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Kmcalpin

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Everything posted by Kmcalpin

  1. A feature of all 4 goals was that Celtic had too much time and space in and on the edge of our penalty box. For example at the 4th goal there was only one of our players who made a half hearted attempt to cover the guy who crossed the ball and no-one closed him down, allowing him to pick out his target. Had the roles been reversed, Celtic would have had 2 or 3 defenders closing down the player in possession, snapping at his heels and preventing the cross. An entirely preventable cross, which Gallagher should have had no need to defend.
  2. I see that the SPFL investigation into Kilmarnock and St Mirren's Covid 19 related call offs started today and is due to conclude tomorrow. Will the findings be made public? It'll be interesting to find out, if we ever do, what exactly happened.
  3. Defending for all 4 goals was poor and whilst some individuals did make blunders, the team as a whole defended poorly. Some of that was down to individuals ansd some down an overly bold 4-3-3- formation. In defence of McGinley and O'Donnell, they were hung out to dry by the overworked and underresourced midfield. Our midfield could in turn point the finger at the strikers who could have put themselves about a bit more to close down advancing defenders. Catch 22.
  4. They didn't miss it. He was given a yellow card.
  5. I agree up to a point. Over the course of a season their financial and other clout means that they will always come out top. However, in one off matches they can be beaten or at least points prised off them. Their away games so far this season have been 1-1 at Kilmarnock; 1-0 at Dundee United; 5-0 at Ross County; 2-1 at St Mirren; 2-0 at St Johnstone; and 3-3 at Aberdeen. So out of 6 other away games they have only bettered today's scoreline once, at Dingwall. In the great scheme of things, we shouldn't expect to take points off them very often, but we should expect to compete better against them.
  6. Thats pretty much it for me. I didn't expect to win given Celtic's far superior resources but I hoped we wouldn't make it easy for them. Currently, we can't afford to play a 4-3-3 formation against Celtic or Sevco. That formation renders strikers ineffective and puts the midfield and defence under great pressure. Our midfield was steamrollered and outfought. Thats not to say that we lie back, as thats not the answer, but we need a more measured attacking formation. We were vulnerable and caught out down the flanks and I really think Robbo should have rectified that early on but he didn't. On the field, most of the players looked intimidated and that showed. We defended far too deeply and didn't work hard enough to close players down when not in possession. Our strikers suffered from lack of support from midfield and just didn't show enough aggression or effort in closing the Celtic defence down. Too often our attack was laboured and slow with the 3 midfielders reluctant to commit themselves to attack, leaving the strikers unsupported. It was noticeable when we had the ball, in a position to cross, we were closed down by 2 or 3 defenders. When Celtic were attacking down the flanks, our midfield didn't shield the full backs who in turn sat off the attacker. In short, lack of organisation, work ethic and worrying lack of confidence. We also lacked a bit of character. Yes, Celtic had far better players; quicker and more competitive/aggressive and that puts our failings into some kind of perspective. Individual failings, like Polworth's pass, also took their toll, but I wouldn't blame individuals. We defended poorly as a team and lost the goals due to multiple failings. Overall, one of Celtic's easier away games - all they need to do these days is take to the pitch in their green and white jerseys and thats enough to unsettle us. On the positive side, we had a decent spell after half time, as celtic eased off and did have a few chances but didn't get the luck we needed. I believe that Mugabi was on the pitch pre match so that must mean he's returning to fitness.
  7. Celtic's 2nd best away result of the season so far. Nuff said. Still, no red cards or bad injuries.
  8. A welcome goal by big Dec but again shocking defending for Celtic's 3rd....schoolboy stuff. Again a free cross into the box.
  9. For all the pre match talk about Celtic's defence being poor they've been head and shoulders above ours. Aided of course by a harder working and more combative midfield.
  10. Yes, its a lot to do with the players you have at your disposal. Our squad is not suited to play 4-3-3- against Celtic.
  11. My heart says continue to go for it and try to pull back 2 or 3 goals. My head says look to the longer term and take Maguire and a striker off and limit damage to our goal diference. No red cards or bad injuries please. The front 3 look a bit dispirited and I don't blame them.
  12. Its the same on the right as well. Full backs are getting no protection from midfield.
  13. I'm afraid our malaise is far deeper than McGinley. He can only cover one man at a time. 4-3-3- is suicidal.
  14. Game over. Outnumbered on the left wing. We didn't learn our lesson.
  15. Even this early we're giving Celtic too much room on the wings.
  16. No Tony Watt to select but Devante Cole can be selected for 2 positions. Jamie Semple is also available for selection!
  17. I just hope he's recovered sufficiently to get the chance.
  18. I never like reading about backlashes/ wounded animals / hurting after these Euro games. We have more reason than most to be hurting or out for revenge after Celtic games in recent years. I’m not expecting us to get a result but it might happen. I am expecting us though to get in their faces and not give them a single millimetre of space anywhere on the pitch. They have a dodgy defence so let’s set about their rearguard.
  19. I was at the game with my late father but the centenary was of more importance to us than the opposition was.
  20. Does anyone know the inury/illness situation witrh regards to Seedorf, Grimmy and Lamie? Just asking for a friend.
  21. I would also add that the top players in England are sucking out the profits from mega TV deals. Many are earning absolutely ridiculous salaries.
  22. A pleasing and rewarding win yesterday. It was thoroughly deserved. A real team performance but for me, Gallagher and O'Hara just shone above the others. The latter has really settled in at central defence. Watt worked hard, took his goal well but things didn't always come off for him. Right now 4-3-3- seems the best formation and its bringing us success. Disappointing to lose Cole and Lang through injury but it wasn't surprising given the way Livi played. There would have been a few more on the treatment table this morning. As expected they were physical, uncompromising and combative, with Bartley kicking anything that moved. Overall a niggly game with a few personal battles going on. The first half was fairly even possession wise but we created the chances and whats more took them. Livi were playing against the wind and launched everything into the air. A deserved half time lead. The second half was an entirely different game. We managed the game very well, not something we've always done. Playing against the wind we were content to sit back. We also missed Cole's movement up front. Jordan White just doesn't seem to be cutting it. Livi played along the deck much more, dominated possession and also exerted a lot of pressure but it was toothless and powder puff. Our midfield struggled a wee bit against more abrasive opponents and were forced deep at times but in the main our 2 full backs, especially McGinley, coped well. O'Hara and Gallagher were rocks in the middle and as a result Chapman was rarely tested. All in all a good result and performance on a dreadful pitch and in horrific weather conditions. Lets hope our injury list hasn't lengthened.
  23. Gallagher or O'Hara for me. On balance I'm going for Big Dec. It was largely due these two that Chapman had little to do. They stood firm in the face of some heavy Livingston pressure.
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