Celtic view for NZ – Postecoglou needs a Plan B

A response to David Potter’s post-match thoughts after Celtic lost 4-0 at home to Bayern Leverkusen last night. You can read David’s initial article below and the response from New Zealand comes from Martin Folan…

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I read David Potter’s posts on The Celtic Star as they tend to be a bit more reasoned than most. This morning, after finishing night shift in New Zealand, I donned my Celtic scarf from the 1980s, and stood in front my the big TV in the living room. Game kicks off full of hope…

Within 59 secs they had a 2 attempts and a disallowed goal! Maybe that could be construed as a warning sign to be heeded to not mess around at the back.

We go up the park and have a couple of attempts…..we were settling well. But for most of the first half, I spent screaming at the defence to stop fluffing about, passing from side to side, and pushing the full backs infield….the plan was not working!

When they go inside, the wingers are not getting the ball due to the opposition pressing high and cutting off supply channels. So we end up with full back players out of position. (refer 2nd goal).

I am afraid to say that the 2 centre backs last night gave my the shivers every time that try to play out from the back. The defence is a real concern, with Ralston a real trier, but simply not 1st team material for the long run. The left back position is up for grabs, and I wouldn’t mind seeing the young Irish boy (Liam Scales) get a run.

In the centre mid, Cal Mac cannot do it alone. He needs another grafter sitting in there to assist. I do not think Rogic & Turnbull playing the old inside wing positions is really working. Sacrifice 1 of them and go 4-4-2 with more help up front with a 2nd natural centre forward.

Here is point that may upset some, the amount of goals Hart is shipping, compared to attempts faced, I bet it is quite a high percentage. The other keepers were dropped for similar, and Joe should not be exempt from blame.

So summing up yesterday’s game for me:

1. Woeful at the back to start
2. Struck back immediately, and unlucky not to score
3. Critical mistakes from us led to goals to them
4. Great start to 2nd half, really pressing
5. Great goalkeeping from their keeper prevents comeback, and eventually flatters the scoreline

So whilst I agree, it was not all bad….it was mostly bad, and the type of game that infuriates us fans.

In my opinion, the manager’s last sub made no sense….should have left Kyogo on and play him up with a 2nd striker…..see if it works…..(remember Celtic changed style a couple of seasons ago and put Edouard and Griffiths up front, the goals started to flow).

My question is….does Ange have a Plan B, because, the opposition have worked out the internal full back plan A?

We must be able to change things. Well those are my thoughts.

Martin Folan

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