Today was a much better day for our attacking players than it has been for some weeks now. In truth, we have struggled to maintain the same execution in front of goal since the demolition of the second Ibrox outfit back at the beginning of September. That was much better today and it was also much needed.
However, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we started to score more when Giorgos Giakoumakis was in from the start. In my opinion he should be the current starting striker with Kyogo Furuhashi on the bench moving forward. Both are very different and both very good footballers in their own right.
But I just feel of late that Kyogo has went off the boil to the extent that a period on the bench might do him good. Ange did the same with Maeda today and he looked a different player when he came on in the second half; not to mention he scored and took the goal like a player brimming with confidence. I don’t think that is chance. I think the pressure was lifted being left on the sidelines today and that it could be the same for his countryman if Ange sticks with it.
Giakoumakis is a born poacher – he can smell chances in the box. A real throwback to strikers of old. Inzhagi-types. Although Giakoumakis does offer that magic outlet of being able to use his body to shield the ball. I think we’ve missed that for a while now with Kyogo just not that sort of striker. His speed and movement are second to none there’s no doubt about it, but he can have a tendency to be bullied in games and fly below the radar as a result.
Giakoumakis gave they Hibernian defenders hell today. So much so, that Porteous decided to try on his Oscar-worthy dramatics; throwing himself to the floor in choreography that would give Swan Lake a run for it’s money. Man that boy is a doughnut. Anyway, the point being is that Giorgos should be the man to start (providing he isn’t bloody injured again with that calf complaint!).
A brace was what he came away with, though it could have been way more but for congestion in the box at times. He put in a rugged display and has done enough to warrant Ange going with the same personnel moving forward for now. He was excellent with both Haksabanovic and James Forrest on either side of him giving him the service he requires. Balls to attack. Headers to challenge for. We’ve been missing it for too long.
Sometimes it’s best to go back to basic football during games. I felt we did that splendidly this afternoon, and hope there is more to come. Giakoumakis must remain in situ for now. It’s time he was given a run in the side from the start of matches. The best part of course is that you have the option of Kyogo from the bench in games. Not too shabby at all is it?
But I think GG has definitely made it almost impossible for Ange to drop him barring injury issues.
What’s your thoughts? Should Ange stick with Giakoumakis up top or go back to Kyogo next game?
Paul Gillespie
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Giakoumakis took studs to his calf, it looked like; it’ll be sore but shouldn’t be something that’ll prevent him playing midweek.
Kyogo got similar treatment from the Hibs player Youan in what i thought was a red card offence as he looked like he kicked Kyogo long after the ball was played; he actually looks a decent solid player, Youan, that incident aside.
Hope Hatate is rested next game, or at minimum takes a spot on the bench as he’s looked miles off his usual form of late.
Besides that, the rest of the team were excellent
Agree with both contributors.
Hail Hail.