This is how it feels (St Johnstone 18 November)

[Jonnyboy]

Going to the game today I chatted about the fact that over the years it seemed that when a team needed a positive result, Hibs would generally oblige. St Johnstone went into today’s game on the back of a horrendous run of results, namely six defeats, no goals scored and twelve conceded but come the final whistle, all of that changed.

From the moment the teams ran out and I spotted that Craig Thomson was the referee I had a bad feeling in my bones and though Thomson was his usual self, I don’t blame him for the match outcome. Hibs started slowly and never really got going. The momentum of the previous run of good games had been interrupted by the break so that Scotland could play a meaningless friendly and although I can’t quite get my head around why a week off would have such a detrimental effect on performance, it certainly showed that it had, right from the off.

In a dull first forty five minutes, Zander Clark was hardly troubled whilst at the other end, Rocky saved well from a Craig thunderbolt. John McGinn tried manfully in midfield but often had three opponents closing him down while enduring a series of challenges that Craig Thomson deemed to be fair. The referee was angering both sets of fans with his display and it was no surprise when boo’s rang out from all four stands on the half time whistle.

During the break we discussed and agreed the fact that Neil Lennon should make changes and we felt that the introduction of Dylan McGeouch would give us more creativity in the midfield area but as it was the manager decided to go with the same eleven, presumably after telling them they needed to up the pace considerably.

As it turned out, Hibs were unable to do that and allowed St Johnstone to dictate large parts of the game. Marciano produced an excellent stop from O’Halloran and John McGinn cleared a Steven Anderson effort off the line but the writing was on the wall and with around fifteen minutes left, Davidson headed the visitors in front. It was a very poor goal to lose defensively and I felt that when the ball was delivered to our back post it was in the air long enough for Rocky to come and claim it.

By that time, McGeouch and Porteous had replaced Gray and Barker as Hibs moved to a back three. The introduction of Dylan had an almost instant effect as he chipped a superb ball over the top of a Saints defender for Boyle to run on too. As Martin did just that he was clearly held back by a defender but Craig Thomson waved aside the justifiable claim for a penalty.

Another bizarre decision soon came along. Hibs had the ball down the right, level with the edge of the eighteen yard box. My view of who played it into the middle was impaired but the ball was passed square and not forward. It hit Craig Thomson and landed at the feet of Boyle in the Saints box only for the referee’s assistant to raise his flag for offside. If indeed the original ball was passed square and not forward it’s impossible for Boyle to have been offside, no matter where he was standing when that pass was made.

With ten minutes left, Neil Lennon sent on Big Dave for Marvin Bartley, a move we all felt should have happened much earlier. With time running out fast, a cracking shot by Ambrose looked to be heading into the bottom corner before Clark stuck out a foot to deflect it for a corner. Moments later, a ball into the Saints box witnessed Boyle swivelling to shoot and as he did so, Shaughnessy deflected the ball away with his arm and even Craig Thomson couldn’t ignore that one. After a wave of protests from the Saints player, led by Steven Anderson who twice put hands on the ref but was not punished for doing so, Stokesy buried the ball in the corner of the net to draw Hibs level. That was in the first minute of the three minutes added on by the referee and I recall thinking that although a win would have taken us up to second, I’d happily settle for a point as we were so far off the pace a draw would be a bonus.
Right at the death, Hibs showed a remarkable naivety in trying to go forward when a Hearts style hoof up the park would have been eminently preferable. That naivety cost them dear as a ball from the right found Davidson in the centre of the six yard box and although Rocky saved well he was unable to retain the ball in his possession, allowing the unmarked Steven MacLean to tap home the winner.

It’s always disappointing to lose a game and although we nearly sneaked a point you have to give St Johnstone credit for going at us until the end.

The players

Rocky – had two outstanding saves but could and should have come to collect the ball at the first goal.

David Gray – solid performance without doing anything of particular note.

Efe – no real Efe moments today and on a couple of occasions he drove forward much to the delight of the home fans.

Paul Hanlon – for the second game in a row, Paul gets my man of the match award. Defended solidly throughout and had one fantastic late block that saved a shot on target getting though.

Lewis – another solid display and got forward more after Barker went off and we went to a 3 5 2 formation.

Boyler – had one stunning drive in the first half and stood out in the final ten minutes but for the remainder of the time I felt the young St Johnstone left back, Tanser, kept him in check.

Marv – broke up play well enough but I questioned the need for him to be on the park for as long as he was. Not his fault though, I know.

