|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 13, 2006 8:16:08 GMT
Time to get worried?
Only reading the match reports now but that's a horrific scoreline. I watched the first 22.5 minutes of it live last night and at that stage Celtic were doing well. I was going to come on here this morning and say that all the doubters of Lennon should hang their heads on shame because he made a huge difference when he came back. For the part of the game I saw we were passing the ball well and Maloney was sublime. Beattie wasn't at the races up front again though. He didn't get on the end of any through balls because his first touch wasn't good enough. I would also single out Marshall for criticism.
One positive is that we had an awful start to last season also. When Strachan took the job he went on about the work he had seen in other sports and how the fitness in soccer was miles below what it should be. The hope is that he's running the legs off these lads at the moment so they're not sharp and that's why they're getting beaten.
A 4-0 defeat to an MLS side is embarrassing though. We need to start improving now are we're in trouble.
|
|
pagey
Joe Brolly
Posts: 102
|
Post by pagey on Jul 13, 2006 9:03:23 GMT
Wouldn't really take anything from friendlies. However the problem I see is that we lack considerable strength in our squad. The money must just not be there. The starting 11 next season is not even strong enough to challenge in Europe and that worries me a lot. We need to get rid of Petrov, take the 5-6m for him and invest it wisely before the deadline. The problem we had in the Seville season was that the back-ups to the first 11 weren't good enough and unfortunately this season when we are 2nd seeds in CL group the problem is still there.
This is how I see WGS lining up next season for Europe.
Bourc (Fine)
Telfer (Shouldn't be there) McManus/Caldwell Varga Wilson (should be on the right IMO)
Naka (Fine) Jarosik (haven't seen him play) Lennon (far too old for Europe) Maloney (fine)
Majic (fine) Riordan/Miller (fine)
We need left back and centre half as a priority. Read about Kennedy saying he was back doing training. Would be wonderful if he was back before Christmas.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 13, 2006 9:15:59 GMT
Wouldn't really take anything from friendlies. However the problem I see is that we lack considerable strength in our squad. The money must just not be there. The starting 11 next season is not even strong enough to challenge in Europe and that worries me a lot. We need to get rid of Petrov, take the 5-6m for him and invest it wisely before the deadline. The problem we had in the Seville season was that the back-ups to the first 11 weren't good enough and unfortunately this season when we are 2nd seeds in CL group the problem is still there. This is how I see WGS lining up next season for Europe. Bourc (Fine) Telfer (Shouldn't be there) McManus/Caldwell Varga Wilson (should be on the right IMO) Naka (Fine) Jarosik (haven't seen him play) Lennon (far too old for Europe) Maloney (fine) Majic (fine) Riordan/Miller (fine) We need left back and centre half as a priority. Read about Kennedy saying he was back doing training. Would be wonderful if he was back before Christmas. I agree with that - still a shocking result though and it did highlight the ineptitude of a couple of individuals. I'd see the team much along the lines you have outlined and with the departure of Petrov I'd be looking for a central midfielder to replace him. A left back should be coming regardless. Strachan was quoted yesterday (on the official site) as saying that a striker was his priority and that he wasn't looking for any more centre halves. I can understand the need for a fourth striker but I can't beleive he doesn't see the need for another centre half - maybe Bobo will be back sooner than expected. |
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 13, 2006 10:54:08 GMT
I'm starting to get concerned now. Strachan's been going on about lethargy being the reason for the poor display but the fact is the squad is 4 players short and will be for the start of the season unless he's given funds to buy players.
Great news about Kennedy but you can't place reliance on a guy that's been out for over 2 years. I see Tristan is linked today for £2m - great 3 or 4 years ago but I don't know what happened him since. He's only 30 so maybe he can recapture his form though if they wouldn't pay JFH's wages they are unlikely to be able to match his either. Also, he's linked to Benfica and Sporting Lisbon so would he uproot to come to Glasgow? Doubtful.
Maybe these results are a grand plot by Strachan to convince the board that he requires way more cash. Though these results will hardly help change Petrov's mind. Are you bhoys resigned to the fact he's going now? Have you written him off as a bad debt? I still hope he stays.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 13, 2006 10:58:46 GMT
I'm resigned to losing him now. He's been poor so far pre-season - along with everyone else - and I think we need to get a few new faces in so I'd be happy to get rid of someone who isn't committed to the team.
I'm starting to think that we should go to the first champions league games - home and away - because by then we won't be mathematically out of Europe already.
Not sure about Tristan either - I'd like to think there are better options out there because good as he was I could see him not performing in the SPL.
|
|
pagey
Joe Brolly
Posts: 102
|
Post by pagey on Jul 13, 2006 11:21:03 GMT
He is clearly unhappy and doesn't want to play then offload him. Get the money and try and bring in 2 players for it. Going to give Strachan this season to see what he can do. This is his team not O'Neills so he doesn't have that excuse. Would love to know exactly how much is available to spend. Does he not have the funds O'Neill had in his first season?
Hopefully the next few friendlies will liven us up. How did Miller do last night? I know he got sent off but before that did he look lively? I have high hopes for him this season.
Lets hope with a couple of competitive games behind us and a fixed first eleven we won't be out of Europe after the first few games.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 13, 2006 11:24:00 GMT
Miller looked ok at best in the half hour or so that I saw. Beattie was showing for the ball way more - he just couldn't put his foot on the ball was the problem. Miller didn't seem to get much of it but I'm judging him on a third of the game. I have it recorded so I'll watch the rest of it later.
|
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 13, 2006 12:16:34 GMT
I'm starting to think that we should go to the first champions league games - home and away - because by then we won't be mathematically out of Europe already.quote] That would be ideal for me. My busiest time in work because of our September year-end is October, November and into the first week of December and apparently all holiday requests are no-go. The first two CL rounds are usually mid September and the last week in September so that would suit me best. Pagey? Anyone else? |
|
pagey
Joe Brolly
Posts: 102
|
Post by pagey on Jul 13, 2006 12:30:21 GMT
Yep count me in for the away champions league match. Will be heading over with the family to a home one in November/December.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 13, 2006 12:38:02 GMT
I might try for 2 home games but I'd be on for first home game and one away game. The only issue with the away game will be if the first away match is in a tiny stadium where tickets are a problem. Where there's a will there's a way though.
I think thepiepiper will be into it as well - I think he wants to go to 2 or 3 home games and at least 1 away.
|
|
