DMAA

Celtic got Milan in Pot C, brilliant

Benfica

Standard Liege

Not an easy draw

1 minute ago, Frankie said:

Problem is, I thought Napoli would have had to go into one of the later pots due to Roma.  I'm confused already!

Interesting, we can hope

1 minute ago, Rousseau said:

Were they A to F? ?

 

Almost all the strongest Pot 1 teams are in A to F. Group E is the one we want, PSV.

That's not good, we will be drawn against a very good Pot 1 team. PSV clearly the pick of the bunch.

51 minutes ago, Frankie said:

Worth noting Celtic are seeded, and paired with us. This means that as soon as Celtic come out of the hat, our possible draw result will be cut in half. If Celtic are drawn in group A, B, C, D, E or F then we must go into G, H, I, J, K or L. And vice versa.

After 5 teams drawn, I know what set of groups I want to be in!

The most important ones are Pot 2 and 4.  In pot 2 I'd like to avoid Dinamo Zagreb and Leicester. In Pot 4 I'd say avoid the French and you're fine. Pot 1 is very strong anyway. Outside of the top 6 sides in that pot is a good draw.

1 hour ago, der Berliner said:

I'm inclined to say that Aribo ain't a CM, much more like a AM.

 

Jones would have done well yesterday, I would assume, as he harasses people and is a little more direct as Hagi, who again took his time to get going. He ain't a real winger as Jones is though, more the creative type.

It seems we see the game very differently. Aribo has played in the midfield 3 every game at Rangers bar a run at the end of 2019 when I think we had inuries. He is a quality player so he did well further forward, but his natural position is as the most advanced player in the midfield 3. He has all the attributes for that role.

As for Jones, I'm not sure how you can say that after Hagi's performance last night. Kent and Jones are like for like, Hagi offers something very different to both, he has the vision and final pass that both of them lack. It's no coincidence he currently has the most assists in the league and he's had 2 assists in 3 games in Europe too. He plays centrally for us, not as winger.

Kamara for me. He was outstanding. And when we weren't playing well I felt he was the only one of the three midfielders not making mistakes. He was also making positive forward passes.

Tavernier and Hagi would be next. Hagi was another who didn't make mistakes when we weren't playing well, his vision and passing is a huge asset but some of our fans still get hung up on his lack of pace.

3 minutes ago, DMAA said:

If you had a quality AM on the bench you could bring him on when it's clear things just aren't working for one of those two.

I do appreciate that Jones deserves a chance, but for me not as our first sub in that position. The reality is that he would be starting every game if Kent got injured and I don't think he has shown that he could handle that.

10 hours ago, Frankie said:

I'd imagine there will be interest in a few of our players but there's no doubt we need another central midfielder.  That has to be a big priority even with Jack available again and others such as Davis, Kamara and Arfield playing so well.

Gerrard seems to agree, but I would actually rather see an attacking midfielder brought in. 

In CM, we have Jack, Kamara, Arfield, Aribo, Davis.

In AM, we have Kent, Hagi, Jones, Barker Stewart. You could argue Roofe, but I'm concerned about his injury record.

For me, in centre mid two injuries aren't devastating. In fact we have just made the EL groups with injuries to our two most important centre mids, Aribo and Jack.

Two injuries to your two most important AMs would leave you with Jones and Barker/Stewart.

We need more quality on the bench surely. Some games really suit Kent and not Hagi. Others suit Hagi and not Kent. If you had a quality AM on the bench you could bring him on when it's clear things just aren't working for one of those two.

9 minutes ago, compo said:

The only downside is that our fans wont be able to show their smiles today because like responsible fans our lads will be wearing their masks 

These wins are crucial for recruitment too. When you beat teams like Porto, Feyenoord, Spartak and Galatasaray you earn respect on the international stage. 

4 minutes ago, alexscottislegend said:

Why? Surely we have beaten higher rated teams than them?

Nothing to do with that. If Sporting Lisbon had won they’d have taken the last pot 1 space. 

4 minutes ago, Frankie said:

All about the team performance again tonight, as has been the case but several players can really be proud of their displays.

 

The captain led from the front (literally for the 2nd goal) but the defence and midfield were very good after galf-time. Davis and Kamara were top class as usual and Goldson imperious late on.

 

Loads of positives to take from this!

Loads of players played well. Kamara the best midfielder for me and Hagi the best of the forward three. Helander was very good and both full backs were a real threat. And Arfield did what he does. He had some hairy moments but he brings that threat from midfield that others don’t bring, he had other moments when he made great runs forward too. Loads to be positive about. It’s hard to believe we have two of our best players to come back in Aribo and Roofe. 

Just now, CammyF said:

Given how poorly I'm doing in prediction league, id like to thank Falcoa for scoring at the end there and giving me the correct score ?

I always forget to get my prediction in

We are into pot 3 this year and due to the way results have gone Celtic are into pot 1, jammy as usual

What a relief. We deserved it but that was a nervous ending. 

Fantastic

4 minutes ago, The Tin Man said:

I’m sure he’ll be fine. Out of interest how would you describe his performance tonight?

I already have described it. Itten should have been on ages ago, assuming he was able. 

Centre back unmarked at a corner there

3 minutes ago, The Tin Man said:

Absolutely fuckin gash!

No need

Glad to see Jack come on. Really good performance from Hagi tonight though. 

Morelos has been so sloppy throughout 

Ryan Babel off. Gutted, 33 years old but played like he’s 43.