This is how it feels (Hamilton 160219)

[Jonnyboy]

With Paul Heckingbottom and Robbie Stockdale making their first appearance in the home dugout, there was a healthy support in the home stands with around 16,000 watching on and wondering what changes might be made, given that the new coaching team had really only had a few days to work with the players. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the starting eleven was the same as that which started the week before in the Raith Rovers cup tie. The bench showed two changes however with Bogdan replacing Dabrowski and Lewis Allan chosen instead of Whittaker.

Last time out, Hibs had destroyed a poor Hamilton side 6-0 but since then, Hibs had struggled a bit whilst Hamilton had put together a couple of decent results under their new manager and ex-Hibee Brian Rice. To be fair to them they tried to play football throughout, rather than packing their defence and hoping for the best.

The first and most obvious change to me was that whenever possession was given up, Hibs got everyone behind the ball and effectively defended from the front with McNulty and Kamberi rushing the Hamilton central defenders into playing a pass quickly. This is obviously an early indication of PH’s intention to hunt the ball down when the opposition have it.

In the very early stages of the game Hibs looked hungry as they went about the task of putting the Accies goal under threat. Both strikers were showing well and the midfield always looked to play the ball forward when the opportunity arose. Not long into the game, Accies managed to deny Hibs the opener three times in rapid succession. McNulty worked some space on the right before cutting the ball back to the waiting Kamberi. Flo did well to get his strike away as the ball was slightly behind him but he was denied by an excellent save from Woods. As the ball broke to edge of the box, Mallan struck a low drive but it was blocked and as the ball then fell to Milligan, his effort flew just wide of the target.

Hamilton then carved out an opportunity but Andreu was denied by Rocky who pulled off a smart save. Just past the quarter hour mark Hibs opened the scoring. Horgan who had struggled to get involved up to that point sent over a wicked cross which Kamberi got the slightest touch to and that deceived Woods in the Hamilton goal. Next, another clever cross by Horgan saw Kamberi get his head onto the ball but unluckily for him the ball struck the bar, went straight up in the air and was easily collected by Woods as it dropped down again.

With Slivka and Mallan showing up well in midfield it was the home side that was doing the most pressing as the two strikers put in a power of work to create space for them. It seemed it would be only a matter of time before Hibs struck again but when they did, around five minutes before the interval it was from the penalty spot rather than open play. A cross to the far side of the box was met by the head of David Gray but as he was making contact with the ball, Lennard Sowah inexplicably barged him over and the referee did not hesitate in awarding a penalty. After a short discussion involving Kamberi, Mallan and McNulty it was the last named who blasted home to make it 2-0 at the interval.

A somewhat rejuvenated Hamilton put in a much better second half performance enjoying more possession of the ball and on one occasion Miller’s effort was deflected onto the post by Marciano. With Brian Rice going for bust he made a series of substitutions and the fresh legs helped the visitors enjoy having more of the ball but as they pressed forward they left themselves exposed at the back. First Kamberi and then Shaw twice broke free but made poor decisions when others were available and in space. Other chances saw keeper Woods earning his pay as he denied Kamberi by pushing his effort just over the bar and then sighing with relief as McNulty’s headed effort was straight at him. Woods was beaten with five minutes left as Omeonga struck a low ‘daisy cutter’ only to see the effort strike the far post and get cleared.

All in all it was a decent performance from Hibs and a massively better performance by Hamilton given their cuffing earlier in the season. New gaffer Heckingbottom seemed pleased in his post-match interview and who could blame him. Three points and a clean sheet and perhaps most importantly to him the fact that the players had taken on board those changes to set up and formation. It is early days yet and next Friday will present a challenge as Hibs travel to face a resurgent Dundee but a full week on the training ground will give both the gaffer and the players time to work together on the quest of claiming another three points.

The players

Rocky – Only had a couple of saves to make but the one where the ball hit the post was made due to his excellent positional sense.

SDG – You can always guarantee that SDG will leave nothing on the park. His drive and determination are always a welcome sight and if he can just get an injury free spell under his belt he might just get that new contract offer. I hope so.

