Some player ratings from last night...

[*chops]

EDIT - I should state that this was the first time I've seen Hibs preseason, so my impressions are based only on last night.


McNeil - not really much he could do about the majority of their goals. There were a couple of balls I thought he could have held, which he chose to fist away, or maybe that he took at the 2nd attempt, but also had a few good saves. Strangely, for a keeper in a team that shipped 6 goals, didn't actually play that badly IMO.

van Zanten - it's very harsh to judge him on one game against Barca, but for the first time I've seen him in a Hibs strip, I wasn't impressed. I have some pals who are season ticket holders at Love St., who informed me that, on his day, DVZ is as good as Whittaker in an attacking sense, but that he should never, ever be asked to defend. From what I could tell last night, his positioning was questionable, and he didn't look comfortable defensively. However, he didn't really get a chance to bomb forward, which I'm told is his biggest strength, so it's probably unfair to judge him, but I'll do it anyway - don't rate him at the moment.

Jones - my biggest memories of Jones from last night: getting absolutely skinned by Messi after diving in like a school boy, and standing with his hands on his hips for an eternity after we'd shipped goal number 3 (or 4...0r 5...they merged into one after a while!) while a real captain in Ian Murray emplored his team mates to keep playing, and keep working. Wasn't impressed with this at all -shouldn't it be the captain who does this sort of thing?

Hogg - did not seem chuffed at being taken off. Had one shanked clearance that led to a goal, but looked like he wanted the ball from the keeper, and was prepared to come short and make the first pass into the midfield. Think he basically did alright, and I certainly think he was more impressive than Jones.

Hanlon - I was impressed by Hanlon, purely as a defender. His positioning was good, I thought, he got a couple of tackles in (which is more than can be said about most of our players!), and he doesn't try and do things he's not capable of (case in point, Rob Jones striding forward with the ball at his feet). I'd like to see him getting a regular game this season, as I think he's our best left back.

Ian Murray - I liked the way he played last night. He was brave in midfield, and willing to take the ball from the defence. Going to be an extremely important player for us this season.

Deano - our most outstanding player, as was shown by the ovation he received. He actually looked up for the game, and must have had the ball more than any other Hibs player. His skill was very impressive, and he was one of the few players I could point to when the Spanish students I took to the game were basically ripping the pish out of Hibs (and they support Athletic Bilbao!)

O'Brien - showed some flashes of what he's got, and I liked those bits. We could have had a goal, I feel, in the first half, if he'd got his cross to an unmarked Fletch right when he got himself away down the left wing, which would have made it 1-1...or maybe 2-1, and possibly made a game of it for a little while. There were times where I found myself shouting at him to "feckin run! come on! beat him! hit the bye line!" - I just wish he was more direct sometimes. He's faster than Ivan IMO, and also has far more ability to go along with it. I really hope he does well this season.

Stevenson - I had to think for a wee bit there about who our 4th midfield player was. I think that says a lot about his game. Largely anonymous IMO, but, as ever, put in a lot of work trying to close the ball down, which was never going to happen against a side like Barca.

Fletch - missed the only chances he got, which were admittedly few and far between. Basically did OK, and think he probably deserved a goal for the work he put in. Certainly could have had one if better passes had been delivered on some occasions.

Nish - no complaints, and the bit where he turned their centre half inside out was one of the few highlights of the game from a Hibs perspective. Works hard, wins headers, but I have no bloody idea what in god's name he was doing getting the ball on the right wing, and being expected to beat a man and deliver a cross. Something wrong with the shape there, IMO.

Of the subs - the trialist guy looked alright. Also had a shanked clearance which led to a goal, but tackled well sometimes, and played a good simple ball when he got it.

Was pleased to see Grof get a game, and also Cropley.



I think that, individual mistakes apart, as it was these mistakes which led to most of the goals, we did alright as a team last night. Bit more concentration in defence, or just the ability to kick a ball away, would have helped, mind you.

[Dub]

Originally Posted by *chops
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EDIT - I should state that this was the first time I've seen Hibs preseason, so my impressions are based only on last night.

SNIPPED BY ADMIN TO SAVE SPACE
I think that, individual mistakes apart, as it was these mistakes which led to most of the goals, we did alright as a team last night. Bit more concentration in defence, or just the ability to kick a ball away, would have helped, mind you.

I would agree pretty much with this except for;

Obrien - Had his best game in a Hibs jersey that I have witnessed. OK he didnt hit players with crosses as much as we would have hoped but at least he put a shift in. I know that he plays a stop start kind of game and doesnt look committed sometimes when he is standing blowing hard but he isnt a marathon man and as I said on another post sprinters take longer to recover from bursts of energy.

