The Hibs strikers put their foot in it once again at Tannadice but Lee Johnson really must be wishing they’d pull their fingers out instead.
Over the past six games, his team has racked up an incredible 120 shots on goal. They’ve had 51 corners and countless other opportunities where they’ve put the ball in the box, with the team leading the league in attempted crosses. And what have they they got to show for all that? A measly seven goals! From 120 attempts! That’s a shocking return no matter what you say.
For me, it’s the frontmen who have to take the blame because clearly the rest of the team are doing their bit laying on chances. Apart from Martin Boyle, none of the other strikers have even managed a league goal this season 10 games in. You’ve got Mykola Kukharevych, Elie Youan, Elias Melkersen, Harry McKirdy and Momodou Bojang all sitting there still to get off the mark.
Yet for all those wasted efforts, Hibs are still sitting third. That six game run is book-ended by a couple of 1-0 defeats, firstly to St Mirren and then Tuesday’s loss at Dundee United. They had 34 shots combined in those two matches. Had they won both, they’d be splitting the Old Firm just a point behind Celtic.
And that’s what the lads need to realise. They’re clearly playing well enough to be at the top end of the table. But to reach that next level you have to be clinical, so if I was Lee I’d be sending all the lads out for extra target practice because that really can be the difference between success and failure.
Listen, I know I’m one to talk when it comes to missing chances. I had a season at Dunfermline where it took 13 games to bag my first of the campaign. It just felt like the posts were shrinking with every game that passed. I finally got my goal away to Queen of the South with a big shin roller from about six yards that I almost missed. It was a horrible one to watch but it felt brilliant at the time.
That was the only one I scored during my entire time with the Pars so that’s why I don’t want to be too harsh on the likes of Kukharevych. The big Ukrainian’s barely been in the door at Easter Road two minutes and had a goal harshly chopped off against United - more of which later.
But he also had a big moment in the second half when he was straight through on Trevor Carson. He blinked and the chance was gone. Johnson will be stressing to his team that they cannot afford to let chances like that go by if they really want to finish at the top end, especially when they head through to Celtic Park this weekend.
Just look at Ange Postecoglou’s team in Europe. Had they taken all the numerous chances they’ve created so far, they’d be on course for the Champions League knock-outs. Instead they’re praying they can clutch a Europa League lifeline. Hibs can’t keep relying on Boyle - and every Ryan Porteous lately - to bail them out and we really need to see the likes of Kukharevych and Youan start chipping in too.
As much as the boss will be pulling his hair out, I imagine Kevin Kevin Nisbet will be just as frustrated too. He’s a guy who feeds off of service and watching all these crosses going into the box while he’s sat in the stands will have been tough. I hear he’s back in training now and hopefully won’t be far off a return. Maybe the chance to sit there and watch the team play might actually help him form a better picture in his mind of where he should be to make the most of the balls into the box.
Mind you, it would have been nice if referee Euan Anderson had had a helping hand the other night after he ruled out Kukharevych’s goal. The suggestion is that we’ll be getting VAR introduced once everybody in the league has played each other once, which for Hibs is this weekend.
For me, it can’t come quick enough. I read SFA chief Ian Maxwell warning this week that the first three months are likely to be ‘horrendous’ as our refs get to grips with the new system but surely it can’t be any worse than what we’re dealing with now. It was a shocker of a blunder by Anderson and the difference between Hibs picking up a point at least.
That wasn’t the only disappointment from the game, with Jair Tavares allegedly targeted for racist abuse. United have launched an investigation. There’s no need for this stuff in the game and hopefully they can find the culprit and boot them out for good.
