Possession

[dastardly8]

Not a great night but I thought we had a lot more possession than normal against them still no cutting edge and nisbet should have scored when he hit the post , got to take your chances

[Since452]

Celtic let us have it as we could do bugger all with it.

[Gmack7]

Our possession was boring and non productive, 0 shots on target

[swordin3]

Wow! I cannot believe what I watched ,so disappointed in our whole make up and terrible negative attitude. We have mastered the art of playing terrified and Celtic could smell it.What a cowardly way to play football second half not any better they went back from 2nd gear to first.Nisbet out JDH & Newell played like sweepers. Words fail me.

[SChibs]

Wow! I cannot believe what I watched ,so disappointed in our whole make up and terrible negative attitude. We have mastered the art of playing terrified and Celtic could smell it.What a cowardly way to play football second half not any better they went back from 2nd gear to first.Nisbet out JDH & Newell played like sweepers. Words fail me.

What would you have done differently?

[tonyrougier123]

Hibs are a conundrum again.we have to start doing better in these games and the transfer market or it’s 2008-2014 all over again.
If Boyle goes scary to think where our attacking play ends up as everything positive or dangerous goes through him the rest goes backwards or sideways.

[Hibs90]

Hibs are a conundrum again.we have to start doing better in these games and the transfer market or it’s 2008-2014 all over again.
If Boyle goes scary to think where our attacking play ends up as everything positive or dangerous goes through him the rest goes backwards or sideways.

Based off of 3 games under the new manager? 2008-2014? You cannot be serious? 😂

[Shrekko]

Based off of 3 games under the new manager? 2008-2014? You cannot be serious? 😂

Many people were claiming Hibs were a completely different team after 2 games so what’s the difference here?

[brianmc]

What would you have done differently?

I imagine he'd have gone to tynie

[Alfred E Newman]

Many people were claiming Hibs were a completely different team after 2 games so what’s the difference here?

We lost and the knives are being sharpened.

[hibsbollah]

Wow! I cannot believe what I watched ,so disappointed in our whole make up and terrible negative attitude. We have mastered the art of playing terrified and Celtic could smell it.What a cowardly way to play football second half not any better they went back from 2nd gear to first.Nisbet out JDH & Newell played like sweepers. Words fail me.

How did they play like ‘sweepers’? Im not sure it’s even possible to play with two sweepers

[Hibs90]

Many people were claiming Hibs were a completely different team after 2 games so what’s the difference here?

Exaggeration. There is a notable difference in how we are trying to play but it will take time to get right. It’s been 3 games.

[bingo70]

Many people were claiming Hibs were a completely different team after 2 games so what’s the difference here?

Joe Newell clearly.

Nah, In all seriousness, anybody who doesn’t know the difference between Celtic away and games against Aberdeen/Dundee Utd probably aren’t worth discussing the game with.

We were clearly a very different team against Aberdeen and Dundee Utd. We were also very clearly pish tonight.

[SMAXXA]

If the games played in your own 18 years box offering no threat as a result of your possession then yeah that would be a positive. In the real world it wasn’t good enough and it’s such a transition of style to play this way it will take time and no one should expect miracles after 3 weeks or whatever it’s been. Will take time and a lot of players who didn’t feature tonight will make a difference

[Shrekko]

We lost and the knives are being sharpened.

Not by me they’re no pal- SM has my full support and I’ll judge when he’s been given time. There’s a difference between backing the team and manager and pointing out hypocrisy amongst some fans.

[Shrekko]

Joe Newell clearly.

Nah, In all seriousness, anybody who doesn’t know the difference between Celtic away and games against Aberdeen/Dundee Utd probably aren’t worth discussing the game with.

We were clearly a very different team against Aberdeen and Dundee Utd. We were also very clearly pish tonight.

Pretty sure everyone knows that Celtic away is different to the other games but don’t really get the relevance.

Bottom line is that we’ll not know if a young manager with new ideas will succeed or fail until he gets a chance to properly implement his plan- that won’t be 2 weeks, 3 weeks or even 3 months. So there’s no point worrying he might be a failure or hailing him as a Messiah when he’s just in the door.

[swordin3]

What would you have done differently?

Played the ball forward! We pass the ball back from the other half eventually back to Macey who boots it aimlessly into their half.Would it not be more beneficial for Newell to actually look up and forward to make a positive pass 50 yards closer to our forwards than twenty back passes to Macey .

[Unseen work]

Our possession was boring and non productive, 0 shots on target

Although we had 0 shots on target it’s a bit of a flawed stat for measuring how dangerous we were.

Nisbet hit the post from 1 yard which should be a goal every day of the week yet because that’s classed as not on target people think we never created anything.

[swordin3]

How did they play like ‘sweepers’? Im not sure it’s even possible to play with two sweepers

They were as far back as 80s style Sweepers.
No team ever won passing the ball along the backline aimlessly terrified to kick it up the park.Played like cowards too scared to make a mistake. Too many players looking to make a negative pass.

[bingo70]

Pretty sure everyone knows that Celtic away is different to the other games but don’t really get the relevance.

Bottom line is that we’ll not know if a young manager with new ideas will succeed or fail until he gets a chance to properly implement his plan- that won’t be 2 weeks, 3 weeks or even 3 months. So there’s no point worrying he might be a failure or hailing him as a Messiah when he’s just in the door.

You don’t get the relevance?

I find that crazy to be honest. We were up against a team worth millions and millions more than us. It’s to be expected against the lesser teams we will find it easier to implement our new strategy. Against teams like Celtic away of course we will struggle this early on.

[Danderhall Hibs]

You don’t get the relevance?

I find that crazy to be honest. We were up against a team worth millions and millions more than us. It’s to be expected against the lesser teams we will find it easier to implement our new strategy. Against teams like Celtic away of course we will struggle this early on.

How long would you give him to make the improvements Bingo?

[bingo70]

How long would you give him to make the improvements Bingo?

Half time against Cove

[Danderhall Hibs]

Half time against Cove

:hilarious Only if the crowd is low cos it’s clearly his fault the fans are staying away.

[tonyrougier123]

Based off of 3 games under the new manager? 2008-2014? You cannot be serious? 😂

I didn’t blame maloney anywhere in that post.but I’ve seen nothing that convinces me we are heading for something special here.transfer dealings still not supplying what we need.for example we need them to be available for starters,only our club could have six new players and one play who wouldn’t have had porteous and mcginn been available.

Get behind the gaffer by all means but you yourself had no patience for Ross so you must cringe at your own attempts to poke at folk who share an opinion you don’t like eh?

