Scottish Premier League Update

Even though we are only 7 games into the new Scottish premier League season Celtic have managed to eek out a slender one point lead in the table over their arch rivals Rangers. The lead could have been much greater if Celtic had not suffered a controversial 2-1 defeat to Rangers last weekend. Three stonewall penalties should have been awarded to Celtic during the game but only one was. These mistakes were so blatant that the referee came out after the game to admit his mistake.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/scottishpremier/celtic/6263381/Referee-Craig-Thomson-admits-penalty-error-in-Old-Firm-match.html

Of course post match apologies are no help for Celtic when these sort of errors occur in such a significant game even this early in the season. Celtic have to start taking the game changing decisions out of the referees hands and into their own by winning games with a bit more flair and confidence. Celtic's new manager, Tony Mobray, is clearly taking time to settle into the role and design a team shape and consistency that will allow Celtic to kill off games and accumulate points. To do this Celtic have a few issues that they need to resolve and quickly. To ensure a successful season in the SPL and in Europe they need to get their frontline scoring more regularly than they are currently, the defensive line has to get back some of the solidity of previous seasons and finally they need a creative midfielder to make the team tick. There have been some encouraging signs with a few of the summer signings like N'Guemo, Fortune and Zheng Zhi and even some excitement as a signing from last year Paddy Mc Court finally started to show his "Messi like" potential. Check out his recent wonder goal against St Mirren;

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3453994/paddy_mccourt_v_st_mirren/

Over the next 7 games I'm sure Celtic will increase their lead in the SPL but will have to improve considerably if they want to advance further in Europe, even though it is only the Europa Cup.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/scottishpremier/celtic/


In other news, we need to start getting in the YES/NO numbers in for the home game against Prospect on the 18th. At the time of writing this we have only 3 players saying yes, 1 maybe and 5 no. We still have 9 guys to say one way or another.

PLAYER FOCUS: Hamid... "The Enigma"

Just when you thought it was safe to start reading the blog again without fear of seeing another player focus what happens?? another player focus comes along!....but what a player, what a focus!.... yes, he is the last of the Madison greats to be put under the interview knife. Some say he taught Rio Ferdinand all there is to know about defensive artistry, it has even been rumoured that this future Madison Hall of Famer once gave midfield passing tips to a very young Messi....oh yes, he was once that good! Known for his ability to disappear for weeks on end, sometimes when he is on the field...he magically re-appears without warning. Where does he go when he disappears? What World class player is getting the benefit of his coaching? Why won't he tell us? And why are his chickens kabobs so good? Yes, he is the one and only Hamid The Enigma!...... a mystery wrapped in a conundrum!

Fav Team? I think it's Glasgow Rangers because they are so bad that I feel sorry for them. I bought one of their shirts to give them some money but I now use it as a rag to clean out my dogs kennel. I love my dog. Actually I really love Ajax...a really great team! ( Ajax good, Rangers bad...repeat after me)

Fav Player? Easy....Pele! I really liked him as a player and as I get older I look a bit like him! (when he gets to 90 you will actually be playing like him too!)

First time you played soccer? It was when I was around 8 years old. We used to play on asphalt in our bare feet....we were tough! (Ah, that's what's wrong with you now...too much grass and foot protection)

Fav Music? I like Jazz, it's an unreconstructed free flow form of music that allows for moments of individual brilliance and expression....yes, just like the way I play soccer ( are you sure you don't like the experimental music style of John Cage? He described his music as " purposeless play" which is "an affirmation of life – not an attempt to bring order out of chaos"....sounds like some of your games, no?)

Something we don't know about you? I love Camels, but just one hump not two....( I guess that's better than dogs! )

Motto for life? Let deeds, not words be your adorning ( O Son of Dust....the hidden words are true! )

Thanks Hamid...great team player and an enigma no more!