Daz – I thought Daz was outstanding today against a very tricky opponent in George Oakley. Brilliant in the air and no slouch on the ground this was the Daz we’ve all come to love and long may it continue.

Paul – I’ve been critical of Paul in recent weeks but I felt that today he was much more like his old self. Read the play well, won more than his fair share of headers and picked out a couple of fine crossfield passes.

Lewis – Up against a very tricky opponent today but rarely found himself wanting. I noticed at the end of the game that PH gave him a hug and a pat on the back which made me think that yet another manager in a long list of managers realises he has a gem on his hands.

Stevie – PH knows all about Stevie and what he has to offer and the new boss must have been impressed with what he witnessed today. The laddie works so hard and can pick a pass that others might not see.

Viki – Wow, just wow!! Surely his best ever performance in a Hibs jersey, he was everywhere. Totally bossed that midfield area, despite the odious Darien McKinnon trying and failing miserably to boot him all over the park. No surprise he was voted the sponsors man of the match and equally no surprise that he was mine too.

Milli – After a shaky start when his first four passes were either intercepted or just plain rotten he came onto a great game and pretty much hoovered up everything in the midfield area.

Daryl – I thought he started very slowly but from the moment of his cross for the first goal until about ten minutes before being substituted, he was always on the move.

Flo – Listening to Radio Scotland after the game the air in my car turned blue when Richard Gordon and Pat Bonnar shared a ‘joke’ about Flo’s dynamic performance. It was bad enough being called out in public in the past without those two getting involved. As to Flo’s contributiuon today, I thought it was very, very good.

Mark – Two goals in two games is a fine start for any new striker but there is so much more to his game than that. His movement is excellent as is his work rate and I’m confident he will only get better with more match minutes under his belt.

Stephane – I really like the look of this guy who is very tidy in possession and not afraid to mix it when required. The lad was very unlucky that his shot late in the game hit the post.

Oli – Poor Oli will be kicking himself tonight. Desperate to impress his new gaffer he blew two very good opportunities for his side to score.

Lewis Allan – Only got the last five minutes but didn’t do a lot wrong.

PH/RS – An encouraging start for the new guys. Onwards and upwards is the target.

The fans – I thought that was an excellent turnout today and that the guys in the FF upper kept things going nicely throughout the game.

Alan Muir – I have a suggestion for Mr. Muir. Buy a dictionary and look up the meaning of the word consistency and then apply that to your decision making. A number of similar type fouls by either side seemed to draw a different interpretation of whether an offence had taken place. The lad Sowah must have committed five or six fouls before getting a yellow and I’m convinced it was the crowd reaction that finally prompted Muir into action. Granted, he booked three Hibs players and I can’t argue with any of those bookings but it seemed to me that similar fouls by Hamilton players did not result in a card.

[Shrekko]

Why did you get upset about the radio comments on Kamberi?

Bonner praised him and Gordon just asked if he’d been more dynamic than in other games this season and more like the player of last season. Bonner said yes.

Are radio analysts meant to lie and not call things as they see them?

His form has been fairly poor for large chunks of the season which you’ve noted in other match reports. He’s capable of much better when he’s firing ... like he was today. What’s the problem in them pointing it out?

[greenlex]

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Why did you get upset about the radio comments on Kamberi?

Bonner praised him and Gordon just asked if he’d been more dynamic than in other games this season and more like the player of last season. Bonner said yes.

Are radio analysts meant to lie and not call things as they see them?

His form has been fairly poor for large chunks of the season which you’ve noted in other match reports. He’s capable of much better when he’s firing ... like he was today. What’s the problem in them pointing it out?

It pissed me off too. It wasn’t the fact that Gordon was asking the question it was the sneaky snide way he did it. Bonnar was professional enough.

[Golden Bear]

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Why did you get upset about the radio comments on Kamberi?

Bonner praised him and Gordon just asked if he’d been more dynamic than in other games this season and more like the player of last season. Bonner said yes.

