You took the words right out of my mouth.
:agree::agree::agree:
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Whittaker got it in the neck BEFORE he even signed - check historic threads. Some people (not everyone) don’t want to lose face: if Whitty plays well they won’t admit it, they will look for a reason to slaughter him. This ‘confirmation bias’ is evident on the internet and at the actual game. Yes, Whittaker misplaced one pass and was immediately met with a chorus of derision. But, he already had his confidence knocked when he was called in at half time. There were a few snorts and ‘aw naws’ from some around us in the East as they realised he was coming on, Its simple really, criticise constructively but desist with the abuse.
I didn't expect the SW that played here years ago however I did expect better than what I have seen in last 12 months.
He has been for me at best average.
Booing or berating our own players is so counter productive. I don't understand why people feel the need to do it. I noticed it loads at the County match, and asked the question, do these balloons do it all the the time but are drowned out when crowds are bigger?
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I wonder if the folks that openly admit to giving “abuse” to players were right behind the supposed stance of Butcher and Malpas towards the players? And we all know how that ended up.
The question for me is where as a support do we draw the line ? Even when Yogi came out to ask the elements of the support to give Nish a break as he was confidence player and it impacted him - folks persisted.
And finally take a look at Super Joes talk at St Pats. His experience would have broken a few it was awful to hear some of his not so good buts. Thank god for his sense of humour!
I noticed on highlights that it was a smart bit of play (trademark close control) that helped set up one of the goals.
Also, that absolute peach of a mcginnesque diagonal drilled in behind the full back to Boyle.
Whittaker is a good, solid and versatile squad player. Why he has become the latest victim of the know-nothing blow hards who seem to have to have someone to moan at is beyond me.
My original post was highlighting the fact that it's been a joy to come and watch this team over the last few seasons especially.
Full houses signing and a togetherness that was missing for a long time.
I always support whoever pulls on the jersey and will continue to do so whether I think he should be in the team or not.
We all have opinions and you don't need to have played the game to voice them but FFS be positive about it and whilst they are on the pitch, back the team.
You certainly don't get he is just a full back in modern day football, if you know football and at the very least you should if you want to shout about it, players need to play various positions and styles offensive, defensive phases. Gone are the old 4-4-2 days so aye a player like Whittaker is used in midfield not just as a full back. Boyle moves from winger to wing back at times for example!!!
Comments about Lennon playing him is more worrying, infact unbelievable. I think we should be enjoying having Lennon here whilst he is, very lucky to have a manager of his stature here, again note Neil hooked Whittaker at half time so I think he knows what he is doing.
Players have bad days or spells they don't mean it, we all have bad days.
Back the team this Hibernian is something to be proud of from players to fans!!!!
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There's no doubt that SW played very well when he came on against Ross County. Most of the people having a pop on this thread probably weren't even there to see it.
SW is a higlly experienced capable internationalist who has been unlucky with injury and match sharpness and has had a dip in form last season.
This season he came on late in Greece and now 2nd half on Sunday and played well.
We as fans need to be a little more tolerant. He came back to us not for the money but wanted to come back home.
Wow what a supporter you Are. I bet everyone wishes they were as great a hibs fan as you. You realise some people work weekends aye? Or that some hibs fans may have forked out a fortune on season tickets and 3 midweek tickets in the last month. This "I'm a better hibs fan than you" theme that seems to be taking centre stage at the minute is worse than people being critical.
I have no emotional baggage regarding SW like a lot of folk on this thread. He is not good enough to play for Hibs now. Too slow physically and mentally. If this was not an ex Hibs player who was great in the past then people would be less forgiving for sure. I'm interested in the Hibs team of today and from what I have seen he is nowhere near good enough.
Well in this Hibs team of today he is very much a part of it!!! As I have posted if they are on the pitch support them we are Hibs supporters after all!!
Booing a play (not saying you do) no matter what player it is does not and never will do them any good. Encourage, cheer sing their names they will be be encouraged and lifted by this.
Aye in the past Whittaker was better but he still has a part to play on and off the pitch. Now we have a player that the people around HTC may learn from, on how to be a good professional and not end up on the George street VIP list....
Don’t think he is claiming to be a better supporter than anyone else. He is merely wondering if the critics were there to back up their criticism.
I thought SW played well on Sunday. Not an unreasonable statement from brooster and certainly not an uber fan statement.
I like Whittaker
Why would the fact he played well V Ross County change anyone's opinion up to that point that he hasn't been as good as he/she had hoped? SW has had other good games as well. As a whole regardless of the Ross County game IMO he has still been average at best. Him doing well on Sunday doesn't change my opinion on the previous 12 months. It will change if the performance on Sunday becomes the norm.
OK so he would getting even less leeway if he hadnt played for Hibs before, that is good to hear. :rolleyes:
He is more than capable of playing in this team whether people think he wouldnt be a regular is fair enough though to say he isnt good enough is nonsense.
It is fair to say that the jury is still out on the extent to which SW can contribute to Hibs on the park over the remaining two seasons, justifiably so because of his well reported injury issues last season when he was called upon be a soldier and to play despite not being 100%. Give the boy a chance I say to show what he can do when not carrying an injury and trust in NL who is seeing a hell of a lot more of him than every single one of us to assess what he can still contribute to the team.
Then, as others have suggested, there is the benefit of what he can bring to Hibs off the park in terms of being a model professional. Maybe some more vociferous praise and respectful applause from the stands is needed to counter the elements who are so quick to get on his back.
In central midfield you can see he is not comfortable. Can be ponderous and you can see his decision making is slow. He is easily caught out when pressed. Probably a combination of his slowing body, lack of confidence and that he's not played regularly in that role. I really hope we have better options in that position when we play Hearts. Saying that, Aberdeen on Sunday is a worry.