The Rangers v Hibernian

[JohnM1875]

Expected so much more from the team today. But absolutely stinking.

Not a single player played well and every one of our main threats were abysmal. Actually, thought Fish defended well considering the amount of pressure we were under. So maybe one. Everyone else, brutal.

[A Hi-Bee]

It will be interesting to hear what Monty says.

[Iain G]

Shame he can’t get going every game after his injury he must be fraustrated
Monty will now know who will be in his team after that today Newell needs dropped

Drop one of our best players after one not up to scratch performance? Madness

[HFC93]

Hibs fans: "We want a manger who plays attacking football."
Montgomery starts four forwards ar Ibrox and gets hammered.
Hibs fans: "No not like that!"

[A Hi-Bee]

No one

Thought it was the Brighton boy but it was a dodgy stream to watch, no matter what way it is wrapped it was still 4 against us.

[scoopyboy]

Poor.

Hopefully Montgomery learns from this

If he can't learn from that then he won't last any longer than the rest.

He can't play with 442 all the time especially with two wingers in the midfield four.

[SeanWilson]

possession

53%/47%



corners

5v4




fine margins :whistle:

Yeah, unfortunately the game looked nothing like fine margins 😂

That was a woeful performance. You can see what we’re trying to do at times but I didn’t expect us to be so heavily outclassed today.

[Hibees1973]

Main problem is that the squad mentality is fragile.

The scatter gun approach by the club over the last 2-3 years with a revolving door of players and managers must leave the current squad thinking what sh*t is going to happen next.

It is going to take Montgomery 2 or 3 transfer windows to ship out nearly 10 players who we know are not good enough and get better quality in. I am more optimistic now as we have a sensible DOF and Manager to solve the problems with the playing squad. It will take time. Most of the issues were brought on by ourselves by singing ridiculous players and handing out 3-4 year contracts to players who did not deserve them.

We can look good in some games (never over 90 mins though). Much as our midfield gets criticism, Marshall and the back 4 should be the priority to remove and replace with better quality. Any defensive permutations within the squad has leaked loads of goals.

[coldingham hibs]

Seen a lot of shocking performances and that is right up there with the worst. Massive improvement needed following a poor result against Dundee, a poor performance against Hearts and a shocker today. Seriously concerned about the Celtic game now.

[JohnM1875]

Hibs fans: "We want a manger who plays attacking football."
Montgomery starts four forwards ar Ibrox and gets hammered.
Hibs fans: "No not like that!"

We didn't play any kind of football today. Attacking or defensive. Maybe had attacking players on the pitch sure.

[Allant1981]

The rangers weren't even that good today imo, we were very sloppy, poor passing, poor marking, utterly crap goalkeeping. Very bad day at the office, hopefully they get a boot up the backside for next week

[TrinityHFC]

Unfortunately the formation/ style the manager will always play doesn’t really suit Boyle and Youan. They really should be our big threats but not when set up like this. They are too narrow and too deep most of the time.

[HarpOnHibee]

Hibs fans: "We want a manger who plays attacking football."
Montgomery starts four forwards ar Ibrox and gets hammered.
Hibs fans: "No not like that!"

Which is a pretty fair stance. Casually passing the ball between defenders and goalkeeper while the opposition presses and chases down those defenders and forcing mistakes, isn't "attacking football".

[B.H.F.C]

The rangers weren't even that good today imo, we were very sloppy, poor passing, poor marking, utterly crap goalkeeping. Very bad day at the office, hopefully they get a boot up the backside for next week

Sounds a bit bitter but it’s no. We gifted them goals and they had to work for **** all.

Montgomery needs to learn quickly that you can’t just do the same thing every week. But the players, again. It will always come back to the players and too many of them have, and will continue to, let managers down. Lack of willingness to do things today. You see us lining up a triple sub of Rocky, Tavares and Whittaker though. What chance has any manager got.

[itslegaltender]

Newell again in hiding against a tough opponent.

[flash]

Sounds a bit bitter but it’s no. We gifted them goals and they had to work for **** all.

Montgomery needs to learn quickly that you can’t just do the same thing every week. But the players, again. It will always come back to the players and too many of them have, and will continue to, let managers down. Lack of willingness to do things today. You see us lining up a triple sub of Rocky, Tavares and Whittaker though. What chance has any manager got.

Yet all three were better than the players they replaced.

[The Captain....]

