Jonnyboy
26-10-2019, 06:32 PM
Gutted but not really all that surprised kind of sums up where I’m at following this 2-2 draw with Ross County. I’m gutted because, despite a sterile and frankly boring first half, Hibs managed to take a two goal second half lead only to promptly give it away again. My lack of surprise is due to the fact that even at 2-0 up and looking comfortable, the loss of a goal was met with the sound of Hibs’ bottle crashing, a sound heard far too often this season.
With Doidge injured, Flo Kamberi was brought back in whilst Allan replaced Horgan and Naismith replaced James. County had three ex Hibs players in their starting eleven with a further ex Hibs man on the bench in the shape of Brian Graham.
Hibs started with a midfield five and had Mallan wide right which was baffling to say the least as in that position he saw far too little of the ball, especially in the first half. The Vela and Hallberg combination only lasted 45 minutes as Hallberg looked to be struggling with his knee tightly bandaged up.
There might have been an early breakthrough but a stunning free kick by Hallberg saw the ball hit the bar with Ross Laidlaw static in the County goal. Next, a fine cross from the left by Newell saw Naismith ghosting in at the back post but the former County man blasted his effort high over the bar.
The football on offer was not the best but at least Hibs tried to perform as a home team should. Sadly they were far too slow in getting the ball forward into danger areas although Laidlaw had to look sharp in saving from Kamberi. At the other end Gardyne shot wide from a good position but County offered very little threat if truth be told. Yes they enjoyed a fair share of possession but didn’t really threaten Maxwell’s goal very often. A tame free kick from Mallan was easily gathered by Laidlaw but in truth, Hibs were not offering enough of a threat in the final third. A shot from distance was easily held by Maxwell whilst at the other end only a last minute block challenge stopped Vela from opening the scoring.
The scoreboard clock had been stuck at one minute for most of the first half and just like Hibs it wasn’t working properly and surely the manager would have to change things at half time.
I confess that when a change was indeed made I was less than thrilled to see Horgan coming on for the struggling Hallberg. Five minutes into the second half the little Irishman had me eating my words when he latched on to a fine through ball by Naismith, scurried into the box and fired low past Laidlaw to open the scoring. Now we would see whether this Hibs side could protect that one goal lead but instead it went one better when Scott Allan blasted a second after a fine run parallel with the 18 yard line saw him fire past Laidlaw to the delight of the home support.
Soon after, Kamberi swiped at the ball with his right but missed it. The ball struck a defender and fell to Flo’s left but the strikers effort was deflected on to a post and rolled out for a corner. At this point Hibs looked to be firmly in control but the introduction of Graham from the County bench saw a change in the play of the visitors and McKay really should have scored from a Graham flick but sliced his effort wide.
At this point Hibs began to sit deeper and deeper, inviting County to flood forward and their efforts paid off around fifteen minutes from time, Graham easily turned his marker and struck a low curling effort that beat Maxwell and slipped into the net at the far post. Amazingly, Graham could and should have scored again just moments later when heading wide from inside the six yard box.
It seemed to me that Hibs were now in full panic mode as County dominated possession and we allowed them to play the game almost entirely in our own half. Doing that is plain suicidal and we suffered the consequences when a poor clearing header from substitute Fraser Murray landed at the feet of Chalmers who took one touch before rifling the ball past Maxwell from around twenty yards.
The cries of Hecky, Hecky (you know the rest) rang around the home stands and in truth that was hardly surprising but you have to wonder at the fragility of a home side that looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights when put under pressure. Nobody stepped up to the plate to rally the troops.
Just prior to the final whistle only a good use of his body by Ryan Porteous stopped County getting in again and as that whistle sounded the booing around the stadium was deafening. There has been a growing desire amongst the Hibs support for the manager to be replaced and the only thing that has me confused about that is why it hasn’t happened already. Eight points from ten games and a goal difference of minus ten tells its own story and it’s surely time the board acted to stop this rot before it’s too late.
The players
Maxwell – Although beaten twice I don’t think he can be held at fault for either. In my view he’s not shown any reason why Marciano should replace him.
