Martin Boyle

[theonlywayisup]

There was a bit of chat in the "Transfer Thread" about Martin Boyle and I thought it deserved a new thread. What are your thoughts on his display last night and in general?

To start the conversation, I copy a post below from loanheadhibby from two days ago.


He admitted himself he had a slump and lost form for a good period as his old man was unwell.

Just because he played in 48 games, doesn’t mean he performed well in 48 games?

I’m not saying I don’t rate Boyle, what I am saying is he has to deliver in every game not just against Ross County, Motherwell etc. He’s got to start winning games against stuffy teams like St Johnstone. He’s got to go to Parkhead, Ipox and Tynie and produce the goods.

When we’re not playing well, he’s got to deliver and win us games

I was disappointed in Boyle last night. Not much went for him last night and the worrying thing is that seems to be the norm in the 'big'games.

[marinello59]

There was a bit of chat in the "Transfer Thread" about Martin Boyle and I thought it deserved a new thread. What are your thoughts on his display last night and in general?

To start the conversation, I copy a post below from loanheadhibby from two days ago.



I was disappointed in Boyle last night. Not much went for him last night and the worrying thing is that seems to be the norm in the 'big'games.

Boyle was given very little to work with from his fellow team mates. He can’t do it on his own. For me he was our best player last season and he has already shown he could be our best player again over this term.

[H18 SFR]

Boyle was given very little to work with from his fellow team mates. He can’t do it on his own. For me he was our best player last season and he has already shown he could be our best player again over this term.

I tend to really agree with this.

We’ve lost another big game as we put it however there are several mitigating circumstances. Boyle will have another good season.

[Bostonhibby]

Didnt have much supply to go on but very similar to recent hampden trips, didn't perform as he has been in games leading up to the "big" one.

Who knows how he would have done if we'd kept 11 on the field when we were getting on top.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[madhatter]

Didn't help McGinn much. They almost scored and McGinn's reaction was to berate Boyle who must have been standing at the half way line.

He is better from running deep so benefits from being involved in the defensive area. When he stops tracking back I think he disappears from games as we have no link to get the ball to him at the half way line. He's that driving force to get us up the field on a counter, we don't really have anyone else.

[loanheadhibby]

There was a bit of chat in the "Transfer Thread" about Martin Boyle and I thought it deserved a new thread. What are your thoughts on his display last night and in general?

To start the conversation, I copy a post below from loanheadhibby from two days ago.



I was disappointed in Boyle last night. Not much went for him last night and the worrying thing is that seems to be the norm in the 'big'games.

Just for context, I’m a fan of Boyle and the suggestion was we increase his reputed buy out clause of £500k and therefore increase his salary.

I still read folk saying about his lack of service which is true last night. However guys like Darren Jackson played in worse teams and still produced when the chips were down.

Boyle needs to start doing that on a regular basis.

[hibbysam]

There was a bit of chat in the "Transfer Thread" about Martin Boyle and I thought it deserved a new thread. What are your thoughts on his display last night and in general?

To start the conversation, I copy a post below from loanheadhibby from two days ago.



I was disappointed in Boyle last night. Not much went for him last night and the worrying thing is that seems to be the norm in the 'big'games.

He’s far more consistent than he used to be, but is still inconsistent (if that makes sense) - if he wasn’t he wouldn’t be anywhere near us. I felt they done a job on him last night which gave Murphy space down the other side who I felt was our biggest threat.

[jeffers]

Just for context, I’m a fan of Boyle and the suggestion was we increase his reputed buy out clause of £500k and therefore increase his salary.

I still read folk saying about his lack of service which is true last night. However guys like Darren Jackson played in worse teams and still produced when the chips were down.

Boyle needs to start doing that on a regular basis.

Don’t disagree that he needs to produce performances in games like last night, but I still maintain when he doesn’t perform we look a very average side. We are still heavily reliant on him to provide a bit of X factor.

[Mr. Wonderful]

There was a bit of chat in the "Transfer Thread" about Martin Boyle and I thought it deserved a new thread. What are your thoughts on his display last night and in general?

To start the conversation, I copy a post below from loanheadhibby from two days ago.



I was disappointed in Boyle last night. Not much went for him last night and the worrying thing is that seems to be the norm in the 'big'games.

