Squad depth

[AugustaHibs]

I appreciate it’s been spoken about to death on the forum but today was really evident.

Nisbet was snookered after 60 minutes. Having no striker on the bench to replace him is killing us.


We needed to go for the third goal at 2-1 but I can only feel that our lack of subs stopped us from doing that and inevitably led to us conceding and drawing 2-2.

[Allez Hibs]

I appreciate it’s been spoken about to death on the forum but today was really evident.

Nisbet was snookered after 60 minutes. Having no striker on the bench to replace him is killing us.


We needed to go for the third goal at 2-1 but I can only feel that our lack of subs stopped us from doing that and inevitably led to us conceding and drawing 2-2.

Yep, the transfer window is costing us points. So few attacking options from the bench really evident at Tynecastle and today.

[AugustaHibs]

Yep, the transfer window is costing us points. No attacking options from the bench really evident at Tynecastle and today.

I don’t want to say it, but today has made me realise why mathie is on the way out.

Gordon has clearly input a lot and has been left struggling with a squad not ready for European football and clearly not ready for a long domestic season

[Key West]

I don’t want to say it, but today has made me realise why mathie is on the way out.

Gordon has clearly input a lot and has been left struggling with a squad not ready for European football and clearly not ready for a long domestic season


Don't understand what you are on about, I’ve just looked at the league table.

[truehibernian]

Yep, the transfer window is costing us points. So few attacking options from the bench really evident at Tynecastle and today.

I’m struggling to understand why Laidlaw isn’t on the bench given he’s scoring freely and pre season top clubs had him on trial and he was scoring there too. Fair enough the window ended badly, but it’s the best time to give promising young players a chance whilst top of the league.

[Allez Hibs]

Don't understand what you are on about, I’ve just looked at the league table.

No medals handed out after 6 games I'm afraid.

[AugustaHibs]

Don't understand what you are on about, I’ve just looked at the league table.

If you can’t see that lack of attacking options on the bench stopped us from going for a third goal and inevitably led to them scoring a Second then I can’t help.

As it stands, I amnt confident in a third place finish

[Unseen work]

Supposedly Aberdeen have Hal Robson Kanu training with them, is that one we should be looking at?

Experienced striker.

Not prolific but lots of experience and is good at holding the ball up and bringing others into play.

[MWHIBBIES]

Don't understand what you are on about, I’ve just looked at the league table.

It's where we should be after the fixtures we've had tbh. I'd say we're 4 points short. Dundee and St Mirren should've been wins.

[Magpie]

We need a striker.

[Centre Hawf]

Supposedly Aberdeen have Hal Robson Kanu training with them, is that one we should be looking at?

Experienced striker.

Not prolific but lots of experience and is good at holding the ball up and bringing others into play.

Definitely one we should be looking at for me.

[JimBHibees]

Definitely one we should be looking at for me.

He would do a brilliant job for us even until end of the season assuming he is anywhere near fit. Very strong physical presence who holds the ball up and can also score. If not him we need to be looking at someone similar now.

[Borderhibbie76]

It's a must we try and bring in a free agent striker to cover us till Doidge is back...absolutely ridiculous we had 1 fit striker in the squad yesterday...and he had a stinker yet we couldn't take him off...no wonder Mathie has been sacked...shocking to be left in this position

[Allant1981]

It's a must we try and bring in a free agent striker to cover us till Doidge is back...absolutely ridiculous we had 1 fit striker in the squad yesterday...and he had a stinker yet we couldn't take him off...no wonder Mathie has been sacked...shocking to be left in this position


Not really only 1 fit striker, gullan was on the bench

[GreenCastle]

The other issue is Nisbet will burn out / get injured and be no use to anyone.

Imagine yesterday we put on a fast striker or a player who could hold the ball up - would have given Saints something to think about. Instead they knew they had the upper hand as were became more tired.

Gullan or another young player surely have to be given the chance - even Drey Wright who can hold onto the ball.

[JimBHibees]

The other issue is Nisbet will burn out / get injured and be no use to anyone.

Imagine yesterday we put on a fast striker or a player who could hold the ball up - would have given Saints something to think about. Instead they knew they had the upper hand as were became more tired.

Gullan or another young player surely have to be given the chance - even Drey Wright who can hold onto the ball.

Got to be said no way would I have taken off Nisbet for either Gullan or Wright.