These players have put countless managers under pressure and out of a job. Struggling to think of one today who would get more than a 4/10. Individually they were atrocious..every bit as bad as performance levels under Johnson when they looked like they were running thru treacle.

Two tricky (all be it against much poorer Hearts and Rangers teams we've faced in the past) away games, 6 goals conceded. I'm sure Montgomery knows as well as we do where the problems lie but a more pragmatic approach would at least help us stay in games.

It's our first defeat under Montgomery but the manner of it was bitterly disappointing.

Sent from my SM-S906B using Tapatalk

[B.H.F.C]

Yet all three were better than the players they replaced.

Game was already dead at that point though. Point is having those players to come on shows how weak the squad is.

[Iain G]

Not sure his post match comments reflect reality, guess he is trying to keep the players onside?

[flash]

Game was already dead at that point though. Point is having those players to come on shows how weak the squad is.

I don't disagree with that but it doesn't help that the three players need to come on because the guys they are replacing have all been absolutely brutal.

[Tambo]

A disappointing performance and result, hopefully we can produce more going forward next week.

still a lot of work to be done at Hibs.

[Hibby Kay-Yay]

Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery is still "proud" of the way his players tried to play the ball at Ibrox but thinks mistakes let them down.

"I was happy with the way we started the game and am not going to change the way we play," he says. "I thought mistakes cost us today.

"The first goal, it's nothing to do with the way we play and it gives them a lift. The second goal, I genuinely think it was a foul on Joe Newell.

"Second half, we got a little bit sloppy. They have a new manager, it is a bit of a party atmosphere and we allowed that happen.

"I've been here six weeks and that's the first defeat. It definitely wasn't our day today. We move on and can take positives from the game."

[truehibernian]

The takeaway for me, last two games in particular, is we simply have to both 1) learn and 2) get players in who can play out of the high press. I’m not going to criticise NM today, he has what previous managers have left him with, but for me if you’re going to play an attacking 4-4-2, and play from the back, you have to have a couple of driving midfielders who can take the pass after an opposition press and break the lines. Levitt is one who may be able to, but we need a player alongside who can offer himself and drive up the pitch. Our only answer, particularly first half last week was resorting to long balls when Hearts pressed the full backs. Minute you win or regain possession you need that midfielder who, rather than take possession and play safe, takes it and drives forward. Joe Newell did it v Luzern and it takes players out the game and creates space for your front men.

Defence was poor today, but from what I see, we have never ever had the correct midfield balance since the days of Dylan, Fraser, SJM, Bartley and Allan. All very different players, but created a really good blend defensively as well as offensively. Our midfielders are very ‘safe’ and carry much the same attributes - which means when teams press and we are stuck in our own box, we’ll always struggle to play through the lines (other than hopeful punts up front).

[Jones28]

Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery is still "proud" of the way his players tried to play the ball at Ibrox but thinks mistakes let them down.

"I was happy with the way we started the game and am not going to change the way we play," he says. "I thought mistakes cost us today.

"The first goal, it's nothing to do with the way we play and it gives them a lift. The second goal, I genuinely think it was a foul on Joe Newell.

"Second half, we got a little bit sloppy. They have a new manager, it is a bit of a party atmosphere and we allowed that happen.

"I've been here six weeks and that's the first defeat. It definitely wasn't our day today. We move on and can take positives from the game."

No problem with any of that.

**** result, draw line and move on.

[flash]

No problem with any of that.

**** result, draw line and move on.

Indeed.

You can be assured he will be having a completely different conversation with the players in private.

[Iain G]

Clemente looks like the love child of Jaap Staam and Kenny Milluuur.

[Onion]

The real shock would have been Hibs competing effectively with Sevco today despite pre-match fighting talk. Our defence is sub-standard, our midfield what it is. Monty now seeing the scale of the problem and why his predecessors have been sacked.
Can Monty see and fix the problem or will he be out on his ear within a year ?

[JimBHibees]

This has been worse than anything under LJ or Maloney.

This years Oscar goes to

[JohnM1875]

No problem with any of that.

**** result, draw line and move on.

It was never ever a foul on Newell. Other than that, I agree

[JammyDoidger]

That was coming, the red flags have been there tbh, we got away with one at Tynie, his subs have been questionable borderline mental from the beginning, got away with it against St.Mirren too..draws v Killie and Dundee not good enough. I hope he isn't too arrogant to realise he needs to change shape against better teams. We will take a few doings playing like this. Won't bother me too much aslong as we beat the teams we are supposed to beat, but that was amateur today.