Motherwell and Ross County are our bread and butter and plenty of players gave struggled to even beat them. He's also had good games against celtic and rangers and he's scored a double against hearts in recent years.

The problem is we're far too reliant on him.

[Smartie]

I defended him vigorously on the thread yesterday - and I thought he was absolutely pish last night.

He didn't get into decent areas often enough but when he did his end product was simply dreadful.

I'm not convinced about that shape of team, it might be ok against Ross County but I didn't think it worked last night other than for a flurry between our goal and the sending off. By that, I mean that when Boyle was putting average crosses into the box, it was very hard to see who might get onto the end of them. Murphy seemed to be a far greater threat cutting inside onto his right foot, trying to get shots away.

Boyle, like Ross, needs a performance or two in big games. The "big game bottlers" stuff sounds like it should be nonsense, but the evidence is mounting...

[Alfred E Newman]

Don’t disagree that he needs to produce performances in games like last night, but I still maintain when he doesn’t perform we look a very average side. We are still heavily reliant on him to provide a bit of X factor.

The Cup Final springs to mind.

[davhibby]

Didnt have much supply to go on but very similar to recent hampden trips, didn't perform as he has been in games leading up to the "big" one.

Who knows how he would have done if we'd kept 11 on the field when we were getting on top.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

I think your second paragraph is a good point, we were starting to take a foothold in the game where he’d have had more of an opportunity to be involved.

[hibeedonald]

If Boyle did well in big games, he simply wouldn't be at Hibs anymore.

[Onion]

If Boyle did well in big games, he simply wouldn't be at Hibs anymore.

Agreed.

Boyle has come on leaps and bounds in the last few seasons. Shudder think what Hibs would be like without him If he's "only" effective against run of the mill SPFL teams, that's good enough. Hibs need to become better as a team and not rely so much on one individual. If he doesn't play well, Hibs tend to struggle but that's not Boyle's fault.

[Fergos]

Big games….he scored a double in a Hibs win at the tiny castle…..

Agree that he wasn’t at his best on Thursday, kept turning back as I don’t think he fancied getting past the FB but the big game stuff is a bit far.

GGTTH

[Since452]

Just for context, what do we class as "big games"? Games we aren't expected to win?

[Brightside]

God these threads are boring. Big games blah blah

[Forza Fred]

Just for context, what do we class as "big games"? Games we aren't expected to win?

That's a very good question, and one I asked around cup final time.

As far as I can work out a general consensus is

1 Any game against Rangers, Celtic or Hearts
2 Any cup semi or final
3Any European game
4 Any relegation play off

Of course other things pop up from time to time..eg... like a game against Dun
dee where the result is critical for us to avoid the relegation play off or against Aberdeen for third -place and other 'critical' one off needs.

It is a pretty elastic term as far as most are concerned.

[duffers]

This will be Boyles best season yet and a lot of that will be down to us having Murphy on the other side. Teams last season were doubling / tripling up on him as he was (and still is) our main threat. Teams can’t afford to do that now while we have a similar player on the other side who is just as happy to run at them and take them on. Boyle didn’t have his greatest game the other night, but he is out most important player and we need to do all we can to try and get him on a better contract.

[BSEJVT]

Just for context, I’m a fan of Boyle and the suggestion was we increase his reputed buy out clause of £500k and therefore increase his salary.

I still read folk saying about his lack of service which is true last night. However guys like Darren Jackson played in worse teams and still produced when the chips were down.

Boyle needs to start doing that on a regular basis.

I have agreed with very little you have said in recent days but agree completely with this, sadly he is not alone in this Hibs team but because he is our talisman, his lack of impact is easier recognised.

There is more to being a top sportsman than ability and effort, and in my opinion the reason why some of our better players like Boyle remain and will remain with Hibs is that they don't have the mental resilience to perform at their best on a consistent basis when the chips are really down.

They are far from alone in this and their contributions in other games are vital to where we want to get to, but it stops them progressing their careers much further.

Look at the impact Stokes turning up at Hampden, having been pretty poor otherwise, had on our club.

[BSEJVT]

If Boyle did well in big games, he simply wouldn't be at Hibs anymore.

But wouldn't you trade that for more tangible rewards like winning things?

[flash]

God these threads are boring. Big games blah blah

If we keep winning we stay top of the table.

I reckon that makes every game pretty big where I am sitting.

In fact I would go as far as to say games against Aberdeen and anyone else we are competing with over the season are bigger than trips to Glasgow.

