The Sky Blue Corner: "More questions than answers"

EFE

It wasn’t pretty, but it certainly was vital. A stuttering performance at best left Celta in a precarious position but goals from Orellana in the first half and Nolito late on handed us a somewhat underserved victory. Sporting played with more energy, more determination and more quality; they must be wondering just how they left Balaídos with nothing to show for their troubles.

At first glance, things look good at Celta. 4^th in the league, 24 goals scored and for most of the season, great football. This shouldn’t be forgotten, but delve in a little deeper and you can see that cracks are starting to open. The last two performances have raised serious questions about the team’s mentality to deal with adverse situations. There seems to either be a massive high or capitulating low in the team’s confidence; a lack of leaders in the dressing room perhaps? Whatever it is the situation needs to change if we are to be successful over the course of a season. 

Defensively in recent weeks we have left much to be desired. With the way we play it is only natural that we concede more often than not, but in the previous games individual and collective mistakes have started to become more and more frequent. Sergio’s form has seen a dramatic decline lately, leaving many doubts about his ability to be the number one goalkeeper. I personally have faith in him but it is being tested and he needs to get out of his current run if he is to retain his place in the team.

Despite his goal, Nolito’s performances lately have been almost as bad as TVE’s football coverage. Maybe he is just going through a bad spell and there is nothing to worry about but people are starting to suggest that his possible transfer could be affecting him. I have no doubts whatsoever regarding his commitment to the club and hopefully we see Nolito back to his best sooner rather than later. With any luck he will decide to sign a new contract and stay at Celta because he has probably been our best player since Mostovoi.

Wednesday’s Copa del Rey clash against Almería could play a massive part in the team’s confidence going forward. A positive performance and result should help to put some of the doubts to rest whereas a negative one will only raise further questions about the future. To win will put us in a good position going to the Benito Villamarín and help to prove that recent performances have not been a sign of things to come, but instead a small blip.

Best regards and come on Celta!

¡Saludos y Hala Celta!

¡Saudos e Ala Celta!