[0762]

Unfortunately it is COVID hit Saint Johnstone, as predicted, who we meet in the Scottish Cup final in a fortnight and I make them favourites to win it, contrary to a lotta media comments that Hibs are the favourites. They deservedly won 2-1 v St Mirren even though they had apparently been weakened by the COVID infection in their ranks. But St Mirren definitely let down by a huddy of a CF, an ex Huddersfield Town player, named Quaner - some great scoring opps scorned, one of them an absolute sitter!! I wanna hear much more of the chat that Hibs have no chance and Saint Johnstone are certainties to win a cup double. I never liked Hibs being ranked favourites anyway and want our players to be absolutely "fired up" to prove a point as underdogs. Target certain players like Wotherspoon, a player with a Hibs supporting family, plus McCann - make it a "kicking match" if poss but tight man-marking and "in yer face" tactics - NAE NICETIES PLEASE, WE'RE TRYING TO WIN A SCOTTISH CUP FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FIVE YEARS!! I think Jack Ross and his backroom staff must assess that previous shit League Cup semi-final v them and the tactics that were deployed and where we failed badly in losing that match. Suddenly the ex Hibs winger, Glenn Middleton, looking like a vg player!!!??? Scored a cracking FK to win the semi-final. But how the f### is that the case now????? He was shit at ER Stadium for most of the time he was there!!! Anyway, one thing to note is that they are not a great team - nothing near that rating!! But they have a manager who knows that he has a solid defence and a good goalie behind them. His tactics are clear that they try to "keep the back door shut" and counter-attack to gain a valuable goal because scoring lotsa goals is not their forte. We need to be just as solid and uncompromising in that situation!! IMO the guys must be up for it, it is imperative to be in that kinda mindset for this one-off final!!

[HerefordBull]

Aye 0762, thought St J were fairly fortunate today to win it in normal time and just shows again, you have to take your chances. St M. had 3 or 4 gilt edged chances missed , and in the present day game, a good handball shout for a penalty in the first half.

With our "bogey team" label against St Johnstone, we can consider ourselves to be underdogs which suits Hibs well........................just turn up and win please. Just hope our luck hasn't been used up with offside goals allowed to stand v Motherwell and Dundee United.

We can do this.

GGTTH

[0762]

Absolutely! We can certainly win this final! I think Hibs have a team/players to beat Saint Johnstone! But my focus is on Hibs manager, Jack Ross, who is my concern in being a major factor in not being able to figure out Saint Johnstone and their rookie manager's tactics which are clear to me on how to play them. Doesn't seem to be evident with our manager!!!?????
In their semi-final today, my immediate focus was on their left wing back position occupied by Calum Booth and the vast space that he was leaving behind him - definitely an area of weakness to exploit! Also the last 10 mins of that match, when most of their defenders looked panic-stricken, were enlightening in the fact they can be exposed when pressed! As said in my previous thread, the Buddies sub CF was a huddy - should've scored at least one goal! And that so called miraculous save by Clarke in the 1st half really showed how Scot footie lacks a great deal of quality players - THE ST MIRREN LAD WHO MISSED THIS CRUCIAL OPENER FROM A YARD OFF THEIR GOAL LINE JUST HAD TO "FEIGN A DUMMY" AND CLARKE WHIZZES PAST HIM AS HE EASILY STROKES THE BALL INTO AN EMPTY NET - NO CLASS WHATSOEVER, ALL FRENETIC, 100MPH STUFF!!

[ritchiebaby]

The game's not at Easter Road which must help our chances! Hope our players keep fit over the next fortnight because we'll need them all on form for the final.

[0762]

IMO WRAP MARTIN BOYLE IN COTTON WOOL NOW!!!

[hibeejim21]

Didn't think SJ were that great yesterday, but Davidson has done an amazing job with them, they are a big strong group. Amazing to think he could be winning 2 trophies in one season....... Shit its taken Gerrard over 3 and tens of millions of dodgy money to win one.

That St mirren forward is one of the worst CFs I've seen up here in recent years.

[0762]

To think that St Mirren CF, Quaner, played in the EPL with Huddersfield Town. Maybe he eventually lost his good form and it deteriorated rapidly up to now! Definitely rank rotten and badly let down his manager and team mates. Don't forget, they should've been awarded a pk in the 1st half as well but sadly "saddled" with a dodgy Scot referee named Golum, a man linked with huge controversy down the years incl turning down stonewall PK claims.

[0762]

So fans being allowed to attend the Scot Cup final after discussions between the SFA and UEFA officials!!! Looks like a maximum of 3000 fans in the stadium by all accounts. I must forward my name to be "placed in the hat" by Hibs! I've attended every cup final victory by Hibs since the Summer Cup final win of 1965. Somehow I doubt I'm gonna make this one though!!

[hibeejim21]

The ticketing for this is absolutely crazy. They are talking about 2k now.

Both teams could have 10k each and more than half the stadium would still be empty

[0762]

I think there is still extreme caution attached to the logistical element in moving such large numbers of fans to and from the stadium. Remember that St Johnstone's current COVID crisis was caused by travelling in a bus according to their manager - been badly caught out and still restricted in doing a lotta their normal prep work/training etc.