Jonnyboy
24-07-2022, 05:48 PM
Friendly matches are rarely exciting affairs and this one was no different really BUT I was greatly enthused by the second half performance put in by our youngsters. Plenty of enthusiasm, a fair sprinkling of skill and some promise for the future.
The starting eleven raised a few eyebrows what with Marshall and Cadden missing out completely and Josh Campbell once again pressed into action at left back. Interestingly, given all the speculation on here, Ryan Porteous wore the captain’s armband.
I confess that I didn’t recognise a lot of the Norwich lads though the ones I did know were all seasoned first team players. Although they had a mix of experience and youth it became obvious from an early stage in the game that they were very athletic and quite happy to mix it up physically. Quite how Jordan Hugill evaded a yellow card was most likely down to referee Alan Muir being his usual sub-standard self.
In the earliest exchanges, Lewis Miller tested the keeper with a low shot whilst at the other end Dabrowski had to look sharp to push a shot from Rowe round his near post. The game was quite open and next to try his luck was Melkersen who had Angus Gunn racing off his line to clear the ball as the Hibs man closed in.
Norwich had started the better in terms of possession and of course Hugill was getting away with murder in clattering into opponents. Around the twenty minute mark, a Norwich man caught McGeady with a late challenge just as Aiden passed the ball inside. Mr Muir saw little wrong with that challenge, but it was enough to see McGeady limp off and be replaced by Christian Doidge. That enforced change saw Tavares move wide left, Melkerson wide right and Doidge through the middle.
The lad Rowe was looking lively and giving our defenders a tough time, but he was thwarted when Bushiri blocked his shot on the edge of the box. Hibs began to impose themselves more and Melkersen fired just wide, and the same player saw another effort blocked by the legs of Angus Gunn. To that point, little had been seen of Tavares but in fairness he had been tightly marked whenever he got the ball. Hibs were looking more of a threat now and a cross from Doidge was deflected towards goal with Gunn having to tip the ball over the bar. As half time approached, Melkersen won a free kick out on the right which Newell crossed in, but the ball was knocked back to him. His second cross picked out Doidge who rose to head the ball towards the far post where Melkersen was on hand to poke it home.
Norwich made no changes at half time whereas Hibs made eight, bringing on a raft of youngsters. McClelland, MacIntyre, Delferriere, Hamilton, Blaney, Bojang, Tait and McGregor (Daz being the exception when it came to age). They replaced Porteous, Campbell, Kenneh, Tavares, Newell, Melkersen, Bushiri and Henderson and unsurprisingly, Norwich dominated possession in the early part of the half with Rowe once again the danger man but his shot at goal was blocked by Blaney who looked as though he was playing on the right of a back three.
Hibs settled now and despite the lack of first team experience they began to take the game to Norwich. These lads looked well up to the challenge and the crowd, quiet for the first half, began to show its appreciation for the youngsters. Hamilton was denied by substitute keeper Tim Krul and then Doidge should have had a penalty when he chested down a fine Hauge (on for Miller) cross but was pulled back just as he got his shot away. A clear penalty but not in the eyes of the referee who continued to lecture Doidge for complaining about the lack of a decision. Soon after, another Hauge cross was headed wide and then Bojang had an effort blocked on the eighteen yard line. Momodou should have looked up to see the unmarked Hauge but presumably he was just desperate to get on the scoresheet. Right at the death, Dabrowski made a fine save to deny substitute Teemu Pukki and the game was done.
As an exercise it was good to see those youngsters get game time but I’m sure many will feel that decision was not what is perceived to be needed, given the league starts next week. Some, I’m sure, will argue it should have been the strongest eleven from start to finish.
The players (remember the bulk of the first eleven named only played a half)
Dabrowski – Didn’t have a great deal to do but the saves he made were comfortable.
Miller – I was critical of him against Morton, but he was better today, even allowing for the fact that he was fouled numerous times, mostly by Hugill.
Bushiri – Rocky struggled with their bigger strikers, at least in the air, but otherwise he coped well.