Without being tit for tat with you why don’t you tell me and others what fills you with confidence going forward about tonight’s crap display ,and what I might’ve missed in our other displays also.

We look to be harrying the opposition to win the ball back which can leave players out of position ,but there is a distinct added attempt to do it.fair enough.something added to the playbook.

We have a big squad so going forward he can tinker especially with the 5 sub rule being back that’s a plus.

Needs to sort out Nisbets attitude as it’s rotten.if he loses Boyle it’s a steep incline to success as hibs gaffer,it’s an early assessment but still it is what it is.

Hopefully better to come but I think most teams might’ve nicked something from Celtic tonight.

Transfer window still needs to do us a turn I feel.

[bingo70]

How long would you give him to make the improvements Bingo?

To answer your question seriously though, I dunno. It’s not something I think I’d define by a set period of time. As long as there’s signs of progress being made I like to think I’d be reasonable.

That said. I also absolutely recognise im someone who’s emotions takes over and if I think someone’s *****, I think they’re *****. In a clumsy way I suppose I’m saying I judge folk on what I see and think at games, not on stats, league tables or their Wikipedia page.

[bingo70]

:hilarious Only if the crowd is low cos it’s clearly his fault the fans are staying away.

Sorry, I’m labouring the point here but the crowds staying away is a really relevant factor to Ross getting his jotters.

You can’t dismiss that as not being an issue.

Fans will stay away for a while yet until Maloney can convince them he can put out a team that’s entertaining. Tonight wasn’t a good night for the club on that front however I hope the players and fans can move on quickly from it.

[Hibs90]

I didn’t blame maloney anywhere in that post.but I’ve seen nothing that convinces me we are heading for something special here.transfer dealings still not supplying what we need.for example we need them to be available for starters,only our club could have six new players and one play who wouldn’t have had porteous and mcginn been available.

Get behind the gaffer by all means but you yourself had no patience for Ross so you must cringe at your own attempts to poke at folk who share an opinion you don’t like eh?

Without being tit for tat with you why don’t you tell me and others what fills you with confidence going forward about tonight’s crap display ,and what I might’ve missed in our other displays also.

We look to be harrying the opposition to win the ball back which can leave players out of position ,but there is a distinct added attempt to do it.fair enough.something added to the playbook.

We have a big squad so going forward he can tinker especially with the 5 sub rule being back that’s a plus.

Needs to sort out Nisbets attitude as it’s rotten.if he loses Boyle it’s a steep incline to success as hibs gaffer,it’s an early assessment but still it is what it is.

Hopefully better to come but I think most teams might’ve nicked something from Celtic tonight.

Transfer window still needs to do us a turn I feel.

It’s been 3 games. Your post is more than fair and reasonable if he’s had half a season or whatever but it’s literally been 3 games.

Do agree about Nisbet.

[Mutu]

Played the ball forward! We pass the ball back from the other half eventually back to Macey who boots it aimlessly into their half.Would it not be more beneficial for Newell to actually look up and forward to make a positive pass 50 yards closer to our forwards than twenty back passes to Macey .

Posts like this are great because it lets the reader know straight away that the person hasnt the first clue about football.

Pass the ball forward? ****ing excellent, get that sent on a post card to Maloney - bet he didn't think of that.

Honest to god man.

Get back to posting on the Evening News Facebook.

[Unseen work]

Our possession tonight was really good and we kept the ball at times under a lot of pressure.

Our defence, especially Rocky, I thought were very good at staying calm and retaining possession. We missed Porteous’ ability to to the eye of a needle pass.

Clarke and Porteous would have both made a huge difference tonight in stepping out from the back and into play which would commit another opposition player and create and overload.

The issue is the defence done really good work with the midfield or wing backs to get us out however when we had the opportunity to break or got in a good position we passed it straight back.


There was a couple off the top of my head, one where Wright got the ball wide and the other Murphy who played it to the overlapping Campbell.

On both occasions we needed to show a bit of aggression and direct play but we lacked belief and passed it back allowing Celtic to regroup.

With Maloney’s styles he needs players to take the opportunity and be brave in the final third.

I also think Boyle isn’t overly suited to the role as he’s not great at dropping into areas for the ball and us used to being out wide or going in behind. It might need a bit of coaching for him to get used to it.

[bigwheel]

I didn’t blame maloney anywhere in that post.but I’ve seen nothing that convinces me we are heading for something special here.transfer dealings still not supplying what we need.for example we need them to be available for starters,only our club could have six new players and one play who wouldn’t have had porteous and mcginn been available.

Get behind the gaffer by all means but you yourself had no patience for Ross so you must cringe at your own attempts to poke at folk who share an opinion you don’t like eh?

Without being tit for tat with you why don’t you tell me and others what fills you with confidence going forward about tonight’s crap display ,and what I might’ve missed in our other displays also.

We look to be harrying the opposition to win the ball back which can leave players out of position ,but there is a distinct added attempt to do it.fair enough.something added to the playbook.

We have a big squad so going forward he can tinker especially with the 5 sub rule being back that’s a plus.

Needs to sort out Nisbets attitude as it’s rotten.if he loses Boyle it’s a steep incline to success as hibs gaffer,it’s an early assessment but still it is what it is.

Hopefully better to come but I think most teams might’ve nicked something from Celtic tonight.

Transfer window still needs to do us a turn I feel.

I have no issues with your posts. You are questioning, amongst other things, the immediate impact of young signings in this transfer window (I think). It’s a fair theme to reflect on. Particularly if some of the experienced players exit during this transfer window. And yes, it is too early to suggest if we have anything special happening..we all hope so..but could be a harder journey, if we don’t mix proven experience with raw young talent.


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[JXM73]

Possession was all fine n dandy, what ripped my knittin was getting into half decent position only to come all the way back...

[JohnM1875]

Possession was all fine n dandy, what ripped my knittin was getting into half decent position only to come all the way back...

Totally agree. We got given a free kick in their half, it then did a wee five second cut away to show a player, can't remember which one but by the time the camera was back on the action Macey had the ball at his feet?! It was already 2-0 by this point. So frustrating.

[Pagan Hibernia]

I didn’t blame maloney anywhere in that post.but I’ve seen nothing that convinces me we are heading for something special here.transfer dealings still not supplying what we need.for example we need them to be available for starters,only our club could have six new players and one play who wouldn’t have had porteous and mcginn been available.

Get behind the gaffer by all means but you yourself had no patience for Ross so you must cringe at your own attempts to poke at folk who share an opinion you don’t like eh?

Without being tit for tat with you why don’t you tell me and others what fills you with confidence going forward about tonight’s crap display ,and what I might’ve missed in our other displays also.

