Celtic Banter Archive December 29 2018

29 Dec 2018 23:02:38
Not that the dust has settled I feel ready to evaluate.

Negatives -

Boyata's confidence level since his injury seems to be rock bottom. He looks like the Boyata of old which is a concern.

I hope Benkovic' s injury isn't serious as he is by far our best defender.

Rodgers got his tactics wrong. McGregor should have been in the middle with Hayes at LB. This wasn't the right game to play MJ especially out of position. Appreciate Edouard wasn't fit but Christie would have been a better option for me. That being said Rodgers was denied the opportunity to fix this during the game with the enforced substitutions of Lustig and Benkovic.

We struggle badly against teams who press us high up the pitch. The amount of forced and unforced errors was ridiculous today.

Our away record has been poor this season. Losses to Hearts, Hibs, Kilmarnock and Sevco and silly draws against Livingston and Motherwell show there is a problem. A change in tactic/ mentality is needed. Two up front with a target man?

Brown was so far off the pace today it was frightening. Is his time up? We look so much more fluid with McGregor in his role. I would hate to see him leave the club but would he be happy with a place in the squad with a view to becoming a coach perhaps?

Ntcham looks completely disinterested. He looks like he doesn't want to be here anymore and if that is the case punt him. Disappointing as there is a player in there.

We were bullied in the middle of the park. Our centre midfield was 2nd to every ball and challenge. The result of that being Sinclair, Forrest and MJ had no service. We missed Rogic big time. I know he has his doubters but what he does have is terrific ball control when under pressure and an eye for a goal. He would have linked the play much better than Ntcham or Christie.

Positives -

Sevco are an average side. On par with an Aberdeen or Hearts. Yes they wanted it more today and deserved the win however if we had turned up we would have come away with at least a point. We almost did bar a goal line clearance and a goal that was offside by a baw hair.

We are top of the league with a game in hand. Given our poor start to the season and the horrible fixture list in December I would have took that a month ago. We also qualified from a really tough Europa League group. We are on track for a treble treble. An amazing position to be in.

Rodgers has suffered set backs before and always came back stronger.

The board should hopefully back the manager in January. That being said Rodgers needs to prove he can spend wisely as the majority of his signing so far have been wanting.

Also I joined the live chat for the first time today. Was a good experience that I would recommend. Actually kept me calm and not shouting at the TV like I normally would!

Onwards and upwards. HH.

29 Dec 2018 23:15:47
BigBubs excellent post could be speaking for me.

29 Dec 2018 23:20:15
Nothing more to add really. Said it a fair bit but this pass from the back approach leaves me confused. Time after time we went backwards only to then go Gordon-Boyata who by this Time has split to the right back position and then either passes it direct to the opposition or plays a ball so bad it's lost. it was predictable and easy to nullify. Reminded me of playing under 12s when you had a keeper who couldn't kick beyond his own 18yard box. If we insist on. doing it at least have a receiver who can safely pick out a team mate.

29 Dec 2018 23:48:26
Jeezo Bubs you must have started typing that about half ten this morning 😂.

30 Dec 2018 00:18:59
I’d say you’re overthinking it BigBubs. They played well and we were pish. That’s all there is to it. I have no idea why we played so badly today but I don’t think it’ll happen again too often this season or next.

30 Dec 2018 00:23:00
Ha ha been thinking about what to say since the game finished Stevie. Had I waded in then I don't think there would have been any positives. Best to calm down before posting 😂.

30 Dec 2018 00:56:04
It has happened too often already this season COYBIG. Our away form had been poor. Something needs to change whether that be new players or a reaction from the existing squad.

30 Dec 2018 01:04:25
McGregor lb looks a bad decision now the midfield was lacking. But really the players have let Rodgers down in midfield and should have been capable today. Ntcham away from home is and absolute liability.

30 Dec 2018 01:10:37
Very wise Bubs👍.

30 Dec 2018 09:08:26
You’re right Bigbubs, it has happened too often. I don’t think there’s any way that Rogers will revert to playing a target man, I think he’d walk out the door first. I’m a big fan of Craig Gordon but I admit, he struggles in these situations with his distribution. Maybe he’ll consider rotating the keeper in games where we’re up against a high press. Who knows, my head hurts too much to think about it any more.

