Celtic's Nightmare: Nancy's 4 Losses Spark Board Backlash

Celtic's Crisis: Nancy's Nightmare Start and the Boardroom Blame Game

There’s a storm brewing in Glasgow, and it’s wearing green and white. Celtic fans are watching in disbelief as Wilfried Nancy, the club’s newest managerial gamble, has stumbled out of the gate with four straight defeats. That’s a record not seen since 1978, and for a club of Celtic’s stature, it’s less “teething problems” and more “full-blown meltdown.”

After a brief feel-good spell under Martin O'Neill, who steadied the ship with seven wins out of eight, Nancy was brought in to freshen things up. Instead, he’s managed to freshen up the loss column. With defeats to St. Mirren and Dundee United in rapid succession, fans are asking the big question: how did we go from nearly beating Bayern Munich to being schooled by mid-table sides in less than a year?

The answer, many argue, lies at the top. The Celtic board, including now-departed chairman Peter Lawwell, have come under fire for recruitment decisions that feel more like guesswork than strategy. Nancy’s arrival, tied to connections with Paul Tisdale and Kwame Ampadu, smacks of cronyism rather than competence. And fans aren’t having it—literally. Lawwell stepped down after abuse and fan protests reached a boiling point.

On the pitch, Nancy’s system hasn’t clicked. Playing one center-half with wingbacks that look more like lost tourists than defenders has left Celtic exposed. Missed sitters, tactical confusion, and a team that looks like it's still trying to read the instruction manual have left fans longing for simpler times. Even Nancy’s attempt at a motivational Twitter post (or was it WhatsApp?) was met with ridicule. A Venn diagram of things you can control and things that matter? Maybe stick to tactics, Wilf.

Unless Celtic start stringing wins together—starting with Aberdeen this weekend—fans may be calling for that “break glass in case of emergency” O’Neill return sooner than later.

Newcastle’s Injury Woes and Eddie Howe’s Fraying Honeymoon

Up north in Newcastle, Eddie Howe is learning that goodwill has an expiration date. After a horror show in the derby against Sunderland, where Newcastle looked like they forgot a game of football was scheduled, Howe faced his first real wave of fan frustration. Even the most diehard Geordies in the away end started murmuring, “Is this as good as it gets?”

The Magpies are down to the bare bones in defense. Trippier, Burn, Botman, and now Livramento are all sidelined. When Lewis Miley, a teenager, is your starting right-back, you know things are rough. Yet despite the injuries, Newcastle pulled off a much-needed Carabao Cup win against Fulham. Miley’s performance was a highlight, and he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite, with comparisons to the Longstaff brothers already surfacing.

However, even in victory, questions linger. Newcastle’s away form is dire, and Howe’s tactical calls—like starting Anthony Elanga in a critical derby—have raised eyebrows. Fans aren’t asking for miracles, but they are asking for consistency. And in the Premier League, especially with Chelsea up next, consistency is currency.

The good news? Their home form remains strong, and Nick Volta-Mader continues to be a reliable threat up front. With Fulham dispatched and Chelsea looming, Howe needs to prove he can navigate this injury crisis and keep the Toon Army believing.

Fulham Falling Short and the Managerial Ceiling Conundrum

Fulham manager Marco Silva has become the Premier League’s nearly man when it comes to cup competitions. Quarterfinals? Check. Semifinals? Once. Final? Not yet. Their latest Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Newcastle was another example of how close yet far they remain from silverware.

Silva’s men started brightly, with a solid first half. But once Newcastle brought on fresh legs, Fulham couldn’t keep up. Despite controlling possession, their attacking transitions were blunt, and they were eventually undone by a late goal.

The bigger issue might be that Fulham’s squad depth just doesn’t match their aspirations. With key players missing due to AFCON, Silva had limited options. And while fans appreciate the progress, there’s a growing sense that both club and manager may have hit their ceiling together.

If the FA Cup offers another shot at glory, they’ll need to go all in. Otherwise, it’s mid-table mediocrity with a side of “what if?”

Premier League Title Race and Relegation Watch

Elsewhere in the league, Arsenal face a must-win against Everton. With Liverpool and Manchester City breathing down their necks, dropping points now could cost them the title. Everton, missing a proper striker and their midfield engine Idrissa Gueye, look like easy pickings, but stranger things have happened during the festive schedule.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, continue to quietly stake their claim as dark horses. With Unai Emery masterminding their steady rise, Villa have a real shot at a top-four finish. A win over Manchester United this weekend would be a statement. United, fresh off scraping a draw with Bournemouth, still look like a puzzle with missing pieces.

Down the table, Wolves might finally pick up their first win of the season against Brentford. With the African Cup of Nations robbing several teams of key players, including Sunderland, January could become a survival-of-the-fittest scenario. Clubs like Brighton and Burnley will need to dig deep during this brutal winter stretch.

Takeaways

• Celtic are in crisis mode. Four straight losses and a manager out of his depth mean the board will have to act fast. Betting markets should watch for a managerial change before season’s end.
• Newcastle’s injury crisis is real, but their home form and cup resilience provide hope. Keep an eye on Lewis Miley’s minutes and potential impact in upcoming fixtures.
• Fulham are stuck in cup purgatory. While Silva remains a solid manager, his future might lie elsewhere if the club can’t push beyond the quarterfinal stage.
• Arsenal must win at Everton to prove their title credentials. With Liverpool and City lurking, every point counts.
• Villa could sneak into the top four if they beat United, who still look far from convincing.
• Wolves and Sunderland face big tests amid AFCON-related absences. Expect some surprise results in the coming weeks.

In short, this festive fixture list is about to separate the contenders from the pretenders. Buckle up, because the Premier League rollercoaster is just getting started.