The U20s good recent run came to an end at the Oriam in Edinburgh when they were beaten 4-1 by league leader’s Hibs. After the game www.afc.co.uk got the thoughts of Paul Sheerin:

“4-1 was massively disappointing but there were positives to take from it.

“We actually did ok in terms of going forward.

“I thought in the first half we were a little bit rushed at times. Second half I asked them to try and introduce some more passes and I thought we passed the ball relatively well.

“Unfortunately, we allow their big striker to dictate the line to us and force us back. And when we were on the front foot we did not defend well enough in the transition. It was very frustrating that we were picked off.

“At one stage I was standing thinking how is it 4-1? So probably it was not an overly fair reflection but in terms of learning the game there is a lot for us to look at.  Primarily defending properly and realising that when you are attacking, as defenders you are switched on.

“Bad goals we lose. Really bad goals.

“I suppose any goal you lose is a bad goal but from our point of view, we have looked quite good at the back in recent weeks in terms of defensive shape and looking solid. I thought we lost that after the second goal. We lost our way defensively.

“But I still think we stuck to passing the ball and creating chances which was pleasing.

“I thought the forward players – McLennan, Wright and Ross were very good in all honestly. So there were parts of it I was pleased with but losing four goals in any game is a massive disappointment especially considering how well we had done in recent weeks.

“Frank scored a great goal. He is very direct. At times, I think he maybe does a little too much in terms of touches on the ball, I think he could pass it more and move himself but when you get him in the right areas of the pitch he is a real threat and he showed that with his goal, it was a great finish.

“Hibs picked us off on the counter attack which is something we can hopefully learn from. To be fair they were very clinical which again is something maybe our front players can look at. We had four or five good chances within the game.

“Playing indoors was a slightly strange environment but the pitch was good. It is very big which tests your shape and discipline. You feel the need to spread out which I think we did in the second half defensively. Players lost their discipline.”

“Playing indoors was a slightly strange environment but the pitch was good. It is very big which tests your shape and discipline. You feel the need to spread out which I think we did in the second half defensively. Players lost their discipline.”