The very good @StewartRoss89 on X posted in the Celtic Way about how Maik Nawrocki has already demonstrated impressive line-breaking passing abilities. Nawrocki has only completed the equivalent of 4.04 worth of 90 minutes so well short of the 900 needed for a deeper dive. But it caused me to look at his pack passing … [continue reading]
The “Slow & Ponderous” Fallacy
A comment I see often referring to Celtic under Brendan Rodgers can be summarised as “slow and ponderous build up”. Someone even sent me this from the Opta data driven The Analyst site to illustrate. Apologies this will look very small on a ‘phone! Follow the link above to browse more comfortably. Celtic are firmly … [continue reading]
Top Cat or Catastrophe?
Luis Palma has settled into the left attacking wide position recently vacated by the much-loved Jota. Stray Cat There are certainly rough edges to the 23-year-old Honduran. His 68% all pass completion is the lowest in the squad equal to barely on the ball Kyogo Furuhashi. In the recent match against Dundee, he gave the … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes: “Phew! Back to Normal!”
The last round of matches occurred on the 2nd January before the break for winter. Celtic went to St Mirren whilst The Rangers hosted Kilmarnock. The impact of big calls being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 02/01/24 St Mirren vs Celtic Incident 1 Referee … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes: Derby Special
New Year and another Derby at the end of 2023 in which much scrutiny falls. Thankfully we have a slightly unhappy Yorkshire Whistler who is grateful to us for taking his mind away from Sheffield Wednesday for a few moments. The impact of big calls being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined … [continue reading]
O’Riley: 100 Not Out
Matt O’Riley has reached 100 appearances in the 3-0 victory at St Mirren. He appears to be one of the team leaders on the pitch in terms of the way he conducts himself. I am settled in the opinion he is feeling unconstrained in terms of his role compared to the relative tactical straitjacket Ange … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – Christmas ’23 – “How Lucky Can You Get?”
This piece takes us up to the New Year games so covers the 16th December to the 26th December. The impact of big calls being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 16/12/23 Celtic vs Hearts Incident 1 Referee Clancy Game Minute 15th Score At Time … [continue reading]
Graham Spiers’ Podcast
I appeared on Graham Spiers’ Press Box podcast this past week to discuss “Do Scottish refs favour Rangers”. If podcasts had open goals…………whits the goaly daen’? Anyway, I was given the space to run through at a very high level some results from various pieces of analysis by myself and others, which, when taken together, … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes Week 17 – Frankly, Mr Clancy
A bit of catching up to do on the ol’ big call analysis. This brings us up to date following Celtic’s loss in Kilmarnock and The Rangers win over Dundee. Also please note following the incorrect assignment of the home team impact rather than the away team impact on the red card Goldson did not … [continue reading]
Beware Stodgy Saints!
St Johnstone are in their best run of league form although this isn’t saying a lot but two wins and a draw in the last four matches is improvement. The last three were with new manager (old face) Craig Levein in charge. Most telling perhaps was the last fixture a 0-1 loss away at Tynecastle. … [continue reading]