Jonnyboy
30-01-2021, 05:15 PM
All the talk this week has surrounded the speculation that three of our players were being linked with moves away and so I was glad when Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock rolled around and I could focus my attention solely on our fixture at Tannadice. Such talk, certainly in the media, can have a destabilising effect on a player and so I was intrigued when two of the three were left on the bench. Porteous and Nisbet didn’t make the starting eleven but young Josh Doig did. Darren McGregor retained his starting position and was in the centre of a back three, flanked by McGinn and Hanlon.
On yet another tricky surface, both sides struggled early on to try and piece together any meaningful moves. United had the first attempt at goal but Clark’s effort slipped wide of the post. Moments later, Butcher tried his luck but Rocky was untroubled by the attempt. A deflected effort by Clark looked like it might loop over Marciano and into the net but Rocky reacted quickly to push the ball over the bar.
Hibs got themselves on the front foot and in the space of a couple of minutes, McGregor saw a header on target saved whilst Gogic was unlucky as he tried to sweep the ball home whilst he was on his back in the six yard box.
Chris Cadden was coming in for some rough treatment and Gavin Duncan was very lenient on Luke Bolton who was late and high with a challenge that had a hint of a red card about it. As it was, only a free kick was awarded and soon after, Reynolds cleaned out the Hibs man but only a free kick was awarded. Doidge was next to try his luck as he took a pass from Murphy and let fly but the shot was charged down in a packed penalty area. Big Christian was involved again in a period of play that ended with Hibs taking the lead. His clever flick left Reynolds high and dry, but his attempted cross was deflected for a corner. When the ball was delivered into the box, McGinn powered a header towards goal that Siegrist could only parry. Irvine pounced on the loose ball and cut it back towards the edge of the box where McGregor thundered a shot high into United’s net.
The hosts tried to respond, and the Hibs defence stood tall as it blocked anything that looked as though it might be on target. As the half hour approached, the lively Cadden saw a right footed effort blocked before United again tried to get level but this Hibs team was working well as a unit when not in possession. On a few occasions I was delighted to watch the United man on the ball closed down before he had time to think about what he might do next.
Mark McNulty was trying his best to help create something of note, but his strike partner Shankland seemed to spend most of his time dropping really deep and so negating any goal threat he might have had. As it was, Hibs reached the break with their lead intact and justifiably so because they deserved it.
As you might expect, United came out with a bit more aggression in their play, in terms of getting forward much more quickly than they had in the first but to little effect. They did force a series of corners, but these were well dealt with defensively. A shot from Fuchs from just outside the box drifted past the far post with Marciano in close attendance.
At the other end, Murphy delivered a fantastic diagonal cross from the left, but the inrushing Doidge missed the ball completely when any touch with his head would likely have produced a goal. Minutes later a frustrated Shankland tried his luck but watched on in dismay as his effort deflected off McGregor only for Marciano to make a fine save with his feet. Connolly was next to try his luck but his header from a corner sailed well over the bar.
Irvine came close with a header but to be fair, Siegrist probably had it covered as the ball cleared the bar. Murphy was looking tired and Jack Ross decided to replace him with Magennis who hadn’t been on the park longer than a minute when Irvine shrugged off a challenge before hitting a magnificent through ball which Boyle raced on to before beating the keeper to his left to put Hibs 2-0 ahead. The pass was sublime, and the finish composed.
United looked crestfallen and their play became very sloppy as the confidence had taken such a huge knock. Racing through on another Irvine pass, Boyle skipped to the side of Reynolds and struck an effort on goal but Siegrist was equal to it. At the other end, Doig was extremely lucky to get away with the use of an arm inside the area but somehow the main stand assistant missed it from ten yards away. To even it up, Boyle possibly should have had a penalty when Reynolds pushed him over, but the far side assistant also missed that from an equal distance away.
With the clock running down, Hibs looked home and hosed although a more composed effort from Shankland might have been on target rather than drifting harmlessly past the post. Bearing in mind the earlier leniency shown by Gavin Duncan, I thought we were going to have a cardless game but big Daz was rightly booked for a strong challenge on Butcher. The game was fizzling out now and it was pleasing to see Hibs getting back to winning ways with the clean sheet a bonus.