We look to be harrying the opposition to win the ball back which can leave players out of position ,but there is a distinct added attempt to do it.fair enough.something added to the playbook.

We have a big squad so going forward he can tinker especially with the 5 sub rule being back that’s a plus.

Needs to sort out Nisbets attitude as it’s rotten.if he loses Boyle it’s a steep incline to success as hibs gaffer,it’s an early assessment but still it is what it is.

Hopefully better to come but I think most teams might’ve nicked something from Celtic tonight.

Transfer window still needs to do us a turn I feel.

I doubt it.

[tonyrougier123]

I doubt it.

I’ve seen Celtic look impressive,I’ve also seen Celtic made to look impressive.
We fall in to the latter category tonight,especially in the half hour where the game was won.

If we speculated a bit more with the ball which we had a lot of we might’ve created a shot at least.

[Billy Whizz]

£33 to be there to watch that Shaun, most of the Hibs fans fell asleep in the 2nd half
Just boring, tippy tappy football. Play to our players strengths, we’re not Belgium

[007]

Possession was all fine n dandy, what ripped my knittin was getting into half decent position only to come all the way back...

Found myself shouting at the telly 2 or 3 times because of this. We got ourselves into good positions in the final third where 1 more decent pass would have created an opportunity for a shot but we chose to retain possession instead. Okay they weren't simple passes but sometimes you've got to take a chance and if it doesn't quite come off then so be it. I can understand when you're at the back or in a tight space in midfield and you decide the pass isn't on but you've got to give it a go once you've managed to get the ball into a decent position in the final third. Losing the ball there isn't going to put us in trouble at the back.

It's the same with shooting, if you get near the D with even just a little bit of space then have a go, unless there's an obvious easy pass on. We hardly ever score from outside the box but that's probably because we don't often shoot from outside it. Something I like about Murphy is he looks to get a shot away but when Newell get's in that sort of position I don't expect him to even consider shooting unless he's no more than about 10 yards out.

[SMAXXA]

£33 to be there to watch that Shaun, most of the Hibs fans fell asleep in the 2nd half
Just boring, tippy tappy football. Play to our players strengths, we’re not Belgium

3 games in billy it’s going to be a work in progress tonight was a free hit won’t define our season IMO. SM interviews after the game you can see he is seeing what we did and a lot of good things in terms of how he wants them to play but lots to work on to transition that into meaningful attacks etc. Again 3 games in 👍

[B.H.F.C]

Watching Newell and JDH continually pass the ball backwards is a hard watch. It’s their first thought and think it’s been a problem all season for me. Thought it improved in the last couple of games when Newell wasn’t there.

Did think Maloney was right in that we managed to play through them a number of times but just lacked quality when we got in to the final third. Or not even in to the final third, there was a number of times in the second half when we had them on the break and just made a mess of a simple pass.

[Billy Whizz]

3 games in billy it’s going to be a work in progress tonight was a free hit won’t define our season IMO. SM interviews after the game you can see he is seeing what we did and a lot of good things in terms of how he wants them to play but lots to work on to transition that into meaningful attacks etc. Again 3 games in 👍

If you’d been at the game you wouldn’t have viewed it like this. Asking players to do things they aren’t comfortable with
Was having a chat at ht with most of the fans who go home and away, and they feel what we’ve brought in this window, apart from possibly Clarke, won’t improve us
I thought he showed his naivety tonight, thinking he could play possession football in our own penalty box at Parkhead

Really really dreadful performance

[JohnM1875]

If you’d been at the game you wouldn’t have viewed it like this. Asking players to do things they aren’t comfortable with
Was having a chat at ht with most of the fans who go home and away, and they feel what we’ve brought in this window, apart from possibly Clarke, won’t improve us
I thought he showed his naivety tonight, thinking he could play possession football in our own penalty box at Parkhead

Really really dreadful performance

Genuinely think Clarke, Henderson, Rocky and Melkerson will improve and all be starting soon enough. No idea about Mueller and Tait though

[SMAXXA]

If you’d been at the game you wouldn’t have viewed it like this. Asking players to do things they aren’t comfortable with
Was having a chat at ht with most of the fans who go home and away, and they feel what we’ve brought in this window, apart from possibly Clarke, won’t improve us
I thought he showed his naivety tonight, thinking he could play possession football in our own penalty box at Parkhead

Really really dreadful performance

I watched the game Billy so seen as much of not more than you on TV where you probably see more that away seats at PH. I agree and am not defending the performance and said in another post if the objective was to play in our own 18y box we succeeded. I’d take us going there showing a belief to keep the ball every day than just sit in and wait for the inevitable break through. We got done by 2 individual errors, we didn’t offer enough in attack but I’m sure that will come. I’d be more alarmed if we played like that in the Aberdeen and UTD games we didn’t and the players to come back will make a difference massively, but unfair to say only 1 will improve us IMO.

[Willis1875]

We pretty much played the game in our own half,that’s where all the possession came from

[Callum_62]

If you’d been at the game you wouldn’t have viewed it like this. Asking players to do things they aren’t comfortable with
Was having a chat at ht with most of the fans who go home and away, and they feel what we’ve brought in this window, apart from possibly Clarke, won’t improve us
I thought he showed his naivety tonight, thinking he could play possession football in our own penalty box at Parkhead

Really really dreadful performanceHow can they possibly know if the new signings will or won't improve us?



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[matty_f]

Possession was all fine n dandy, what ripped my knittin was getting into half decent position only to come all the way back...

That was our biggest problem tonight, get into a good position then two or three passes later we’re back in our half with the ball with the defence.

We desperately needed to be a bit more aggressive and a bit braver in those positions.

[Jones28]

Hibs are a conundrum again.we have to start doing better in these games and the transfer market or it’s 2008-2014 all over again.
If Boyle goes scary to think where our attacking play ends up as everything positive or dangerous goes through him the rest goes backwards or sideways.

3 games in for a new management team. 3.

[JimBHibees]

Based off of 3 games under the new manager? 2008-2014? You cannot be serious? 😂

Absolutely mental :greengrin

Think the yams are a wee bit worried

[Stuart93]

That was our biggest problem tonight, get into a good position then two or three passes later we’re back in our half with the ball with the defence.

We desperately needed to be a bit more aggressive and a bit braver in those positions.

Also need someone who can see a forward pass that others might not, similar to Scott Allan at his peak. Hopefully Henderson will give us that.

I’ve been a Newell fan for a while but I’m not sure he’s what SM’s looking for in midfield. Slows the game down far too much.

