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Thread: Title challenge

  1. #31
    @hibs.net private member Spike Mandela's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Keyser Sauzee View Post
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    Do u think Cleanyman typing his opinion on a message board will have any bearing on how the team performs this year?
    No. Not a single thing ever splaffed on here has any bearing on anything, EVER.


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  3. #32
    @hibs.net private member GlesgaeHibby's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve20 View Post
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    Celtic will cruise the league again. There seriously can't be anyone, other than the delusional at Ibrox, that thinks otherwise.
    Why? Rangers look a lot stronger than last season. Leagues top scorers last year and issues were in defence. They seem to have recruited well in this area. Celtic are standing still just now. Rangers have every chance.

  4. #33
    Coaching Staff Smartie's Avatar
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    Our team from the second half of last season was capable of putting in a title challenge.

    The strongest part of that team though was the centre of midfield, it's been ripped out and will take a bit of fixing (although we have some decent players who can play there).

    Yesterday showed exactly why we won't put in a title challenge - this squad of players is not big or strong enough to play 2 games every week and win the tricky must-win away games.

    If we get knocked out of all the cups soon and get another energetic central midfielder then maybe, but I don't see it happening.



    If the point being made is that Celtic aren't to be feared though, then I agree. They might have a huge financial advantage but they still need to transfer that advantage into a committed, cohesive team unit. This is the first crisis they've had for a while so it will be interesting to see how they weather this one.

    And I'd be very disappointed if any Hibby started to believe the hun hype. They might be better than last year but see how they get on when they drop a few points. Expectation rising at Ibrox is a good thing as they are more likely to implode when they have a few ropey results. Yes, they look harder to beat than before and they area big, physical side but they are far from unbeatable and have just lost a good player in Windass.

  5. #34
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    I've watched Rangers twice this season.

    I'm not saying they will win the league but its going to be close. That defence looks mighty and if they can keep Morelos under wraps some sort of trophy will be heading their way sometime soon.

  6. #35
    Quote Originally Posted by Nicho87 View Post
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    Celtic will win the league by at least 8 points I reckon.
    Very very bold prediction

  7. #36
    Quote Originally Posted by cleanyman View Post
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    Hibs won't get anywhere near Rangers this season.
    If they speculated a bit more with the cash they now have and bring in Allan, Mulumbu and a big striker we would be looking very strong

  8. #37
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    Quote Originally Posted by Diclonius View Post
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    With Celtic not looking as invincible as they used to be, I notice the media are now plugging the line that this could be Steven Gerrard FC's year. Is it just me who thinks that they're once again overlooking the fact that us, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and (as much as I hate to say it) Hearts are almost or even as strong as Rangers are? We ran them close and Aberdeen actually finished above them (not that anyone in the MSM actually seems to want to admit to it), Kilmarnock have been in title-winning form in 2018 and have only lost one player, and Hearts have clearly strengthened given their win over Celtic.

    If Rangers are capable of winning the league then the rest of the top six are as well. If things go the way they're going then this could be the most open Premiership in years.
    The Rangers certainly look a lot more organised under Gerrard. He could, I guess, prove to be somebody who is a natural as a manger despite being a rookie. Aberdeen should still be strong this season, but it's still hard to see past Celtic winning the title fairly comfortably. They put out a makeshift side at Tynecastle with a view to resting players for AEK and it backfired on them as it should have been obvious the yams would once again adopt a non-stop in their face approach. I remain to be convinced the yams will live up to recent hype though, largely because I don't believe drafting in virtually a whole new team of players is likely to reap instant rewards and I'd be surprised if Lafferty doesn't engineer a move to his beloved huns. As for Hibs, I think we can be top four again but we'll take a while to fully adjust to the loss of McGeouch and McGinn. So far so good though.

  9. #38
    While I have Hibs as title winners much more in hope than expectation, I think the league as a whole has the potential to be one of the closest for years, and potentially with the highest levels of quality, interest and entertainment for some time too. Rangers have seemingly bought very well, Aberdeen have never regressed under McInnes (despite often losing major players), Celtic (although apparently stumbling at present) start from comfortably ahead of the pack and even Hearts look stronger than one would've expected given their scattergun approach to recruitment. From our side Hibs are a season more experienced and with a lot very exciting signings - I fully expect an improvement over last season, notwithstanding the loss of key players.

    I don't accept the point that yesterday's result shows we can't cut it - we rested several players and the attacking part of the team was laced with guys with limited game time for Hibs or anyone else. Once Maclaren gets 4 or 5 games, Horgan and Hyndman bed in, Kamberi is back to full fitness and Agyepong sorts out his visa issues I can see us killing these teams off much more effectively. Defence is much meaner than reports would have you believe and Lennon hates to lose points.

    Can't wait for the season ahead!