[Centre Hawf]

He would do a brilliant job for us even until end of the season assuming he is anywhere near fit. Very strong physical presence who holds the ball up and can also score. If not him we need to be looking at someone similar now.

It's the type of guy who has played a good level without scoring a lot of goals. Without getting all "he'd tear this league up" he's the type of striker that could flourish in a team set up the way we are.

[B.H.F.C]

Not really only 1 fit striker, gullan was on the bench

We can’t really count him. We pay him a wage and put him on the bench but have zero intention of ever really using him.

[JimBHibees]

It's the type of guy who has played a good level without scoring a lot of goals. Without getting all "he'd tear this league up" he's the type of striker that could flourish in a team set up the way we are.

If we could get him anywhere near fit he would definitely do a job for us.

[Key West]

If you can’t see that lack of attacking options on the bench stopped us from going for a third goal and inevitably led to them scoring a Second then I can’t help.

As it stands, I amnt confident in a third place finish

I can’t help you either if you ignore the fact that every delivery from every team into our box is dangerous.

My point regarding your analysis about it being a long season is premature.

[calumhibee1]

We can’t really count him. We pay him a wage and put him on the bench but have zero intention of ever really using him.

He also doesn’t seem to be a striker. Seems to play off the left hand side which isn’t really a lot of use for competing with/replacing Nisbet.

And that’s before considering he’s nowhere near good enough for a team that wants 3rd place.

[coldingham hibs]

For me the issue was lack of height and defenders when St Mirren started hitting high balls into the box. We could have taken Nisbet off and moved Boyle into the forward position, brought on Woods and changed formation to close space on the wings.

[calumhibee1]

Don't understand what you are on about, I’ve just looked at the league table.

Whilst we’ve had a good start we’ve stuttered big time recently.

Doidge is now out, we’ve drawn 3 of our last 4 and have a difficult run coming up. If we’d had better squad depth I’d think there’s a decent chance we’d have 4 more points. The lack of options to change things recently have really hamstrung us.

[Key West]

Whilst we’ve had a good start we’ve stuttered big time recently.

Doidge is now out, we’ve drawn 3 of our last 4 and have a difficult run coming up. If we’d had better squad depth I’d think there’s a decent chance we’d have 4 more points. The lack of options to change things recently have really hamstrung us.

Again a misinterpretation of what I was getting at with my top of the league remark, the timing for saying it was going to be a long season was ridiculous, we have a striker to come in from the USA and the return of Doidge at some point, we also have Scott and Gullan as back up, it is not ideal but hardly the time to make a prediction on how our season is going to pan out.
Nisbet didn’t help matters with his performance yesterday, the defence have shown a vulnerable at times but Wood hasn’t been signed to sit on the bench, the left side of the team is still in my opinion a glaring weakness, so many right footed players shoe horned into that position and explicably Boyle starting there yesterday.

[DJ HIBBY]

The main issue for me is that Nisbet bar the first game of the season has been so far off it. First game of the season, his hold up play and link up play was top class. Every game I’ve seen since his first touch is poor and his body language / attitude doesn’t look great. In my opinion he is badly missing Doidge who done a lot of the donkey work for him.

[B.H.F.C]

The main issue for me is that Nisbet bar the first game of the season has been so far off it. First game of the season, his hold up play and link up play was top class. Every game I’ve seen since his first touch is poor and his body language / attitude doesn’t look great. In my opinion he is badly missing Doidge who done a lot of the donkey work for him.

Nisbet’s form is definitely a problem. He needs to work harder IMO. Last couple of games he’s wandered around without doing very much. Lack of options to take him out is killing us though.

[CentreLine]

The main issue for me is that Nisbet bar the first game of the season has been so far off it. First game of the season, his hold up play and link up play was top class. Every game I’ve seen since his first touch is poor and his body language / attitude doesn’t look great. In my opinion he is badly missing Doidge who done a lot of the donkey work for him.

That’s how I see it too. Nisbet has given us flashes of what he’s capable of but seems to want everything to come to him. He has looked slow, not to mention lazy, in most games and spends way too much time complaining about treatment he’s getting when he should be up on his feet recovering the ball.
This should be a guy who enjoys hero status at our club, he certainly has all the skill and has scored some vital goals, instead I struggle to take to him because he shows no passion.

