By James Dailey As part of my first piece on Celtic by Numbers, I laid out my case as to why Odsonne Edouard’s talents and playing style would be better utilized with a strike partner – particularly one which plays in a more traditionally advanced and preferably central to centre right role. I was mistaken … [continue reading]
Lennon
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]
The Ghost of Willo Flood
It is now over 10 years since Strachan’s final season saw an aging, unbalanced Celtic squad limp to 2nd place in the SPL bringing down the curtain on 3 titles in a row. The parallels cannot be ignored. Warning Signs In 2008/09 manager Strachan had, on a wave of post Tommy Burns emotion, abandoned his … [continue reading]
The Real Return of Lennyball
Article by James Dailey Is Neil Lennon the ultimate decision maker when it comes to the system and formations Celtic are deploying on the pitch? That seems like a silly question, and it may very well be. The only reason I ask it is due to the dramatic shift in how Celtic have played this … [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]
Narrow Margins Loom for Lennon’s Legacy
A disappointing result, not to mention performance, is what lingers in the minds of Celtic supporters over the winter shut down. The old saying “you are only as good as your last result” is nevertheless a harsh lens through which to appraise Lennon’s performance over the season to date. Let’s attempt a more rounded assessment … [continue reading]
Shape And Recoveries Key To Celtic Loss
Nine in a row is on a knife edge for Celtic as their winning streak was bent out of shape after a tense home encounter with nearest challengers The Rangers. In truth a scrappy, mistake strewn game was very even and had Celtic applied the pressure by taking the lead from Christie’s penalty, the outcome … [continue reading]
Lessons Learned From Livingston
Celtic have the rare luxury of a home 3pm start to get the SPFL campaign back on track again facing promoted Ross County. All have had two weeks to ponder the nightmare at Livingston. Lessons need to be learned. As I showed in Europe and Plastic Excuses, there is no basis in historical results to … [continue reading]
Europe and Plastic Excuses
Defeat to Livingston was as abject as any in recent memory. To be comprehensively out fought and out thought by a team of players that would do well to hold their own in English League Two was an eye opener. Much has been made of playing on artificial surface and also of playing a few … [continue reading]
Bolingoli and Jullien Vital Against Cluj
Much was made of Bolingoli and Julliens’ absences in the season low defeat to CFR Cluj. Exit from the Champions League was scrutinised for many reasons – tactical and personnel, but the lack of £10m of new signings was noteworthy. At the time, Jullien had 196 minutes under his belt and was “bedding in”. But … [continue reading]