Positives and negatives from today

[matty_f]

Now that the disappointment of losing a late equaliser has subsidised a bit, what can we take from today?

Positives:
Kevin Nisbet again showed what he’s all about with a terrific goal and some great movement throughout the game
We found ways to trouble Celtic, and with a bit more composure could have added more goals
Took a two goal lead at home to the champions
Didn’t look much like conceding for most of the match
The majority of the second half we were comfortable
We defended well for the vast majority of the game
Marciano

Negatives:
Didn’t think we were nearly aggressive enough in the first half (improved after half time)
Not composed enough on the ball throughout - would argue this contributed to both Celtic’s goals
Basic errors were punished, as you’d expect but we contributed massively to dropping the points

The game was there to be won, obviously the referee gifted them a penalty and a route back into the game but that wouldn’t have mattered if we cleared our lines properly. Ultimately that’s the frustration from today, we should really be sitting back reflecting on a good performance and a great result.

[Pagan Hibernia]

They still haven’t beaten us in the league at ER since 2014

[Mikey_1875]

Agree with all that especially the last part, would have been a fantastic lift for everyone after recent disappointments. Would add Mackie to the positives think he is a certainty to start midweek.

[Pretty Boy]

I'd have bitten your hand off for a point before the game so to get that is a positive. Having observed the level of performance Celtic gave it's a negative to have dropped 2 points.

That was there for the taking and a combination of factors prevented us doing so. There were several good performances but a lack of composure and a bit of panic late on cost us. I said repeatedly on the match thread that we were frantic every time we had the ball and that's contributed to a shanked clearance when there was time to show a bit composure and get it right.

Frustrated more than angry sums it up for me. Plenty positives to take and plenty to work on as well.

[matty_f]

I'd have bitten your hand off for a point before the game so to get that is a positive. Having observed the level of performance Celtic gave it's a negative to have dropped 2 points.

That was there for the taking and a combination of factors prevented us doing so. There were several good performances but a lack of composure and a bit of panic late on cost us. I said repeatedly on the match thread that we were frantic every time we had the ball and that's contributed to a shanked clearance when there was time to show a bit composure and get it right.

Frustrated more than angry sums it up for me. Plenty positives to take and plenty to work on as well.
Agree with that.

[neil7908]

After the initial extreme frustration of dropping 2 points, it's a plus in the managers column for me.

But we really need to sort ourselves out in the big games. That's Hearts, Aberdeen and now Celtic that we've let ourselves down.

We won't win every game against our rivals but we need to get much better at seeing ourselves games.

[04Sauzee]

Positively need Newell to sign an extension to his contract.

Thought Mallan was a positive today, actually had a but dig about him

[matty_f]

Positively need Newell to sign an extension to his contract.

Thought Mallan was a positive today, actually had a but dig about him

Mallan had a good game, he’s been in good form this season.

[ancient hibee]

Biggest frustration was that we had a gilt-edged chance to win it at the end but lack of composure did for us again.A tale of two left backs in the opposing penalty areas. One bangs it into the net and the other one skies it over the bag.Pity.

[Peevemor]

Mallan had a good game, he’s been in good form this season.Nonsense. He's pish. I read it on here.

[18Craig75]

Positive was our tightness during open play. It looked like Celtic could’ve played all day without scoring until we gifted them two.

Negative - we lack players to put their foot on the ball and control the tempo and flow of the game.

Also thought today showed how valuable Doidge is to us, nothing was sticking first half.

We’re a Declan Gallagher (nasty centre half) and Alan Campbell (all action, energetic centre midfielder) away from properly challenging aberdeen.

[vercol36]

One of the external positives from the game is that it is quite clear Celtic are not going to win 10 in a row.

Of course, the main negative from this outcome is that it will probably be Rangers winning it instead.

[hibbysam]

Positive was our tightness during open play. It looked like Celtic could’ve played all day without scoring until we gifted them two.

Negative - we lack players to put their foot on the ball and control the tempo and flow of the game.

Also thought today showed how valuable Doidge is to us, nothing was sticking first half.

We’re a Declan Gallagher (nasty centre half) and Alan Campbell (all action, energetic centre midfielder) away from properly challenging aberdeen.

Gallagher was hopeless against Celtic before the break and motherwells defensive record is worse than ours. He’s not the messiah.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

The positive for me was the performance level and the acceptance that to get anything from the game, everyone has to be on it. The negative is why we can't do that week in and week out against "lesser " opposition.

