SENTINELCELTS

t’s only really now from today onward that the season has finally and firmly begun in earnest for many a player and manager.
That window tends to distract the unfocused, uncertainty hovers over every club until the official slamming shut, and today while we will be happy with our business there’s fans out there will be crying into their cornflakes this morning having lost their star for less than what the support deem acceptable.
Commiserations.

Although the wished for left sided centre back never arrived we did manage to bag ourselves a player that looks a bit of a coup on paper to be honest.
Diego Laxalt will take over the left flank and replace Greg Taylor no doubt, and I think its fair to say we have got ourselves and upgrade here folks.
The chap certainly wanted to come, always a bonus, plus he was a closet admirer who woulda thunk it.
Lenny will be delighted with this upgrade and soon there’s a good chance we will also.

Fiinally here we are, playing pool assembled (easily the best squad in the land) and now begins the task of getting the best from the options available, exactly what the gaffer gets the big bucks for.

Finally we have replaced KT, if only for a season but I don’t think anyone would mind if it helped deliver the big prize.
This should also allow us to vary play on that wing, perhaps begin swinging it in, something that we seem to have moved away from.
A dangerous left winger may also become double teamed just as we are seeing happen to young Jeremy on the other wing, and the gaps that double press leaves can be exploited by a tuned in team.

Finally we know for certain Odsonne will be with us to spearhead this campaign, something I didn’t think would happen myself so I will give a hat tip to the PLC for strongly resisting the temptation to cash in in order to achieve a bigger goal.
In doing so they gain a little respect.
It’s now up to our main man to motivate himself, and ideally fighting for his position will bring out his best side.

Finally ‘our talisman’ or perhaps ‘our lucky charm’ Leigh Griffiths in back in the Hoops with a wee spring in the step, hopefully desperate to bring unprecedented success to the club and more importantly the fanbase that has accepted he is a flawed character, but he’s our flawed character with one hell of a knack for finding the goal just when we need it.
Having the Griff motivated a during would be fantastic, and a success story considering many though his last transgression the last.
This excites me no end.

Finally we see a transfer strategy that has deviated from the plan to reflect the reality of the situation, that we need ready made players for the here and now, not more punts that one in five could be said to succeed. Our signings have been excellent, the correct age group, most from bigger leagues which intrigues, and some of the correct resume, stature amd character to have a positive hopefully inspirational impact upon the dressing room.
Again hat tip to the PLC.

Finally, we are in the position to go on and find some form now to match the points. I know this has been vexing the support bigtime but a team in transition needs to get to know the sum of its parts ie each others strengths and weaknesses before it can truly gel. I could write an article about how we shouldn’t have faced such changes this year but we are where we are and as such must deal with the reality of the situation.
Putting yourself in Lennys shoes he clearly wanted a new left back with more to his game than Greg but has only just got him, only now can begin the training ground routines which will result in goals later in the season.
Plus now he knows Odsonne is staying for sure, making him one half of a partnership like last season will be very tempting.
Now the departures and arrivals have ceased a settled starting eleven should emerge with specialist subs ie closers such as Sorro and Nir plus goal getters like Leigh and Patrik, maybe even Tam Rogic.

Finally, the team have the chance to show me, you, and the world exactly what they are about with the upcoming derby game and lay down a marker. As a support we are hugely varied in our opinions on the team right now with no one camp able to claim success.
The fact we collect the points keeps the glass half full folk going but each discounted performance leaves the glass half empty Tims with more angst and ammunition.
This derby game offers the chance to firmly nail colours to the mast for we all know we wont be considered truly tested until we face them. This despite dispatching two Euro teams that had many worried and a Hibs team that showed its a good outfit by winning against at the weekend, helped by future Celt Nisbet.
A scrappy draw would be the spoiler though, continuing this purgatory of not knowing what type of team we have under the hood, fearing when the question gets asked we get an answer we don’t want.
The current anxiety levels surrounding the footballing department may be considered irrational by some as we are delivering on paper, but with one big statement win we could replace that anxiety with ecstasy, taking the momentum in this historic title race.
It’s an opportunity we should take advantage of.

Finally, enjoy the rest of your day. By Mahe.
sentinelcelts@gmail.com