The players
Marciano – Rocky’s only real save of note was the one with his feet late in the game.
McGinn – Paul was as solid as a rock and clearly enjoys playing on the right of a back three. His use of the ball in an attacking sense was also good.
McGregor – Like most folk I wondered whether Daz could play again so soon after Wednesday, but I needn’t have worried as he was immense throughout. I can’t recall him losing a header and his goal was quite wonderful. I admit I swithered about this but for the second game in a row Daz is my man of the match.
Hanlon – Paul’s under a bit of pressure at the minute and there were a couple of times today that I thought he was sloppy in defending but given he was part of the defence that kept a clean sheet he deserves praise for that.
Cadden – Close to getting my man of the match award I thought Chris had a fine game. His lung bursting runs down the right took pressure off the defence and generally ended up with us winning a throw in or a free kick. I think he’s going to be a really good acquisition for Hibs.
Gogic – I was quite critical of Alex last time out, but I thought he was on top form today and doing the job Jack Ross wants him to do. He broke up the play well and drifted in to cover any time one of our defenders ventured forward.
Irvine – Two assists is an impressive haul from Jackson. His through ball for Boyle’s goal was nothing short of perfect and in a midfielder sense he was everywhere he needed to be.
Murphy – I thought Jamie was a bit peripheral at times. It’s a known fact amongst opponents that he likes to cut in onto his right foot when around the edge of the box and as such his effectiveness is blunted somewhat.
Doig – In recent weeks, Josh has been effervescent for Hibs but today I felt he didn’t really perform as we know he can. Got lucky with using his arm in the penalty area and getting away with it.
Boyle – I remain to be convinced that Martin should be our dead ball man. Many of his deliveries were poor but I can balance that criticism by acknowledging how well he took his goal. He was composed and it’s not often he is when one on one.
Doidge – Another game without a goal but the big man’s general contribution is good. He keeps defenders on their toes and he’s a good guy to have in your own penalty area when defending set plays.
Magennis – More minutes under his belt but the sad thing is that the only thing of note that I can recall from his time on the park was when he went solo and lost possession when Doig was to his left and better placed to attack the United goal.
Wright – Not really on long enough to contribute much at all.
Jack Ross – An interesting team selection but one that worked in the end.
The referee – Gavin Duncan was far too lenient when Cadden was getting hacked down and he and his assistants missed two clear cut penalties.
On yet another tricky surface, both sides struggled early on to try and piece together any meaningful moves. United had the first attempt at goal but Clark’s effort slipped wide of the post. Moments later, Butcher tried his luck but Rocky was untroubled by the attempt. A deflected effort by Clark looked like it might loop over Marciano and into the net but Rocky reacted quickly to push the ball over the bar.
Hibs got themselves on the front foot and in the space of a couple of minutes, McGregor saw a header on target saved whilst Gogic was unlucky as he tried to sweep the ball home whilst he was on his back in the six yard box.
Chris Cadden was coming in for some rough treatment and Gavin Duncan was very lenient on Luke Bolton who was late and high with a challenge that had a hint of a red card about it. As it was, only a free kick was awarded and soon after, Reynolds cleaned out the Hibs man but only a free kick was awarded. Doidge was next to try his luck as he took a pass from Murphy and let fly but the shot was charged down in a packed penalty area. Big Christian was involved again in a period of play that ended with Hibs taking the lead. His clever flick left Reynolds high and dry, but his attempted cross was deflected for a corner. When the ball was delivered into the box, McGinn powered a header towards goal that Siegrist could only parry. Irvine pounced on the loose ball and cut it back towards the edge of the box where McGregor thundered a shot high into United’s net.
The hosts tried to respond, and the Hibs defence stood tall as it blocked anything that looked as though it might be on target. As the half hour approached, the lively Cadden saw a right footed effort blocked before United again tried to get level but this Hibs team was working well as a unit when not in possession. On a few occasions I was delighted to watch the United man on the ball closed down before he had time to think about what he might do next.
Mark McNulty was trying his best to help create something of note, but his strike partner Shankland seemed to spend most of his time dropping really deep and so negating any goal threat he might have had. As it was, Hibs reached the break with their lead intact and justifiably so because they deserved it.