[JimBHibees]

I watched the game Billy so seen as much of not more than you on TV where you probably see more that away seats at PH. I agree and am not defending the performance and said in another post if the objective was to play in our own 18y box we succeeded. I’d take us going there showing a belief to keep the ball every day than just sit in and wait for the inevitable break through. We got done by 2 individual errors, we didn’t offer enough in attack but I’m sure that will come. I’d be more alarmed if we played like that in the Aberdeen and UTD games we didn’t and the players to come back will make a difference massively, but unfair to say only 1 will improve us IMO.

That's where I am. That style will be better against lesser teams than Celtic. Also very brave to play like that and sets the tone for how he wants us to play overall. There are changes needed midfield and forward but let's see how the new players do. Personally think Henderson will be very good for us.

[JimBHibees]

Also need someone who can see a forward pass that others might not, similar to Scott Allan at his peak. Hopefully Henderson will give us that.

I’ve been a Newell fan for a while but I’m not sure he’s what SM’s looking for in midfield. Slows the game down far too much.I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to get rid.

[flash]

Also need someone who can see a forward pass that others might not, similar to Scott Allan at his peak. Hopefully Henderson will give us that.

I’ve been a Newell fan for a while but I’m not sure he’s what SM’s looking for in midfield. Slows the game down far too much.

I actually thought Newall came onto a game at the start of the second half when we had our best spell in my opinion.

He frustrates me as i think he is capable of a fair bit more going forward when he plays aggressively.

[Leith Green]

If you’d been at the game you wouldn’t have viewed it like this. Asking players to do things they aren’t comfortable with
Was having a chat at ht with most of the fans who go home and away, and they feel what we’ve brought in this window, apart from possibly Clarke, won’t improve us
I thought he showed his naivety tonight, thinking he could play possession football in our own penalty box at Parkhead

Really really dreadful performance



I will be absolutely stunned if at least 3 of the new signings dont improve us. To be honest im hoping they all do. Obviously mueller isnt going to be better than boyle , the hope is that he is better suited to style of football we are looking to play. Boyle for me is a an excellent counter attacking player , also good in the transition from gaining possession, not sure exactly as i havent seen mueller play but im hoping he suits it better. Based on last night Rocky looks like he could Improve things at the back . Finally id be gobsmacked if melkerson and tait dont offer more than nisbett and campbell. I also fancy henderson to improve us on the left if deployed there , even centrally id say there is a good chance he is better than what we have. Campbell , wright , nisbett , newall , all could be improved on. Throw in james scott , murphy , gogic , hallberg , mcginn

[Leith Green]

Also need someone who can see a forward pass that others might not, similar to Scott Allan at his peak. Hopefully Henderson will give us that.

I’ve been a Newell fan for a while but I’m not sure he’s what SM’s looking for in midfield. Slows the game down far too much.



Its been a huge problem this season, leaves me struggling to fathom why we signed doyle hayes when we already had newell? Its horrible to watch , they are basically on top of each other in there. My hope is that there is a player in doyle hayes and that it flourishes in a system where he plays deepest with more advanced and forward thinking midfielders. If an offer came in for newell id be taking it , play doyle hayes in there and have campbell fighting to prove what he has to offer , is campbell more suited playing deeper? I ve not seen a great deal from him further forward.

[EVENTUALLY]

That was our biggest problem tonight, get into a good position then two or three passes later we’re back in our half with the ball with the defence.

We desperately needed to be a bit more aggressive and a bit braver in those positions.

The biggest single culprit was JDH. He seems incapable of taking a half turn and playing the ball forward. Scott Allan did exactly that 3 times and took the team up the park twice although he had to foul his opponent when on the 3rd occasion he had the ball nicked off him.
Scott Allan = ability, confidence and a winning mentallity
JDH = negative, boring and cowardly

[truehibernian]

The biggest single culprit was JDH. He seems incapable of taking a half turn and playing the ball forward. Scott Allan did exactly that 3 times and took the team up the park twice although he had to foul his opponent when on the 3rd occasion he had the ball nicked off him.
Scott Allan = ability, confidence and a winning mentallity
JDH = negative, boring and cowardly

Biggest culprit is Joe Newell - remember, this lad had played as a winger allegedly yet fails every time to drive forward, take men on, create that space for an attack to start. JDH job is to sit and protect.

Newell is ineffective more and more I see him and if any offer came in for him I’d drive him down myself to ensure he signed ! He needs to step up big time - he’s coasting and I can’t see Maloney allowing that to continue.

[SMAXXA]

The biggest single culprit was JDH. He seems incapable of taking a half turn and playing the ball forward. Scott Allan did exactly that 3 times and took the team up the park twice although he had to foul his opponent when on the 3rd occasion he had the ball nicked off him.
Scott Allan = ability, confidence and a winning mentallity
JDH = negative, boring and cowardly

Was that the one he tried to pass it and passed straight to a Celtic player then fouled them on the edge of the box? Very Gogic like was that who would be getting pelters.

[bingo70]

The biggest single culprit was JDH. He seems incapable of taking a half turn and playing the ball forward. Scott Allan did exactly that 3 times and took the team up the park twice although he had to foul his opponent when on the 3rd occasion he had the ball nicked off him.
Scott Allan = ability, confidence and a winning mentallity
JDH = negative, boring and cowardly

I think that’s JDH’s game though. Newell is meant to be the footballer in there and has the attributes to offer far more in an attacking sense. I know JDH said he was a box to box midfielder but I’ve only ever seen him as a spoiler. Once he’s won the ball we need to give it to someone who can play and create.

Having two of them in centre midfield is murder, Campbell never had a good night either.

[CentreLine]

Biggest culprit is Joe Newell - remember, this lad had played as a winger allegedly yet fails every time to drive forward, take men on, create that space for an attack to start. JDH job is to sit and protect.

Newell is ineffective more and more I see him and if any offer came in for him I’d drive him down myself to ensure he signed ! He needs to step up big time - he’s coasting and I can’t see Maloney allowing that to continue.

Aye but his completed pass statistics must be phenomenal. Got to say I had high hopes of Newell and JDH taking a lead role under Maloney. Like so many others on here, I too was screening at the tele at the amount of negative football our “creative” midfield managed to cram in to 93 mins of football

[blackpoolhibs]

Maloney's first 2 games were terrific, last night not so much. He says he will play the same way against Celtic as we will against Cove, personally i find that a little naive.

Perhaps he could do that when he has his own team in place, but against a side like Celtic, with the players we had available, it was football suicide.

The last time we played as passive as that against them that i can remember, was when Heckinbottom did the same at Easter Road, might have been the cup, when they slaughtered us without us laying a glove on them.

I watched the way we were playing last night, and thought our players who were not playing last night through various issues, have to be better than some of the dross that were pretending to be footballers.

