Jonnyboy
22-09-2018, 06:56 PM
In years gone by it seemed often to be the case that a team on a poor run of results would rectify that problem when they played Hibs and I confess I feared that would be the case at Dens Park this afternoon. After thirty minutes or so I still felt nervous, even though the home side had only threatened once while Hibs had passed up at least three good chances to open the scoring. We just seemed a bit disjointed and somewhat outnumbered in midfield. Thankfully, the remaining fifteen minutes of the first half and the whole of the second belonged to the visitors and the final winning margin of three goals was in no way undeserved.
Although Rocky was well on the road to full recovery he was not involved today with Bogdan keeping the gloves and Laidlaw on the bench. There were changes however with Milligan and Slivka both brought in to the starting eleven while Hanlon returned at the expense of Porteous. The hosts were without veteran striker Kenny Miller due to suspension but they started the game brightly, forcing a very early and excellent save from Bogdan. We didn’t know it at the time but that effort was one of only two that Bogdan had to deal with for the entire ninety minutes.
Dundee were busy in midfield and were good at winning the ball back and retaining possession but they were completely toothless up front while Hibs managed to carve out a few chances that saw Kamberi miss a header in front of goal and Mallan knocking the ball towards the net but also straight at Parrish who saved easily. A deep cross from the right reached Horgan in space at the back post but the Hibs man couldn’t get his header on target.
An outrageous penalty box dive by Madianga earned a deserved yellow card from Andrew Dallas and then left back Miller was booked for a shocking high challenge on David Gray. I made a point of watching the reaction of Neil McCann and he looked incensed at both yellow cards but I guess when you’re under the sort of pressure he is, you will react that way.
From the half hour mark until half time, Hibs took control of midfield where Milligan, Mallan and particularly Slivka put the Dundee defence under pressure with fine passes to pick out either Boyle or Horgan. A struggling Dundee must have been relieved to hear the half time whistle.
The second half began with Steven Whittaker on for the injured David Gray and he nearly scored when a brilliant Kamberi drive came off the junction of the post and bar but Parrish managed to push Whitty’s follow up effort over the bar. Hibs were playing with a greater sense of purpose now and took the lead around five minutes in when Boyle released Kamberi with a slide rule pass. The big Swiss striker took the deftest of touches to steer the ball past the advancing Parrish and into the back of the net. Three minutes later, Boyle doubled the lead by taking a delightful ball from Ambrose in his stride before rushing into the box and firing a low shot across the keeper and into the far corner.
It was pretty much all Hibs after that with the hosts offering some decent passing but no penetration. Kamberi should have had a second goal from a Milligan cross but steered his header wide of the post and then substitute Thomas Agyepong curled a left foot effort just over the bar from about twenty yards. The sub then mesmerised the home defence by rushing into the box and doing exactly what Boyle had done in shooting across the keeper and into the bottom corner.
It was a good win that half an hour in to the game I just didn’t see coming. Praise must go to all who played their part and in particular to the defence which held firm and secured a clean sheet. Aberdeen secured a 1-0 win over Motherwell.
The players
Adam – His early save was both excellent and crucial as had he been beaten the final outcome may have been very different.
SDG – Had a fine marauding first half and defended well but took a knock that ruled him out for the second half.
Efe – Majestic is not overstating in my opinion. He was superb throughout and gave the sort of concentrated performance we all know he is capable of. His pass for Boyle’s goal was a thing of beauty.
Paul – It was great to see him back as he was coolness personified in marshalling his defence. He was excellent in the air and read the play very well which was instrumental in stopping Dundee from threatening our goal too often.
Lewis – Like the rest of our team he didn’t have the best opening half hour but came on to a fine game and was in my view unlucky to get booked. He looked much happier with Hanlon beside him on that side of the defence.
Boyler – Our flying Aussie from Aberdeen met a decent match in left back Calvin Miller but he won that battle and scored a fine goal as well as setting Flo up for the opener.
