Celtic Banter Archive February 22 2016

22 Feb 2016 23:31:33
Hi guys, just a thought for you all, let's think, this year and onward of players average team age, say 24/ 25, which allows for a mix of youth and experience. let's use the rest of the season to get younger guys in, as has been happening and continue to build CONFIDENCE and familiarity. Celtic Park can then be used, as it used to be as the 12th man instead of boo boys. Stop reading the SMSM negativity about our team and cheer on the Bhoys. Forget whose contracts are out and whose leaving and support the new generation. I believe that the squad we have is really exciting for the future, just another CF for backup. Let these guys have support to build Confidence and then ruthlessness.

23 Feb 2016 08:57:56
norway1 I admire your positivity and believe me I share your enthusiasm for Celtic but the SMSM has nothing to do with the fans feelings right now. We are fed up with the dross, lacklustre performances our players are churning out, we've witnessed the club's reputation in Europe being dragged through the mud between the NL and RD eras and it's not good enough. The board, coaches and players all need to have a good look at themselves because they've let us down big time, this season especially.

23 Feb 2016 13:16:29
What utter nonsense, it wasn't the media who got turned over at pittodrie or in the semi against ross county or didn't win a single game in the Europa league the Ronnie lovers will leave no stone unturned to defend him . It's certainly not the media who I sit next to every second week in paradise expressing their displeasure.

23 Feb 2016 14:12:56
I'm not completely certain as I have not done the figures. But I could swear the team under Lennon was younger.
Wanyama VVD Forster hooper Izzy Mathews ledley etc I pretty sure the average age was less than it is now.
Yet Ronny seems to be creating a young team?

24 Feb 2016 23:22:34
Norway 1 Spot on Celtic should employ their own stewards who should monitor the crowd closely and throw out those who hurl abuse at players and manager . They are obviously not supporting Celtic and cannot be allowed to sit in the Celtic stands of stadium and hurl abuse at our players.

22 Feb 2016 19:02:47
Kris Commons

Anyone else feel a bit sorry for Kris? The guy will always guarantee you assists and goals at domestic level and if it hadn't been for his impact in Europe this season in the EL Group Stage then it would have been even more embarrassing, he was involved in every goal in every game he played in. And he has been played wide right as opposed to behind the striker which has hindered his opportunities in front of goal even more and imo behind the striker is his best position.

He's been cast aside and treated appallingly imo by this management team and especially Ronny, I didn't blame him for his outburst in Molde when the fact is how Johansen stayed on that park is a mystery when he offered sweet FA and has done all season more or less, but he's Ronny's golden child so he's guaranteed game time, 1 goals in 16 domestic starts is a horrendous return for a supposed attacking player, even if he has played the holding role at times Bitton still chips in with goals from those positions.

Why hasn't Ronny given Commons a proper run of games behind Griffiths in what is his best position? People act like he's over the hill at 32/ 33 or whatever which is a complete nonsense he's still got plenty in his locker left at least another 2 years after this season.

Imo Commons will be pivotal for us next season in the CL Qualifiers and games against Sevco, he's been there done it and knows what it's all about and how to get through it and has the experience that is needed. He's a big game player and has proved that time and time again and it's no coincidence that he hardly featured in any of our games over these last 2 seasons in us trying to qualify for the CL Group Stages. He has a limit Kris, the CL Groups are a step too far for him, but any level below that be it qualifiers or big domestic games he has what is needed.

Surely he will start behind the striker this Friday against Hamilton over Johansen?

{Ed007's Note - Commons won't be here next season.}

22 Feb 2016 19:15:15
If that is the case Ed I will be sorry to see him go

PL level he's great and can get us a goal out of nothing a scoring record of 1 in every 2.4 games most of our recent strikers would be proud of

If he is to go I hope he gets to the 100 mark

Think he has not subscribed to RD's ways and in return I don't think RD / JC ever thought he was a player due to there tough outlook on fitness (y)

22 Feb 2016 19:22:28
Disgrace if true, I'm all for binning clowns like Stokes and Mulgrew but Commons still has plenty to offer the Europa League Group Stage has shown that this season.

He's only 9 short of the 100 Club also and it would be a shame if he didn't make it. I personally believe he will still be here next season but they're you go. He's too important to let go.