I have certainly had enough of Nisbet and Newell, If Mekelson (sp) and Henderson are not better than those two, then we have problems.

Doig has stagnated, Campbell is average, Wright the same, and when you look at the bench last night, it was still full of a lot of players who most of us have viewed as not good enough.

Of course Mueller, Mekelson, Tait, Henderson and Clarke should make us stronger, and hopefully then make the others better and as a team we improve, but what i cant take any longer is a striker who clearly does not give a toss about Hibs, his teamates and the manager.

[Shrekko]

You don’t get the relevance?

I find that crazy to be honest. We were up against a team worth millions and millions more than us. It’s to be expected against the lesser teams we will find it easier to implement our new strategy. Against teams like Celtic away of course we will struggle this early on.

For God sake- you keep missing the point.

I'm saying people making any kind of snap judgement (either way!!!!) are doing it far too early. I'm more than happy to give the new management team as long as they need to see if their new ideas take us to where we want to be.

Last night - in isolation, call a spade a spade though... it was a terrible performance, regardless of any mitigating factors. That doesn't mean we need to call Maloney naïve or whatever- just means he'll need far better players to play in that way for it to be successful against better teams. I have very rarely heard Hibs fans in recent times be happy to just accept (rightly or wrongly) that we should just accept it's Celtic and we're not really expected to compete with them.

[MWHIBBIES]

£33 to be there to watch that Shaun, most of the Hibs fans fell asleep in the 2nd half
Just boring, tippy tappy football. Play to our players strengths, we’re not Belgium

It has begun.

[JamesHFC]

If you’d been at the game you wouldn’t have viewed it like this. Asking players to do things they aren’t comfortable with
Was having a chat at ht with most of the fans who go home and away, and they feel what we’ve brought in this window, apart from possibly Clarke, won’t improve us
I thought he showed his naivety tonight, thinking he could play possession football in our own penalty box at Parkhead

Really really dreadful performance

You are waffling some amount of pish.

[Northernhibee]

Do you know something, there probably was a bit of idealism in the way we played last night; but I'm prepared to put up with the ocacsional night like last night. Repetition delivers experience and if we want to be a football team who plays attractive football then we need to get used to it, even in pressured situations. It wasn't pretty but there were signs against Aberdeen and Dundee United who quite frankly are amonst our main rivals that we can play that style effectively.

Maloney will learn as he gets more experienced but the expectation for us to at least try to play out from the back is on balance a positive thing.

[FilipinoHibs]

You are waffling some amount of pish.

I think he is right about asking players to play out of our penalty box and corner flag. But punts upfield just give the ball back to opposition and put you under pressure again.

[JamesHFC]

Do you know something, there probably was a bit of idealism in the way we played last night; but I'm prepared to put up with the ocacsional night like last night. Repetition delivers experience and if we want to be a football team who plays attractive football then we need to get used to it, even in pressured situations. It wasn't pretty but there were signs against Aberdeen and Dundee United who quite frankly are amonst our main rivals that we can play that style effectively.

Maloney will learn as he gets more experienced but the expectation for us to at least try to play out from the back is on balance a positive thing.

Celtic had their faults with it at the beginning of the season but are getting rewarded for it now. Although we don’t have the same quality of player, coaching youngsters with potential to play a certain way is not impossible. We knew from the moment Maloney came in that this wasn’t going to be something that would be successful over night but it’s a work in progress. But for people to say that the players brought in won’t improve the team when they have probably never seen them play more than a YouTube compilation is ludicrous.

[FilipinoHibs]

Celtic had their faults with it at the beginning of the season but are getting rewarded for it now. Although we don’t have the same quality of player, coaching youngsters with potential to play a certain way is not impossible. We knew from the moment Maloney came in that this wasn’t going to be something that would be successful over night but it’s a work in progress. But for people to say that the players brought in won’t improve the team when they have probably never seen them play more than a YouTube compilation is ludicrous.

Only Rocky of the new signings started and after a rusty start, strolled through the game.

[Since452]

Only Rocky of the new signings started and after a rusty start, strolled through the game.

Very early days but i could see him becoming a bit of a cult hero. Impressed me. Probably the least exciting of the new signings when it was announced (for me anyway).

[Stuart93]

If you’d been at the game you wouldn’t have viewed it like this. Asking players to do things they aren’t comfortable with
Was having a chat at ht with most of the fans who go home and away, and they feel what we’ve brought in this window, apart from possibly Clarke, won’t improve us
I thought he showed his naivety tonight, thinking he could play possession football in our own penalty box at Parkhead

Really really dreadful performance

That’s quite an opinion, one I’m surprised at from you Billy.

Regardless of whether fans go home or away, how can they come to the opinion that the players brought in won’t be an improvement when the majority probably have never seen them play?

Thought Rocky, after the first ten mins, was an improvement on Mcginn at RCB. Comfortable on the ball and could pick out a forward pass.

[flash]

£33 to be there to watch that Shaun, most of the Hibs fans fell asleep in the 2nd half
Just boring, tippy tappy football. Play to our players strengths, we’re not Belgium

What are those strengths out of interest?

[hibbysam]

It’s not an overnight project for Maloney, it’ll take time. Although it seems the possession never done damage last night (only seen highlights), it’s good that it’s getting drilled into them. It’s easier to work on patterns going forward than it is to change a mentality. The second part Maloney seems to have done quickly, now it’s all about training and confidence to allow us to evolve going forward. Exciting times and good to see his philosophy doesn’t change whether at home to bottom of the league or away to Celtic.

[Hibernian Verse]

Interesting that no one is recognising the possibility that Newell is instructed to play calmly and keep possession. Instead, he is a coward.

[Lago]

Sorry, I’m labouring the point here but the crowds staying away is a really relevant factor to Ross getting his jotters.

You can’t dismiss that as not being an issue.

Fans will stay away for a while yet until Maloney can convince them he can put out a team that’s entertaining. Tonight wasn’t a good night for the club on that front however I hope the players and fans can move on quickly from it.
Fine thoughtful post 👍

[Northernhibee]

I think that the attribute/attributes that link our signings are technical ability and a turn of pace and as such I do think that they'll improve us. I'm not entirely sure how we set up for last night with so many players out that gets a better result but Melkersen, Henderson, Bushiri, Clarke quite frankly all strike me as gearing up towards a certain system that allows us to press, get the ball forward, play one touch football and attack more freely. I'm well up for that.

[JohnM1875]

Interesting that no one is recognising the possibility that Newell is instructed to play calmly and keep possession. Instead, he is a coward.

You can pass forward and still keep possession.

[hibbysam]

You can pass forward and still keep possession.

