Jonnyboy
05-12-2019, 01:24 AM
It’s a long old road back from Dingwall, made all the longer by having to make the trip having watched Hibs once again fail to keep a lead. There are fundamental problems that must be addressed with the January window offering a crucial opportunity to strengthen and that window simply must be utilised well. We don’t need stop gap squad fillers. We need a quality defensive midfielder and a quality central defender at the very least. Tonight we witnessed yet again just how soft we are down the middle of our team. A howler from the keeper and schoolboy defending by Paul Hanlon cost us two goals whilst at the other end we were either shot shy or trying to play the killer pass.
Our starting eleven showed one change with Boyle replacing Newell, the latter having suffered a calf injury whilst Whittaker filled the empty space on the bench. To be fair we started well enough but seemed to have problems with the extremely windy conditions. Passes were often weighted incorrectly and didn’t reach their target whilst County seemed content to go high and long with Stevenson targeted as he tried to keep out Stewart who was a good foot taller than him. On the other side, Naismith gave the ball away too cheaply at times but he did go on to improve during the first half and was unlucky to see a rocket shot hit the junction of bar and post with the County keeper well beaten.
Just after the half hour, Doidge broke the deadlock when he headed a Scott Allan cross towards goal and the County keeper couldn’t keep the effort out. Doidge might have scored again but his downward header bounced up and over the bar whilst Kamberi should have done a lot better than scuffing a poor effort right at their keeper.
At the other end Maxwell had to be quick to stop a Brian Graham flick from going over his head but that was really the only chance the home team had in a sloppy but often aggressive first half. County’s No. 24 scythed Scott Allan down but only earned a talking too whilst Porteous was rightly booked for a reckless challenge out wide on the right. There were five yellow cards in the game and I felt all were justified although that No. 24 got away with a few before finally having his name taken. That name was Harry Paton and I couldn’t help but feel he’d have provided the midfield bite we badly need right now.
The second half was pretty much as the first with many passes from both sides going astray but that all changed after around sixty five minutes when a cross to the far post by Mullin was swatted at by Maxwell with Ross Stewart left the easy task of heading the ball into the net. It was a dreadful error by the keeper it has to be said.
Once again, Hibs reacted badly to losing a goal and ten minutes later they lost another when a shocking attempted clearance by Hanlon allowed Stewart to head home what proved to be the winning goal.
I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking we were far too slow to bring on subs to change the shape as a few of the starting eleven were just not at the races. When Mallan, Shaw and Horgan did arrive only the first named made a positive difference with one of his trademark rasping drives that the County keeper did well to flick over the bar. To be fair, Hibs did push for a leveller but it never really looked like coming and so the unbeaten run comes to an end.
The players
Maxwell – One good first half save but that shocker of a superman impersonation should cost him the jersey in my opinion.
Naismith – Started poorly, got better but then finished poorly. I recall two passes and a cross that both sailed out of play.
Porteous – This is not going to be a popular view because Ryan tends to escape criticism whilst others in the back four get pelters but I thought he was poor tonight and that rash challenge for the booking was totally unnecessary.
Hanlon – Brian Graham gave him a hard time and his pathetic attempted clearance cost us the winning goal.
Stevenson – As I said, he was targeted and had little or no support in trying to deal with Stewart. Not his best game for Hibs but he wasn’t alone in that.
Slivka – I thought he had a decent enough first half, covering lots of ground but he struggled in the second and should have been replaced earlier.
Hallberg – Poor from him, the poorest yet and that free kick – straight into the wall – was horrendous.
Boyle – Certainly worked his socks off but seemed to get confused about his role. He was replacing Newell but didn’t contribute as Newell would have. He often ended up down a blind alley when he raced through with the ball at his feet.
Allan – Three men around him every time he got the ball and he took a fair few kicks tonight. I think he’s trying to force the killer pass and it ain’t working.
Kamberi – Caught on his heels umpteen times and he had that ‘dinnae want to be here’ vibe about him. No surprise that he was subbed.
Doidge – Another game, another goal for the big fella and he might have had a second but the ball came to him too quickly for him to adjust his feet.
Mallan – Dodged around trying to get involved and was unlucky with a raker that the keeper tipped over.
Shaw – Popped up on the right mostly but didn’t really offer any sort of a goal threat.
Horgan – Only got a few minutes.
Jack Ross – I hope he’s realised that we need fresh faces because the ones we’ve got are just not cutting the mustard right now.
