Match Preview Hibs v Partick Thistle

[Purple & Green]

We're only just in the middle of August, and Hibs are now looking forward to their 7th competitive game of the season on Sunday. After the fillip of going through in Europe to the play off round, Hibs start their league cup campaign in the last 16 stage with a home tie v Partick Thistle.

This game might have been done differently if we weren't still in Europe, but as it is, we are and I suspect we will need to rotate some players to keep things fresh and get some players on the pitch.

So we face Partick Thistle, who have had a decent start to the season in the championship with largely a settled home grown squad under the manager who talks a good game Mark Wilson. Strange he got another gig after his disastrous spell at Brechin but he seems to have done quite well at Thistle.

So, the important stuff, who can we expect to see take the pitch on Sunday? This is the team I expect to see:

Jordan Smith

Megwa O'Hora Iredale Mayor

Newell Abdullai

Suto McGrath Campbell

Klidge

Which reminds me, what's the story with Grant Hanley? Injured or leaving?

My views, but I'm more interested in hearing yours.

 

[Purple & Green]

bump

 

[hibbybilly]

Mibbes drop a couple of starters tae the bench with Thursday in mind, so your team might be no far off the mark. Re Grant Hanley, read Killie wanted him but no sure if it's that or he is injured.

 

[Munchar]

Minimum changes. Will we never learn that we’re not good enough to play fringe players, especially against a top championship team.
Kelty game cost us big time. Strong side to start & get game won with subs if comfortable.

 

[Hammi]

Could swap virtually the whole team.
Based on how we start games, we could do;

Smith
O'Hora Hanley Iredale
Megwa Newell Abdulai Mayor
Suto McGrath
Klidje
​

I don't see that as a significantly weaker team, every one of those players should be expected to mix it with the starting 11 on any given week.
Potential is there to line up in so many different ways though.

 

[Tam0762]

Could swap virtually the whole team.
Based on how we start games, we could do;

Smith
O'Hora Hanley Iredale
Megwa Newell Abdulai Mayor
Suto McGrath
Klidje
​

I don't see that as a significantly weaker team, every one of those players should be expected to mix it with the starting 11 on any given week.
Potential is there to line up in so many different ways though.

Agree Hammi, if they are not good enough to start they shouldn’t be on the bench.. every player in the squad should be good enough to start games

 

[greencol]

6 games gone.
Fitness should be fine.
May be some travelling fatigue, but no playing fatigue.
Strongest team playing together as often as possible.

 

[Willief]

I would go with
Smith
Megwa kerr iredale mayor
Newell. Abdullai
McGrath
Suto. Klidje. Wright

I think Hanley has a knee injury but he should be back training next week. As will Nicky Cadden

 

[Two Headed Boy]

Could swap virtually the whole team.
Based on how we start games, we could do;

Smith
O'Hora Hanley Iredale
Megwa Newell Abdulai Mayor
Suto McGrath
Klidje
​

I don't see that as a significantly weaker team, every one of those players should be expected to mix it with the starting 11 on any given week.
Potential is there to line up in so many different ways though.

Ach, I'm torn.

Domestic cups are our best route to success, so they should be taken seriously. Dunfermline last year was a real case of fuck around and find out for us when we left it far too late to bring on the likes of Boyle and Beardy.

But fundamentally you are right - that team should be strong enough to beat the Jags.

 

[Hammi]

Ach, I'm torn.

Domestic cups are our best route to success, so they should be taken seriously. Dunfermline last year was a real case of fuck around and find out for us when we left it far too late to bring on the likes of Boyle and Beardy.

But fundamentally you are right - that team should be strong enough to beat the Jags.

I'm the same generally, but I really do think that any of those players will be expected to perform against SPL sides and Euro sides if we get through.
If they can't be trusted to play against a ''smaller'' side, then they shouldn't be here.

I also think we need to get the whole squad up to match sharpness. They're probably all fit enough to play, but I feel there's a difference between fit and match fit.
If we don't give them the minutes when we can, then they won't be ready to step in when forced to either.

But when it all comes down to it, attitude and application will win the games, the 11 players that started against Dunfermline should've been enough too, but we didn't approach the match itself properly.

 

[Zab]

League Cup is a genuine chance of winning a trophy, rhythm and momentum are so important in football, especially going into the European tie. David Gray needs to find the balance between fitness, form and ultimately putting a team on the park that can best Partick Thistle. We absolutely cannot be losing this game, this can’t be another Dunfermline scenario.

Totally different game to the last two, and likely what Thursday coming will be, as we’ll have more of the ball Sunday and have to break down Partick.

I’d go:
Sallinger
Passlack O’Hora Hanley Obita
Mulligan Abdulai
Suto Campbell McGrath
Lowe

If McGrath isn’t ready to start games, I’d be tempted to have Klidje from left and bring in Lowe and see how they link up.

One of Klidje or Lowe need to step up show they can be relied up to take chances when they come their way. Neither strike me as the “once chance, one goal” type of finisher I think we need.

 

[Bofahibee]

I would definitely choose Megwa over Passlack at the moment. I think the quality of Passlack’s game has actually dropped slightly of late - can’t work out why as he seemed so promising last season. Just seems a bit chaotic. It’s similar in a way to what we’re seeing with Mulligan (and to a degree Chaiwa). Just feels like our midfield are lacking that bit of maturity and guile that would vastly improve our game. If you look at Motherwell they don’t do anything very special but what they do do they do well ( do do do). Short, neat passing and moving as a unit.

 

[Greenmachine]

Gray will be trying to perform a difficult balancing act regarding matches just now.
It's recovery time, fatigue, and knocks which will determine who he selects for the Thistle game tomorrow.
Of course he will want to play his strongest available team, we really need to get through, but he will be mindful
of a huge game in Belgium only a few days later and he has to manage the squad effectively.

I can certainly see changes from the usual starting line-up, i'd be surprised if there isn't.
Whoever is selected, we really should have enough to beat Partick Thistle at home.
No disrespect to them, they are one of the better Championship teams, will bring a big travelling support, and will certainly come and have a go at Hibs, but we should have enough strength in depth to get through...and I don't care what the score is or how we play, or what "system" we use. It's all about making sure we are in the draw for the quarter-final.

Close game, but 2-1 Hibs.