Brendan’s got to start thinking about a plan B

Brendan’s got to start thinking of a plan B…

Brendan Rodgers applauds the support after yesterday defeat against Hearts

Brendan Rodgers has had plenty of success in football especially at Celtic, so it’s seems strange to question his managerial abilities, but it’s plain for even us average Joes to see that he lacks a plan B approach in terms of the way he sets his sides up.

Pass to the side, pass to the back, through the middle, out wide, and then back again. Eat sleep repeat. That’s fine when it clicks, and to be fair it has more times than not, but what about the times it doesn’t?

Last Sunday at Rugby Park and Saturday at Celtic Park for instance? Teams are well versed in the way we play, it’s totally obvious. If the supporters can notice it in the stands then you can be sure that an opposition manager is going to notice it also.

Brendan Rodgers looks on during a press conference at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, on November 6, 2023, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group E football match against Club Atletico de Madrid. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)

Take Saturday for example. 2-0 down at half time and a triple change at the interval. That’s a positive, but the same tactical approach isn’t. We were chasing the game, surely the best thing to do especially with two centre forwards on the park was to put pressure on the opposition by going route one and throwing the ball into the box at every opportunity?

Having a pop at goal at every opportunity? Place our corners into the box instead of playing them short?

Throw caution to the wind and bombard the opposition from the first whistle? Yes I know that’s easy for me to say, but it would have been a better option than the drivel we were subjected to on Saturday. We could’ve played until midnight and still failed to score, and that is not good enough. Far from it. Even Brendan himself noted that we could have played for another hour and not scored, so that surely proves the need for a plan B to be there if needed.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seen during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Aberdeen at Celtic Park Stadium on November 12, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Hearts knew the way we were going to play, as every other side in the league knows. It’s so predictable and it must be a dream for rival coaches and players. Maybe mixing it up a little would help a bit? It’s certainly a better option than the one dimensional method we currently have to watch on a regular basis.

And when the wingers are so out of form then why not go 3-5-2 and take them out of the equation?  Or even 4-4-2?

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

5 Comments

    • Changing an under performing bunch of players shape is not the answer.if it were that easy we would be world beaters.
      Attitude adjustments are required simple as that!

  1. We are having a bad month park the bus tactics punt ball get our defenders turning our midfield have to take the ball and hold it I know refs don’t protect our players like others to johstones have no understanding mikey was getting tackled before he had the ball and getting it when man was on he is heartless never seen a player loss so much skill his times up he can’t play or counted on to fight for you forest can take the ball in but like mikey dosent have the heart to tackle some off clancy decisions were poor very poor but they have no shame Fergus would be asking why dallas is full-time var when he is so biased

  2. Our club is now rotten to the core.
    They don’t give a shit about the fans and live in their own privileged world.
    The last thing they want is that the 5 way agreement and their involvement in it becomes public.