Niklas Gunnarsson's dad on Gyökeres (and Niklas)

***Juice-Terry*** · 30-01-2018 09:48 AM

I asked Niklas Gunnarsson's dad (who's got very solid connections in Swedish and Norwegian football) if he knew anything about Gyökeres and he said (only) that he was a very young player for Brommapojkarna who did really well in Superettan (Championship in Sweden) last year. Interestingly, he told me that his son, Niklas, was voted Djurgården's player of the year last season and that they finished third last season (league finished in November) and will play in the Europa League (qualifiers?) this season.

***CallumLaidlaw*** · 30-01-2018 10:27 AM

Really liked Niklas. Would have been delighted to see him sign permanently.

**MWHIBBIES** · 30-01-2018 10:28 AM

Niklas would be a great player for us now, right back or in the middle.

**lyonhibs** · 30-01-2018 10:29 AM

Yup. Seems folly that we let him go/couldn't guarantee the game time he wanted given our right back woes at the moment but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

***J-C*** · 30-01-2018 11:39 AM

Niklas would've been perfect in a back 3 at Hibs, missed a trick not signing him permanently, classy player.

**adhibs** · 30-01-2018 11:40 AM

Good to hear hes doing well.

**SlickShoes** · 30-01-2018 11:50 AM

I think Niklas made the correct decision not coming back, he would not have instantly got any game time as his main competition at right-back had just scored the biggest goal we had ever scored. He may have eventually started to play but David Gray wasn't going to be dropped in favour of him any time soon.

**pacoluna** · 30-01-2018 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by SlickShoes

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I think Niklas made the correct decision not coming back, he would not have instantly got any game time as his main competition at right-back had just scored the biggest goal we had ever scored. He may have eventually started to play but David Gray wasn't going to be dropped in favour of him any time soon.

As much as he is a hero, I think we should try to move on gray.the club needs to start afresh with regards to wing backs that includes Stevenson.

**Smartie** · 30-01-2018 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by pacoluna

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As much as he is a hero, I think we should try to move on gray.the club needs to start afresh with regards to wing backs that includes Stevenson.

Gray needs to get over his injury properly. He's the best right-back we've had in a long time and he's shown that when he's been fully fit. The problem is, he has often looked a bit below par or under the weather - mainly because I think he's spent much of his time with us playing through some sort of injury or other.

Getting rid of a fit David Gray is crazy talk. Getting rid of the permanently afflicted by some sort of injury or other David Gray is worthy of discussion at least.

Getting rid of Stevenson is crazy talk. He's a player that some people will only appreciate when he's gone. He's a player that many more of us appreciate every minute that he is with us.

**pacoluna** · 30-01-2018 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Smartie

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Gray needs to get over his injury properly. He's the best right-back we've had in a long time and he's shown that when he's been fully fit. The problem is, he has often looked a bit below par or under the weather - mainly because I think he's spent much of his time with us playing through some sort of injury or other.

Getting rid of a fit David Gray is crazy talk. Getting rid of the permanently afflicted by some sort of injury or other David Gray is worthy of discussion at least.

Getting rid of Stevenson is crazy talk. He's a player that some people will only appreciate when he's gone. He's a player that many more of us appreciate every minute that he is with us.

I think they both play a big part in our lack of creativity. Far to pedestrian at times.

**Smartie** · 30-01-2018 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by pacoluna

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I think they both play a big part in our lack of creativity. Far to pedestrian at times.

They're fullbacks. A accept that the odd final ball isn't what we might want, and I'd like to see Lewis try to burst down the line more often rather than checking in, but for fullbacks they provide a decent amount of creativity.

They are both excellent defensively though.

If I thought we could get players who were as strong defensively but who provided more going forward then I'd be up for it. But it isn't as easy as all that within our budget.

And I don't think pedestrian is a fair criticism of either, certainly not Stevenson. David Gray when fit is not in any way pedestrian.

**Pretty Boy** · 30-01-2018 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by pacoluna

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As much as he is a hero, I think we should try to move on gray.the club needs to start afresh with regards to wing backs that includes Stevenson.

There's a few in the squad who are getting to the age where we should be thinking about medium to long term replacements:

McGreggor - 32
Bartley - 31
Gray - 29
Whittaker - 33
Fontaine - 32
Stevenson - 30

It's not an immediate concern in most cases but there is a core of ageing players there who probably don't have years and years ahead of them. It's better to replace or groom successors gradually rather than needing a total overhaul in 2 or 3 years.

