Amazing and welcome as it was the 55 season perfectly sums up the characteristics of our players over the last number of years. The unique situation with Covid allowed the players and staff to be cocooned from the outside world for the day to day of training and preparation and even more so for actual matches and this helped them develop a single mindedness to nail the league, helped also by the other lot imploding. Red flags were the two cup capitulations that were given a pass because of the league. While arguably overachieving in Europe and having a few other big results this group obviously can't hack the pressure of sustaining a league challenge in front of a live audience. As loads have already posted, this lot are only comfortable once they have blown their chances and the pressure is off, as per every year pre and post 55. Some of the newer players may yet have a chance but all of the old guard need shipped out. The technical ability of prospective new signings may have to come secondary to their leadership and motivational skills and I trust PC to be able to identify them. This cycle can't go on.
The 55 season totall adds up
- Thread starter jefftracy
- Start date
Zapp Brannigan
Well-Known Member
It always did add up. There was less pressure as every game felt like a training game, and player ability and tactics had far more impact than emotions etc. The wee teams were less in our faces because there was no atmosphere to play up to, and messages could get on the park far easier from the bench. And the main rivals were in absolute turmoil.
And the team still fell over in the cups when there was that bit more at stake for the opposition.
And the team still fell over in the cups when there was that bit more at stake for the opposition.
ForGodForCountryForever
Well-Known Member
55 itself cost us nothing, it actually provided a great opportunity to built further and progress.
The failure to capture that moment its what has slowly led us to where we are now.
The failure to capture that moment its what has slowly led us to where we are now.
A Magician Named Gob
Well-Known Member
Davis, Jack, Kamara, Aribo, Roofe, Hagi, Kent and Morelos backed by an in-form and fit Helander is why we won the league that year. Most of them have moved and on and been replaced by worse.
Save the Celtic fans talking point for them.
Save the Celtic fans talking point for them.
Hooty
Well-Known Member
That was opportunity number 1 to build on success. It wasn’t taken by the Board.
Gio then got us to EL final and CL qualification. Again the Board failed to take that second chance to make us stronger.
The Golden God
Well-Known Member
Are we allowed to say it was because of Covid without being called a tim now ?
Grizzlybear
Well-Known Member
I can't help but agree, there's some kind of mentality issue at play where this group of players cannot take any kind of pressure whatsoever.
DonDraper
Well-Known Member
If there was less pressure and every game was like a training session why did our opponent fail? We won because our manager was slowly building a good team up over a few seasons and were catching up with our opponent quickly.
Shepchenko83
Active Member
Said it for years, we won that league because a complete celtic collapse and us not having pressure on us due to this. When we did have pressure that year it was in cup competitions when Celtic had already been put out so everyone was expecting us to win it, we collapsed.
ClockworkOrange
Well-Known Member
When we started losing games under Gerrard and this was brought up, a common response was - Aye, but they've won big games in front of crowds before. We went to Parkhead and beat them, etc.
But there is a massive difference between consistently winning games in front of crowds. To do it week in, week out and to have compete and win the title under these circumstances. None of this squad have done that. They've not even been in a title race before.
Hopefully now that we're going to see the back of this team there can be real and honest conversations about how useful that covid season was for us.
But there is a massive difference between consistently winning games in front of crowds. To do it week in, week out and to have compete and win the title under these circumstances. None of this squad have done that. They've not even been in a title race before.
Hopefully now that we're going to see the back of this team there can be real and honest conversations about how useful that covid season was for us.
Cooper's left peg
Well-Known Member
This was always the reality.
Zapp Brannigan
Well-Known Member
They failed because they bought really, really badly and had a really really bad manager, and being chased out their stadium by their own fans etc wasn't exactly helpful for minimising pressure.
I honestly don't think there's an argument anymore about how/why 55 came about. We were a well oiled machine and we were a bloody good team, but one that had a massive boost with the wider situation of no fans and atmospheres.
DerHammer88
Well-Known Member
Bunch of mentally challenged porn pish.
Chocolateleftfoot
Well-Known Member
Add in Goldson, Barasic, Arfield and McGregor.
"We won the league because there was no fans."
Eh, no. We had a far better squad than we have now.
A Magician Named Gob
Well-Known Member
Well it sure does sound like one.
We've got poorer players in key positions than back then wouldn't you agree?
A Magician Named Gob
Well-Known Member
Celtic being managed by an absolute incompetent in Neil Lennon vs someone more competent in Rodgers probably helped a lot too. In short, it's a complex thing that simple people can reduce down to one understandable soundbite they can regurgitate because dealing in simple is what they are capable of.