[A Hi-Bee]

Sometimes there will just be more questions than answers!
:greengrin

[Scorrie]

Sean Mackie was a big positive. Looks a real prospect and didn’t look out of place against the champions

[matty_f]

Sean Mackie was a big positive. Looks a real prospect and didn’t look out of place against the champions

Yeah , I should have listed him in the positives category. I had him as my man of the match, thought he was excellent.

[Sir David Gray]

Still pretty annoyed at throwing two points away today. I feel we lost the two points rather than Celtic gaining the point, they were garbage in the second half until the last 10 minutes.

I would have taken a point before the game though but the circumstances of how that draw's come about isn't great.

[hibsbollah]

Everything I’d been thinking has already been said, I’d also add that Murphy was very good throughout in addition to the goal. Definitely more positives than negatives today.

[B.H.F.C]

Mackie was our best player for me.

Murphy getting off the mark was also positive.

Negative for me is just general, it just feels like there is something missing. There are obvious gaps in quality but I don’t think we really play with any freedom or enjoyment. Was an odd game because I couldn’t believe we were 2-0 up. But then I couldn’t believe we threw it away once we were!

[h1bs4life]

Positives thought we set up ok , Celtic with the amount money they spend on players are always going to have the bulk of possession.
Murphy getting sharper took his goal well. Nisbet back on the score sheet although he missed penalty took his goal well .Very good performance from Mackie.

Negatives loosing 2 goals due to lack of concentration from the 2 centre backs. One a youngster which has happened couple of times recently and one who should know better.
Six what I would class as big games this season and no wins.
Celtic P2 D1 L1 . Rangers P1 D1 . Aberdeen P2 L2. Hertz P1 L1 according to the Uber poster crew no Hibs supporter should still be annoyed about getting beat in the Semi final.

[gaz1875]

Nonsense. He's pish. I read it on here.

Mallan was pish, I thought he was miles of the pace never closes anyone down and when he does make tackles he gets booked, He scores the odd great goal but needs to get some speed into his play. You obviously see it different.

[Nicho87]

With Mackie performance gives us an argument for using Stevenson in midfield

[04Sauzee]

Mallan was pish, I thought he was miles of the pace never closes anyone down and when he does make tackles he gets booked, He scores the odd great goal but needs to get some speed into his play. You obviously see it different.
Closed people down all game, you obviously see it different.
He definitely wasn't pish

[kaimendhibs]

Mallan was pish, I thought he was miles of the pace never closes anyone down and when he does make tackles he gets booked, He scores the odd great goal but needs to get some speed into his play. You obviously see it different.[emoji102][emoji102][emoji102][emoji102] He played very well

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[B.H.F.C]

Mallan was pish, I thought he was miles of the pace never closes anyone down and when he does make tackles he gets booked, He scores the odd great goal but needs to get some speed into his play. You obviously see it different.

His booking was a ‘good’ foul. Absolutely the right thing to do. Something we don’t usually do!

[gaz1875]

Closed people down all game, you obviously see it different.
He definitely wasn't pish

He closes players down after they've passed the ball, I must see it differently.

[wookie70]

Mallan was pish, I thought he was miles of the pace never closes anyone down and when he does make tackles he gets booked, He scores the odd great goal but needs to get some speed into his play. You obviously see it different. First half particularly, Mallan was the only midfielder to rush opposition players. The rest of our midfield watched from a distance allowing Celtc to get into our final third before closing. Looked to be planned so Ross was at fault there but it did work as Celtc couldn't finish any of the good shooting opportunities we gifted them. Mackie didn't get the memo as he pressed and harried the whole game breaking up countless attacks and also being a threat too.

[Bobby's Cinema]

Nisbet getting back in the goals the biggest positive for me.

You start to worry for him slightly after the pen miss but then one chance BANG goal. What a bonus having a striker like that.

The goalie also had a fine game looked full of confidence after his performance with the national team.

In terms of negatives - for me we were on top having a great spell in the game around the 70 minute mark. There were a few occasions on the break Boyle sticks in my mind where we were on the break and pretty much stood on the ball and tried to retain possession. OK after long periods without the ball - but I really felt at that stage we had it in us to go for a third that would have killed it. They looked totally out of ideas and we gave them encouragement slightly to get back it, however ludicrous the pen award may have been.

Positives to take but Scratching my head at how we managed to throw that away and I am sure JR will be looking at all of that.

[easty]

Positive was our tightness during open play. It looked like Celtic could’ve played all day without scoring until we gifted them two.