[GreenCastle]

Again a misinterpretation of what I was getting at with my top of the league remark, the timing for saying it was going to be a long season was ridiculous, we have a striker to come in from the USA and the return of Doidge at some point, we also have Scott and Gullan as back up, it is not ideal but hardly the time to make a prediction on how our season is going to pan out.
Nisbet didn’t help matters with his performance yesterday, the defence have shown a vulnerable at times but Wood hasn’t been signed to sit on the bench, the left side of the team is still in my opinion a glaring weakness, so many right footed players shoe horned into that position and explicably Boyle starting there yesterday.

Mueller is more of a Scott than a Doidge / Nisbet.

Wood probably would have been a good shout yesterday - where has McGregor gone ?

[Coco Bryce]

That’s how I see it too. Nisbet has given us flashes of what he’s capable of but seems to want everything to come to him. He has looked slow, not to mention lazy, in most games and spends way too much time complaining about treatment he’s getting when he should be up on his feet recovering the ball.
This should be a guy who enjoys hero status at our club, he certainly has all the skill and has scored some vital goals, instead I struggle to take to him because he shows no passion.

I'm the same. Always huffing and puffing. Doesn't look that interested to me.

[jacomo]

Supposedly Aberdeen have Hal Robson Kanu training with them, is that one we should be looking at?

Experienced striker.

Not prolific but lots of experience and is good at holding the ball up and bringing others into play.


Yes would be a great signing if available.

[Key West]

The main issue for me is that Nisbet bar the first game of the season has been so far off it. First game of the season, his hold up play and link up play was top class. Every game I’ve seen since his first touch is poor and his body language / attitude doesn’t look great. In my opinion he is badly missing Doidge who done a lot of the donkey work for him.

He's been poor this season so far with 1 goal in 6 games and looks for a foul every time he is beaten in a challenge, yes he will come good but at the moment his form isn't helping the team.

[Centre Hawf]

I'm not one to read into body language of players. I think its sometimes over stated when a players form dips when it's probably not changed much from when they were scoring goals. Malonga being the main one for me, he was lazy and uninterested when he went 2/3 games without a goal but he was casual and cool when he scored in back to back games.

For me Nisbet is doing a lot more work outside the box than he used to, his link up play at times is great and looks much better than it did when he first arrived. I think Boyle has seen the benefits of that so far this season in his early goalscoring form. I would like to see Nisbet scoring more and it can be frustrating when he isn't in the box but when he vacates the spaces thats where you would like to see Magennis and Boyle darting in.

We absolutely need another body though that is capable of playing beside him or replacing him though.

[Northernhibee]

Some piss poor comments about Graeme Mathie on here recently. Yesterday we had Doidge and Scott out injured up front as well as several others and we still had a choice of playing a combination of Nisbet, Boyle and Gullan up front. We clearly tried to get another player in up front at the end of the window but it just didn’t come off. It happens and it’s far from a disaster for us.

We progressed as a club under Mathie and have signed far more good players than bad, he deserves a bit of respect on here.

[B.H.F.C]

Some piss poor comments about Graeme Mathie on here recently. Yesterday we had Doidge and Scott out injured up front as well as several others and we still had a choice of playing a combination of Nisbet, Boyle and Gullan up front. We clearly tried to get another player in up front at the end of the window but it just didn’t come off. It happens and it’s far from a disaster for us.

We progressed as a club under Mathie and have signed far more good players than bad, he deserves a bit of respect on here.

Gullan isn’t an option. Well he is but we have no intention of using him.

Our lack of options is costing us irrespective of how hard we tried.

[Billy Whizz]

Gullan isn’t an option. Well he is but we have no intention of using him.

Our lack of options is costing us irrespective of how hard we tried.

St Mirren have started with a 16 year old last 2 games, and Dundee Utd as well I think. If he doesn’t have faith in Jamie, why isn’t he putting some of our highly rated teenagers on the bench. Gives them a taste of it, and young players give us energy

[calumhibee1]

Some piss poor comments about Graeme Mathie on here recently. Yesterday we had Doidge and Scott out injured up front as well as several others and we still had a choice of playing a combination of Nisbet, Boyle and Gullan up front. We clearly tried to get another player in up front at the end of the window but it just didn’t come off. It happens and it’s far from a disaster for us.

We progressed as a club under Mathie and have signed far more good players than bad, he deserves a bit of respect on here.