Porteous – Standard fare from Ryan. Some good stuff and some not so good stuff.
Campbell – Never a left back but did well enough against their pacy wide players. I’m not sure he’ll ever win his doubters over, but it won’t be for the want of trying.
Tavares – Showed some skill but tried too hard at times for my liking.
Kenneh – Looked much more assured than his last outing and did well in the holding role.
Henderson - Good movement and I was pleased to see him mixing it physically too.
Newell – Put himself about and delivered a fine cross leading to the goal.
McGeady – Wasn’t on for long but when he was, I was impressed by his workrate in getting back to support Campbell.
Melkersen – His movement caused them problems and he was right where he should be to score the only goal of the game.
Doidge – Christian was really poor against Morton but a whole lot better today. His workrate was like it was before his injuries and he did well in the air both in attack and defence.
Blaney – Jacob never looked flustered, was careful with the ball and got forward when given the chance.
McGregor – The old head kept all around him calm as well as putting in a good shift himself.
McClelland – Read the game well and got a few timely interceptions well.
MacIntyre – I’ve heard good thing about Oscar, and I can see why he is so highly regarded. Was superb and dealt with the pace of their forwards with a degree of ease.
Delferriere – Looks a player to me and his energy was mightily impressive.
Hamilton – Robbie did well to create a chance for himself and only a fine save by Krul denied him his first goal for the first team.
Tait – I’ve seen Dylan many times when he played for Raith and always been impressed. That view extends to this game where I felt he looked like the guy we need in our ropey midfield.
Bojang – Looks really rapid but his runs were lacking purpose at times. He needs to learn when to make these runs and if he does, he might prove a handful for opposing defenders.
Hauge – Provided a couple of good crosses and worked hard down the right hand side.
On this occasion, I’m going to refrain from awarding a man of the match because of all the changes at the break. Instead, I’ll offer the three players I think worthy of recognition. Melkersen in the first half with MacIntyre and Tait in the second.
Lee Johnson – Will have learned a lot about the youngsters and I accept that wont help with the league games forthcoming but it’s worthy of note just the same.
Referee – Alan Muir was hopeless.
The starting eleven raised a few eyebrows what with Marshall and Cadden missing out completely and Josh Campbell once again pressed into action at left back. Interestingly, given all the speculation on here, Ryan Porteous wore the captain’s armband.
I confess that I didn’t recognise a lot of the Norwich lads though the ones I did know were all seasoned first team players. Although they had a mix of experience and youth it became obvious from an early stage in the game that they were very athletic and quite happy to mix it up physically. Quite how Jordan Hugill evaded a yellow card was most likely down to referee Alan Muir being his usual sub-standard self.
In the earliest exchanges, Lewis Miller tested the keeper with a low shot whilst at the other end Dabrowski had to look sharp to push a shot from Rowe round his near post. The game was quite open and next to try his luck was Melkersen who had Angus Gunn racing off his line to clear the ball as the Hibs man closed in.
Norwich had started the better in terms of possession and of course Hugill was getting away with murder in clattering into opponents. Around the twenty minute mark, a Norwich man caught McGeady with a late challenge just as Aiden passed the ball inside. Mr Muir saw little wrong with that challenge, but it was enough to see McGeady limp off and be replaced by Christian Doidge. That enforced change saw Tavares move wide left, Melkerson wide right and Doidge through the middle.
The lad Rowe was looking lively and giving our defenders a tough time, but he was thwarted when Bushiri blocked his shot on the edge of the box. Hibs began to impose themselves more and Melkersen fired just wide, and the same player saw another effort blocked by the legs of Angus Gunn. To that point, little had been seen of Tavares but in fairness he had been tightly marked whenever he got the ball. Hibs were looking more of a threat now and a cross from Doidge was deflected towards goal with Gunn having to tip the ball over the bar. As half time approached, Melkersen won a free kick out on the right which Newell crossed in, but the ball was knocked back to him. His second cross picked out Doidge who rose to head the ball towards the far post where Melkersen was on hand to poke it home.