SJM – invariably surrounded by St Johnstone players but nevertheless, always showed for the ball and did his utmost to drive us forward.

Brandon – had a few mesmeric runs and had the young Saints full back on toast until the unfortunate Comrie did his hamstring. Foster was the experienced replacement and Brandon didn’t feature as much thereafter.

Simon – not his day today, caught offside a lot and couldn’t make much of the few occasions he was fed the ball.

Stokesy – took his penalty well which accounted for about thirty seconds of the ninety three minutes played. Other than that he was largely anonymous, caught on his heels or just standing still. When the ball doesn’t go to him it’s always somebody else’s fault. Maybe I’m being harsh but I expect a lot more from Stokesy than he offered us today.

Ryan Porteous – did very well and like Paul Hanlon had one stupendous block on the edge of his own box. He wasn’t overly happy at Steven MacLean for one late challenge and soon let him know that.

Dylan – if he’s fit he should play. We improved after his introduction and might have had a more favourable result had he started or even been given the whole of the second half.

Big Dave – another cameo appearance, so not much to say regarding his performance.

The fans – I don’t know why but I thought the atmosphere today was a bit like the team – flat. With over 16,000 Hibs fans in the ground there was long periods of quiet despite the best efforts of the Since 1875 and Section 43 guys and gals.

Craig Thomson – buffoon, end of.

[cleanyman]

If the ball hits the referee it counts as the last players touch hence the decision was correct. It's offside.

[neil7908]

Slightly generous towards some of ours players but overall pretty accurate.

We need to get out home form sorted though.

[Sir David Gray]

Can't comment as I had to leave early today and missed the incident but it's interesting that the penalty we got is described as being pretty clear cut.

The guys on the radio were in disbelief that it had been awarded.

[StevieCowan]

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If the ball hits the referee it counts as the last players touch hence the decision was correct. It's offside.

Absolute nonsense.

[cleanyman]

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Absolute nonsense.

If I play a pass and that hits off the referee and it goes for a throw in who's ball is it?

Same applies for today.

[Smartie]

I should probably add that I was reasonably impressed with big Dave (having criticised him in the past).

We were getting a bit ragged by the time he was on and were just shelling balls up the park. For the first time in a Hibs jersey he seemed to have the upper hand on the opposition defence in the air and whilst he didn't manage to create anything of note he threw himself at everything and got something on every ball, making it tough for his defender.

[Billy Whizz]

Good report as always Jonnyboy. Can’t really add too much, other than we were slow in possession, and the team looked unbalanced from the KO
Over to the manager to fix for next week

[kaimendhibs]

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Can't comment as I had to leave early today and missed the incident but it's interesting that the penalty we got is described as being pretty clear cut.

The guys on the radio were in disbelief that it had been awarded.

Think they thought was for a tackle but was for handball

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[StevieCowan]

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If I play a pass and that hits off the referee and it goes for a throw in who's ball is it?

Same applies for today.

If the Hibs player wasn’t in an offside position when the last Hibs player kicked the ball then there is no other situation in the game where he can be penalised.

Your right with the throw in but wrong with the offside

[cleanyman]

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If the Hibs player wasn’t in an offside position when the last Hibs player kicked the ball then there is no other situation in the game where he can be penalised.

Your right with the throw in but wrong with the offside

If I've got this wrong then I stand corrected. Makes it an extremely odd decision then

[Thecat23]

I’ve agreed with you on pretty much all the previous posts on games but feel you have been very light on the criticism on the players here. Hibs for me today were dreadful and Saints were worse but got 2. Murray was brutal along with Stokes. Bartley and Hanlon only 2 i’d give passmarks too.

Day to forget all round if I’m honest and I think Lennon got it all wrong today. With Boyle and Barker you’d think we could play at pace but it was the complete opposite. Dull boring first half and a crap second. Draw would have been fair but by god that was hard to sit through.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

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I’ve agreed with you on pretty much all the previous posts on games but feel you have been very light on the criticism on the players here. Hibs for me today were dreadful and Saints were worse but got 2. Murray was brutal along with Stokes. Bartley and Hanlon only 2 i’d give passmarks too.

Day to forget all round if I’m honest and I think Lennon got it all wrong today. With Boyle and Barker you’d think we could play at pace but it was the complete opposite. Dull boring first half and a crap second. Draw would have been fair but by god that was hard to sit through.

I'd agree with this.

There was a 10 minute spell where I was convinced efe had a bet on St J to score. Then the next minute he's skinning folk in the corner and whipping in crosses. He's some guy.

