The case for the defense

[Malthibby]

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Anyone else read that thread title in an American accent?

Aye, shocking lack of Hibs class. We'll be trying to buy Poundland next.

[Captain Trips]

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It could be argued that a defence is only as strong as the midfield/attack in front of it.

Defences will be asked questions regardless of what is in front of it , of late we have not been able to answer those questions very well. Indeed the more we are in other half the less they are needed but when needed they have got the basics wrong and looked vulnerable.

[Brightside]

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Exactly, absolutely baffling anyone could defend any of our defenders recently.

Ok all our defenders are pish.... Nah its not for me. All defenders make mistakes.... this defence thats getting ripped was outstanding last year - despite everyone saying how poor it was. Nobody has been very poor. Stevenson struggled badly in the first half of his return. James has been decent. Jackson has been decent too. But as usual we have so many on here just constantly saying how poor everyone is.

[MWHIBBIES]

4 average defenders, trained properly, helped out by midfield properly and playing consistently will be absolutely fine. Our best back 4 is definitely above average for this league.

[Brightside]

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There's a common theme with Hanlon. When the ball is put into the box, he's invariably nowhere near it, see Morton's goals. and if he is there, very rarely dies he get first contact on the ball, head or foot. He doesn't have the aggression for it.

Fine on the ball, but he's a defender that can't defend properly. How many times do forwards turn him inside out in the box?

Sorry, but he's no longer good enough.

Nonsense. He has won over 80% of his 50/50 headers this season. Check the Opta stats. Some people on here dont even know what a defender is.

[B.H.F.C]

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Nonsense. He has won over 80% of his 50/50 headers this season. Check the Opta stats. Some people on here dont even know what a defender is.

Maybe you’re one of them with your blind loyalty to a certain player.

[Brightside]

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Maybe you’re one of them with your blind loyalty to a certain player.

Paul Hanlon is not playing at the level he was when he partnered Efe in defence. That is a true statement based on a review of his form. Going from that to "He's poor and needs replaced" is nonsense. Its not blind loyalty its just not overacting like a 10 year old school boy on twitter.

[Shrekko]

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4 average defenders, trained properly, helped out by midfield properly and playing consistently will be absolutely fine. Our best back 4 is definitely above average for this league.

I don't think the midfield is helping out enough but agree with you otherwise. when we had McGinn, Bartley and Boyle etc.- they were all tremendous on defensive duties but we're missing that at the moment.

[B.H.F.C]

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Paul Hanlon is not playing at the level he was when he partnered Efe in defence. That is a true statement based on a review of his form. Going from that to "He's poor and needs replaced" is nonsense. Its not blind loyalty its just not overacting like a 10 year old school boy on twitter.

I’m not 10 and I’m not on twitter but I think he should be replaced. I think he’s been poor for a sustained period of time.

[Brightside]

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I’m not 10 and I’m not on twitter but I think he should be replaced. I think he’s been poor for a sustained period of time.

Thankfully every manager we have had in the last 7/8 years disagrees with you.

[MWHIBBIES]

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I don't think the midfield is helping out enough but agree with you otherwise. when we had McGinn, Bartley and Boyle etc.- they were all tremendous on defensive duties but we're missing that at the moment.

Yeah, thats the point I was making. They aren't being helped, aren't being trained well enough and aren't playing consistently.

McGinn to us was like Kan/te for Leicester. He done the work and running of 2 players.

[1875-Hibernia]

Imo the current group of defenders showed last season that their form isn’t up to the standards it used to be. Whittaker is a scapegoat for the fans, but in parts has been our best defender for a short while now.

James and Jackson look okay but they will need time to build up to be a regular starter- along with Mackie and Porteous.

Biggest issue for me isn’t the defence though, but the lack of holding midfielders in front of them and wingers not covering. They are exposed constantly and I think only a change of shape as it won’t be personnel is going to sort it out.

[B.H.F.C]

Agree that the defence are very exposed at times.

On the flip side, towards the end of last season, we were solid but didn’t carry much threat at times. Milligan played so deep that sometimes he was almost like a third centre back.

He needs to find a balance. IMO the defence needed freshening up with at least a couple of starters and I don’t know if we’ve done that.

[Wee Effen Bee]

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Yup, sure did.

Its not too hard, surely! In the UK, ‘Defence’ with a ‘c’! Unless Spike is an Amerisan, sorry, American, if so, no probs.
On the playing side, it’s a team game so everyone has to be helping out and supporting each other. I think the defence is sound when everyone is fit. Unfortunately, we’ve yet to see a 100% fit Gray and Stevenson play but they will be up to speed within a week or two.

[JimBHibees]

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Yeah, thats the point I was making. They aren't being helped, aren't being trained well enough and aren't playing consistently.

McGinn to us was like Kan/te for Leicester. He done the work and running of 2 players.

What do you mean by that?

[MWHIBBIES]

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What do you mean by that?

Well, defending has a structure, a shape that you must work on. We haven't had that this season.

[JimBHibees]

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Well, defending has a structure, a shape that you must work on. We haven't had that this season.

Because of the chopping and changing, would tend to agree don't think we should be rotating centre backs unless they are injured or having a mare. Definitely need a consistency of selection hopefully Gray and Lewis are fit to start at the weekend.

[ancient hibee]

​Swapping goalies doesn’t help either.Morton’s second goal was ludicrous.The goalie could have dropped on it but not body took responsibility for doing something about it until the ball slithered through to Stevenson.

[hibbyfraelibby]

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Then it would be called "the case for the dee-fense."

How about we make wee Ron feel at home and adopt some NFL chants? Sure all those who followed the Claymores ( and the Cheeries) know the beat...

Deeee-fense, (drum, drum)
Deeee-fense, (drum, drum)
Deeee-fense (drum, drum)

Come on the Deeeeee

[Eyrie]

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How about we make wee Ron feel at home and adopt some NFL chants? Sure all those who followed the Claymores ( and the Cheeries) know the beat...

Deeee-fense, (drum, drum)
Deeee-fense, (drum, drum)
Deeee-fense (drum, drum)

Come on the Deeeeee

Now there's a blast from the past.

But I agree with those who point out that the defence is getting little protection from the midfield because we've an obvious need that hasn't been addressed.