Agree like him as a player. Probably best off the bench but Alloa game showed what he is capable of. Put in a great ball for the goal last night and had a couple of decent efforts.
Printable View
I’ve always likes Mallan, there’s no doubting his ability, but he’s beginning to turn into Slyvka mark 2. He comes off the bench, looks great, starts the next week and does nothing. He’s probably worth keeping just for his impact value, but I’m not sure he’s going to be happy coming off the bench every week. Has he got another year on his contract?
Agree, but if both are 100% and on their game (which admittedly has not always been the case for Mallan since his first season), then not massively. For both, it depends how JR is setting up and the planned formation. And as often said in the past, you can't fit both on the pitch at the same time without seriously compromising the battling and ball-winning attributes of the midfield. You can even argue that that is the case with just one of them in the midfield, hence why the duracell Gogic from the Celtic game is vital to do some of their share of the graft. But if Allan can get back to his best then yes I'd see him starting, with Mallan as his cover on the bench. Allan is going to need time though and it will be the other way round for a few weeks once Allan is available again for a match day squad.
Hallberg has been great since coming back in and works his socks off all over the park. Mallan has great ability and is effective when coming on chasing the game but right now Hallberg deserves a place for being able to play that position effectively from the start of games.
I agree, Hallberg has done really well since getting back into the team and has shown more than Mallan IMO so deserves his place. I think both players will struggle for game time though when we can have a combination of Newell, Irvine and Allan. That will potentially be our best midfield 3 since McGinn, McGeouch and Allan.
No question Mallan is capable of providing a moment of brilliance, which is all the more welcome when the team under Ross is so dull and predictable. However, if we had the decent, well balanced midfield we should have at Hibs, Mallan would been where near it.
Mallan is a far better sub than he is starter. When he comes on i always feel he'll produce a bit of brilliance. Don't get that feeling when he starts. Strange. Extremely talented player.