The fans – Not the usual singers I don’t think. Was bizarre hearing them singing the Marvin Bartley song as news filtered through from Tynecastle.
The ref – I believe it was his first game at this level and by and large he did ok.
It’s now 2.22am and I’m knackered – too knackered to try and pick a man of the match from that lot!
Our starting eleven showed one change with Boyle replacing Newell, the latter having suffered a calf injury whilst Whittaker filled the empty space on the bench. To be fair we started well enough but seemed to have problems with the extremely windy conditions. Passes were often weighted incorrectly and didn’t reach their target whilst County seemed content to go high and long with Stevenson targeted as he tried to keep out Stewart who was a good foot taller than him. On the other side, Naismith gave the ball away too cheaply at times but he did go on to improve during the first half and was unlucky to see a rocket shot hit the junction of bar and post with the County keeper well beaten.
Just after the half hour, Doidge broke the deadlock when he headed a Scott Allan cross towards goal and the County keeper couldn’t keep the effort out. Doidge might have scored again but his downward header bounced up and over the bar whilst Kamberi should have done a lot better than scuffing a poor effort right at their keeper.
At the other end Maxwell had to be quick to stop a Brian Graham flick from going over his head but that was really the only chance the home team had in a sloppy but often aggressive first half. County’s No. 24 scythed Scott Allan down but only earned a talking too whilst Porteous was rightly booked for a reckless challenge out wide on the right. There were five yellow cards in the game and I felt all were justified although that No. 24 got away with a few before finally having his name taken. That name was Harry Paton and I couldn’t help but feel he’d have provided the midfield bite we badly need right now.
The second half was pretty much as the first with many passes from both sides going astray but that all changed after around sixty five minutes when a cross to the far post by Mullin was swatted at by Maxwell with Ross Stewart left the easy task of heading the ball into the net. It was a dreadful error by the keeper it has to be said.
Once again, Hibs reacted badly to losing a goal and ten minutes later they lost another when a shocking attempted clearance by Hanlon allowed Stewart to head home what proved to be the winning goal.
I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking we were far too slow to bring on subs to change the shape as a few of the starting eleven were just not at the races. When Mallan, Shaw and Horgan did arrive only the first named made a positive difference with one of his trademark rasping drives that the County keeper did well to flick over the bar. To be fair, Hibs did push for a leveller but it never really looked like coming and so the unbeaten run comes to an end.
The players
Maxwell – One good first half save but that shocker of a superman impersonation should cost him the jersey in my opinion.
Naismith – Started poorly, got better but then finished poorly. I recall two passes and a cross that both sailed out of play.
Porteous – This is not going to be a popular view because Ryan tends to escape criticism whilst others in the back four get pelters but I thought he was poor tonight and that rash challenge for the booking was totally unnecessary.
Hanlon – Brian Graham gave him a hard time and his pathetic attempted clearance cost us the winning goal.
Stevenson – As I said, he was targeted and had little or no support in trying to deal with Stewart. Not his best game for Hibs but he wasn’t alone in that.
Slivka – I thought he had a decent enough first half, covering lots of ground but he struggled in the second and should have been replaced earlier.
Hallberg – Poor from him, the poorest yet and that free kick – straight into the wall – was horrendous.
Boyle – Certainly worked his socks off but seemed to get confused about his role. He was replacing Newell but didn’t contribute as Newell would have. He often ended up down a blind alley when he raced through with the ball at his feet.
Allan – Three men around him every time he got the ball and he took a fair few kicks tonight. I think he’s trying to force the killer pass and it ain’t working.
Kamberi – Caught on his heels umpteen times and he had that ‘dinnae want to be here’ vibe about him. No surprise that he was subbed.
Doidge – Another game, another goal for the big fella and he might have had a second but the ball came to him too quickly for him to adjust his feet.
Mallan – Dodged around trying to get involved and was unlucky with a raker that the keeper tipped over.
Shaw – Popped up on the right mostly but didn’t really offer any sort of a goal threat.
Horgan – Only got a few minutes.
Jack Ross – I hope he’s realised that we need fresh faces because the ones we’ve got are just not cutting the mustard right now.
The fans – Not the usual singers I don’t think. Was bizarre hearing them singing the Marvin Bartley song as news filtered through from Tynecastle.
The ref – I believe it was his first game at this level and by and large he did ok.
It’s now 2.22am and I’m knackered – too knackered to try and pick a man of the match from that lot!