A few inconvenient truths.

Frank Owen

Well-known member
Is it time to start looking for reasons rather than excuses for our catastrophic season ?
I'm consistently reading posts complaining about Mibs, MSM, Scottish police, The Scottish Government. ! REALLY ? We've finished an embarrassing country mile behind what for me is a very average sevco team; we really only needed to be better than one team, especially this season, and we failed.

The reasons for our failure ( and there are many reasons ) can only be addressed if we acknowledge them.
The manager and CEO will be different next season, so we live in hope that we get replacements of a more than decent calibre. Time will tell.

Our scouting department, again in my opinion, has been a complete failure. This more than anything has contributed to our demise. Even a manager with limited ability can get results if his players are of a good standard.

Coaching ? We always ask questions about the quality of coaching, we ask if better coaching could've got more from the present squad ? I think that's a reasonable question given the evidence of our eyes. Is it also fair to ask if any coach can produce silk from a sows' ear ?

I think we can get back to where we should be only if we're honest with ourselves and stop looking to blame outside influences. Excuses never sorted anything. Acknowledge the real cause (s) of our collapse and we're going in the right direction. Look to blame others and we go nowhere.
 
Spot on Frank.

I believe the coaching or lack of it has to be a big part of our demise. Watching the game yesterday got me thinking this malaise has affected the entire squad not just a few players, thats not a issue with tactics or selection, every player looks to have lost 20 or 30% of their ability or is it their fitness levels?
How often this season have we seen us needing a goal in the last 20 minutes only for the team to be sitting back, lacking ideas and lacking energy? Celtic teams of the past were always famed for getting late goals when needed, not anymore! After totally dominating United yesterday going into the last 10 minutes United looked the more likely to score, a scenario we've witnessed 10 or 15 times this season.
Whoever the new manager is id be interested to hear their views on the squads fitness levels.
 
Last summer we spent big on a new goalie who we stuck by for a decent time but he has been a flop. We spent big on a new striker along with one we'd bought in January - both have been flops so far. We threw a lot of money at an established Irish defender and kept playing him for months when it was obvious he was struggling big time - he has been an enormous flop! Not one of these expensive players who were supposed to take us on to a higher level played any game time yesterday!

A young lad who was tearing up the SPFL was forced to sit on the bench for months before being reluctantly given a chance which he took. And yet (except for the post Dubai games with the youbgsters) he has never been allowed to finish a game - always being hauled off despite there being much much worse (and tireder looking) colleague left on the pitch to continue to boot the ball over the stand roof.

We play the wrong players in the wrong formations, rarely proactively improve the team with substitutions when our "tactics" are clearly failing or over-played/unfit players are too knackered to do their jobs properly. We can all see this and yet are still talked down to by our condescending management team.

These to me are the main reasons for our failure - 99% of them internal and self-inflicted.
 
On the Turnbull issue, what has stood out for me is not just that it took a while to play him but that he does not look any better than when he played with Motherwell. He should be thriving in our much more professional set up 🤔
 
Is it time to start looking for reasons rather than excuses for our catastrophic season ?
I'm consistently reading posts complaining about Mibs, MSM, Scottish police, The Scottish Government. ! REALLY ? We've finished an embarrassing country mile behind what for me is a very average sevco team; we really only needed to be better than one team, especially this season, and we failed.

The reasons for our failure ( and there are many reasons ) can only be addressed if we acknowledge them.
The manager and CEO will be different next season, so we live in hope that we get replacements of a more than decent calibre. Time will tell.

Our scouting department, again in my opinion, has been a complete failure. This more than anything has contributed to our demise. Even a manager with limited ability can get results if his players are of a good standard.

Coaching ? We always ask questions about the quality of coaching, we ask if better coaching could've got more from the present squad ? I think that's a reasonable question given the evidence of our eyes. Is it also fair to ask if any coach can produce silk from a sows' ear ?