He’s not being disrespected.

Saying we are short after our end to the transfer window isn’t disrespecting him any more than saying Nisbet didn’t play well yesterday or Paul McGinn needed to make it more difficult for the St Mirren player to get a cross in isn’t disrespecting them.

Our manager is certainly coming across like he feels our options are a disaster seeing as he keeps on referring to it. He was quite clearly hugely pissed off about it after the game yesterday.

[JimBHibees]

St Mirren have started with a 16 year old last 2 games, and Dundee Utd as well I think. If he doesn’t have faith in Jamie, why isn’t he putting some of our highly rated teenagers on the bench. Gives them a taste of it, and young players give us energy

Agree with that. Wonder if the 18s game being played Thursday/Friday may impact that?

[Eyrie]

Supposedly Aberdeen have Hal Robson Kanu training with them, is that one we should be looking at?

Experienced striker.

Not prolific but lots of experience and is good at holding the ball up and bringing others into play.

He'd lack match fitness, but that wouldn't be an issue for the last 10-20 minutes if we wanted to give Nisbet a break.

A short term contract until January would suit both parties.

[WhileTheChief..]

Playing 1 up front just doesn't work.

If Scott is feeling better on Thursday we need to play the 2 of them.

[Key West]

Playing 1 up front just doesn't work.

If Scott is feeling better on Thursday we need to play the 2 of them.

It doesn't work, I agree totally.

[MWHIBBIES]

Playing 1 up front just doesn't work. If Scott is feeling better on Thursday we need to play the 2 of them. We're scoring plenty of goals, 1 striker isn't the problem at all. It works extremely well at the highest level and there is no reason it would be any different for us. Pretty much every other side in the league plays 1 striker. We're going to lose the midfield most weeks unless its 352. Scott has been playing behind Nisbet when he has played.

[Centre Hawf]

We're scoring plenty of goals, 1 striker isn't the problem at all. It works extremely well at the highest level and there is no reason it would be any different for us. Pretty much every other side in the league plays 1 striker. We're going to lose the midfield most weeks unless its 352. Scott has been playing behind Nisbet when he has played.

I agree, we've scored more goals (albeit with a game spare) than the current champions and scored the most behind Celtic. We are better going forward than we give ourselves credit for at times. Our issue is controlling games and conceding stupid goals, usually from crosses this season.

[Pretty Boy]

The opinions of anyone on here about squad depth are largely irrelevant. Good discussion maybe but ultimately they mean nothing.

What does matter is the managers opinion and he evidently isn't happy. He can't be any more clear about that and has repeated his statement of unhappiness on at least 3 occasions.

That suggests to me that there really is no argument that our squad is fine. With everyone fit we may be OK but how often does that happen in any given season? I think January may see a bit of patchwork done but with a new recruitment team in place we are already looking at a big summer next year.

[The Modfather]

St Mirren have started with a 16 year old last 2 games, and Dundee Utd as well I think. If he doesn’t have faith in Jamie, why isn’t he putting some of our highly rated teenagers on the bench. Gives them a taste of it, and young players give us energy

This is where I am too. O’Connor & Laidlaw might not be ready, but they would surely gain more by sitting on the bench and experiencing match day in the first team than someone sitting on the bench making up the numbers. Which appears to be the case with Gullan.

Others will be more qualified than me as to how ready Laidlaw and O’Connor are to make any first team cameos, but if they’re as highly rated as they appear to be. The current lack of options is surely the perfect time to fast track their development and introduce them to the first team with 5 or 10 minutes here and there.

[Borderhibbie76]

Some piss poor comments about Graeme Mathie on here recently. Yesterday we had Doidge and Scott out injured up front as well as several others and we still had a choice of playing a combination of Nisbet, Boyle and Gullan up front. We clearly tried to get another player in up front at the end of the window but it just didn’t come off. It happens and it’s far from a disaster for us.

We progressed as a club under Mathie and have signed far more good players than bad, he deserves a bit of respect on here.

Hes not being disrespected at all but it's clear why he has gone he failed us as a club in the summer window it was clear as day we needed another striker and he had us scrambling about in deadline day and failed to deliver. Jack Ross our manager is clearly unhappy about it - so your defence of him whilst admirable is a bit pointless tbh ...hes done a lot of good work in his time at Hibs o agree but we've had 2 poor windows on Jan and summer where he failed to bring in the striker we badly needed

[Smartie]

He'd lack match fitness, but that wouldn't be an issue for the last 10-20 minutes if we wanted to give Nisbet a break.

