TheGunnShow 5,932 Posted July 23, 2022 I'd expect Celtic to be a bit sharper than us as they should be nearer the end of their pre-season training, so they should be fitter. Not to mention Postecoglou's teams are usually committed to hard pressing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
canarycop 204 Posted July 23, 2022 Clearly McLean hasn't got the discipline to do the holding midfielder role.Todd looks sharp. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicken 2,604 Posted July 23, 2022 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Dean Coneys boots said: Well there isn’t anything to applaud. Our midfield is looking way off the pace I'm not seeing anything to applaud from either side really. One or two moments perhaps. Also worth noting is that whilst Celtic will be afforded the ability to play their strongest side and then throw on a rash of subs in the 2nd half. We are reserving a good chunk of our players for tomorrow. No doubt that was part of the thinking when arranged. The first 10-20mins of any game is usually a bit about probing, testing and getting the legs going. I'd say we've had the majority of possession so far too. Edited July 23, 2022 by chicken Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted July 23, 2022 What is that beard style Todd is sporting, is it a little tushy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dean Coneys boots 1,398 Posted July 23, 2022 2 minutes ago, chicken said: I'm not seeing anything to applaud from either side really. One or two moments perhaps. Also worth noting is that whilst Celtic will be afforded the ability to play their strongest side and then throw on a rash of subs in the 2nd half. We are reserving a good chunk of our players for tomorrow. No doubt that was part of the thinking when arranged. The first 10-20mins of any game is usually a bit about probing, testing and getting the legs going. I'd say we've had the majority of possession so far too. Who are we holding back then? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheGunnShow 5,932 Posted July 23, 2022 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Dean Coneys boots said: Who are we holding back then? The subs bench. By having two pre-season games in two consecutive days it's fairly clear that the aim is to put a full 90 in a fair few pairs of legs at a relatively late stage of pre-season. EDIT: Suspect you'll only see subs for minor tweaks or knocks to be honest with tomorrow's game on the horizon. Then it'll probably be more tactical and recovery work to get the heavy stuff out of their legs for Cardiff. Edited July 23, 2022 by TheGunnShow 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicken 2,604 Posted July 23, 2022 1 minute ago, Dean Coneys boots said: Who are we holding back then? Sorensen would have made more sense in the middle don't you think, even Gibbs (though he's on the bench) after his performance against Cambridge. Giannoulis isn't starting either and you'd say he was first choice LB at this moment. Our CM is definitely not the complete article yet - but what's more, they are currently holding their own in possession and arguably we have created the better chances. But you know... OH MY GOD IT's BEEN 37secs AND WE'RE CRAP! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kanadyan Kanary 121 Posted July 23, 2022 7 minutes ago, TheGunnShow said: I'd expect Celtic to be a bit sharper than us as they should be nearer the end of their pre-season training, so they should be fitter. Not to mention Postecoglou's teams are usually committed to hard pressing. I thought they start next week as well so we should be on par, in terms of fitness. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicken 2,604 Posted July 23, 2022 For anyone else not able to watch the official stream (or otherwise, you naughty people) it looks very much like a 4-3-3 with Cantwell and Sinani either side of McLean at this point. Sargent on the right and Rashica on the left, with their positions a tad behind Pukki. This means they are getting back to help in midfield as well as trying to connect up with Pukki. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
canarycop 204 Posted July 23, 2022 Big Andy looks nailed on for this season. Yet to see how Josh will fit in Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Angry 1,545 Posted July 23, 2022 Is that Chris Sutton co-commentating? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 4,195 Posted July 23, 2022 Wincing at some of those challenges going in on Aarons. Â Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheGunnShow 5,932 Posted July 23, 2022 1 minute ago, Kanadyan Kanary said: I thought they start next week as well so we should be on par, in terms of fitness. Fair comment, I was going off this being their last pre-season friendly and we still had one more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 4,195 Posted July 23, 2022 Just now, Mr Angry said: Is that Chris Sutton co-commentating? Yes 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicken 2,604 Posted July 23, 2022 1 minute ago, TheGunnShow said: Fair comment, I was going off this being their last pre-season friendly and we still had one more. This is the case. They start next Sunday. That said, I would expect them to be better than us for this game as we have a friendly tomorrow and will obviously be more limited from the bench, not to mention we have a few carrying knocks and are unavailable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dean Coneys boots 1,398 Posted July 23, 2022 Getting much better as game goes on. That said McCallum nearly gifted them a goal with sloppy passing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Angry 1,545 Posted July 23, 2022 Good save by Joe Hart, Pukki ran across so Hart could have been distracted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cambridgeshire canary 6,675 Posted July 23, 2022 McCallum really been poor pre season Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Holt 520 Posted July 23, 2022 McCallum looks a level below for me. Strange that Smith isn't a fan if Giannoulis, he's clearly miles ahead of Sam. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 4,195 Posted July 23, 2022 Good tackle by Hanley. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dean Coneys boots 1,398 Posted July 23, 2022 Can we buy Jota Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robertociNCFC 98 Posted July 23, 2022 Missed the first 10 mins but it has been a really entertaining end to end game so far, like how many bodies we have been getting into the box and we are progressing with the ball well through midfield. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicken 2,604 Posted July 23, 2022 1 minute ago, Dean Coneys boots said: Getting much better as game goes on. That said McCallum nearly gifted them a goal with sloppy passing I mean bar the first ten minutes where absolutely nothing of real note happened for either side, for me, we have been better, held onto the ball more and created more chances. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CDMullins 436 Posted July 23, 2022 Nice touches from Sinani, Lovely passer of the ball. Sam way off.pace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 4,195 Posted July 23, 2022 We're not creating much for Pukki in the way we play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicken 2,604 Posted July 23, 2022 Just now, Capt. Pants said: We're not creating much for Pukki in the way we play. I think at times, the issue is both Rashica and Sargent want to push on whereas Pukki likes to run into the spaces in the channels, which are cut off when Sargent and Rashica advance. A couple of times Sargent has tried to be the target man and flick it on for him but not really coming off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cambridgeshire canary 6,675 Posted July 23, 2022 Oh Krul, should have done better Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 4,195 Posted July 23, 2022 It was offside, great finish but totally unmarked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicken 2,604 Posted July 23, 2022 (edited) Oh dear... that refs assistant must have been on holiday... he certainly wasn't watching that line was he? Edited July 23, 2022 by chicken Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cambridgeshire canary 6,675 Posted July 23, 2022 1 minute ago, Capt. Pants said: It was offside, great finish but totally unmarked. Wonder where McCallum was?🤔 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites