Crosses

[ChuckNor]

Has there ever been a team that has been so weak at dealing with crosses for such a long period of time? We are going right back to Jack Ross’ downfall as crosses consistently being something we have struggled to deal with.

It is not just two new fullbacks we need. We need another centre back because none of the ones we have are positioning themselves anywhere near correctly to deal with them. It is either that or Johnson has them playing zonal.

Will Fish is also looking like a completely different player this year. Ryan McGivern-style second season syndrome. I’d genuinely look into sending him back and finding a proper centre half that can deal with balls in the air.

[Northernhibee]

Has there ever been a team that has been so weak at dealing with crosses for such a long period of time? We are going right back to Jack Ross’ downfall as crosses consistently being something we have struggled to deal with.

It is not just two new fullbacks we need. We need another centre back because none of the ones we have are positioning themselves anywhere near correctly to deal with them. It is either that or Johnson has them playing zonal.

Will Fish is also looking like a completely different player this year. Ryan McGivern-style second season syndrome. I’d genuinely look into sending him back and finding a proper centre half that can deal with balls in the air.
I genuinely don’t think it’s down to the players. It’s either tactics or coaching for me, we’ve seen the same players play very well before and no matter what combination we go for, the same issues remain.

[Smartie]

It’s when you compare it to when we’re attacking - we put countless balls into the box that were headed away with ease. Livi appeared to have enough men back, standing in the right positions to clear the ball cleanly away. It gets to the point where you just don’t expect to score.

Our vulnerability is quite staggering.

[ChuckNor]

It’s when you compare it to when we’re attacking - we put countless balls into the box that were headed away with ease. Livi appeared to have enough men back, standing in the right positions to clear the ball cleanly away. It gets to the point where you just don’t expect to score.

Our vulnerability is quite staggering.

Totally agree with this. We actually put in so many crosses compared to others and do very little from them. In fact, most of our goals come from Boyle or Youan being played through rather than crosses.

We are so vulnerable to crosses I almost expect us to concede every time one goes into the box.

[Baldy Foghorn]

We don't prevent crosses going in, we should be trying to block the source. Its all similar goals we lose, simple stuff really

[Smartie]

We don't prevent crosses going in, we should be trying to block the source. Its all similar goals we lose, simple stuff really

Yes, we do need to stop them going in much better but I’d be interested to know how many crosses we put in yesterday compared to Livingston, how many led to goals, how many led to good chances and how many were cleared with ease by the defence.

And then what conclusions we could draw from that.

[MWHIBBIES]

You play Boyle and Youan on the wings, you're going to lose goals from crosses.

[Jones28]

You play Boyle and Youan on the wings, you're going to lose goals from crosses.

That’s the crux of it. They don’t track, the full backs are hung out to dry in 2v1 situations meaning Jeggo has to cover to make up for it.

I think it’s tactical, because Boyle in particular is not a lazy player. Youan has only ever played under Johnson so it’s more difficult to tell with him, but there was an instance yesterday where he nicked it off the toes of a livi player in our box which I was surprised by.

[wookie70]

Cross balls is where our problems end up magnified as they result in the loss of goals but there are so many things wrong, all of which combine to create easy crosses and goals against. Passing is dreadful, we give the ball away with little or no pressure on passer or recipient all the time. When we do play a successful pass they often end up slowing down our momentum. There is nowhere near enough movement from our players when we have the ball or when we are defending. We don't track runners from midfield, our marking at set pieces is terrible, and we seem to tuck both wide defenders in regardless of where the ball or danger is. Most of our players seem to struggle physically and that isn't just against bigger players and we don't seem to have any drive or determination until it is too late. Our game plan is to give the ball to Youan or Boyle and cross fingers and toes. When we do shift the ball quickly this works pretty well but generally the teams we play against load their wide areas and we lose the ball without a cross even being attempted

Watching the mangers yesterday was fascinating. Johnson sat in his dugout nearly the whole of the second half and was on the half turn as he shook hands with Martindale and headed off down the tunnel. Martindale and other Livi coaches were a ball of energy all pointing, organising and encouraging. Martindale actually said the players adapted onfield to our pressure which was interesting as I think he was giving them all the credit when it was clear he was changing things as the game progressed.

Shinnie would be a good example of how a manager can change a player. He is excellent for Livi. Works very hard, covers so much ground and is clearly a big part of their team spirit. I think Martindale is an excellent Manager and while that doesn't mean he would fit Hibs you can see his passion and humour run right through that team. For me Johnson seems to complicate what is a very simple game and that is reflected in players who seem to have to think before they do, lack personality and while pretty patterns of play are evident they are so ponderous that they very rarely do what they are trying to achieve. Both teams yesterday and on Wednesday were very much reflections of their managers.

[Smartie]

That’s the crux of it. They don’t track, the full backs are hung out to dry in 2v1 situations meaning Jeggo has to cover to make up for it.

