Snakehips
Well-Known Member
The tactics: if the last few years has taught us anything, it is that we should not overly play out from the back at goal kicks against them in the first half to 60 minutes at Parkhead. The ball gets turned over near our box on most occasions, and only invites pressure. When will we learn? Also, we should have been properly pressing that defence of theirs and putting balls into the channels and in behind. Play the game in their half, not your own. So today was partly on the manager. If he had watched any previous OF games there then he would have spotted the issues we always have there straight away.
The officials: Allowing 2nd yellow cards for them to go unpunished on 2 occasions? players being allowed several fouls before being booked? diving and play acting being let go with no yellows? and the fact that penalty was not even checked was disgraceful, as there was no offside awarded at the time. Blatant cheating, and not for the first time in this fixture, both this season and in previous seasons. Something has to give.
Cantwell and Dessers: Cantwell’s decision making and attempts at a wee fancy move instead of the correct pass is infuriating. He lost the ball so many times today by trying to be cute, and in good positions too. He is playing for himself and not the team when he does stuff like that, and the penny needs to drop with him sharpish. As for Dessers, he was slow and wasteful, and for a guy his size to be totally lacking in physicality is shocking. He barely won anything that came his way. Not good enough.
Despite the above, the game was there for the taking. We had some great chances and wasted them. At least we showed a bit of fight at the end, but it was too little, too late. The league is still there to be won, but we need reinforcements, plus a wee bit of mettle to go with it. Some players need to wise up too, Cantwell especially. Is he a team player, or is he a show pony?
The officials: Allowing 2nd yellow cards for them to go unpunished on 2 occasions? players being allowed several fouls before being booked? diving and play acting being let go with no yellows? and the fact that penalty was not even checked was disgraceful, as there was no offside awarded at the time. Blatant cheating, and not for the first time in this fixture, both this season and in previous seasons. Something has to give.
Cantwell and Dessers: Cantwell’s decision making and attempts at a wee fancy move instead of the correct pass is infuriating. He lost the ball so many times today by trying to be cute, and in good positions too. He is playing for himself and not the team when he does stuff like that, and the penny needs to drop with him sharpish. As for Dessers, he was slow and wasteful, and for a guy his size to be totally lacking in physicality is shocking. He barely won anything that came his way. Not good enough.
Despite the above, the game was there for the taking. We had some great chances and wasted them. At least we showed a bit of fight at the end, but it was too little, too late. The league is still there to be won, but we need reinforcements, plus a wee bit of mettle to go with it. Some players need to wise up too, Cantwell especially. Is he a team player, or is he a show pony?
