07-26-2015, 12:07 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-26-2015, 12:09 PM {2} by JailendLoyal.)
Celtic Away – Saturday 1st August 2015
The formation I’d like to see us play is a variation of 3-4-3/5-2-3
------------------------Fox------------------------
------Robertson---Boyd---Davies---------
Fraser----Murdoch----Quinn----Reckord
----Gardyne------------------------De Vita---
---------------------Graham----------------------
Subs: Bachmann, Foster, Holden, McShane, Franks*, Dingwall, Curran.
* Boyce on the bench ahead of Franks, if he's fit.
The thought of 3 at the back probably strikes fear into most County supporters after the start to the 2013/14 season, but we’ve actually played 3 CBs twice at Celtic Park to some success.
- August 2013: First game of the season we started with 3 CBs and lead 1-0 most of the game only to lose 2-1 with two late Celtic goals.
- December 2014: Although we started this game with a 4-4-1-1, when Gardyne got injured after 35 minutes, we replaced him with Saunders and for the rest of the game played 3 CBs (Saunders, Boyd and Quinn) with Toshney and Reckord the two full backs. We drew 0-0 in this game, so we’ve faired pretty well in the two games away to Celtic with 3 CBs.
Celtic should line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with inverted wingers. When Celtic’s wingers inevitably cut inside, there are two players surrounding them. When Celtic’s left winger (probably Armstrong) cuts in, Fraser and Robertson should be positioned well to block him. Same on the other wing with Reckord and Davies. Having two defenders there every time the inverted winger cuts inside forces the player to go down the line, the last thing an inverted winger wants to do. We should be able to deal with the threat comfortably when Celtic’s two wide players receive the ball to feet. It should be very difficult for Celtic to find Johansen’s feet in the number ten role. Murdoch and Quinn should be well positioned guarding the back three, in between the gaps between both Robertson/Boyd and Boyd/Davies.
This will allow Celtic’s two holding midfielders (Brown and Biton) time on the ball, but when Celtic try and play a pass into the final third, they will be outnumbered and should find it extremely difficult. I don’t think Celtic have a deep lying playmaker with a range of passing good enough to really hurt us. Neither Brown nor Biton have the ability to play 30/40 yard passes cutting through our defence. Biton is a naturally defensively player and doesn't have the range of passing to hurt us in the final third. He keeps the ball moving well, right and left foot, but his passing is mainly short. Brown has a lot of energy, but I don't see him having the range of passing to really hurt us. I don't think Brown has the ability the play a 30 yard pass through a well organised back five, with two holding midfielders guarding it. The biggest problem would be Johansen moving back into one of the two holding roles, as he has a great range of passing and vision.
We have to assess this game honestly and admit Celtic will have majority of the possession, meaning we’ll play with a low defensive block. This negates the threat of pace in behind. I feel this would lead to Celtic getting their full backs to overlap and put crosses into the box. However, any crosses into the box should be dealt with pretty comfortably. That’s the big advantage of having 3 CBs, plus a covering full back. Only a mistake will allow Celtic’s striker, their number ten or opposite winger getting on the end of a cross.
The biggest weakness of this formation is the centre midfielders. I personally think they’re the weakest part of our team, certainly weaker than Irvine/Woods last season. I don’t think McShane will start here, he’s not had a good pre-season and Quinn seems more reliable. Quinn has far more SPL experienced and has played for the club for years, there’s much less risk starting him. What Murdoch and Quinn need to be in this game is disciplined. Keep the shape, make sure gaps don’t open for Celtic’s attacking midfielders to receive the ball in. Celtic’s attackers receiving the ball centrally in front of our defence will cause problems and the two CM’s positioning needs to cut out those passes. Celtic’s striker or number 10 can’t be allowed to receive the ball in front of a CB, isolating the CB into a one-vs-one situation. Their defensive discipline is absolutely vital. They can't allow themselves to be dragged out, or too wide, they almost have to shuttle across as the ball goes from side the side. Not letting the gap between the two CMs grow too big will be so important. Don't go chasing the ball, keep the shape. That's the priority; keep the shape.
The two full backs, Fraser and Reckord, have a big role. They should be forcing Celtic’s two wingers down the touchline at all times. Any crosses into the box, we should be able to deal with since we’ll have three 6 foot CBs in the box. Defensive positioning will be vital for these two. When a Celtic winger receives the ball to feet, Fraser or Reckord (depending which wing) should be able to double up on the winger with the LCB or RCB. When playing a low block, which we inevitably will, the threat in behind is minimal. Any ball in behind Fraser or Reckord, if they’re positioned well, would have to be inch perfect and the covering CB should be able to deal with it.
Going forward, we will look to Gardyne and De Vita. I would start Graham in this game, ahead of Boyce and Curran. Graham has been scoring for fun in pre-season and should come into this game full of confidence. Away to a team like Celtic, you need a striker who’s good with his back to goal and who can bring the two wingers into the game. I feel Graham fits that criteria the best out of our three strikers, but he’s not just a target man. Graham also has the ability to make runs in behind and is a good finisher. Graham holding the ball up with Gardyne and De Vita getting close to him should cause problems to an exposed Celtic defence with advanced full backs. The last thing Celtic will want defensively is Gardyne and De Vita running with the ball at their defence.
Set pieces are important in every game, but we have to make them count away to the best team in the league. We have a tall team for set pieces; Robertson, Boyd, Davies, Reckord, Murdoch, Quinn and Graham are all 6 foot. Craig Gordon isn't particularly strong on set pieces, despite being very tall. He doesn't like the physical part of set pieces and tends to stay on his line. A well delivered corner between the 6 yard box and penalty box should cause a lot of problems. Davies especially is a big threat at set pieces.
Celtic will have already played 3 competitive games by the time they play us. However, they will have played basically the same team for 4 games in 10 days by Saturday. I’m not sure if that will be a positive or negative for them, I was very surprised they played pretty much their strongest team in a friendly against Rennes yesterday in the middle of two midweek CL qualifiers. There is a possibility they’ll rest a few players against us ahead of the second leg through the week, but I doubt it. The first day of the season is often quite unpredictable, so that would be a big risk by Delia.
The 0-0 draw at Celtic Park in December should give the players a lot of confidence. I don’t expect us to go there and pass Celtic off the park, I expect us to go there and try to grind out a result. With Gardyne, De Vita and Graham we should definitely be a threat on the counter attack and, if we defend correctly, I fancy us to get a draw.
Prediction: Celtic 1-1 Ross County.