Dylan Iniesta looked his usual footballing self when he came on. What a player he is

[SRHibs]

If the defence had all played as well as the OP suggests I don’t think we would’ve conceded these goals. Why do we constantly let the ball bounce in the box?

Even though we’ve got a relatively decent defensive record I still get the fear every time a high ball comes in.

[FitbaFolkKen]

The first half was a non event, we are a different team without Dylan. I think if we are forcing Stokes into the line up it should be at the expense of Barker on the left allowing us to keep the same system with the strong midfield three.

One thing I've not seen mentioned much but there was a lot of niggling at each other among the team. Stokes giving Barker a hard time, Murray was frustrated several times with teammates, whether that be his passes going astray or not getting the service he wanted, Hanlon was giving Efe and Boyler it tight at a couple of points. Not necessarily a bad thing but it stuck out today. Probably because we were rubbish.

[Golden Bear]

When the Saints broke in the last few seconds we were undone by our own honesty. Their player should have been taking out in the centre circle by fair means or foul, it's a professional sport and as they say, the rest is history.

[jaf]

I actually throught Efe had a handful of Efe moments, think someone above mentioned a 10 minute period and that summed it up for me.
In saying that he also had a equal amount of superb moments.

Efe in a nutshell I suppose.

[Smartie]

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I actually throught Efe had a handful of Efe moments, think someone above mentioned a 10 minute period and that summed it up for me.
In saying that he also had a equal amount of superb moments.

Efe in a nutshell I suppose.

I agree.

Today totally summed up the mad world of Efe Ambrose, from the sublime to the truly ridiculous.

I think we're so used to them that we don't even consider them to be Efe moments any more.

[Lang Toun hibby]

We have no leaders. Nobody shouting, directing, etc Today saw Liam Craig with plenty of room outside our box just before he nearly scored. It happens every week that there are unmarked players in or around our box. Hopefully McGregor will come back soon and allow Efe to go into midfield where I feel may be his future position. The team setup totally sussed by Wright. Why were they full of passion and wiling to stop us when breaking but we very seldom do. Need to start games with moving the ball quicker and forward and mixing passing with getting the ball into the box Lennon needs to sub quicker and change formations. PS Work on corners and throw ins requ ired

[H18 SFR]

Such a flat day. We've thrown away our chance of winning the league - jokes! But we could have went second.

[pacoluna]

Bollocks

[Nicho87]

Today's result won't be the last time imo. For some reason we don't play our best at Easter road this season again imo. Top 4 will be great. Big Dave needs moved on. Doesn't offer anything. I'd let Barker go back to city, Half arsed

[MWHIBBIES]

I really hope Barker has a clause that he has to play because him being in the team ahead of McGeouch and Slivka is just laughable. He is a winger that never scores and very rarely puts in a good cross. He never runs in behind either.

Get back to a midfield 3 and have Stokes operating from the left.

[Golden Bear]

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I really hope Barker has a clause that he has to play because him being in the team ahead of McGeouch and Slivka is just laughable. He is a winger that never scores and very rarely puts in a good cross. He never runs in behind either.

Get back to a midfield 3 and have Stokes operating from the left.

He "ran in behind " frequently in the first half hour especially albeit the end product was disappointing. The lad lacks endeavour and guts and that will be his downfall as a professional football player.

[bordergreen]

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Going to the game today I chatted about the fact that over the years it seemed that when a team needed a positive result, Hibs would generally oblige. St Johnstone went into today’s game on the back of a horrendous run of results, namely six defeats, no goals scored and twelve conceded but come the final whistle, all of that changed.

From the moment the teams ran out and I spotted that Craig Thomson was the referee I had a bad feeling in my bones and though Thomson was his usual self, I don’t blame him for the match outcome. Hibs started slowly and never really got going. The momentum of the previous run of good games had been interrupted by the break so that Scotland could play a meaningless friendly and although I can’t quite get my head around why a week off would have such a detrimental effect on performance, it certainly showed that it had, right from the off.

In a dull first forty five minutes, Zander Clark was hardly troubled whilst at the other end, Rocky saved well from a Craig thunderbolt. John McGinn tried manfully in midfield but often had three opponents closing him down while enduring a series of challenges that Craig Thomson deemed to be fair. The referee was angering both sets of fans with his display and it was no surprise when boo’s rang out from all four stands on the half time whistle.

During the break we discussed and agreed the fact that Neil Lennon should make changes and we felt that the introduction of Dylan McGeouch would give us more creativity in the midfield area but as it was the manager decided to go with the same eleven, presumably after telling them they needed to up the pace considerably.

