22 Oct 2020 10:51:32
Morning all / ed
I have been all over the online blogs since Saturday and watched for the messaging come out of celtic park
Lots of rumours, not many positive ones but there you go
The wantaway stars was a real problem, not so sure it is so much now
Anyways, I digress
NL interview yesterday, between questions. body language .
Some. of the content was valid but he looked ( in terms of body language )
Spooked
Exhausted
Beat
Unsure
Melancholy
As each question came pouring in, you could tell he was uncomfortable
To his credit, he heaped praise on the players and double downed on their professionalism and exploits and highlighted that he knew they had gears to move through
He took the blame for the 2nd half display and said it was all about him in terms of performances. which was good ( in a way)
Anyway, my point.
He reads all of this. he is well aware of fans low level of confidence in him ( maybe he shouldn't be so interested and maybe he should avoid the noise as he calls it) but our manager, leader, anchor, commander and chief is Miles away from the fiery, over confident, ballsy character that we know him to be
The lennon " stare " has gone and he does look like a rabbit in the headlights . not so much frightened and overwhelmed, but more resigned to the brutal truth that he will shortly be run over by the Volvo hurtling towards him
I don't want to see NLs legacy irreparably damaged
I don't want to contribute any more to the negativity around him and his abilities ( be it man management, tactical nuse, standards, talent spotting and talent development)
I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. It's a results business and not a personality content or beauty pageant.
I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, starting from now
We are celtic
Hail hail
Faithful through and through with no entitlement to anything
Enjoy your day folks.
22 Oct 2020 11:59:27
I feel NL now is a different character from the NL that took over from Mowbray. Think he had to channel some of that rage elsewhere but also think its diluted that passion and determination he once had. Bringing back the thunder I think was the quote used at the time. We could be doing with some of that now.
22 Oct 2020 12:04:33
I had noticed his passive and vulnerable interviews since the CL exit and he knows better than most that these media and tabloid morons are not the slightest bit interested in his or Celtic's welfare, or plight, but how far can they push and coheres him into a corner and wait for him to crack.
Slippy on the other hand has a hold and control over who and when he speaks and has asserted influence on both the SPFL and SFA.
I agree 'Lubo'; he is currently a shell of the character and person he was and he seems to have taken a battering from all sides inside and outside the club.
Personally, I don't think he has surrounded himself with inspirational, motivational or problem-solving assistants?
However, If he can't regain his authority and swagger because the stuffing has been knocked out of him - he should go?
Possibly, if the support and players saw more fight (in the right way) , passion and direction it could make all the difference?
22 Oct 2020 12:06:01
It’s a footballers world now because of their wages.
Gone are the days when the manager could get away with the hairdryer treatment.
Lenny in his first stint was probably a character the players feared but he knows he won’t get away with that now especially with what happened at Hibs.
I know what you mean Lubo because Lenny is like a different person now.
Some would argue that’s the way it should be because the days of Jim McLean from his Dundee Utd days was OTT.
I was worried he would lose the dressing room after his Ferencvaros meltdown and I think it’s still early days if that is in fact the case.
The players have showed fighting qualities to grind out results recently and Saturday was more of a selection and tactical nightmare for/ by Lennon.
These next few games will let us know if the players are interested in playing for their manager.
I hope to god they are.
22 Oct 2020 12:34:52
Buzz bubs and celtic mad . all really good posts .
Let's see how we set up this evening
A little bit of lady luck for NL would be overdue.
22 Oct 2020 12:38:49
We also have to remember this is a man who also struggles with his mental health and could be struggking.
22 Oct 2020 12:43:33
We have to take a step back from all of this and look at the basic facts.
We are not an insular, backwater Scottish club. We are a worldwide respected football club with a massive history and a first class business model.
As a club of this magnitude we should have first class leadership and first class coaching staff who in turn should be filtering down to the players motivation, enthusiasm and maximising and nurturing ability.
With the status and standing of the club, the players should be proud to pull on the jersey and to give 100% at all times. The supporters pay their wages and all of the first-team squad earn well in excess per week what supporters may earn in two or three years, and they should understand that.
A club of this magnitude should have succession planning, ensuring that any fringe or Development players are coached to come into the first team seamlessly when called upon.
The Board has a corporate responsibility to ensure the standing of the club is maintained in the marketplace and and they also have a collective accountability to the fans who pay to make things happen.
None of us on this page probably know eactly what is happening behind the scenes. We can hear and read but there appears to be something which is not right. Somewhere down the line there appears to be unhappiness, demotivation and anxiety. This cannot be allowed to go on as all it does is compromises the good name of Celtic. Something is clearly not right - and something clearly has to be done, and quickly.
22 Oct 2020 12:54:38
Great post stengo.
22 Oct 2020 13:02:23
Cheers liamlennon.
22 Oct 2020 15:41:01
Liam Lennon, my post was better
IM VHO
Enjoy the match.
22 Oct 2020 15:47:54
😂great post also lubo, enjoy the game mate.
22 Oct 2020 15:59:14
Stengo
I'm sorry
Celtic is a PLC
They have a fiduciary responsibility to shareholders.
Any sensible Business is in the Business of profit maximization/ optimisation
There is a link between happy fans, success and of course revenue BUT in in our case, we have the issue of being in a league / region that IS constrained in terms of TV and sponsorship.
The reason the Board don't go all out to make the champions league ( more revenue) is because nothing is guaranteed and we could run the risk of overspending on players and wages and fail to recoup the champions league bounty ( where we don't pick up many points anyway albeit we get the plus 20m for a season)
The domestic prize money for trophies is hardly dazzling either
And so, our Board do just enough to drive revenue ( aka keeping fans happy and giving fans sufficient incentive to buy season books, merchandise and pies and pizzas )
A close run thing with sevco is a business choice; weirdly that optimizes revenue in our backwater league which has never been properly positioned or backed in a PR/ marketing sense
Celtic Board KNOW we have the fans, but regrettably we don't have the platform and with so many vested in shares and options, they will keep a keen eye on that aspect.
With poor dividends and a hint of toiling profits the share price could tank ( albeit, uniquely, perhaps many of celtic shares trade less because people hold on to them for longer )
Anyway, the point is that we probably overpay average " lost " or " off form " pr " project " players JUST to make the switch to Glasgow's east end and thereafter, to bring the magic to financial performance ( and line the pockets of savvy executive board members ) we sell our best assets on a phased basis . meaning that
We won't ever be as talented and secure in terms of actual talent and emerging talent as we would otherwise like l.
The Board is not accountable to fans
We fans are a source of revenue, nothing more nothing less
Yes to world class coaches
Yes to world class leadership
Yes to careful succession planning
Yes to everything else that is all rainbows and yellow brick roads
Why not?
But your " take" is romantic and naive ( a lovely sentiment nonetheless )
Hail hail.
22 Oct 2020 16:48:29
Patronising post as is your won't Lubo - we wouldn't want it any other way.
22 Oct 2020 18:16:04
Aye okay. you know the score stengo.