  10. #39
    I reckon hearts will be a hard team to beat this season

  11. #40
    Testimonial Due BegbieHSC's Avatar
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    I sympathize with the points of the OP. I don’t think us mounting a title challenge falls within the realms of fantasy.

    What I do take issue is the resignation of some that we won’t be competing with the Huns this season - bigger budget, yes, bigger squad, yes, but tbh I’m happy with the squad we’re building, and at this stage, there’s not many of their first team that I’d want to displace any of our first team.

    I think we’ll be competing with them till the end again. This could be yet another false dawn for them, and we can’t buy in to the mentality that they’re vastly superior to us. We have to be ambitious, so no, I cannot get onboard with some of the downhearted sentiments expressed thus far on this thread.

  12. #41
    Quote Originally Posted by cleanyman View Post
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    I've watched Rangers twice this season.

    I'm not saying they will win the league but its going to be close. That defence looks mighty and if they can keep Morelos under wraps some sort of trophy will be heading their way sometime soon.
    They look good - but what might be critical is how they react when they have a bit of a wobble (which is inevitable). There was one point last year when I thought Rangers looked decent - and we all saw how that ended up. Hopefully they'll implode spectacularly.

  13. #42
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    They might be better than they were last season, but it's early days, where they (and we) are among the 4 clubs to have had a jump on the rest with European games. Got to suspect that the rangers have a discipline issue needing to be rectified - 2 reds in 2 league games, and even the SPFL can't capitulate every week.

  14. #43
    Quote Originally Posted by Hibees3_Sevco2 View Post
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    I sympathize with the points of the OP. I don’t think us mounting a title challenge falls within the realms of fantasy.

    What I do take issue is the resignation of some that we won’t be competing with the Huns this season - bigger budget, yes, bigger squad, yes, but tbh I’m happy with the squad we’re building, and at this stage, there’s not many of their first team that I’d want to displace any of our first team.

    I think we’ll be competing with them till the end again. This could be yet another false dawn for them, and we can’t buy in to the mentality that they’re vastly superior to us. We have to be ambitious, so no, I cannot get onboard with some of the downhearted sentiments expressed thus far on this thread.
    If Ranger qualify for the Europa League and we don't this may level the playing field.

  15. #44
    Coaching Staff Smartie's Avatar
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    The biggest danger with the huns is that they get a bit of a fear factor back.

    If you have half the league going to Ibrox and basically surrendering before a ball is kicked then we might be in trouble.

    If teams continue to show them the disrespect that they deserve and get torn in about them then they will drop points.

    Since when did Morelos become a player to be feared rather than ridiculed? Yes, they've improved their defence but they don't have much in the final third that I'm anxious about.

  16. #45
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    Quote Originally Posted by Smartie View Post
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    The biggest danger with the huns is that they get a bit of a fear factor back.

    If you have half the league going to Ibrox and basically surrendering before a ball is kicked then we might be in trouble.

    If teams continue to show them the disrespect that they deserve and get torn in about them then they will drop points.

    Since when did Morelos become a player to be feared rather than ridiculed? Yes, they've improved their defence but they don't have much in the final third that I'm anxious about.
    This - 100%. Lenny won’t let us get the fear factor for Sevco. Up our game from yesterday, and we’ll be competing with them until the last day.

  17. #46
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    Reckon that both Celtic & Sevco will run away with 1st & 2nd. Hibs, Hearts & Aberdeen will challenge for 3rd.

  18. #47
    Quote Originally Posted by cleanyman View Post
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    Hibs won't get anywhere near Rangers this season.
    How?

  19. #48
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    Quote Originally Posted by cleanyman View Post
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    Hibs won't get anywhere near Rangers this season.
    I agree - I think Rangers will be at least 10 points back in third or fourth

  20. #49
    @hibs.net private member Hibby Kay-Yay's Avatar
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    For us to challenge in the league is improbable not impossible.

    Why? Leicester City FC

  21. #50
    Quote Originally Posted by Steve20 View Post
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    Celtic will cruise the league again. There seriously can't be anyone, other than the delusional at Ibrox, that thinks otherwise.
    Celtic won the league by 9 points last season, not 90. In my opinion they are a lot poorer than they were at this stage a year ago and Rangers have improved by quite some distance it would seem. Granted it’s early days but it’s not inconceivable that gap could be closed. They’ll undoubtedly be favourites but I don’t think there’s evidence yet to rule out a title race. I think that’s most likely to come from Rangers as opposed to Hibs (unfortunately) or Aberdeen.

  22. #51
    @hibs.net private member Hermit Crab's Avatar
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    To challenge for the title you need to win at places like St Johnstone, not come away with a 1-1 draw again... McDiarmid park is a ground where we've not won since 2013.