A short term contract until January would suit both parties.

Whilst he's training with Aberdeen right now, none of us have any idea if he's remotely close to being fit enough to make an impact at first team level.

[calumhibee1]

Whilst he's training with Aberdeen right now, none of us have any idea if he's remotely close to being fit enough to make an impact at first team level.

We’re edging closer and closer to the point where I’d suggest free agents would be pointless.

They won’t have trained for 3 weeks now and every week that goes by will be another week of fitness lost.

Signing one in the first week or so is fine. Further down the line (like where we are now) and you’re as well waiting for the next window.

[Borderhibbie76]

We’re edging closer and closer to the point where I’d suggest free agents would be pointless.

They won’t have trained for 3 weeks now and every week that goes by will be another week of fitness lost.

Signing one in the first week or so is fine. Further down the line (like where we are now) and you’re as well waiting for the next window.

Your possibly right mate esp if Doidge is back at start of Nov...fingers crossed. In meantime we need Nisbet to step up a bit more and Scott to start performing too as both have been very poor the last 3 weeks or so

[Billy Whizz]

Hes not being disrespected at all but it's clear why he has gone he failed us as a club in the summer window it was clear as day we needed another striker and he had us scrambling about in deadline day and failed to deliver. Jack Ross our manager is clearly unhappy about it - so your defence of him whilst admirable is a bit pointless tbh ...hes done a lot of good work in his time at Hibs o agree but we've had 2 poor windows on Jan and summer where he failed to bring in the striker we badly needed

How has he failed us, surely recruitment is at least a 2 way process, between Mathie and Ross. Maybe the names put to Ross, he didn’t fancy We actually have more centre forwards in our books than Hearts or Aberdeen have, just unfortunately Doidge is injured

Have a look at the squad numbers per team, it’s a myth that we don’t have a strong squad

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/scottish-premiership/startseite/wettbewerb/SC1

[Borderhibbie76]

How has he failed us, surely recruitment is at least a 2 way process, between Mathie and Ross. Maybe the names put to Ross, he didn’t fancy We actually have more centre forwards in our books than Hearts or Aberdeen have, just unfortunately Doidge is injured

Have a look at the squad numbers per team, it’s a myth that we don’t have a strong squad

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/scottish-premiership/startseite/wettbewerb/SC1

I never said we didn't have a strong squad but only a blind man would argue we didn't need another forward . We're u at the game yesterday?? Nothing on bench to replace an ineffectual Nisbet. We knew abiut the Doidge injury 2 weeks before window closed and yet failed to bring in another forward. Our squad is strong enough and will be in forward areas by time Doidge is back and Mueller arrives but we needed at least a short term signing in the door before end of Aug

[Baldy Foghorn]

Not sure why JR doesn't give JG game time. He is a useful sub, especially when Nisbet looked shattered

[Lago]

[QUOTE=Key West;6698042]Don't understand what you are on about, I’ve just looked at the league table.
And you really believe it will stay that way? I admire your optimism.

[Bobby's Cinema]

The opinions of anyone on here about squad depth are largely irrelevant. Good discussion maybe but ultimately they mean nothing.

What does matter is the managers opinion and he evidently isn't happy. He can't be any more clear about that and has repeated his statement of unhappiness on at least 3 occasions.

That suggests to me that there really is no argument that our squad is fine. With everyone fit we may be OK but how often does that happen in any given season? I think January may see a bit of patchwork done but with a new recruitment team in place we are already looking at a big summer next year. Thanks PB and welcome to the forum. Will we just all pack it in then ...:wink:

[calumhibee1]

How has he failed us, surely recruitment is at least a 2 way process, between Mathie and Ross. Maybe the names put to Ross, he didn’t fancy We actually have more centre forwards in our books than Hearts or Aberdeen have, just unfortunately Doidge is injured

Have a look at the squad numbers per team, it’s a myth that we don’t have a strong squad

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/scottish-premiership/startseite/wettbewerb/SC1

You could have a squad of 30 players, it’s only good if it’s balanced and you’ve got enough players in each position of the required standard surely?

Just having more players than other teams means nothing.

