Two weeks ago at Easter road we faced a team who snarled and gritted their teeth and got stuck into us. In one hour (until Lundstram got sent off) we were awarded a soft penalty which was our only shot on target in the first half.
In the second half we had one header on target.
Rather than face the facts that nobody had a good game our fanbase blamed referee Willie Collum although he gave us very softly our first shot on target (the pen).
My point is in the last couple of seasons whether it be Gerrard or Gio the players we have do not like it when teams get ripped into us (Aside Lundstram). Two seasons ago (invincible season) Slavia Praha, St Mirren and St Johnstone in all three cup exits snarled and kicked everything that moved (and that didn’t). Last season Hibs grit their teeth and had us finished in 45 minutes. Aberdeen and Dundee Utd snarled at us and took too many points from us.
And that’s two trips to Parkhead now where they have gritted those teeth again and hammered us. My point is when teams do that our players cannot scrap.
I’m more worried about Pittodrie next weekend than I am about Ajax. Scottish football has very few teams who play football and instead they rely on workrate to get them joy. Man Utd are nowhere near the team Liverpool are but a desire to work hard got them 3 points. Watched Everton against them yesterday, same again, worked like madmen and were robbed of 3 points by a dodgy VAR call.
The point? Our football ability in Europe is brilliant but we get some time on the ball compared to Scotland.
Time to toughen up on these shores.
Its down to the way we set out to play. We are sent out to play with patience. How many times have you heard Gio say the team showed patience before eventually closing the game out in the later stages to win 2 or 3 nil. All patience does is allow teams to settle in without having to work too hard to keep us out. While we are knocking the ball around the back they are settling into their defensive shape preparing for an onslaught that might come later. And as long as they keep the score at 0-0 or even 1-0 they retain hope that they can get a result.
Celtic approach things in a completely different way. They set out with pace, energy and purpose and try to blow teams away. Even the ball boys are tuned into this style of play and stand ready to get the ball back into play ASAP. Most of their games are over by the 60 minute mark. In their 6 league matches this season Celtic have scored in the opening 15 minutes in 5 of those games, including just 8 minutes against us. How many fans thought we would recover after going behind so early? Me neither! By contrast I think in the last 17 or so matches we haven’t scored in the opening 20 minutes.
I always said you need hardmen not footballers for the diddy league where they dont play football,
Can i say it again this will all be forgot about when we beat ajax and sit top of the group🤣🤣🤣
WATP🇬🇧
While i think we are a good footballing team when the goings good with good European coaches i feel we need a different type of coach, Duncan Ferguson for example?.
Someone who will get it up the players when they need it and boy do they need it now.
Not just because of Saturday but like you’ve pointed out teams who get in our face seem to rattle us quite easily.
Forget about 4 nil at the piggery benny ? you must be kidding mate !! especially coming after 3 nil ….not good enough by a country mile and a win on wednesday still wont make up for it .
Unless you think its good enough to finish second year in year out and get pumped by your bitter rivals regularily .
Stuart your right bud 🤝 and i totally agree with you,nowhere good enough for the famous jersey,i was only trying to cheers us up after that shower of shite display,defeats to septic are never forgotten i think it going to be a long season if we dont get our act together
WATP🇬🇧
Ahh ok i see benny ,cheers for trying to cheer me up mate ….will take a while ……
and I think the same regarding form .
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