It won’t be the media that judges Deila
Deila won’t be the last manager to blame criticism at the hands of the media, unfortunately for the Norwegian the media tends to outlast the managers that they are following.
When the results go against you the stats pile up and the criticism intensifies. Jose Mourinho knows it and Louis van Gall is experiencing it as well, that’s the nature of the business and is part of the package.
Celtic fans have a more hostile take on the media than most groups of supporters, they tend not to be easily led. Fans know that there are plenty of outlets that enjoy nothing more than putting the boot into anything related to Celtic while applying incredible spin on bad news elsewhere in the city.
That fact is a sideshow, the worries of the Celtic support is concentrated on what is happening at their club and on the evidence of the defeat from Motherwell discontent is high.
Deila was largely forgiven last season’s Champions League failure. A title success, a League Cup triumph including a win over the new club from Ibrox and a glimpse of the big time against Inter Milan helped supporters get over the early season pain.
There were few fans critical of the manager, his 4-2-3-1 formation was given time despite the concerns of many regarding it’s effectiveness in domestic games that Celtic dominate.
Thirty minutes into the home leg against Malmo all was wonderful with the world but an hour later the doubts were back- big time. A 2-0 loss in Sweden followed by comments about players being scared raised serious concerns.
Since that night in Malmo the doubts have intensified. For the stats obsessed draws away to Ajax and Fenerbahce were signs of progress, for the realists six Europa League ties without a win including back-to-back defeats from Molde have set off alarm bells.
Being told about development and the big picture doesn’t tie in with the evidence of the last three months.
Whether Deila or any other manager likes it or not the media is the main link between players and managers with supporters. When the words that supporters hear coming out the club are at odds with their own evidence problems are created.
Supporters know the environment that the Celtic are in. Since Hay, Macari and Dalglish left Celtic have been a selling club, losing a trio of top players to Southampton isn’t a new phenomenon.
What is new is a lack of entertainment and excitement on the park. Deila claims that 4-2-3-1 is flexible but for fans brought up on Larsson, Sutton and Hartson through to Hooper and McDonald the lack of firepower is alien.
Equally concerning is the apparent acceptance of defeat. Since the year dot Celtic teams have fought to the 90th minute and beyond. Against Motherwell there was no expectation of a fighback after going 2-1 behind, those that stayed on till the final whistle made their anger known.
There are lots of reasons for the current unhappiness of supporters, the bonds between fans through to players, management and directors has rarely been weaker.
Deila can’t be held responsible for everything, his remit doesn’t extend much beyond the 90 minutes on the park.
Over the two remaining fixtures of 2015 there is an opportunity for him to make a big statement.
There are no players in the Hearts or Dundee teams that Celtic will be looking at in the January transfer window.
After 18 months at the club Deila’s ideas are well known to the players, he knows his players. The matches at Hearts and Dundee are the opportunity to send out the strongest of messages.
Assuming that the Premiership title is won the Champions League qualifiers are just over six months away. On this season’s evidence there is little reason to suspect that Celtic can get through three qualifying rounds.
The benchmark used to be pushing for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. In light of recent events qualification would be viewed as a success.
The media will be watching closely but it’s Hearts and Dundee that Deila has to concern himself with, that’s the opponents Celtic supporters will judge him on.
Six points accompanied by convincing displays will win supporters around- anything less and it’ll be the reaction from supporters that will dictate Deila’s fate.