30 Dec 2018 10:18:20
Ntcham was shocking done nothing the entire game wanted way too long on the ball and looked like the player of old that struggled with the pace of the league when we first signed him. Brown and Halliday must've swapped shirts for the day also! I think everything just suited Sevco yesterday with players rushed back from injury or rusty, Fitness of KT and OE, Rogic away with Oz, Weird team selection and the dream team officials. Morelos should've been sent off 3 times. It's been a long month with a lot of games so with new additions and a rest well come back and wrap the league up very comfortably.

30 Dec 2018 13:51:57
I can accept being beat by a better team but not competing is unacceptable. No excuses, we were dreadful but there's no room for players who lack heart. Too many players in that team weren't up for it and that had far more to do with it than poor management or referees.

30 Dec 2018 15:34:14
@big bubs i would of went 5-3-2 to compensate for injuries what do you think?

GK Gordon
LWB Sinclair
RWB Forrest
CB Benkovic
CB Boyata
CB AJER
CM McGregor
CM Brown
CM Ntcham
CF Edouard
CF Johnstone.

30 Dec 2018 18:32:31
I'm not a fan of 3 CBs Phil. I would have played the same formation as Rodgers but with Hayes at LB and Christie up top. Regardless of what formation/ team we played the result would have been the same had we shown up with the same lack of fight.

29 Dec 2018 22:28:13
Sometimes in life you get a sad reality check.

At 4am on 29th my sons mate was walking home from the local night club when he was hit and tragically killed by a car.

He was 23, the driver was 4 times over the legal limit.

29 Dec 2018 23:28:37
That is tragic and so needless. I wish his family - and yours - the deepest sympathy. So sorry to hear that.

30 Dec 2018 00:01:26
Thank you Andy, appreciate it mate.

30 Dec 2018 00:27:25
Sorry to hear that Downunderbhoy. A tragic event like this makes you realise what is really important in life.

30 Dec 2018 00:29:05
Sorry for your bad news down under bhoy, rivalries aside football is only a game. Sending best wishes to the family tell your son to stay strong 💔.

29 Dec 2018 23:12:35
RIP God bless.

30 Dec 2018 01:12:04
So sorry to hear that downunder, heart goes out to you and everyone involved.

30 Dec 2018 02:16:03
Shocking :- (
Wishing the worst for the drunken culprit doesn't bring back the victim, even though it's an easy thought to have.
RIP kiddo

HH.

30 Dec 2018 05:06:08
Thank you all very much for your very touching words, God Bless.

30 Dec 2018 12:57:28
It always hard when we lose someone seems especially hard at this time of year in my experience. My thoughts are with you all.

30 Dec 2018 15:38:34
4 times the limit is absolutely steamin, ma brother done a breath test for a laugh on boxing day n he'd been drinking with me all night, seriously drinking, and that's what he was, 4 times over, there's no excuse for driving in that condition. The lads family should get to decide the persons fate, personally he'd get the death penalty, absolutely unforgivable.

31 Dec 2018 01:56:53
Sadly stephbhoy the drink driving here in South Australia is far too prevelant.

They drink beers in their cars on the way home from work, call them "roadies"
They pronote you can drink 2 standard drinks in the first hour, then a drink every hour thereafter and still be ok to drive!

29 Dec 2018 21:46:24
On a different subject, will they get away with the banners they displayed today? Does anyone know if they were allowed to keep them up or if there will be any retribution for it?

29 Dec 2018 19:52:50
Poor today and maybe could have snatched a draw but every cloud has a silver lining hopefully that comes in January on the plus side still top with a game in hand.

29 Dec 2018 21:10:50
The whole club should be embarrassed with that performance today. Board for failing to do there duty in summer window. Rodgers and his pathetic tactics and the players for putting such a heartless performance in.

29 Dec 2018 21:39:25
Hard to argue with that.

29 Dec 2018 21:46:30
Well done Patrick, one of the first posts that's not ripping into the team or manager. The sense of entitlement that has crept into many posters on here is becoming ridiculous. I worry for their sanity when the day comes ( and it will come eventually) we don't win a domestic treble. We lost a game today away from home with an understrength team, no titles were lost no cups lost not even top spot lost, but you would think we have lost the lot with the reaction. 7 trophies on the trot and a great chance it could be 9 which would be a phenominal achievement and must be near a European record. One poster even saying 7 or 8 of the team shouldn't play for us again after today, what's that aw about?

