The Kwon/Triantis pairing

[Carheenlea]

Earlier in season it was debated on here whether or not we would really be required to play both Kwon and Triantis in the same team every week, particularly when up against so called weaker opposition. After they struck up a pretty solid looking partnership in front of the back four we never really thought much more about it and David Gray has played them both as starters every week when available.

It wouldn’t be so bad if we were tight defensively but having the pair sat in front of the defence hasn’t done anything to make goals hard to come by for the opposition, and our midfield is usually over run in numbers when we are trying to build attacks.

The fact we improved a little and looked more fluid in midfield after the half time change must give some thoughts again as to whether we really need both in a starting 11.

[Hiber-nation]

Looked to be the answer from their performance at Ibrox. Just goes to show how good you can look when you've got acres of space with no pressure on the ball. Fooled me anyway.

Triantis managed to beat 3 players and rattle a shot off the post at Killie when he wasn't even fit. Why has he regressed so much? He protects the defence well enough but has been so poor on the ball.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Two poor-average players.

[Wheat Hound]

The longer they've been at us the worse they've got...

[MKHIBEE]

The longer they've been at us the worse they've got...

Seems to be the case with most of the players. They certainly haven’t improved.

[Hibees1973]

Even for the SPFL these two guys are extremely limited.

They form part of the spine of our team with is made up of loans. Goalkeeper, these two and Myko.

These loans have been brought in while there are several players on £5k - £7k per week who don't play.

It really is a dire situation which has Ian Gordon's recruitment stamp all over it.

[Smartie]

It’s a very poorly thought out midfield.

They should never really have to play together but to take them and then combine them with Joe Newell is mind blowing.

Kwon’s actually the one who has disappointed me the most. Played a role in quite a few goals conceded, provides nothing going forward other than to just look a bit neat and tidy at times. Totally flatters to deceive.

Thank god the pair of them are only on loan. I still maintain that Triantis can look decent so he’d probably be my first pick. Reluctantly Newell would be next. For the third player though I’d be trying to be creative (Hoilett, Levitt) although I accept we don’t have an acceptable candidate in our squad. Definitely, absolutely not Kwon though.

It needs to be sorted as a matter of priority in January but I’m getting so sick of it needing sorted and every single solution we come up with actually making it worse.

[Vini1875]

Newell, Kwon and Triantis are basically the same player. Also none of them are very good as midfielders, they offer precious little going forward and more often than not slow the game down. Even though we appeared to have loads of midfielders at the the club, there seems like we have no one who will drag or push the team forward, no one who is willing to take charge. Somehow we have conspired to have the middle of the pitch as non playing part of the game. We just push ther ball wide and hope someone gets on the end of a cross.

[Big_Franck]

It’s a very poorly thought out midfield.

They should never really have to play together but to take them and then combine them with Joe Newell is mind blowing.

Kwon’s actually the one who has disappointed me the most. Played a role in quite a few goals conceded, provides nothing going forward other than to just look a bit neat and tidy at times. Totally flatters to deceive.

Thank god the pair of them are only on loan. I still maintain that Triantis can look decent so he’d probably be my first pick. Reluctantly Newell would be next. For the third player though I’d be trying to be creative (Hoilett, Levitt) although I accept we don’t have an acceptable candidate in our squad. Definitely, absolutely not Kwon though.

It needs to be sorted as a matter of priority in January but I’m getting so sick of it needing sorted and every single solution we come up with actually making it worse.

I agree about Newell. Having Kwon and Triantis as a 2 man holding midfield isn't great, but when you add in Newell, it's even worse.

None of the 3 are a goal threat at all and none of them are particularly creative either. Not a great recipe.

[KeithTheHibby]

I agree about Newell. Having Kwon and Triantis as a 2 man holding midfield isn't great, but when you add in Newell, it's even worse.

None of the 3 are a goal threat at all and none of them are particularly creative either. Not a great recipe.


You can’t play all 3 of them, simple as. One should be emptied with Levitt getting an extended run playing in front of them.

[blackpoolhibs]

Triantis was sheite as a centre half, he was moved to midfield and was marginally better, still poor though. The manager actually wanted him back, and sticking him in that midfield with the show pony should have raised red flags straight away.

Poor choices and poor tactics when he'd already seen them with his own eyes.:rolleyes:

[Docker]

It’s a very poorly thought out midfield.