**pacoluna** · 30-01-2018 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Pretty Boy

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There's a few in the squad who are getting to the age where we should be thinking about medium to long term replacements:

McGreggor - 32
Bartley - 31
Gray - 29
Whittaker - 33
Fontaine - 32
Stevenson - 30

It's not an immediate concern in most cases but there is a core of ageing players there who probably don't have years and years ahead of them. It's better to replace or groom successors gradually rather than needing a total overhaul in 2 or 3 years.

I agree, get McGregor and Stevenson through their coaching badges and keep them involved in the club I can see Darren being an excellent coach if he chooses that path.

***Craig_HFC*** · 30-01-2018 01:54 PM

Big Niklas Gunnarsson otherwise known as the coolest man on the planet.

***.Sean.*** · 30-01-2018 04:12 PM

Gunnarsson was quality. What was the reason he turned out offer down, was it length of contract? I'm almost certain he was offered a deal.

The Sandanavian market is one I don't understand the club not exploring more often. We've had some great players from there.

**Gareth Evans** · 30-01-2018 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by pacoluna

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As much as he is a hero, I think we should try to move on gray.the club needs to start afresh with regards to wing backs that includes Stevenson.

These are 2 players that would be very hard to replace - kidding your self if you think we would do so easily.
We should be looking at finding young players to learn from these guys and eventually pushing to take the jersey rather than spouting nonsense of getting rid.

**~~calumhibee1~~** · 30-01-2018 05:26 PM

Gunnarsson was a cracking player. Strolled through most games in his time with us. Wonder if he realises he's still held in very high regard here?

As for replacing Gray and Stevenson, no chance. Stevenson has been the most dependable player (possibly other than Murphy) that I can properly remember at this club (wee bit young for Sauzee and Latapy etc). Fit every single week, always last 90 minutes without fail and never has a stinker. Also never lets you down with moments of stupidity.

As for Gray, a fit David Gray is as good a RB as any in this league. Absolute powerhouse and we'd have looked a better side this season had he been fit.

As someone above said, some of these players will need to start being phased out in the long term with Porteous being the obvious player to be phased in. None of them are even within a couple of seasons of not having enough to offer us yet however.

**~~calumhibee1~~** · 30-01-2018 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Craig_HFC

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Big Niklas Gunnarsson otherwise known as the coolest man on the planet.

There was something unbelievably cool about him. Almost film star like.

**Swedish hibee** · 30-01-2018 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by .Sean.

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Gunnarsson was quality. What was the reason he turned out offer down, was it length of contract? I'm almost certain he was offered a deal.

The Sandanavian market is one I don't understand the club not exploring more often. We've had some great players from there.

I say this alot on here. But then get told that the football is of a lower standard to Scotland.. But who's going to the World cup?

I waited on Gunnarsson after my team played his last season, he was really nice guy & talked highly of Stubbs and his assistants.

**~~calumhibee1~~** · 30-01-2018 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Swedish hibee

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I say this alot on here. But then get told that the football is of a lower standard to Scotland.. But who's going to the World cup?

I waited on Gunnarsson after my team played his last season, he was really nice guy & talked highly of Stubbs and his assistants.

If people think the standard of football is lower over there I would only remind them of Malmo who took us apart.. Yes we were atrocious, but they were a very good side.

On the topic of Malmo, I just had a look to see where the wee South African guy Rantie was now and seen he'd been punted from Bournemouth to a Turkish team where he has only managed 3 goals. I'd love to see a player like him at Hibs. Also that Magnus Eriksen that played for them that day.

***Craig_HFC*** · 30-01-2018 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by calumhibee1

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There was something unbelievably cool about him. Almost film star like.

I can't find it but that picture of him on the bus on 22 May when he's got his suit on with shades is just cool as ****.

**berwickhibee** · 30-01-2018 05:58 PM

Gunnarson is a cup winning legend..who had some big moments in the game.

**eastcoasthibby** · 30-01-2018 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Smartie

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Gray needs to get over his injury properly. He's the best right-back we've had in a long time and he's shown that when he's been fully fit. The problem is, he has often looked a bit below par or under the weather - mainly because I think he's spent much of his time with us playing through some sort of injury or other.

Getting rid of a fit David Gray is crazy talk. Getting rid of the permanently afflicted by some sort of injury or other David Gray is worthy of discussion at least.

Getting rid of Stevenson is crazy talk. He's a player that some people will only appreciate when he's gone. He's a player that many more of us appreciate every minute that he is with us.

Gray has hardly been fit since the cup final and.his perfoo have reflected this he has struggled big style in my view ...big few months for him coming up !

***Johnny_Leith*** · 31-01-2018 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by eastcoasthibby

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Gray has hardly been fit since the cup final and.his perfoo have reflected this he has struggled big style in my view ...big few months for him coming up !

Gray made 41 appearances in all competitions the season after we won the Scottish cup.