Hendry , Copper , Teirney was our back 3.
Forrect and Robertson the wide players.
Christie was up top with Dykes.
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Whatever the tactics or not..on Cup Final Day, we got bossed. St. Johnstone played exactly as everyone knew they would play so it was folly of players and manager in how ineffective we were. Aberdeen have played like that for years, even Hearts years back.
My biggest gripe was Hibs not busting a gut early doors to get in front and taking it from there. Our reticence was probably borne out of fear, respect(too much) and the idea we could play our way into the game. Unfortunately, playing so pragmatically meant trying to overcome a team who when a goal in front are damned hard to beat. We tried but alas were not good enough. J Ross praised their endeavour after the game which suggests to me he set them out to play that way. 😞
I think we tried to play our own game and St Johnstone sussed it yet again. Said before the game that the first goal was absolutely crucial as it so often is in SC finals and that turned out to be the case. I think if we'd scored first then we'd have gone on to win with the confidence that brings. All hypothetical now i guess.
Players should be able to adapt to different formations it should be worked on in training. You also need leaders on the park. My late father had a dislike of what he called Chuckle Brothers football (to me to you). The game is about getting the ball into the box to your player what is wrong with playing a long ball game. I have watched a lot of football in lockdown and the number of games where teams have not had a shot on target in 45 mins of football is alarming. I have to admit some of our games last season have not been that great to watch.
Ways of playing the game seems to change when the next team that comes along and are successful with the way they play. Barcelona was an example with their quick passing and movement style. Everyone copies that way of playing then we get the counter to that of the high press.
Football needs to remember it is an entertainment industry as well.
Of course the manager is the man who takes the brunt of the anger, because he's the one who sends them out to play under his instructions.
Although we have seen our players play well for most of the season, they have been third best over the season, but we do have a habit of throwing in an awful performance, but it is his first full season as manager, and i fully expect him to build a better stronger more attractive side the longer he is at the club.
Some seemed to chuck the towel in and not try and make something happen. Similar to the second half v Saints in the semi final. Inexplicable lack of desire in such a big game when only a goal behind. Kerr made the comment after the game they wanted it more he was absolutely right. Lost every one on one on the pitch.
My view on tactics is simple
* Ross was up against a much less experienced manager
* We had, man for man, the better players.
St Johnstone took that with a squad that laboured in the first part of the season and found the set up to win
Hibs on the other hand blew 3 semis / finals against weaker teams
So our tactics in key games are, to me, fairly obviously flawed OR the team psychology sucks.