Negative - we lack players to put their foot on the ball and control the tempo and flow of the game.

Also thought today showed how valuable Doidge is to us, nothing was sticking first half.

We’re a Declan Gallagher (nasty centre half) and Alan Campbell (all action, energetic centre midfielder) away from properly challenging aberdeen.

I’d take Gallagher as a back up to Hanlon and Porteous. I don’t think he’s a better player though.

Allan Campbell would be a great addition, but I’m pretty sure we’ve missed the boat there.

[Not So Young]

I'd have bitten your hand off for a point before the game so to get that is a positive. Having observed the level of performance Celtic gave it's a negative to have dropped 2 points.



Thats my take on it

[JimBHibees]

I’d take Gallagher as a back up to Hanlon and Porteous. I don’t think he’s a better player though.

Allan Campbell would be a great addition, but I’m pretty sure we’ve missed the boat there.

Difficult to argue that Gallacher an excellent performer for the national team isn't better than the u21 player in that position.

[hibbysam]

Difficult to argue that Gallacher an excellent performer for the national team isn't better than the u21 player in that position.

He isn’t doing it week in week out though. Would you take Shankland over Nisbet based on that logic? I certainly wouldn’t.

[JimBHibees]

He isn’t doing it week in week out though. Would you take Shankland over Nisbet based on that logic? I certainly wouldn’t.

Shankland isn't an excellent performer at national level.

[hibbysam]

Shankland isn't an excellent performer at national level.

He’s in the squad ahead of Nisbet though, just like Gallagher with Porteous. That’s not a way to measure someone’s ability. Watching Gallagher weekly and especially at home to Celtic, and watching our defensive unit week in week out, including for 90% of yesterday’s game, then I wouldn’t be in a rush to swap him over.

[neil7908]

Another positive for me is that I think we've found a formation that suits us.

Magennis to come into side and Doidge an option from the bench as well.

[Andy74]

Another positive for me is that I think we've found a formation that suits us.

Magennis to come into side and Doidge an option from the bench as well.

No danger Doidge should be benched.

[B.H.F.C]

No danger Doidge should be benched.

Why? We had a better shape yesterday even if our quality on the ball was poor. Doidge, on this seasons form, certainly isn’t undroppable.

[Peevemor]

Why? We had a better shape yesterday even if our quality on the ball was poor. Doidge, on this seasons form, certainly isn’t undroppable.Yet others were accusing Hibs of being too timid going forward, something Doidge can't be accused of.

[wookie70]

Why? We had a better shape yesterday even if our quality on the ball was poor. Doidge, on this seasons form, certainly isn’t undroppable.

I agree with that. Doidge looks to me that he is playing injured or suffering from a bit of a lack of confidence recently. It gives us more options having one up top given how short we are on strikers.

[B.H.F.C]

I agree with that. Doidge looks to me that he is playing injured or suffering from a bit of a lack of confidence recently. It gives us more options having one up top given how short we are on strikers.

I hope we go with the same again on Tuesday, even if Doidge is available.

Murphy and Boyle aren’t going to spend nearly as much time running back the way so it’ll be more 433 than 451. Even allowing for that, Boyle won the penalty, Murphy got a goal and an assist and Nisbet scored. Not a bad return from them.

[18Craig75]

I’d take Gallagher as a back up to Hanlon and Porteous. I don’t think he’s a better player though.

Allan Campbell would be a great addition, but I’m pretty sure we’ve missed the boat there.

Just mentioned him as a steady centre half that has a nasty streak. I think we should be playing 3 at the back and there’s a space for someone like him alongside Hanlon and Porto.

We’re too nice.

[H18 SFR]

You’ve got to remember that we’ve just watched Gallagher play the middle of a three that included a Manchester Utd player and an Arsenal player. If he came to us he’d be playing between Porteous and Hanlon. Ryan would still be as rash and raw and Paul would still have the ability to sclaff clearances straight to an opponent.

Gallagher wouldn’t revolutionise our defence.

[hibbysam]

I hope we go with the same again on Tuesday, even if Doidge is available.

Murphy and Boyle aren’t going to spend nearly as much time running back the way so it’ll be more 433 than 451. Even allowing for that, Boyle won the penalty, Murphy got a goal and an assist and Nisbet scored. Not a bad return from them.

Far better balance than 4-4-2. Unfortunately someone is going to have to miss out, but when Celtic can drop Edouard, Rangers Morelos, Aberdeen Cosgrove then I’ve no doubt we should be able to drop Doidge if it means we are better balanced.