As you might expect, United came out with a bit more aggression in their play, in terms of getting forward much more quickly than they had in the first but to little effect. They did force a series of corners, but these were well dealt with defensively. A shot from Fuchs from just outside the box drifted past the far post with Marciano in close attendance.
At the other end, Murphy delivered a fantastic diagonal cross from the left, but the inrushing Doidge missed the ball completely when any touch with his head would likely have produced a goal. Minutes later a frustrated Shankland tried his luck but watched on in dismay as his effort deflected off McGregor only for Marciano to make a fine save with his feet. Connolly was next to try his luck but his header from a corner sailed well over the bar.
Irvine came close with a header but to be fair, Siegrist probably had it covered as the ball cleared the bar. Murphy was looking tired and Jack Ross decided to replace him with Magennis who hadn’t been on the park longer than a minute when Irvine shrugged off a challenge before hitting a magnificent through ball which Boyle raced on to before beating the keeper to his left to put Hibs 2-0 ahead. The pass was sublime, and the finish composed.
United looked crestfallen and their play became very sloppy as the confidence had taken such a huge knock. Racing through on another Irvine pass, Boyle skipped to the side of Reynolds and struck an effort on goal but Siegrist was equal to it. At the other end, Doig was extremely lucky to get away with the use of an arm inside the area but somehow the main stand assistant missed it from ten yards away. To even it up, Boyle possibly should have had a penalty when Reynolds pushed him over, but the far side assistant also missed that from an equal distance away.
With the clock running down, Hibs looked home and hosed although a more composed effort from Shankland might have been on target rather than drifting harmlessly past the post. Bearing in mind the earlier leniency shown by Gavin Duncan, I thought we were going to have a cardless game but big Daz was rightly booked for a strong challenge on Butcher. The game was fizzling out now and it was pleasing to see Hibs getting back to winning ways with the clean sheet a bonus.
The players
Marciano – Rocky’s only real save of note was the one with his feet late in the game.
McGinn – Paul was as solid as a rock and clearly enjoys playing on the right of a back three. His use of the ball in an attacking sense was also good.
McGregor – Like most folk I wondered whether Daz could play again so soon after Wednesday, but I needn’t have worried as he was immense throughout. I can’t recall him losing a header and his goal was quite wonderful. I admit I swithered about this but for the second game in a row Daz is my man of the match.
Hanlon – Paul’s under a bit of pressure at the minute and there were a couple of times today that I thought he was sloppy in defending but given he was part of the defence that kept a clean sheet he deserves praise for that.
Cadden – Close to getting my man of the match award I thought Chris had a fine game. His lung bursting runs down the right took pressure off the defence and generally ended up with us winning a throw in or a free kick. I think he’s going to be a really good acquisition for Hibs.
Gogic – I was quite critical of Alex last time out, but I thought he was on top form today and doing the job Jack Ross wants him to do. He broke up the play well and drifted in to cover any time one of our defenders ventured forward.
Irvine – Two assists is an impressive haul from Jackson. His through ball for Boyle’s goal was nothing short of perfect and in a midfielder sense he was everywhere he needed to be.
Murphy – I thought Jamie was a bit peripheral at times. It’s a known fact amongst opponents that he likes to cut in onto his right foot when around the edge of the box and as such his effectiveness is blunted somewhat.
Doig – In recent weeks, Josh has been effervescent for Hibs but today I felt he didn’t really perform as we know he can. Got lucky with using his arm in the penalty area and getting away with it.
Boyle – I remain to be convinced that Martin should be our dead ball man. Many of his deliveries were poor but I can balance that criticism by acknowledging how well he took his goal. He was composed and it’s not often he is when one on one.
Doidge – Another game without a goal but the big man’s general contribution is good. He keeps defenders on their toes and he’s a good guy to have in your own penalty area when defending set plays.
Magennis – More minutes under his belt but the sad thing is that the only thing of note that I can recall from his time on the park was when he went solo and lost possession when Doig was to his left and better placed to attack the United goal.
Wright – Not really on long enough to contribute much at all.
Jack Ross – An interesting team selection but one that worked in the end.
The referee – Gavin Duncan was far too lenient when Cadden was getting hacked down and he and his assistants missed two clear cut penalties.