29 Dec 2018 22:28:21
Agreed, a disappointing result but let's not chuck the toys out the pram, we are not entitled to win every game. Like you say Patrick the reaction to this will be to make strengthening the team a must in Jan. Remember the last time they won a game? We've won every trophy since.

29 Dec 2018 22:32:23
Well said Stevie naebodys deid ☘️.

29 Dec 2018 22:44:31
C'mon bhoys. Of course no one has died and of course we don't deserve to win every game. It's a football chat room talking about football. Doesn't make you a lesser fan because you have a opinion in the game.

Celtic were atrocious a complete embarrassment. Even during the huns 9 in a row. Did a witness such a toothless Celtic performance. All the happy clapping in the world isn't going to change the fact we have have them believe they can compete.

29 Dec 2018 23:18:59
@Happy, They can believe all they want that they can compete over a season with us, they don't get called the deluded for nothing. For the record I've seen a helluva lot more toothless than that against RFC 1872-2012.

30 Dec 2018 00:12:06
Happy, you’re right, we were pish and to be honest, I have no idea why we were so bad today. However, I think what JFP’s saying is we need to avoid over reacting. They played well, we played pish. Let’s accept it and move on.

29 Dec 2018 23:32:27
The facts are we our spoiled some do think we are entitled to win the facts are BR appointment and making Celtic stronger has made teams better not only in players but tactics and management Kilmarnock have had the best points total in 2018! I'm unhappy about today but 7 trophies in a row and a possible 2 more in Europe aswell as a transfer window I know what side I'd want to be on give the bhoys a break hh.

30 Dec 2018 12:01:51
Totally agree Patrick, the most sensible post I’ve seen on here for a while. I’ve said a few times, I think we could be entering a golden era in Scottish football. Let’s embrace it.

30 Dec 2018 12:27:32
A total shambles yesterday. We will still win the treble. Rogers needs to stop buying pricks. A clear out of wage theifs and use the money saved to pay quality players who can improve us.

This is a wake up call that’s been coming. It’s how we react to it that will define us. You need to be able to take a good punch and still fight on. We will. Let them
get even more deluded. We are still top with going backward recently.

You cannot blame Lawell for 40% of our pool being rubbish. Rogers needs to sort that out as his recruitment so far has been abysmal, with 20 brought in and only five doing anything.

We need to hold our nerve. Take this as a turning point and kick on. Hopefully we will. We must.

29 Dec 2018 19:37:55
Yes, it's sore, yes, they deserved it, but we are still top of the league WITH a game in hand, they'll slip up again, don't listen to all this "were on our way" they aren't, they bet a team without one of their star players. Johnstone is to lightweight and shouldn't have been thrown into that game, Christie, good but again, game to big for him, but our usual big hitters, Ntcham, brown, boyata, absolute dire, Gordon kept it to 1. Hail hail, keep the heads up, we're top of the league.

29 Dec 2018 19:36:09
Today's result was always going to come sooner or later - we need to take it and move on. The better team won on the day. We can point fingers all over the place; the board for the disaster in the summer, BR for getting the team badly wrong today and the players for their disgraceful performance. But we're still top of the league with a game in hand and will have January to bring in the new faces we badly need. If everybody does their job right off the pitch in January and on the pitch thereafter, we will be celebrating an historic Treble Treble in May.

29 Dec 2018 20:48:25
Out played and the best team won. They have only won a Game not a Cup or a Title. First Trophy won. Still Top of the League (Game in hand) . Still in Europe at the end of the year. Over the next 2 transfer windows we must get rid of the Deadwood, Lock Lawell in a cupboard and buy a few quality players not teenage projects. The world's gone mad - Andy Halliday man of the match! 😱😱.

29 Dec 2018 18:45:19
Cmon board its time to back the boss he has delivered 7 trophys in a row what else must he do
I know we bought edward but that's only a fraction of what he has brought into the club so lift the lid and spend
Cmon you boys in green.

29 Dec 2018 17:03:26
Well l guess we will soon find out if the board trust BR with funds.

29 Dec 2018 17:38:20
I’ve no problem with what brendan spends, the board need to back him. I know he’s spent millions since he came in but there’s also millions been brought in due to champions league etc. There’s money there, it’s blatently obvious where we need strengthened its wether we can get guys of good quality to come to Scotland but that’s up to our scouts etc to source these guys out. But I’ve no problems Giving Brendan sufficient funds to spend, let’s hope the board think the same as it’s badly needed, as is getting the dead wood out the door.