[Since452]

Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery is still "proud" of the way his players tried to play the ball at Ibrox but thinks mistakes let them down.

"I was happy with the way we started the game and am not going to change the way we play," he says. "I thought mistakes cost us today.

"The first goal, it's nothing to do with the way we play and it gives them a lift. The second goal, I genuinely think it was a foul on Joe Newell.

"Second half, we got a little bit sloppy. They have a new manager, it is a bit of a party atmosphere and we allowed that happen.

"I've been here six weeks and that's the first defeat. It definitely wasn't our day today. We move on and can take positives from the game."

Absolutely nothing to be proud of today. He got it wrong. So did the players. He's lucky he had a very kind run of fixtures when he game in. It's not been good enough so far.

[B.H.F.C]

The real shock would have been Hibs competing effectively with Sevco today despite pre-match fighting talk. Our defence is sub-standard, our midfield what it is. Monty now seeing the scale of the problem and why his predecessors have been sacked.
Can Monty see and fix the problem or will he be out on his ear within a year ?

Said on another thread it always comes back to the player. I’m hopeful he will see it as he’s already got the likes of Campbell out of the team. Problem is he has nobody to bring in yet.

[DIXIHIBS]

Absolutely nothing to be proud of today. He got it wrong. So did the players. He's lucky he had a very kind run of fixtures when he game in. It's not been good enough so far.

Not normally one for criticising other posters but give it rest. We get it, you dont like/want Monty but you are on every thread possible moaning about him at every opportunity. Give him a chance ffs. If he doesnt do well, dont worry, he will get sacked.

[Ronniekirk]

Alarmingly we are now only 2 points from 11th having played 2 games more than Ross County and Dundee. :worried:
And Celtic up next The games after that one are going to be games we need to win Draws won’t get us into top six

[The Harp Awakes]

That was coming, the red flags have been there tbh, we got away with one at Tynie, his subs have been questionable borderline mental from the beginning, got away with it against St.Mirren too..draws v Killie and Dundee not good enough. I hope he isn't too arrogant to realise he needs to change shape against better teams. We will take a few doings playing like this. Won't bother me too much aslong as we beat the teams we are supposed to beat, but that was amateur today.

Agree with that. That set up was far too open to compete at Ibrox. We were never going to get enough possession for our wingers to influence the game. We made it far too easy for a fairly average Rangers team to cut through us. Campbell hasn't been great this season, but I think playing him instead of one of our wingers would have stiffened up our midfield.

It could have been a similar result at Tiny last week with the same set up, but thankfully Sibbick came to the rescue.

[Real Emerald]

We can’t play that formation and tactics at Ibrox and expect anything else. We have no midfield and we really need to address this which is not this managers fault. However, we probably needed to sacrifice one of Boyle, Youan or Alf to get another midfielder in there, the problem is we don’t really have anyone else with the quality we require.

[HarpOnHibee]

Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery is still "proud" of the way his players tried to play the ball at Ibrox but thinks mistakes let them down.

"I was happy with the way we started the game and am not going to change the way we play," he says. "I thought mistakes cost us today.

"The first goal, it's nothing to do with the way we play and it gives them a lift. The second goal, I genuinely think it was a foul on Joe Newell.

"Second half, we got a little bit sloppy. They have a new manager, it is a bit of a party atmosphere and we allowed that happen.

"I've been here six weeks and that's the first defeat. It definitely wasn't our day today. We move on and can take positives from the game."

I don't think even he believes a lot of that. It wasn't a simple case of it not being our day and a few mistakes costing us. We were never getting anything from that game with those tactics and if he doesn't change the way we approach the game against Celtic, then we're on a hiding to nothing. He's surely got to recognize that.

[JammyDoidger]

We can’t play that formation and tactics at Ibrox and expect anything else. We have no midfield and we really need to address this which is not this managers fault. However, we probably needed to sacrifice one of Boyle, Youan or Alf to get another midfielder in there, the problem is we don’t really have anyone else with the quality we require.

There's things you can do to give yourself a chance, he could have played Stevenson and played Obita infront to make us a bit more solid. You need discipline at places like Ivrox, something Youan doesn't have, He could have dropped a striker and played Levitt or Campbell to give us an extra body and energy in the midfield. It was naive today, that's the kind of formation I'd expect at home against Dundee, not away to Rangers.

