This is how it feels (St Johnstone 230820)

As Jimmy Greaves famously used to say, “It’s a funny old game.” Here we are five games in and joint top; undefeated and having conceded only two goals with neither conceded from open play and yet I’m still not totally happy with what I’m seeing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m delighted with our start to the season but am a bit nonplussed regarding the level of quality we are producing. Having said that I’m a glass half full kinda person and so I like to look for the positives.

Away to St. Johnstone is always a tester, though given the lack of fan attendance at games I’m not sure that the venue really matters so much. For this game we were without the services of Kevin Nisbet, the lad having to be withdrawn due to injury. This necessitated a change of shape with Scott Allan in the starting eleven and only really Doidge as a natural striker.

The game had an interesting start with the home side creating a half chance before Martin Boyle stung the fingertips of Elliot Parish with a low shot that the Saints keeper touched around the post. Thereafter, both sides enjoyed spells of possession without really causing the other too much of a problem. The young lad McNamara was showing up well for Saints but can maybe consider himself lucky to get only a booking for a straight leg lunge on Scott Allan. Thankfully, Scotty saw it coming and got out of the way. If full contact had been made it was a stick on red and even without full contact it was borderline.

Around the half hour mark a series of disallowed goals started when Boyle charged down an attempted clearance from Parish. The ball spun high into the air and as it dropped, Horgan was the first to it but he sclaffed his effort, with the ball reaching Boyle who tapped it home from what was clearly an offside position. At the other end, Conway sent over an inviting cross which tempted Rocky into making some sort of Superman leap. He missed it completely and Callum Hendry nodded the ball into the empty net. It looked onside but the assistant raised his flag and it was disallowed. TV replays showed Hendry was clearly onside and so he and his manager would be rightly aggrieved by the outcome. At the other end a deep cross was brilliantly met by the high flying Doidge but his header struck Parish and when the resultant rebound reached Doidge the big fella used an arm to control the ball before knocking it into the net.

McNamara showed again when his fierce drive from the edge of the box brought out a fine save from Marciano, who tipped the ball over the bar.

The second half was not great if truth be told. St Johnstone enjoyed possession but did nothing with it whilst Hibs were taking far too long to work the ball from back to front and as a result, goal scoring opportunities were at a premium.

When Callum Hendry was booked for persistent fouling I recall thinking to myself that it wasn’t before time. Seconds later he clipped the heels of Joe Newell, right in front of John Beaton but no card was shown, despite the fact he later booked Scott Allan for a similar offence.

Just as I thought I was back in the days of Alex Miller with endless 0-0 games being the norm, Hibs finally made the breakthrough. A corner from Mallan was headed towards goal by Gogic who watched on as the ball struck the inside of the post and was cleared by Liam Craig as it looked to be going in. Craig’s clearance was poor, giving Gogic the chance to lob the ball back into the area where Ben Gordon rashly felled both Porteous and Hanlon with a push. John Beaton was perfectly placed and pointed to the spot, allowing Stevie Mallan the chance to hammer the ball home and win Hibs the points.

The hosts threw everything at Hibs but the men in green and white survived. Immediately after the final whistle, Liam Craig whom we all know likes a moan, got himself booked and then sent off for dissent. Strangely the Sky graphic showed a little red line under Hibs!

It wasn’t a great performance by any means and I’m no different from anyone else who says they want better football but, to coin another much used phrase in football I’ve seen us play better and lose. My half full glass tells me that when Hibs do reach the heights we all look for we are going to have one helluva season.

The players

Marciano – Rocky was very lucky with the disallowed goal because he was flapping big style in trying to reach a cross he should never have come for. Having said that he played well afterwards and had a couple of decent saves.

McGinn – Yet another fine performance from a guy that surely doesn’t always get the credit he deserves. His defending is very good and he gets forward a lot to support attacks.

Porteous – I thought Ryan was a bit off it today, charging out of defence in trying to stay with the very mobile O’Halloran. I also thought he was guilty of ball watching a couple of times but given he was part of a defence that once again kept a clean sheet the good parts of his game clearly outweighed the bad.

Hanlon – As I was watching on TV it gave me the chance at half and full time to read some of the comments about him. For my money he was outstanding and my man of the match. I don’t do Twitter but I’m told there’s a real vendetta of sorts against Paul, something I find absolutely incredible if truth be told.

Doig – After a few excellent performances leading up to this game I thought Josh was not nearly as eye catching. He’s just a kid and still learning so it’s to be expected he won’t shine in every game.

Boyle – Martin was largely anonymous for portions of the game with his trademark runs being at a premium. I’m sure he’s aware of all the transfer talk and that will certainly be on his mind so I hope Hibs can offer him a deal that will tie him down sooner rather than later.

Allan – It was good to see Scotty back in action but once again I was left a bit disappointed by his performance. In his defence he seemed to be the main target in St Johnstone’s Aberdeen like approach of consistent fouling.

Gogic – It’s amazing how many times he breaks up opposition play and I’m mightily impressed by his positional sense. Alex was unlucky that his late header hit the post and was cleared off the line.

Newell – After a bit of a purple patch at the end of last season, Joe seems to be less influential in terms of creativity but to his credit today he did provide well enough when they had the ball.

Horgan – Daryl works his socks off and always seems to be available for a pass but today his final ball was horrendous and I wasn’t surprised he got hooked after an hour.

Doidge – Christian had to work on slim pickings but he still managed to impress with both his work rate and in holding up the ball until support arrived.

Wright – I was a bit surprised to see him there today given that some on here had written him off as a high level user of the treatment table! I thought he looked sharp and that he offered excellent cover down our left when they had the ball.

Mallan – The enigma that is Stevie Mallan will have enjoyed crashing that penalty in. I felt he contributed well in his time on the park and I’m delighted to see him back and playing.

Gullan – Hammer’s movement is excellent and more than once he lost his marker but the ball didn’t arrive. He looks very assured for one so young and I anticipate him having a good season for Hibs.

Halberg - Melker is the sub of the season, having come on in every game so far. Did his bit in winning the ball and I was pleased to see him get further forward than he usually does

John Beaton – Other than leniency towards Callum Hendry, I thought he reffed the game well.

Jack Ross – It would have been easy for Jack just to say he was delighted with three points but he was quick to add that we are nowhere near our best yet. It’s important he acknowledges that and addresses the matter in an open way. His two predecessors were never that honest in my opinion.

The fans – I’m willing to bet that the overwhelming percentage of Hibbies watching that game shouted at least once at Andy Walker’s drivel. I know I did.