This is how it feels (Hamilton 160219)

[Fuzzywuzzy]

I thought that some of the passing was shan today. Far too many loose balls

On the up side that seemed to change in the second half and the players seemed a lot more fluid

[CMurdoch]

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

In the quieter moments of the match i was contemplating how we could get our money back for him.
Came up with selling him to the New England Patriots as a specialist kicker.
i will postpone this meantime while i reassess in the light of others comments above .

[H18S NX]

Good write up JB,although i did'nt rate Mallan so highly,Slivka MOM,with Milligan a close second.

[Borderhibbie76]

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

Agreed..for me he was largely anonymous again other than a couple of very good passes. Does nowhere near enough in a game and we need better for where we want to be...just my opinion but I often forget he's on the pitch tbh

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[Mr Grieves]

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I thought that some of the passing was shan today. Far too many loose balls

On the up side that seemed to change in the second half and the players seemed a lot more fluid

Some of the passing was really sloppy, which is weird because we were working on passing in the video from Heckingbottom's first training session.

And we were sitting really deep in the 2nd half but had a few decent counters which we didn't take full advantage of.

[Lancs Harp]

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Some of the passing was really sloppy, which is weird because we were working on passing in the video from Heckingbottom's first training session.

And we were sitting really deep in the 2nd half but had a few decent counters which we didn't take full advantage of.

Its going to take a bit longer than one or two training sessions to get Pauls ideas over to the players, let alone successfully implement them.

[Mr Grieves]

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Its going to take a bit longer than one or two training sessions to get Pauls ideas over to the players, let alone successfully implement them.

I know, they did look decent in the vid though

[007]

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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?

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In the quieter moments of the match i was contemplating how we could get our money back for him.
Came up with selling him to the New England Patriots as a specialist kicker.
i will postpone this meantime while i reassess in the light of others comments above .

Harsh. Mallan is only 22 and is still learning his trade. Yes there are parts of his game he can improve and I'm sure he and the coaches know this.

I notice you refer to his shooting but don't actually mention the goals. He's our joint top scorer this season with 11 in 35 games which is a goal every 3 games, a good return for a midfielder I'd say.

I don't get why you and others contemplate getting rid of him instead of allowing him time to improve.

If after reassessing you decide we should sell him, who do you suggest we replace him with (that is the finished article) for the same money?

[Smartie]

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Harsh. Mallan is only 22 and is still learning his trade. Yes there are parts of his game he can improve and I'm sure he and the coaches know this.

I notice you refer to his shooting but don't actually mention the goals. He's our top scorer this season with 11 in 34 games which is a goal every 3 games, a good return for a midfielder I'd say.

I don't get why you and others contemplate getting rid of him instead of allowing him time to improve.

If after reassessing you decide we should sell him, who do you suggest we replace him with (that is the finished article) for the same money?

I thought Mallan started the game very well. He played one exquisite ball through to Flo that was deserving of much better, and some of his corners in the second half were absolutely deadly. On another day he could have been walking away with at least 2 or 3 assists.

He has his weaknesses though, and my concern with Mallan is that his weaknesses are very hard to work on and improve. I just don't think he's naturally athletic, and that you need to have a bit more natural athleticism about you in order to be able to build upon it.

It's easier to teach a player to hit a dead ball, to play with his weaker foot or to adapt to a new position than it is to give him a burst of pace. It is that burst of pace that will always be missing in Mallan's game and I think it is going to be what ultimately stops him from being a top, top player. It's a shame, because his weight of pass, strength of shot and ability to hit a dead ball are probably as good as I've seen in a Hibs player.

[ancient hibee]

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I thought Mallan started the game very well. He played one exquisite ball through to Flo that was deserving of much better, and some of his corners in the second half were absolutely deadly. On another day he could have been walking away with at least 2 or 3 assists.

He has his weaknesses though, and my concern with Mallan is that his weaknesses are very hard to work on and improve. I just don't think he's naturally athletic, and that you need to have a bit more natural athleticism about you in order to be able to build upon it.

It's easier to teach a player to hit a dead ball, to play with his weaker foot or to adapt to a new position than it is to give him a burst of pace. It is that burst of pace that will always be missing in Mallan's game and I think it is going to be what ultimately stops him from being a top, top player. It's a shame, because his weight of pass, strength of shot and ability to hit a dead ball are probably as good as I've seen in a Hibs player.

Spot on.It’s not helped by him often seemingly on his heels when a pass in front of him is on.

[Shrekko]

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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.