Are radio analysts meant to lie and not call things as they see them?

His form has been fairly poor for large chunks of the season which you’ve noted in other match reports. He’s capable of much better when he’s firing ... like he was today. What’s the problem in them pointing it out?

They also mischievously suggested that Neil Lennon would be interested in Kamberi's improved performance. Just no need imo.

[Jonnyboy]

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Why did you get upset about the radio comments on Kamberi?

Bonner praised him and Gordon just asked if he’d been more dynamic than in other games this season and more like the player of last season. Bonner said yes.

Are radio analysts meant to lie and not call things as they see them?

His form has been fairly poor for large chunks of the season which you’ve noted in other match reports. He’s capable of much better when he’s firing ... like he was today. What’s the problem in them pointing it out?

It was the classless s******ing that wound me up. I don't mind them commenting, it's their job but they were hardly professional, behaving like schoolkids

[BILLYHIBS]

Brilliant jonnyboy as always

I have been a critic of Slivka in the past but he got a well deserved round of applause in the Gallery Restaurant when picking up his Man of the Match award in the Hospitality

Is Milli the old Mark and is Mark the new Marc?

[Jonnyboy]

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Brilliant jonnyboy as always

I have been a critic of Slivka in the past but he got a well deserved round of applause in the Gallery Restaurant when picking up his Man of the Match award in the Hospitality

Is Milli the old Mark and is Mark the new Marc?

Stop it or we'll both get confused

Maybe I should just use their shirt number

[hibsbollah]

I think we're going to see a lot of this high 'blitz' type press for the rest of the season. Its clearly the Hoñinbullock way.

[Shrekko]

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They also mischievously suggested that Neil Lennon would be interested in Kamberi's improved performance. Just no need imo.

If he played like he did in the second half today for most of the season Neil Lennon would probably have been a very happy man.

Regardless of the historic stuff, radio commentators have to comment. Even most neutrals have been surprised at the season Kamberi has had. Gordon did little wrong IMO and there’s no need for everyone to be so sensitive. Who cares what they think anyway?

I really don’t think the player needs mollycoddled the way some fans are at the moment. Still think he’s a pretty confident boy.

[BILLYHIBS]

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Stop it or we'll both get confused

Maybe I should just use their shirt number

Apologies I could not believe what I was reading after last weeks comment on Christian names

[Jonnyboy]

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Apologies I could not believe what I was reading after last weeks comment on Christian names

[Gatecrasher]

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Why did you get upset about the radio comments on Kamberi?

Did your hear there comments about hibs and LD before the game? It was almost laughable, the jambo one was saying things along the lines of "I know hibs can't provide more information but they should be providing more information to the fans"

Anyway they did have a dig at Kamberi by saying he didn't try for Lennon or something like that

[Dan Sarf]

Just want to say thank you for the usual, clear, informative, insightful, honest description of how the game went and how each player played.

First thing I, and I imagine many others, look for after every game.

[Shrekko]

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Did your hear there comments about hibs and LD before the game? It was almost laughable, the jambo one was saying things along the lines of "I know hibs can't provide more information but they should be providing more information to the fans"

Anyway they did have a dig at Kamberi by saying he didn't try for Lennon or something like that

I didn’t hear them say he didn’t try for Lennon and your first comment is not something I’d be getting het up about to be honest.

[CMurdoch]

Johnny, glad to see your positive comments about Mallan.
Not because i agree.
I thought he was poor again, a man short etc.
I would prefer to be wrong and wondered what others think positively or otherwise about SM.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

If the referee watches the game again he will see that there were plenty of fouls in the game but they were mostly that...just fouls. Booking the Hamilton player just because the East sounded off shows that he was doubting his own authority.

[Gatecrasher]

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I didn’t hear them say he didn’t try for Lennon and your first comment is not something I’d be getting het up about to be honest.

I'm not, I just found it funny the guy contradicted himself about 3 times in the space of a minute.