[WhileTheChief..]

We're scoring plenty of goals, 1 striker isn't the problem at all. It works extremely well at the highest level and there is no reason it would be any different for us. Pretty much every other side in the league plays 1 striker. We're going to lose the midfield most weeks unless its 352. Scott has been playing behind Nisbet when he has played.

See when Doidge and Nisbet are on the pitch together, I call that playing with 2 up front.

Can't be assed talking about 4-4-1-1 or whatever. It's not table football, they move around a bit.

So, if Scott is feeling better on Tuesday, I want him up front with Nisbet.

[MWHIBBIES]

See when Doidge and Nisbet are on the pitch together, I call that playing with 2 up front.

Can't be assed talking about 4-4-1-1 or whatever. It's not table football, they move around a bit.

So, if Scott is feeling better on Tuesday, I want him up front with Nisbet.

Thats all fair enough. But 1 striker works the world over and definitely is for us so far.

[Smartie]

Not sure why JR doesn't give JG game time. He is a useful sub, especially when Nisbet looked shattered

That's a mystery to all of us.

Nisbet looked lively early on but went on to have a bit of a stinker. He wasn't having one of those games that you grow into, he needed hooked around the hour mark.

Ross just obviously doesn't fancy Gullan at all. I don't really get why he didn't send him to Killie on loan, or simply sell him because if he doesn't get on yesterday with Nisbet playing like that, he never gets on. It was bit like that time when Colin Nish had a howler up front and Yogi eventually stuck David Stephens up front in his place.

It's a shame for the lad, he's wasting away at Hibs.

[Smartie]

Thats all fair enough. But 1 striker works the world over and definitely is for us so far.

I'm not sure 2 wouldn't work better though.

Boyle was supposedly playing in the position he plays best, but he was also pretty poor yesterday.

Nisbet doesn't look like he suits the middle of the 3 to me at all.

We've got away with it so far this season (mainly, I think, because it has got Magennis into a position that really suits him) but I'm not convinced exactly the same personnel in a 352 wouldn't have been much better yesterday - Boyle up front, Cadden RWB.

[Gmack7]

We have 3 players injured who prefer coming off the left. Murphy, Mackay and Scott, it seems that long ago but I'm sure that is Gullans best/favoured position. Until 1 or more of the injured players are back I wish he would give Gullan a chance

[J-C]

That's a mystery to all of us.

Nisbet looked lively early on but went on to have a bit of a stinker. He wasn't having one of those games that you grow into, he needed hooked around the hour mark.

Ross just obviously doesn't fancy Gullan at all. I don't really get why he didn't send him to Killie on loan, or simply sell him because if he doesn't get on yesterday with Nisbet playing like that, he never gets on. It was bit like that time when Colin Nish had a howler up front and Yogi eventually stuck David Stephens up front in his place.

It's a shame for the lad, he's wasting away at Hibs.

Is there any thing personal with Ross and Gullan, it baffles me why he doesn't get game time, the laddie is very capable to put on and keep Nisbet fresh for another day.

[MWHIBBIES]

I'm not sure 2 wouldn't work better though.

Boyle was supposedly playing in the position he plays best, but he was also pretty poor yesterday.

Nisbet doesn't look like he suits the middle of the 3 to me at all.

We've got away with it so far this season (mainly, I think, because it has got Magennis into a position that really suits him) but I'm not convinced exactly the same personnel in a 352 wouldn't have been much better yesterday - Boyle up front, Cadden RWB.
Has a team actually been better than us in any league match this season? Don't think we've got away with anything. 1 up front suits us. Shoe Horning Cadden in yesterday was a mistake.

[Smartie]

Has a team actually been better than us in any league match this season? Don't think we've got away with anything. 1 up front suits us. Shoe Horning Cadden in yesterday was a mistake.

I've not really felt like we've been comprehensively outplaying anyone though, maybe other than Ross County. We've had spells, they've had spells. St Mirren probably edged yesterday's match for me - we were excellent for 20 minutes after HT and decent enough for 20 at the start of the match, the rest of the time they were well on top.

And all the teams we've played have been bottom 6 fodder, apart possibly from recently promoted Hearts.

Cadden wasn't really shoehorned in yesterday, he's a versatile player who can play where he was selected yesterday, although I'm not convinced by him on the left.

We play quite a few players in positions and formations that I'm just not convinced by them in tbh.

