Celtic Banter Archive August 30 2020

30 Aug 2020 21:14:06
Well done lenny the subs changed the game.

30 Aug 2020 22:32:01
Formation change definitely helped improve things for me, Forrest replacing Taylor was pivotal - he became more involved in the left wing back and was a threat going forward - obviously against a better team they’re maybe worries defensively for him

I don’t see why Brown remains in the team - Cal Mac and Christie or Turnbull would be more dynamic with Moi behind the strikers.

3-5-2 would be our best bet going forward especially if we get a no nonsense type of CH.

31 Aug 2020 00:49:06
Maybe he should have started with that formation and we would have won the game more easily instead of being stubborn.

31 Aug 2020 08:27:22
Make no mistake beating Motherwell hangers nothing for me. He is tactically inept and is stubborn to a fault. We need someone who can take us to the next level.

31 Aug 2020 11:26:58
Marco - I’ve never been keen on Lennon as manager, he just doesn’t seem to learn - same issues from club to club - for me he needs to stick with the 3-5-2 and stop playing the likes of Brown and Taylor - both these guys do nothing but go back. Taylor still has time on his side to work on his shortcomings but for me he was never good enough to play for us.

As a team we have been poor before I get bombarded for picking out just 2 players. Ajer as a centre mid would be great IMO and would easily play the Brown role.

30 Aug 2020 20:54:31
Getting away from the Lenny Levine talk I can't wait to see CalMac and Turnbull playing together I think it will be a great pairing.

31 Aug 2020 02:37:51
Lennon will probably play McGregor at left back and push Turnbull wide right.

30 Aug 2020 20:03:24
guys do you think ncham is only given game time in order to prove to an other club he is fit. it happened last season also and he unsettles the full squad.

30 Aug 2020 20:42:09
I thought he was tidy enough today. Christie was far less convincing. Also thought ntcham looked committed as anyone else against ferenvaros.

31 Aug 2020 02:39:25
Ntcham is never a number 10 and Christie looks less convincing because Lennon is playing him out of position.

31 Aug 2020 03:13:53
If Ntcham isn't sold, we need to start playing him in the centre of midfield where he was outstanding in BR's first season when he played alongside Brown.
I would even drop Brown and play him beside Calmac.

30 Aug 2020 19:37:00
Be interesting to see what everyones starting elev would be if everyones fit me personally
Barkas
Elhamed jullien ajer
Frimpong mcgregor ntcham forrest
Moi
Eddy ajeti
In certain games brown for ntcham and you can rotate forrest and taylor and christie and moi. Could also put brown in with ntcham and mcgregor further forward but i feel we have to go 3 5 2 as we struggle with one up top.
If i had my way a better lwb and another central defender in and we are looking strong .

30 Aug 2020 19:48:40
i would be looking for a top quality left back/ winger for a starting 11.

30 Aug 2020 19:58:01
Barkas

Elhamed Julien Bitton Taylor

Turnbull McGregor Christie

Ntcham

Edouard Ajeti.

30 Aug 2020 20:18:35
I would be trying to get a first choice left back as I think Taylor should be no where near our team.

{Ed007's Note - I really don't understand the hate Taylor gets, defensively he's solid enough and he's a grafter, you can't accuse him of hiding during games. I've said all along he would be good enough in Scotland and can only get better but even if he ends up our back-up LB he'll prove to be a reliable player for us imo.}

30 Aug 2020 20:51:22
i think we should definitely be doing better than taylor.

30 Aug 2020 21:31:02
I think Taylor is very good, can't understand all the criticism.

30 Aug 2020 21:34:57
Taylor is a cracking player👍.

30 Aug 2020 22:05:04
Honest hard-working player who's learning what is required. Can't fault that.

30 Aug 2020 22:17:50
I agree Taylor is a good honest player who does his very best for the club.
One thing I notice is very many of our players go out of their way to get the ball to Taylor, to me this seems his colleagues are full of confidence in the player.

30 Aug 2020 22:41:05
I would do my best for the club but it wouldn't be good enough.

30 Aug 2020 23:02:41
Barkas
Elhamed
If we get Duffy
Jullien

Forrest
McGregor
Turnbull
Christie
Taylor

Eddy
Ajeti.

