Packing was developed in Germany and if you engage Impect and give them money they will provide you with loads of meaningful and insightful data. But if you don’t have loads of money you are stuck with me. Packing covers a multitude of on-ball and off-ball actions and is therefore very useful. Let’s see who … [continue reading]
Taylor
Nawrocki and the Direct Command
The very good @StewartRoss89 on X posted in the Celtic Way about how Maik Nawrocki has already demonstrated impressive line-breaking passing abilities. Nawrocki has only completed the equivalent of 4.04 worth of 90 minutes so well short of the 900 needed for a deeper dive. But it caused me to look at his pack passing … [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]
Defending the Left
You might have hoped for a political polemic in these troubling times. However, it is the left side of Celtic’s defence that exercises me today. Scottish football tends to be more direct that most. Outside the top two, sides average 76 long balls per 90 minutes. Celtic average 42. How to beat Celtic? On limited … [continue reading]
Unpacking a Taylor Mystery
There was a nice piece of analysis by @BhoysAnalytics which you can find here highlighting how Taylor’s passing was becoming more expansive and a good working relationship with Maeda forming. Taylor has always been arguably the most creative full back in the squad over the last two seasons. I highlighted this on the Celtic Way … [continue reading]
Ralston, Taylor and Remembering Why Celtic By Numbers Started
In the aftermath of the AZ Alkmaar first leg, Celtic’s home-grown full back, Ralston, continued his “local underdog comes good” narrative arc with a performance that included some notable interventions. Bad Habits On The Huddle Breakdown last week, recorded after the AZ game, (follow the link to listen, and please subscribe to the channel – … [continue reading]
A Glimpse of Ange Ball
The Midtjylland Champions League tie was our first serious glimpse of Postecoglou’s playing philosophy under the stress of real competition. I believe we got more that we bargained for, and there were a few surprises! Starting Approach As expected, the team set out 4-2-3-1. None of the defenders were those we’d hope to have in … [continue reading]
Patient Taylor Deserves His Chance
The right back review was a delicious stew of contradiction and intrigue, or as they probably still say in Somerset, a bugger’s muddle. Replacing Lustig isn’t easy you know. Today I turn to the opposite flank and arguably the more onerous task of replacing Tierney. It is another position where continuity has been hampered by … [continue reading]
Taylor’s Debut: Defensive Options Improved
Amidst the flurry of key games – European triumphs, Cup Sem Finals and so forth – the debut of Taylor slipped largely unnoticed. He made his Celtic bow in the midweek home game against St. Mirren, in his customary left back role. The form of Bolingoli allied to the variation Hayes brings off the bench … [continue reading]