I don't have the answer, but what it does show is the variety of options open to Lenny. The best Hibs teams I saw previous to this (since I narrowly missed out on the TTs in their pomp) were the best ones built by McLeish and Mowbray but they virtually picked themselves and there was little strength in depth. When you consider Lenny has apparently said he'd like another wide player and midfielder, he's obviously not scared to give himself difficult decisions to make. And this is after the departures of Dylan & SJM.
Results 31 to 49 of 49
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10-08-2018 09:25 AM #31
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10-08-2018 09:28 AM #32
SDG came closest to scoring last night. He has bundles of energy at the moment.
I understand the conundrum but I don’t think we can afford to drop our Captain right now.
Possible we could go 3-4-3 with big Marv and Mallan in the middle but that might leave Flo isolated. I’d fancy Danny Swanson on the left of a front 3, he’s unpredictable and could unsettle Molde.
Keeper (whoever is fit, they are all good)
Efe Ryan PH
SDG Marv Mallan Lewis
Boyle Flo Danny
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10-08-2018 09:30 AM #33This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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10-08-2018 09:32 AM #34
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Said it in another thread just recently but to start talking about changing what has been our most successful system in years simply because 2 players who would accommodate the same place in the formation are playing well would be ludicrous, neither Boyle nor Gray is a good enough player to think about changing formation simply to shoehorn them both in. Yes we have to adaptable throughout the season and I have no doubts we will play other formations and systems, but as long as we are playing well and winning games with the 3-5-2 it should remain our go-to tactic and to suggest otherwise is ridiculous.
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10-08-2018 09:36 AM #35
David Gray IMO was MOTM last night, not Boyle. I see what the OP is saying though because Boyle was ineffective last night for me. there were one or two flashes where he got the ball and ran at his defenders and they looked petrified. He isn't a striker so playing in that space is a waste of a jersey almost.
Particularly against top sides which Molde are, our back 5 first and foremost need to be able to defend. Without Grayin there last night I fear they would have torn us to pieces – even more so inthe 2nd leg. He’s also, as mentioned above an excellent out ball. Theamount of times the ball was, or could have been sprayed out to him allowing usto open them up was endless.
I think as others mentioned as well, the season is long andhard. SDG isn’t going to complete a whole season so there will be times when,if we play the 3 CB’s he wont be needed but there’s also times where a third CBwont be needed and he reverts to RB so its a squad game.
Maybe we need to give Boyle a free role in these games becausehis pace is so important
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10-08-2018 09:36 AM #36
I personally think David Gray would be a great candidate for the right sided centre back spot, in the Azpilicueta mould.
More than comfortable when drawn out wide, and can focus on defensive aspects which he is best at.
However one of Porteous/McGregor loses out, with Ambrose moving to the middle of the 3.
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10-08-2018 09:37 AM #37This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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10-08-2018 09:40 AM #38This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
As you say, we have real quality throughout the squad, which means there will always be very good players missing out. That's what we want though.
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10-08-2018 09:41 AM #39This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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10-08-2018 09:42 AM #40
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- Aug 2018
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- 140
We are at best with 3 at the back imo.
I think we can play Boyle and gray but for that to happen Boyle will need to adapt and learn to play a bit more centrally. I’d like to see him be given a totally free role picking the ball up on each wing etc.
Another point I’d like to make is I think daz is 100% the weak spot in our defence. As much as I love him as a player and what he has done for the club and the way he carries himself, I don’t think it’s a coincidence we’ve kept 2 clean sheets on the bounce with him not in the team.
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10-08-2018 09:51 AM #41This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Excited about the quality in the squad and Hyndman's wee cameo at the end was very promising. One thing I'd say about the conundrum on the right is that SDG has to play in current form.
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10-08-2018 09:54 AM #42
Could Boyle play behind the strikers in a free role?
Bogdan
Efe
Porteous
Hanlon
Gray (RWB)
Mallan (CM)
Boyle(AM free role)
Marv(DM)
Stevenson (LWB)
Flo
Jamie
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10-08-2018 11:04 AM #43This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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10-08-2018 11:27 AM #44This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
I should also say that after a very ropey start I think we've defended very well for the last 3 and a half games (one minor slip from Efe in Greece aside).
It's tough because 3-5-2 has served us very well - the only problems with it are that we are struggling to accommodate both David Gray and Martin Boyle, it doesn't always suit Marvin Bartley, we can't play attacking wingers as well as full backs and that we're yet to resolve the midfield post-McGinn and McGeouch.
I wouldn't be in a rush to change it, and I'd just be accepting that we need to rotate our squad and have good players rested occasionally.
Injury, suspension and form will take care of decisions down the line.
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10-08-2018 11:29 AM #45This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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10-08-2018 11:57 AM #46This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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10-08-2018 05:43 PM #48
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It’ll be horses for courses.Strange how a week ago there were plenty complaining about a threadbare squad and now it’s all about how we are going to get all the good players into the team.
Seems to me pace is very important and Boyle is much quicker than Gray but not as strong.I think it’s always a mistake to fit players in rather than a straightforward choice.Sorry to be a bore but years ago Danny McGrain was as near to being the best right back in the world as made no difference but Scotland often played him left back so that Sandy Jardine(a good player but that’s it)could play on the right.As a result the team suffered.
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10-08-2018 07:16 PM #49
3-5-2 works for us. Both Ambrose and Hanlon are comfortable bringing the ball out and adding an extra man to midfield.
For me it isn't Boyle vs Gray but Gray vs Maclaren. In games where we expect to dominate possession I'd play Boyle at RWB and have Maclaren up front with Kamberi. In games where we need to be more defensive it would be Gray at RWB and the pace of Boyle alongside Kamberi.Mature, sensible signature required for responsible position. Good prospects for the right candidate. Apply within.
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