Hibs instant analysis as Doidge header decides Forfar slog

Nick Montgomery’s side failed to sparkle on their return from the winter break, with Christian Doidge’s second-half header the only moment to separate them from League Two opponents. As well as bringing Doidge into the fold, the manager handed a first senior start to 17-year-old Rudi Molotnikov to play off him.

Hibs toiled for long spells, struggling to break down Forfar’s tight-knit ranks, their frustration compounded by Joe Newell having a first-half penalty saved. Doidge came to the rescue with a header after the interval, but Montgomery’s side were fortunate to escape unpunished by a handful of Forfar chances.

Patrick McPartlin and Liam Bryce were at Station Park to provide the instant analysis.

Job done, just…

From the moment the draw was made, everything about this game screamed ‘dodgy’. Away to League Two opposition in the dark depths of January having not kicked a ball competitively for three weeks, these are the exact fixtures that keep managers up at night. Freezing conditions, claustrophobic terraces that give players no place to hide, pumped opposition, and a man dressed as a bridie welcoming you onto the pitch, it was a quintessential cup shock setting. Hibs did what they had to do in scraping away to an eventual victory, but there was little else to get excited about. Anything but a highly convincing performance and scoreline in these David v Goliath afternoons is subject to intense criticism, and as this slog of a 90 minutes wore on it became increasingly clear that Hibs might leave Station Park with a place in the next round but very little in the way of credit. The opening 45 was about as uninspired as you’ll see from Hibs, and they retreated to the dressing room amid a vociferous volley of boos from the 3000-strong away support, doing so extremely fortunate not to have fallen behind. The second half was marginally improved, but it took an ill-judged foray into a ruck of bodies from Forfar keeper Marc McCallum – otherwise excellent – to provide the opening Doidge needed to flick home a header. These days are all about getting the job done, but it really needs to be better from Hibs.

Liam Bryce

A chance for Rudi

It wasn’t a huge surprise to see Rudi Molotnikov starting - with nine players unavailable through injury and international duty, plus paperwork holding up Myziane Maolida’s involvement and Kanayo Megwa cup-tied, Nick Montgomery’s options were severely limited, and there wasn’t an obvious choice for the supporting striker role filled by Josh Campbell before his injury. Montgomery could be heard urging other players to make use of the 17-year-old in the final third. He came close with a first-half header but Hibs were so disjointed and rusty that it was difficult to gauge his impact. But he certainly looks a better bet further forward.

Patrick McPartlin

Doidge gets pass marks

A fifth goal of the season for Christian Doidge, and a good shift from the Welshman - including a goal-line clearance in the first half. He hasn’t been first choice in recent months but he gave Hibs a focal point in attack and some added height when defending set-pieces. He took his goal well and caused mischief throughout. With the striker out of contract in the summer his future is somewhat up in the air as he closes in on five years at the club, and the arrival of Myziane Maolida could further limit his game time.  There have also been questions about whether he is suited to the way Montgomery wants to play but he showed against Forfar, not least with his goal, that he has something different to offer.

Patrick McPartlin

Set-piece scaries

It would have come as no surprise to anyone in green and white that Forfar would attempt to unsettle Hibs via launching anything and everything they could into the 18-yard box. Corners, free-kicks, long throw-ins, you name it, the home side catapulted them into David Marshall’s area at every opportunity. Knowing it’s coming is one thing, dealing with it is another, and Hibs frequently made a meal of it. They were fortunate not to concede from a set-play in the first half, getting away with a number of near misses as Forfar players made sure it was they who won first contact. Defending balls into the box is all part of doing the basics, but when you’re not accustomed in the slightly less agricultural surroundings of the Premiership, it can get tricky. Eventually, whenever Forfar had a chance to deliver, Hibs took to not leaving anyone up the pitch, such was the level concern about what was raining down on them. You could just about feel the hearts in mouths all around the Hibs support.

Liam Bryce

Obita makes a difference

Perhaps surprisingly named on the bench, Jordan Obita made his entrance late on in the game, replacing Rory Whittaker with Lewis Stevenson heading to right-back and Obita taking up his usual left-back berth. Stevenson was arguably one of Hibs’ better performers throughout but Obita ramped up the attacking threat, defended well, and showed his class on the ball. There’s a reason he has mostly kept Stevenson out of the team this season and he showed again just why in his short spell on the pitch.

But with an important game against Rangers on the horizon, it perhaps made sense that Montgomery shuffled his pack as much as he dared, and the former Wycombe full-back will almost certainly return to the starting line-up for the visit of Philippe Clement's side next midweek. 

Patrick McPartlin