Stevie – Not always directly involved but always looking to be. No free kicks for him to smash home today but plenty of good passes and plenty of hard work. I thought he was brave at times because McGowan looked as though he was out to get him but Mallan just got up and went back for more.
Milligan – After a tentative opening fifteen minutes he came on to a fine game and given that I don’t think he’s had many minutes of play since the World Cup finals I was surprised and delighted to see him last the ninety at Dens.
Slivka – I actually thought he was the only player that looked to be at it in the first half hour and I thought he went from strength to strength as the game went on and he looked to have formed a good partnership with Horgan to his left.
Daryl – I’ve seen him play better for Hibs and I’ve seen him play worse, as in last week against Killie. He wasn’t as prominent in open play with him stuck out on the left but he put in a good shift by working hard for the entire ninety.
Flo – Last week I wanted him hooked until Jamie came on and he sprung into life. Today he looked much more like himself and his touch for the opening goal was sublime. He could have had a hat trick today, but for two poor headed efforts that really should have been converted.
Whitty – Played the whole of the second half after replacing the injured SDG and I thought he was very good. I know he’s not flavour of the month with some but surely anyone that watched him today would give him a high pass mark.
Wee Tommy – Got the last twenty minutes and it was interesting to hear the fans around me urging him to always take on his man. They didn’t know and neither did I that he still has a minor hamstring problem and so sprinting at full pace might not be the best choice at the minute. His quick feet were enough to help him create and take the chance for our third goal.
Oli – Only got the last five minutes or so and was very unlucky not to get the chance of a one on one with their keeper. Just as he looked to break free, the excellent Ryan Inniss just got enough of a touch to deflect the ball away.
Man of the match – There were a few good performances today with both central defenders, Slivka and Milligan catching the eye but on balance I’m going to give it to Efe Ambrose.
The ref – Whisper it but Dallas had a decent game today. Sure, he made a few baffling decisions but nothing earth shattering.
Lenny – I heard his post-match interview and could only really disagree on one point as he said Hibs were excellent throughout whereas I felt we only played to our full potential for the last hour of the game. I enjoyed his ‘aeroplane’ at the end though.
The fans – Over 1,600 which was impressive and I have say I’m glad we won as it made sitting in front of two of the noisiest and drunkest fans I’ve ever heard. Ladies, drink less in future, you’ll enjoy the game more. :greengrin
Although Rocky was well on the road to full recovery he was not involved today with Bogdan keeping the gloves and Laidlaw on the bench. There were changes however with Milligan and Slivka both brought in to the starting eleven while Hanlon returned at the expense of Porteous. The hosts were without veteran striker Kenny Miller due to suspension but they started the game brightly, forcing a very early and excellent save from Bogdan. We didn’t know it at the time but that effort was one of only two that Bogdan had to deal with for the entire ninety minutes.
Dundee were busy in midfield and were good at winning the ball back and retaining possession but they were completely toothless up front while Hibs managed to carve out a few chances that saw Kamberi miss a header in front of goal and Mallan knocking the ball towards the net but also straight at Parrish who saved easily. A deep cross from the right reached Horgan in space at the back post but the Hibs man couldn’t get his header on target.
An outrageous penalty box dive by Madianga earned a deserved yellow card from Andrew Dallas and then left back Miller was booked for a shocking high challenge on David Gray. I made a point of watching the reaction of Neil McCann and he looked incensed at both yellow cards but I guess when you’re under the sort of pressure he is, you will react that way.
From the half hour mark until half time, Hibs took control of midfield where Milligan, Mallan and particularly Slivka put the Dundee defence under pressure with fine passes to pick out either Boyle or Horgan. A struggling Dundee must have been relieved to hear the half time whistle.
The second half began with Steven Whittaker on for the injured David Gray and he nearly scored when a brilliant Kamberi drive came off the junction of the post and bar but Parrish managed to push Whitty’s follow up effort over the bar. Hibs were playing with a greater sense of purpose now and took the lead around five minutes in when Boyle released Kamberi with a slide rule pass. The big Swiss striker took the deftest of touches to steer the ball past the advancing Parrish and into the back of the net. Three minutes later, Boyle doubled the lead by taking a delightful ball from Ambrose in his stride before rushing into the box and firing a low shot across the keeper and into the far corner.