22 Feb 2016 19:42:00
I always said he was our best player and got pelters for it. All and sundry last season were going on about Johansson.
Facts are Ronny replaced 32 goals with 13 last season not playing Commons. In what world does that make sense. Oh forgot SJ is fitter than Commons.

{Ed007's Note - Hahahaha!!! That's a belter. (rofl)

22 Feb 2016 19:43:46
Really harsh calling big mulgrew a clown! Big mans been a good servant in my eyes! Agree about commons though, he's been great for us! The money we payed for the return we've had has been great! It's been quite clear from day one that he wasn't going to fit into what RD was wanting to do, whatever that is I'm still not sure! but for me he has been and still is the most creative player we have! If it is true that he won't be here next season ED then I'll wish him all the best.

22 Feb 2016 19:50:08
been proved right about SJ ed.

{Ed007's Note - If Commons was in the team LG wouldn't be anywhere near the goals total he is, when the ball gets to Commons 90% of the time it's a shot from where he's standing. And as you are so quick to point out, it doesn't matter what happens in domestic football, it's all about Europe. 30 of his 32 goals were in domestic goals.
Interestingly on that point, I know how excited you get talking bout European football, well until this year Commons scored 2 goals per season in the previous 3 campaigns in 12, 11 and 10 matches respectively yet this season he managed 4 goals in 8 matches - I'm sure you'll agree that's quite a marked improvement under RD's tutelage.
You haven't been proven right about anything, Johansen is an all round better player than Commons has ever been in his puff. Do the people booing Johansen realise that he is the same age as their new poster boy? They'll boo their own team's POTY while screaming out that the POTY from the SECOND division in Scotland will save us and turn us into European heavyweights. If Scott Allan is seen as a young player we should give a chance to shouldn't we also be encouraging a player at the same age that was our POTY last year, has played over 100 games for us and already shown us what he can do? He also scored 2 goals in Europe this season which has been a good enough return from Kris Commons for the past 3 seasons, and he scored 3 last season which was more than Commons managed.}

22 Feb 2016 19:58:05
Jamie your right he was a great signing for us. Nearly 100 goals and could go down in history.
I would bet Timalloy anything SJ won't even get to 50.
Said it before Le Tissier, Harston, Dixie Deans etc wudnt get a game for us under Ronny and that's a disgrace.

{Ed007's Note - It's getting worse. John Hartson wasn't fit enough to sign for Rangers, he failed the medical, and he retired when he was Commons age. What a model professional he was. It was 15 years ago we signed Hartson, he wouldn't last 5 mins in the modern game and he wouldn't have lasted 5 mins under Stein or Billy McNeil either. And that came straight from one of the Lion's mouths.}

22 Feb 2016 20:56:36
Yes he has been rayman, but he's not fancied now for sure which is a shame in my eyes . I was happy but surprised he was handled a new deal circa this time last year

One thing for sure if we keep booing SJ he go Bosman next season for sure which is also a shame because he worth keeping in my eyes.

22 Feb 2016 21:18:40
Uv got to say I'll be pretty gutted if commons leaves this summer, I can't think of another player in the past 2 years other than Griffith who has won so many games and scored so many vital goals yet he sits on the bench most games. He showed his passion to win for the club when subbed in Europe having just scored, if Johansen gave half as much to Celtic as commons has ( I mean he gave up international football who knows with commons we may have beaten Georgia😢🔫) . I think if there is one person who deserves a good run of games it's commons.

22 Feb 2016 21:31:58
I think with the modern coaches in football that skill and the ability to beat a man are frowned upon. All that matters nowadays is players having the stamina to run up and down the field for 90 minutes.
I honestly believe that if Jimmy Johnston was playing today he wouldn't get picked. The modern coaches would no doubt say that he doesn't track back enough, or dribbling with the ball risks giving possession away.
Just think if modern coaching methods had been around 50 odd years ago, the brilliant players that we would have missed seeing, and I am talking about players from all clubs not just Celtic.

22 Feb 2016 21:49:54
Totally agree Gerry, Hazard got it off Jose. Ronaldo used to get it too. Fat Ronaldo too I could go on.
If coaches don't think they doing enough defensively then don't put them in the team, but the coaches are too shiit scared because they know how good they are.
What kind of coach only points out their deficiencies.