The results that define your season are rarely played against Celtic and Rangers.

[J-C]

Didn't help McGinn much. They almost scored and McGinn's reaction was to berate Boyle who must have been standing at the half way line.

He is better from running deep so benefits from being involved in the defensive area. When he stops tracking back I think he disappears from games as we have no link to get the ball to him at the half way line. He's that driving force to get us up the field on a counter, we don't really have anyone else.

Possibly instructions from Ross to sit higher up the pitch and hit them on the break with his pace.

[BSEJVT]

If we keep winning we stay top of the table.

I reckon that makes every game pretty big where I am sitting.

In fact I would go as far as to say games against Aberdeen and anyone else we are competing with over the season are bigger than trips to Glasgow.

The results that define your season are rarely played against Celtic and Rangers.

Unless we are going to win the league, trips to Hampden are our biggest games of the season

We had 4 eminently winnable games last season not against Rangers or Celtic and won one.

I don't think it is the manager's fault, I think other than the first half in the St Johnstone semi some of the players failed to perform to their abilities repeatedly over these 3 games.

What will define whether we obtain further trophy success is whether they can progress from that and take the next step and for the reasons I explained above Boyle is right in the firing line for this.

[JimBHibees]

God these threads are boring. Big games blah blah

Couldn't agree more. The second identical thread in a week having a pop at our most effective player.

[loanheadhibby]

Don’t disagree that he needs to produce performances in games like last night, but I still maintain when he doesn’t perform we look a very average side. We are still heavily reliant on him to provide a bit of X factor.

If we have an over reliance on Boyle, then Jack Ross needs to do something different. Possibly if McKay or Murphy get to Boyle’s level, the opposition won’t be able to double down on Boyle.

Of course we could try to accommodate Scott Allen and this may also take some of the spotlight away from Boyle.

[loanheadhibby]

If we keep winning we stay top of the table.

I reckon that makes every game pretty big where I am sitting.

In fact I would go as far as to say games against Aberdeen and anyone else we are competing with over the season are bigger than trips to Glasgow.

The results that define your season are rarely played against Celtic and Rangers.

I agree re games against Celtic or Rangers not defining our season but you have to agree that these are the games that get national coverage.

If Boyle performs well in these games, it means he is performing against guys of a higher calibre.

For me it’s not always about his overall contribution, it’s his ability to win us tight games.

Does Boyle have it in his locker to give us a Tony Stokes performance at Hampden?

[Dmas]

If you’re playing against hibs and not at least attempting to keep Martin Boyle quiet and tightly marked your playing the game wrong, they just managed it well on Thursday, there where glimpses of Boyle on a couple of occasions when he either got free or lost his man just wasn’t enough of those situations because they where a good team and coped well with him

[flash]

I agree re games against Celtic or Rangers not defining our season but you have to agree that these are the games that get national coverage.

If Boyle performs well in these games, it means he is performing against guys of a higher calibre.

For me it’s not always about his overall contribution, it’s his ability to win us tight games.

Does Boyle have it in his locker to give us a Tony Stokes performance at Hampden?

That was the best performance I have ever seen so you set a high bar mate.

[Peevemor]

I agree re games against Celtic or Rangers not defining our season but you have to agree that these are the games that get national coverage.

If Boyle performs well in these games, it means he is performing against guys of a higher calibre.

For me it’s not always about his overall contribution, it’s his ability to win us tight games.

Does Boyle have it in his locker to give us a Tony Stokes performance at Hampden?What about all the points Boyle wins us in the type of matches where Stokes often failed to do more than go through the motions?

[hibbysam]

What about all the points Boyle wins us in the type of matches where Stokes often failed to do more than go through the motions?

Exactly I wouldn’t swap it for the world now, but had stokes got his finger out for 3/4 months prior to the cup final then we might have got promoted.

I said the other day Boyle is more consistent now than he has ever been. He still has flaws and teams will get the better of him some days, but that’s where our other players come into it. I thought we actually done that well on Thursday, Murphy was a real threat and Magennis obviously scored.

[Peevemor]

Exactly I wouldn’t swap it for the world now, but had stokes got his finger out for 3/4 months prior to the cup final then we might have got promoted.