A Magician Named Gob
Well-Known Member
Said opponent then spent as much as we did over the course of multiple years in one transfer window to overtake us. But still, it's easier to repeat these things than it is to engage critically.
But it's a different group of players from then.
Only Tavernier and Goldson still play regularly from that team. And Tavernier still produces constantly.
Zapp Brannigan
Well-Known Member
It's both, why is that such a difficult concept? They were good enough to win it that season, the same players didn't win it the season before* or the season after, did they suddenly become bad or was there another factor?
*they were collapsing pre-lockdown and weren't winning it, regardless of the fact celtc technically didn't win it either
Midfield General
Well-Known Member
Some nonsense on here,the pressure that season was probably the most intense since the last time we won the league.
They were going for the fabled 10 in a row or 9 and a bit in reality.
They were going for the fabled 10 in a row or 9 and a bit in reality.
Los Pollos Hermanos
Well-Known Member
That’s right, there was no pressure stopping their 10 in a row, absolutely none.
Los Pollos Hermanos
Well-Known Member
The squad quite clearly wasn’t strong enough in Gerrard’s first 2 seasons, I’ll not list some of the players we used as I’m sure you’ll know them.
After we won 55 was the time to invest & improve the squad, we didn't - could say not qualifying for CL was a factor in not being able to attract a certain type of player.
Then Gio qualifies for the CL, after Europa League final & does not get the funds to attract the types of players we need to improve.
No even want to talk about the disaster with Beale.
Then Gio qualifies for the CL, after Europa League final & does not get the funds to attract the types of players we need to improve.
No even want to talk about the disaster with Beale.
Zapp Brannigan
Well-Known Member
This is true to a degree but they are huge voices and set the standards, plus we're ignoring Barisic, Roofe, Jack, Balogun, 3 of whom are part of the underlying problem of squad mentality imo.
Kingsparkger
Well-Known Member
No pressure due to no supporters. Ok, so the most level playing field in the history of the game?
C’mon now, stop doing other peoples work for them.
C’mon now, stop doing other peoples work for them.
Zapp Brannigan
Well-Known Member
And the following season when Malmo papped us out and we collapsed in the league? Why are you so reluctant to countenance that one of the biggest changes to how elite football functioned in a single season had any kind of impact? It's staring us all in the face, always was.
But the people saying "this group of players" are wrong. It's almost an entire new starting 11 and quite often only Tav and Goldson play any part in a match day squad never mind just the first 11.
We had a good team filled with internationals for 55. Since then we've hugely downgraded. Even that summer we downgraded by signing Lundstram and Sakala. And so it began.
We won it because we were the best team by a country mile, did you watch a single Rangers or Celtic game that season?
Zapp Brannigan
Well-Known Member
Yes, the most level playing field in terms of purely ability and team setup. Our players were good enough to win it and they did. Had there been crowds and difficult atmospheres at Pittodrie etc they (based on evidence) may have retreated into their shells at some point.
Los Pollos Hermanos
Well-Known Member
Gerrard left us top of the league, after a Covid hit start.
Why you trying to downplay our title win?
We had more or less the exact same squad of players from the 55 season going into the 2021/22 campaign which we bottled again in January/February & with fans back in.
There was massive pressure during 55 season on the players but to say having no fans didn’t help is wrong.
There was massive pressure during 55 season on the players but to say having no fans didn’t help is wrong.
Zapp Brannigan
Well-Known Member
Yes you are correct. It's about a squad mentality more than individual players. We haven't bought well, I'm not arguing that at all.
MartinS93
Well-Known Member
Since 55 we've had 13 games against the team we need to beat to win shiny things.
We've had 3 wins, one of which was absolutely meaningless, a win after extra time and our only meaningful league win away, way back in September 2021.
8 defeats in that time and 3 draws.
If we analyse those game, what's the theme of goals conceded, which lose us games/points/cups?
It's not hard.
We've had 3 wins, one of which was absolutely meaningless, a win after extra time and our only meaningful league win away, way back in September 2021.
8 defeats in that time and 3 draws.
If we analyse those game, what's the theme of goals conceded, which lose us games/points/cups?
It's not hard.
Without covid that lot would likely be on 13 in a row after may
It's a strange one because while it seems to be true, it could just as easily be coincidence and anecdotal as how can anyone explain us getting to a Europa League Final going to places like Belgrade with fans yet think our players panic in front of 2 men and a dog at Motherwell?
End of the day it's a pointless debate now as it's historical as the team is completely different now.