30 Aug 2020 19:00:26
Frimpong was excellent when he came on. Frightening pace. I would find a place for him in starting eleven. Motherwell were stuffy and parked a few buses. Hoist by their own petard however, and were blowing out their backsides in the last fifteen minutes.

30 Aug 2020 22:19:22
Yes Frimpong’s pace is the real deal and we must use it as much as. Possible.

30 Aug 2020 17:31:40
Ajeti play reminds me of big bad John. Doesn't run to much, looks overweight but knows where the back of the net is. If only he was half as good, time will tell.

30 Aug 2020 18:00:58
he reminds me of hooper.

30 Aug 2020 18:30:10
He will be fine if he knuckles down and loses weight and bulks up in the right way .

Hes got Andy Payton written all over him.

30 Aug 2020 18:48:04
😂😂😂 Andy Payton aka Desperate Dan.

30 Aug 2020 22:21:30
Unfortunately he is away with the Swiss squad for the international Break .
I think he may have been better in Glasgow .

01 Sep 2020 15:13:41
You post quite a lot of sense at times lubo but comparing Ajeti to Payton is like Michelle McManus V Charlize Theron. A dodgy nervy first 40 minutes today but job done. Calmac is irreplaceable so I hope any bids are knocked back. I would like to see NL go with Edouard and Ajeti upfront together.

What saddened me was there was supporters wanting us to lose or drop points today to get rid of NL. Keep the Faith. After 10 in a row is completed he can go with his head held high and in the history books. Life after NL bring in a Director of Football and a new manager with a fresh new approach.

30 Aug 2020 17:22:49
that turned out alright in the end. hopefully lennons had his wee fit for the season and can put his big boy pants back on now.

30 Aug 2020 18:38:17
In first 20 minutes they were trying certainly. genuinely ( and not being funny)

I think the issue is 2 fold

Too few players prepared to even try to take a man on . when you do the whole landscape changes and space opens up

When you camt beat a man, then there's the give and go .

When Ajer stepped out for calmac darted. everything changed

The ISSUE is that key players have to try to create that SHIFT. when they don't . they ALL begin to become safer and safer, and they manage to run around a lot ( good for stats) and make and complete lots of passes ( good for stats ) but they don't hurt opposition . they just rack up useless stats

Turnbull will dart and drive . christie can do it too . even forest has done it before

When we play with no striker. clearly when it does open up there is no pivot or anchor point but when eddy returns that will change

Today was okay. but the effort was there . but we need to build confidence to move past an opponent

Ps worried about ntcham. he doesn't protect ball enough. often losing it easily because he plays too open .

I don't know why we make such a fuss

A good 3 points and time to reflect and settle and plan.

30 Aug 2020 16:58:34
Nice win well done lads.
Now I'm a Lenny supporter if Lenny can't see in the second half Christie frimpong and forest are in the correct position. It's all on him.
To many balls go to Taylor and he wastes them most of the time.
Move forest to the left frimpong attaching right.
Christie in his natural position. Klamila did ok but the game changed when he came on.

30 Aug 2020 17:18:40
Problem today with taylor was he had no one to hit. Minute a striker was on the park he put it on a plate for him.

30 Aug 2020 17:20:40
We need to all get behind Lenny this is the One of the most important seasons in our history . what’s done I’s done Europe etc doesn’t matter this year to much ten in a row is most important thing .

30 Aug 2020 17:23:21
Forrest on the left? Jeez don't encourage Lennon😂😂.

30 Aug 2020 17:29:15
Exactly kev wee Taylor gets it and has to turn back. Ajeti looks like a real goal scorer btw.

30 Aug 2020 17:29:19
Give you my stats i counted on Taylor. 18 times he turned back,4 crosses 2 hit first player 1 overhit 1 gid yin. Never once tried to beat the last man. Good run for cutback that Paddy should have done better with. No width is created with him and cut inside Elyanoussi. I've a weird obsession with Celtic fullbacks think they're pinnacle to good Celtic teams.

