Lobey_Dosser

Elijah Just for me due to the power of work he got through - if only he had a bit of conviction with his shooting. I do love Welsh and believe that he should be in the conversation for the World Cup.

That’s the poorest I’ve seen us on the ball this season and it’s no coincidence it occurred when Watt was missing. McGinn and Welsh probably our top two performers for the 2nd game in a row. After an off-performance against Hearts, I was expecting Slattery to bounce back tonight but it wasn’t to be. Hopefully he can provide goals and assists soon as it looks like our no.9 position is becoming an issue that won’t be resolved soon and poor Said looks incapable of finding any composure in the box.

I thought McGinn was the standout tonight.

Welsh for me, strolled it.

Priestman hasn’t really made much of an impression on me with his substitute appearance but he slotted in seamlessly last night. Very impressive. Elijah Just a joy to watch. Hibs didn’t know what to do with him.

JBA has impressed from day one but tonight was further evidence that we have someone special on our hands. Changing shape to combat Hibs threat whilst integrating 5 changes couldn’t have been envisaged by anyone. For the players, some of whom have barely featured, to then look so comfortable in their roles is testament to the work on the training pitch and the clear instruction provided by the manager. Three wins in one week is a lot to ask for and Hearts will be much stiffer opposition than the version of Hibs that turned up tonight. However, we should be confident of beating anyone with the quality and intelligence we have at our disposal.

Fair bit of chat about the need for recruitment. Two players that were brought in to be integral to JBAs style of play are Just and Said and are presumably amongst the highest earners. I like the pair of them but both went missing on the big stage yesterday.

An excellent turnout but it didn’t feel like it from where I was sitting. If I was ever in doubt, I’d now fully support moving these games to Easter Road or Tynecastle.

Very disappointing performance and result. It only takes our game to be a fraction off for us to look powderpuff in attack and disjointed at the back. A lot of the narrative in the build-up was that the big pitch would be to our advantage. If anything it was the opposite, we weren’t able to move at pace whilst St Mirren quickly got from A to B. The likes of Just and Said were swallowed up by St Mirren’s powerful defence and midfield. Koutroumbis was afforded acres of space, St Mirren banking on him doing little with it. We only started to carry a threat once both Welsh and Slattery were on the pitch, the latter the only one capable of spreading the ball with a bit of quality. This does call into the question the starting lineup, I initially assumed both weren’t 100% fit. Good luck to St Mirren in the final. Robinson knows how to get a tune out his team in a semi and I wouldn’t mind him going one step further. Time for us to lick our wounds and sharpen up at both ends of the pitch.

First half an absolute joy to watch. The 2nd half the worst I’ve seen from us in the league this season. It’s a growing concern that we repeatedly don’t capitalise whilst on top and struggle to cope when momentum goes against us. For all the praise we have received for our play, we have assembled the most technically gifted squad we’ve had in years. Yet I can’t tell whether we’re more likely to win the cup or get relegated this season. Maybe it’ll be both.

Really impressed with what I’ve seen from Welsh so far.

Goalie has been a priority for me since JBA’s style of play become evident in the league cup opener against Clyde. Hopefully we are trying to move Ox on and bring in a quality replacement. That and an assured centre half top of my wishlist.

I think we could be looking at two of each, especially if one or two that have sat on the bench so far can find a club. I’d like a goalkeeper too but that’s maybe wishful thinking.

It’s a real struggle to separate the two fullbacks and Watt but I’l go for Johnny for his goal saving intervention at the end. Related to that, how fit do we look? Stark contrast to last season where we typically done after 60 mins. Whilst not in the conversation for motm, a mention for the captain. He recovered well from the sclaff and went on to be a driving force in the 2nd half with some real intelligent runs and passes.

Thoroughly enjoyed that in the end. Our powderpuff efforts at goal were frustrating but we cut through Rangers at ease and if we had a prime Theo in the team, we’d have won with a comfortable margin. Don’t want to get carried away as there are obvious weaknesses that need to be addressed but there is also obvious potential in our signings. St Mirren away will likely prove a sterner test but if we match today’s endeavour, we shouldn’t be far away from a result. Interesting few weeks ahead I suspect with incomings and outgoings.