12-01-2023, 15:53
This will be a tricky fixture v a team fighting for survival at the bottom end of the Scot Prem. Hibs returning to a home fixture after registering a very welcome 2-3 victory v the Steelmen and 3 pts that give them a little bit of "breathing space" to push on into the fight for a top four place. No time for complacency all the same and our mindset really should be positive - onwards and upwards!! It wasn't that long ago Hibs had a solid stranglehold on this particular fixture with United hardly registering any positive result. This position has changed slightly in recent times and IMO one of the main reasons for this change is the loss of Martin Boyle who always played well in this fixture. More recently, we were previously done by some absolutely outrageous refereeing decisions!! I'm hoping the return of Aiden McGeady compensates for the loss of Boyle: his presence, together with Kevin Nisbet's impressive scoring prowess, could give us the edge to win this game. Our defence still concerns me to the point I've previously suggested that we bring in new decent defenders who can strengthen what we've got. Porto isn't perfect, but he is our best CB at the club and it is noticeable that Hibs play well when he is motivated to drive Hibs forward from a CB or midfield position. However, he needs help. At the mo, Hibs not moving to do anything on the transfer front. I know who I'd bring in to improve this team in certain positions and I'd be very, very confident of positive results after such action. Hibs coaching/management staff must have a good inkling re the areas of concern as well. C'mon Hibs! Winning another 3 pts will be huge in pushing on now!!
GGTTH
GGTTH
It's very clear that Johnson isn't the manager we need; he doesn't have the tactical nous to deal with problematical games where opposing managers use tactics to gain an advantage and even change it during the game. IMO there are three important actions in a footie manager's role to try and win a match. The first one is his wise choice of starting line-up v opponents who I'd expect him to have good knowledge of well before the fixture date. The second is his HT talk, very important IMO esp when deciding how to negotiate either a challenging second half or carrying on with the good work from a positive first half performance. Thirdly, the effective use of substitutes, roughly around the hour mark (or later), to ensure the team is being enhanced to register a positive result of some sort. I'd argue that Johnson has failed on every one of these pre-requisites needed of a vg manager!! 
I can't believe what has been unfolding right up to now and very little being done about it. Also note that Joe Newell is apparently suspended from next week's Scot Cup tie due to a red card picked up last season!!