CH to WIng. CH to Wing. Rinse and repeat.

[RIP]

Is it just me that gets fed up watching the same tactic of across the back and out to the touchline?

Against Well, County and Dons we showed that we can play centrally. Or at least mix it up so that the opposition doesn't know what to expect.

Today was a tough watch but could have been easier on the eye if we didn't have to watch the same repetitive play over and over again.

[Jones28]

We didn’t have much option for the second half, they were camped in their own box for most of it. We didn’t really have the quality in the middle to play through them.

[Hibstrooper]

With the run we are on just now I can’t say I’m that fed up with it.

I think we’ve won games in different ways in recent weeks and have seen us mix it up, with 2 up top allowing us to play balls over the opposition quite a lot and to good success too.

[Allant1981]

Was pretty much all that could happen for the whole of the 2nd half today, was far to tight in the middle due to then sitting in so deep

[RIP]

We could have tried putting the ball into the box more though? Ross County did this against Hearts and it worked for them.

[Allant1981]

We could have tried putting the ball into the box more though?

Which is easier and more effective from the wing

[NC1875]

I said at the game he should’ve swapped Nicky cadden and Boyle and had them cutting inside and getting shots away. The going outside, putting the ball in the box wasn’t working. Frustrating

[Jones28]

We could have tried putting the ball into the box more though? Ross County did this against Hearts and it worked for them.

We did, from the wings. Lumping a high ball into a packed penalty box with the strikers we have was never going to be effective.

[Smartie]

Is it just me that gets fed up watching the same tactic of across the back and out to the touchline?

Against Well, County and Dons we showed that we can play centrally. Or at least mix it up so that the opposition doesn't know what to expect.

Today was a tough watch but could have been easier on the eye if we didn't have to watch the same repetitive play over and over again.

Over the holiday period I’ve watched bits and pieces of other games, I’ve watched a lot more football than usual.

It’s not specific to Hibs. It’s very typical of a team that looks like it wants to play decent football but is up against a well drilled team back in numbers and is huffing and puffing a bit when it comes to making any inroads.

It’s fine when you’re winning or when it subsequently leads on to the creation of chances. It’s a tough watch when not.

[B.H.F.C]

All comes back to the summer when we decided McCowan was the only player we could sign to provide some creativity centrally.

[NAE NOOKIE]

We aren't clever or good enough to slice up teams through the middle .... how often do you see a Hibs player make a run beyond the ball carrier in the middle of the park in an attempt to turn the defence and even when one does we have nobody on the pitch capable of making a Scott Allan type pass with any consistency ... in fact most of them won't even try it even when a run is made.

The other thing is we have absolutely nobody capable of hitting a shot from 25 yards out ... in fact I can barely remember the last time a Hibs player scored from that range more than once in a season after lining the shot up. maybe Newell's goal against Aberdeen at ER ... when we do score from that range it tends to be because the ball has broke to a player who hits it first time, not because the player has the ability to line it up and have a go.

The fact is we carry little to no threat through the middle, which is why we try to get it wide all the time and batter it into the box.

Funny thing is Kwon, who I nominated for the exit door on another thread, looked like he actually did have the confidence to shoot from outside the box and as I recall came close twice from long range earlier in the season .... perhaps if we are to keep him after January it might be an idea to try and get him further up the park.

[matty_f]

We aren't clever or good enough to slice up teams through the middle .... how often do you see a Hibs player make a run beyond the ball carrier in the middle of the park in an attempt to turn the defence and even when one does we have nobody on the pitch capable of making a Scott Allan type pass with any consistency ... in fact most of them won't even try it even when a run is made.

The other thing is we have absolutely nobody capable of hitting a shot from 25 yards out ... in fact I can barely remember the last time a Hibs player scored from that range more than once in a season after lining the shot up. maybe Newell's goal against Aberdeen at ER ... when we do score from that range it tends to be because the ball has broke to a player who hits it first time, not because the player has the ability to line it up and have a go.

The fact is we carry little to no threat through the middle, which is why we try to get it wide all the time and batter it into the box.

Funny thing is Kwon, who I nominated for the exit door on another thread, looked like he actually did have the confidence to shoot from outside the box and as I recall came close twice from long range earlier in the season .... perhaps if we are to keep him after January it might be an idea to try and get him further up the park.

Shooting from further out was about the only way we were getting through the middle of them. St Johnstone forced us wide as that’s where the space was. I don’t think we could really play through the middle of them today.

[Alfred E Newman]

Is it just me that gets fed up watching the same tactic of across the back and out to the touchline?