22 Feb 2016 23:20:44
Absolutely baffling how anyone can question Kris Commons contribution to our club! He may not have been as prolific in Europe as he has been domestically but he is still, along with Sammy, the only player to have hit double figures since the days of Larsson, Sutton etc. His goals have been massive too, Helsingborg away, nerveless penalty to beat Spartak and put us in the last 16, screamer on the stroke of halftime against Karagandy where if we'd went in 0-0 we had no chance of going through. Not to mention goals in Old Firm games, cup semis and finals. He was our best player in Europe this season by a distance! His goalscoring contribition in big games is unrivalled amongst the current squad that's for sure. If we want to end the season with a double he needs to be in the team more often than not. I will be gutted if he leaves in the Summer.

23 Feb 2016 09:13:40
I have posted a number of times about Commons over the years and on his game he is a match winner with great ability.
In a time when the team/ squad is very short of skill and flair, he was a player who could entertain and contribute a great deal.
The negatives that I associate with him are attitude, temperament and he could be selfish in possession - but so could a few players.
I feel this season, like Stokes and a couple of others, there is no respect or appreciation of the management team and he definitely does not want to be here under these circumstances and will leave with a few others if RD is still the manager in the summer.

23 Feb 2016 08:10:56
Bravo ed, shot them down with clear facts regarding commons. I'll be glad to see the back of commons, nothing but trouble and an ego which causes unrest.

23 Feb 2016 10:34:53
He's been an outstanding player for us. Yes sometimes a bit selfish and not the fittest but you can't argue he's been great for us. Surely Ed you can't disagree with any of that? Did he order the last steak pie you had your eye on in the chippy or something? What's your beef with him?

{Ed007's Note - Well you're admitting he's selfish and not the fittest, is there any acceptable excuse for a modern footballer not to be in the best physical shape they can be? He's an arrogant sod who thinks he is the centre of the world which has caused him problems at every club he's been at and don't forget the problems he has caused under both NL and RD, has everyone forgot the season he downed tools and was sent off at Hearts? It is his attitude that destroyed his career in England to the point he was struggling to find a club, managers don't want a bad apple at their club in case it infects the rest of the crop. He was practically begging Derby for a contract before they decided against offering him one because he wasn't working hard enough to earn it - a mistake he hasn't made up here when contract negotiations are due. There was also a lot going on in his personal life that made it difficult to stay in England, he upset some very unsavoury people.
Commons was a decent player for us but no more than Zurawski and Adam Matthews were decent players for us yet some people are acting like Commons leaving will be up there with Princess Di's death as a day of mourning. Will we see another candlelight virgil outside CP like we had in 2011?
In 4/5 years Commons will be in there with people like Andy Walker and John Hartson who get paid to talk down anything CFC. Soup-takers with a chip on each shoulder about the club.
Don't you think that every CFC player should give 100% for the team? People are on here saying players aren't trying for RD yet Commons has never gave 100% for any manager in his career and suddenly that's acceptable. Maybe his Mrs will be out on the campaign trail between now and May to get supporters up in arms again.
I keep reading about how RD isn't giving young players a chance and here we have people wanting to see a guy who will be 33 in August playing in a team and system he isn't fit enough, or good enough, to play in. His own arrogance doesn't let him see that, he genuinely thinks any team he plays in should be built around him, one of the reasons he chucked international football was because he wasn't as important there as he thought he should be hence his massive haul of TWELVE caps. He had the cheek to make a song and dance over retiring from international football. Would anyone Scotland fan have noticed otherwise, did any of them care?
Do you ever think some people just support the opposite of whatever the manager decides? You can't have a young fit team with a 32/33 year old unfit player in a pivotal role. How will LG score goals with Commons shooting from 25 yards every time he gets the ball?}

23 Feb 2016 14:57:50
ED, I would agree with you if the younger fitter players as you call them were any good.
I have no idea what goes on in commons private life but what I do know is that I have been entertained by him over the last few years, the current crop may be fitter but I am sitting at matches bored to death watching them.
At the end of the day football should be entertaining as well as functional, we do pay good money to go and watch.