29 Dec 2018 18:50:47
Just need to clear out the deadwood as well.

29 Dec 2018 16:31:54
Our most creative midfielder playing at left back - unbelievable. Sorry, but I'm still furious.

29 Dec 2018 19:59:57
Completely agree. Rodgers got today very wrong. And for me it was obvious before a ball was kicked. Don't know what he was thinking.

29 Dec 2018 15:59:58
Ffs see the amount of new posters is unreal. We were shocking today and the blame lies wi Rodgers take the praise take the blame why did we try 2 left backs at the sheep only to put our best player calmac their today but for me it wasn’t just team selection we weren’t up for it they were that annoys me more than anything wound up to fk at the minute.

29 Dec 2018 16:39:08
Welshybhoy, new posters or not, it’s irrelevant mate. Our performance today plus team selection was dreadful at best. Firstly the decision to play McGregor at LB was a joke. I totally get we’re ravaged by injuries at the moment but he’s been by far our best midfielder this season so to play him at LB instead of say Hayes, who played there second half at Pittodrie baffles me. Next ntcham, he needed to step up big time today due to McGregor being at LB yet he was absolutely dreadful. As a team we were so off it today it was ridiculous although our away form in general this season has been crap. What I find astonishing is brendan saying we defended well? Not for me. This passing the ball about the back line again and Gordon’s distribution is bordering on criminal from us. Week after week we have to endure this nonsense. We lost that game on the midfield today, due to the lack of fight in there we failed to get the ball to Forrest, Sinclair Johnston, who I hope doesn’t take a hit in confidence due to that today. Such a massive game to throw that boy into and got absolutely no service whatsoever.

29 Dec 2018 16:42:01
Welshy, we've got to take from that game what it was. Take off any tinted shades, they deserved that win. They bullied and harassed us for 90+ minutes, were first to almost every ball and pretty much stamped their authority on it. We were poor and didn't turn up. I'm not even going to start singling out individual performances.
We have had the warning signs for months now. We are not the team we were and other, lesser sides are sussing us out.
Time for a refresh in the next month. They won today but they were far from great, more we were garbage. It's our league to win and the only team that will stop us is Celtic.
Poor display today. It's got to be onwards and upwards from here.

29 Dec 2018 16:49:46
totally agree welshy the blame def at rodgers door today, for me 1st if kt is fit for bench he should be starting leave mcgregor in his position , brown for me is done so is lustig , time he played young ralston every week also as for ntcham totally disinterested this season and its up to BR to sort it, always say i never like to ge beaten by any team but i hate getting beat when we never even competed.

29 Dec 2018 17:04:26
Spot on.

29 Dec 2018 17:40:58
Why was KT on the bench at all when he was never going to be risked? Hayes did enough at Pittodrie to merit a start and Eddy showed more confidence and skill in his sub appearance on Wed than he has in several recent games and should have been let loose from the KO and as I mentioned earlier - when we lose Rogic, why sacrifice our other talismanic hunskelper? and surrender midfield with such an unfamiliar formation where Ntcham and Brown looked so dithery and hesitant, behind a very lightweight attack?
Far too many risks at such a venue was bad enough but the lack of fight and energy was criminal.
Maybe the very tough December schedule just caught up with them and today was a game too far for some? because I can find no other reason for surrendering so much territory and possession without a fight, although I don't think there are any excuses for not being up and ready for what we all knew was waiting this afternoon.

29 Dec 2018 15:26:25
Absolutely shocking. If it wasn't for Gordon it could have been a cricket score. Sorry to say that after seeing Broony this season ( not just today ) is finished. The team play better without him. The team as a whole needs freshening up by at least 4 players coming in. ( 2 or 3 on a permanent basis ) . If the board delivers who the manager want's in then I'm sure we'll win another treble.

29 Dec 2018 17:12:27
Gordon did make some decent saves must be said, non more so than from his own shocking pass out to boyata who didn’t have a clue the opposition was right up his ring piece, then Andy walker has the cheek to say he pulled off a great save? He bloody caused the effort in the first place. Plain and simple, great shot stopper, cannot come collect a cross ball and his distribution is chronic.