I’ve read a few similar comments recently .. along the lines of Mallan ‘not being a footballer’ but also acknowledging that his footballing technique when it comes to shooting and set-pieces is pretty much second to none for a Scottish lad... a 22 year old Scottish lad.

People who say he’s not a footballer are probably beyond reasoning with. Probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read.

Is he getting the most out of his undoubted talent? Probably not, and he isn’t pulling it altogether ... but surely anyone can see the potential he has?

If shooting and set-pieces were so easy it’s funny how so many apparent great players are hopeless at them eh?

[RyeSloan]

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I thought Mallan started the game very well. He played one exquisite ball through to Flo that was deserving of much better, and some of his corners in the second half were absolutely deadly. On another day he could have been walking away with at least 2 or 3 assists.

He has his weaknesses though, and my concern with Mallan is that his weaknesses are very hard to work on and improve. I just don't think he's naturally athletic, and that you need to have a bit more natural athleticism about you in order to be able to build upon it.

It's easier to teach a player to hit a dead ball, to play with his weaker foot or to adapt to a new position than it is to give him a burst of pace. It is that burst of pace that will always be missing in Mallan's game and I think it is going to be what ultimately stops him from being a top, top player. It's a shame, because his weight of pass, strength of shot and ability to hit a dead ball are probably as good as I've seen in a Hibs player.

Agree with most of that.

From the outset I was surprised at his inability to get around the pitch.

I thought at first it might just be his general fitness and it would improve as the season went on but he just seems to struggle to run effectively.

Hope I’m wrong and some work can be done to improve his mobility as for sure the boy has an unbelievable ability when it comes to passing and striking the ball.

[Tornadoes70]

Great report as always.

Thought Hecky had them playing more purposefully, better organised and structured compared against recent weeks and months prior to his arrival.

Good all round performance today with all three points in the bag. Delighted.

Mon the Cabbage!!!

[Forza Fred]

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Stop it or we'll both get confused

Maybe I should just use their shirt number

Mark Milligan's nickname in Oz and what he answers to with his Socceroo team mates is....(drum roll...….)

MILLSY

[Sproule Three]

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Mark Milligan's nickname in Oz and what he answers to with his Socceroo team mates is....(drum roll...….)

MILLSY

And he answered to that when I shouted him over for a photo at Boyle’s Aus debut game in Sydney... as you witnessed 😉

[CMurdoch]

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I’ve read a few similar comments recently .. along the lines of Mallan ‘not being a footballer’ but also acknowledging that his footballing technique when it comes to shooting and set-pieces is pretty much second to none for a Scottish lad... a 22 year old Scottish lad.

People who say he’s not a footballer are probably beyond reasoning with. Probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read.

Is he getting the most out of his undoubted talent? Probably not, and he isn’t pulling it altogether ... but surely anyone can see the potential he has?

If shooting and set-pieces were so easy it’s funny how so many apparent great players are hopeless at them eh?

I think he has and is getting the most out of himself.
What he lacks as a player is not down to him in any way.
Through this own hard work and dedication, his skill at striking a football is second to none.
I also suspect his diligence to his fitness, diet etc is absolute.

The restriction for Stevie Mallan is with his god given natural athletic ability.
No amount of hard work can change that and i believe this will always hold him back.

He can and will improve as a player and i hope he can quickly become more effective for Hibs.

[pacoluna]

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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.

I'm guessing you disagree with him?

Your correct ofcourse.

[Brooster]

Marciano concerns me. He spilled another easy shot but got away with it this time and his distribution was poor again.

[we are hibs]

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Marciano concerns me. He spilled another easy shot but got away with it this time and his distribution was poor again.

Bogdan is the better keeper; especially in bus distribution. but until marciano makes an arse of something he isn't going to be dropped. He had a good save second half at the post but I think he is a liability at times.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

There's not a chance we're keeping bogdan and if the the press are to be believed we're after some Armenian lad

[CallumLaidlaw]

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There's not a chance we're keeping bogdan and if the the press are to be believed we're after some Armenian lad

We’ll be looking at bringing in another keeper but 100% not interested in the Armenian. Just his agent doing his job.


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[Baldy Foghorn]

Thought Hamilton passed the ball well, much better than I've seen then, a couple of shots, but never threatened us much, felt we were in total control of the match yesterday. Slivka was immense, and thought Hanlon & McGregor were solid, much better.

Good to see manager hugging Kamberi after coming off, and even passing notes to players during game. Heckingbottom looks a very hands on manager, seen him clapping passages of play, and giving encouragement.