30 Aug 2020 18:00:33
Malky forrest played well on the left today and done well there last season.

30 Aug 2020 18:01:19
If Klimala scores that tap-in he gets a double today and confidence goes through the roof. His introduction (along with Frimpong) did make a huge difference all the same playing in our familiar shape. Ajeti on the other hand has scored two SPL games running and will be bursting for the next game.
After a very flat first half - apart from a great Forrest goal, but they looked a yard quicker 2nd half when Motherwell left gaps and we had guys in their proper position.
Shame about the feckin International break, but it gives both strikers time to continue the fitness and familiarisation and as usual, I only hope we don't pick up any injuries next weekend.
Heard little or nothing about Griffiths recently apart from a calf injury and apart from his indiscretions, he does miss a lot of football and if Eddy is sold as expected, we will need another quality striker to add to overdue CB and LB and anyone else we may lose if the alleged want-away stars are adamant?

30 Aug 2020 18:30:32
who is expecting eddy sold? I certainly aint.

30 Aug 2020 16:02:39
Dont care what anyone thinks. Elyanoussi is a Empty jersey. Offers nothing.

30 Aug 2020 17:00:41
Needs a striker to play off. I think we saw today why Klimala doesn't start. Would loan him out to East Fife for the season that's about his level. Ajeti will be a great signing but is blowing out his arse after one run. Good to get the three points and let's see what happens over the break.

30 Aug 2020 17:19:31
move him in to the number 10 and he will be far more effective.

30 Aug 2020 17:25:04
Elyounoussi is awful👍.

30 Aug 2020 17:39:36
theres a player in klamila great running of the ball pulling defenders about game changer when he came on,
big hartson and strachan said what i said on here. he needs another striker with him. klamila and griff played well together imo past games.,
i think lenny know this, let's see how it all pans out,
jamesy woke up and frimpong found his calling.

30 Aug 2020 15:01:48
Hi Ed

Can you pass on my email to Welsh.

Thanks.

{Ed007's Note - I don't have access to your e-mail addresses, David so I'd need to get Ed033 to get it. Just post it here (obviously I won't publish it) or drop me it at ed007@live.co.uk

30 Aug 2020 15:44:52
Cheers Ed.

{Ed007's Note - 👍

30 Aug 2020 14:56:20
Again no strikers in the starting xi and messing up the balance of the team by playing ntcham in the number 10.

Really starting to lose patience with Lennon.

30 Aug 2020 15:29:26
If they are not fit (match or otherwise) as Lennon says then why the feck are they not playing to GET match fit? Say one on each half? Why can they not get match fit with intensive 45 mins training at Lennoxtown?
What then when they do become match fit and Edouard doesn't leave will they still remain on the bench? Oh and apparently Griff isn't too far away in terms of a return, so how can he regain match-fitness and the other two can't?

30 Aug 2020 12:35:55
What you think lads

Barkas

Jullien
Elhamed
Ajer

McGregor
Turnbull
Ntcham
Christie
Frimpong


Ajeti / klamilla.

30 Aug 2020 12:50:52
would that be christie LWB. by ajetis own admission he's not fit enough yet.

30 Aug 2020 13:13:02
Leaked team

Barkas, frimpong, biton, Julien, Taylor, brown, McGregor, forrest, Christie, MOI,
Klimala.

30 Aug 2020 13:13:03
DR claiming leaked line up with Ajer and Ntcham being dropped from last game and adding Klimala to start

Barkas
Fringpong
Bitton
Jullien
Taylor
Brown
Forrest
McGregor
Christie
Mio
Klimala.

30 Aug 2020 12:28:14
So next rumour calmac to Leicester rumour I don't really bother with but with this one if true. He's 28 now very fit lad with gd ability Rodgers raves about him.
So 28 offered 20 million doubles his wages it's a no brainer he has served us well. So if this rumour is true I think he will go lads. He's my favourite player and the gd advise will be, to leave for a big payday but if it's his heart he stays at least till January to see where we are at. ?

30 Aug 2020 15:03:46
He won't go until at least the next transfer window, but ideally he will be here for the 10 and then move on with all the good grace and best wishes in the world. of course he may stay and become captain and move on to 35k a week with us.

