it as No 1. A bit of a worry yet again and hope they are looking right now.
Defenders - Although Mulgrew can play CB/LB, I would like to see cover in the LB position. Izzaguirre is beginning to show signs of the player he was before his injury and we do have cover of sorts in Mulgrew. Izzaguire is a typical attacking full back and he likes to dominate the left wing however fans have been critical of neglecting his defensive duties and the midfielder sitting back has to cover. I don't see Neil Lennon changing this type of play so it would be another attacking LB he would bring in. Van Dijk on his current form could be the next defender to leave.
Midfielders - I like Ledley but feel he's been lacking a wee bit this season (I know he's recently been injured) and i'm still unsure of his natural position. Think if he had the choice it would be left-mid. I like Joe best when he's getting forward and getting into the box, he also gives an ariel threat but I've not seen much of that this season for whatever reason. Brown has been at his best this season, can dictate play and I would say a box to box midfielder. Kayal hasn't been the same player since the McCulloch challenge but was immense against Ajax and showed signs of the player he was in the first season here. I think Kayal compliments our attacking full back as in he can protect the defence. Then we have Forrest - a winger, I like Forrest. I think he brings creativity, can get past defenders and can put in decent crosses - centre forward issue? I've not seen enough of Rogic or the younger players get a decent run in the team (McGeouch, Twardzik etc). I would love to see a spark in midfield, a Lubo type player. I think we are seriously lacking a creative midfielder.
Attacking players - In dire need. Sammy - his attitude can let him down but all 6ft 4 of him running at defenders, he's not the easiest to stop. He's a big game player but can shrink in other domestic games. He does not seem to favour the lone striker role and prefers left-mid or just a free reign. Commons - scores goals and can link up play from midfield. Stokes/Pukki - too similar and Pukki is too lightweight from my liking but its early days for him in Scotland and I'll give him a chance. Been impressed with Stokes this season. Balde - he took his goal well last Sunday and seems composed on the ball. I need to see more of him. I would love to see a physical Centre Forward signed along the lines of John Hartson maybe?
Yeah Mrs E. Sadly as we bought a few forwards this summer the usual Celtic way I feel january will probably end with the same lot we have now. I think Lenny thinks goals come from midfield. because he is now so used to that being the case. I think we are quite midfield heavy when they are all fit but I can see a midfield signing perhaps. If we aren't in Europe I hope we can hang on to Fraser.
ParadiseAndy
Mrs E - too many paragraphs to read.
Digested a couple an realised you're only reiterating what most of us stated before and since season started and have bee shot down in flames
Stevo Dundee
Why were you shot down Stevo?
Andy, i'm not happy with the Centre Forward situation (we'll probably score 6 goals today, Pukki hat-trick now :-) ). I will give Pukki time to adjust here though.
Dutch under 21 gk warner hahn has been linked. Partick thistle lb taylor-sinclair as cover for izzy also. Havent heard much midfield wise but guidetti could be the goal scorer we're looking for. Noel
An ongoing problem for me is the fact that -Commons apart - we do not have enough goal scoring midfield players and I include Samaras and Forrest who should score more (although Forrest is injury prone).
Now we have a forward line that includes Pukki who is Stokes 'stunt double' and Balde who looks a lower division player at best and has taken far too long to settle for the cash paid for him.
For a team with it's fair share of tall players we should be scoring much more from set-plays including long throws.
Most of these things can and should be improved with better coaching and plain old practice and that is where I feel we need the most improvement of all.
Guys like Collins, Cadette, Larsson, Stark and Willie McStay could all do a job IMO.
JJ
Celtic like, most big clubs will not spend big in jan.they could also be out of europe.this squad in that case should win the double.
There will be more big changes in the summer.the player we can't let go is van dyke.absolute quality.
I don't understand this mentality of "Awk, this squads good enough domestically. We'll worry about changing things in January" because I think we'll struggle to do the double with the current batch of players. The only summer signing who looks up to scratch is Virgil. The rest either haven't had a fair crack at it, are injury prone or haven't taken the bull by the horns when given a chance. The sooner we get it sorted, the sooner the players gel and we don't end up in the same situation as this summer where we were 2-0 down to a Kazakhstani team after the first leg in the CL PO Round!
Astute and fair as ever, Mrs E.
This is the most nerve racking C: campaign I recall: I have no idea what to expect of the buoys tomorrow or where the spark will come from - but, somehow, I think we'll find it.