Which he does, often. I’ve not seen last nights game to comment on that, but it’s a myth that Newell doesn’t pass the ball forward.

[JohnM1875]

Which he does, often. I’ve not seen last nights game to comment on that, but it’s a myth that Newell doesn’t pass the ball forward.

I do think he's been much better the past few months at it. Last night was bad though.

[Lago]

It has begun.
I don't always agree with you but I do in respect of that post.

[Hibernian Verse]

You can pass forward and still keep possession.

Not if no one is showing for the ball you can't. That's how you lose it.

[Logie Green]

Interesting that no one is recognising the possibility that Newell is instructed to play calmly and keep possession. Instead, he is a coward.

He can be cowardly. It’s fine to keep possession and Newell has proved he’s capable of going forward with the ball or passing it forward. Last night on numerous occasions he received the ball from a defender and didn’t even look forward to see what was on. Instead, as he often does, he passed it back or sideways which allowed Celtic to push us back which often resulted in a defender or Macey shelling it up the park usually to a Celtic player.

I appreciate it’s early days for Maloney and it might be next season before his style can be properly implemented but playing football at Premier League level involves an element of bravery, especially at venues like the San Giro and Ibrox. Last night Newell didn’t looked interested in being brave which given he is our ‘playmaker’ is not a good omen.

[lord bunberry]

Not if no one is showing for the ball you can't. That's how you lose it.
That’s true but playing it back the way only delayed the inevitable and often we lost possession nearer to our own goal. We needed someone to bring the ball out when there wasn’t a pass on, Newell seemed to be the one last night that had the most opportunity to do that, but each time he turned back the way. Maybe he’s been told to do that but it got us nowhere last night. I quite like Newell and I’m sure he’s got the ability to be more positive and dynamic in his play so I’m more inclined to think he’s being told to retain possession at all times. It’s also worth pointing out that we were playing Celtic and that against other teams there might be easier passes available further up the pitch.

[truehibernian]

Interesting that no one is recognising the possibility that Newell is instructed to play calmly and keep possession. Instead, he is a coward.

He’s not cowardly, however he’s a player who was signed as an attacking midfielder so he clearly showed in his career he has the ability to take on a man and drive forward. In a dynamic game, of course he may be instructed to sit, protect and circulate the ball, but way too often he gathers the ball in space and opts for a very safe option rather than drive forward and take a midfielder or two out the equation. He’s too passive and languid, and must inject urgency in his play at times when the option is there in a game.

Someone like Chris Waddle, a player not blessed with pace, but had the technical ability to shift the ball and beat a man is the type of player I see Newell as being (albeit much less talented). But he has that in his game, simply doesn’t either have the confidence or desire to do it.

Listen to Stephen Glass’s podcast with Graham Hunter when he talked about Mowbray’s tactics v Celtic and Rangers - keep three up, and attack spaces when they arise. Have confidence in your ability - and remember those Old Firm sides had much more quailty than the present sides.

Maloney has inherited a squad that for two or three seasons want to play - and have been coached to play - conservative football. That’ll take time to coach away, and the new signings will help and enhance a more attack minded game approach.

Celtic were very good, as they have been since Ange took over. But I’ve watched Dundee United, Hearts and Livingston put up really good showings at Parkhead where they’ve deserved more than they got, purely because they played with no fear.

Newell and others need to do much more in big games. Much more.

[B.H.F.C]

He can be cowardly. It’s fine to keep possession and Newell has proved he’s capable of going forward with the ball or passing it forward. Last night on numerous occasions he received the ball from a defender and didn’t even look forward to see what was on. Instead, as he often does, he passed it back or sideways which allowed Celtic to push us back which often resulted in a defender or Macey shelling it up the park usually to a Celtic player.

I appreciate it’s early days for Maloney and it might be next season before his style can be properly implemented but playing football at Premier League level involves an element of bravery, especially at venues like the San Giro and Ibrox. Last night Newell didn’t looked interested in being brave which given he is our ‘playmaker’ is not a good omen.

We won’t go on to be a good team with those two playing together in the middle of the park. First thought is nearly always negative. There was one in the first half last night that dropped to Newell outside our box under no real pressure. Instead of turning away and looking up the pitch he decided to play it back in to Hanlon in our box (who ended up shadowing it out for a corner). No real interest in going forward and it’s so frustrating to watch.

[hibbysam]

We won’t go on to be a good team with those two playing together in the middle of the park. First thought is nearly always negative. There was one in the first half last night that dropped to Newell outside our box under no real pressure. Instead of turning away and looking up the pitch he decided to play it back in to Hanlon in our box (who ended up shadowing it out for a corner). No real interest in going forward and it’s so frustrating to watch.

Presumably if it drops on the edge of our box and he doesn’t get a shout telling him to turn out then he’ll expect someone’s up his arse and go backwards.

[bingo70]

Presumably if it drops on the edge of our box and he doesn’t get a shout telling him to turn out then he’ll expect someone’s up his arse and go backwards.

Surely his job is a midfielder is to constantly be knowing what’s over his shoulder?

There were plenty times in last nights match he had time to get it down and turned. Don’t get me wrong, he wouldn’t have had long and he’d need to move it quickly but far too often he just took the lazy option of going for the simple 10 yard pass back the way.

[flash]

My opinion is that if Newall doesn't see anything on up the park, which is highly possible, he prefers to keep possession than create a 50/50 at best.
If the movement of our forward players improve then I think you will see a big difference in how he distributes the ball.
In the meantime he is still comfortably our best midfielder.

[Shrekko]

My opinion is that if Newall doesn't see anything on up the park, which is highly possible, he prefers to keep possession than create a 50/50 at best.
If the movement of our forward players improve then I think you will see a big difference in how he distributes the ball.
In the meantime he is still comfortably our best midfielder.

Think you’re right - he’s an intelligent player. If he had a good hold up front man in front of him I’m sure he’d play it up to feet but if that option is Nisbet then it’s likely he’ll either be muscled off the ball or let a defender just walk in front of him.

I know that seems like a gratuitous dig at Nisbet but if he’s got a man on him there’s no way you’re giving him it if your intent on keeping possession which is what it’s all about these days.

JDH and Newell are more than capable of finding incisive forward passes when they’re on. The criticism of them is totally OTT.

[Unseen work]

Think you’re right - he’s an intelligent player. If he had a good hold up front man in front of him I’m sure he’d play it up to feet but if that option is Nisbet then it’s likely he’ll either be muscled off the ball or let a defender just walk in front of him.

I know that seems like a gratuitous dig at Nisbet but if he’s got a man on him there’s no way you’re giving him it if your intent on keeping possession which is what it’s all about these days.