Against Well, County and Dons we showed that we can play centrally. Or at least mix it up so that the opposition doesn't know what to expect.

Today was a tough watch but could have been easier on the eye if we didn't have to watch the same repetitive play over and over again.

You will have noticed that the successful formation we stumbled on to a few weeks ago, one that brought us outstanding results away at Motherwell, Aberdeen and Tynecastle, has been decimated by injuries ?
To achieve 4 wins on the bounce with this squad is fantastic. Today and to a certain extent the Kilmarnock game , just underlines how weak that squad is. If we can manage to finish mid table with this lot that will be a success.

[AdidasHibernian]

Crying out for a Scott Allan type player in Jan

[RIP]

There's more than one way of penetrating the box.

In the first half Kwon and Campbell both made runs in behind. They tried cut backs from WITHIN the box rather than long crossing from the flanks.

Our goal came from a central header forward to Gayle.

Against the Dons, Newell tried his luck from 25 yards and scored via a deflection. He kept his show low - a feat our players appeared spectacularly unable to match.

No-one is debating that wing play can produce results. However if that is the only tactic being employed, we make it far too easy to defend against.

Looking at Bushiri, Triantis and Levitt second half, they so rarely looked up and ahead to identify a forward ball.

Missed opportunity IMO.

[Wilson]

Crying out for a Scott Allan type player in Jan

Probably, but we don't have time to wait for their offspring.

[hibsbollah]

Over the holiday period I’ve watched bits and pieces of other games, I’ve watched a lot more football than usual.

It’s not specific to Hibs. It’s very typical of a team that looks like it wants to play decent football but is up against a well drilled team back in numbers and is huffing and puffing a bit when it comes to making any inroads.

It’s fine when you’re winning or when it subsequently leads on to the creation of chances. It’s a tough watch when not.

Exactly right. Thats what happens. Aesthetically its not pleasing but its the last resort to break down opposing defenses, and im willing to bet that for teams like St Johnstone thats what they work on in training 80% of the time. Two teams playing the same 442 with direct wingers and equal commitment to attack and defence justdoesnt happen anymore.

[kentao]

We have no cutting edge through the middle of the park, hopefully something that is addressed this windows as its far to predictable to defend against Hibs. Double up on the wingers and defend the box for the inevitable cross.

[Centre Hawf]

I actually think we played okay in the grand scheme of things. Especially when you consider that our squad is pretty decimated at the moment, and it’s not great at full strength either.

We’re very much peeing with the appendage we have and we’ve done a lot better recently than we first were.

[jakedance]

We don’t have energetic midfielders that can see or execute a defense splitting pass, that can drive forward and take someone on, or that can hit the target from distance. These guys couldn’t lace the boots of players like McGinn, McGeough, Brown, Thomson, Allan, Boozy, Miller, Zemmama etc.

[500miles]

We don’t have energetic midfielders that can see or execute a defense splitting pass, that can drive forward and take someone on, or that can hit the target from distance. These guys couldn’t lace the boots of players like McGinn, McGeough, Brown, Thomson, Allan, Boozy, Miller, Zemmama etc.

I remember watching McGinn and McGeouch struggle to break down championship defences pretty regularly. We signed Kris Commons to get us over one particularl hump.

[CJHibby]

VARIETY is the word you're looking for. The OP is right, we are so predictable. We are exceptionally bad at converting the big chance/s we get when going 11 v 10. A massive opportunity missed today!! Hopefully we can do better on Sunday. Go on the Hibees 😊

[Mon Dieu4]

99% of Hibs play since we have had a fit Scott Allan has been exactly that to varying degrees of success, when you have Elie and Boyle and we get the ball to them quickly then it can work pretty well, when that doesn't happen then we are easy to stop, just let us have the ball and slow us down

Lots of people have been crying out about it for years and I hope that the fact we tried to get McCowan means SDG and the recruitment team also aware it's an issue and we see someone come in that fits the bill

We also need a Boozy like player who can dictate the play and the speed we play at amongst others

[Brightside]

Is it just me that gets fed up watching the same tactic of across the back and out to the touchline?

Against Well, County and Dons we showed that we can play centrally. Or at least mix it up so that the opposition doesn't know what to expect.

Today was a tough watch but could have been easier on the eye if we didn't have to watch the same repetitive play over and over again.

It’s been the main tactic all season. We really need a DM who is comfortable taking the ball on the half turn and then willing to try and break lines. Our football hasnt suddenly got better. We’ve just got better results, which understandably makes everyone feel better.

[RIP]

Thanks for those insightful replies.

