Thoughts On Today's Game

[Keith_M]

I thought for the first 25/30 minutes we looked like a rabbit in the headlights. Celtc were all over us and panic mode seemed to set in, leading to us being 2-0 down.

It looked at that point like it was going to be a cricket score, as there's no denying that Celtc have real quality in their side, but I'd have to say that we came back into it really well and, after scoring, I actually thought we were (marginally) the better side up until half time.

You could tell Celtc were a bit startled at that point as they were putting in some meaty challenges and probably deserved more than one yellow card.

Second half started similarly to the first, but we soon came back into it and I honestly thought we had a good chance of drawing level. Sadly, one stupid mistake at the back and it was Goodnight Vienna.

I totally understand some of the negativity expressed on the match thread but I honestly think a couple of spells we had where we were going toe-to-toe with a very talented, and very expensive, Celtc team at least showed some signs that we might be turning a corner..


...if we could just cut out the kind of stupid mistakes that led to the third goal.



p.s. I think I already know the answer to this, but; why is it that VAR is only applied to one side, and not one of Celtc's goals, or challenges in the box, were even looked at?

:confused:

[Hibees1973]

Lack of professionalism and organisation for Hibs to lose a goal in the first four minutes two weeks running.

Defensively we are a shambles.

Goalkeeper should be binned immediately. He spreads panic throughout the whole team.

We scored out of nothing. 2 shots on target the whole game.

The first 2 league games and today we got what we deserved. Nothing.

[JimBHibees]

I thought for the first 25/30 minutes we looked like a rabbit in the headlights. Celtc were all over us and panic mode seemed to set in, leading to us being 2-0 down.

It looked at that point like it was going to be a cricket score, as there's no denying that Celtc have real quality in their side, but I'd have to say that we came back into it really well and, after scoring, I actually thought we were (marginally) the better side up until half time.

You could tell Celtc were a bit startled at that point as they were putting in some meaty challenges and probably deserved more than one yellow card.

Second half started similarly to the first, but we soon came back into it and I honestly thought we had a good chance of drawing level. Sadly, one stupid mistake at the back and it was Goodnight Vienna.

I totally understand some of the negativity expressed on the match thread but I honestly think a couple of spells we had where we were going toe-to-toe with a very talented, and very expensive, Celtc team at least showed some signs that we might be turning a corner..


...if we could just cut out the kind of stupid mistakes that led to the third goal.



p.s. I think I already know the answer to this, but; why is it that VAR is only applied to one side, and not one of Celtc's goals, or challenges in the box, were even looked at?

:confused:

Agree thought it was an improvement on the week before. Showed a bit more fight. Some promising signs for me Celtic are playing very well but should put us in better stead for upcoming games imo.

[Musselbound]

The jury is still very much out on whether our defence is any better than last season. Games v Celtic not really the best gauge but we'll get a better idea of where we are over the next few games. The next two look tough as well. We badly need at least one win from those.

[jimbob07]

The jury is still very much out on whether our defence is any better than last season. Games v Celtic not really the best gauge but we'll get a better idea of where we are over the next few games. The next two look tough as well. We badly need at least one win from those.
Thought we played well in short spells. Celtic are miles ahead of everyone. 2 wins next 2 games GGTTH

[wookie70]

I agree with much of what the OP has said. We were so poor up until we scored but it is amazing how much a goal changed us. All of a sudden we stopped watching Celtc pass the ball and actually made it hard for them. We were on the front foot as much as them and we looked a reasonable side. I can never understand how players who train full time can be so far away from other teams in the league in terms of not getting shoulder to shoulder. I think coaching actually stops us competing sometimes as players are more concerned with a shape than just getting some contact and upsetting the rhythm of the opposition. At least we showed there is a bit of character but it shouldn't need something good to happen to show itself. We desperately need to start with the positive attitude against Dundee. It is looking like a far more important game than it should be at this stage in the season and could be pivotal either way

[worcesterhibby]

I thought for the first 25/30 minutes we looked like a rabbit in the headlights. Celtc were all over us and panic mode seemed to set in, leading to us being 2-0 down.

