This is how it feels (Motherwell 150820)

Game four of the season and a chance for unbeaten Hibs to go three points clear at the top but it was not to be as the home side struggled to create many chances and had Marciano and the East Stand assistant to thank for the single point they gained.

Unsurprisingly, Jack Ross went with the same starting eleven whilst the only change on the bench was the return of Stevie Mallan from injury, Fraser Murray dropping out of the squad. It became apparent very quickly that Motherwell favoured a 3-5-2 and that would cause Hibs problems as Newell and Gocic faced three opponents in the centre. The visitors enjoyed more possession than Hibs and their movement was both impressive and worrying at the same time.

Fairly early in proceedings, Lang made some space for himself on the angle of the eighteen yard box as he fired in a shot that looked bound for the far corner until Marciano dived to his left to push the effort round the post. It was a cracking and crucial save with Rocky having to judge the flight of the ball with several players in his line of vision.

A long diagonal ball from Turnbull created another chance for Motherwell as the resultant cross was met by O’Donnell who had his back to goal around the edge of the six yard box. The former Killie man controlled the ball well and swivelled to shoot but his effort was well blocked by Hanlon at the expense of a corner.

The Steelmen thought they had opened their account when Jordan White volleyed the ball goalwards where it nicked off Hanlon and sped past Marciano. His delight was short lived when the East Stand assistant stood rooted to the spot rather than heading back to the centre line as he would do for a legal goal. After conferring with referee Greg Aitken the goal was chalked off because Clarence Seedorf was in an offside position and was obstructing the goalie’s view. Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson said after the game that had we had VAR the goal would surely have stood. We don’t, it didn’t so dry yer eyes Stephen.

Hibs had not offered much in an attacking sense but what does come to mind is a stunning through ball from Horgan that witnessed Boyle going through one on one with the keeper. Sadly, Martin’s effort was blocked by the legs of Carson. Nisbet then had a netbound shot deflected past by O’Donnell whilst a header by Doidge following a Hibs corner was headed down but just wide of the far post.

I felt sure that Jack Ross would change our shape for the second half but it was not to be and Motherwell continued to enjoy better possession with Turnbull and Campbell in their midfield running rings around ours. Ten minutes into the half, Newell and Horgan were replaced by Allan and Hallberg and for a time we looked a bit more solid. Allan spun away from his man wide right and sent a stunning ball across the six yard area but none of his team mates anticipated the delivery and the ball was easily cleared.

This wasn’t a game for the purists as both sides seemed to largely cancel each other out. A spark was needed; a touch of magic but none of the twenty two players on the park could provide it before Greg Aitken’s final whistle.

It was frustrating that we never really got going but there were some positives to be taken from the game. A clean sheet, some sterling defending and a point that took us back to the top of the table, at least for the next 24 hours.

The players

Marciano – Rocky’s first half save was a belter and though it seems strange to say so, he had little to do other than that.

McGinn – Once again Paul turned in a fine performance. His positional sense is admirable as is his ability to stop pacier players getting past him.

Porteous – Ryan defended stoutly, winning most of his aerial challenges and never really looked in bother at any time.

Hanlon – I thought Paul was outstanding today. He was brilliant in the air and brilliant at anticipating the play of opposing forwards and so he gets my man of the match award.

Doig – Going forward Josh is mightily impressive for one so young. He was more than willing to break forward with the ball at his feet and his distribution was fine.

Boyle – My brother is firmly of the view that Boyler is wasted out wide because he doesn’t see enough of the ball and I think there’s something in that. Martin’s one on one failed because he rushed his shot but credit to the keeper for making him do it.

Gogic – Was immense in the first half where he invariably faced two opponents but I felt he was much quieter after the break. I guess when you put so much effort into trying to control two opponents you’re going to get pretty tired.

Newell – To me this was Joe’s poorest game in a while. He struggled in that midfield area and I wasn’t surprised when he was subbed.

Horgan – Once again the wee man showed his better form and his through ball to Boyle was ‘Allanesque.’ The only reason he got hooked, in my opinion was that Hallberg is better than him in a defensive sense.

Nisbet – Got zero service and was never fully involved. I felt he did his best work when he dropped into midfield to try and win back possession.

Doidge – Surely the big man’s quietest game in a long while as, like Nisbet, he got little to work on. His first half header and his audacious attempt at an overhead kick were the only times he looked like he might add to his goal tally.

Allan – My money on the reason for his introduction was that Jack was hoping he’d provide some service to the two up top and it worked to an extent although neither of our strikers bust a gut to get on the end of his cracking low ball across the six yard area.

Hallberg – As I said earlier, Melker was brought on to help beef up the midfield and that worked to a degree. The lad took a sore one on the ankle, which I thought merited not only a free kick but a yellow for the offender but he got neither.

Stevenson – Josh was tiring a bit and Jack knew they were going to throw the kitchen sink at us and so he brought Lewis on with the wee man being a better defender at the moment.

Referee – Greg Aitken had a decent match although there was one moment late on when he blew up for a foul on Hallberg when the ball had reached Boyle who had space in front of him to run into. It irked me because he looked to see where the ball went and despite seeing it the feet of Boyle he didn’t play advantage.

Jack Ross – I think Jack was as mystified as the rest of us in terms of our play from middle to front. A clean sheet reinforces the view that we defended well but we were also pretty poor at keeping the ball and trying to create something.

The fans – I just want to clarify that despite rumours to the contrary, my cut out did not leave before the end.