Protecting the defence
Good teams attack with eleven and defend with eleven. They can be hard to beat if they fight for posession all over the pitch.
Yet on Saturday, against Aberdeen, we conceded 2 goals and allowed the Dons a further 20 attempts on goal. We, in turn, managed just 5 attempts!!
We all know that the mind-numbing obession with slow play and touchline fitba (aka Montyball) leads to such few chances. Whilst other top six teams play through the centre of the pitch, we fluff about on the touchline and try and penetrate a packed, well set defence from the fringes.
Also, because we didn't have enough fighters middle to front, Aberdeen got the ball to the edge of our penalty box for a goal attempt on average every 5 minutes, instead of every 20 for us. Sometimes, just by being direct, back to front.
With the notable exception of Obita who has been an excellent acquisition, we have a young, inexperienced three of four in front of Marshall. But maybe that isn't the worst weak link in the team at the moment? Why is it that our centre halves and keeper had to cope with FOUR times the attacking volume compared to the Aberdeen defence?
If I'm a centre half at Hibs, I would be asking "What protection is being offered front to back?" "Why are opposing teams not being stopped in their tracks thirty yards out?"
Yet on Saturday, against Aberdeen, we conceded 2 goals and allowed the Dons a further 20 attempts on goal. We, in turn, managed just 5 attempts!!
We all know that the mind-numbing obession with slow play and touchline fitba (aka Montyball) leads to such few chances. Whilst other top six teams play through the centre of the pitch, we fluff about on the touchline and try and penetrate a packed, well set defence from the fringes.
Also, because we didn't have enough fighters middle to front, Aberdeen got the ball to the edge of our penalty box for a goal attempt on average every 5 minutes, instead of every 20 for us. Sometimes, just by being direct, back to front.
With the notable exception of Obita who has been an excellent acquisition, we have a young, inexperienced three of four in front of Marshall. But maybe that isn't the worst weak link in the team at the moment? Why is it that our centre halves and keeper had to cope with FOUR times the attacking volume compared to the Aberdeen defence?
If I'm a centre half at Hibs, I would be asking "What protection is being offered front to back?" "Why are opposing teams not being stopped in their tracks thirty yards out?"