Jim Leishman Post Hibs
Tuesday, 24th Oct 2006With the players we have got we want an attacking formation but it is getting fit players to play i
"When we lost the goals it caused a problem. Hibs started really well as we expected. The last couple of times we watched them against Hearts and against Rangers, they were excellent for the first sixty minutes. We knew that they would come out of the traps but Dorus had two or three great saves kept us in the game.
"Mark Burchill was put through a couple of times. The TV say that it wasn't a penalty; at that time we were getting one or two small opportunities but we lost a goal with two minutes to go to half time. So we had to try and lift the boys.
"We were having our best spell; again Mark Burchill, Gary Mason, Jim Hamilton and Freddie but then we lost a second goal after that. The heads then went down a bit and to go to 4-0 Hibs punished us for that.
"We did try to set out positive likes of Mark Burchill is an attacking player, Jim Hamilton is a strong lad and so is Stevie Crawford attackingwise."
Was Ivan Sproule the difference?
"We knew that Ivan Sproule had been playing well so far this season, causing teams loads of problems. Aaron Labonte was doing very well against him but caught for the first goal and at half time we were going to emphasise 'keep positive' but we lost that vital first goal with two minutes to go (to half time).
"He set up the second; the boy is on top of his form. We worked on it all week - what they were going to do and to try and get them on the back foot. If we had scored an equaliser before the second goal it might have been a different story but it wasn't to be.
"The team are annoyed with themselves. Mark did well to last so long - we only expected 60 minutes from him because he is pacy. That is his first game since Dundee United in August but he sharpens the attack. We are all disappointed; there was no shouting or bawling. We were having a chat and try to sort out problems because there is not much wrong with the actual personnel. The players are good players, we keep emphasising that; it is getting them to play - that's my job.
"We will have the boys in tomorrow. I am a great believer in getting their opinions of things but the bottom line I make the decision - good or bad I have to stand by that. With the players we have got we want an attacking formation but it is getting fit players to play in that formation.
"Stephen Simmons and Owen Morrison will get a game tomorrow after their injuries so there are three or four players playing tomorrow (v Motherwell Reserves) that haven't been playing. That one game will help decide what players to play on Saturday."
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