Chefki Kuqi

Our midfield is Sugar Puff without him.

I honestly think yesterday's performance wasn't awful, we just conceded two of the shittest goals I've ever witnessed for the first two. Albeit our second was in itself a howler for Livi. Hearts just appear more clinical at the moment and as said are fairly comfortable in third place. I think that makes it fairly easy for them to hit us on the counter, especially if we're committing forward in numbers to help play the possession based game. Every game I've been to since the first Livi game of the season has either been an awful performance or ended badly for us, and with this completing a hat-trick of games that started at Cove Rangers I'm not hopeful of anything beyond the roasters in the rows behind being slightly less looney tunes than the fud behind me yesterday.

Given we finished third last season with Gogic largely in the team there's an argument to be made that he was a good player for us. He was giving away cheap fouls early in this season and costing us goals. Add the desire to play a better passing game and he was dropped seemingly never to be seen again. No huge regret in seeing him leave but I reckon if he knows he's wanted he'll do exactly what you expect of him, harass heavily through the middle of the park and play easy balls to more technically accomplished teammates. Don't really know what McGrath offers in truth, heard a fairly broad array of descriptions which doesn't leave me any the wiser. Generally speaking though players we've signed from yourselves have gone on to perform well enough so hoping for good things.

I think there was many things that looked promising from yesterday but the goals we conceded were absolutely honking. Been fairly indifferent on Macey but after yesterday's display he's needing dropped. Sadly with the derby coming up its hardly a good time to hand Dabrowski his debut.

I'd imagine this event will be a roaring success*. *For Hearts

Is Snifter Pee Rot also Crawford Bridge and the sock puppets?

One man's assault on the alts

I think it'll end up alright. We were without potentially 3 first choice CBs in Porteous, Hanlon and that may well be where Clarke plays too instead of McGinn, albeit the players who stepped in did a decent job and could fight for those places longer term. The midfield without Magennis is a worry, and we shouldn't really rely on him given he's been at the club for 18 months now and has played for 4 months at most in that period. I don't really see Wright or Campbell as problems, just think that Campbell should be played further back and Wright should a sub for Cadden/Clarke in the same way that Mitchell will be a sub for Doig. We'll be asking alot of our wingbacks to be the only widemen so regular rotation in those areas seems sensible to keep the players fresh. Up top Nisbet needs proper support, whether that's in the form of another striker in Doidge/Melkerson or other widemen in Mueller/(Boyle replacement). There's not a huge amount that can be said about last night other than we were fairly poor in fairly poor conditions, but I think we need to acknowledge we faced a good team in Motherwell and a point isn't the end of the world. Coming up to Livi/Hearts given the three games we've seen since the restart and the form isn't overly encouraging however, and I think they'll be harder games still. Livi seem to have something between their teeth and Hearts seem stronger now than had we faced them in early January. So in conclusion not overly confident about the run of games coming up but I think there's better to come from this team, it would be hard not to improve on last night at the very least.

If the winner stays on, with neither team having won, do both go down?

Tempted to put it down to the bad weather but that was pretty turgid. Motherwell arguably looked more dangerous after losing their man and manager. Highlight probably Bushiri making a decent tackle on Van Veen and setting up another - ultimately fruitless - playing out the back scenario.

Its blowing a hoolie

Glens Vodka vs Eden Mill Gin Result after 45 minute: inconclusive

If Dave Cormack goes on Sportsound again to shout at Kenny McIntyre will that galvanise Aberdeen again? Is it a case of diminishing returns?

Well not based on too much other than highlight reels and accolades before he came but I thought he looked decent last night and wasn't afraid to get involved. Not sure he'll be a direct replacement but I'd be happy to give him the chance for now at-least. Glad to hear the accolades about Mitchell should it come off, liked him since he signed for Hibs in my football manager career a long time ago and was abit miffed when he went to Hearts in the cold light of day. If he's a LWB I guess he's competition for Doig, or perhaps a replacement, which based on current form I wouldn't oppose - barring the assist last night of-course.

I don't think its the principle reason he moved but I'm sure he's considered that it may make his international football easier by not having to travel as far, and given it seems to be quite dear to him I'd imagine the contract will stipulate he's allowed to prioritise his Australia duties in a way which was at times quite conflicting for Hibs. Whether or not he still gets in the Australia team after playing for what appear to be a bunch of diddies is another matter entirely. But certainly I think his Australia form has played a part in this move. Should that continue to improve then I reckon he could maybe get another out of it.

It is the right decision, however after seeing Mueller look somewhat promising last night I'm disappointed not to have had the chance to see them play together for any length of time. Also while I'm at it I think its pish we've seen Mackay and Tait punted out on loan to Killie, the latter of which we haven't even seen in a Hibs shirt. On last nights display I reckon Tait would offer more than Henderson from what little I know of both players, or might have been an option for a midfield which looked pedestrian and scared to make a pass last night.

On the contrary, I would suggest that it is indeed you who is trying to be far, far too clever with your 'hot take' and ignoring the basic fact that Hibs under Maloney will trample all under foot, including your own scarf twirling diddies should you choose to remain in the division.

@General dissaray Any signings Hearts should be looking at to replace Souttar?

It's pretty 50/50 as a penalty. Hits the hand/arm but its not really an un-natural position for someone running about, and the ball was almost kicked into it, albeit not deliberately. I won't complain too much about it, but it was a very harsh decision even if I can see why it was given, and that's down to a lack of clarity in the rules (to my knowledge).

I think with Newell or JDH its a case of one or the other should be in there, not both. JDH for me at the moment, hopefully with Tait and Magennis before too long, but I'm still reasonably comfortable with it being Campbell or even Wright in place of Magennis for now.

That was shite

That's James Scott, not Scott Allan, you imbecile.