I said the other day Boyle is more consistent now than he has ever been. He still has flaws and teams will get the better of him some days, but that’s where our other players come into it. I thought we actually done that well on Thursday, Murphy was a real threat and Magennis obviously scored.We're still getting used to Magennis, but that's why a consistent fit Murphy playing alongside Boyle (and doing the switching wings thing) could be brilliant for us. They each have very different ways of unlocking defences.

[JimBHibees]

We're still getting used to Magennis, but that's why a consistent fit Murphy playing alongside Boyle (and doing the switching wings thing) could be brilliant for us. They each have very different ways of unlocking defences.

Agree obviously the more options the better as evidenced against Ross County we were a threat all over the pitch. Can remember in the first half in the cup final Boyle had the ball with 4 Saints players in his way with no Hibs option in front of him. It reminded me a bit of the Maradona photo v Belgium with a wall of players. No wonder his threat could be easier nullified last season as he was in many cases our sole threat. Just shows how good a season he had last year given the numbers which he is now running into this season. We should appreciate more what we have with MB. He has been a brilliant player for this club and hope that continues.

[loanheadhibby]

What about all the points Boyle wins us in the type of matches where Stokes often failed to do more than go through the motions?

That was a definite flaw in Stokes personality. He could have been putting those performances in week in and week out.

Can Boyle produce that kind of performance? If he can surely bigger clubs will sit up and take notice.

[loanheadhibby]

That was the best performance I have ever seen so you set a high bar mate.

Don’t forget Stokes played regularly for Celtic and produced good performances. He also had a few good loan spells at Hibs before getting his moves.

I prefer a comparison with Darren Jackson. He was a fantastic player and came up with the goods against all teams.

Surely we want to set the bar high for Boyle tho. The higher the bar is set, the better results for Hibs. We should be pushing Boyle to score 2 at Tynie, to nick a winner at Parkhead, to get on the end of Doigs cross at ibrox.

[H18 SFR]

Boyle has arguably won us the points at some point in games over the last couple of seasons against every single team in the league apart from Rangers and Celtic.

Against Rangers he would be trying to negate the impact of their full backs who play more like wing backs in a positional sense and Celtic are strong down their left as well.

I’m not sure that the dissenting voices on here re Boyle not doing it really stand up to scrutiny.

[loanheadhibby]

Boyle has arguably won us the points at some point in games over the last couple of seasons against every single team in be league apart from Rangers and Celtic.

Against Rangers he would be trying to negate the impact of their full backs who play more like wing backs in a positional sense and Celtic are strong down their left as well.

I’m not sure that the dissenting voices on here re Boyle not doing it really stand up to scrutiny.

To be fair, I think the general consensus is the same. No one is disputing that Martin Boyle delivers.

We are talking about games like Thursday night, cup finals, semi finals, away to Celtic/Rangers when the going is mega tough and you need someone to pull you through.

Maybe we are over reliant on Boyle.

[Mr. Wonderful]

Boyle has arguably won us the points at some point in games over the last couple of seasons against every single team in the league apart from Rangers and Celtic.

Against Rangers he would be trying to negate the impact of their full backs who play more like wing backs in a positional sense and Celtic are strong down their left as well.

I’m not sure that the dissenting voices on here re Boyle not doing it really stand up to scrutiny.

Exactly this. He's put Aberdeen away a good few times now too, doesn't come much bigger than that in terms of close rivals.

This argument will go the same way as Hanlon during the week - certain supporters won't know what we'd be missing until its too late and they're injured.

[jacomo]

Boyle has arguably won us the points at some point in games over the last couple of seasons against every single team in the league apart from Rangers and Celtic.

Against Rangers he would be trying to negate the impact of their full backs who play more like wing backs in a positional sense and Celtic are strong down their left as well.

I’m not sure that the dissenting voices on here re Boyle not doing it really stand up to scrutiny.


Boyle is a good a winger as we could realistically hope for at our level. He has been a brilliant performer for us and won us so many matches.

As always with wingers, he’s not as effective every game… either because the moves just don’t come off (it happens) or he is marked out of the game. However, if teams double up or just mark him tight it opens up space elsewhere on the pitch… this is when other players have to recognise the opportunity and step up.

[FilipinoHibs]

Funny this thread. My Rangers supporting mate said Hibs gave Rangers the best games last season. He said the ball over the top to Boyle helped keep Rangers pinned back.

