In recent years, the term “sports science” has become more widely used on Planet Football.
This includes the use of data analysis to crunch the numbers on the fine margins between success and failure.
It started in baseball across the Pond and has migrated to association football.
This book on the subject is highly recommended.
Of course, there also have been massive advances in medical science apropos elite athletes in all codes.
What was a career-ending injury twenty years ago can now be fixed by specialist surgeons.
Moreover, the term “breakfast of champions” now has some scientific basis.
I recall in the mid-1990s walking up to Celtic Park during the daytime.
It was midweek, and my mission was to acquire a ticket for an upcoming match.
There was chip van at the bottom of Kerrydale Street, and I thought that I recognised the big lad sitting eating a fish supper out of the paper. He was sitting on the small metal barrier that indicates the end of the carpark.
I did a double-take for a second.
Could it possibly be?
Yes, it was.
It was Pierre van Hooijdonk!
As we reminded him in those days “there’s only one Pierre!”
Training had finished at Barrowfield, and the lads were famished.
The idea that such dietary vandalism would be permitted now after a workout at Lennox town is unthinkable.
I was thinking about these matters when the final whistle sounded at an empty Easter Road yesterday.
Perhaps Mr Let’s Go, and his expert backroom team could look at what his Gumtree Galacticos are having for breakfast.
I think that a bowl of moral fibre might be what is needed because they indeed show a lack of it when the going gets tough.
Yes, dear reader, I do realise that Sevco’s training centre is famous for their “world-class breakfasts”.
Top-class athletes have to have the best, and no one would suggest that they eat grass.
Whatever way you look at it, yesterday was a failure for Stevie G’s men.
Mr Gerard will know that the ability to see out a game is the sign of a title-winning outfit.
Of course, that is something that eluded him in his own career.
Last January after their, midwinter breakdown in Dubai the Sevco squad crumbled as Celtic moved through the gears.
In one post-match interview, Mr Gerrard referred to the champions as “relentless”.
The match at Easter Road yesterday was the first domestic test of the new campaign for Sevco.
The champions are not at their best by any means.
Neil Lennon has moved to augment the spine of his team from goalkeeper through to the striker.
Shane Duffy, the Irish captain, is a solid performer in central defence as well as being a goal threat at the other end.
In Albian Ajeti the Parkhead side has sourced a natural finisher.
With two points dropped against Hibernian, the mood on dignified message board was ugly.
I think it is fair to say The People are revolting.
One year on and the pre-season hype has once more collided with results on the field.
I thought it was worth pointing that out.
All harmless ribaldry of course.
However, I’m left with this question:
If Celtic look like motoring on towards Ten In A Row does Mr Let’s Go fancy being there when the music stops?
Does he have the stomach for that?
He just might have to change his diet.
Have a great week, and please stay safe.
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That would be witty, perhaps even funny, if it wasn’t as old as the hills and first used by the Sheep…
Some disconnected thoughts.
I think Duffy is revelling in playing for Celtic and his boyish enthusiasm at the chance to score from a corner is both amusing and terrifying depending on whose side your on.
Edouard is happy at Celtic but unhappy at one up tactics.
Ajer is happy at Celtic but unhappy stuck in the back three.
Celtic need a new midfield as Ntcham, McGregor and Christie all flatter to deceive and Brown, a great servant, no longer has the legs.
Here is my suggestion
Turnbull, Soro and Ajer.
In a recent match, the first two came on and made a big difference to the energy of the team. I pity anyone having to face both Soro and Frimpong at the same time
These are supposed to be positive suggestions and before you criticise remember Lennon admitted his biggest supporter DD thought the performance in the five nil victory over Ross County was poor. I think that says it all.
Come home agent Gerrard, your assignment is accomplished.
I would caution against over confidence. We have looked no great shakes v the Livingstons and St Mirrens so far. A draw away v hibs this season may be a crucial “loss of points” or it may be a good result against a well organised team. Only time will tell. Obviously I’m glad they drew, but I’ll hold off on over analysing it until Sunday night. We may draw. Or lose. Who knows?
We’re hardly steamrollering opponents just now. I think as weeks go by we will push on, but sadly we don’t have the luxury of time as our next 4 games are pretty crucial.
The DOBessed take on Motherwell, this weekend after both are in Europe. IF the King Billy’s hometown team patch them, then the pressure on a midday KO will be enormous.We all know they don’t do pressure. Anything less than full points, and Europa group qualification, and offloading a player or two. will see him walk in the International break.
Sevvie G spiked the “they (the board and Wilson) know what I need” routine the other week, and when you are arguing with a 21 year centre half you know he’s feeling the pressure. He’s slated them every week for poor finishing and it was officials and defending this week, the SMSM are refusing to tackle him and the Castore issue.
