23 Feb 2020 08:09:12
I was reading the Celtic by numbers guy. I love all those stats and they are becoming more and more important in today's game. This was before we played Copenhagen BTW. What he was saying after doing all the stats for Lennon in Europe and Rodgers in Europe Was this. take out games like Barcelona and PSG as they could take 5 or 6 off anyone and focusing on all other teams obviously Lennon comes way out on top. The away results in particular blow Rodgers out of the water. But when analysing formations and player performances the massive thing that shone out was this. Lennon isn't particularly a better coach with better ideas in Europe. Lennon just has a Fraser Foster in Goals. He has been the difference in so many games we might have drawn or lost. Then I watched the Copenhagen game and that article came back to me as Foster saved the bacon again. And we owe him for the cup win this season. That said it could be argued that Lennon brought him to Celtic to do that so it is partly on him. Point being I suppose that he is crucial to us and becoming more so. Who thinks we will push the boat out and buy him and pay his wages? Even if as quoted he does take a drop in wages he is on 70k. would we pay 50k even? I would definitely push the boat out.


1.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 09:10:17
That's revealing, thanks Markie. We mustn't forget that for many seasons we tried to compete in Europe without a recognised back 4 also: Biton deputising, and Ajer learning the ropes. That's just daft: everyone can see what a difference Julien has made there too.


2.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 09:33:52
Your thanking foster which is probly right. The stats don't add up. Lennon has our team set up to attack and win which is working. Straight from the off this is happening that's not a Rodgers tactic. Check the budgets rodgers v Lennon.
Also goal stats difference. If u r going to talk about our goalkeeper saves what about sitters missed by Celtic against Copenhagen is Eduard, Griff, etc. I also think our mindset is different. It would have to be to keep this going I think it tougher for Lennon as the 10 is close and most teams will be doing everything they can to stop us. So it's harder now but we are still winning. If we win 9 this season as it's not over yet we wil need something different for 10 I don't mean a new manager, yes long may this continue how long can those lads keep this up that's why rotation of squad is so important, who we buy has to be better than what we have also and ready to slot in and up to speed straight away. Its Celtic to lose now and the board either react to get ten or they don't I think that's our major obstacle it depends how much the board want it.


3.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 10:02:21
All good points Fitness Guru. I must stress this is just me forwarding what an analysis guy is saying and how Thursdays game backed that particular view up. I agree there is differences in set up maybe in some other things. I think numbers guy has a very valid point. You can't deny that having Foster in goals has helped to get us results and gives us a far better chance in games as opposed to either of our other two keepers. But yes there is more to it agreed.


4.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 10:12:53
Don't think it's a good idea having to rely on a goalie to keep making fantastic saves, is it not better to concentrate on making the outfield better and just have a decent goalkeeper, rather than have a team that gets ripped to shreds but the opposition can't score because of you the goalie, I would rather have a good team and a decent goalie than a bad team and a fantastic goalie.


5.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 10:21:07
If it means ONLY buying ONE player during the summer transfer market with the budget NL will have and that player is Fraser Forster, then we should have enough in the squad to see us through to ten.

But, if teams come in for Eddie and Ntcham then that could offset Forster's fee and wage and have a good bit left over some left over for further strengthening.

Do we need Arzani, Bauer, Elyonoussi, Johnny Hayes and Craig Gordon? They're all out of contract at the end of the season. So is Jozo. If we keep Jozo then look at the wages we'll not be paying if the loanees go back and Hayes and Gordon are released.


6.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 10:40:44
I think it goes further than Foster. Lennon has strengthened us right across the back.

Someone will correct me, but I honestly can't remember Rodgers signing a standout defender at any club he has managed. I considered that a massive shortfall when he was with us.

Cluj aside, Lennon has also set us better in Europe. Rodgers stuck rigidly to his "philosophy" and put us on the wrong end of some hidings. Two record 7-0 defeats on his watch.

I was dubious when Lennon was reappointed but he has exceeded my expectations.


7.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 10:56:40
The only thing with that though Stengo is we would still have to replace Nchamp and Eddie which wouldn't be cheap. I get where your coming from though bro.


8.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 11:18:45
I think it is imperative we sign Forster in the summer.


9.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 12:21:59
nice one MARKIE
WE are talkie positive. I agree with your guys stats to a point.
Can't rely on FF for everything we just need to score more than the rest and big FF Doing a gd job for us which he's does.
Let get a win today as it's all up to us now the savages over the water are struggling every game. The Copenhagen game we should have been 5 up.


10.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 12:22:07
Lennon deserves more credit than having a good keeper.
Martin O’Neil holds the record for his Celtic team scoring in consecutive away games (10 games) .
Second most was Lennon first time around.7 games. (5 of those games were group games)
Joint 3rd most was Ronnie and Brendan ( 6 each)
Lennon second time around his current team have scored 7 away European games out of 8.Only Cluj when he played a weakened side didn’t prevail or he could have been chasing MON record.
Surprisingly Jock Stein’s teams are not included on the list. Probably due to the fact there were no easy qualifiers back then.


11.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 12:49:53
Quite simply, we didn't fork out for a 'keeper of his quality as a replacement. Gordon, De Vries, Bain, have all come through the door since, and all are sub-standard compared to big Fraz. See what Southampton want and offer him a deal as one of our top earners. See what he says. I think we'd have a good chance of him signing.


12.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 13:14:18
Also remember there's Conor Hazard and Ross Doohan. Four keepers apart from FF and what stage are we at with them? Gordon's contract is up at the end of this season, Bain is 2023, Hazard is 2021 and Doohan is 2022. Got a feeling we'll be looking for a decent back-up goalie in the Summer and punting maybe two. I think there's mileage with Hazard.


13.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 13:19:18
Foster was very static at the Copenhagen goal, would Gordon have done better?


14.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 12:50:18
Ed, what do you think Celtic will reslistically go up to per week for Foster? And is the 70k a week he is reportedly on close to the mark? Cheers.

{Ed007's Note - Some places say that Forster is on £90k a week but that would make him Southampton's top earner by far, the £70k a week is more realistic. I'd imagine Celtic would go to around the £30k mark tops but it could also depend on the fee Southampton want, the less we pay them the better wages we should be able to offer and then there's the Lawwell effect of lowballing.}


15.) 23 Feb 2020
23 Feb 2020 16:18:26
supposedly southampton players go onto half wages if relegated
hope this is true.