[Iggy Pope]

Funny this thread. My Rangers supporting mate said Hibs gave Rangers the best games last season. He said the ball over the top to Boyle helped keep Rangers pinned back.

You’ve taken that too far.

[ekhibee]

Unless we are going to win the league, trips to Hampden are our biggest games of the season

We had 4 eminently winnable games last season not against Rangers or Celtic and won one.

I don't think it is the manager's fault, I think other than the first half in the St Johnstone semi some of the players failed to perform to their abilities repeatedly over these 3 games.

What will define whether we obtain further trophy success is whether they can progress from that and take the next step and for the reasons I explained above Boyle is right in the firing line for this.

Totally agree with this. IMO Boyle is a great option to have, but he should just be an option and not always the focal point because once other teams double up on him he tends to drop out of the game. I like Boyle and he's improved a lot from when he first came here but he's simply not good enough to carry the team, although he shouldn't really have to in any case.

[SlickShoes]

Even the best players in the world don't deliver in every game, so not sure what some people are expecting here. Boyle is a great hibs player, I'd hate to see him leave.

[JimBHibees]

Boyle has arguably won us the points at some point in games over the last couple of seasons against every single team in the league apart from Rangers and Celtic.

Against Rangers he would be trying to negate the impact of their full backs who play more like wing backs in a positional sense and Celtic are strong down their left as well.

I’m not sure that the dissenting voices on here re Boyle not doing it really stand up to scrutiny.

Boyle set up two goals in the 2 2 draw at home to Rangers last season.

[JimBHibees]

To be fair, I think the general consensus is the same. No one is disputing that Martin Boyle delivers.

We are talking about games like Thursday night, cup finals, semi finals, away to Celtic/Rangers when the going is mega tough and you need someone to pull you through.

Maybe we are over reliant on Boyle.

Boyle scored in the first leg and should have got a pen also.

[Brightside]

Boyle scored in the first leg and should have got a pen also.

Exactly. This big game stuff is utter nonsense.

[JimBHibees]

Exactly. This big game stuff is utter nonsense.

Yep tedious stuff unfairly criticising one of our best players for some odd reason.

[theonlywayisup]

Apologies to the above two posters if they believe this thread to be boring or tedious. No-one is being overly critical of our best and most influential player.

Any sportsman reaches their level, above which they cannot seem to go beyond it. Yes, there will be times when they are able to perform at the level above, but it's usually short-lived.

Yes, if Martin Boyle could do it consistently in the big games he wouldn't be at Hibs. Which was part of the discussion on the transfer thread that the reason why other clubs weren't going for him was because he is not as effective in the "big games". Thursday was another "big game" and he was poor, although not the reason why we were knocked out.

This thread was not originated at having a pop at our best and most influential player. It is to discuss the issue. Many would appear to agree that Boyle doesn't play to the same level in the "big games", so how does one correct that in future "big games". Stick our head in the sand and hope that he turns in the performances he does against the "bread and butter" opposition or change things to maximise our most lethal weapon.

[Ronniekirk]

combination of the heat and them having learnt from the first game resulted in him not having same space to run into


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MWHIBBIES]

Exactly. This big game stuff is utter nonsense.

It really isn't.

No one has said he isn't a good player. The idea he is great every week, or flawless and could play at a higher level is wrong though.

Truth is somewhere in the middle.

[BILLYHIBS]

Just been awarded the SPFL Cinch Premiership’s Player of the Month for August 2021

Never in doubt

4 games 4 goals

[CentreLine]

Just been awarded the SPFL Cinch Premiership’s Player of the Month for August 2021

Never in doubt

4 games 4 goals

Glad to see Martin Boyle get that award but a big part of me would like to see Cinch award it to a The Rangers player every month just for the chuckle factor

[WeeRussell]

He finds it harder to be effective against better defenders. Along with almost every other attacker in the world.

Hope his goal scoring form carries on this weekend 💪🏻

[CMurdoch]

He finds it harder to be effective against better defenders. Along with almost every other attacker in the world.

Hope his goal scoring form carries on this weekend ����

That's right, you play as well as you are allowed to.
Boyle transformation has been a revelation from the uneffective player that arrived from Dundee to the player and finisher he is now.
If he could regularly rip the Celtic and Rangers defenders up he would be playing for them by now.
Great Hibs player who is also important to the team vibe off the pitch.
Worth every penny Hibs pay him.