It was pretty much all Hibs after that with the hosts offering some decent passing but no penetration. Kamberi should have had a second goal from a Milligan cross but steered his header wide of the post and then substitute Thomas Agyepong curled a left foot effort just over the bar from about twenty yards. The sub then mesmerised the home defence by rushing into the box and doing exactly what Boyle had done in shooting across the keeper and into the bottom corner.
It was a good win that half an hour in to the game I just didn’t see coming. Praise must go to all who played their part and in particular to the defence which held firm and secured a clean sheet. Aberdeen secured a 1-0 win over Motherwell.
The players
Adam – His early save was both excellent and crucial as had he been beaten the final outcome may have been very different.
SDG – Had a fine marauding first half and defended well but took a knock that ruled him out for the second half.
Efe – Majestic is not overstating in my opinion. He was superb throughout and gave the sort of concentrated performance we all know he is capable of. His pass for Boyle’s goal was a thing of beauty.
Paul – It was great to see him back as he was coolness personified in marshalling his defence. He was excellent in the air and read the play very well which was instrumental in stopping Dundee from threatening our goal too often.
Lewis – Like the rest of our team he didn’t have the best opening half hour but came on to a fine game and was in my view unlucky to get booked. He looked much happier with Hanlon beside him on that side of the defence.
Boyler – Our flying Aussie from Aberdeen met a decent match in left back Calvin Miller but he won that battle and scored a fine goal as well as setting Flo up for the opener.
Stevie – Not always directly involved but always looking to be. No free kicks for him to smash home today but plenty of good passes and plenty of hard work. I thought he was brave at times because McGowan looked as though he was out to get him but Mallan just got up and went back for more.
Milligan – After a tentative opening fifteen minutes he came on to a fine game and given that I don’t think he’s had many minutes of play since the World Cup finals I was surprised and delighted to see him last the ninety at Dens.
Slivka – I actually thought he was the only player that looked to be at it in the first half hour and I thought he went from strength to strength as the game went on and he looked to have formed a good partnership with Horgan to his left.
Daryl – I’ve seen him play better for Hibs and I’ve seen him play worse, as in last week against Killie. He wasn’t as prominent in open play with him stuck out on the left but he put in a good shift by working hard for the entire ninety.
Flo – Last week I wanted him hooked until Jamie came on and he sprung into life. Today he looked much more like himself and his touch for the opening goal was sublime. He could have had a hat trick today, but for two poor headed efforts that really should have been converted.
Whitty – Played the whole of the second half after replacing the injured SDG and I thought he was very good. I know he’s not flavour of the month with some but surely anyone that watched him today would give him a high pass mark.
Wee Tommy – Got the last twenty minutes and it was interesting to hear the fans around me urging him to always take on his man. They didn’t know and neither did I that he still has a minor hamstring problem and so sprinting at full pace might not be the best choice at the minute. His quick feet were enough to help him create and take the chance for our third goal.
Oli – Only got the last five minutes or so and was very unlucky not to get the chance of a one on one with their keeper. Just as he looked to break free, the excellent Ryan Inniss just got enough of a touch to deflect the ball away.
Man of the match – There were a few good performances today with both central defenders, Slivka and Milligan catching the eye but on balance I’m going to give it to Efe Ambrose.
The ref – Whisper it but Dallas had a decent game today. Sure, he made a few baffling decisions but nothing earth shattering.
Lenny – I heard his post-match interview and could only really disagree on one point as he said Hibs were excellent throughout whereas I felt we only played to our full potential for the last hour of the game. I enjoyed his ‘aeroplane’ at the end though.
The fans – Over 1,600 which was impressive and I have say I’m glad we won as it made sitting in front of two of the noisiest and drunkest fans I’ve ever heard. Ladies, drink less in future, you’ll enjoy the game more. :greengrin