They should never really have to play together but to take them and then combine them with Joe Newell is mind blowing.

Kwon’s actually the one who has disappointed me the most. Played a role in quite a few goals conceded, provides nothing going forward other than to just look a bit neat and tidy at times. Totally flatters to deceive.

Thank god the pair of them are only on loan. I still maintain that Triantis can look decent so he’d probably be my first pick. Reluctantly Newell would be next. For the third player though I’d be trying to be creative (Hoilett, Levitt) although I accept we don’t have an acceptable candidate in our squad. Definitely, absolutely not Kwon though.

It needs to be sorted as a matter of priority in January but I’m getting so sick of it needing sorted and every single solution we come up with actually making it worse.

Kwon was asleep for the first goal yesterday. Cadden and/or Boyle could have done a bit more to stop the cross coming in but for me Kwon does not track the run of the goal scorer. Not the first time in games either but his laziness was found out yesterday!

[Ozyhibby]

Kwon played well last season in this league.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DaveF]

Kwon played well last season in this league.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He only joined St Mirren in January 2024 and played the grand total of 8 league games.

[WhileTheChief..]

Two poor-average players.

Yup, same as the rest of the squad really.

Expected more from Kwon, not so much from Triantis.

[hibee-boys]

The fact that a large proportion of us were impressed by the initial performances by this pair I think were largely down to the utter pish we’ve had to endure in these positions going back how many years now?

[Scotty Leither]

Even for the SPFL these two guys are extremely limited.

They form part of the spine of our team with is made up of loans. Goalkeeper, these two and Myko.

These loans have been brought in while there are several players on £5k - £7k per week who don't play.

It really is a dire situation which has Ian Gordon's recruitment stamp all over it.

:top marksPost of the weekend.

Sumps Gordon up, guy is utterly clueless and he needs sat down and told a few home truths about his constant meddling and hopefully the BK group are doing just that, prior to doing it their way from here on in.

[AdidasHibernian]

Might get stick for this but... Levitt for me has to play and I would drop Triantis. Newall is terrible as well but he's slightly better than Triantis for me. And Kwon is the better of said 2..dire situation that our squad and especially midfield is so poor.

[Blurhibee]

We should never be playing 3 sitting midfielders at home, Davie has done that the last two home games, for that alone he deserves to be sacked. I love Davie but doing that is terrible

[Bobby's Cinema]

We don't have any midfielders that look like stepping up and taking responsibility. Always looking for a sideways pass for a teammate.

Massive gaps between the striker and when the ball goes wide. No-one showing and no-one linking.

For what I watched yesterday, we have to find a place for Levitt in the team. Time for him to become like the signing we never knew we had.

[andrew70]

Kwon and Triantis are fine together, it all went wrong when Gray shoehorned his mate Newell back in and moved Kwon up. Rendering the better player pointless and left Triantis fighting a losing battle on his own.

[Lancs Harp]

Been pretty disappointed by both. A major part of an underperforming midfield that is consistently outplayed and sees us currently the worse team in the SPL. Nowhere near good enough for where we need or want to be.
Kwons still pretty young but hes not going to make it at Celtic in a million years on his showing with us to date. Invisible too often, you could say that for virtually every current player though. Difficult times.

[Carheenlea]

We don't have any midfielders that look like stepping up and taking responsibility. Always looking for a sideways pass for a teammate.

Massive gaps between the striker and when the ball goes wide. No-one showing and no-one linking.

For what I watched yesterday, we have to find a place for Levitt in the team. Time for him to become like the signing we never knew we had.

I felt sorry for Youan on a few occasions yesterday in second half when he was seeing a lot more of the ball and receiving in deeper areas, but looking out across the pitch I was wondering who on earth he was going to pass to? Nobody bursting a gut to find space, nobody calling for the pass, and when he did try and thread something through a group of St Mirren players and lost possesion it was he who was on the receiving end of the groans from the stands.

With a midfield such as ours, we’re as well trying rugby style kicks into touch and try and pressure the opposition from their throw in around their box. Too many players simply hiding and hoping someone else is brave enough to work space for them themselves and receive the ball and try and make things happen. Jogging around pointing at things gives the impression of industry mind you.

[Since452]

My first real concern about Gray was when he signed Triantis.

[Jones28]

I’m not seeing what either of them are actually doing.