JDH and Newell are more than capable of finding incisive forward passes when they’re on. The criticism of them is totally OTT.

Completely agree.

He played that back pass to Hanlon but there was also times he won at at the edge of our box and went charging out with it instead of lumping it. Also if you’re playing Celtic and you’re facing your own goal you’re 90% of the time playing the ball to a centre half and not turning 30 yards out against the best pressing team in the league.

People need to realise that when he gets on the ball so deep there will be so many bodies infringe of him, especially against Celtic that forward pass isn’t always on, especially when Nisbet doesn’t look interested - on a side note I was delighted to see Rocky go mental at him.

Don’t get me wrong there’s occaisions as a team where we need to go forward more but imo that’s mainly for Cadden, Doig, Wright, Boyle and Nisbet. They need to make the movement to allow the forward pass and when they get it they need to be direct.

Last night JDH sprayed some lovely cross field passes which gave us 1v1 scenarios which came to nothing. Over on the left Wright and Campbell had lots of chances in 1 v 1s but they weren’t brave and the ball came right back.

[The 90+2]

Think you’re right - he’s an intelligent player. If he had a good hold up front man in front of him I’m sure he’d play it up to feet but if that option is Nisbet then it’s likely he’ll either be muscled off the ball or let a defender just walk in front of him.

I know that seems like a gratuitous dig at Nisbet but if he’s got a man on him there’s no way you’re giving him it if your intent on keeping possession which is what it’s all about these days.

JDH and Newell are more than capable of finding incisive forward passes when they’re on. The criticism of them is totally OTT.

Newell especially always seems to look for the safe option and only play forward if it's the only option. It reminds me of when Lewis started playing left back all the time. He would make good runs get to the end of the box then turn back.

[B.H.F.C]

Presumably if it drops on the edge of our box and he doesn’t get a shout telling him to turn out then he’ll expect someone’s up his arse and go backwards.

Good players would have an awareness of what’s around them. His first thought is back.

I’ve always been critical of him for slowing things down, going backwards and so on but last night was on a whole different level.

[Tambo]

First half it was the usual sideways and backwards which is maybe what he's been asked to do as some poster said.

Second half he looked more aggressive wanting to run with the ball and pass it forward.

[B.H.F.C]

My opinion is that if Newall doesn't see anything on up the park, which is highly possible, he prefers to keep possession than create a 50/50 at best.
If the movement of our forward players improve then I think you will see a big difference in how he distributes the ball.
In the meantime he is still comfortably our best midfielder.

Him being considered to be comfortably out best midfielder is probably why we’ve toiled in midfield for much of the season.

When he’s not there we rarely miss him.

[Shrekko]

Good players would have an awareness of what’s around them. His first thought is back.

I’ve always been critical of him for slowing things down, going backwards and so on but last night was on a whole different level.

You're saying he's not a good player with decent awareness? Jeezo.

I think you're going to find that all the managers who are here whilst Newell is will pick him.... and they'll pick JDH as well.

[B.H.F.C]

You're saying he's not a good player with decent awareness? Jeezo.

I think you're going to find that all the managers who are here whilst Newell is will pick him.... and they'll pick JDH as well.

Don’t think I said that. But in the incident mentioned, he didn’t.

I don’t think he’s nearly as good as some folk do. He’s capable of more than what he gives us.

Hopefully future Hibs managers get on better than the one, so far, that consistently paired those two.

Genuine question, do you enjoy watching that midfield pairing play?

[blackpoolhibs]

You're saying he's not a good player with decent awareness? Jeezo.

I think you're going to find that all the managers who are here whilst Newell is will pick him.... and they'll pick JDH as well.

I certainly am, i think he has all the attributes to be a very good player, but rarely if ever during a game will he take a chance.

Him along with JDH have made us an easy side to defend against, as nothing is done in a hurry with those two in the middle of the park, it's one or the other for me, and my preference would be JDH.

[Shrekko]

Genuine question, do you enjoy watching that midfield pairing play?

I've said on this forum many times that I don't enjoy "modern football" in general i.e. the way it's gone the past 3/4 years..... lines, pressing, possession, attack v defence, one striker blah blah.

In context Hibs have been as watchable as most other teams at our level but it's like watching paint dry. I've not enjoyed Hibs since McGinn left- I do know we won't replace him.

Where we differ is that you believe that we will soon be on the edge of our seats watching Hibs- I don't think anyone can do that the way football is played now... and Scottish football is an awful version of it. Just my opinion though.



I certainly am, i think he has all the attributes to be a very good player, but rarely if ever during a game will he take a chance.

Him along with JDH have made us an easy side to defend against, as nothing is done in a hurry with those two in the middle of the park, it's one or the other for me, and my preference would be JDH.

Not entirely disagreeing - I get frustrated at times with the backwards stuff. But both are good players... and we don't always even have that. We also don't know what they're told to do or if their team-mates are helping them enough. Would you play a ball "through the lines" up to a marked Nisbet? I definitely wouldn't... and these guys know you're just giving the opponents the ball.

[blackpoolhibs]

I've said on this forum many times that I don't enjoy "modern football" in general i.e. the way it's gone the past 3/4 years..,.. lines, pressing, possession, attack v defence, one striker blah blah.

In context Hibs have been as watchable as most other teams at our level but it's like watching paint dry. I've not enjoyed Hibs since McGinn left- I do know we won't replace him.

Where we differ is that you believe that we will soon be on the edge of our seats watching Hibs- I don't think anyone can do that the way football is played now... and Scottish football is an awful version of it. Just my opinion though.




Not entirely disagreeing - I get frustrated at times with the backwards stuff. But both are good players... and we don't always even have that. We also don't know what they're told to do or if their team-mates are helping them enough. Would you play a ball "through the lines" up to a marked Nisbet? I definitely wouldn't... and these guys know you're just giving the opponents the ball.

I would, as it is the right thing to do, the way SM wants us to play, i'm pretty sure he does not want us passing the ball around the back 3-4 and midfield like pass the parcel, he will want us playing the ball when it's on, irrspective of who it's to. In fact last night, early doors, Rocky was having a bit of a mare for the first 15 minutes, but everyone kept giving him the ball when he was on, because it was the right ball and the right thing to do.

[Shrekko]

I would, as it is the right thing to do, the way SM wants us to play, i'm pretty sure he does not want us passing the ball around the back 3-4 and midfield like pass the parcel, he will want us playing the ball when it's on, irrspective of who it's to. In fact last night, early doors, Rocky was having a bit of a mare for the first 15 minutes, but everyone kept giving him the ball when he was on, because it was the right ball and the right thing to do.