It looked at that point like it was going to be a cricket score, as there's no denying that Celtc have real quality in their side, but I'd have to say that we came back into it really well and, after scoring, I actually thought we were (marginally) the better side up until half time.

You could tell Celtc were a bit startled at that point as they were putting in some meaty challenges and probably deserved more than one yellow card.

Second half started similarly to the first, but we soon came back into it and I honestly thought we had a good chance of drawing level. Sadly, one stupid mistake at the back and it was Goodnight Vienna.

I totally understand some of the negativity expressed on the match thread but I honestly think a couple of spells we had where we were going toe-to-toe with a very talented, and very expensive, Celtc team at least showed some signs that we might be turning a corner..


...if we could just cut out the kind of stupid mistakes that led to the third goal.



p.s. I think I already know the answer to this, but; why is it that VAR is only applied to one side, and not one of Celtc's goals, or challenges in the box, were even looked at?

:confused:

excellent post, nice to hear a sensible balanced view for a change. Great to see Myko score, will do him the power of good. Vente wouldn’t have won the header, let alone buried it beyond a very good keeper. Celtic are a very good team, playing very well.

yes we still need a new driving force in midfield and cover at Centre half, but there are still plenty of new recruits to bed in. I’m feeling pretty positive that we will be top 6 this year and then strengthen again into a proper challenge for 3rd next season.

[Booked4Being-Ugly]

I thought for the first 25/30 minutes we looked like a rabbit in the headlights. Celtc were all over us and panic mode seemed to set in, leading to us being 2-0 down.

It looked at that point like it was going to be a cricket score, as there's no denying that Celtc have real quality in their side, but I'd have to say that we came back into it really well and, after scoring, I actually thought we were (marginally) the better side up until half time.

You could tell Celtc were a bit startled at that point as they were putting in some meaty challenges and probably deserved more than one yellow card.

Second half started similarly to the first, but we soon came back into it and I honestly thought we had a good chance of drawing level. Sadly, one stupid mistake at the back and it was Goodnight Vienna.

I totally understand some of the negativity expressed on the match thread but I honestly think a couple of spells we had where we were going toe-to-toe with a very talented, and very expensive, Celtc team at least showed some signs that we might be turning a corner..


...if we could just cut out the kind of stupid mistakes that led to the third goal.



p.s. I think I already know the answer to this, but; why is it that VAR is only applied to one side, and not one of Celtc's goals, or challenges in the box, were even looked at?

:confused:

Good refreshing post.

We could have done without meeting Celtic twice so early in the season before our new team has had a chance to gel.

I think we will still come good once we have everyone available.

Agree about VAR and some decision in general like how Carter Vickers gets away with persistent fouling, although thought Clancy had a decent enough game by his standards.

[worcesterhibby]

Good refreshing post.

We could have done without meeting Celtic twice so early in the season before our new team has had a chance to gel.

I think we will still come good once we have everyone available.

Agree about VAR and some decision in general like how Carter Vickers gets away with persistent fouling, although thought Clancy had a decent enough game by his standards.

I was amazed both the goal and the penalty Var went in our favour !

[GreenCastle]

Struggling to take many positives as seem to make same mistakes every time we play them…

Losing the first goal..

Posted this on another couple threads earlier - can now add today to list.

Last time we played them..lost opening goal time..

Most recent games..

Celtic Park today..4 mins
Easter Road 3 mins
Easter Road 10 mins
Celtic Park 5 mins
Easter Road 41 mins
Celtic Park 52 mins (we were leading 1-0)
Easter Road 28 mins
Celtic park 9 mins
Celtic park 4 mins
Easter Road 52 mins (Hibs leading 1-0)
Easter Road 10 mins
Celtic park 81 mins - ended up 1v1 (2021)

So 7 out of the last 13 games (there was a 0v0 game also) we have lost a goal in first 10 mins.

Having a good start and not losing an early goal in these games is so important.

I’m still concerned with our recruitment at the back. The keeper and we need another starting centre back.

We could also do with Obita - Newell and Boyle finding some form…though won’t hold my breath with Newell - has he had a good game yet this season ??!

