[0762]

I just reflect back to some of the comments from Sunderland fans re Jack Ross who "doesn't win big games" and have been monitoring and waiting for that to change. IMO a good "learning manager" basically evolves into a better one after reviewing failures/mistakes in the past. A classic example of Ross's misgivings was in the semi-final last Sunday when Neilsen brought on two subs in the second half to try and change the game. Ross, as he has done in many tight games, stood on the touch line and did nothing. My awareness of that situation immediately "pricked up" as I'm sure it did for many knowledgeable Hibs fans and I would've been prepared and ready for this move in order to nullify it - we've seen this kinda ploy before from Hertz FFS and I certainly read it before Neilsen did it!!!! He did nothing of note!! Also note he finally brought on Stevie Mallan with 4 mins remaining - a bright move that eh!!

[HerefordBull]

Spot on 0762.

Last night was no surprise. This was especially so after we gifted them 2 goals. If you look at the possession stats for the game we had the majority of the ball but as we have seen so often against an organised defense we don't have the players to break it down. Aberdeen do what they do and no surprise there ( look at the foul tally!) .......we didn't even make them have to work for it last night , and that is the most disappointing thing.

Again the ref got a penalty claim wrong and I don't know what would have been needed for the ref to point to the spot........a solid push in the back on Boyle, within a clear view for the ref was a penalty all day long...........however we deserved nothing from the game so not too disappointed. ( we would probably missed it anyway the way our luck has turned)

At the start of the season we got the best of the results in the main due to some poor opposition play and a share of good fortune. I was never really happy in any game, that we were dominating and looked comfortable with the exception of Livingston. In the last couple of games the luck has deserted us and Ross must now get a reaction from the players to prevent a downward spiral in form.............something that normally affects us after xmas! Unfortunately our midfield is still powder-puff so doubt we will ever challenge in "big games" on a regular basis. Opposition coaches also know that if we are pressed all over the park, we cannot cope and mistakes and hoof ball becomes the order of the day.

Have to agree with 0762 s observation with bringing subs on with only a few minutes remaining.( although Mallan got longer than that last night) We have had a number of managers lately that do this and it baffles me. If the 11 on the field isn't producing the right gameplan then change it early enough to give the new player/s a chance to influence the match. I know our bench is fairly sparse but in the last couple of games there hasn't been a case to keep many of the starting players on the pitch for 90 minutes and should be used as an opportunity to give somebody else a chance for a decent amount of time eg: Gullan for Doidge from the start. ( Doidge biggest problem is his lack of pace and always looks like he is pulling a caravan) Players like Boyle seem to be one of the first names on the team sheet but for me he needs dropping from his form in the games since he signed a new contract., His control and final ball have been woeful of late and needs some work on the training pitch. He said last week he wants to play at the highest level................have to prove you can play at this level first Martin!

GGTTH

[0762]

I must also add to reflect back again to the transfer period when we ended getting a "dud" called Murphy from Rangers and the Dons got Ross McRorie. I said at the time that was a bigger blow to our aspirations than first perceived and I don't change that view. Can't change it now but IMO the move for Murphy was a daft one in terms of significantly strengthening the Hibs team. IMO Murphy flogged last night's match after 4 mins (forget that avoidable 2nd goal!) and looked like a poor Sunday amateur player in the process - absolutely embarrassing but Ross should never have fielded this player anyway. Also Jamie Gullan must be wondering how he can't get a starting berth esp with the poor forward contributions coming from the likes of Doidge. I think Jim made a great point re the passive way that Hibs players behave to claim a valid pk. When have we observed Hibs players vehemently claim a stonewall pk award, ignored by the ref, en masse???? Indeed observe the meek response to White's cheating dive last Saturday at Hampden to steal a cup final place from Hibs - Hanlon, a Hibs fan btw, was the only Hibs player to at least "politely"(???) challenge Golum re his crap decision!!!! That indicates to me a huge lack of togetherness and camaraderie in a footie team!! In other words, we have players who are "getting a game" but don't really support the club and are happy to "pick up a decent wage" by Scot footie standards. Bouncing Hibees mentioned that it is time HFC found a horrible bunch of players instead of a bunch of softies and I know exactly where he is coming from. We want a Hibs team riddled with a bunch of bad losers who want to win and their opponents will "know all about it" if they lose and particularly if they are cheated out of a big match eg in that semi-final v Hertz last weekend there would've been a good chance of White being "decked" sometime after that pk incident where he clearly dived and it would be sneakily done in the dying mins/secs or right after the final whistle. A lotta opposing players would think twice re attempting that kinda stuff v this level of horrible opponent. Such a team spirit is IMO engendered and a footie manager (plus team captain) plays a big part in developing that process with the suitably chosen players who have those attributes. Hibs and Jack Ross are nowhere near that target and IMO team spirit is sterilised to the point of embarrassment when one watches that huge lack of passion and emotion that we've been observing for weeks. Lastly, I think Hibs will end up in 6th or 7th place in the Scot Prem based on recent observations and Jack Ross will have his "work cut out" to stop that happening. I know how I'd tackle it with the players at my disposal but my faith in Ross doing it is waning as the weeks pass by towards Xmas.