So I have sobred up and my Hangover is over.
Congratulations Hibs the best team on the day. Also a remarkable achievement by Stubbs to deal with the gut punch of failing to get promoted. I actually quite like him and think he might do well in the game.
Hibs were champing at the bit and were going for it from start to finish. The fact they have had competitive football until last week was a much bigger advantage than i thought it would be. Stokes was really good and a menace to rangers the whole time.
As for Rangers to be quite frank we looked like we had been on our holidays. Too many players were the slowest they had been all season.
Foderingham was switched off at the start. Kiernan stood off stokes the whole match and made it easy for him. Looking at Wilson who stood up to Cummings and largely kept him out of the game i have no idea why he couldn't have done the same.
Holt and Halliday just didn't have their usual energy although Hallidays goal was a cracker. Zelalem was actually our best midfielder, kept hold of the ball and tried to get it to the front 3, not sure why he was subbed over Holt.
Miller was excellent and was unlucky not to get us an undeserved win. Waghorn to be honest still didn't look fully fit.
One thing that stood out and its not something that was a surprise as I have been saying since even before the Celtic game our squad is just too small.
We didn't have a single defender to put on the bench. Any other day Kiernan would probably have been hooked at half time but we couldn't.
The other subs were just as telling Shiels for Zelalem? Clark for Waghorn?
There is no depth and that needs to be addressed for next season. Its not something i am overly worried about as the signs are encouraging.
O'halloran, windass, crooks & Rossiter (also the injured Forrester) will all add to that. For me though wee still need at least one more CB and Full back cover. We also need an actual striker too.
If we do that i am still very optimistic for next year.
Cup Final Review & Congrats Hibs
posted on 23/5/16
what a neggy article on your own team.
so neggy.
sausage and negg mcmuffin.
posted on 23/5/16
comment by JFK (U8919)
posted 2 minutes ago
what a neggy article on your own team.
so neggy.
sausage and negg mcmuffin.
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I cant deny feeling a bit down after that but honestly im still optimistic about us challenging next year.
posted on 23/5/16
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posted on 23/5/16
thats kinda my point though Smid you need a squad big enough to deal with injuries and suspensions as they do happen. Its four players out we are talking about here and in the case of MOH and King we knew they were cup tied. We have actually been very lucky with injuries and suspension TBH
Ball being our only defensive cover was always a risk and it bit us big time.
As you say with 10 mins to go in a game you have been terrible in you bring on an extra defender or at least replace the one who has under performed.
We didn't have the option to do that. I am sure MW knows this though and i would be happy if Ball was there next season on loan in addition to Crooks.
posted on 23/5/16
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posted on 23/5/16
Kenny Miller, full credit to him, he's one of these guys, (dare I say it) like Strachan that obviously loves being a footballer and still buzzes about like a guy half his age.
posted on 23/5/16
Sorry, just seen that other thread where he's getting plaudits.
posted on 23/5/16
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posted on 23/5/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 23/5/16
SPR
Good honest appraisal.
I wasn't going to watch the game. In fact had a mate not reminded me it was on when I was coaching Saturday morning I'd probably have gone out.
Glad I watched it. A real entertaining match worthy of being a showpiece end of season match.
Good goals, missed chances, last minute winners.
It really put the FA Cup in England to shame.
It must be concerning now that you haven't won a game since the Petrofac cup in normal time.
It can't be excused with holding back for the cup final etc as Hibs have had a run in of play off games. Can't use the excuse of having a break didn't help surely?
Is it down to the players are just burned out and a lack of depth is harming the team as the season progressed?
I said it at the OF semi. You deserved the win and played us off the pitch but, yes it's a but, that was you playing out of your skins.
I don't think that is sustainable over a season. This summer is huge for you now. You have finally got back to the top league but your team needs some quality in depth added. Mainly in defence as teams in the Premiership will attack you more than perhaps some of the Championship teams did.
It certainly shapes for a close top 4 next season. I can see Hearts mounting a serious challenge on Aberdeen for second place. You need a stronger squad to do it over a season if injuries were to happen.