I've woken up today with a painful 'Wimbledon Neck' from watching the ball going from side to side for the last half hour of that match yesterday. Thanks to the poster who agreed with the lack of variation in attacking tactics. The same complaint was aired on Longbangers last night.

It also reminded me why I enjoy watching Hibs from the top of the East Stand rather than from behind a goal. It didn't help that we were watching 10 players trying to break down a 9 or 10 man defence.

20 bodies in the top third of the pitch isn't a good watch from 75 yards away. 😅

[PatHead]

I agree with the OP to the extent that we needed more variety in our attacks.

Their 2 centre halves are giant carthorses who take a week to turn. It suited them to sit in and boot the ball away.

Perhaps if we could have run at them in the middle, drawn free kicks around the box and had a couple of shots from range to bring them out to close us down.

Just a bit variety might have helped yesterday but can't complain about our recent results.

[A Hi-Bee]

It is a simple game, while agreeing somewhat with the op, just get it to the bye line and cut it back for support players running on. They need to be able to hit the bloody ball right enough, so many times left wondering if they can hit a moving ball.

[greenlex]

We’ve so many decent guys in the air upfront too. We really should be lobbing the ball up there from the back.

[Waxy]

I want what gets results.
Easy on the eye is a thing of the past.

[Jones28]

VARIETY is the word you're looking for. The OP is right, we are so predictable. We are exceptionally bad at converting the big chance/s we get when going 11 v 10. A massive opportunity missed today!! Hopefully we can do better on Sunday. Go on the Hibees 😊

I’m sorry but predictable is an easy label for yesterday, because it was the best option?

What else are you to do against a team that sits on its own penalty spot and defends the box with 2 banks of 4?

I’m all for constructive criticism but it totally disregards the fact that a point for them was an excellent result yesterday and they were holding out for it big time.

[B.H.F.C]

I’m sorry but predictable is an easy label for yesterday, because it was the best option?

What else are you to do against a team that sits on its own penalty spot and defends the box with 2 banks of 4?

I’m all for constructive criticism but it totally disregards the fact that a point for them was an excellent result yesterday and they were holding out for it big time.

If it was a one off I think it would be fair enough. But getting the ball wide and crossing it has been our main attacking tactic all season. I thought it was fairly predictable what we’d do. The issue isn’t us doing that yesterday for me, we don’t have the players centrally to do much different. The issue goes back to not addressing it in the summer.

[RIP]

We’ve so many decent guys in the air upfront too. We really should be lobbing the ball up there from the back.

I know your reply is tongue in cheek but out of a list of half a dozen ways to attack the box, thankfully our players knew far better to lump high balls.

[Jones28]

I know your reply is tongue in cheek but out of a list of half a dozen ways to attack the box, thankfully our players knew far better to lump high balls.

From what I saw yesterday we did mix it up, Triantis had a good shot saved in the box and another one over the bar from range. I just don’t see what the point of this thread is? Even the goal yesterday wasn’t from a cross but an improvised headed ball from 20 or so yards out to Gayle.

[Bobby's Cinema]

They seemed to learn pretty quickly second half not to let Nicky Cadden get to the by-line. Constantly forcing us inside and agreed with an earlier post that it would have been a good shout to swap Cadden/ Boyle to see if we could create more when forced inside.

They were so so deep sitting with two massive centre halves when we don't have a physical presence up top available. We struggled to find a way but we did have our chances and should have won.

[Smartie]

Just watching this Arsenal Newcastle game here… and the ability of even the best teams to turn a possession in a threatening position with a favourable numbers situation into possession back on the half way line as the opposition manage to get every man back is really quite incredible.

I actually find modern football quite weird to watch at times, with it often seeming a bit counter intuitive to me. It’s actually worse at higher levels.

Still quite enjoyable at times though. Some lovely, direct stuff from Arsenal to cut Newcastle open there and a good old fashioned stramash in the yard box at a corner will always get the pulse racing a bit.

[RIP]

Sundays game proved without question that Hibs can mix it up in attack. One-twos, headers, direct shots. An absolute feast of variety in contrast with the McDiarmid famine.

It's great coaching correcting the faults of one game into the next. Let's see improvements in defending implemented on Saturday.

[B.H.F.C]

Sundays game proved without question that Hibs can mix it up in attack. One-twos, headers, direct shots. An absolute feast of variety in contrast with the McDiarmid famine.

It's great coaching correcting the faults of one game into the next. Let's see improvements in defending implemented on Saturday.

Didn’t think it was terribly different. Good play for the penalty but the other two goals were from set pieces and most of our other chances were from balls in to the box. We just weren’t playing against a team who had every player in and around the box so had more opportunity to get on the end of things.