It underlines the fact we're going to need better players in all positions to play that way. Newell and JDH will take the ball in any position - that's one thing nobody can criticise them for and just as important.

It's easy to say you'd pass the ball up to a guy who doesn't fight to maintain it and treats it like a hot tattie- in reality Newell will be programmed to know when he'd generally feel safe in giving it to certain team-mates. Not an easy thing to switch off from I'd think

[blackpoolhibs]

It underlines the fact we're going to need better players in all positions to play that way. Newell and JDH will take the ball in any position - that's one thing nobody can criticise them for and just as important.

It's easy to say you'd pass the ball up to a guy who doesn't fight to maintain it and treats it like a hot tattie- in reality Newell will be programmed to know when he'd generally feel safe in giving it to certain team-mates. Not an easy thing to switch off from I'd think

And we do have a number of new players who will be available soon, McGennis being one, hopefully in my opinion he comes in and plays as well as he did before his injury, as i think it will signal the end of 2 defensive midfielders who hate being more than 5 yards from the back 4.

Henderson too, Tait, all players i hope get us away from this misery of slow slow slow slow slow and then slow play the midfield are when he is on the park.

[B.H.F.C]

It underlines the fact we're going to need better players in all positions to play that way. Newell and JDH will take the ball in any position - that's one thing nobody can criticise them for and just as important.

It's easy to say you'd pass the ball up to a guy who doesn't fight to maintain it and treats it like a hot tattie- in reality Newell will be programmed to know when he'd generally feel safe in giving it to certain team-mates. Not an easy thing to switch off from I'd think

Flip that round, maybe the likes of Nisbet would move a bit more and make more runs if he had a degree of confidence the ball might come. Imagine being part of the front three with that midfield behind you. You’d think you had a bit space watch them pass, pass and pass again by which time any space you had is gone. Not really a defence of Nisbet that as I think he’s been crap but the service to anyone up there is equally crap, most of the time.

[Iggy Pope]

I certainly am, i think he has all the attributes to be a very good player, but rarely if ever during a game will he take a chance.

Him along with JDH have made us an easy side to defend against, as nothing is done in a hurry with those two in the middle of the park, it's one or the other for me, and my preference would be JDH.

Agreed. A tidy looking player not short of skill or awareness but one who offers too little offensively. Referees could book him for time wasting any time he gets within 50 yards of the opponents goal….

[Shrekko]

Flip that round, maybe the likes of Nisbet would move a bit more and make more runs if he had a degree of confidence the ball might come. Imagine being part of the front three with that midfield behind you. You’d think you had a bit space watch them pass, pass and pass again by which time any space you had is gone. Not really a defence of Nisbet that as I think he’s been crap but the service to anyone up there is equally crap, most of the time.

You think a player should need a reason to move about a bit more? That really is giving him a free pass.

It’s pretty common for a striker to make a run, not receive the ball then make another run. Guys like Kenny Miller just never stopped and probably made 10 runs for every time they received it once.

To be honest it’s not really what I’m getting at - when the ball goes up to Nisbet he’ll not hold it up or fight the defender for it. He doesn’t “show” for it the way he should.

Like I’ve said - I’m not completely disagreeing with what’s being said but I still think there’s a very good chance that Newell and JDH will remain first picks - only time will tell.

[The 90+2]

You think a player should need a reason to move about a bit more? That really is giving him a free pass.

It’s pretty common for a striker to make a run, not receive the ball then make another run. Guys like Kenny Miller just never stopped and probably made 10 runs for every time they received it once.

To be honest it’s not really what I’m getting at - when the ball goes up to Nisbet he’ll not hold it up or fight the defender for it. He doesn’t “show” for it the way he should.

Like I’ve said - I’m not completely disagreeing with what’s being said but I still think there’s a very good chance that Newell and JDH will remain first picks - only time will tell.

No, he will make clever runs and get himself into good positions in the final third of the pitch for our attacking and creative players to find. He's not the kind of player to hold it up well or fight with defenders. Our manager will know that though, so if that's what is being expected of him its doomed to fail.

[B.H.F.C]

You think a player should need a reason to move about a bit more? That really is giving him a free pass.

It’s pretty common for a striker to make a run, not receive the ball then make another run. Guys like Kenny Miller just never stopped and probably made 10 runs for every time they received it once.

To be honest it’s not really what I’m getting at - when the ball goes up to Nisbet he’ll not hold it up or fight the defender for it. He doesn’t “show” for it the way he should.

Like I’ve said - I’m not completely disagreeing with what’s being said but I still think there’s a very good chance that Newell and JDH will remain first picks - only time will tell.

Not exactly giving a free pass when I said I think he’s been crap.

The occasional forward pass might force him in to moving a bit more though. Goal in the semi final is a good example, quick one touch pass in to him and he was then able to play Boyle in. Hardly ever see that, it’s just sideways, back, sideways, sideways. You’re talking about Newell ‘being programmed’ not to do something, could quite easily work the other way round.

Apart from Porteous, there isn’t really anyone prepared to take a risk with a pass, we missed that last night.

[Shrekko]

Not exactly giving a free pass when I said I think he’s been crap.

The occasional forward pass might force him in to moving a bit more though. Goal in the semi final is a good example, quick one touch pass in to him and he was then able to play Boyle in. Hardly ever see that, it’s just sideways, back, sideways, sideways. You’re talking about Newell ‘being programmed’ not to do something, could quite easily work the other way round.

Apart from Porteous, there isn’t really anyone prepared to take a risk with a pass, we missed that last night.

Porto is a massive miss and will be vital if we're intent on passing our way up the park.

I also think that Magennis is really the biggest miss in that advanced role - he's the link guy who's prepared to spin on the ball and feed the forwards. If he's ever to get back and playing well I don't think anyone will be too bothered about the deeper lying midfielders and what they're doing. We were ok till he got injured.

[Eyrie]

Part of the problem with Doyle-Hayes and Newell as a pairing is that both want to sit deep and slow things down, and part is that the other one is sitting deep which removes an option for a forward pass.

Hopefully Maloney can get through to them the importance of being willing to look forward as a first choice and to move forward to provide a positive option.

[B.H.F.C]

Porto is a massive miss and will be vital if we're intent on passing our way up the park.

I also think that Magennis is really the biggest miss in that advanced role - he's the link guy who's prepared to spin on the ball and feed the forwards. If he's ever to get back and playing well I don't think anyone will be too bothered about the deeper lying midfielders and what they're doing. We were ok till he got injured.

If Magennis was fit and available I think he’d more likely play instead of one of them.

He does make a big difference but they didn’t really play as a three very often, only started a couple of times together in the league.