Naismith – Returning from injury it took him a bit of time to get going but his pass for the opening goal was excellent. Unfortunately, he and his fellow defenders could not stand up to the pressure being put upon them.
Porteous – Ryan can be a bit rushed at times, hoofing the ball out rather than showing some composure but for the most part he was calm, confident and streets ahead of his team mates and he gets my man of the match award.
Hanlon – When Paul allows himself to be bullied off the ball by someone of the physical stature of Billy McKay he should really start to be worried.
Stevenson – For the second game in a row I felt Lewis was below par and I don’t recall ever seeing him vent his anger so much at team mates as I did today.
Mallan – Wasted out right but when he drifted into the middle he was more productive.
Vela – Runs about a lot but doesn’t do much although he was unlucky that his first half effort was deflected around the post.
Hallberg – I saw some BBC stats this week that had Hallberg in the top five of the Scottish Premiership table at breaking up opponents’ moves while playing in midfield. Didn’t add to that today, looked to be struggling from the off and was subbed at half time.
Allan – Scotty kinda flitted in and out of the game today but still produced most of the quality from the Hibs midfield and his run and shot for the second goal had the home fans out of their seats applauding.
Newell – After such a fine game at Hamilton last time out, Joe was like the invisible man for the most part today. He offered up two excellent first half crosses, but little else before he was replaced by Fraser Murray.
Kamberi – Flo was unlucky not to score when his shot on goal was deflected but he worked hard enough. I have to say though that his habit of trying flicks and such is becoming irritating. There’s a time and place for such things and we are neither in that time or place at the moment.
Horgan – As I said earlier I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about his second half introduction but I have to give him credit for the opening goal which he took very well. I could go on to highlight the faults I perceived in his play but that would just be churlish on my part.
Murray – Sad to say that Fraser’s most telling contribution was his poor header that led to the second County goal.
Jackson – Brought on as a third centre half when we were 2-1 up with minutes to play but sadly it was a move that failed to work.
The fans – I thought the folk surrounding the drummer worked hard to create a positive atmosphere so plaudits to them. Unfortunately the negative atmosphere at the equaliser was both louder and longer.
Heckingbottom – I can’t see him being here much longer if truth be told.
The ref – Steven McLean.
With Doidge injured, Flo Kamberi was brought back in whilst Allan replaced Horgan and Naismith replaced James. County had three ex Hibs players in their starting eleven with a further ex Hibs man on the bench in the shape of Brian Graham.
Hibs started with a midfield five and had Mallan wide right which was baffling to say the least as in that position he saw far too little of the ball, especially in the first half. The Vela and Hallberg combination only lasted 45 minutes as Hallberg looked to be struggling with his knee tightly bandaged up.
There might have been an early breakthrough but a stunning free kick by Hallberg saw the ball hit the bar with Ross Laidlaw static in the County goal. Next, a fine cross from the left by Newell saw Naismith ghosting in at the back post but the former County man blasted his effort high over the bar.
The football on offer was not the best but at least Hibs tried to perform as a home team should. Sadly they were far too slow in getting the ball forward into danger areas although Laidlaw had to look sharp in saving from Kamberi. At the other end Gardyne shot wide from a good position but County offered very little threat if truth be told. Yes they enjoyed a fair share of possession but didn’t really threaten Maxwell’s goal very often. A tame free kick from Mallan was easily gathered by Laidlaw but in truth, Hibs were not offering enough of a threat in the final third. A shot from distance was easily held by Maxwell whilst at the other end only a last minute block challenge stopped Vela from opening the scoring.
The scoreboard clock had been stuck at one minute for most of the first half and just like Hibs it wasn’t working properly and surely the manager would have to change things at half time.
I confess that when a change was indeed made I was less than thrilled to see Horgan coming on for the struggling Hallberg. Five minutes into the second half the little Irishman had me eating my words when he latched on to a fine through ball by Naismith, scurried into the box and fired low past Laidlaw to open the scoring. Now we would see whether this Hibs side could protect that one goal lead but instead it went one better when Scott Allan blasted a second after a fine run parallel with the 18 yard line saw him fire past Laidlaw to the delight of the home support.