Celtic are miles ahead but still think other teams will give them a better game.

One thing is for certain players didn’t give up for Gray but Dundee and Killie games will be a real test to see where we are before window shuts.

[Keith_M]

I was amazed both the goal and the penalty Var went in our favour !


:agree:

Fair enough the correct decision was taken in the end but it still seems like VAR only came into play to try to help out their favoured team.

There was a suspicion* of offside at Celtc's 2nd but that apparently means nothing, so no VAR check required.



* I'm not saying that it was offside, but the Hibs defence were complaining to the ref, so why not check it, same as they did at the other end?

[Pretty Boy]

:agree:

Fair enough the correct decision was taken in the end but it still seems like VAR only came into play to try to help out their favoured team.

There was a suspicion* of offside at Celtc's 2nd but that apparently means nothing, so no VAR check required.



* I'm not saying that it was offside, but the Hibs defence were complaining to the ref, so why not check it, same as they did at the other end?

VAR checks all goals as standard.

The longer delays are when they feel there is a need for a longer look to prevent the game restarting.

[Keith_M]

VAR checks all goals as standard.

The longer delays are when they feel there is a need for a longer look to prevent the game restarting.


Fair enough. :aok:


I'll be having a good look through the highlights myself, though, to see if one is actually more obvious than the other :wink:

[Unseen work]

It is absolutely no coincidence we looked at our best and Celtic at their worst just after the goal when we got in their face and started being physical and battling for everything

Think it was one stage miller beat a man on the right and it was crossed in, a bit of havoc in the Celtic area and they took a couple of attempts to clear it but we were aggressive and kept winning it back. Within 1 minute the Celtic fans were getting annoyed and you could hear the moaning.

Unfortunately we then chucked it with the 3rd goal

[Pagan Hibernia]

My thoughts are I'm glad that the double header with the green weegie weirdos is now behind us.

Our season can start again properly next week. Dundee at home. Onwards!

[JohnM1875]

My thoughts are I'm glad that the double header with the green weegie weirdos is now behind us.

Our season can start again properly next week. Dundee at home. Onwards!

Two games before the break are massive. Win both then it's realistically only one bad league defeat (St Mirren). If we lose both though things are going to get really messy.

[B.H.F.C]

Between us scoring and gifting them the third, we were well in the game and I thought we played pretty well in that period.

The rest of it was crap. Lacked any belief and didn’t do the basics you need to do in any game, never mind through there.

[NAE NOOKIE]

The last two games simply put into stark contrast what a gulf there is between what Celtic can put on the park and what everybody else can. That being said, it doesn't excuse just how poor our attempts were to compete with them, especially our poor use of the ball when we did have it. EG ... a really good chance on the break ruined by Obita's shocking touch which gifted the ball back to them ... a player who is usually better than that by the way.

If there has to be one lesson taken from the last 3 games it's for the likes of O'Hora and especially Ekpiteta who by now must have realised that mistakes in this league will be punished just as heavily as in the ones they have experience of, if not more.

All of this is starting to make next Saturday's game against a Dundee team looking like they have started this season in the same vein as they played in the last one a must win. Mental to say that so early, but that's how it feels.

[Skol]

We gifted Celtic at least four of the five goals they score across the two games.

[HFC 0-7]

Zero belief in the squad. I have never been sold on gray getting the job. I just think he isn’t experienced enough and moving from being players friends to their manager must be difficult.

Today in the first 30 mins that we just didn’t look confident on the ball and a little panicked. At one point I feared it could be a real bad one. Celtic, the same as last week could have scored a load if they didn’t try and walk the ball in the net at times.

We got back into it with a really well taken goal from no where but the way we defend the whole team will struggle to build pressure on opposition knowing that we have been so weak at the back and more often than not the architects of our own downfall. I can’t see any players in there at the moment that create that little bit of time on the ball and ease pressure. 2 many players don’t look like the type of players to match with the way we want to play.

[B.H.F.C]

Zero belief in the squad. I have never been sold on gray getting the job. I just think he isn’t experienced enough and moving from being players friends to their manager must be difficult.