[MWHIBBIES]

I've not really felt like we've been comprehensively outplaying anyone though, maybe other than Ross County. We've had spells, they've had spells. St Mirren probably edged yesterday's match for me - we were excellent for 20 minutes after HT and decent enough for 20 at the start of the match, the rest of the time they were well on top. And all the teams we've played have been bottom 6 fodder, apart possibly from recently promoted Hearts. Cadden wasn't really shoehorned in yesterday, he's a versatile player who can play where he was selected yesterday, although I'm not convinced by him on the left. We play quite a few players in positions and formations that I'm just not convinced by them in tbh. He was shoehorned in, without doubt. He started on the right, putting Boyle, in the form of his life, into a position he has never done well from on the left. Then after about 20 minutes they switched and Cadden never touched the ball until being subbed. We certainly outplayed Livi and County (which look like very good results after yesterday). And had the best of it vs Motherwell. Our 3 draws could've gone either way, and the Dundee one especially we were down to the bare bones a bit so thats understandable. We're very close to being a very good side. Injuries to Murphy and Doidge have really hurt us, as we've had to use players out of position to cover for them. One thing is for sure, Boyle is playing the best stuff of his career, and shouldn't be getting moved anywhere to fit anyone else in. I think 4231 is by far the best way to go for now, and suits our squad the best overall when everyone is fit.

[Smartie]

He was shoehorned in, without doubt. He started on the right, putting Boyle, in the form of his life, into a position he has never done well from on the left. Then after about 20 minutes they switched and Cadden never touched the ball until being subbed. We certainly outplayed Livi and County (which look like very good results after yesterday). And had the best of it vs Motherwell. Our 3 draws could've gone either way, and the Dundee one especially we were down to the bare bones a bit so thats understandable. We're very close to being a very good side. Injuries to Murphy and Doidge have really hurt us, as we've had to use players out of position to cover for them. One thing is for sure, Boyle is playing the best stuff of his career, and shouldn't be getting moved anywhere to fit anyone else in. I think 4231 is by far the best way to go for now, and suits our squad the best overall when everyone is fit.

I agree that prior to yesterday Boyle was in good form but even when put back into his best position I thought he was poor yesterday (excellent penalty aside).

Cadden had done well against Hearts but when he started on the right yesterday he seemed to want to play deeper than the role required. He was also pretty awful yesterday.

Nisbet struggles as the lone striker/ central striker in a 3.

I don't think it would have done Nisbet any harm to have Boyle up front beside him. Boyle gets criticism for not being a striker but I quite like him as a central striker. Cadden could then play RWB, McGinn RCB, Doig LWB. It's a tweak on yesterday's formation rather than a radical departure but I thought it might have worked better,

I also thought at the time that the team picked should have worked better than it did, on paper it sort of made sense.

I agree about Murphy and Doidge - both are huge misses for us.

[MWHIBBIES]

I agree that prior to yesterday Boyle was in good form but even when put back into his best position I thought he was poor yesterday (excellent penalty aside). Cadden had done well against Hearts but when he started on the right yesterday he seemed to want to play deeper than the role required. He was also pretty awful yesterday. Nisbet struggles as the lone striker/ central striker in a 3. I don't think it would have done Nisbet any harm to have Boyle up front beside him. Boyle gets criticism for not being a striker but I quite like him as a central striker. Cadden could then play RWB, McGinn RCB, Doig LWB. It's a tweak on yesterday's formation rather than a radical departure but I thought it might have worked better, I also thought at the time that the team picked should have worked better than it did, on paper it sort of made sense. I agree about Murphy and Doidge - both are huge misses for us. I actually think Kev done well yesterday, and just absolutely nothing fell for him. Done well on the ball, although had a few terrible touches. Few goalbound shots blocked at the very last second etc. I think Kevin is fine as a loan striker, and will only improve. Boyle as a central striker may have worked yesterday, because St Mirren played so high, but it can also just make him totally anonymous. I think the play was Cadden right back yesterday, really try to box Saints in. Boyle on right wing shouldn't change. A front 3 of Gullan, Nisbet and Boyle was probably the way to go, but Ross is very much against using Gullan ever it seems. I just hate the idea of moving players out of position, rather than playing a maybe lesser player in his best position. Cadden just isn't a better option on the left of the 3 than Gullan.