[Greenbeard]

There's things you can do to give yourself a chance, he could have played Stevenson and played Obita infront to make us a bit more solid. You need discipline at places like Ivrox, something Youan doesn't have, He could have dropped a striker and played Levitt or Campbell to give us an extra body and energy in the midfield. It was naive today, that's the kind of formation I'd expect at home against Dundee, not away to Rangers.

Agree with all of that. Hopefully learned although I see Monty’s post match comments that he won’t change the way he wants the team to play.
Or maybe he wanted to keep up his sleeve the formation and manner of play to beat the Stickies and save it for the League Cup Final?

[Real Emerald]

There's things you can do to give yourself a chance, he could have played Stevenson and played Obita infront to make us a bit more solid. You need discipline at places like Ivrox, something Youan doesn't have, He could have dropped a striker and played Levitt or Campbell to give us an extra body and energy in the midfield. It was naive today, that's the kind of formation I'd expect at home against Dundee, not away to Rangers.

Yes, that’s what I was saying really. We needed another midfielder in there at the expense of probably Alf and even then he could still play 442 if he wants. The problem is we really don’t have a creative midfield to bring in but your suggestion is along the lines I was thinking.

[Itsnoteasy]

[QUOTE=Iain G;7490614]Not sure his post match comments reflect reality, guess he is trying to keep the players onside?[/QUOTE

Aye he says we were unfortunate 🙄 Unfortunate not to concede even more goals.

[JCHibby]

We can’t play that formation and tactics at Ibrox and expect anything else. We have no midfield and we really need to address this which is not this managers fault. However, we probably needed to sacrifice one of Boyle, Youan or Alf to get another midfielder in there, the problem is we don’t really have anyone else with the quality we require.

Easily could sacrifice Youan based on today. He was absolutely brutal, basically a man down all game. He has incredible ability but needs to start working harder. Defence and keeper need replaced.

[HarpOnHibee]

Easily could sacrifice Youan based on today. He was absolutely brutal, basically a man down all game. He has incredible ability but needs to start working harder. Defence and keeper need replaced.

I don't think he's given a whole lot to work with. But still manages to produce moments of brilliance out of nothing.

[JammyDoidger]

Agree with all of that. Hopefully learned although I see Monty’s post match comments that he won’t change the way he wants the team to play.
Or maybe he wanted to keep up his sleeve the formation and manner of play to beat the Stickies and save it for the League Cup Final?

Let's hope so mate, even at Easter Road I could maybe understand him going to open, but away from home there's a way to go about things, you can still be solid and carry a threat imo.

[Keepthefaith]

Yes, that’s what I was saying really. We needed another midfielder in there at the expense of probably Alf and even then he could still play 442 if he wants. The problem is we really don’t have a creative midfield to bring in but your suggestion is along the lines I was thinking.

And how many times have we gone there to keep things solid, only to still get beat and fans wanting a manager to be brave and take the game to them? Maybe Monty doesn't trust that we're strong enough defensively yet?

There was the potential to get something from rangers today by playing to our strengths. I'm not going to have a go at the manager for trying to do that.

I do believe we'll see a different Hibs team this time next year, defensively especially

[greenpaper55]

Monty needs to realise he is playing with the big boys now and what he has to work with is not good enough. Easy to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear in Australia where the standard is not of the highest but it will be a steep learning curve for him or he will go the Same way as his predecessors .

[Real Emerald]

And how many times have we gone there to keep things solid, only to still get beat and fans wanting a manager to be brave and take the game to them? Maybe Monty doesn't trust that we're strong enough defensively yet?

There was the potential to get something from rangers today by playing to our strengths. I'm not going to have a go at the manager for trying to do that.

I do believe we'll see a different Hibs team this time next year, defensively especially

That wasn’t brave today, it was a totally defensive display except he put three strikers on who had nothing to work with. It was a defensive capitulation.

[eastmainsmsh]

Easily could sacrifice Youan based on today. He was absolutely brutal, basically a man down all game. He has incredible ability but needs to start working harder. Defence and keeper need replaced.

That’s why Youan is with us very unpredictable with bags of talent needs to show it more often

[wookie70]

That’s why Youan is with us very unpredictable with bags of talent needs to show it more often Boyle also fits into that category too and playing both is a massive gamble when they both don't show up so often and are poor when we don't have the ball. In some ways they are our biggest problem and our best opportunity. They give away easy possession so often and aren't great at tracking back. Against the better teams it is a huge risk playing both and two up top