Norwich made no changes at half time whereas Hibs made eight, bringing on a raft of youngsters. McClelland, MacIntyre, Delferriere, Hamilton, Blaney, Bojang, Tait and McGregor (Daz being the exception when it came to age). They replaced Porteous, Campbell, Kenneh, Tavares, Newell, Melkersen, Bushiri and Henderson and unsurprisingly, Norwich dominated possession in the early part of the half with Rowe once again the danger man but his shot at goal was blocked by Blaney who looked as though he was playing on the right of a back three.
Hibs settled now and despite the lack of first team experience they began to take the game to Norwich. These lads looked well up to the challenge and the crowd, quiet for the first half, began to show its appreciation for the youngsters. Hamilton was denied by substitute keeper Tim Krul and then Doidge should have had a penalty when he chested down a fine Hauge (on for Miller) cross but was pulled back just as he got his shot away. A clear penalty but not in the eyes of the referee who continued to lecture Doidge for complaining about the lack of a decision. Soon after, another Hauge cross was headed wide and then Bojang had an effort blocked on the eighteen yard line. Momodou should have looked up to see the unmarked Hauge but presumably he was just desperate to get on the scoresheet. Right at the death, Dabrowski made a fine save to deny substitute Teemu Pukki and the game was done.
As an exercise it was good to see those youngsters get game time but I’m sure many will feel that decision was not what is perceived to be needed, given the league starts next week. Some, I’m sure, will argue it should have been the strongest eleven from start to finish.
The players (remember the bulk of the first eleven named only played a half)
Dabrowski – Didn’t have a great deal to do but the saves he made were comfortable.
Miller – I was critical of him against Morton, but he was better today, even allowing for the fact that he was fouled numerous times, mostly by Hugill.
Bushiri – Rocky struggled with their bigger strikers, at least in the air, but otherwise he coped well.
Porteous – Standard fare from Ryan. Some good stuff and some not so good stuff.
Campbell – Never a left back but did well enough against their pacy wide players. I’m not sure he’ll ever win his doubters over, but it won’t be for the want of trying.
Tavares – Showed some skill but tried too hard at times for my liking.
Kenneh – Looked much more assured than his last outing and did well in the holding role.
Henderson - Good movement and I was pleased to see him mixing it physically too.
Newell – Put himself about and delivered a fine cross leading to the goal.
McGeady – Wasn’t on for long but when he was, I was impressed by his workrate in getting back to support Campbell.
Melkersen – His movement caused them problems and he was right where he should be to score the only goal of the game.
Doidge – Christian was really poor against Morton but a whole lot better today. His workrate was like it was before his injuries and he did well in the air both in attack and defence.
Blaney – Jacob never looked flustered, was careful with the ball and got forward when given the chance.
McGregor – The old head kept all around him calm as well as putting in a good shift himself.
McClelland – Read the game well and got a few timely interceptions well.
MacIntyre – I’ve heard good thing about Oscar, and I can see why he is so highly regarded. Was superb and dealt with the pace of their forwards with a degree of ease.
Delferriere – Looks a player to me and his energy was mightily impressive.
Hamilton – Robbie did well to create a chance for himself and only a fine save by Krul denied him his first goal for the first team.
Tait – I’ve seen Dylan many times when he played for Raith and always been impressed. That view extends to this game where I felt he looked like the guy we need in our ropey midfield.
Bojang – Looks really rapid but his runs were lacking purpose at times. He needs to learn when to make these runs and if he does, he might prove a handful for opposing defenders.
Hauge – Provided a couple of good crosses and worked hard down the right hand side.
On this occasion, I’m going to refrain from awarding a man of the match because of all the changes at the break. Instead, I’ll offer the three players I think worthy of recognition. Melkersen in the first half with MacIntyre and Tait in the second.
Lee Johnson – Will have learned a lot about the youngsters and I accept that wont help with the league games forthcoming but it’s worthy of note just the same.
Referee – Alan Muir was hopeless.