First, I want to say something…Beyond the
victory, the possibility of finding the precious normalcy in our beloved club.
If you look at the first picture, there are Tom Miller and Andrew Dickson with
a sign that says “Buenos días, Hernán”. I have nothing to present, everyone
knows them, they read and hear, but I take this opportunity to thank all the
good will and respect they have given me since I met them. That photo, the
product of a great stroke of imagination of my friends, is something that I
will never forget and I will treasure forever. It is also interesting to see
the conditions in which they work, a kind of behind the scenes because you are
protagonist, we see and hear. Here is good public recognition to their work for
both (and also to Lindsay in studio) on the last day of the “turbulent” season.
Thank you.
By doing a quick run through what happened in
the season (quiet friend to this topic I´ll dedicate a section in the future)
cross many names in my head…A whirlwind of players went through the starting
line, and indeed, I loved in that regard this season, paradoxically, Super-Ally
and his staff was tested before each injury or suspension. And in these respect
we have gained much. This will help for next season if keep the embargo imposed
by the SFA to sign players. All players have had their chance. In Perth, the
absence of Bocanegra and Goian, who obtained permission to return to their countries,
caused a restructuring of the defense. Well, we had to wait until the last date
of the SPL to return to see Bartley in central defense. The Englishman took his
leave with dignity. Although I think he wanted to get a goal, at least tried in
recent matches.
In the beginning, Saint Johnstone was presented
as a tough team, inaccurate in the collective game, but cut our progress, and
if necessary they rejected the ball anywhere. They got a little better but not
much. The danger reference was Sandaza, which used the melee with Broadfoot,
for some fault in favor. Broadfoot was a mistake that will mark the Spanish
because he has less speed and when he loses the ball often make mistakes. St.
Johnstone started attacking us on the right, some centers from this area seeking to penetrate our
defense. Bartley & cia rejected attempts.
In the first half, our offensive play was erratic,
sometimes argue that established by the locals. Aluko, one of our pillars in
building offensive, often creating their own spaces to speed, sometimes in the
middle, snubbing the rival. St. Johnstone had two strong clean lines and bright
Nigerian game clashed with that scheme. Or was absorbed by the tight marking
rival. At such times, we lacked the sides of the game. Wallace had progressed little and
Whittaker more content.
In the first 20 minutes, we stopped attacking
us. We err in press at the start of the game´s rival, cover their progress and
take center stage. They, like I mentioned before, clogged our potential
recipients and then the game was down to the defense to start again. Given the impossibilities,
a long ball ended at the foot of the opponents. Given this scheme, JIG had to
fight up the rebounds, alone. I think he has a foolproof personality. He held
the ball, adjusted his body to retain and worried the central defenders.
Our offensive game began to take shape little
by little, first head JIG almost scored after an error by the Saints and
Alejandro Bedoya also went close but his shot inside the area was very high. He
then JIG broke the mold. Lee set the ball rolling with an impressive opener. A
great shot, stunning, sublime an act of spontaneity! 1-0. Since then, the
locals were disturbed by the goal and lost all kind of initiative for the rest
the half. There appeared to endorse Wallace for the left and carry out their attacks
with ball dominated.
Let us make a halt here and talk for a while
now Rhys McCabe. For me it is a player with a great future in midfield, that is
unquestionable, he has a decent shot from middle and long distance and has
fulfilled various roles in the second half of the season. I in recent matches
what I followed and still not complete finished good performances in a complete
game. His first time was not all good on the defensive, missed the mark by
making some mistakes. When he intends to plat a touch shows great intelligence
and subsidizing. He knows you highlight the field and make the relay, when a
fellow goes, he takes his place. In the second half, Rhys (in line with the
general improvement of the team) showed great character and improved marking.
The second goal ended
completely the structure of the Saints, started in midfield and was nothing short of Edu who led and defined Aluko, whose
shot left without
options Mannus. If Sone stay in our
home for a while would be great to see him with Naisy.
The third goal is the result of a process of
pressure, complicating the clean output of the rival, stalking. It is the
result of searching tirelessly. Do not give up, not conformist. If you see the
play, Alejandro Bedoya runs from just over half in front of the midfield to
pressure the central defender. He does not take away the ball but causes a
forced rejection, there Whittaker surprising speed and take the ball. Bedoya
gave the ball (more effective in building then in the definition), with a clear
vision that pulls a low cross to score another goal 3-0. Another feature of
this goal is also to press all possessed the ball when we attacked we all
climbed in a group, like a wave. Magnificent. Alejandro ran around the entire
match, led some of the counterattack and did a great job in midfield with Edu.
The fourth goal is to recover the ball by Edu
in the midfield. I applaud him. The American sees yields to JIG designed to
Wallace, as he often does the side look at the area, roll center, which is
rejected by Saints defender. Although rejection bounces off a mate. There,
Aluko, take the rejection that comes up short, puts Stop, fits, hit Play and
the goal is there, simple and brilliant at the same time, a hat-trick. As Tom
said in transmission, since joining Aluko made a massive contribution.
By the end, a reflection. Edu grows rapidly,
becoming more disciplined in your game, respect the tactical schemes, their work
is not as visible as other partners to the general public, but its performances
is enormous. Run every ball, is always first when press and mark your
opponents. And in particular, he has led several goals to regain the ball and
give timely. I think we had to have a little more patience (I also
do self-criticism).
Until next season, Regards Hernán