I think it’s tactical, because Boyle in particular is not a lazy player. Youan has only ever played under Johnson so it’s more difficult to tell with him, but there was an instance yesterday where he nicked it off the toes of a livi player in our box which I was surprised by.

There were also a couple of points when Rocky was in a good position to drive on in possession and the main thing getting in his way was Youan.

[Skol]

It’s when you compare it to when we’re attacking - we put countless balls into the box that were headed away with ease. Livi appeared to have enough men back, standing in the right positions to clear the ball cleanly away. It gets to the point where you just don’t expect to score.

Our vulnerability is quite staggering.

We seem to always pick out the defenders head or make it easy for the keeper. Or hit it too long. No one ever peels out to the back of the box to pick up the overhit ball. Frustrating

[Jones28]

There was also a couple of points when Rocky was in a good position to drive on in possession and the main thing getting in his way was Youan.

Yepp. He’s hungry for the ball, that’s great. He needs to try and make space and do some good old fashioned running too, to open up the space.

I thought Rocky was great yesterday all things considered. Looked very assured and comfortable for the most part.

[BoomtownHibees]

Yepp. He’s hungry for the ball, that’s great. He needs to try and make space and do some good old fashioned running too, to open up the space.

I thought Rocky was great yesterday all things considered. Looked very assured and comfortable for the most part.

You thought Rocky was great? Jeez

[CockneyRebel]

We seem to always pick out the defenders head or make it easy for the keeper. Or hit it too long. No one ever peels out to the back of the box to pick up the overhit ball. Frustrating



Pretty much happens every game.

[Jones28]

You thought Rocky was great? Jeez

What did he do wrong? As an individual.

I also said all things considered.

[BoomtownHibees]

What did he do wrong? As an individual.

I also said all things considered.

What did he do great?

[Allant1981]

What did he do wrong? As an individual.

I also said all things considered.

Rocky had a decent game yesterday I thought

[Jones28]

What did he do great?

He was assured on the ball, I didn’t see a single misplaced pass from him. He was trying to drive the team forward from the back, I could see his frustration as he was left with few options. Defensively he won his battles and looked a lot more assured than his colleague.

He has a style that not everyone likes but for me he’s one the best CB’s we’ve got and has the most potential.

Oh yeah, and he didn’t play a single long, hoofed ball that I can remember.

[BoomtownHibees]

He was assured on the ball, I didn’t see a single misplaced pass from him. He was trying to drive the team forward from the back, I could see his frustration as he was left with few options. Defensively he won his battles and looked a lot more assured than his colleague.

He has a style that not everyone likes but for me he’s one the best CB’s we’ve got and has the most potential.

Oh yeah, and he didn’t play a single long, hoofed ball that I can remember.

Fair enough. I don’t think I would give anybody pass marks yesterday however on reading here we’ve got folk saying Rocky was great, Delf and Jeggo were good, Newell and Obita played well. I just didn’t see any of that at all. That’s half the team having good games whilst getting pumped from a team who haven’t scored away from home since January

[Jones28]

Fair enough. I don’t think I would give anybody pass marks yesterday however on reading here we’ve got folk saying Rocky was great, Delf and Jeggo were good, Newell and Obita played well. I just didn’t see any of that at all. That’s half the team having good games whilst getting pumped from a team who haven’t scored away from home since January

Yeah I agree to a point, I think the result doesn’t really paint the picture of the game.

I hate to say it but yesterday for me it was small margins that lost us the game yesterday. We had total control for the vast majority. ***** result absolutely but individuals (like Boyle who, aside from the goal, I thought was terrible and fish who looked out of his depth) were to blame for small moments that led to goals whereas I thought the majority of players were fair to middling and some better than that.

[Smartie]

Yeah I agree to a point, I think the result doesn’t really paint the picture of the game.

I hate to say it but yesterday for me it was small margins that lost us the game yesterday. We had total control for the vast majority. ***** result absolutely but individuals (like Boyle who, aside from the goal, I thought was terrible and fish who looked out of his depth) were to blame for small moments that led to goals whereas I thought the majority of players were fair to middling and some better than that.

Exactly how I saw it tbh.

It doesn’t really help to have the scorched Earth “everything is awful” mindset.

By no means was the collective effort acceptable and there were a handful of individuals and departments that need to be doing much, much better, but we need to acknowledge, even with faint praise, when folk do pretty much what they were asked to do.

[PH91]

Yes, we do need to stop them going in much better but I’d be interested to know how many crosses we put in yesterday compared to Livingston, how many led to goals, how many led to good chances and how many were cleared with ease by the defence.

And then what conclusions we could draw from that.

We are often putting crosses in after a long, slow build up with their team back behind the ball and set, which makes them much easier to defend.

[A Hi-Bee]

Seem to remember that Villa have Nanny McFee with them as set piece and crossing expert. it is one thing to stop the crossing at source difficult as that may be but what we really need is a good goalie that commands his 6-yard box, collects or punches crosses as so many of them have been goals from less than 6 yards and most at the back post.