Lille v Celtic - Match Thread

[Niall J]

Lennon's PC today was like a list of the wounded. Jullien and Forrest both seeing specialists so not expected back anytime soon. Johnston still not close to returning. Elhamed not available for Thursday. Decision on Barkas tomorrow. Good news is they hope to have Edouard and Bitton available for Thursday.
Doubling up on the right with Elhamed/Frimpong not an option now so would probably have to ask Christie to do a job there in front of Frimpong. Taylor/Laxalt on the left should be a serious consideration by the management.

Strangely they gave dropped points 3 times this season. Once to Nice who played a 532 and to Marseille and rennes who both played lennys 4--3-3. Both formations we have the players to play with at a push. Certainly the 433 is appealing as the players know it.

 

[John nó]

Lennon's PC today was like a list of the wounded. Jullien and Forrest both seeing specialists so not expected back anytime soon. Johnston still not close to returning. Elhamed not available for Thursday. Decision on Barkas tomorrow. Good news is they hope to have Edouard and Bitton available for Thursday.
Doubling up on the right with Elhamed/Frimpong not an option now so would probably have to ask Christie to do a job there in front of Frimpong. Taylor/Laxalt on the left should be a serious consideration by the management.

Think we need to look at frimpong role in the team, defensively his positioning is questionable and best play from him is the going forward, so ease the defensive duties to a more stable man behind and the same with lax. There speed getting forward on a break could be more beneficial than using it to get back. Think we are overworking them hence not getting the best we can from them out wide. Moi only seems to come alive on a European night and let's give Turnbull and Soro a real opportunity with responsibility

 

[michael duffy]

Said before the Aberdeen game, play Ralston and Taylor as full backs,to prevent Duffy and Ajer being dragged out of position deploy Frimpong and Laxalt as wing backs

 

[John nó]

Strangely they gave dropped points 3 times this season. Once to Nice who played a 532 and to Marseille and rennes who both played lennys 4--3-3. Both formations we have the players to play with at a push. Certainly the 433 is appealing as the players know it.

Great opportunity for us to work properly on defence as would expect long periods without the ball, so closing down from front line and midfield a must. A chance to actually play with a stable back 4 may give our more creative players more space to operate in the safer knowledge they have better and more secure cover behind them. Keep up the good work Niall J on keeping us informed on the oppersition

 

[Niall J]

Said before the Aberdeen game, play Ralston and Taylor as full backs,to prevent Duffy and Ajer being dragged out of position deploy Frimpong and Laxalt as wing backs

451. Ideal. Not sure Lenny isn't feeling enough pressure without bringing in Ralston but if it let us play that formation I'd be up for it. He might sit closer to duffy than frimpong

 

[John nó]

Said before the Aberdeen game, play Ralston and Taylor as full backs,to prevent Duffy and Ajer being dragged out of position deploy Frimpong and Laxalt as wing backs

Totally agree MD as we are asking to much from frimps and lax, also apologies for forgetting about raiston would give him the nod before Welsh

 

[Niall J]

Great opportunity for us to work properly on defence as would expect long periods without the ball, so closing down from front line and midfield a must. A chance to actually play with a stable back 4 may give our more creative players more space to operate in the safer knowledge they have better and more secure cover behind them. Keep up the good work Niall J on keeping us informed on the oppersition

Good point. Bugger all time on training ground at moment so a workout like this could do them good. Will do John. I like doing it. Well for most opposition

 

[michael duffy]

451. Ideal. Not sure Lenny isn't feeling enough pressure without bringing in Ralston but if it let us play that formation I'd be up for it. He might sit closer to duffy than frimpong

Aye Niall, if El Hamed was fit,i would have him straight in,but.....anyway big Shane needs a right back to cover him,he's good when facing up to attackers,but when he's turned and left exposed,Aaaaargh!

 

[Imatim]

After a great deal of thought.....4-3-2-1.....I know, I know...

Bain

Welsh Duffy. Ajer. Taylor

Frimpong Brown. Diego

Christie McGregor

Klimala

Klimala starts due to his pace and industry.....replaced by Griff when he’s run his race. Griff gets 30 mins at least....Welsh plays as we need to show confidence in the boy.....Brown starts to steady things replaced by Rogic.....with Calum and Rogic then swapping roles.....no Ntcham or Elly as there can be no passengers.....the shape and personnel is defensively stronger and more compact with pace on the flanks to suit who we’re playing.....and allows us to keep things tight and counter quickly with good technical players in important areas.

Griff, Rogic, Turnbull, Ajeti, Soro, et al, off the bench as required.....Ajeti isn’t suited to the lone striker role imo and therefore Klimala starts and will run his heart out.....a fresh Griff on with 30 mins to go is the way to go for me.

Show no fear Celtic, no stupid mistakes, work our socks off and take our chances...

 

[John nó]

Aye Niall, if El Hamed was fit,i would have him straight in,but.....anyway big Shane needs a right back to cover him,he's good when facing up to attackers,but when he's turned and left exposed,Aaaaargh!

