Sports Babble - sports forum

Well this is probably the worst fixture v an unbeaten team that Hibs could ask for after such a humiliating semi-final defeat to a Scot Prem team that hardly won a league fixture in its last nine matches and operates to a fraction of Hibs spending budget!! Anyway, moving on to this testy match and how we tackle it, I know for certain that Stevie Mallan won't be involved because I gather he has been loaned out to a Turkish footie club - is this the start of the "clear out"? How do we take on this game v Rangers?? Well I think we must try to inject some kinda "positive feel" to lift this group of players in the face of the negativity surrounding the events of a horrible showing by players whose character and work ethic is being seriously questioned by thousands of Hibs fans who expect better. Indeed show some pride in "playing for the shirt"! Maybe that is what should be preached by the manager - COMMITMENT and applying it effectively on the park! I call it "busting a gut" for the badge and no questions asked after any game when one has done everything possible to try and win a footie match - no guilty feeling of "letting the side down"! So down to business - how to beat a team that generally has probs v Hibs and clearly don't like playing us? Well a physical confrontation is definitely a tactic for starters after observing their previous "whining" re this type of approach. At least we don't have to drop Murphy because he is a Rangers loanee. Is Newell available? I hope he is back from injury because he is currently one of our best players and was sorely missed at Hampden on Saturday! Gogic definitely has to play in this match mainly to battle their midfield although I must admit I'd like to combat their defence in a hi-press strategy but not with such a fragile defence with CBs who I don't trust one jot TBH!! I hope the manager can somehow organise this pair to just do the simple things - focus and stop pissing about!! Also my next strategy is to target Tavernier's position again and force him back to his own defensive line where I expect some mistakes from this Rangers captain - lets focus on that defensive weakness!! Place Boyly in front of him and demand a performance and proper work ethic from this Hibs player once and for all or else!! Nisbet up top with Doidgy or do we leave the young lad on his own? That is a hard one to call!! I'd try to field close to the same Hibs team as played at Ibronx but I'd be loathe to list Wright!! IMO he should be moved on, the same as Mallan - gotta get rid of the "dead wood" and replace with better! But the forages of Barisic need to be stifled - put a tough tackler/marker on him and double up with McGinn? Also try to get the midfield balance right and we MUST BATTLE THE MIDFIELD AREA - THAT PHYSICAL BATTLE IS IMPERATIVE - GIVE NO QUARTER!!! I must say this is a game I'm not relishing one bit but I think the players must try to take it on as described previously and with the right formation and strategy to "hurt them". C'mon Hibs - surprise me FFS and "show up"!!

GGTTH

We'll certainly see what they are made of and I will be looking for a reaction to the shambles of Hampden.

In the past its just the sort of game we could do well in ..........but in these times I will be surprised. Damage limitation for me.

'mon Hibs prove me wrong.

GGTTH

We have gone very close on both occasions v sevco this season. No reason why we cant again if the players are properly up for it.

Aye! This team previously took on Rangers at Ibronx and did well but suckered by a referee IMO!

Don't win big games, what can possibly go wrong!

Aye! Sunderland FC all over again!! A lotta "Black Cats" fans will be watching this scenario with great interest - deja vu eh!

Tonight might give the players a chance to "stand up and be counted" and would stop the rot but we have to wait and see which Hibs team turns up. If it's the team from Saturday with the same attitude and lack of urgency I fear what might happen but we all know what the team are capable off so we could get a surprise.
Fingers crossed it's a pleasant one.
GGTTH

(27-01-2021, 18:09)1Wattie Wrote: [ -> ]Tonight might give the players a chance to "stand up and be counted" and would stop the rot but we have to wait and see which Hibs team turns up. If it's the team from Saturday with the same attitude and lack of urgency I fear what might happen but we all know what the team are capable off so we could get a surprise.
Fingers crossed it's a pleasant one.
GGTTH

Play like we did 2nd half at hampden and we will get a tanking wattie.

Hopefully we get a result, and as an added bonus someone snaps Morelos and or that absolute cretin McGregor.

I'd certainly love to see someone "nailing" that "nut job" McGregor and it disnae need to be a Hibs player giving that c### his "just desserts".! Then he wouldnae waste any time trying to "fake" the injury because it would be real and hurting like f### if done properly! What is it with players like this guy who disappear from Scottish footie and play in English footie for years!! Then they return to Scotland and transform into despicable little f###### shits!!???

.... And there's morelos's customary red card offence ignored by the ref.

Unbelievable levels of cheating.