As it turned out, Hibs were unable to do that and allowed St Johnstone to dictate large parts of the game. Marciano produced an excellent stop from O’Halloran and John McGinn cleared a Steven Anderson effort off the line but the writing was on the wall and with around fifteen minutes left, Davidson headed the visitors in front. It was a very poor goal to lose defensively and I felt that when the ball was delivered to our back post it was in the air long enough for Rocky to come and claim it.

By that time, McGeouch and Porteous had replaced Gray and Barker as Hibs moved to a back three. The introduction of Dylan had an almost instant effect as he chipped a superb ball over the top of a Saints defender for Boyle to run on too. As Martin did just that he was clearly held back by a defender but Craig Thomson waved aside the justifiable claim for a penalty.

Another bizarre decision soon came along. Hibs had the ball down the right, level with the edge of the eighteen yard box. My view of who played it into the middle was impaired but the ball was passed square and not forward. It hit Craig Thomson and landed at the feet of Boyle in the Saints box only for the referee’s assistant to raise his flag for offside. If indeed the original ball was passed square and not forward it’s impossible for Boyle to have been offside, no matter where he was standing when that pass was made.

With ten minutes left, Neil Lennon sent on Big Dave for Marvin Bartley, a move we all felt should have happened much earlier. With time running out fast, a cracking shot by Ambrose looked to be heading into the bottom corner before Clark stuck out a foot to deflect it for a corner. Moments later, a ball into the Saints box witnessed Boyle swivelling to shoot and as he did so, Shaughnessy deflected the ball away with his arm and even Craig Thomson couldn’t ignore that one. After a wave of protests from the Saints player, led by Steven Anderson who twice put hands on the ref but was not punished for doing so, Stokesy buried the ball in the corner of the net to draw Hibs level. That was in the first minute of the three minutes added on by the referee and I recall thinking that although a win would have taken us up to second, I’d happily settle for a point as we were so far off the pace a draw would be a bonus.
Right at the death, Hibs showed a remarkable naivety in trying to go forward when a Hearts style hoof up the park would have been eminently preferable. That naivety cost them dear as a ball from the right found Davidson in the centre of the six yard box and although Rocky saved well he was unable to retain the ball in his possession, allowing the unmarked Steven MacLean to tap home the winner.

It’s always disappointing to lose a game and although we nearly sneaked a point you have to give St Johnstone credit for going at us until the end.

The players

Rocky – had two outstanding saves but could and should have come to collect the ball at the first goal.

David Gray – solid performance without doing anything of particular note.

Efe – no real Efe moments today and on a couple of occasions he drove forward much to the delight of the home fans.

Paul Hanlon – for the second game in a row, Paul gets my man of the match award. Defended solidly throughout and had one fantastic late block that saved a shot on target getting though.

Lewis – another solid display and got forward more after Barker went off and we went to a 3 5 2 formation.

Boyler – had one stunning drive in the first half and stood out in the final ten minutes but for the remainder of the time I felt the young St Johnstone left back, Tanser, kept him in check.

Marv – broke up play well enough but I questioned the need for him to be on the park for as long as he was. Not his fault though, I know.

SJM – invariably surrounded by St Johnstone players but nevertheless, always showed for the ball and did his utmost to drive us forward.

Brandon – had a few mesmeric runs and had the young Saints full back on toast until the unfortunate Comrie did his hamstring. Foster was the experienced replacement and Brandon didn’t feature as much thereafter.

Simon – not his day today, caught offside a lot and couldn’t make much of the few occasions he was fed the ball.

Stokesy – took his penalty well which accounted for about thirty seconds of the ninety three minutes played. Other than that he was largely anonymous, caught on his heels or just standing still. When the ball doesn’t go to him it’s always somebody else’s fault. Maybe I’m being harsh but I expect a lot more from Stokesy than he offered us today.

Ryan Porteous – did very well and like Paul Hanlon had one stupendous block on the edge of his own box. He wasn’t overly happy at Steven MacLean for one late challenge and soon let him know that.

Dylan – if he’s fit he should play. We improved after his introduction and might have had a more favourable result had he started or even been given the whole of the second half.

Big Dave – another cameo appearance, so not much to say regarding his performance.

The fans – I don’t know why but I thought the atmosphere today was a bit like the team – flat. With over 16,000 Hibs fans in the ground there was long periods of quiet despite the best efforts of the Since 1875 and Section 43 guys and gals.

