As we are still in the international break, a checkpoint on the SPF attacking stats to date. A Troubling Start? On a recent A Celtic State of Mind bulletin I gave a bullish response to the question of what the data showed regarding how are Celtic performing. Here is some more context to that. Although … [continue reading]
Team Performance
Livingston Preview
Livingston have had success against Celtic at home in recent times. Martindale has adopted a very basic style of long ball, combative football, maximising the resources at his disposal as is wise. Owen J Brown does a nice job describing how Livingston have adapted their approach this season. The West Lothian side are bottom of … [continue reading]
AZ Find Rest Not The Best Medicine
And rest…… The AZ tie was positioned as Postecoglou’s first big test. That Celtic negotiated the tie and are in the Europa League groups is well ahead of where many of us thought we’d be in June. So, despite a nerve shredding defeat in the second leg that brought back memories of Be’er Sheva, this … [continue reading]
Celtic’s Performance Data: The Case for Change
The points raised in this blog were discussed on Episode 4 of The Huddle Breakdown. Please follow, share and watch/listen. We are now in a place where surrendering a 2-goal lead and conceding another 4 goals is considered “excellent at times” and “a lot to be positive about” by Lennon. Results wise, Celtic’s current run … [continue reading]
Crisis Presents Opportunity for Youth
As Celtic start to move on experienced squad members like Hayes and Simunovic, and with the long term impacts of the current health crisis on Celtic’s finances unknown but likely detrimental, is the silver lining more opportunities for youth? Opportunity from Threat With future income streams uncertain, the transfer market has yet to take shape … [continue reading]
The Dubai Myth?
By James Dailey Today’s installment continues my “campaign” against 10 in a row complacency. Much has been made of this past season’s winter break, “what happened in Dubai” for Celtic and The Rangers, and the subsequent 13-point lead. Various narratives about winning mentality by Celtic have emerged, so I decided to analyze things from an … [continue reading]
The Best of 9IAR
By James Dailey I believe we may have just finished witnessing the best Celtic team of the current 9 in a row run. I am even more certain it is the best of the Treble run. I only have access to advanced stats dating back to the 2015/2016 season, so the following is a simple … [continue reading]
Copenhagen: The Battle of Midfield
By James Dailey As I have made clear in prior pieces, I believe Celtic could field one of the best midfields among the remaining Europa League teams. However, this piece will focus upon what “is” rather than what could be. I will compare our likely central midfield three versus a comparable sample from the other … [continue reading]
The Road to Gdansk
By James Dailey Odsonne Edouard and Fraser Forster give Celtic a chance to win the Club’s second European trophy. There I said it. But…. I want to start by laying out the case as to why I believe Celtic are legitimately competitive at this level. I’ve gone back through the last three European campaigns and … [continue reading]
Is 3-5-2 Working?
By James Dailey I believe an important aspect of being an analyst is to evaluate one’s work and be honest in that assessment. This is my 10th piece for Celtic by Numbers since Alan was gracious enough to allow me to share my work on his platform (I know superior talent when I see it! … [continue reading]