Time for strong nerves
Neil Turnbull
"Getting beat 3-0 at home by Ferranti Thistle, it doesn't get much worse than this." So said a friend of mine on Saturday and it felt true at the time. It also made me laugh which was badly needed. After watching your team booed off at home, you tend to feel pretty low.
Booing your own team is despicable by the way - those who do so should get a dictionary out and look up the definition of the word supporter. It is also moronic - it compounds an already bad situation and makes it even harder for the team to get itself out of the hole it is currently in.
The pathetic, clichéd excuse you will hear trotted out for this behaviour goes along the lines off - I pay my money so I am entitled to have my say. Well, I pay my money too, and I am entitled to my say. And I would point out this - anyone who has supported Hibs for any length of time has watched some bad Hibs teams playing badly. At least we are currently watching a good Hibs team playing badly. There is a big distinction there - at least in the current situation, you can anticipate better.
However, the booing was what I expected to hear, after another defeat left Hibs slipping out of the top six. Did we deserve to lose to Aberdeen - yes. Did we deserve to lose to Livingston - yes. So I have no hard luck stories and no excuses to offer.
Have we become a poor side - no. We are a team that badly needs a break. We are low on confidence, have forgotten how to score, and are getting punished severely for errors at the back. We are missing one or two regulars and we have decent players who are not doing what we know they are capable of. Those are the simple facts.
De la Cruz - glimpses of what he can do
My experience of life tells me that there is always something positive to take from every situation. So what can Hibs take from these last two matches. I would volunteer a few crumbs of comfort. I think Ulrik Laursen has showed that he is an excellent centre back, despite many Hibs fans wanting to see him on the left touchline as he was last season.
I think Ulises de la Cruz had a much better game against Livingston than he has had in other
appearances this season. I am still firmly of the view that he doesn't know how to play in right midfield with Orman behind him. He looks lost and barely gets involved in the game. When he plays right back or wingback he looks so much more comfortable and stays involved throughout the game.
I thought Arpinon showed glimpses against Livingston of what he is capable of. He is a player who is genuinely comfortable on the ball and wants to go forward with the ball at his feet. It is just unfortunate that he has come in to the team when things have been going so poorly. In a team playing with confidence, I am sure he could shine.
I am still convinced that the squad is as good or better than last year. Is the team spirit as good - not sure - but certainly Paatelainen and Lovell were renowned for being good in the dressing room. Could be a factor. The only other reason I can give for the current predicament is this, and others may disagree - we miss Latapy badly and have no-one who adequately fills the gap he left behind. Only my opinion but hey, I pay my money and so am entitled to that.
What is certain is this - this is a time for cool heads and steady nerves from everyone concerned with Hibs. Hard work from the
management and players and genuine, vocal support from the fans is what is required.
We need to stick together - so let's hear it tomorrow night against Dundee United.
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