Jonnyboy
09-03-2018, 11:07 PM
There’s really only one way to start off this report and that is to say “Get it right up ye Levein.” Natural order my erky. Only one team turned up to play football tonight and it wasn’t Levein’s hammer throwers.
In the lead up to the game the media tried it’s best to draw a disparaging comment from Neil Lennon about his opposite number but our manager is far too intelligent to be fooled by that approach, unlike Levein who tried to explain his Natural Order comments and simply made it worse with his feeble attempts at passing it off as banter. I smiled to myself when I saw him standing in the visitors’ dugout, wearing what looked suspiciously like John McGlynn’s old jacket as the scoreboard displayed Hibernian 2 Hearts 0 and 90 minutes played. I’m sure that Jambos will lambast him for writing our pre match dressing room speech but to my way of thinking that would be placing too much emphasis on their manager’s influence when in fact it was our manager that got his selection and tactics spot on. Earlier, sitting in the car pre match I laughed my socks off when the BBC’s guest Alan Stubbs said if he were Neil Lennon his response to Levein’s insulting remarks would have been to say “OK Craig, let’s put our medals on the table” Nice one Stubbsy!
With the ground filling up nicely, both teams entered the field of play but suffered a delayed kick off when a couple of flares were thrown on to the pitch from the South Stand. Stupid behaviour but what struck me most was the delay in dealing with that as the stewards obviously had more faith in their searches stopping flares being brought in than I did.
Finally, the game got under way and for a Derby it was surprisingly open without either side really being able to take advantage of the space created. In fact the first twenty five minutes offered little of note, except Bobby Madden’s tolerance towards a number of pretty hefty challenges flying in. Lewis and Scotty Allan were both hacked down without the perpetrator of the challenge suffering any punishment but to be fair and to remove the green tinted specs for a moment both Smith and Adao suffered similar challenges with the Hibs men getting off scot free.
After the so called wonder kid Harry Cochrane limped off to be replaced by another so called wonder kid, Dylan McGeouch took control of the midfield and was masterful throughout, earning both my and the sponsors man of the match award. If money is the reason Dylan hasn’t signed a new deal I implore the Hibs management to work something out as allowing him to join a fellow top flight club would be sacrilege in my view.
Once or twice, Boyler had roasted the Hearts left back, earning a few stud marks for his trouble but the hapless Randall, together with a few of his team mates, was left floundering as Boyler set off on a mazy fifty yard run before finishing it off with a shot at goal. Sadly the effort didn’t trouble McLaughlin but it fair lifted the home crowd. On the subject of Randall, I’m informed he’s on loan from Liverpool. I don’t know if that’s accurate or not but the guy was so poor I thought maybe Hearts had borrowed one of Liverpool’s ball boys.
Another half chance created by Boyler came to nothing but at the other end a mix up or lack of communication between Rocky and Daz could have proved costly as the big defender jumped to head the ball and ducked at the last minute, leaving Rocky to try and palm the ball clear. Thankfully, no Hearts player was there to capitalise and the half ended goalless.
The restart was only minutes old when Smith went right through John McGinn and this time Bobby Madden took appropriate action in booking the Hearts man. Neither keeper had really been troubled but as the hour mark approached, excellent build up play down the Hibs left saw the ball go from Kamberi to Hanlon and then into the path of Scotty Allan near the edge of the box. Seeing the opportunity, Scotty struck a sweet left foot shot that barely left the grass as it headed into the bottom left hand corner of McLaughlin’s goal. That sparked euphoric scenes amongst the Hibs support and brought yet another flare onto the playing surface, this time thrown from the East Stand.
Not too long after, Maclaren turned Berra inside out and sent a vicious left foot shot goalwards only to see his effort brilliantly tipped on to the bar by McLaughlin. The Aussie was very unlucky as he’d done everything right but with ten minutes left he sported a huge grin as his dogged determination in the box saw him wrestle the ball clear from Jambo defenders before he struck a left foot shot into the back of the net. Bedlam ensued and unsurprisingly the tactical genius known as Craig Levein reacted by pushing central defender Christophe Berra into a forward position. Did it work? Nope, as the visitors went the entire ninety minutes without getting one single attempt on target.
