SENTINELCELTS

On Tuesday night a draw in Europe’s top tier of club football felt like a defeat. In one way it was considering we exited the tournament, but on the night that draw did feel like defeat.

It looks like we all agree if we had been that bit more clinical, taken the chances offered throughout, then we could have done better in the group.
That’s a positive. Chances were created, opportunities spurned.
And as we all know goals change games.

Inches away here, over the bar there, into the keepers arms, our final product needs worked on.
Final, not the whole product as chances were created. That’s a real positive.

How does one improve the finishing? By honing that skill domestically of course.
Starting this weekend by flushing Livvy down the lavvy with intelligent play and some goals from the attack.
Preparing for Anges second Champions League campaign begins right now!

In football one simply can’t throw a team together and expect instant success. Jose didn’t win the Big Cup first go around with Chelsea. Pep still can’t win it with City, PSG have discovered this also.
Fergie needed time, managers in general need time and a settled core to make an impact. Just look how long the cream of the crop Benzema and Modric have been feeding off each other for instance. They honed those deadly moves in La Liga.
Mane, Salah, and Firmino honed theirs in the EPL.
Larsson in the SPFL.
Lewandowski in der Bundesliga.
Etc, etc you get the drift.

Jose broke the mold. Smaller than usual club drilled to the max, clinical as hell when that chance arose, but, he had a much larger and it must be said talented player pool, Deco being the prime example, a Brazilian in all but passport.

This young, talented squad of ours tasted the big time, gave a good account of themselves for spells in every game, but ultimately failed the big test on their first time out.
Most do.
What happens now is what really matters.

Smart managers learn lessons, and Ange doesn’t strike me as stupid. I took one big lesson away from the group stage. Up the conversion ratio to give the team more of a chance.

That happens somewhat on the training ground, but mostly out on the Park.
Starting tomorrow, at a problem ground. A team that’s just had a good result at that.
Throw in the refs and shady VAR, and we have ourselves a fixture indeed.

Chances created and chances converted are called for. The byline cross or cutback, the first time whip in at head height or to feet, edge of the box shots followed up, I want to see them all. I would love to see this team rack up a serious number against someone again for a real statement, and Martindale’s hammer throwers would be lovely indeed given what they just pulled off.

Go out and attack Livvy, score a few quality goals and some selfish ones, and improve our finishing before Zadok sings again..
Start to prepare now.

By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com