I think we can get back to where we should be only if we're honest with ourselves and stop looking to blame outside influences. Excuses never sorted anything. Acknowledge the real cause (s) of our collapse and we're going in the right direction. Look to blame others and we go nowhere.
I think most of us on here have laid the blame at the door of our own club and nobody else`s.
 
Is it time to start looking for reasons rather than excuses for our catastrophic season ?
I'm consistently reading posts complaining about Mibs, MSM, Scottish police, The Scottish Government. ! REALLY ? We've finished an embarrassing country mile behind what for me is a very average sevco team; we really only needed to be better than one team, especially this season, and we failed.

The reasons for our failure ( and there are many reasons ) can only be addressed if we acknowledge them.
The manager and CEO will be different next season, so we live in hope that we get replacements of a more than decent calibre. Time will tell.

Our scouting department, again in my opinion, has been a complete failure. This more than anything has contributed to our demise. Even a manager with limited ability can get results if his players are of a good standard.

Coaching ? We always ask questions about the quality of coaching, we ask if better coaching could've got more from the present squad ? I think that's a reasonable question given the evidence of our eyes. Is it also fair to ask if any coach can produce silk from a sows' ear ?

I think we can get back to where we should be only if we're honest with ourselves and stop looking to blame outside influences. Excuses never sorted anything. Acknowledge the real cause (s) of our collapse and we're going in the right direction. Look to blame others and we go nowhere.
Your right Frank we need to look at ourselves first and foremost ..of course that does not mean that their wasnt an agenda from the many who were desperate for us to fail and were only happy to assist to put it mildly. But we encouraged it by our own incompetence on so many levels from recruitment to coaching to fitness and the failure to recognise the players who wanted away that should have been let go ..as soon as Lenny threw them under the bus after the champions league exit...the writing was on the wall the dressing room had been lost and the managers inadequacy to make any rational from the malaise was laid bare. Too many in the team simply went backwards for reasons only they can tell us and I would struggle and be reluctant to name a Celtic player of the year from this squad .I am certain there are still a few who are top quality with the right coaching training and belief. It is obvious that the team have chucked it and the current coaching staff are simply no longer capable of changing anything this season sadly.
 
I see Ntcham got hooked for Marseille again as they got put out the French cup by a 4th tier team. So he's another one that has to be dealt with somehow. I am getting more depressed the more I think about it all. I need a holiday.
 
Your right Frank we need to look at ourselves first and foremost ..of course that does not mean that their wasnt an agenda from the many who were desperate for us to fail and were only happy to assist to put it mildly. But we encouraged it by our own incompetence on so many levels from recruitment to coaching to fitness and the failure to recognise the players who wanted away that should have been let go ..as soon as Lenny threw them under the bus after the champions league exit...the writing was on the wall the dressing room had been lost and the managers inadequacy to make any rational from the malaise was laid bare. Too many in the team simply went backwards for reasons only they can tell us and I would struggle and be reluctant to name a Celtic player of the year from this squad .I am certain there are still a few who are top quality with the right coaching training and belief. It is obvious that the team have chucked it and the current coaching staff are simply no longer capable of changing anything this season sadly.
Very well put Mag7 . For all of my life I've been aware of the anti Irish, anti Catholic feeling in Scotland. There was even a time when the club couldn't find a flag maker willing to to replace a worn-out tricolour. Such was the depth of hatred directed towards the Irish Catholic community. So you're absolutely correct to point out the fact that there was, is, and sadly probably always will be, some kind of anti Celtic agenda. I also fully appreciate the fact that where that kind of agenda exists, there, perhaps quite naturally, will be a reaction to it. This is where I refuse to let myself down. This is where I refuse to sink into the gutter with the pernicious hate filled mob who support sevco. This is where I personally refuse to react. I genuinely believe we're better than that. For me, all of the above should only spur us on to greater achievement. I would never use any of it as an excuse. Only as motivation.
 
