The goalkeeping question is one of a long list of defensive conundrums for Postecoglou to resolve. With Barkas at fault in his only on target engagement versus Midtjylland, followed by poor positioning in conceding to West Ham United, his fierce critics are even more vociferous than normal. Goalkeeping data is similar to defending data. We … [continue reading]
Gordon
Forster’s A Keeper
On the “A Celtic State of Mind” podcast I discussed whether Celtic should try and sign Forster permanently with Paul John Dykes. You can listen to that here. The Man of Many Returns As Paul pointed out, Forster may be the first Celt to sign four times for the club. His reappearance at the end … [continue reading]
Lennon and Rodgers In Europe – An Expected Goals Adventure
Article by James Dailey As I consume mainstream and fan-based Celtic-related media, I am constantly bombarded by “conventional wisdom” and provided with topics to analyze. Today’s subject is the often-repeated notion that Neil Lennon is a better and more pragmatic tactical manager than Brendan Rodgers- particularly in Europe. I believe much of this notion is … [continue reading]
The Wall Justified
The Big Wall is back at Celtic Park and has very quickly reminded us all what we were missing, especially in the crunch games. In May 19 I wrote The Undisputed Number One where I showed Bain had rightly kept the shirt from Gordon with stellar displays over the end of last season. I then … [continue reading]
Is Signing Forster Necessary?
La Grand Muralla has returned to Celtic on a one-year loan deal – not official as I write but it looks like happening. What does Forster’s arrival mean for Bain and Gordon? Is it just injury cover, effectively replacing De Vries in the squad? Or are there grounds for Forster to push to take that … [continue reading]
The Undisputed Number One
It has been quite the transformation for Bain from unwanted at now relegated Dundee to number one for the eight-time champions and on the verge of another Treble. The biggest compliment is that there isn’t even a debate anymore concerning the goalkeeping position. Bain in on the majority of fans’ team sheets. Does the data … [continue reading]
The Fight for Number One
Since the winter break Bain has replaced Gordon as the Celtic Number One. This despite Gordon making 6 saves at Ibrox, a season high for a Celtic ‘keeper. I described in Life in the Old Gord Yet how Gordon was performing fine as a shot stopper. He was saving the shots he should. In the … [continue reading]
Life In The Old Gord Yet
Celtic are conceding less goals than last season, averaging 0.74 per game versus 0.89 last season. Many factors to this, but how is Gordon contributing to this improved defensive performance? Saves In the mainstream like Sky Sports the analysis of goalkeeping performance is restricted mainly to Save % – i.e. what percentage of shots on … [continue reading]
When 100% Completion Tells You Nothing
Good to see Neil Cameron in the Herald today using passing stats in an article on Gordon. I will admit I didn’t read the article as it is behind a pay wall but the basis of it seems to be that he has 0 incomplete passes in more than one game this season. In fact, … [continue reading]
‘Keeper Conundrum
Celtic used three goalkeepers in the 2017/18 treble winning season. Overall Celtic conceded nearly a goal a game once again as in the last three seasons. Europe and Scotland provide different challenges however. The Glossary is a safe pair of hands regarding any unfamiliar terms. Appearances Celtic’s Number 1 remains the 35-year-old Gordon. He competed … [continue reading]