What function do they have? Neither of them seem to want to turn with the ball, neither seem to be able to play round the corner, minimal goal threat, Kwon in particular is defensively suspect, we seem to have signed 2 more Joe Newalls.

[Murphys Touch]

Even for the SPFL these two guys are extremely limited.

They form part of the spine of our team with is made up of loans. Goalkeeper, these two and Myko.

These loans have been brought in while there are several players on £5k - £7k per week who don't play.

It really is a dire situation which has Ian Gordon's recruitment stamp all over it.
Hard to find a better post this weekend

[truehibernian]

Asking a player who’s come through age groups as a centre half, then at this level suddenly asking him to play defensive midfield at this level and expecting that player to instantly “acclimatise” to that new position on the pitch, reeks of desperation and bad coaching - Montgomery started that, Gray, who should see that, persists with it. It’s just really bad coaching and management- round pegs square holes. Triantis is a centre half not a midfielder.

[Bobby's Cinema]

I felt sorry for Youan on a few occasions yesterday in second half when he was seeing a lot more of the ball and receiving in deeper areas, but looking out across the pitch I was wondering who on earth he was going to pass to? Nobody bursting a gut to find space, nobody calling for the pass, and when he did try and thread something through a group of St Mirren players and lost possession it was he who was on the receiving end of the groans from the stands.

With a midfield such as ours, we’re as well trying rugby style kicks into touch and try and pressure the opposition from their throw in around their box. Too many players simply hiding and hoping someone else is brave enough to work space for them themselves and receive the ball and try and make things happen. Jogging around pointing at things gives the impression of industry mind you.
Nail on the head there. You do wonder what is worked on in training. I've not played to any level but moving into space and making angles, and how you switch it up based on whether a team is sitting off you or pressing you, basic stuff you would think.

The midfield is the big problem for me. We don't link with our forwards at all through the middle, and we don't give our wide men any positive options when they receive it. Said previously that Scott Allan mentioned on comms last week there's not been a single assist from a Hibs midfielder this season.

[Lancs Harp]

Asking a player who’s come through age groups as a centre half, then at this level suddenly asking him to play defensive midfield at this level and expecting that player to instantly “acclimatise” to that new position on the pitch, reeks of desperation and bad coaching - Montgomery started that, Gray, who should see that, persists with it. It’s just really bad coaching and management- round pegs square holes. Triantis is a centre half not a midfielder.

Dont think he's either at this level. We need far better.

[InvertedFullBak]

These two are fine. It it all went south believe it or not when gray chucked Super captain Newell back in there. It’s no coincidence that we played better when Newell wasn’t in the side but Gray wants to keep his mates happy. .

[truehibernian]

Dont think he's either at this level. We need far better.

He’s certainly not a midfielder and I agree with you to an extent, but I’ve not really seen him play long enough in his natural position to give a valid opinion. The couple of games he played at centre half he was very poor (think he conceded a penalty), but again, he was thrust into the SPFL by Montgomery with very little experience.

[leithsansiro]

If we’re playing a midfield three, we need to actually have a combination that works. As loads of others have said, Newell, Kwon and Triantis are essentially similar players. Thinking about the midfields that work, surely we need a combination of destroyer/creator/runner to make it tick.

- Destroyer; Triantis is actually alright at that. Sit and break up play and move the ball on quickly to a more creative teammate

- Creator; Newell thinks he is, but he isn’t. Levitt is probably the best option we’ve got there, given that he has the capacity to pick a forward pass. With protection behind him, he’s probably alright.

- Runner; genuinely don’t know if we’ve got anyone for the role. We need a box to box, Pat McGinlay type who’s going to put in a shift to cover space and carry. Campbell is a (very) poor man’s version of this, which highlights how bad our recruitment has been.

I’m not convinced it’s entirely the personnel that are to blame, more how they’re being asked to play and the roled they’re put into.

[Carheenlea]

If we’re playing a midfield three, we need to actually have a combination that works. As loads of others have said, Newell, Kwon and Triantis are essentially similar players. Thinking about the midfields that work, surely we need a combination of destroyer/creator/runner to make it tick.

- Destroyer; Triantis is actually alright at that. Sit and break up play and move the ball on quickly to a more creative teammate

- Creator; Newell thinks he is, but he isn’t. Levitt is probably the best option we’ve got there, given that he has the capacity to pick a forward pass. With protection behind him, he’s probably alright.

