SENTINELCELTS

Sobering October?
November spawns a monster?
December departure?
John’s January?
Keep on dreamin’ all the haters.
 
How nice to be shutting the doubters up, forcing positive coverage everywhere, to be able to breathe a bit easier.
Another win or two and we could reasonably state a corner has been turned. Ange is clearly clever and it’s said you learn most in defeat,,well he had a quick crash course and many lessons to pour over.
 
Yet as Paul Lambert once said you’re a draw away from a crisis at our giant. While you can learn loads in losing, we are too big to lose. In that respect it seems Ange is or has cottoned onto the most important quality required of a Celtic manager, you must learn whilst winning, not the opposite.
 
A year ago, heck six weeks ago, we would have lost or tied that game. Lenny would never have fielded so much attacking talent, would have brought the midfield battlers in no doubt.
That’s not Ange, he wanted the win, and went for it.
In that respect he’s correct. Another win tucked under the belt is the beginning of momentum, which must irk others.
 
But now everyone knows we can actually win ugly, go away and scrap, dig out three points.
It was Rebus who noted that wasn’t Angeball. I think our jaded but talented Internationals were tasked with goals not harrying. There was no high pressing as a unit. In not the greatest game of football our superior talent and greater drive delivered the points.
 
Lenny was often correctly accused of overly leaning on individual talent,,,get it to Odsonne being his favourite tactic. On many occasions superior talent will emerge victorious, but this was more than a mere couple moments of skill.
When we turned over play there were runners galore to befuddle them.
When Calmac gave it to Tam for that beaut of an assist there was half a team already on the move.
 
We are clearly allowed to break en masse, forget defence while on the attack, flood them with equal or better numbers and eventually it will pay off.
It’s an Ange-ball compromise hybrid.
He’s not giving up his attacking principles, when we break anything can happen and the support love it.
But we don’t have the players for that high pressing game. And that’s not on Ange.
But he must win games or it’s over, great attacking system waiting in the wings if only for correct players or not.
Glasgow Celtic is always about the here and now as well as tomorrow, it’s that big.
 
I’m delighted he has adjusted, for the simple reason I want him around to fulfill his vision. I know that’s a long shot now Dom’s gone.
He had to adjust, I mean Tam can hardly fly home, start, then high press for an hour minimum. It was wise to put the points before the system right now to gain job security and turn around the fanbase.
When defeat becomes is a blip, when confidence is flowing high, that’s the perfect time to tinker.
Still, there’s signs our Greek Australian is learning on the job.
 
Take the left back situation.
Why I myself questioned the rationale of Boli. But then who has had month after month to learn this style, who has a great engine and good physique, and who was standing right in front of the boss during a half full training camp probably giving it everything and begging for a shot.
He knew if he played well he keeps the position, it’s an open slot.
It was a win win for Ange,,,he plays his heart out or you’ve just separated so e wheat from the chaff in the great battle for the left back position.
As far as Boli was concerned it might as we have been a win win,,play we for one game you’re in because the position is a roundabout,, of course he’s gonna bust a gut.
And now we (probably) have a ‘new’ left back!
Meanwhile the bar for the spot has been raised!
Ange learning on the job, while winning.
 
And then there’s the team spirit. I’m far from a body language expert but if pushed for my opinion I would guess the camp are happy. I didn’t sense that under Lenny, haven’t sensed it for quite a while.
But there looks to be some real togetherness, genuine smiles and high fives, dare I say something special brewing?
It’s clear they adore the support, are overawed on that front, and which player doesn’t want license to attack?
The dourness has been replaced by vigour, at least to these eyes, and that can be seen in the play and the post game celebrations, which are becoming a sight to behold.
 ,
Yes, there’s positive signs..
 
But,,,
It would be remiss of me not to mention the fact a big question remains unanswered.
Which midfield for tougher games?
A trio of Calmac, DT, and Tam, shall come out on top on most occasions domestically, and might deliver some Cups, but it won’t cut the mustard in Europe, and can’t be counted on to deliver the three points against the leagues top teams.
It can’t become first choice, again.
Yes, it can be utilized to sweep the Steelmen away, but while resting a quality starting midfielder.
 

I fear Ange shall not be delivered the type of players he craves, and his managerial potential shall never be reached with us.
That high press requires a certain type of player (athlete first, skill second) and a DoF who can feed you such youthful spritely youngun’s, then there’s the correct diet and sports science which can never be understated and modern players need a down to earth yet quality sports psychologist to help maximize the investments potential.
That’s just not us. Not at this moment anyway.
 
We’ve found a bit of spirit and a bit of fight, and shall start bullying most of the SPHell, but the bigger question remains, of how to lift ourselves above that.
We won a big three points, but are nowhere nearer the big answer.

By Mahe