To crown a glorious night the Since1875 folks unfurled a banner with white writing on a green background stating “Natural Order?” Aye right Craigy, yer back where ye belong, fighting to avoid finishing in the bottom six. By my reckoning that puts us twelve points clear with a game in hand while Hearts have Motherwell breathing down their necks for sixth place, four points behind but with two games in hand.
In his pre match press conference, Neil said his success or otherwise would not be defined by results against Hearts but rather where his side finished at the end of the season. Of course, he’s bang on but isn’t it just brilliant putting those maroon balloons to the sword!
The players
Rocky – a quiet night all told but he did pick up a booking in bizarre circumstances. Going behind his goal to retrieve the ball from Hearts fans he booted it back into the stand as it reached him. I’m left wondering whether that was a direct reaction to the no doubt vile abuse aimed at him from the visiting support.
Efe – was absolutely outstanding with not an Efe moment in sight. I just love the way he refuses to hoof the ball when a pass to a team mate is not on. Instead he strides forward with the ball at his feet until a pass can be picked.
Daz – dealt with the elbow flinging, backing in, fouling antics of Lafferty very well and the only blemish was that bizarre last minute ducking of the head that left Rocky momentarily exposed.
Paul – Fatherhood clearly suits him! I understand Eck McLeish was in the stand and if he looked at the displays of Berra, Souttar and Hanlon I know which one should have left the most positive impression.
Boyler – seemed to flit in and out of the game at times although in fairness to him he didn’t get as much ball as I’d have liked him to. Had Randall on toast and was unlucky when a fierce first half volley hit a defender when it looked very much on target.
Dylan – I thought Dylan was the best player on show and by a long way. At times he looks like he’s made of rubber as he encounters a crowd of opponents and still manages to come out with the ball at his feet. Hope you were taking notes, McLeish.
Scotty – heavily marked in every sense of the word by first Cochrane and then Adao but always showed for the ball and always tried to be creative. His goal was probably better than most thought at first because he saw the chance in an instant and put the ball where the keeper had no chance of reaching it.
SJM – another who suffered a few hefty dunts but it didn’t stop him getting in there and mixing it. Had a wee spell in the second half when he looked fatigued but got his second wind, finishing the game very strongly. His interaction with the Hibs fans in the South end of the West Lower showed just how much shoving it in Levein’s face meant to him.
Lewis – was very good again tonight, one particular pass to Allan in the first half being worthy of remembering. Despite being booted a few times by the Hearts right back he just got up and got on with it.
Flo – lots didn’t come off for him tonight but I felt he was unlucky on a good few occasions. Works very hard and always tries to bring others into play. Unsurprisingly, he’ll go home tonight with excellent impressions of Berra and Souttar’s studs on his legs.
Jamie – this laddie works like a Trojan, makes very good runs both on and off the ball and hopefully went some way towards showing those fans that haven’t been 100% convinced that he has what it takes to stay in the side. Sheer determination and no little skill got him one goal and very nearly a second.
Marv – brought on to shield the defence from the onslaught as Hearts tried to hunt down an equaliser, he did what he does very well and denied Hearts players the time or space to have a crack at goal. I noticed at the final whistle that Marv was facing the South Stand and obviously having his say towards the dwindling number of Jambos. Just as in the case with Rocky, I suspect he was reacting to vile abuse.
Whitty – only got a few minutes but helped keep things tight at the back as Hibs saw the game out.
Danny – got even fewer minutes than Whitty but made a positive contribution when he cupped his ears and waved to the departing Hearts fans.
Neil – stayed above all the immaturity of the Hearts manager whilst getting his team selection and tactics spot on.
Bobby Madden – I’m on record as saying he’s the best of a bad bunch and despite his lack of action as Hibs player after Hibs player was fouled I’m staying of that view. As I said earlier, he let a few hefty Hibs challenges go as well. To his credit he tries to let the game flow and I’d take that anytime over a whistle happy Willie Collum or Kevin Clancy.
