It's not all negative!
Despite the gloom and the walkouts, things aren't all that bad down Easter Road....

'STAND UP AND BE COUNTED' IS THE RALLYING CALL EMANATING FROM EASTER ROAD.  And although there was no real noticeable difference in terms of attendance, there definitely seemed to be a more positive atmosphere amongst the fans. That was until Dundee Utd took the lead. That is when the atmosphere turned, for rather predictably a certain minority of fans instantly turned against the team. It was as if they had been lying low throughout the game, just waiting, hoping even for a chance to have a go. It just makes the last minute equaliser all the sweeter, knowing that the so-called fans who made their way to the exits as soon as Robson’s shot hit the net, missed it.

Yes, it did seem like a return to the darkest depths of last season for a time. But there were still ten minutes left and Hibernian once more demonstrated that this year they are made of much stronger stuff. In other words, they have improved and will probably continue to improve. And this is despite the fact that nine players involved were no older than 22. Not only did they cope, but for most of the first half they excelled, playing some lovely attacking football. Admittedly the second half was not nearly as good, but Utd played well (see Mr McCall wee Hibbies can be good sports!), and also bearing in mind that Bobby Williamson would probably have fainted if he had been given the budget that McCall has had to play with.

Three young players - three bright lights for Hibs (sns)

So what I am trying to say is that Saturday was far from a negative. Yes, it was 2 points dropped at home but the team played well for large spells, the youngsters again showed that this team has enormous potential, and is full of attacking flair. Of course they are inexperienced, and that means that mistakes will be made. And of course they will sometimes lack consistency. But to me it is all pretty simple. Last season all Hibs fans wanted an end to late capitulations, boring and dull long-ball football and over-paid underachievers. It seems to me that we have had that this year so far, we have even had a derby victory! Even the board have helped by ditching the Straiton idea and keeping us at the Holy Ground.

So to all those fans who muttered to themselves last season that ‘eleven schoolboys could have done better’, or shouted at Bobby to ‘get the laddies on’, he is keeping his end of the bargain, its time for us fans to keep ours. And as for the so-called Hibbies who had the audacity to whinge and moan about the Straiton affair, when they spend more matchdays listening to Hibs on the radio whilst stuck in traffic on the way to Ikea than they do at Easter Road, if they are not prepared to support their team then they don’t have the right to moan, at least those who stormed out early on Saturday had bothered to go and pay in the first place.

Bobby Williamson received praise for the work he's doing from an unexpected source last night, former Hibs midfielder Matthias Jack.  Jack, who is currently playing for Raith Rovers, said of his former boss, "I have been told Bobby is working one year's notice at Hibs and I don't think that's a nice way to work, under such a pressure. I think he will do the job. Besides, he is doing a good job with the young boys.  Hibs have tremendous young players and they need to develop and learn quickly to help the team."

Meanwhile, time wasting antics of players who feign injury will look set to be punished with a compulsory wait on the sidelines.  Under proposals from former Polish international striker Zbigniew Boniek, players who seek medical attention must wait two minutes before being allowed back onto the field of play.  The proposals, which have the backing of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, will be passed for a decision by the International Football Association Board in February.