Today in the first 30 mins that we just didn’t look confident on the ball and a little panicked. At one point I feared it could be a real bad one. Celtic, the same as last week could have scored a load if they didn’t try and walk the ball in the net at times.

We got back into it with a really well taken goal from no where but the way we defend the whole team will struggle to build pressure on opposition knowing that we have been so weak at the back and more often than not the architects of our own downfall. I can’t see any players in there at the moment that create that little bit of time on the ball and ease pressure. 2 many players don’t look like the type of players to match with the way we want to play.

The bit about belief is spot on. Every time we lost a goal there was no real reaction from them, shoulders were slumped and they didn’t look like they wanted to be there.

A lot has been spoken about, from the likes of Gray and McKay, regarding leadership. It’s so sadly lacking. There is nobody there who wants to grab hold of the game and try to get us moving or who is going to try and drag us through a tough period in a game. It’s pitiful to watch at times.

[Lago]

:top marks
The bit about belief is spot on. Every time we lost a goal there was no real reaction from them, shoulders were slumped and they didn’t look like they wanted to be there.

A lot has been spoken about, from the likes of Gray and McKay, regarding leadership. It’s so sadly lacking. There is nobody there who wants to grab hold of the game and try to get us moving or who is going to try and drag us through a tough period in a game. It’s pitiful to watch at times.

[Bobby's Cinema]

The bit about belief is spot on. Every time we lost a goal there was no real reaction from them, shoulders were slumped and they didn’t look like they wanted to be there.

A lot has been spoken about, from the likes of Gray and McKay, regarding leadership. It’s so sadly lacking. There is nobody there who wants to grab hold of the game and try to get us moving or who is going to try and drag us through a tough period in a game. It’s pitiful to watch at times.
First 30mins we were just shuffling from side to side in a shape. Hoping not to concede more with no clue how to get hold of the ball or look like getting ourselves up the park to influence the game. Nowhere near good enough. What about all the chat of standards at this club etc.

In the end we done OK to steady ourselves and even looked like an outside chance to atleast make it interesting before killing the tie ourselves.

[B.H.F.C]

First 30mins we were just shuffling from side to side in a shape. Hoping not to concede more with no clue how to get hold of the ball or look like getting ourselves up the park to influence the game. Nowhere near good enough. What about all the chat of standards at this club etc.

In the end we done OK to steady ourselves and even looked like an outside chance to atleast make it interesting before killing the tie ourselves.

Standing at the game and my mate made the point about our attempts at pressing them. When we went to do it, it was one or two doing it. You need them all to do it. As well as lacking in belief I didn’t think we looked like a team with a clear idea of what they were doing. It just all felt a bit like hoping for the best and maybe relying on a moment here or there. With Celtic out the way, Gray is going to have to come up with a selection and plan a lot better than we saw today.

[HFC 0-7]

Standing at the game and my mate made the point about our attempts at pressing them. When we went to do it, it was one or two doing it. You need them all to do it. As well as lacking in belief I didn’t think we looked like a team with a clear idea of what they were doing. It just all felt a bit like hoping for the best and maybe relying on a moment here or there. With Celtic out the way, Gray is going to have to come up with a selection and plan a lot better than we saw today.

On the pressing, Rocky was way up the pitch at points and others were way back. I don’t think the belief is there from the players that they can press and not leave massive gaps in behind. The players look like they are all on different pages. It could be that gray has told them not to press as a unit as he knows there would be too many gaps.

I don’t hold out hope this season as it stands but I think the dundee game will be a much truer picture of our play.

[BoomtownHibees]

On the pressing, Rocky was way up the pitch at points and others were way back. I don’t think the belief is there from the players that they can press and not leave massive gaps in behind. The players look like they are all on different pages. It could be that gray has told them not to press as a unit as he knows there would be too many gaps.

I don’t hold out hope this season as it stands but I think the dundee game will be a much truer picture of our play.

I don’t think that comes from Rocky trying to press as such, it comes from his poor positional sense and not knowing where he is on the football pitch

[He's here!]

