Indeed, but that wasn’t the question.
The question was when did we last outplay a more talented team?
Jack Ross has got us more or less where you would expect us to be, given our resources, but we aren’t taking the next step as yet.
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Before the ridiculous red card we were easily the better team against Rangers.
It's also a bit problematic saying "when did we last outplay a more talented team" as league placings last year would suggest, we're the third best team in Scotland with only Celtic and Rangers above us.
There’s probably more benefit having one or both of Laidlaw and O’Connor on the bench than the likes of Gullan who it seems is effectively just there to make up the numbers. Give them match day experience and even the odd 5 minutes here and there when the game is safe.
I don't think Jack Ross has ever been great at rotating his squad.
That contributes to fringe and young players getting very little experience and others being burnt out, injury and error prone.
FWIW I thought that was one of Stubbs' weaknesses as well - we didn't rotate enough the season we won the cup, when I thought some of our fringe players were worthy of more opportunities in the league, given the standard of the opposition at times.
No need to repeat how bad we were on Saturday but regardless of personnel we need to be able to fight for whatever may come our way. I personally don't think we can play a full 90 minutes. Even when good, we tend to only do it in spells. That said, when the likes of Brown, Thomson and the like broke through we tended to be great either first or second half but the big difference was you knew it was coming and exciting. As many say we are totally predictable and iften boring.
I wish Murphy would 'click' as he is one alternative to Boyle. For me though, we should utilise Josh Doig more extensively, think Tierney or Robertson. To their EPL teams they are a great source of attack and we should do likewise. Josh to me isn't the greatest defender but going forward looks a threat. Here's hoping we improve quickly as the next few games become paramountly important to where we are going.
Came across this on twitter...
https://twitter.com/mendy_91/status/...552898049?s=20
"Jack Ross “big game” record (old firm, hearts, hampden)
20 games
2 wins
2 x semi final defeats (STJ/HMFC)
1 x final defeat (STJ)
1PT/21PT v Rangers
3PT/18PT v Celtic
4PT/9PT v Hearts
Total= 8PT/48PT"
Whilst a bit down after Saturday's display, I actually think we should do okay against Aberdeen. I think our team is best suited for away games, keep tight then hit on the break, with a vocal away support backing them.
When the team lineup was announced nobody thought we were a bad team. In fact there were a lot of posts on here saying it was a great starting lineup.
I don't think that was ever in question, it was the manner of defeat and the performance, we seem to have this horrendous game in us every now and then and if it's not a full game it's either a 1st or 2nd half performance. That's why questions are being asked as it's not a one off game.
I thought it was interesting watching the Man U game last night. For the first half, they looked a very disjointed side, but obviously capable of scoring goals because of the excellent forward players that they have. However, they looked a poor team. They were obviously poor against LCFC and have been in other games I've seen, especially the first half of matches away from home.
However, once they got their goal, which was largely the result of a poor opposition forwards pass back into midfield and an excellent forward pass from Bruno Fernandes, they looked really good side. Does that make them a good side now?
Obviously we're talking about different quality of player and opposition, but I'd be interested to know whether that fightback was down to the manager changing things or the players changing their approach / attitude or both. With Man U, you always felt that they'd get back into the game. With Hibs, I'm not as confident.