Rousseau

Would this be a big UP for the manager by default?

I don't think it was "by default": I mentioned earlier that Celtic like to change to 3-4-2-1 in-game, so isolating McKay was a decent decision. The manager deserves credit where credit is due, and, of course, vice versa. Playing a natural winger at wing-back has worked wonders for Chelsea.

I thought we played OK, but just lack that quality. I think the Manager deserves praise for that. The players need to do better, though.

couldn't agree more

 

mckay at wing back FFS and he was superb from there- if the manager had a clue he'd be in the centre and the team built around him

I think the reason McKay was so good was because he was at wing-back, with space to run into and no direct marker. Pretty sure it's the clueless manager that decided that...

We played well at times, at other times we gave away possession far too easily and in dangerous areas.

I agree. I think that's where better quality will come in, where we won't be making those silly mistakes.

you weren't watching the same game as me

Nope, but you're often watching another game.

I'm pleasantly annoyed. We played well, but we just lack quality.

I wish we were a little more clinical: we've got at them a few times without it quite coming off. A couple of those wonderful cross-field passes from McKay were frustrating as Tavernier was one-on-one both times, but couldn't control them -- wind, perhaps?

Celtic commonly switch in-game to 3-4-2-1, so it makes sense to have the option to match them. We can revert to our 4-3-3 with Wilson at LB, or Halliday moving there with Kiernan CDM (where I think he has played in the past).

Happy Birthday, Frankie!

My point was that you defined Bergkamp as world-class for doing things only a forward could do. Clearly, there are world-class defenders too. I think a player must must exceptional in their position. In his position Ozil is world-class.

I don't think the goal (conceded) was the difference in performance or anything to do with our heads going down, but from the fact that St Johnstone matched our formation just before they were gifted the goal. We then didn't have the overload in the middle (Miller, Windass, Holt and Halliday were playing against 2 centrally!) for us to play through them.

It was a nice twist from the Manager, but I'm disappointed we couldn't make it work after they matched us. Even going back to a 4-3-3 was not a bad move, but our execution was poor.

One again though the only attacking "tactic" from our opponents was lumping the ball into the box, which we dealt with very well.

As I said its down to personal opinion. But I would say someone who can perform at the highest level consistently. The odd bad game is accepted. But Ozil is the opposite, he only has the odd good game and has never played well in Arsenals big games.

 

Bergkamp was truly world class.

 

I think there is a bracket above World Class for Maradona, Messi, Zidane, etc

Yes, 'freaks' for the latter.

Is that not just revisionism, though, because he's been retired for over a decade? Did Bergkamp really play exceptionally -- barring a game or two -- in every game he played, even the big games? I'm not so sure.

The only players that can win games on their own are strikers/forwards and attacking midfielders; a defender can't win a game on their own, although they can see it out or defend a draw. Bergkamp could win a game on his own because he could score a goal out of nothing. Ozil is not that type of player. He will set up the winning goal, and has done more than any other player, by quite a distance. You can't mark him down for being in a team that tends to choke in the big games.

I agree the comparison between Bergkamp and Ozil is silly -- they're too different.

I think any definition of "world-class" must take into account the players position; they have to be exceptional in their role/position. Ozil is the best creator in the world, therefore he has to be included in the world-class category.

Another winger ?

 

The two positions we need to sort out in january are, in my opinion, the long-awaited defensive MF player & someone up front who can score more goals than anyone we've currently got. Our top league scorer is Miller with just four goals

I think that'll come with better wingers. We only have one proper winger (McKay). I agree a DM is a must.

"What is your definition of world-class?"

 

Bergkamp.

 

Ozil needs a supporting caste. DB did it on his own if required.

I agree Bergkamp was world-class but you can't then compare him to Ozil without specifying exactly what makes him world-class. What exactly did Bergkamp "do on his own"?

Bobby Moore was world-class but exhibits none of the qualities Bergkamp did.

I seen on Sky Sports this morning Ozil actually has more assists than Bergkamp achieved in the first 100 games. Ozil is also only slightly behind on goals per game also. Bergkamp was a special player, but so is Ozil in his own way - I don't think anyone has more assists. I think any definition of "world-class" must take into account position. In his position Ozil is world-class.

I think he is world-class.

What is your definition of world-class?

Awful performance. Couldn't keep the ball and couldn't create anything. To be honest, I wasn't really that nervous: we were dealing with their ''tactics'' -- which was basically lump it into the box, which was embarrassing really -- quite well; most of the time a Rangers player was first to the header.

Foderingham was superb; most definitely MOTM.

I am sure that Tavernier, will start and I'm equally sure that Windass will come on around the "standard" 60-65 minutes; but may replace Holt (or Miller if he starts) rather than Tavernier. IMHO Tavs is no more a midfielder than he is a FB, I don't really know what he is; he is a decent football player i.e. he is skilful enough but has no positional sense, can't defend and doesn't have the football brain to play in CMF. Perhaps his best position is RMF but we have others who are better in that role. He would be best placed on the bench, where he could be used in a variety of roles if needed. Whatever else happens under no circumstances should he be slotted back into RB ahead of Hodson who has been excellent.

 

There certainly is a case for Miller starting one of the next two games instead of Garner, Perth might be the place.

 

I also agree that Kiernan and Hill have been our best central defensive formation but Wilson has worked really hard on his return and would be unfortunate to lose his place. Warburton needs to pick what he considers to be his best back four and stick to it; we need stability there above all else.

 

I've upped my forecast to 3-0 on the basis that Waghorn is back on form and Celtic, Hearts (twice), Aberdeen and St Johnstone have all scored 3 against ICT. This probably means that the most likely result is 2-1.

I'm not sure we've had our "standard 60-65 minute" substitution in a while, but I agree he'll come on. I hope Warburton keeps the winning formula, however.

That's your Match Preview now published, Coop.

A very nice read -- lovely message at the end.

Anyone seen this advert featuring Luis Suarez? I can just imagine a version with Joe Garner:

I wonder if Windass' availability means Tavernier drops out? Windass may not start the game, but I have been quite pleased with Tavernier's performances in midfield and so I wouldn't like to see him replaced.

What "hate mob"? I doubt we give him a second thought.

I don't know why I'm posting: I usually just ignore these silly headlines.

I can't believe Sky Sports covered it!

Err... I don't know any foreign languages, so I'll simply say:

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you all!

We were piss poor in the Cup game and only narrowly lost, so if we can play near our best we have a chance.

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There was a bit of banter with Forrester too:

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Hodson is more defensively sound, but I also think he's more of a team player -- his instinctive one-twos with Waghorn, Holt were terrific to watch. However, Tavernier is a very good player for us; it'll maybe just take a little time to figure out his exact role.