United fell to a late goal from Celtic's new forward but the Terrors left the match against the best team in the country with far more positives than negatives in what was a battling performance.
To be fair we didn't ever look like winning the game as going forward we were typically blunt, but the organisation and endeavour that we put in - not to mention the way we limited Celtic throughout the game - was extremely heartening and showed we have a solid foundation to build upon. We just need a couple of extra bodies.
What excites me is that Mellon has us playing in a way that looks tactically more advanced than anything we've been doing in recent years, and it looks like the players have all bought into it. I thought our shape throughout was excellent and there were little things that he did that I thought worked very well, not least the higher press that forced the Celtic number 2 into a good few mistakes first half. I also felt we completely nullified the Celtic midfield, particularly in the first half, although we struggled a bit with Christie after the break as he was the only Celtic player who lifted his game after the restart.
What's also pleasing is that he again trusted youth. Neilson at 17 was trusted at right back (later to be replaced by Kieron Freeman, slightly older but making only his second appearance). Logan Chalmers also started in a team that had three academy graduates in the starting XI and another couple off the bench.
We do need improvements though. Although I actually think he's played well enough, I'd like to see us upgrade Pawlett. I'd like someone with a bit more energy and who can demand the ball to set the tempo of the game. As I keep saying, we need someone with a bit of creativity. And while it was nice to see McMullan back, we really do need a quality wide player for the left hand side.
It looked for long periods that we would be grinding out a draw against a Celtic team that looked almost as blunt as we did going forward, and who really failed to impress, but the game changed with the substitutions. Firstly credit to Lennon, who changed the shape of Celtic and that caused us problems. But we also can't escape the fact that, while we were bringing on Louis Appere and Paul McMullan, Celtic were bringing on a £5m striker and a Scotland international winger. It showed and ultimately that kind of quality makes a difference.
As for the goal itself, Benji will be disappointed with himself as he really should have got the ball away, but he had a good game and I'd be loathe to castigate him for it.
On a side note, I was surprised to see the vilification of the ref by Celtic fans. The only mistake he made was to not book Connolly in the second half (not for the trod on Edouards achilles, which was completely accidental, but for another foul later on). Other than that I thought he had a good game.
All in all though, I spent Saturday evening reasonably happy with where we are as a team. The foundations are there, we just need to make the right signings to build upon it.
Mon the Terrors
DUFC 0 CFC 1
posted on 24/8/20
http://www.youthfootballscotland.co.uk/component/k2/item/21250-spfl-hot-prospect-lewis-neilson.html
A year ago he was a central midfielder, then we converted him to a CB and now he's playing right back.
He just got his higher results and did very well too.
Very pleased with his start and hopefully he continues in this form until his inevitable transfer at the end of the season
posted on 24/8/20
comment by NNH (U10730)
posted 2 minutes ago
Robson done well against Frimpong as well.
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He's kicked on massively in the last year. I had my doubts about him but he's answered those doubts so far this season.
posted on 24/8/20
First half Utd were not for the purists. They set out to nullify Celtic rather than try to get anything out of the game. It worked. 2-3 defenders surrounded Eduoard at all times to stop him turning and playing 1-2's
Second half Utd tried to play good football (which they did) but it played into Celtic's hands. The change of shape helped Celtic and a partner up top for Eddie meant the defence lost focus on Ajeti which IMO is what gave him a few yards.
I said it in an article but 3-5-2 is a must for Celtic now. It stops teams crowding out Eduoard with no other threat.
Christie was always going direct. His end ball wasn't great for a lot of it but he reminded me of Commons when teams sat back he just had a go and the goal came from that attitude.
posted on 24/8/20
happy that United look a decent side, Hibs have started the season well and Aberdeen have bounced back after the mini lockdown
hopefully the league stays competitive
posted on 24/8/20
comment by Ghod#18 (U9390)
posted 1 minute ago
happy that United look a decent side, Hibs have started the season well and Aberdeen have bounced back after the mini lockdown
hopefully the league stays competitive
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Yeah Utd, Aberdeen and Hibs all looking like top 6 teams again
posted on 24/8/20
Never seen the game
Delighted we got the goal and I enjoyed watching the highlights and seeing the three United defenders all on the ground gutted when it went in
Smirk
posted on 24/8/20
https://mobile.twitter.com/AtownColm/status/1297584939584675843
Ajeti goal. No crowd noise.
@ScottBrown8
"Odsonne, Odsonne f***ing pass it you....."
posted on 24/8/20
Great week for Aberdeen after all the shiete that’s been going on
Looked better in the first half yesterday then he shut up shop
Wish he would stop doing that
posted on 24/8/20
United looked good and stuck to the job. We desperately need to sign this Finnish winger, not Murphy or Stewart.
Thought the substitutions disrupted our fluency. Why is it we have one guy that takes the corners? I remember Jennison Myrie-Williams was on them, awful. Dillon goes over and puts one in that was the best in years.
I'd like to see Clark in the position of Pawlett and Chalmers right up top with either Appere or Shankland. Will we see Reynolds on the plastic pitch at Killie?
We are still after James Norwood. Although he worked under Mellon at Tranmere he has suffered a bad injury at Ipswich. It just sounds so much like Osman Sow. Living on past reputation, not the here and now.
On a side note I'm sorry to hear that Souttar has done his Achilles again. Didn't rate him as a centre-half mainly for the lack of getting back in time, he just seemed to stroll back. Doesn't make good reading that for a defender both teams he has played for have been relegated. Hopefully he comes back and has more urgency in his play. Prefer him as a defensive midfielder where he can spray the ball about. More his game.
posted on 24/8/20
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