{Ed007's Note - I'm not arguing that he hasn't entertained us all in the past, the past is the key point here. If he applied himself better throughout his career and listened to manager after manager he would still be capable of playing at those levels. It's entirely Kris Commons fault for where his career is, nobody else should be blamed for this situation as he has brought it all on himself. I have no sympathy what so ever for a waster who doesn't even push himself for his thousands of £s a week.
You're forking out your hard earned and sticking up for a guy that can't even be bothered keeping himself in peak physical condition to do his job, and you're happy about that? Why should Commons be treated any different from the rest of the squad? Should Commons be starting no matter what, why don't we tell him just to turn up with his boots when we're playing and forget having to train etc. Other players knock their pan in training all week and trying to force their way into the squad but we should be playing a guy who couldn't give a toss as long as his wages are in the bank every month. The gullible amongst the support have fell for him and his Mrs act about how they love the club etc - it's lies and bullshit.
According to the lower league experts amongst our support Scott Allan has the potential to be better than Messi after winning POTY in the second division so why not play him? At least it would be getting Allan game time and we might even get our money back on him.
What do you think the reaction would have been on Saturday if Commons had came on instead of Allan? I'd hazard a guess it would be 'Why's RD putting a 32 year old Commons on instead of Allan? He doesn't have a clue, get him out.'
Sadly we're only allowed 11 players on the park (that's probably RD's fault too) and not everyone's favourite player can play all the time.}

23 Feb 2016 15:31:04
Ed I haven't been coming to this site too long but from what I've read I gather your not a fan of ronnys system yet you say commons is poor and doesn't deserve a game because he doesn't fit this system?

Maybe the problem is the system and not commons. Regardless of statistics who many games has commons won for us over the years? As for international football you can slate his 12 caps all you want but he has 12 more than you do and 12 more than a lot of players. And he has only been in the fold since signing for Celtic (at a later point in his career) .

Regardless of what anyone thinks about him as a person or a player you cannot doubt that without commons Celtic would have been a far worse team. As for his age why not use him while we can, he has scored more goals than Johansen in while the latter has player far more games? Johansen is mince he contributes pi$$ all yet is almost certain to start every week, mcgregor has scored more goals than him? Is this the player you would rather have than commons? Yes he shoots a lot but what attacking player doesn't?

According to Wpedia he has played 143 games scored 64, and regardless of what games they came in that is a great return for a midfield player, where as Johansen has 12 goals in 64 games Forrest has 23 in 116 games Gary McKay-Steven has scored 7 in 35 yet he is not worthy and Johansen is? Summed up commons has done more for Celtic any other player in the squad bar griffiths and maybe (Scott brown although I feel his time is up also after that perfomance against county to interested in kicking people rather than doing what he's in the team to do)


Ps, not an attack on you but I just can't accept this criticism of our most prolific midfielder by far in the past few years.

{Ed007's Note - You obviously haven't let what you've read sink in. Where have I ever said I'm not a fan of RD's system? Am I not allowed an opinion because I don't have Scotland caps now? Ah well, we might as well shut the site down.
Sometimes in life you just have to man up and accept things, time's a great healer I'm told.}

23 Feb 2016 17:12:50
ED, if Ronny had been in charge of the Lisbon lions, do you think he would have picked Jimmy Johnston? .
Ronny strikes me as a coach who would want us to play like the Inter Milan team of that time, dull, boring, no flair, but efficient. I don't think that he could have managed the personalities in our team then.
In my view, managers nowadays just want 11 robots in their teams, skill is frowned upon, I'm not sure that if Commons fitness was as good as everyone else's whether Ronny would fancy him.

{Ed007's Note - Do you think if Jock Stein was manager we'd have ever even signed Kris Commons? Are you actually trying to insinuate that Jimmy Johnstone was the least fittest member of the Lions because he didn't train as hard as the rest of them, do you think Jock Stein would have allowed any slackers in his squad?
Do you think Commons is in the best physical condition he could be?
There are no acceptable excuses for a professional footballer not to be at the peak of his physical fitness, none.}

23 Feb 2016 17:25:00
So ED and I agree on most things (not everything though which throws a spanner in the works when certain people on here claim I am Bond) but even objectively, I can't see what the debate is here?

ED has spelt out (in great detail) the numerous failings of KC and even accepted his successes. No one is claiming he hasn't contributed to the club, but when people bring up individual goals (Karagandy) it's getting ridiculous. Lest we forget that both Samaras and Forrest scored in that game - and all three have something in common. Pun intended.

And the funny thing is, most of the arguments for why KC should stay/ have team built around him/ is great/ is above criticism, could be used to defend RD. How many of you lot have managed Celtic? Outwith Europe Ronnie's record is great. Yadda yadda yadda.