  23. #52
    2nd half last season we were not far off the pace and came very close to Celtic's level in my view with an outstanding team spirit plus some genuine talent. This season we are unfortunately weaker with the loss our outstanding midfield. It takes time and luck to replace three players of that calibre and we are not there yet. In my view we are now a decent team but lack that spark that can really change a game- hope I am wrong. Celtic are probably weaker than last season and seem to be unhappy, Rangers look better unfortunately as perhaps Hearts do too. I suspect Aberdeen have also peaked and who knows if Killie can replicate their good form. So its a compelling league. If we had kept our team together I genuinely think we could have given it a decent shot, but we couldn't.

    I think Rangers could run it close, I think we are battling out out for 3-5 position but much will depend on us digging out points at places like St Johnstone. I think the next month will be critical as to whether the current unprecedented 'support/ club 'love in' continues and I hope it does with everything to play for in Europe and then (Aberdeen excepted) six league games which are all winnable followed by the three really tough ones. The kind early fixture list gives us every opportunity to show we mean mean business. Will we rise to the challenge?

  24. #53
    Quote Originally Posted by Hibby Kay-Yay View Post
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    For us to challenge in the league is improbable not impossible.

    Why? Leicester City FC
    Correct. Celtic rest players at the weekend and lose yet of course that’s understandable, while we rest as many players, draw a game and we’ve already lost the battle for second. We set out to win every game and believe we can otherwise why bother. When you get a run going anything can happen when confidence is flowing. Bring it on!!!

  25. #54
    @hibs.net private member Jim44's Avatar
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    Unless we get a McGinn-like player in this window, I think we’ll struggle to maintain a challenge to Sevco. Sevco might initially give Celtic a wee fright but, over the season, they have little chance of winning the league. Question is, will second be good enough for Gerrard to keep his job? Probably will but he’ll have to win it the next again season or it’s bumsoutra.

  26. #55
    Testimonial Due number9dream's Avatar
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    Third place would be progress. It will be tough since we have to replace a top notch midfield trio but it's definitely a realistic target. Aberdeen look a bit weaker and Hearts look stronger. Killie will be decent again.

    Rangers have upgraded significantly but are still a work in progress. There will be wobbles. Celtic should be fine if they can keep Dembele and Edouard fit and bring in at least one new defender who knows what he's doing. Tomorrow in Athens is a massive game for them - financially and psychologically.

    We need to take a leaf out of Aberdeen's book and consistently put away bottom six teams home and away.

  27. #56
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    Celtic aren't as strong. They'll now panic buy over priced *****.
    Rangers aren't as good as people think - they're mid way through the honeymoon period of a new manager.
    Our opening performance shows there's much more to us than John McGinn.
    Aberdeen are ok but they roll over to the auld firm too easily.
    Hearts are stronger and look like they're going to thump their way through the season, that'll come at a cost.
    Kilmarnock - we'll really see what they're made off this season.

    Hibs, Aberdeen, Hearts and Killie all need to pick points off Rangers and Celtic, if one or 2 of those 4 can then beat the rest then it tightens everything right up!!!

  28. #57
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    Quote Originally Posted by number9dream View Post
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    We need to take a leaf out of Aberdeen's book and consistently put away bottom six teams home and away.
    16 September 2017 Aberdeen 1 – 1 Kilmarnock (when Killie were bottom)
    4 November 2017 Hamilton 2 – 2 Aberdeen
    18 November 2017 Aberdeen 0 – 2 Motherwell
    10 March 2018 Partick Thistle 0 – 0 Aberdeen

    They were also pumped out of both cups and drew with Hearts at Pittodrie and of course failed to show up against both parts of the OF - apart from the last two games of the season.

    And some people are saying it's season over with a hard fought draw away to St Johnstone after a hard European Game a few days before. Get a grip.

  29. #58
    Obsessed with the Hibees son of haggart's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Liberal Hibby View Post
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    16 September 2017 Aberdeen 1 – 1 Kilmarnock (when Killie were bottom)
    4 November 2017 Hamilton 2 – 2 Aberdeen
    18 November 2017 Aberdeen 0 – 2 Motherwell
    10 March 2018 Partick Thistle 0 – 0 Aberdeen

    They were also pumped out of both cups and drew with Hearts at Pittodrie and of course failed to show up against both parts of the OF - apart from the last two games of the season.

    And some people are saying it's season over with a hard fought draw away to St Johnstone after a hard European Game a few days before. Get a grip.

    I think all 4 of last year's non-OF top 6 have a chance of getting 2nd. Just who will be best of us will depend on injuries, dealings before the deadlines and a bit of luck.

    Had to laugh at the media and fan panic at Celtic dropping 3 points - several people saying Celtic would need to go into the transfer market for "reinforcements" - £90million clearly not enough money to guarantee winning every single game in the SPL so they'll need to spend some more.

  30. #59
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    Surely Hearts are the current team to beat?

  31. #60
    Testimonial Due Tha Cabbage Kid's Avatar
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    Well I think we are still a weaker team that last year and I also believe Rangers are potentially stronger than last year. Until that changes and we sign some players at a better level 'then' I will agree with OP.

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