Celtic Summer Transfers 2015

[Rocko]

So:

Bailly for Zaluska - probably an improvement but not important
Janko for Matthews - definitely a disimprovement so far, possibly a big drop off.
Boyata for Denayer, - definitely a disimprovement, looks very likely to be a big one
Simunovic for Virgil, - highly probable to be a significant disimprovement in the short-term but the right strategy and seems a decent fee to get in. Hopefully Simunovic is a player.
Ciftci for Guidetti.- hard to call. Guidetti offered nothing by the end, Ciftci has offered nothing so far
Allan - I’m hopeful
Blackett - I’m not sure on the point of it
Christie for next season
Scepovic gone too of course but maybe he can be recalled in an emergency.

[Nembo_Kid]

I don’t think it’s about that, Juve effectively played with 4 designated midfielders and two designated attackers.

4-3-3 for me is a formation caught between two stools. I don’t like it and I never have.

[Rocko]

@anon25556527

@Nembo_Kid

I agree with that and while I like Ronny, I really dislike his tactical inflexibility.

I resent the modern game for the way it has discarded strikers. Juventus were the only team in the knockout stage of the CL who played two up front if I remember correctly, the day of the strike partnerships has gone.

but juve had probably the strongest midfield. They were able to.

Some of that is about how you deploy your midfield. Most other teams in a 4-2-3-1 would have played 2 or at most 3 of Pirlo/Pogba/Vidal/Marchisio. Juve usually played all 4 which gave them the strong midfield (at the expense of midfield width).

[anon25556527]

@Rocko

@anon25556527

@Nembo_Kid

I agree with that and while I like Ronny, I really dislike his tactical inflexibility.

I resent the modern game for the way it has discarded strikers. Juventus were the only team in the knockout stage of the CL who played two up front if I remember correctly, the day of the strike partnerships has gone.

but juve had probably the strongest midfield. They were able to.

Some of that is about how you deploy your midfield. Most other teams in a 4-2-3-1 would have played 2 or at most 3 of Pirlo/Pogba/Vidal/Marchisio. Juve usually played all 4 which gave them the strong midfield (at the expense of midfield width).

Exactly if you want width you need sensational midfielders to play a 4-4-2.

[Rocko]

@anon25556527

Exactly if you want width you need sensational midfielders to play a 4-4-2.

No, you play 4 strong midfielders, give them the tactical flexibility and freedom to move wide and get your full backs to push forward as often as possible. Juve’s midfielders aren’t expectional wide players - they had a very strong and versatile midfield but they also invested in it by playing those guys together. Most other managers would have left 1 or 2 out for wingers and a natural #10.

[Nembo_Kid]

I wouldn’t agree with that, you need full backs who are intelligent, technically decent and have pace and great stamina.

The best tactical teams can pull off a 4-4-2.

Sacchi’s Milan were the greatest club team I’ve seen, the players were adaptable and smart.

I’d like to write a thesis on 4-4-2 and its different derivatives, I think it would be the greatest thing ever written.

[Bandage]

Simunovic was confirmed just after 11pm:

Celtic sign Jozo Simunovic

[Nembo_Kid]

Jozo’s gonnae get ya

[Rocko]

Carlton Cole at Celtic Park with John Park at the moment.

[Nembo_Kid]

Interesting.

[carryharry]

Really?

[Rocko]

RONNY DEILA backed former England star Carlton Cole last night to become a LEADER for Celtic.

The ex-West Ham striker will train with the Hoops this week after watching yesterday’s rout of Dundee.

Cole, 31, is a free agent after leaving Upton Park in the summer and Deila is keen to strike a deal.

He said: “Carlton is a very good footballer. He has shown he can score goals and is different to what we have. He is a target man, very good in the air and strong.

“If everything fits, it could be for us.

“The experience he has is also positive. He is a very positive guy — social, intelligent and can be a leader in the group.”

Cole has seven England caps and began his career with Chelsea before spending the last nine years at West Ham.

Deila insists he’s NOT on trial at Celtic and believes a deal could be struck with the experienced hitman.

He said: “Carlton was here to look at the game. He wants to see the city and the club and meet us.

“We will have talks with him and see him in training as well.

“Then we will see if something is going to happen or not.

“He has been in London his whole life so he has to see what he is coming to and whether he likes it. And whether we do too.

“We’ll see how long he will be here for but I think it will be for the week.”