- Runner; genuinely don’t know if we’ve got anyone for the role. We need a box to box, Pat McGinlay type who’s going to put in a shift to cover space and carry. Campbell is a (very) poor man’s version of this, which highlights how bad our recruitment has been.

I’m not convinced it’s entirely the personnel that are to blame, more how they’re being asked to play and the roled they’re put into.

Molotnikov perhaps?

[hibsbollah]

Molotnikov perhaps?

:agree:


Discussed on the other thread in relation to Levitt for the #10 role- i’ve seen much more from Rudi especially with his ability to beat a man.

[Jones28]

:agree:


Discussed on the other thread in relation to Levitt for the #10 role- i’ve seen much more from Rudi especially with his ability to beat a man.

Sorry HB but I’m not seeing it with Rudi yet, he’s looked lost in his last few games.

I do think he’s got huge potential from some of his other appearances however.

[HiBremian]

Nail on the head there. You do wonder what is worked on in training. I've not played to any level but moving into space and making angles, and how you switch it up based on whether a team is sitting off you or pressing you, basic stuff you would think.

The midfield is the big problem for me. We don't link with our forwards at all through the middle, and we don't give our wide men any positive options when they receive it. Said previously that Scott Allan mentioned on comms last week there's not been a single assist from a Hibs midfielder this season.

The bit in bold. Watching the last few games on Hibs TV, what struck me most was how easily Hearts, Ross County, Dundee Utd and St Mirren found space to do just this. We fail miserably to pass through the lines, and instead predictably play the ball out to the wings, hoping for a cross into the box. I get the impression that much of the team can’t be *rsed looking for these spaces to receive the ball in the middle of the pitch. And as the poster above says, it’s the guy with the ball looking for the pass that ends up getting the stick from the fans.

[Stuart93]

I was confused when we re-signed traintis because he wasn’t good enough the last time he was here and nothings changed regarding that.

[greenlex]

They may be limited in the creative sense but I think with Levitt in there instead of Newell or maybe even with Newell in a 442 it might work a bit better. Leave either or both Caddens at wing back or Obita and Miller in those roles. They certainly are not poor for this league.

[ekhibee]

Triantis was sheite as a centre half, he was moved to midfield and was marginally better, still poor though. The manager actually wanted him back, and sticking him in that midfield with the show pony should have raised red flags straight away.

Poor choices and poor tactics when he'd already seen them with his own eyes.:rolleyes:

Yep, my thoughts exactly, but I still think the only reason Triantis is at the club is because they missed out on McCowan.

[andrew70]

Yep, my thoughts exactly, but I still think the only reason Triantis is at the club is because they missed out on McCowan.

Triantis was asked for in late June, for our pre season camp and start of LC groups, also again in July. Sunderland didn’t want to release at that time.

Only reason he was signed so late was because of his parent club. Triantis wanted to come.

[Bushwoof]

They both looked to have regressed since the start of the season, but Kwon more so. He was rotten on Saturday, and would be the one I'd drop. I had high hopes for that pair too.

[J-C]

Triantis, Kwong and Newell are all alike, none are actually that good and they play the same, never show for the ball, can't tackle or track a man. What's happened to Amos, NMW and JDH they've just vanished.

[BoomtownHibees]

Triantis, Kwong and Newell are all alike, none are actually that good and they play the same, never show for the ball, can't tackle or track a man. What's happened to Amos, NMW and JDH they've just vanished.

JDH was on the bench on Saturday

[sauzee1989]

Apart from triantis first game back at killie he’s been extremely poor. Would have levitt playing well before him.

[CapitalGreen]

Apart from triantis first game back at killie he’s been extremely poor. Would have levitt playing well before him.

Off the top of my head he was good against St Johnstone, Rangers and Ross County too.

[The Harp Awakes]

We should never be playing 3 sitting midfielders at home, Davie has done that the last two home games, for that alone he deserves to be sacked. I love Davie but doing that is terrible

3 sitting midfielders and 1 up front against teams we expect to finish above. You've got a midfield there who will score and assist zero goals.

And then of course Gray repeatedly brings on McKirdy. It's little wonder we can't score goals.

Gray has not got a clue what he is doing sadly.

[J-C]

JDH was on the bench on Saturday

Bit not used.