Craig Thomson – buffoon, end of.

I thought before any substitutions were made that the game was screaming out for McGeouch to be brought on for one of the front players, and the wingers pushed higher up the park. I probably would have taken Stokes off, as I thought he was woeful today. Murray was not setting the heather on fire either. I commented to the person sitting beside me that I had no idea what position Stokes was meant to be playing, to which his response was, I don't think Stokes does either.

I also thought our defence was pulled all over the place today, Ambrose in particular didn't cover himself in glory. I couldn't work out what Lennon was thinking with the substitutions. I was waiting with interest to see what Lennon's comments were after the game. I have just read them, and my feeling is he must have been watching a different game to me. I thought we were gash today.

I would like to see a better striker signed this window if nothing else.

[pacoluna]

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I really hope Barker has a clause that he has to play because him being in the team ahead of McGeouch and Slivka is just laughable. He is a winger that never scores and very rarely puts in a good cross. He never runs in behind either.

Get back to a midfield 3 and have Stokes operating from the left.

Barker was our best player in first half.

[Steve20]

Few things to disagree with what some folk have said:

Apart from Hanlon, the defence was all over the place. Ambrose had plenty of Efe moments.

Barker was poor again. He was nowhere near our best player in the first half.

St Johnstone were not worse than us. They were far the better side.

Stokes was awful but so was Simon Murray. For some reason, Stokes gets more stick on here than Murray for poor performances.

Anyway, it’s only one game and it’s vital we take 6 points from our next two games before that difficult Celtic-Rangers-Aberdeen run of games in the middle of December. Not even 4 points is a good return from Hamilton and Partick. Has to be 6 or we could find teams further down the league closing in by the time we go to Tynecastle on 27th Dec.

[Jones28]

Marciano 6 - didn't look comfortable in more than one occasion with crosses but made a few of his usual, top drawer saves. That second goal was a stinker though.

Gray 6 - solid defensively but didn't offer anything going forward, very reluctant to try and cross.
Efe 5 - a mix of sublime and terrifying.
Hanlon 7 - MOTM looked comfortable and assured but was part a defence that lost 2 rotten goals.
Stevenson 5 - meh

Barker 4 - if he played off the shoulder he would be lethal. As it is he comes short for every ball and has to beat a man at least twice before streaking past him. Me and my mate suspect there's someone from Man City there watching and he's trying to show them what he can do.
McGinn 6 - was crowded out every time he was on the ball, we really missed the extra body in the middle. Battled though and fizzed a shot towards the end that must have been close.
Bartley 6 - like McGinn looked over-ran in the middle of the park. He plays his best when he's part of a middle three.
Boyle 5 - so so ineffective today other than one run where he was fouled umpteen times, advantage was played every time and yet only one player was booked. The saints full back had his number.

Murray 4 - rank. Outmuscled on every occasion.
Stokes 5 - shades Murray because of a well taken penalty in a high pressure situation.

Lennon - he got it wrong today, slivka must be wondering what he has to do to get a starting spot.

[Allant1981]

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Marciano 6 - didn't look comfortable in more than one occasion with crosses but made a few of his usual, top drawer saves. That second goal was a stinker though.

Gray 6 - solid defensively but didn't offer anything going forward, very reluctant to try and cross.
Efe 5 - a mix of sublime and terrifying.
Hanlon 7 - MOTM looked comfortable and assured but was part a defence that lost 2 rotten goals.
Stevenson 5 - meh

Barker 4 - if he played off the shoulder he would be lethal. As it is he comes short for every ball and has to beat a man at least twice before streaking past him. Me and my mate suspect there's someone from Man City there watching and he's trying to show them what he can do.
McGinn 6 - was crowded out every time he was on the ball, we really missed the extra body in the middle. Battled though and fizzed a shot towards the end that must have been close.
Bartley 6 - like McGinn looked over-ran in the middle of the park. He plays his best when he's part of a middle three.
Boyle 5 - so so ineffective today other than one run where he was fouled umpteen times, advantage was played every time and yet only one player was booked. The saints full back had his number.

Murray 4 - rank. Outmuscled on every occasion.
Stokes 5 - shades Murray because of a well taken penalty in a high pressure situation.

Lennon - he got it wrong today, slivka must be wondering what he has to do to get a starting spot.

stevenson was no worse than gray, possibly better but you give him a lower rating, strange?

[Firestarter]

Far to biased and green tinted. We where awful yesterday. Managers fault playing two players in the middle of the park, McGinn didn't have a chance.