MATCH REPORT; Bridgeport 2 Madison 1

Solid Defense Not Enough For Madison

Carrying an injury list that would make an ER doctor sweat, Madison Celtic limped into this game more in hope than expectation. Bolstered by two signings the day before the game it was a real bonus to see Madison walk onto the field with eleven relatively fit players. Previous games against Bridgeport have been tough and tight and this one proved to be no different.

The first half was pockmarked with some almighty poor passing by both teams and some eccentric refereeing decisions by the man with the whistle. On balance Madison edged the one on one battles and took up some great positions. Notably, Roniildo and Rob where always available for the ball in acres of space. Unfortunately more times than not the ball went elsewhere. Just as it looked like the half might end with a lot of scrappy play and little goal mouth action the referee intervened to supply a comical interlude by giving an indirect free kick to Bridgeport no more than 5 yards out from the Madison goal line. Some solid defending by Madison averted the danger and they were soon back on the attack. A sweeping move up the right wing by Roniildo and a great cross ball out to Rob on the left was reciprocated by an equally impressive ball back to Roniildo in the opposition box. Roniildo looked as though he had all the time in the World as he calmly swerved the ball past the stranded Bridgeport goalie to put the Celts one up. The half ended with the Celts dominant and optimistic about winning the game.

Bridgeport, of course, had other ideas and started the second half strongly, pushing Madison further and further back into defense. The whole team seemed to react to this pressure with a bit more panic on the ball than normal and the passing went from bad to worse.

With the midfield contriving some suicidally short passes back to the defence La Boca was heard to emit a scream that sounded like a lonely whale looking for a friend in the Atlantic. And to be fair some of the passing in the midfield was raw to say the least. If the ball was not being released with undue haste into a no mans land of Bridgeport players it was being held too long until all options had been closed down.
El Presidente was at times struck with indecision as to where the pass should go. Hit to space on the left or hit to space on the right? It reminded me of the fable about the horse who was positioned between two equally attractive piles of hay. He could not decide which pile to eat; so, he starved to death.

Unfortunately, Bridgeport were able to take advantage of this disarray when a defence splitting pass eluded both Hamid and El Gato allowing the opposition striker the simple task of slotting the ball into the net for the equalizer. After this set back Madison allowed their heads to drop and Bridgeport started to boss the game. And with only 15 minutes left on the clock a fast move down the Bridgeport left was finished with a high floating ball into the Madison box which was met by the head of a Bridgeport player to put them 2 up. Madison still fought hard for the equalizer and could have snatched a point right at the death when a break away by new signing Ilhan found him one on one with the goalie. His nicely lobbed shot crept agonisingly over the bar shaving it by inches and ending the last chance for the Celts. A tough result from a fairly even match up but considering all the injuries and player shortage issues for Madison leading up to this game they could at least claim a moral victory of sorts.

MAN OF THE MATCH; Roniildo. Was always available for the ball and making lung bursting runs into space. Unfortunately the only person to see them was me watching from the sidelines.

NEXT GAME; Sunday 4th October, Bridgeport!

Our next game is this Sunday and its is an away game against Bridgeport. By the looks of it, Bridgeport had a really rough time during the summer season. They struggled to get 11 players on the field and had an awful away record. Sound familiar? Over 9 games they won 3, lost 3 and drew 3, and finished second bottom of the league.

We played them twice during the Summer season losing the first game 3-1

http://madisonceltic.blogspot.com/2009/05/match-report-bridgeport-3-madison.html

and winning the second game 2-0.

http://madisonceltic.blogspot.com/2009/07/match-report-madison-2-bridgeport-0.html.

I know we have been through some tough times over the last couple of weeks, getting a full team and getting our act together, but I think we have turned the corner. Our problems are not all solved but I think we have a great game plan off the field to tackle our issues. Now we need some really good luck to deal with some on field issues. Let's start by beating a shaky Bridgeport team and having a good Fall season!

Some guys are meeting at exit 58 at 8.45 am on Sunday and the rest will be making their own way to the field. Rob, our new Chief Entertainment Officer is on beer duty!