WHILE THE SEASON MAY HAVE HAD its ups and downs for both fans and players alike, one man who looks likely to reminisce over the past twelve months as a pretty good year is Mathias Doumbe. After singing for Alex McLeish's side in October 2001 after a promising performances as a trialist against Aberdeen U21's at Pittodrie, the former PSG youngster was forced to wait a full ten months to make his debut, a period which saw the club assume two new custodians.

For any young player that quick change of stewardship must have given some reason for concern over their future at Easter Road, and when Doumbe did get the chance to make his mark under Bobby Williamson it was to prove to be a debut to forget, the youngster having a baptism of fire in his first start in a green and white jersey against Rangers in the 2-4 defeat back in August.

Doumbe was in and out of the first team after that but it has only really been since his involvement in the Scottish cup tie against Dunfermline back in February that the defender has really established himself in the first team picture under Bobby Williamson. Doumbe acknowledged he had take time to initiate himself in the first team, stating: "For the first six months I didn't play at all - twice on the bench, once with Bobby Williamson and once with Alex McLeish.  This season I didn't play for seven or eight games and then now I've played for eleven in a row."

Doumbe arrived at Easter Road aged 21 and for a young player with little grasp of the language it may have proved to be a difficult transition. Nevertheless Matt clearly feels that any problems have since been ironed out - stating: "Its always difficult at first - with jokes, you might take things in a wrong way - but now its OK. The life away from the game is good - I'm having a good time here."

Mathias Doumbe - hoping for a new deal (sns)

As the season has progress Doumbe's confidence has clearly grown, the assured shifts put in during recent games a million miles away from the startled debut against Rangers. As time goes by it is only natural for confidence to grow, and Matt admitted as much - stating: "That's normal. The more you play the more confidence you get aware of your game and try to progress every game."

"After McLeish left we went a little bit down. Its a bit difficult if as a manager you take a team after four or so defeats and don't really know the players and you try to do something. Now, looking over this season, you've got a progression all the time - you try to play better, and over the last two games we've felt more aggressive and more confident on the pitch."

That confidence has paid dividends for Hibs in recent weeks and it would hardly be surprising if Doumbe was to be one, perhaps the only out of contract player offered a new deal. That notion was confirmed by Doumbe, who revealed that negotiations have just started as to a new deal for the Frenchman which would keep him at Easter Road for at least another twelve months - he said: "I just started to speak with Mr Petrie and we want to formulate something. I'd like to stay and he'd like me to stay so we want to find a solution for both of us. I think it's going to be something like one year, maybe a year more."