Oh I know Kelly. As I see it we have no goalies, no full backs, no central defence, a dysfunctional midfield, one winger just recovering from injury and a non existent strike force. Can someone remind me of the positives again. I don't want to be greedy but I want more than just not being a hun
And yet again the skum show the world how arrogant they are, there was a point this season when some were saying that celtic fans had a sense of entitlement, but what this weekend has shown that the only club, /supporters who have that are the ones who operate out of ibrokes, and where does that come from?, the list is quite extensive and I include our own ceo in that list. Slippy brought it with him as the ex-Liverpool player he came from a club already steeped in its entitlement. The blazers at hampden who time and time again turned a blind eye to the corruption at ibrokes, to the loyal brothers of the Lanarkshire referees association, to the fawning assholes of the Scottish press, they all have a part to play in the despicable scenes, oh and let's not forget the absolute disgrace that calls itself the snp.And on a parting question how much will PL's bonus be this year? Sorry but a quick thought our team bus "parks of Hamilton", does this mean that as a club we have been paying money that eventually has been "invested in keeping the lights on" at our rivals?. Well I think that's enough ranting from me. HH.
 
Oh I know Kelly. As I see it we have no goalies, no full backs, no central defence, a dysfunctional midfield, one winger just recovering from injury and a non existent strike force. Can someone remind me of the positives again. I don't want to be greedy but I want more than just not being a hun
The positives for me are the 4trebles, the 2nd 9iar, the british unbeaten record run , those records wont be troubled ever. Another positive is that DD has recognised action had to be taken and Dom McKay will replace pistol Pete. The run was always going to end but nothing can take away what we have done. We will return from this stronger and better. Theres even an argument that this had to happen, complacency had set in , obvious now but wasnt not long ago. The next manager has to be a good appointment , kenny dalgleish said he expects a marquee appointment, that's fine if it's the right appointment. I just want a hard task master at the helm to ensure the standards dont slip like that again. I'd like Howe but can he cope with the pressure? Dyche could I'm sure but hes like a god at Burnley would he want to leave? HH ☘
 
We need a name through the doors at Paradise that people will immediately recognise for their past acheivements,A name who players will want to play for and to sign for and hopefully somebody who can bring his own coaching staff with him
There is no point in appointing someone who does not have these qualities,if that was the case we might as well stick with what we have and play for second place again next season.
We have had a big bonus by having two teams in the knockout stages of the Champions cup,things could have been a lot worse we could have went straight into the EUFA cup knock outs..so the money is there for us providing we have a team capable of getting us through the knockout stages.
We know sevco will strengthen for next season,they will have learned from us what happens when you think you just need to turn up..
We have John Kennedy telling us today that he know,s what is needed to improve us and it is not a clear out,I wonder if he learned that yesterday or if Lenny told him last night..
God help us if he gets the job..

HH
 
The positives for me are the 4trebles, the 2nd 9iar, the british unbeaten record run , those records wont be troubled ever. Another positive is that DD has recognised action had to be taken and Dom McKay will replace pistol Pete. The run was always going to end but nothing can take away what we have done. We will return from this stronger and better. Theres even an argument that this had to happen, complacency had set in , obvious now but wasnt not long ago. The next manager has to be a good appointment , kenny dalgleish said he expects a marquee appointment, that's fine if it's the right appointment. I just want a hard task master at the helm to ensure the standards dont slip like that again. I'd like Howe but can he cope with the pressure? Dyche could I'm sure but hes like a god at Burnley would he want to leave? HH ☘
Good post winter and like you say for us
to have witnessed another 9 in a row and the 4 x 3 was something else. Onwards and upwards as you say but there is a lot of rebuilding to be done. Agree on Howe though he has dealt with pressure just a different kind from what he would face at Cfc. I don't think he will get the job though. I have a feeling it might be a bit leftfield possibly European. I do also wonder how we as supporters will deal with not winning the league for a few seasons if that is what it takes. Slippy's teams have been beating us regularly and he will be able to keep most of them and add more unless Big Mike and others eventually pin them down, it certainly won't be the SFA or SPFL. We on the other hand will have a new manager - when, and a new CEO - sometime in the summer, who will have major recruitment and contract issues to sort out while preparing what players they have willing and available for CL qualifying. So despite you reminding me of how good it has been I am still worried for what lies ahead. Sorry pal, Hail hail.
 