The fans – I think I heard the announcer say 20,166 which would not go down well with the Hearts fans as they’re the big team dontcha know. Those poor souls in the South Stand trying to figure out why our real two tier stand doesn’t look anything like their supposed two tier stand!
In the lead up to the game the media tried it’s best to draw a disparaging comment from Neil Lennon about his opposite number but our manager is far too intelligent to be fooled by that approach, unlike Levein who tried to explain his Natural Order comments and simply made it worse with his feeble attempts at passing it off as banter. I smiled to myself when I saw him standing in the visitors’ dugout, wearing what looked suspiciously like John McGlynn’s old jacket as the scoreboard displayed Hibernian 2 Hearts 0 and 90 minutes played. I’m sure that Jambos will lambast him for writing our pre match dressing room speech but to my way of thinking that would be placing too much emphasis on their manager’s influence when in fact it was our manager that got his selection and tactics spot on. Earlier, sitting in the car pre match I laughed my socks off when the BBC’s guest Alan Stubbs said if he were Neil Lennon his response to Levein’s insulting remarks would have been to say “OK Craig, let’s put our medals on the table” Nice one Stubbsy!
With the ground filling up nicely, both teams entered the field of play but suffered a delayed kick off when a couple of flares were thrown on to the pitch from the South Stand. Stupid behaviour but what struck me most was the delay in dealing with that as the stewards obviously had more faith in their searches stopping flares being brought in than I did.
Finally, the game got under way and for a Derby it was surprisingly open without either side really being able to take advantage of the space created. In fact the first twenty five minutes offered little of note, except Bobby Madden’s tolerance towards a number of pretty hefty challenges flying in. Lewis and Scotty Allan were both hacked down without the perpetrator of the challenge suffering any punishment but to be fair and to remove the green tinted specs for a moment both Smith and Adao suffered similar challenges with the Hibs men getting off scot free.
After the so called wonder kid Harry Cochrane limped off to be replaced by another so called wonder kid, Dylan McGeouch took control of the midfield and was masterful throughout, earning both my and the sponsors man of the match award. If money is the reason Dylan hasn’t signed a new deal I implore the Hibs management to work something out as allowing him to join a fellow top flight club would be sacrilege in my view.
Once or twice, Boyler had roasted the Hearts left back, earning a few stud marks for his trouble but the hapless Randall, together with a few of his team mates, was left floundering as Boyler set off on a mazy fifty yard run before finishing it off with a shot at goal. Sadly the effort didn’t trouble McLaughlin but it fair lifted the home crowd. On the subject of Randall, I’m informed he’s on loan from Liverpool. I don’t know if that’s accurate or not but the guy was so poor I thought maybe Hearts had borrowed one of Liverpool’s ball boys.
Another half chance created by Boyler came to nothing but at the other end a mix up or lack of communication between Rocky and Daz could have proved costly as the big defender jumped to head the ball and ducked at the last minute, leaving Rocky to try and palm the ball clear. Thankfully, no Hearts player was there to capitalise and the half ended goalless.
The restart was only minutes old when Smith went right through John McGinn and this time Bobby Madden took appropriate action in booking the Hearts man. Neither keeper had really been troubled but as the hour mark approached, excellent build up play down the Hibs left saw the ball go from Kamberi to Hanlon and then into the path of Scotty Allan near the edge of the box. Seeing the opportunity, Scotty struck a sweet left foot shot that barely left the grass as it headed into the bottom left hand corner of McLaughlin’s goal. That sparked euphoric scenes amongst the Hibs support and brought yet another flare onto the playing surface, this time thrown from the East Stand.
Not too long after, Maclaren turned Berra inside out and sent a vicious left foot shot goalwards only to see his effort brilliantly tipped on to the bar by McLaughlin. The Aussie was very unlucky as he’d done everything right but with ten minutes left he sported a huge grin as his dogged determination in the box saw him wrestle the ball clear from Jambo defenders before he struck a left foot shot into the back of the net. Bedlam ensued and unsurprisingly the tactical genius known as Craig Levein reacted by pushing central defender Christophe Berra into a forward position. Did it work? Nope, as the visitors went the entire ninety minutes without getting one single attempt on target.