Also needs a defensive CB partner to play closer and with Taylor bought in should allow ajer to move closer into the centre

 

[michael duffy]

So back 4 it is then!

 

[CarlisleReiver]

Again I wouldn't be making too many changes from the AC Milan & Aberdeen games. I know we didn't get the results we wanted but our dip in form does seem to becoming less cloudy. I would have these 3 players as the spine when fit: Ajer, Calmac & Griff as to me they can come out of this period with their heads held high. My team:

Barcas
Frimgpong Duffy Ajer Laxalt
Calmac
Christie Rogic Elyounoussi
Griffith Ajeti

 

[DILLIGAF]

I'd put Rogic instead of Ntcham

Good call
Turnbull even, before Ntcham

 

[Winning Captains]

Niall's preview of Celtic's opponents and he reckons we're in for a long night tomorrow (behind the sofa) and also another fine article from our new writer Will Lancaster. Niall's one first...

Lille v Celtic Preview – My word they are a good side, this could be a long Thursday night...​

Lille v Celtic Preview – My word they are a good side, this could be a long Thursday night | The Celtic Star

The big games are coming thick and fast for Celtic at the moment and Thursday night's second Europa League encounter won't be any different. LOSC Lille currently sit second in Ligue 1 in Fra

thecelticstar.com

Now Will's...

Turbulence ahead: What can Neil Lennon do to stop Celtic’s recent poor form?...​

Turbulence ahead: What can Neil Lennon do to stop Celtic's recent poor form? | The Celtic Star

It has been a fortnight to forget for Celtic. Having lost several players to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during the international break, the Hoops' entered the early kick-off against theRangers

thecelticstar.com

 

[Niall J]

Not sure if Will is on The Noise but if so great article, really enjoyed your Alienated Glasgow Derby piece a couple of weeks back too. Keep em coming Will

 

[Docco]

Team is a stick on for this

Bain
Welch Duffer Ajer
Frimpong brown Laxalt
Christie Ntcham McGregor
Ajeti

 

[green sprig]

This whole week from Sunday till now has probably been the worst week in Neil Lennons football career,even though I have never been a fan of Lenny as a manager he is the leader of our club and that should be enough for me to get behind him and give him all the support I can
I dont think it could have come a whole lot more difficult for him so I will definitely not be making any comments no matter what the result is against Lille,I watched him defend his players his club and himself against the wolves who were circling at the press conference,he even called out a couple of names and let them all know the grief he has been going through was down to them and social media,maybe now we are beginning to fight back like we used to do..
I have seen Lille,s last three games and from what I have seen they are a class act,the power they have in midfield is exceptional,their defence and forwards are not bad either so if we can get any sort of result at Lille that would be a big bonus for Lenny but if we dont I dont think he should be judged on the Lille game,he know,s himself what Sunday,s game means to us as supporters,he know,s what every game means to Celtic supporters he also know,s what it means to himself,so when Sunday has finished and the jury are ready to return their verdict lets hope we are all in favour of... GREAT RESULT LENNY..

HH.

 

[boab1916]

Said before the Aberdeen game, play Ralston and Taylor as full backs,to prevent Duffy and Ajer being dragged out of position deploy Frimpong and Laxalt as wing backs

4 3 2 1 MD

 

[Fader]

Personally, this one is a write off for me. We take anything from it, it's simply seen as a bonus. I hope to see a fight from the team though. Something that the players can take confidence from going into the Aberdeen game. I see that game as a clean slate, fresh start. Expect the ball to start rolling from there, rack up the wins, pick up form. The Aberdeen game is where the season for us really needs to start. I'm nervous that it won't though and we might keep slogging along, but having given some good thought into it, I really believe in this squad to come good and deliver 10iar.

 

[boab1916]

This whole week from Sunday till now has probably been the worst week in Neil Lennons football career,even though I have never been a fan of Lenny as a manager he is the leader of our club and that should be enough for me to get behind him and give him all the support I can
I dont think it could have come a whole lot more difficult for him so I will definitely not be making any comments no matter what the result is against Lille,I watched him defend his players his club and himself against the wolves who were circling at the press conference,he even called out a couple of names and let them all know the grief he has been going through was down to them and social media,maybe now we are beginning to fight back like we used to do..
I have seen Lille,s last three games and from what I have seen they are a class act,the power they have in midfield is exceptional,their defence and forwards are not bad either so if we can get any sort of result at Lille that would be a big bonus for Lenny but if we dont I dont think he should be judged on the Lille game,he know,s himself what Sunday,s game means to us as supporters,he know,s what every game means to Celtic supporters he also know,s what it means to himself,so when Sunday has finished and the jury are ready to return their verdict lets hope we are all in favour of... GREAT RESULT LENNY..

HH.

Well maybe also been attacked at Tynexcastle and bullets would sum up the never dull moments and life of Neil Lennon, maybe the fact has to be recognised
there really is something inside so strong with Neil Lennon. HH