Good post winter and like you say for us
to have witnessed another 9 in a row and the 4 x 3 was something else. Onwards and upwards as you say but there is a lot of rebuilding to be done. Agree on Howe though he has dealt with pressure just a different kind from what he would face at Cfc. I don't think he will get the job though. I have a feeling it might be a bit leftfield possibly European. I do also wonder how we as supporters will deal with not winning the league for a few seasons if that is what it takes. Slippy's teams have been beating us regularly and he will be able to keep most of them and add more unless Big Mike and others eventually pin them down, it certainly won't be the SFA or SPFL. We on the other hand will have a new manager - when, and a new CEO - sometime in the summer, who will have major recruitment and contract issues to sort out while preparing what players they have willing and available for CL qualifying. So despite you reminding me of how good it has been I am still worried for what lies ahead. Sorry pal, Hail hail.
No apologies required lemon I'm also concerned for what lies ahead but I am certain that we will be better and stronger with the right man in place. We will take back the title I'm confident though aware I may be in a minority that we will beat them at CP HH ☘
 
We need a name through the doors at Paradise that people will immediately recognise for their past acheivements,A name who players will want to play for and to sign for and hopefully somebody who can bring his own coaching staff with him
There is no point in appointing someone who does not have these qualities,if that was the case we might as well stick with what we have and play for second place again next season.
We have had a big bonus by having two teams in the knockout stages of the Champions cup,things could have been a lot worse we could have went straight into the EUFA cup knock outs..so the money is there for us providing we have a team capable of getting us through the knockout stages.
We know sevco will strengthen for next season,they will have learned from us what happens when you think you just need to turn up..
We have John Kennedy telling us today that he know,s what is needed to improve us and it is not a clear out,I wonder if he learned that yesterday or if Lenny told him last night..
God help us if he gets the job..

HH
Only thing about the 2nd cl place is we wont be going through the champions route they will and only 2 rounds of it. However this time they will be facing national champions and not clubs in 5th and 7th place, who have they faced that are big clubs in Europe? Valencia who were rank rotten , Leverkusen who whipped them , slavia will ko them, but I wont be surprised if they get penalties in those games as they have in many of the European games. HH
 
We lost a league title (after winning 9) and its total pish. What about the Huns? They lost fuckin everything because they didna lose a league they fuckin died. Imagine how we would all feel if Celtic had died in the early 90s? Owing 10s of Millions to creditors like the Ambulance Service and Face Painting Clowns? Grief, Shame and embarrassment would cover it.
That's reality for them they don't need to imagine it. Look at lengths they and their media apologists go to to avoid facing the truth. It kills them everyday. Their lies and fantasies prove this.
Their clubs Deid, they know it, we know it and I fuckin love it.
 
Spot on Frank.

I believe the coaching or lack of it has to be a big part of our demise. Watching the game yesterday got me thinking this malaise has affected the entire squad not just a few players, thats not a issue with tactics or selection, every player looks to have lost 20 or 30% of their ability or is it their fitness levels?
How often this season have we seen us needing a goal in the last 20 minutes only for the team to be sitting back, lacking ideas and lacking energy? Celtic teams of the past were always famed for getting late goals when needed, not anymore! After totally dominating United yesterday going into the last 10 minutes United looked the more likely to score, a scenario we've witnessed 10 or 15 times this season.
Whoever the new manager is id be interested to hear their views on the squads fitness levels.
Completely agree. This is the football fundamental.
you have to be able to sustain 90 minutes. All the great Celtic teams were renowned last 10 minute scorers.
HH
 

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