29 Dec 2018 19:18:12
Gary great shot stopper although distribution not the best but it’s the manager that wants him playing with his feet. Out of all the performances today Gordon is a long way from warranting being singled out for the criticism he’s getting. Apart from him and McGreggor not one Celtic player turned up. But biggest criticism lies with the manager for taking the creativity out of midfield and playing it at left back when Hayes or Izzy were options.

30 Dec 2018 08:54:22
JFP1888, totally agree with you. Gordon is one of the best shot stoppers around no question, but his distribution from pass backs is shocking and that’s all I’m highlighting in my above post. I know that’s how rodgers wants him to play and I do feel for him as he’s clearly not comfortable or any good at doing it. But if we as fans can see it, what is rodgers and his team watching? If rodgers wants his keeper to play that way then fine, go get a keeper that’s comfortable and capable of doing it. Getting Gordon to play that way invites pressure on us every single week and most times is totally unnecessary. Even Bain looks more comfortable with the ball at his feet mate. Your 100% correct with the McGregor one aswell, rodgers single handedly took the drive out our midfield yesterday by playing McGregor at LB. only he’ll know why he thought that would be a master stroke.

29 Dec 2018 14:53:30
Just can't calm down after that debacle of a non-show from Celtic.
There's nothing positive to take from that - apart from Gordon saving us from a proper doing.
First of all BR - having lost the services of one of our most creative and influential Sevco performers, plays the other at left back?
OK I can see he needed experience to cover for KT, but when he saw how poor the midfield were struggling, why not try Hayes again and free-up Cal-Mac to play his normal game?
Wee MJ up front was also a mis-match that should have been addressed before 60 minutes, while the introduction of Ralston vetoed other more positive options as Brown and Ntcham were clearly ineffective and losing the battle.

Broony looked off the pace from the off and Boyata just coming back into the side lacked the composure and confidence he had before the long injury lay-off.
Ntcham had a shocker, but for some reason was allowed to play 90mins.
As for the front players, who may have been starved of possession for long spells; they were far too often out-fought and bullied to make any in-roads to their goal.

They were as fired-up as we all expected, but somehow we lacked the fight, energy and desire to make a game of it and that's the worst part of the day.
Beaton was always going to give EVERY decision their way and ignore niggles, kicks and the like, but still we just took it and rarely looked interested never mind threatening in any way?

This was the wrong game to tinker with tactics, personnel and roles and although we remain top, we have thrown away a great opportunity to finish the year with a statement of intent and a party to start the winter break.

Ah well, it's the first ever defeat to TRIFC 2012 but it was a sore one to take.

29 Dec 2018 15:13:08
Watched the game and it's very clear the middle of the park was the major issue brown unfortunately is done very slow he has no pace can't keep up anymore, natchm wasn't aggressive enough and too was very slow, we need better centre mid in January as Christie McGregor and rogue are better served as attacking players I'd like 2 centre mid, 2 strikers, a right back and proper left back cover izzy is rank too unfortunately of the 5-6 players we need in I hope they are all of better class, brown should take his final seasons in Australia and bitton malumbu allan need shipped out, if a good bid comes in for ncham he's off, every time brown and ncham play we struggle stats don't lie, sickener today but it's taken them long enough to win, still top hail hail 🍀.

29 Dec 2018 15:18:41
Agree 100% with what you have just said there mate. The managers selection raises question marks undoubtedly but the performance, application, desire and effort (things he mentions after every game) of our players was negligible. No fight, didn't win a 2nd ball never mind a 1st one, chances ppfffttt other than the offside goal not a single cross or shot anywhere near McGregor. Our run was always going to end against them but to lose it in that manner is a hard one to take.

29 Dec 2018 15:19:14
Agree with you. Selection was all wrong from the start however 2 injuries denied Rodgers the ability to change it. Strong transfer window needed.

29 Dec 2018 15:33:25
Good post OAB spot on. McGreggor should never have played at left back and still scored an offside goal. Hayes could have played left back without the loss of McGreggor’s creativity in midfield. Brown and Ntcham can’t play together and both had howlers. No fault of Mikey Jonnstone up front he’d no service and we’d no other options up front with Eddie half fit and Griffiths having personal problems. The man has achieved great things but Brendan Rodgers got it wrong today rather than Stevie G getting it right. However we remain top of the league with a game in hand. The battle was lost but the war goes on. I’m sure BR will learn from today and it will also be a reminder to the board of what’s required in the January transfer window.

