I wrote recently about how the direct speed of the SPFL Premiership has risen markedly according to Opta. The finding was an indirect outcome of countering the “slow play” trope flung at Brendan Rodgers. It seems the league is getting the ball forwards faster, as are Celtic, but relatively less so than the rest of … [continue reading]
Deila
Lennon Ends What He Started
The 9 in a row parties were likely more subdued that we’d all like, but as James showed yesterday, this was a dominant Celtic season in the league to clinch the nine – no limping over the line. Average Points Ultimately Celtic won the league on points average – simply the number of points divided … [continue reading]
Austerity? Or More Of The Same?
Will Lennon get transfer funds to strengthen the squad? I take a look at managerial trading since the end of the O’Neill era. I pick this benchmark as it saw the end of the strategy of a stellar first XI and then kids / cheap squad players to a more nuanced model of Moneyball trading, … [continue reading]
Eight In A Row: League Goals Compared
How do the eight in a row champions compare season by season as far as goals for and against are concerned? This season’s tally of 77 saw the second lowest of the last eight years. And the lowest was last season. Which followed the highest, 106, all under Rodger’s watch (mainly). Rodger’s managed Celtic for … [continue reading]
Eight In A Row: League Points Compared
The 2018/19 data is in the can. Let’s take a look at Celtic’s 8 in a row as far as league points history is concerned. Points Per Title The highest points achieved during 8 in a row was 106 in 2016/17, the Invincible season. Lennon’s side racked up 99 in 2013/14, the only other season … [continue reading]
Rodgers No Better Than Deila (If You Don’t Count The Trophies)
At the macro level the key performance requirements have been met: But looking purely at match results, the team is not improving. Pts% is calculated assigning 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw to assess every result. It is far more powerful than Win% which completely disregards draws. My data collection started … [continue reading]
Ringing The Changes
6 personnel changes at Kilmarnock and another disappointing display. Rodger’s stated on Tuesday that changes may not be helping team stability. Is he right? Making changes when playing over 60 matches in 4 (or 5!) competitions when competing continuously from July to May surely makes sense. Players need to recharge and get over niggles. Changes … [continue reading]
Deila vs Rodgers, by numbers
Overall Records The Deila era yielded 2 (expected?) league titles, 1 League Cup and 1 post New Year European run in the Europa League. Those, like me, who have followed Celtic for 40+ years do not take European football after the Bells lightly (1 post New Year appearance in my 1st 27 years of support). … [continue reading]
The Start of Something Beautiful?
Both Deila and Rodgers got their Celtic careers underway as winners with League Cup triumphs. CBN takes a comparative look at their respective campaigns. The 2014/15 and 2016/17 campaigns took place wholly in Glasgow for Celtic with 2 games at Paradise and 2 at Hampden. Celts played 3 Premier League teams and 1 lower league … [continue reading]