Jones - When he booted the ball away in a no nonsense stylee he looked a lot more assured, I think it wasa his fault for the goal you attribute to the trialist. OK he [trialist] shanked the ball but then got himself back in play and between the barca man and the ball before Jones helpfully booted the ball to another barca player instead of letting it run. Its easy to sit and watch and criticise though.

Nish - Is a joke of a player. Sorry if that sounds negative but I really cant see why anyone believes he should be at Hibs. His pace can be deceptive only because he is actually slower than he looks.

New boy - I agree he did pretty well on a debut against one of the best teams in the world.

Stevenson - Like you I didnt realise he had actually come out to play even though he was in the line up. He will definitely have better days.

[Jocky Wilson]

Jones - my biggest memories of Jones from last night: getting absolutely skinned by Messi after diving in like a school boy, and standing with his hands on his hips for an eternity after we'd shipped goal number 3 (or 4...0r 5...they merged into one after a while!) while a real captain in Ian Murray emplored his team mates to keep playing, and keep working. Wasn't impressed with this at all -shouldn't it be the captain who does this sort of thing?

The guy is never a player never mind captain. I dont think he will feature much this season. A centre half is a priority. If he is in the team this season then we will lose a barrow load of goals, beleive me.

[Ronaldo9]

Originally Posted by *chops
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EDIT - I should state that this was the first time I've seen Hibs preseason, so my impressions are based only on last night.

SNIPPED BY ADMIN TO SAVE SPACE
I think that, individual mistakes apart, as it was these mistakes which led to most of the goals, we did alright as a team last night. Bit more concentration in defence, or just the ability to kick a ball away, would have helped, mind you.

Think you will find he actually made a Noel Hunt of his touch and got lucky as the Barca centre half was right up his skip

[Bampotto]

I don't see any player ratings, just analysis. Is that the bus heading to Pedantsville? It is? Ok, I better get going...

[Frenchman]

Originally Posted by *chops
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EDIT - I should state that this was the first time I've seen Hibs preseason, so my impressions are based only on last night.
SNIPPED BY ADMIN TO SAVE SPACE
I think that, individual mistakes apart, as it was these mistakes which led to most of the goals, we did alright as a team last night. Bit more concentration in defence, or just the ability to kick a ball away, would have helped, mind you.

The point is, surely, that O'Brien DID NOT get his cross to the unmarked Fletch! He is still not a footballer i.m.o. And Jones is just mince!

[Bampotto]

Originally Posted by Frenchman
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The point is, surely, that O'Brien DID NOT get his cross to the unmarked Fletch! He is still not a footballer i.m.o. And Jones is just mince!

Shearer??????????????
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[Dazza]

Mcniel: I thought after the fist 2 went in he didnt look interested

Hanlon; Thought he played well against messi and did well

Jones; Shocking performance cant remember last time i saw him play well should never captain

Hogg; looked a little shaky but the best CB we have by a mile cant understand why he got took off

V Zanten; 1st time i've saw him play for hibs and not really impressed either he let the barca player have too much space

O'Brian; Better but still not convinced with him

Murray; Did his best to keep the hibs players heads up and keep thing's going IMO the real hibs captain, also heard he had a fight with jones at HT saying jones was lacking heart that's why he never came back out????

Stevenson; tried his best but unfortunately never managed to get into the game forgot he was playing

Fletch; Seen him play alot better

Deano; Hibs best player put in a great shift

Nish; Lazy Lazy Lazy would only play him as a sub every game.

Thicot; Thought this guy actually done well and played some nice passes around

Cropley; never really had time

Morais; Summed him up when he tried to show off taking on a barca player and nearly fell!!!!

Grof; I would pick him as no1 against killie when he came on he looked like he actaully wanted to be there and comanded the penalty area very well IMO

[*chops]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo9
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Think you will find he actually made a Noel Hunt of his touch and got lucky as the Barca centre half was right up his skip

I take it you're talking about Nish there?

From where I was sitting, it looked like he turned him. But then I was pretty far away, so you may well be right.

Even if he did mess up his touch - did he not show good body strength to hold off the defender who was "right up his kip", before showing good awareness to take advantage of this and react to what may have been a shoddy touch, before then showing, dare I say it, a wee bit of acceleration to get into a crossing position to deliver a good ball for St. Steven of Fletch, who promptly knocked it over/wide of the goal?

That incident was one of the Hibs highlights for me - that and the run Deano had when he beat 3 or 4 of them, as it showed that at least someone in the side has a bit of ability that is useful - Morais, take note!