No distractions mean Hibs can focus on Dundee draw positives

A resounding victory over Tony Docherty's Dundee might have allowed complacency to creep in to the squad's mindset, while a first defeat of the Nick Montgomery era could have clouded this week's preparations. Most people in football will tell you that it is a results business and every player and manager naturally wants the three points on a Saturday. But when there are many positives to take from a goalless draw that extended an unbeaten run, added another clean sheet, and produced another 20+ efforts on goal, it's hard to be too critical. 

Could draw be ideal derby prep?

But a stalemate in which Hibs battered their opponents - 23 shots to 11 tells its own story - and picked up just a solitary point might be the catalyst for a more incisive performance across town on Saturday. As Montgomery said in his post-match remarks, the team will take the positives and work towards three points at Tynecastle this coming weekend.

After the high of a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone, and coming out on the right side of Wednesday night's six-goal Viaplay Cup thriller against St Mirren, this draw might just remind the players and supporters that there is still work to do, still a way to go before this Hibs team has a level of consistency where they can play three games in a week and fully expect to win all three. In recent history Hibs have been guilty of recording an impressive result one day, and then contriving to lose a winnable game days later - often following up a good result against Celtic or Rangers with a meek defeat by a team that they should, on paper, be dealing with rather comfortably. 

But this 0-0 draw was not of the ilk seen so often under Shaun Maloney, in which Hibs would play some nice football but struggle to test the opposition goalkeeper. It wasn't even a goalless draw punctuated by a turning point, such as a missed penalty or silly red card. No; it was a case of Hibs doing everything right and only a combination of bad luck and good goalkeeping and defending (at both ends) that robbed the spectators of any goals. Lewis Miller's second-half header that skimmed the bar was similar to the move that produced his goal against St Johnstone. Christian Doidge's flicked effort so nearly squirmed through Trevor Carson. And Paul Hanlon had two opportunities where the ball just didn't quite fall for him. Sometimes, the rub of the green just isn't there.

Cheers and jeers

Hibs played some scintillating football at times and although there were also occasions when they looked a little haphazard - possibly a hangover of a third game in seven days - the admittedly small chorus of jeering at full-time felt baffling. This hadn't been a game in which Hibs had struggled to create opportunities, or played poorly. Montgomery made a point of praising the fans for their backing throughout the 90 minutes but even he would have heard the small pocket of disgruntlement at the whistle. That he chose not to address it beyond recognising that the fans would be frustrated told us more about his approach. 

It would have been very easy for him to highlight the booing and use it to appeal to the fans for their backing as the coaching staff attempt to get things right on the pitch but there was no need to do so. He is more than comfortable with letting his coaching, and the players, do the talking on the pitch, which is already endearing himself to many followers of Hibs. And it has a knock-on effect as well as those on social media venting their displeasure with the result were shouted down by fellow supporters rather quickly. 

Based on their earlier form this season, picking up six points and sealing progression to the last four of the Viaplay Cup would almost certainly have been a tall order for Hibs so to pick up four points, and come very, very close to a perfect six, and be in the hat for the semi-finals of one domestic cup competition, isn't the worst return in the world. 

No distractions

The last time Hibs made the short journey to Gorgie, a 1-1 draw was overshadowed by events after the full-time whistle, with Lee Johnson and Steven Naismith clashing on the touchline and things boiling over on the park between both sets of players and coaching staff, with both teams copping two red cards apiece for their troubles. Were Johnson still in charge at Easter Road, much of the pre-match build-up would almost certainly have focused on the potential showdown between him and Naismith, and likely been a source of distraction for the players and club. And we all know what the reaction would be if Hibs were beaten.

The way things have worked out, Johnson has moved on and Hibs have a new man in the dugout, which means they will be able to prepare for the first derby of the campaign without a pantomime backdrop, and instead be able to focus on the best way of taking all three points back to Leith. 

It will be another test for Montgomery but he can prepare for the game knowing that with Hibs unbeaten in five domestic matches, four of those coming with him at the helm, he has the majority of the fans on his side and the perfect chance to build on what has been a broadly positive start to his time in charge. The lack of a midweek game will afford the players more time to recover and give the coaching staff more time to work on individuals and passages of play. And we should get more of an idea of how a Montgomery Hibs team will approach, and deal with, a big game.