More than all this, ED summed it/ everyone's issue up perfectly with this quote:

'Why's RD putting a 32 year old Commons on instead of Allan? '

Ronnie chose black, so you all want white. Ad infinitum.

23 Feb 2016 18:15:56
The thing is poeticpatient, at least I can remember some of the things that Commons has done for us, I'm struggling to think of anything special these current players have done.
I'm not saying that Commons should be in the team, but I much prefer watching football when players have a bit of flair and skill, the football we are playing at the moment is dull and boring.
I find it hard to get exited by players being fit, football should be about more than that.

{Ed007's Note - I can remember things Stefan Johansen's done and he's getting booed by his own so called supporters. Why should Commons start before him when Johansen is training well and working hard to get his form back? Some say he's trying too hard during games and that's why his form has suffered.
Shouldn't we pick a team for the here and now rather than what players have done in the past, should we drop KT for Izaguirre because he's played in the CL for us, should we have kept Stokes and gave Hibs LG because of the goals Stokes has scored in the past?
Everything gets twisted to suit the anti-RD argument, even when it contradicts itself.}

23 Feb 2016 19:35:37
Ed as I said I haven't been following this site for too long I can't remember specific examples but I'm sure I have read you criticising the system/ tactics and even agreeing that Ronny is not the man for the job If I'm wrong then I can accept that but that is how Percieved it. I did not say you can't have an opinion but scoffing at 12 competitive international caps who ever they were against is just wrong imo. Some players can only dream of 12 caps. We may disagree but I know we both want Celtic to be the club they once were let's just hope (not much to be hopeful about atm tho) the people in charge can do that.

{Ed007's Note - #Ronnyout

23 Feb 2016 20:35:16
ED, I haven't said Commons should be in the team, I don't know what he's like in training or anything like that.
My point is that I would rather go to matches and watch players who entertain, rather than this dull, fitness obsessed sport that football is fast becoming.
I've come away from a lot of matches lately where I have been pleased with the result, but haven't enjoyed the match, for someone who spends a lot of money getting to and from the matches is it really asking too much to want to entertained as well.
I myself have never booed a player, but the fact that some fans are booing, and that there seems to be more and more empty seats at each match, surely shows that the entertainment levels are falling badly, are all these fans wrong?

{Ed007's Note - We know, Gerry, you tell us often enough but the thing is everybody else is talking about Commons, that's what the conversation is about. Couldn't you just allow a thread to be about anything else except the same anti-RD stuff we're reading day after day?}

23 Feb 2016 21:47:22
ED, I think you started going on about Ronny in this thread before I did, I was only responding to some of the points you made during your rants.

{Ed007's Note - What points did I make that you were responding to?}

23 Feb 2016 23:19:40
Ed, I'm not saying commons should start purely because of past glories however unfit or whatever he is still more likely to produce the goods than any other midfield player we have. Yes he can't chase back players half his age who are quicker etc or run box to box but that has never been his game give him the ball near the goal and tbh with him and griffiths we could score a lot more goals. I don't know what KT has to do with this as he has been Celtics best player this season bar griffiths? Has Johansen gave the same effort as KT does he look as hungry? The answer is no. We have been waiting for Johansen to get back to form all season he can even produce the goods against the likes of partick? . Imo for whatever it's worth we would be best selling him on and replacing him with some real good young talent, wether that is from the squad or transfer market well I do not see behind the scenes but Christie looks like he could seriously improve if giving the time Scott Allen is not young or good enough to replace Johansen not many are but Christie sure looks like he may be able to plus we have Roberts for another full 12 months maybe more who knows.

{Ed007's Note - So if you're not saying Commons should start what are you saying? If you don't think he should be starting then you're agreeing with me.}

24 Feb 2016 09:38:16
Ed, you can be serious? Did you even read what I wrote? I clearly stated I don't think commons should start based purely on past glories as you tried to use that as a counter argument. After saying that I then went on to say imo he is still our most dangerous AM. So in what part of what I said do you get me saying commons shouldn't start? Your argument against commons is a weak one as is your one for Johansen. As I said before Christie already looks a much hungrier and more attacking player and he isn't even close to commons in terms of the return he will give you so what does that say about SJ. He's almost started every game this season and has produced nothing, he needs showing the door and the summer can't come fast enough.