Chocolateleftfoot
Well-Known Member
Yeah, there was another factor. We improved the squad from the year before, added to the experience young talent like Aribo, Kent, Morelos, Kamara etc all gained. We were on an upward trajectory year on year. We were always getting better.
Zapp Brannigan
Well-Known Member
I'm trying to explain why in the last 5 or 6 seasons we've had players good enough to compete with (and often beat) teams with far bigger budgets, and get themselves in good positions, we have only one league to show for it and a couple of cups, while in every other season they've switched as a whole from playing well to playing extremely poorly under 3 different managers with many different players, to the point they're getting beaten fair and square by absolute jobbers, unable to make chances or even look composed.
If you can explain that go for it. I think it's also mental to suggest the lockdown season had no impact on anything and some coped with it better than others. That always stood to reason.
Zapp Brannigan
Well-Known Member
And the following season? Malmo? League?
It's fairly obvious that the circumstances due to covid, and celtic totally capitulating, contributed massively to 55. Not saying we didn't deserve it, our unbeaten run and the points gap obviously prove we did, but the point is had the usual pressures been there then I doubt our squad would have coped.
The fact we inexplicably put in 2 dire performances and were knocked out cups in the very round after celtic went out backs that up. Being favourites for something and our squad don't go well together.
The fact we inexplicably put in 2 dire performances and were knocked out cups in the very round after celtic went out backs that up. Being favourites for something and our squad don't go well together.
Rmckillen1872
Member
100% agree add in the fact we were in front near enough the entire time knowing we could afford a slip up which allowed players to play with freedom.
The EL run was outstanding & the players potentially seen it as a free hit, we were not expected to go as far as we did.
Domestically Rangers are expected as you well know to win every game regardless. That’s a different type of pressure compared to European football & our players always seem to crack under that pressure.
Every player should know what they’re walking into when signing for us however too many seem to accept 2nd best & it’s not on.
FirstToFifty
Well-Known Member
We’ll never really know but I don’t think Gerrard was surviving that season if Covid didn’t hit. We had capitulated again, the fans were sick of it and he looked to be running out of ideas.
GazzaLegend
Well-Known Member
Not particularly insightful and lots have already said his but watch our form change and confidence return the minute the title has gone mathematically. It’s happened so many times it’s now undeniable.
I’ve been trying to find tactical reasons for the past 4 games but the lack of heart and fight shown over the past two games by the majority of players, if not all of them, is one of the biggest reasons we won’t wing titles with this squad.
When a team secure in the top 6 and another struggling to stay up can beat you for heart and guts to even try, even if it doesn’t work, then it’s a non starter I’m afraid.
I’ve been trying to find tactical reasons for the past 4 games but the lack of heart and fight shown over the past two games by the majority of players, if not all of them, is one of the biggest reasons we won’t wing titles with this squad.
When a team secure in the top 6 and another struggling to stay up can beat you for heart and guts to even try, even if it doesn’t work, then it’s a non starter I’m afraid.
Chapman billie
Well-Known Member
You're kind of arguing against yourself here. You're saying we won the league because there was no crowd pressure and then quoting two games we lost with no crowds. You're also saying we couldn't cope because we lost as soon as celtic went out. You're saying being favourites and our squad don't go well together yet celtic went out the league cup this season to Killie and we won it. We won 55 unbeaten because were the best and most consistent side. We will lose the league this season because our squad is miles below the quality of 55.
James19
Well-Known Member
100 times this.
Not sure people why keep ignoring that fact. Compare the two squads. We've massively regressed.
We'd also beaten Celtic 3 times out of 6 before the 55 season. It was coming.
Rickety Cricket
Well-Known Member
We've replaced Bassey with Souttar. Kamara with Lawrence. Dessers for Morelos. Matondo for Kent. Lundstram for Davis. Aribo for Wright/MaCausland, to name just a few. We've lowered our quality in player by some bit, while that mhob have strengthened there squad and brought in a better manager. If Clement gets the players he wants out the door and gets in the players HE wants, then I'm not worried about the future at all. Clement has managed some great players and has been capped for Belgium 25+ times, so he has played with some top players as well. He will be first to know we need better players and whats more important is, he will know if a player he's going for is better than we currently have. So back to the OP and 55, we won that because we had better players on the park, at a time where Kent and Morelos were still very much the figure heads of our attack.
In Big Phillipe Clement I Trust.
In Big Phillipe Clement I Trust.
Los Pollos Hermanos
Well-Known Member
I’ve already explained it in my posts, you carry on with the mentally challenged line though.