29 Dec 2018 16:25:55
Unfortunately the blame lieds with BR and his staff for his team selection. He puts the best and most attacking and creative midfielder at left full. Why was KT on the bench if he wasn't able to play at least 45 mins? Hayes got rave reviews all week from BR after the dons game but both sat on the bench all game.

It appears that certain players can't cut it in tough game. Nitcham was a disgrace and looked like a scared rabbit in headlights. Lustig was all over the place and even Scott Brown was very poor. We allowed them to over run us in midfield. Serious questions need to be asked if certain players like nitcham boyata and lustig play again for Celtic.

The manner with today's defeat is the problem. It has been a long time since l have seen Celtic play so bad in a old firm. It is now up to the board and BR to get the issues sorted in the transfer window.

At least we are still top all be it on goals but l hope all at Celtic remember 8 and 9 come before 10. Celtic have been given a wake up after this game and now with the winter break and transfer window they can solve the problems.

29 Dec 2018 16:53:09
Lustigs finished at right back. Been a great servant but he’s done. Ntcham would be aswell going as he just doesn’t look interested now although how he thinks he’ll get a move playing like that is beyond me. When was his last game? I’ve spent the past half hour arguing with my mate about Sinclair. I’m one of his biggest critics and he’s been superb the past 2 games but I can’t blame him today, yes he was non existent but so was Forrest, Johnston, Christie, ntcham, brown. Forrest, Sinclair, and Johnston couldn’t get a sniff as brown but for me mainly ntcham done absolutely hee haw, he cut about there today AGAIN as if he’d rather be anywhere else than where he was. For me that’s unforgivable, if your not up for the fight then ship up and ship out. those games regardless of how good bad rangers are, we need to turn up and for me he bottled it. Our midfield done nothing to support, give our wingers or Johnston/ Edouard when he came on, and to play McGregor at LB by rodgers is criminal.

29 Dec 2018 14:32:09
I've just checked and we are still top of the league. Anyone know why there's an open top bus outside ibrox?

29 Dec 2018 14:41:17
4th league title of the season PK 😂.

29 Dec 2018 14:13:53
I don't want to see Ntcham play for Celtic again - cowardly.

29 Dec 2018 14:28:20
Fantastic player but an empty jersey and clearly wants away.

29 Dec 2018 14:27:38
How many times has Morelos the thug kicked out, pushed, ball slapped and stamped on our players!

rubbish performance, Brown and Ncham worst games ever, not one player gets pass marks, except Mcgregir and Gordon for his saves.

Gerrards game plan worked, press and kick the rubbish out of us.

Rodgers must take the blame for the bizzare team selection, Mcgregor shouldn't have dropped out of midfield.

Now to try and sleep after that pathetic, weak showing, should have to give a months salary back for that performance!

29 Dec 2018 14:09:19
Cham is a disgrace no effort at all.

29 Dec 2018 13:22:22
Absolutely pish in that first half, we are making them look good and getting hee haw from the ref.

Get Tierney and Eddy on.

29 Dec 2018 13:25:44
How did Morelos not get a straight red? The referee is living up to everything we feared - giving them every decision.

29 Dec 2018 19:26:53
Seriously how can you point the finger at the ref, we were rotten.
Made them look like geniuses.

29 Dec 2018 19:36:56
Nonsense we were pumped fair and square👍.

29 Dec 2018
New image uploaded to the
Celtic Player Sightings page entitled, Iconic top spotted in Malaga

29 Dec 2018 08:51:16
Forgive my confidence but in what planet will the zombies get anywhere near us tomorrow? Outskilled and will be outplayed in every single area of the park including the bench. Zombies 1 (dodgy penalty) Celtic 4 HH.

29 Dec 2018 09:42:50
Why wouldn’t you be confident your analysis is spot on it’s the media building them up to believe their own hype. Nothing but an average team who will be out in their place again today 🍀.

29 Dec 2018 10:26:41
Hope you’re right WB 👍.

29 Dec 2018 10:50:17
They are a very average, untalented team of journeymen and borrowers, whereas we have the class, skill and confidence of champions.
Of course they will come out fired-up, snarling and biting as usual, but even with their resident 'establishment helpers', as long as we keep our cool and cut-out any silly mistakes, we have much more ability and quality all over the pitch.
The rare plus-point for Sevco is they do have a good keeper, who may help to keep the margin down - to three or four.