To crown a glorious night the Since1875 folks unfurled a banner with white writing on a green background stating “Natural Order?” Aye right Craigy, yer back where ye belong, fighting to avoid finishing in the bottom six. By my reckoning that puts us twelve points clear with a game in hand while Hearts have Motherwell breathing down their necks for sixth place, four points behind but with two games in hand.
In his pre match press conference, Neil said his success or otherwise would not be defined by results against Hearts but rather where his side finished at the end of the season. Of course, he’s bang on but isn’t it just brilliant putting those maroon balloons to the sword!
The players
Rocky – a quiet night all told but he did pick up a booking in bizarre circumstances. Going behind his goal to retrieve the ball from Hearts fans he booted it back into the stand as it reached him. I’m left wondering whether that was a direct reaction to the no doubt vile abuse aimed at him from the visiting support.
Efe – was absolutely outstanding with not an Efe moment in sight. I just love the way he refuses to hoof the ball when a pass to a team mate is not on. Instead he strides forward with the ball at his feet until a pass can be picked.
Daz – dealt with the elbow flinging, backing in, fouling antics of Lafferty very well and the only blemish was that bizarre last minute ducking of the head that left Rocky momentarily exposed.
Paul – Fatherhood clearly suits him! I understand Eck McLeish was in the stand and if he looked at the displays of Berra, Souttar and Hanlon I know which one should have left the most positive impression.
Boyler – seemed to flit in and out of the game at times although in fairness to him he didn’t get as much ball as I’d have liked him to. Had Randall on toast and was unlucky when a fierce first half volley hit a defender when it looked very much on target.
Dylan – I thought Dylan was the best player on show and by a long way. At times he looks like he’s made of rubber as he encounters a crowd of opponents and still manages to come out with the ball at his feet. Hope you were taking notes, McLeish.
Scotty – heavily marked in every sense of the word by first Cochrane and then Adao but always showed for the ball and always tried to be creative. His goal was probably better than most thought at first because he saw the chance in an instant and put the ball where the keeper had no chance of reaching it.
SJM – another who suffered a few hefty dunts but it didn’t stop him getting in there and mixing it. Had a wee spell in the second half when he looked fatigued but got his second wind, finishing the game very strongly. His interaction with the Hibs fans in the South end of the West Lower showed just how much shoving it in Levein’s face meant to him.
Lewis – was very good again tonight, one particular pass to Allan in the first half being worthy of remembering. Despite being booted a few times by the Hearts right back he just got up and got on with it.
Flo – lots didn’t come off for him tonight but I felt he was unlucky on a good few occasions. Works very hard and always tries to bring others into play. Unsurprisingly, he’ll go home tonight with excellent impressions of Berra and Souttar’s studs on his legs.
Jamie – this laddie works like a Trojan, makes very good runs both on and off the ball and hopefully went some way towards showing those fans that haven’t been 100% convinced that he has what it takes to stay in the side. Sheer determination and no little skill got him one goal and very nearly a second.
Marv – brought on to shield the defence from the onslaught as Hearts tried to hunt down an equaliser, he did what he does very well and denied Hearts players the time or space to have a crack at goal. I noticed at the final whistle that Marv was facing the South Stand and obviously having his say towards the dwindling number of Jambos. Just as in the case with Rocky, I suspect he was reacting to vile abuse.
Whitty – only got a few minutes but helped keep things tight at the back as Hibs saw the game out.
Danny – got even fewer minutes than Whitty but made a positive contribution when he cupped his ears and waved to the departing Hearts fans.
Neil – stayed above all the immaturity of the Hearts manager whilst getting his team selection and tactics spot on.
Bobby Madden – I’m on record as saying he’s the best of a bad bunch and despite his lack of action as Hibs player after Hibs player was fouled I’m staying of that view. As I said earlier, he let a few hefty Hibs challenges go as well. To his credit he tries to let the game flow and I’d take that anytime over a whistle happy Willie Collum or Kevin Clancy.
The fans – I think I heard the announcer say 20,166 which would not go down well with the Hearts fans as they’re the big team dontcha know. Those poor souls in the South Stand trying to figure out why our real two tier stand doesn’t look anything like their supposed two tier stand!