30 Aug 2020 10:33:58
We always start slow lads Lennon has took the flak now let's see what happens today.
But the amount of stuff coming out of parkheed is not the norm. What's happening there.
Let's hope that clear the air talks have been done and we get on track. Lenny been backtracking all week but we can see something is off with him. Get a win today we move on to the break 😃.

30 Aug 2020 11:06:48
Fitness, its weird

He KNOWS he isn't leaving Celtic for a different, positive challenge

Stevie G would get snapped up simply due to the media feeding frenzy down south for him to be involved, he is " anointed' in that respect

This gives NL motivation, ie being seen to beat him but at this moment NL confidence is low

This means that we have a manager going nowhere unless he opts to leave ( knowing there isn't a queue for his services) or Celtic put him into early retirement

NL has very very few options, and indeed was grateful for the Celtic opportunity. especially when there is literally no other jobs pr people wanting you

This gives PL total power, control and influence whichll means the following

Oir chief executive is literally playing football manager with no one in the room challenging him. Pl is well paid but being well paid and not challenged is an extraordinary position to be in

There is no incentive for him to upset his own apple cart

Sevco don't have a PL.

Each funcrion has freedom to operate and they will have their bone fide expectations with sufficient distance to make hard calls

Sevco, love then or loathe them went for a big name and did it again with mark allan and now ross Wilson

Celtic don't do that as that spells danger for PL and so what he does is fill positions with people that NEED US a lot more . ie nicky hammond and neil lennon

I don't quite know where DD fits in, but by all accounts he has given PL the freedom of paradise, and PL has made it his very own nirvana

Pl as the real power broker when it comes to recruitment, deal terms, culture with a north Korean style iron fist

We have to HOPE that his own ego drives him towards doing what he can to deliver 10

I personally think the PL influence is a bad thing. a very bad thing. he is / was an accountant at clyde port and is a numbers guy . and there's the old adage that accountants make lousy MDs and CEs because they " don't do vision well"

NL gets my support as manager of celtic, but he isn't really a manager in the broadest sense because he arrived on " critical support " owing to hapless unhappy stints elsewhere with his stock and profile and reputation nowhere

NL may pick the team ( I don't think its beyond PLs reach to even indirectly influence that) but this is not ideal AND PLs utopia/ nirvana may ultimately be our undoing


If I were NL I'd be going back to brilliant basics. He should be getting fit . making a much bigger effort with media in terms of charm offensive and starting the conversation with fans again. the managers position at celtic park should be a high status role filled by a high status, ambitious figure. NL needs to work on his status and appeal and carve his own personality and stand apart . AND NOT BE BROW BEATEN

NL gets my support BUT must improve as much as some of the players.

30 Aug 2020 11:18:15
It's a worrying time, with so much negativity emanating from the club, between the failure to bring in quality replacements for the players that left, the indiscipline of Griffiths and Boli, the 2 game suspension and repercussions to our season start, the CL calamity, the manager revealing 'unrest' - then having to backtrack and after all that - another interruption with the effin International break.
The signing of Turnbull has been the one high point since the opening game against Accies, when no-one could have foreseen any of this?
Agree with above; Imperative we win today, but the in-house problems have to be eliminated with more positive actions urgently required.

30 Aug 2020 11:47:45
Agreed Celtic mad

But I don't think you can underestimate the adverse impacts of having a manager that needs to suck it up, or retire . players will smell the weakness and his " PL poodle" reality. they won't respect that

When BR was here he was helping us whilst rebuilding his REP, that guy seems himself in the dug out at the barnebau and so his hunger and appetite is as broad and diverse as the players. where channelled properly that can be very powerful

I guarantee fewer players would want to leave a manager going places, as some would want to impress so much and then hang on to his coattails

Dont underestimate the idea around " the law of attraction", ie players want to play for and be loyal to managers that can shape their next move and take them to the next level

NL has to avoid standing still himself . he needs to be driven . its healthy

But as I say, an NL makes PL EVEN MORE powerful

I'd go as far as saying that our success this year will be dictated by PL and his ambition and attitude.

30 Aug 2020 12:22:29
Well said lads few gd fair ponts there.