@The journalists, you should ask how many redundancies are coming at the Elite Training Estadio? What is the cost of the Covid Response business insurance policy? and have they plans to scrap it after the accounts are released?
Castore most apt kit provider of all time they are unravelling
We the Celtic support must stay calm, trust the team, the window closing and above all Neil Francis Lennon. We get it right this season and the new spine will take us to 10 and beyond. It’s not been vintage and it has all the similarities of 08….. we did get it sorted and that night at Tannadice will live long in the memory.
Keep The Faith.
If a club breaks the Covid rules then fair play they deserve to be fined.
Celtic and Aberdeen have been hit with £30k fines.
Sevco-TheRangers played two players two days after they returned from under21 competition in Europe, without having had Covid tests and all clear. Club excuse was club had problem interpreting the rules.
Sorry, not good enough. The rules at that point applied to all clubs and they were crystal clear. A £30k fine must be applied to SEVCO. No excuses or bullshit. They broke Covid rules set for all clubs.
They’ve played away to Aberdeen and Hibs, which will be the toughest outside of games against us.
They got 4 points out of 6, which isn’t too bad.
In contrast we’ve played lower league sides, so far too early to make any sweeping generalisations.
I think they’ll prove to be far too strong for the rest over the piece and given they’ve matched us in the head to head over the past 2 seasons, there’s still a long way to go.
Next Sunday against Hibs and them on 17th October will hopefully start to show clear water between us.
We’ve not won the big games yet. Would you take a draw Sunday? I would. We’re due a change and it needs strong leadership to achieve it, in this the very season of seasons. Be bold Lenny, don’t be afraid of change.
Cheers lads. Mon the Hoops!
We also conceded 2 goals at the weekend. A penalty and an excellent strike. Ajer was badly at fault for the first long before the ball struck his hand. The second was even worse. The back three must have been 6 yards behind a line of 5? Livingston players, so slow to come out and reminiscent of the first goal against the Hungarians lost to another excellent strike. In fact both goals are more or less identical to the CL tie. This is basic stuff. Ajeti is a player yes. I do think we will improve dramatically when players are more familiar with each other
Agree. Far to early to be counting the chickens, especially since we have been no great shakes.
I think CELTIC are at Hibs next Sunday. We’ll see how we fare.
We host SEVCO on 17th October. A must win.
Stevie G’s season was over before it started. Anyone who thinks differently is naive.
The Sevco front three of Hagi, Morelos & Kent created a single Morelos goal, which was only possible due to poor defending by Hibs.
Our game in hand is Aberdeen. They’ve imploded.
Yes, it’s a long season.
Both CFC and TRFC supporters are currently fairly critical of their own manager, and their perceived weaknesses.
But, CFC undoubtedly has the best squad in the SPL, with greater depth of quality players.
[It’s not a sporting advantage though: it’s just what money buys. 🙂 ]
Over a long league campaign the best squad ‘should’ prevail.
So, for the 10th season in a row: it’s Celtic’s title to lose.
If people really think a draw at Easter Road is failure, they must hold Sevco in reasonably high regard. As a ST holder at Celtic park (well, VST at the moment), I was very pleased that the Huns only gained one point but I would hardly call it a collapse.
I think it is extremely condescending towards Hibernian for Ibrox fans to look upon the result at Easter Road yesterday as anything other than a decent result. Playing away to a team just 3 points behind you in the league is always going to be tough, no matter which league you are in. In Marciano, Hibs have an international goalkeeper – which showed. In Doidge they have a striker knocking on the door of his national side and it showed. In Gogic they have a ball winner who has just been called up by his national side and in Porteous they have a future Scotland centre back. Two subs came on – Hallberg and Stevenson, both of whom have played for their country. These are not world beaters by any means but they are very decent and dedicated professional football players who are not going to lie down at home or park the bus for anyone. Hibs will have a few off-days which is why they will not be challenging for the title but points at Easter Road for opposition teams have to be earned.
Said to my pals last week the huns haven’t come up against anything this year except Leverkusen, they thoroughly pumped them in 2nd gear. Hibs played them off the park at times yesterday, Slippy had no answer and they only equalised cos Hibs stepped back to defend their lead.
I fully expect us to deliver a humping, of epic proportions, when we meet next. Our 3-5-2 fully fit will hammer them.
HH
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Slippy-To-day
My oh my at Hibees away
Plenty of laughter at Celtic today
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Slippy-To-Day
Mister bluenose on my Twitter
It’s the truth
It’s factual
He’s no intellectual
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Wonderful feeling
Wonderful day
#TimmyRibsMatter