Soon after, Kamberi swiped at the ball with his right but missed it. The ball struck a defender and fell to Flo’s left but the strikers effort was deflected on to a post and rolled out for a corner. At this point Hibs looked to be firmly in control but the introduction of Graham from the County bench saw a change in the play of the visitors and McKay really should have scored from a Graham flick but sliced his effort wide.
At this point Hibs began to sit deeper and deeper, inviting County to flood forward and their efforts paid off around fifteen minutes from time, Graham easily turned his marker and struck a low curling effort that beat Maxwell and slipped into the net at the far post. Amazingly, Graham could and should have scored again just moments later when heading wide from inside the six yard box.
It seemed to me that Hibs were now in full panic mode as County dominated possession and we allowed them to play the game almost entirely in our own half. Doing that is plain suicidal and we suffered the consequences when a poor clearing header from substitute Fraser Murray landed at the feet of Chalmers who took one touch before rifling the ball past Maxwell from around twenty yards.
The cries of Hecky, Hecky (you know the rest) rang around the home stands and in truth that was hardly surprising but you have to wonder at the fragility of a home side that looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights when put under pressure. Nobody stepped up to the plate to rally the troops.
Just prior to the final whistle only a good use of his body by Ryan Porteous stopped County getting in again and as that whistle sounded the booing around the stadium was deafening. There has been a growing desire amongst the Hibs support for the manager to be replaced and the only thing that has me confused about that is why it hasn’t happened already. Eight points from ten games and a goal difference of minus ten tells its own story and it’s surely time the board acted to stop this rot before it’s too late.
The players
Maxwell – Although beaten twice I don’t think he can be held at fault for either. In my view he’s not shown any reason why Marciano should replace him.
Naismith – Returning from injury it took him a bit of time to get going but his pass for the opening goal was excellent. Unfortunately, he and his fellow defenders could not stand up to the pressure being put upon them.
Porteous – Ryan can be a bit rushed at times, hoofing the ball out rather than showing some composure but for the most part he was calm, confident and streets ahead of his team mates and he gets my man of the match award.
Hanlon – When Paul allows himself to be bullied off the ball by someone of the physical stature of Billy McKay he should really start to be worried.
Stevenson – For the second game in a row I felt Lewis was below par and I don’t recall ever seeing him vent his anger so much at team mates as I did today.
Mallan – Wasted out right but when he drifted into the middle he was more productive.
Vela – Runs about a lot but doesn’t do much although he was unlucky that his first half effort was deflected around the post.
Hallberg – I saw some BBC stats this week that had Hallberg in the top five of the Scottish Premiership table at breaking up opponents’ moves while playing in midfield. Didn’t add to that today, looked to be struggling from the off and was subbed at half time.
Allan – Scotty kinda flitted in and out of the game today but still produced most of the quality from the Hibs midfield and his run and shot for the second goal had the home fans out of their seats applauding.
Newell – After such a fine game at Hamilton last time out, Joe was like the invisible man for the most part today. He offered up two excellent first half crosses, but little else before he was replaced by Fraser Murray.
Kamberi – Flo was unlucky not to score when his shot on goal was deflected but he worked hard enough. I have to say though that his habit of trying flicks and such is becoming irritating. There’s a time and place for such things and we are neither in that time or place at the moment.
Horgan – As I said earlier I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about his second half introduction but I have to give him credit for the opening goal which he took very well. I could go on to highlight the faults I perceived in his play but that would just be churlish on my part.
Murray – Sad to say that Fraser’s most telling contribution was his poor header that led to the second County goal.
Jackson – Brought on as a third centre half when we were 2-1 up with minutes to play but sadly it was a move that failed to work.
The fans – I thought the folk surrounding the drummer worked hard to create a positive atmosphere so plaudits to them. Unfortunately the negative atmosphere at the equaliser was both louder and longer.
Heckingbottom – I can’t see him being here much longer if truth be told.
The ref – Steven McLean.