What a week!
Richard Pitts finds this week's Thursday spot distinctly easier to write than some weeks...

THE ULTIMATE NIGHTMARE FOR ANY EDITORIAL COLUMNIST IS having a column to write when absolutely nothing has happened and trying to spin that column out to the required length. Indeed, that has been something of a problem for the Thursday column sometimes, because if there is no midweek game, all the analysis of the preceding weekend’s game has been taken into over kill, but nobody seems to want to look ahead to the game on the following weekend just yet. There is no danger of that happening this week…

First of all the managerial situation. The more astute of you will have heard me being talked over by Lloyd Quinan on Sportsound “Your call” on Saturday. The point I was trying to make there was that a number of us have found Bobby Williamson’s tactical decisions (e.g. Stephen Glass in centre midfield and Alen Orman at right-back) and style of play frustrating and consequently have had difficulty developing enthusiasm for his regime. That has nothing to do with dewy-eyed romanticism about Sauzee, but is based on recent performances, the lack of results at home this season being a case in point. That, however, does not justify the “interesting” way in which the manager is being treated.

I can’t wait for the next fans forum. For the past few months we have heard the club talk about openness and honesty, stating that they realise mistakes have been made in the past regarding relations with supporters, causing many of them to feel alienated. Basically, the same situation that arose over Straiton arose again, with the board being forced to come clean about what it is doing in private. I realise that the Board are correct to seek to reduce overheads in all quarters, but the way this has been handled has a risk of alienating a large number of supporters. The point is that someone at some point would have had something to gain from leaking this, even if it was just kudos from a journalist. Having broken a major news story in my time (about politics), I remember being stunned at how easy it was, and something this sensitive was always going to get out into the public domain. It would have been far more sensible to recognise that than act in the way they have.

Bobby - more backing now than ever? (sns)

The other thing I find disturbing is the naivety of the board in imagining that this would do anything other than leak out at some point or another. Given the times of mass media communication than we live in, it was inevitable that it would as soon as it proved to be to someone’s advantage to do so. Speculating on who did, I doubt that Bobby Williamson had anything to do with the timing, as if Hibs had lost to Kilmarnock on Saturday, the clamours for him to go immediately would have been deafening, especially if we had been eliminated from the CIS Cup last night. As it happens, he now probably has the best relationship with the Hibs support he has enjoyed since arriving at the club. It’s funny how things work out.

Finally Straiton has been abandoned and the timing of the two stories seems mildly coincidental, although I am assured by sources that an announcement was planned anyway. Maybe I am just too cynical these days. I’m not really bothered just as long as the dreaded trip to oblivion has not materialised. Whilst Hibs have problems, I just think that was throwing the baby out with the bath water. The task now is to act to ensure that Hibs remain at Easter Road, reducing their debt to a manageable level and cutting our cloth accordingly. That will not be easy.

Oh, and there’s the football. A week ago it would have seemed very unlikely that Hibs would travel to Dundee on the back of two victories, the games against Kilmarnock and Queen of the South not prompting optimism after a terrible 2-0 defeat to Livingston. That was quickly eradicated with Hibs 2-0 up on Kilmarnock after 15 minutes. Also pleasing was the way Hibs played in both games, with two wingers and a striking partnership based on understanding, and only Alen Orman being played out of position. You have to feel sorry for Scott Brown though: his international call-up has given Riordan his chance and he looks to be grabbing it with both hands, three goals in two games meaning Brown will struggle to get back in the team.

Given the chance and didn't he take it! (sns)

Bobby Williamson was certainly looking on the bright side after the 2-1 victory over Queen of the South on Wednesday. He commented, "There are a lot of positives about Easter Road as I keep telling everyone, but nobody's interested in the positives, only in the negative stuff…Derek is a talented player, there's no doubt about that. He's going to get stronger and, as he gains more experience, he can have a good future.

The contrast with Dundee is also worth noting. At the end of a pulsating Tayside Derby, their supporters looked gutted, having taken one point from a match they seemed certain to take all three from, although it must have been nice to focus on matters on the pitch rather than the antics of their more interesting board members off it. Dundee are likely to be without nine first-team players for the trip to face Clyde in the CIS Insurance Cup, including Scotland international Gavin Rae and playmaker Georgi Nemsadze as they face a rather nasty injury crisis ahead of the visit of Hibs, although Fabrizio Ravanelli will always cause problems. Nevertheless, I am confident about getting something out of the trip on Saturday. Dens park was not a happy place for Hibs last season, taking nothing out of six points on offer, with one game being re-scheduled due to snow.

On a more pragmatic note, Jim Duffy has announced that he has already decided which players he would like to keep at Dens Park next season: Dundee have a number of players out of contract at the end of the current campaign and Duffy is keen to keep hold of his top stars. I am sure Bobby Williamson would relish the ability to plan ahead with such certainty. Speculation is also linking the Dark Blues with an audacious bid for Edgar Davids, something that would frighten the life out of most SPL teams, although it seems just speculation.

Nick Colgan could be on his way to Wolverhampton.  The goalkeeper who has been on loan at Stockport returned to Easter Road this week with his future once again uncertain, however Hibs.net understands that Wolves are seeking permission to sign a goalkeeper outside the transfer window due to an injury to Matt Murray ruling him out for 8 weeks.  The English outfit are understood to be ready to take Colgan on loan until January with a view to a permanent deal at the next transfer window.