Hibs need to
be strong
Another Hampden date awaits - for
those brave enough - STUART CROWTHER HIBS
NEED TO STOP PUSSYFOOTING around the edges of the problems in
recent months, with the side currently pushovers for just about anyone
with the desire to get stuck in. And starting tonight at Easter
Road, the Hibees must stand up and be counted and at the same time prove
to everyone they are no SPL pushovers.
While some are
pointing to a dismal haul of just 8 SPL wins in the eleven months of 2001
so far, it can equally be pointed out that Hibs have done pretty well in
cup competition during that period, and tonight's CIS Insurance Cup tie
against
Dundee United will provide an under-fire Hibs side with the perfect
opportunity to keep that going. Remarkably, this is Hibs first home
tie in the competition since defeating Aberdeen at the start of the clubs
stay in Division 1 three years ago. Then Hibs ran out winners only
to fall at the next hurdle in Perth, this time the carrot awaiting the
winners is a Semi-final place. Devalued competition or not, that
should prove enough of an incentive for Hibs to pull themselves together.
Alex McLeish believes
that Hibs are simply not getting the breaks this season, certainly when
compared to last, and the Hibs boss remains confident that the tide will
turn in his favour. "We just need lady
luck to stick by us for a change. So far she has deserted us this
season," the manager said. And that was echoed by Ulrik
Laursen, one player who few will argue has turned in solid performances
throughout the season. "Maybe we need to
try and win games through force rather than just good football,"
the Dane said, adding: "We don't like the high
balls and maybe we don't like the physical game as much as we did last
year. That is something we have to change, something we must
change. In the past seven or eight games we've been no more
dangerous that a little kitten."
Laursen - we must show more strength (sns)
The changes in
personnel at Easter Road were designed to add strength to the squad, but
might just have lost much of the power along the way. Laursen
pointed out the departure of Mixu Paatelainen in particular as perhaps a
telling factor, saying: "Last season we were
more like a bear, especially up with Mixu playing up front for us.
But I suppose every season is different, maintaining what we achieved last
season is not easy but we can only blame ourselves. The manager's
tactics are very clear, but we are simply not doing it right and we have
to work harder."
Thoughts of
challenging for 3rd slot in the SPL are now cast aside by a Hibs side who
first need to get back to the basics of winning more games than they
lose! That was a point not lost by Laursen, who said: "We
can't think about finishing third right now. We have to concentrate
on getting back on track, and we will not be thinking any further than
that. We have a one-off game against Dundee United and it would be
good to get a win, which would perhaps help us in the league as
well. It will be hard though, because United are a strong and
physical team. We really must stand our ground if we want anything
from the game."
Laursen meanwhile
admitted that talk of moves by Celtic for his signature is flattering, but
until an actual offer comes along and he is asked to make a decision, it
will be no more than that. He said: "Right
now I am playing with Hibs and enjoying every minute of it. It would
be a shame if I could not stay here until the end of my contract and see
if we could win a trophy. But I'd be lying if I said I was not
flattered, having said that I can't be concerned with anything until there
is a piece of paper in front of me which asks me to say yes or no."
A young Hibs side
meanwhile started well at Rugby Park last night, Gary O'Connor striking
twice for Hibs in the opening 20 minutes to put the Easter Road side
ahead. The young Hibees however, who included Lyndon Andrews and new
signing Mathias Doumbe, capitulated to the more experienced home side and
eventually lost the game 6-2.
|