{Ed007's Note - So you do want Commons to start? According to others Scott Allan is our most dangerous AM, to others it's just anyone RD hasn't picked, if he picked Commons people would want Scott Allan playing, if he picked Allan and he misplaced a pass they'd want Christie picked till he gave away a throw in or they didn't like his boots.
BTW your entire argument is based on what Commons has previously done - aka his past glories. My argument is that Commons best days are well behind him, he's 32, unfit and lazy, he isn't fit enough to play in our current system and his own playing style would isolate LG up front. LG wouldn't score as many goals with Commons in the team. #ronnyout

24 Feb 2016 23:36:21
Commons is a strange one, he puts nil work on the field yet seems to often find himself in the right place to score a goal. Goals are what it is all about but I doubt if we can play a player who doesn't work for the team . I would prefer our youngsters and 24/ 25 year old to get their chances than a player nearly 33 and not seen as a team player .
Somebody mentioned Jimmy Johnstone in reference to his lack of fitness . Big Jock moved on most of the Lions before wee Jimmy . True he knew about his drinking in his later years, but he made him train extra hard and Jimmy was up for it .

25 Feb 2016 15:15:22
As you said he scores goals and creates goals what more do you want from an AM? I know he's not world class but bar griffiths do we have a better player? Think of commons as the ronaldo of this league would you have ronaldo track back or take him out because he doesn't defend?

25 Feb 2016 16:45:59
Ronnie Delicious, in the modern game, even going back 50 years, no team can carry a midfield player who is virtually stationary, doesn't tackle back, nor move into wide areas to receive ball.

22 Feb 2016 17:52:18
As we are all aware RD was given the managers position following a number of refusals from other candidates. It is fair to assume this was at least partly on the basis that he would have time to settle in and learn from mistakes prior to facing a significant and sustained title challenge. Therefore what do people think he has demonstrated he has learned and changed in his approach since taking the job that has made us a better team and more equipped for the champions league qualifiers nest season.

22 Feb 2016 19:21:37
We were playing better and more consistently from January '15 until the end of last season and guys like Johansen, Izzaguire, Bitton, Commons, Gordon and Brown were at the top of their game.
Armstrong and GMS were having an impact and Denayer and VVD formed a solid partnership and chipped in with a few goals.
I won't do a man for man comparison, but we were a totally different team this season, with too many off form or unhappy players and far too many basic mistakes in important games.
The European campaign was hot and cold to say the least and ended without a win and bottom of our EL group.
I was hoping for more progress and momentum from last season and although the loss of VVD and Denayer left a big gap, we knew well in advance and failed to replace adequately and timeously and it was months before we settled on a settled back four.
The biggest disappointment has been the slump in form of too many players and the predictability of our play from one week til next.
There are some good young prospects at the club, but experienced players need to help develop them and not just pass the buck.
We all want the manager to get it right, but at present, in my opinion there are more questions than answers.

22 Feb 2016 19:45:10
Hot and cold Jim? Must a missed the hot bit lol. No qualification for CL ad last in Europa league it doesn't get much colder Brrrrrr.

24 Feb 2016 23:42:39
Rayman and others will never see the highs because u are so negative you don't know the highs. Celtic is a great club, one big happy family, yet we have spoilt brats of teenagers ( of all ages ) that are rebellious and never happy .
They refuse to put in their support to encourage and build up confidence, instead they want to sit on the side making snide childlike remarks .
We deserve better.

22 Feb 2016 15:13:07
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Cahill Earns Lots Of Vision In China, Chelsea Fan Arrested During Man City FA Cup match and More

22 Feb 2016 09:34:43
Guys with Cheltenham less than a month away going to put up some anti post bets first of which is in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle on the Friday horse is MYSTICAL KNIGHT (present price 50/ 1, cut from 66/ 1) go each way and go with bookmaker paying 4 or more places at 1/ 4 odds.

22 Feb 2016 12:01:07
Almost that time of year where I end up bankrupt will look into the tip :)

22 Feb 2016 13:16:56
@bravetart86 what I do for Cheltenham is put money aside if I do not have enough in my betting account (luckily I am fine this year) also look at the bookmakers online with their offers, most will match your bets, so for example you join 2 bookmakers depositing £25 in each they will match that in effect giving you double to bet with ie £100 instead of £50, obviously when you win the bookmakers will deduct back their £25 but it is basically a free bet as you would be gambling anyway.