Here is the second in a series of quick snapshots of where we are player performance wise, focussing on the defending data. I usually go with 10 games or 900 minutes as an acceptable sample size for data. Clearly not all players have played that amount, so please take care as small sample sizes may … [continue reading]
Player Performance
How Are We ‘Keeping?
Gordon reprises the “Astana out of box heading incident” – this one had a better outcome that in 2016! It’s the international break, and the transfer window is now shut (hurrah!). Celtic content is thin on the ground. So, as we are 11 games into the 2017/18 season, here is the first in a series … [continue reading]
Paean for Paddy
Patrick Roberts put months of speculation behind us all by singing on at Celtic for a further year, on loan from Manchester City. Most importantly, he is exciting to watch. As Bertie Auld would no doubt say, “Go and entertain, son”. But Roberts has always given good numbers. And that’s why we are here. Leave … [continue reading]
Striker Light
Griffiths has trained today and is on the ‘plane for Rosenborg away in the crucial Champions League Qualifier, second leg, in Trondheim. He played no part in the 5-0 Dafabet Cup match away to Sunderland at the weekend. Is he 100% fit, or a lesser percentage? Can he start? Or be used as an impact … [continue reading]
Right Side, Wrong Balance?
As Celtic prepare for Rosenborg, the Linfield games highlighted the extent to which the attacking connections were left side dominant. Here is the Pack Pass Map for the 1st leg. Note that this is not a map of ALL passes. It is a map of all passes where at least one opponent was taken out … [continue reading]
Unpacking Armstrong, and Avoiding Cognitive Dissonance
The Stuart Armstrong “will be / won’t he” sign a new contract saga rumbles on. Rumours of interest from English Premier League sides persist, and why not? After scoring 17 goals last season in winning the treble, the 25-year-old is maturing into the complete central midfielder, and carving an international career. I have no insight … [continue reading]
We Need To Talk About Leigh
The received wisdom for many years is that teams need four good strikers to choose from. Celtic have had two. This apparent folly was called out by fate when both Dembele and Griffiths were injured at the same time in January. An invincible treble suggests the squad coped – will it again? In the final … [continue reading]
Goodnight, Sweet Prince
In the sixth article in the 2016/17 season review series, I consider the work of the wingers. Arguably the strongest section of the team, last season was the story of three excellent players. Celtic play with either three attacking midfielders behind a striker, or three forwards of which two are wide. Sinclair has made the … [continue reading]
The Engine Room
The Engine Room is subsidiary to a review of season 16/17, and is the fifth chapter. Here I will consider the central midfield. This includes three distinct roles: Defensive or holding central midfielder – Bitton or Brown, and possibly Kouassi Box to box central midfielder – Armstrong or McGregor Classic Number 10 – Rogic … [continue reading]
An Unsettled Outlook
The fourth season review considers the centre backs. I have discovered that assessing centre backs is harder than any other position. I think this is harder because: Even more so than with full backs, central defending depends on “actions” not easy to capture – i.e. where to stand. Most danger is avoided due to being … [continue reading]