02 Dec 2014 18:51:21
Pleased with RDs comments about Scepovic as I think there is a player in there. The problem is he is not going to get a game when we only play with 1 striker. The solution may be that they preparing for Guidetti leaving (hope not) or we go ahead with 2 strikers but will RD change his system to accommodate? He has already dropped Commons and played Stokes/Mcgregor (both out of position) in the wider areas. Now IMHO Scepovic and Commons are better players than the other 2. You would think that your team would be better by playing better players, now I know managers play players to suit system etc but Stokes/McGregor are playing out of position so it makes no sense.I also hope Biton gets 6/7 games now because he defo a player, is still young and can only get better. We will never find out unless we give him the chance.
Biton must surely start the next game, he was solid and composed v hertz.Nice easy passes and keeps the ball, almost the opposite of Charlie! And FFS keep stokes away from the corners!
I have to agree with the manager here Ray. Sepovic has done nothing to deserve a starting place so far. He scored an important goal in Europe, although he also missed 3 sitters and other than that has hardly kicked a ball. RD would get shot of him in a minute if someone offered what we paid for him but he knows that won't happen so has to appear to be showing faith in the hope there is a player hiding in there. Stokes is no world beater but is definately a better option and his record domestically backs that up. Also reverting to 4-4-2 won't happen. He has spent months in training and games getting his formations and ideas across to the players, there is no way he will change it all in the hope sepovic might come good playing up front with JG. Again I think he's right, we struggle against most teams with 5 in midfield, imagine how well we would do with 4? It will end up going down as another bad striker investment, but makes the capture of JG even more important. Markie
I like Biton and although he has only had limited opportunity, he always plays like he's a team regular - and that's the sign of a good player.
Like his countryman Kayal, he is good technically and better midfielder's than Mulgrew; although WGS and RD seem to rate Mulgrew in there?
Of the new arrivals, I would say Tonev, Wakaso, Denayer and Guidetti could all do a job, while Berget and Scepovic seem laboured and surplus.
Commons proved himself last season, but whether it's the contract situation or the system, he is clearly being affected and looks unhappy and I would not be surprised if he was sickened and left in January - with a couple of others that seem to be frozen out for one reason or another.
03 Dec 2014 17:23:26
Gj on the corners thing, what is it with strikers taking corners. They should be in the box waiting for the ball coming in.
Is it me or does anyone else think Stokes has a "place to hide " by taking them??
Stokes has been told to take corners by RD, your guess is as good as mine.
Commons has done nothing this season to justify his selection . He either hasn't recovered match fitness after any of his injuries or else he doesn't suit Deila's way of playing . Mc Gregor has slipped back after a very promising first month . Stokes and Griffiths are both reasonable, I don't think Stokes is ever better than reasonable . Forrest is looking dangerous without ever recapturing his very best form and hasn't created enough clear -cut goal chances . Johannson looks a very good player, playing as a very attacking centre midfielder . His energy which means he links the whole team together from start to finish . Deila has a wee problem coming up as no doubt Manchester City would want Denayer playing regular first team football, yet Ambrose has been very impressive in his last two games . I am a wee bit disappointed with Matthews, he is a long bit short of his own high standard . It was good to see us beat Hearts on Sunday without relying on Craig Gordon saving shot after shot, 😆
Biton dropped, can't believe this thought he deserved his chance and would a sent a message out to players esp mulgrew.@ Chris02, re Commons this season- I thought scoring 32 goals last season would be indication enough that he a top player. He also scored the best goal this season for me against Zagreb with that step over and return from stokes. What he can guarantee is goals and assists. No other player can do this. Yes I like Johansson but Commons in that role would out score and out assist him every day of the week. Johansson would only out work him. As for Scepovic the guy was given his chance against Astra and next game only to score in each game then to be dropped.Whats the point in paying 2m + for a striker get him up and running and scoring then drop him and not seen since.
Rayman, comedy gold mate. Commons has been shocking this year and doesn't deserve the bench.
Who cares what he did last year, this is now and he has flopped big time. 1 good goal this year is not good enough.
Johanson is fitter, passes when players are in better positions and will outscore and outassist Commons with ease. Wait a minute, he already has this year
Well said Kev T regards Johansen. I didn't rate him at first cause I thought he was inconsistent, but he has been one of our best players this season. Deila obviously knows how to get the best out of him and can see him developing futher
03 Dec 2014 20:50:58
absolutely agree Kev T commons scored so much last year cause he never looked for a pass meanwhile johanson is always looking to play others in and as other posters say he links the team very well together. commons also isn't fit enough or just isn't interested enough to close down opponents
dont understand bitton out for mulgrew. already at least 4 shocking moments where he has gave up possesion under no pressure
It seems to be a theme on here that we just slag off the POTY. Last year it was Mulgrew now it Commons.Kev I wil bet you anything you want if Commons stays till end of season he will outscore SJ. He nearly scored mins after coming on because he gets in the right areas.
@ Keiran, so you are criticisising a player scoring 32 goals in a season because he doesn't pass it? Are you serious? The very reason he scored some of those goals IS because he doesn't pass it he scores instead, that's what goal scorers do mate. @Kev just noticed that both KC and SJ are both on 5 each as I wasnt sure. Not bad considering SJ played a lot more games.KC has 71 goals from 133 starts, I bet SJ would kill for those stats after133 games. We defo could be doing wi more players wi those stats but we prefer to criticise them.
@Rayman I don't seem to remember you being on here saying we should sign Kris Boyd, he's got even better stats than Commons so he's exactly what you're looking for in our team. You didn't mention the year Commons scored one single goal in 33 matches for us in his first full season for us, should we be looking for players with that stat as well just because Commons done it?
@AM that's his career stats at Celtic mate if he only scored 1 goal in his 1st season it just shows how well he done since.He still on a par with SJ with much less games this season (and that's him unfit?) imagine what he could do fit.
04 Dec 2014 02:07:41
it doesn't look like he will get fit though. counter attacks especially where commons tends to be a let down. if you look at the bigger picture i.e teamwork, chances created, decision making then your stats don't match up
glad rd sees that johanson is better for the team
Rayman, I like Commons but his best years have gone and last season was a one off.
He has never had the legs for the game of football RD wants to play and now in early 30s he will have even less to offer.
He has ability no doubting hence RD wants to keep him, but we can't fit a team around him as we cannot afford to have other players make up the workrate lost in having Commons playing.
Its always tough to see a fans favourite move on but I would hate to see Commons become a serial sub. I think Johansen will become a better player than Commons and he has the engine to keep it going for 3 games in a week.
Rayman in successive games Stokes created clear chances, both within two yards of the goal line for both last year's POTY and Virgil from corner kicks
We can hardly blame Stokes that both these players missed sitters .
Commons can't hack it this season, he is a pain in the arse, moaning to Deila about not been selected . He has neither the ball control or movement to do the job Deila wants him to do .
If it is true that he wants a three year Deila, I for one am glad that P L has refused him . He has always showed a lack of fitness and I think he is over the top. Pity because last season his goal scoring was magnificent.