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[Jonnyboy]

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Johnny, glad to see your positive comments about Mallan.
Not because i agree.
I thought he was poor again, a man short etc.
I would prefer to be wrong and wondered what others think positively or otherwise.

I think that's a bit harsh to be honest. Opinions though, always welcome

[Leith Green]

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Johnny, glad to see your positive comments about Mallan.
Not because i agree.
I thought he was poor again, a man short etc.
I would prefer to be wrong and wondered what others think positively or otherwise about SM.

Dont think he did anything of any real note today. He needs replaced if we are to improve next season.

[green day]

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Did your hear there comments about hibs and LD before the game? It was almost laughable, the jambo one was saying things along the lines of "I know hibs can't provide more information but they should be providing more information to the fans"

Anyway they did have a dig at Kamberi by saying he didn't try for Lennon or something like that

Preston can't help himself. Suggesting that Hibs fans will be upset as NL clearly did nothing per the agreed statement.

It took Pat Bonnar (I think) to tell him that nobody gets suspended for nothing, and clearly there is a legal agreement meaning no disclosure.

Wee fud was banging on about how fans should be allowed to know what's going on if they contribute via HSL or FoH etc.

A wee fat fanny.

[SonOfDavidFrancey]

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Just want to say thank you for the usual, clear, informative, insightful, honest description of how the game went and how each player played.

First thing I, and I imagine many others, look for after every game.

Agree with this 100%, especially just after a week in which so many half baked opinions have been on offer

[CMurdoch]

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I think that's a bit harsh to be honest. Opinions though, always welcome

What do you think he offers other than the shooting and set pieces.
I think he works hard and does his best.

However, due to a lack of ability as a footballer he is ineffective.

His 2nd touch is a tackle, he fouls when he tries to tackle and he is easily dispossessed.

I have seen him this way all season.

Do you disagree with my assessment?

[Jonnyboy]

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What do you think he offers other than the shooting and set pieces.
I think he works hard and does his best.

However, due to a lack of ability as a footballer he is ineffective.

His 2nd touch is a tackle, he fouls when he tries to tackle and he is easily dispossessed.

I have seen him this way all season.

Do you disagree with my assessment?

I do, yes. I believe he has ability and that although he may not shine for ninety minutes, he displays it often enough. Like I say though, it's all about opinions

[CMurdoch]

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I do, yes. I believe he has ability and that although he may not shine for ninety minutes, he displays it often enough. Like I say though, it's all about opinions

Thanks Jonny, i will try to get my head round it.
As a long time advocate of Slivka and Milligan I have long since realised we all see things differently .

[Jonnyboy]

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Thanks Jonny, i will try to get my head round it.
As a long time advocate of Slivka and Milligan I have long since realised we all see things differently .

[Keith_M]

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What do you think he offers other than the shooting and set pieces.
I think he works hard and does his best.

However, due to a lack of ability as a footballer he is ineffective.

His 2nd touch is a tackle, he fouls when he tries to tackle and he is easily dispossessed.

I have seen him this way all season.

Do you disagree with my assessment?

I agree that he's shown that in a number of games but not all season.

[ancient hibee]

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I didn’t hear them say he didn’t try for Lennon and your first comment is not something I’d be getting het up about to be honest.

That’s because they didn’t have the guts to come out and say that.Instead they had their little snide remarks about wondering what Lennon thought about that,the implication was obvious.

[Lancs Harp]

Thanks Jonny much appreciated by those that live afar.

BTW I hope you stayed till the end.

[green with envy]

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Johnny, glad to see your positive comments about Mallan.
Not because i agree.
I thought he was poor again, a man short etc.
I would prefer to be wrong and wondered what others think positively or otherwise about SM.

I'm not sure what you were watching today but i'm sure it wasn't Mallan. Apart from the first 10 minutes when he gave the ball away a couple of times, i thought he had his best game this year.

[BILLYHIBS]

I appreciate what CMurdoch was trying to say ref SM but he was a lot better today and in fairness they all were especially Slivka MacGregor Hanlon and Milligan it must be because we have a new Manager or something?

Long may it continue!