[brog]

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I’ve read a few similar comments recently .. along the lines of Mallan ‘not being a footballer’ but also acknowledging that his footballing technique when it comes to shooting and set-pieces is pretty much second to none for a Scottish lad... a 22 year old Scottish lad.

People who say he’s not a footballer are probably beyond reasoning with. Probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read.

Is he getting the most out of his undoubted talent? Probably not, and he isn’t pulling it altogether ... but surely anyone can see the potential he has?

If shooting and set-pieces were so easy it’s funny how so many apparent great players are hopeless at them eh?

Good assessment. For me there's one major quality SM has which rarely gets commented on & that's his ability to find pockets of space about 20 to 25 yards out. I haven't seen yesterday's game yet but last week against Raith he was exceptional in that regard. People say he doesn't work hard enough but that ability also requires effort. Combine that with his awareness to get a shot away & we have the makings of a fine player there. He's well on track to be our highest scoring midfield player for about 30 years, despite NL's efforts to turn him into Dylan. Support from us can only help him.
PS Fine report John as ever.

[JohnM1875]

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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.

Totally agree about Mallan. Can't believe a professional footballer can be as slow as he is. Borh pace and speed of thought. Thought he was abysmal yesterday.

Genuinely hate saying that. And he's young, so has youth on his side. He just confuses me. Obviously has potential, I just dunno.

[calumhibee1]

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Good assessment. For me there's one major quality SM has which rarely gets commented on & that's his ability to find pockets of space about 20 to 25 yards out. I haven't seen yesterday's game yet but last week against Raith he was exceptional in that regard. People say he doesn't work hard enough but that ability also requires effort. Combine that with his awareness to get a shot away & we have the makings of a fine player there. He's well on track to be our highest scoring midfield player for about 30 years, despite NL's efforts to turn him into Dylan. Support from us can only help him.
PS Fine report John as ever.

I thought he’s struggled for months now to find they pockets hence why the goals have dried up to an extent. Teams have got wise to him and make an effort not to allow him to find that space anymore IMO.

[Eyrie]

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I thought he’s struggled for months now to find they pockets hence why the goals have dried up to an extent. Teams have got wise to him and make an effort not to allow him to find that space anymore IMO.

It's up to our other players to exploit that focus on closing down Mallan by getting into the gaps left and up to Mallan to spot those opportunities and deliever the ball.

Hopefully it's something that Heckingbottom will work on in video analysis.

[brog]

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I thought he’s struggled for months now to find they pockets hence why the goals have dried up to an extent. Teams have got wise to him and make an effort not to allow him to find that space anymore IMO.

Against Raith he had 3 excellent efforts from about 20 yards out. His 1st in particular involved him getting a shot away quickly under pressure.

[Shrekko]

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I think he has and is getting the most out of himself.
What he lacks as a player is not down to him in any way.
Through this own hard work and dedication, his skill at striking a football is second to none.
I also suspect his diligence to his fitness, diet etc is absolute.

The restriction for Stevie Mallan is with his god given natural athletic ability.
No amount of hard work can change that and i believe this will always hold him back.

He can and will improve as a player and i hope he can quickly become more effective for Hibs.

I hear what you’re saying but...

If he can become a bit more streetwise and is even average at a lot of things he will still be an excellent player at this level. Midfield ‘production’.... goals, assists, chances created, long passing ..is utterly priceless in today’s game.

I really object to comments like ‘he’s never a fitbaw player’ from the keyboard Mourinho’s though. Totally inexplicable.

[Heedersnvolleys]

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Totally agree about Mallan. Can't believe a professional footballer can be as slow as he is. Borh pace and speed of thought. Thought he was abysmal yesterday.

Genuinely hate saying that. And he's young, so has youth on his side. He just confuses me. Obviously has potential, I just dunno.

I agree, I think it is not just his lack of pace and athletisism but he also seems to get caught on the hop so often, he seems to switch off and a guy with pace such as Boyle, who i think can also switch of at times he can recover because he has the pace to get back. That should be easier to fix than raw pace which is generally natural ut can e work on to improve.

[JimBHibees]

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Totally agree about Mallan. Can't believe a professional footballer can be as slow as he is. Borh pace and speed of thought. Thought he was abysmal yesterday.

Genuinely hate saying that. And he's young, so has youth on his side. He just confuses me. Obviously has potential, I just dunno.

Absolutely no where near abysmal. Some of his play and passing was very good and put in many excellent corners. He isnt the most athletic and probably not suited to a wider role however our central midfield players probably both had their best games this season so a fair enough decision to play him wider.