Just watched it. Dreadful, panic stricken start despite Gray's talk about lessons learned from last week. We look worse at the back than last season and jeez, the keeper looks like he's been plucked from a schoolboy team. No presence about him at all and I find it hard to believe he's 6ft 2.

Great Hibs goal but it had the feel that going 2-0 down early removes the fear of going 2-0 down early, to put a twist on a Butcher-ism. And we know how things ended up when that kind of stuff was being said.

I remain fearful for us this season on that evidence.

[greenlex]

Not too disheartened to be honest. Gifted the best team in the country two goals and tgat us just not good enough but generally defended everything they could throw at us in their own midden. I think folks need to lighten up a bit. Talk if everyone being utter **** is way wide of the mark. If we can’t/don’t compete in the next two I might change my mind but I’m not of a mind to panic just yet.

[TrinityHFC]

I don’t think that comes from Rocky trying to press as such, it comes from his poor positional sense and not knowing where he is on the football pitch

Rocky going in to midfield is one of these things that some teams that play 3 at the back are doing now. Deliberately. Michael Stewart mentioned it in the commentary too.

[blackpoolhibs]

The jury is still very much out on whether our defence is any better than last season. Games v Celtic not really the best gauge but we'll get a better idea of where we are over the next few games. The next two look tough as well. We badly need at least one win from those.

Is the St Mirren game being ignored for any reason, they beat us by more goals than the champions?:rolleyes:

[sauzee1989]

The only positive is we reduced Celtic to 12 shots at goal at home. Considering they had 32 against Kilmarnock. Just individual errors costing us

[Unseen work]

It’s easy to go completely overboard after the start to the season.

Celtic look very good at the moment and although you can always point to the defenders etc and say they should do better, some of the Celtic play is outstanding. A lot of the time it just looks like a huge gulf in class.

Both games we’ve started (2-4 minutes) not had and been playing in their half before the go forward and instantly score, the players believe the gulf in class.

It took an excellent header from Myk for some players to go “wait a minute we do have a chance” we started pressing them and being aggressive and until half time it was so so much better.

Change of shape at half time helped us and Celtic looked to find it more difficult to break us down but another brutal error cost us.

3 games in a row we’ve now gifted the opposition goals. I know some will say why are we giving Marv the ball there, well because on 2 or 3 occasions before that he clipped brilliant balls down the line for Boyle and miller and we were getting joy.

Next weekend we need to go out and completely outfight Dundee all over the park and not give them a second. They’ll do the same to us with the players they have. You just know Tony Docherty will be saying to press the defence with guys like Murray and make sure we’re all over any back passes.

Think we’ll see a good few changes next week. Also think we’ll see a couple signings coming in this week.

Two huge games coming up.

[Albert Kidd 86’]

My immediate thoughts were we held them to 3 goals, and that there are alot of other teams in the league who will ship many more against a team who are clearly a cut or three ahead of everyone else.

They scored more against Man city and Chelsea in mere friendlies!

does not excuse the errors, but playing against that level of pressure will result in errors, I accept that; as long as we learn from them.

I feel Hibs are on the right track finally overall. Onwards and upwards.

[TheSouthMoroccan]

The reality is we’ll know after the Dundee game where we stand. I think Dundee will beat us. I think this season is going to be a very tough watch. It’s going to take two seasons to fix. I like what SDG says in his interviews, it’s honest and truthful and I hope he’s given the two seasons to fix things. But I don’t think he will be and I fear he’ll be gone before Christmas.

[JimBHibees]

Not too disheartened to be honest. Gifted the best team in the country two goals and tgat us just not good enough but generally defended everything they could throw at us in their own midden. I think folks need to lighten up a bit. Talk if everyone being utter **** is way wide of the mark. If we can’t/don’t compete in the next two I might change my mind but I’m not of a mind to panic just yet.

Exactly where i am sometimes takes a bit of time to gel. The level of criticism needs to stop. Give gray and the players a bit of support and patience

[ekhibee]

Just watched it. Dreadful, panic stricken start despite Gray's talk about lessons learned from last week. We look worse at the back than last season and jeez, the keeper looks like he's been plucked from a schoolboy team. No presence about him at all and I find it hard to believe he's 6ft 2.

