Kmcalpin

Hibs have a tough game on Tuesday evening and Obita will be suspended.

We lost 3-0 there last December, in an appalling game. Fine lines as you say though, and we've won quite a few games narrowly. I think whats upsetting many folk is SK's overly cautious tactics and seeming inability to learn from his mistakes. Its not the most exciting football to watch but in fairness has been reasonably successful so far this season. Recurring weaknesses include defending too deeply; failing to achieve clean sheets; weak midfield; isolated strikers; and over reliance on set pieces to score. We're reading these comments week after week. Now I get that some of these weaknesses are down to a horrendous injury list, but some are down to recruitment failures, especially up front. Usually a manager will try to source a wide variety of different types of a striker to give him various options. That doesn't seem to be the case with SK. We'll look at Vale, Stama, Ebiye, Robinson, Maswanhise, Tavares and Watt. Vale, Tavares and Maswhanise are all fast, can play outside the box but are lightweight. Stama and Ebiye are penalty box strikers but lightweight. Watt is more physical, bit is not a prolific scorer. Robinson is quite talented but very lightweight and not a scorer, despite yesterday's goal. In my opinion only, Robinson, Tavares and Watt have disappointed. SK loves a 3-5-1-1 formation and thats not a recent thing; so why have we not recruited a big target man? Like it or not defenders are becoming bigger and bigger. We had a fortnight to prepare for yesterday's game and SK should know Ross County inside out. So why did he get it so wrong? I get the players too had an off day.

NCHI for you 🤣

Irrespective of returning midfielders, we are badly in need of a combative defensive midfielder in the Davor mould only bigger and nastier. Someone to shield our defence and allow us to defend further up the park

I"d be keen to sign a 6'4 brick shithouse anyway. There are games where such a player is useful and the long ball is a necessity.

Great post. Stama needs to play off a big target man as part of a front 2. Playing as a lone striker just isn't his game. Surely the management must see that?

Certainly some wheeling and dealing required in January. Midfield and striking departments need sorting out, and thats taking into account returning injured parties.

Its impossible to tell how good he is. We're hanging him out to dry and not playing him to his strengths.

The main problem is that he's signed the wrong type of striker and perhaps also the wrong strikers. If he planned to play with one single striker then he should have signed different players. A secondary problem is the midfield, which can't compete in a battle and has limited attacking options, due in no small part to injuries. Time to wheel and deal in January.

Best we can reasonably hope for now is no red cards and no injuries.

An unfortunate feature of our play this season. Our off the ball play when not in possession is generally very poor.

They are what they are and we know how they play. Presumably our gameplan is to hold them for another 25 minutes or so and then make changes to try to win the game.

Ross County is unable to issue refunds because its not in line with their Ts & Cs. Presumably they have no control over them?

We must be expecting a very tough game. 6 defenders in the starting line up

Its a shabby callous way to treat fans, given that they now have to pay in advance - no PATG. Clubs should be doing all they can to attract more fans to games. It just turns folk off. You're right about cost externalisation. Safety doesn't come into it.

Not sure what to make of this. Is it ok to travel to the game, just not on the A9? This implies that we asked for the game to be postponed but either Ross County or the SPFL refused. The safety of our travelling fans is obviously unimportant to some party. Hopefully those who bought a ticket beforehand but can't make it will be eligible for a refund. If the game does go ahead, County should offer our travelling fans a free pie and bovril. Just hope our travelling fans get there and back safely.

A decision needs to be taken quickly.

I think he was initially assessed as being out for about 12 weeks. No recent updates though.

I'd certainly want to retain Vale. He's done quite well for us and he has much needed pace. That said he's been played out of position. Only one bad injury to date.

I don't go along with that at all. Yes, some people have an obsession with the figures and numbers, granted. However other common criticisms hold more weight. Not closing the opposition down; defending too deeply; and not supporting the striker(s). Santheman touches on this with his comment about where we give up possession. When we're defending I'm more than happy to give up possession 40 yards or more from goal. Within that 40 yards definitely not.

I'm coming at this with a fresh pair of eyes as I wasn't at the game and never witnessed the South Stand crowd. Is it as clear cut as that? Is there not a 3rd possibility of the actual entrance figures being incorrect without a club employee knowing?

In short, No Allan.

Interesting. BC confirms that the Police took the decision to take no action against crowds in the South Stand. As we thought it s a case if there's enough of you feel free to do whatever you want. On another note, the club has no idea what its share of the semi final gate will be (almost a fortnight after the game), let alone actually received the cash. That will be pooled but we also get a share of the programme and catering revenue.

100% agree. He also looked tired and jaded at the weekend. Maybe we should rest him in Dingwall?

I didn't see anything wrong with the way they were dressed. They deserve a bit of respect.