Last night’s friendly for James Forrest’s testimonial was another useful work out against high calibre opponents. All Celtic’s preseason opponents are of a higher standard than most SPFL clubs as the ELO ratings would indicate. Given the mix of higher-level opponent, multiple lineup changes, integration of new players and injury disruption, it is not surprising … [continue reading]
Rodgers
James Forrest
James Forrest rightly gets his moment in the limelight, something I am not sure he would entirely be comfortable with, as Celtic complete preseason duties against Athletic Club of Bilbao ostensibly in his honour as a testimonial. Once formalities are concluded, it will be serious business as Celtic start league action on Saturday, and many … [continue reading]
Rodgers’ Celtic Transfer Record
Another discussion point on the excellent Huddle Breakdown chat with Leicester City fan and data analyst Dominic Wells was Brendan Rodgers mixed recruitment record. There are very few if any managers who get every deal right, and these days, with Directors of Football (official and unofficial) and global scouting networks, and databases galore, it is … [continue reading]
Taylor, Rodgers and Inverting
On the most recent episode of the Huddle Breakdown podcast we had an excellent guest Dominic Wells. Dominic is a data analyst and supporter of Leicester City. He was highly knowledgeable and balanced about Brendan Rodgers time at the club. Dominic revealed that in the last season under Rodgers in 2022-23, the manager had introduced … [continue reading]
Injury Trends and Red Flags
On the latest Huddle Breakdown podcast we were asked about the pros and cons should Brendan Rodgers be appointed next Celtic manager. @jucojames discussed the injury profile and attitudes to risk prevalent at Celtic with reference to Kieran Tierney and playing through pain. It reminded me that since July 2019 I had be highlighting the … [continue reading]
Rodgers, Lennon, Postecoglou and Spain
The World Cup has thrown up many interesting matches and the penalty win by Morocco over Spain seemed especially notable. Despite 77 percent possession, and completing 926 passes with 91 percent accuracy, Spain mustered 13 shots, with seven being on target but the total xG for all that was a paltry 1.01. An average of … [continue reading]
Injury Trends
In July 2019, I wrote about how Rodgers management legacy included an ever-increasing injury rate at Liverpool and the same trend was being seen at Celtic. You can read the rather superb piece here – Exposed: The Rodger’s Injury Legacy. I was obviously going through a tabloid phase. The Rodger’s Reckoning Two years out we … [continue reading]
Lennon’s Pressing Concern?
Rodger’s Celtic were moulded to play in a high pressing style out of possession. He is heavily influenced by Guardiola whose Barcelona team were famously assertive in the press out of possession. Has Lennon changed Celtic’s defensive style? PPDA For a number of years Passes Per Defensive Action (PPDA) has been accepted as a useful … [continue reading]
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]
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]