Great Hibs goal but it had the feel that going 2-0 down early removes the fear of going 2-0 down early, to put a twist on a Butcher-ism. And we know how things ended up when that kind of stuff was being said.

I remain fearful for us this season on that evidence.

I don't know what you mean about Gray, in his interview after the game you could tell he was fuming and straight away commented on how the team hadn't learnt from last week despite them going over it thoroughly during the week leading up to the cup game.

[McGruber]

Was always going to be tough. Not overly critical of us being put out the cup by Celtic at Parkhead.

Biggest issue is we needed an upgrade on Marshall which was never going to be Wollacot and we've managed to bring in a first choice goalkeeper worse than last seasons 2nd choice in Wollacot. The other one, Smith, looks terrible.

We needed to bring in centre backs with Rocky deemed not good enough because he has 6 or 7 mistakes in him a season and brought in Ekpiteta who has a mistake in him every game

[BoomtownHibees]

Rocky going in to midfield is one of these things that some teams that play 3 at the back are doing now. Deliberately. Michael Stewart mentioned it in the commentary too.

Is that not when teams have got possession rather than a centre half chasing opposition players into the middle of the park?

[He's here!]

I don't know what you mean about Gray, in his interview after the game you could tell he was fuming and straight away commented on how the team hadn't learnt from last week despite them going over it thoroughly during the week leading up to the cup game.

What I mean is that he made a point of saying that we'd learned lessons from the previous week and it was good to get the opportunity to put the mistakes right so soon as the previous game would be fresh in their minds.

We then go out and ship two quick goals, all but killing the game and showing we appeared to have learned nothing.

I'm not saying it's Gray's fault. It isn't. Players who simply aren't very good will never become good enough to keep a strong Celtic team at bay and will simply go on making the same mistakes. As a manager, though, he has to come out with the right soundbites. 'We're pretty crap, nowhere near good enough to beat Celtic, and I'm just hoping we don't take a real doing' wouldn't go gown too well.

[Septimus]

Just watched the match and I have to say that I having read the numerous comments predicting a future of doom and gloom I had expected to see much worse than I actually saw. After our goal we looked like a team that were up for the match. Question marks round some players but at long last we appear to be addressing these problems. The day when we go to Celtc Park and actually expect to win I look forward to. In the meantime what I do expect is full commitment from all the players at all times.

[basehibby]

I'm not overly despondent after Sunday. What was expected happened in that we got beat and while not doing much to worry Celtic we didn't disgrace ourselves either.

Certain new signings have been given a baptism of fire with Ekpiteta managing another blundersome backpass that lead to a goal conceded - I sincerely hope he can nip that in the bud because as an SPL defender he NEEDS to be able to play a pass under pressure and if he cannot be reliable in that respect then he won't survive at this level.

Bursik between the sticks has not had an easy start either. He is highly rated but also young for a keeper. It's not really possible to guage the quality of a keeper in such a short space of time - he has looked fairly confident and has not been guilty of any big errors - but has not pulled off any exceptional stops yet either. We are accustomed to international standard goalkeepers at Hibs - I hope he can rise to the challenge.

In other areas, our recruitment up front looks good - big Myko scored a great header and looks to be picking up where he left off at Hibs - great! Bowie meanwhile looks very promising and with Youan and Hoilett approaching fitness we should pose an attacking threat going forward.

We do need more quality additions - to bolster the midfield in particular - but we are not far away I think from having a squad with sufficient quality to challenge for the European places which seems a realistic and reasonable target. SDG is not immune to mistakes but his brand of "sensible football" seems to me more likely to yield results in the SPL than his recent predecessors. Fingers crossed against Dundee - this will be a tricky match as they have got off to a flyer - I predict a draw although a maiden SPL victory would be like mana from heaven for SDG and would go some way to convincing the doubters he's the man to take us forward.

[Tambo]

A really good spell in the last 25/20 of the first half, struggled to get out our own half at times in the second.

Don't see many teams taking much from Celtic this season.