This was as poor a performance as I have seen from a Hibs team in a long time. Aberdeen played with more purpose, with better organisation and significantly with far greater pace all over the pitch. Hibs do not have many players that you could call youthful and the Dons youngsters looked like greyhounds compared to us.

Many people have been asking what would happen to Hibs when key players started to drop out through injuries and suspensions and I have to say that we did not answer these questions very convincingly. Lehmann replaced Paatelainen as expected and McLeish chose to play at right wing back in place of Lovell, Ian Murray - a completely left footed player. These two replacements had very poor games though I have to say that the boohing of Lehmann was a disgrace - quite what the 'fans' who booh their own players think that will achieve defeats me.

To place the blame at the feet of these two players would be to entirely miss the point, however. Hibs were poor throughout every department of the side - Nick Colgan excepted. I thought we looked sluggish against Kilmarnock but put that down to the fact that we were playing a form team. It has proven to be more than that and I think McLeish has a major task ahead trying to freshen up the team and get the players buzzing again.

As I have said, we were poor throughout but if I had to pinpoint the major faults as I saw them they would be 1. a lack of pace in defence 2. no penetration down the flanks and 3. no punch up front. We were caught on the break continuously in this match and Aberdeen should have been at least two ahead at half time. We made no impact down the wings other than one or two runs from Laursen and so kept punting balls at Lehmann and Zitelli who were dispossessed with ease.

All this left the middle three of O'Neil, Jack and Latapy with too much to do. I thought this three did okay and certainly O'Neil and Jack put in a power of work. Latapy did some good things but too often had no outlet and chose to go alone.

Nick Colgan was forced to make saves throughout this match whilst at the other end, the Dons goalie, Esson, was superbly protected and never got asked questions until well into the second half.

The Aberdeen opener had been coming for a long time and was another demonstration of pace and incisiveness. A quick break down their left flank and a fast ball across the face of goal found Stavrum the quickest to react and he slooted the ball past Colgan.

Incredibly Hibs did have a great chance to equalise which we scarcely deserved. With McManus stripped waiting to come on and with sections of the crowd screaming to get Lehmann off, the German striker had a chance to redeem himself. Right through one-on-one, his shot was well saved by Esson and after this Lehmann had to trudge disconsolately off the pitch. Significant to note, however, that McManus had no more impact whatsoever when he got his chance.

Hibs only other chances of the match were a back post header from Zitelli which fell straight into Esson's arms and a long range effort from Sauzee which was turned round the post.

Aberdeen finished the match as they had started by looking far the most convincing team. The second nearly arrived when an effort from Mayer hit the bar and finally did come from another incisive move finished off by the same player.

Hibs will need to show a major improvement if we are going to start dominating games again and other teams will have taken note of what a bit of pace can do against us. All in all, it was a sore one, but you have to keep things in perspective. We have shown we are a good team this year and I would like to think we have the character to bounce back.

Hibs Team 3-5-2

Subs not used : Franks, T. Smith, Sar-Temsoury