Paul Hanlon

[PaulSmith]

According to reports this morning outstanding again at centre half and being tipped as the next captain of the U 21 team.

With all the talk of Darren Barr I hope that it isn't at the expense of the most highly rated young CH in the league, just on that note where was the Rangers lad Wilson yesterday...you would've thought that a £2m player would walk into the Scotland U21 team, or is another 2 page spread from the Sunday Mail not enough to convince Stark and co :wink:

[GlesgaeHibby]

According to reports this morning outstanding again at centre half and being tipped as the next captain of the U 21 team.

With all the talk of Darren Barr I hope that it isn't at the expense of the most highly rated young CH in the league, just on that note where was the Rangers lad Wilson yesterday...you would've thought that a £2m player would walk into the Scotland U21 team, or is another 2 page spread from the Sunday Mail not enough to convince Stark and co :wink:

Would be more than happy to see Hanlon given a run at CH when Bamba is away at the African Nations, especially given the fact he is a natural left sided CH unlike Bamba.

[Golden Bear]

I agree.

From what I've seen so far of Hanlon, he has all the makings of an excellent centre back and I would like to think that Yogi will give him the opportunity to prove himself sooner rather than later.

[blackpoolhibs]

From what i have seen of Hanlon, he's far from impressed me that much to think he can fill in at the centre of defence at this moment in time. He needs to toughen up a bit imho to play centre half in the SPL.

[Golden Bear]

From what i have seen of Hanlon, he's far from impressed me that much to think he can fill in at the centre of defence at this moment in time. He needs to toughen up a bit imho to play centre half in the SPL.

He's not a natural left back though so maybe that's why he struggles in that position. I honestly think we'd see a different player if Yogi played him in the heart of the defence.

[blackpoolhibs]

He's not a natural left back though so maybe that's why he struggles in that position. I honestly think we'd see a different player if Yogi played him in the heart of the defence.

Perhaps, although when he has played left back, he's done well at times, but looked a little weak on occasions. I feel he needs to toughen up a little to play centre back in the SPL, especially alongside Hogg, who last week apart, had been very suspect all season. The prospect of those two as our centre back partnership, does not fill me with much hope against the battering rams of the SPL.

[PISTOL1875]

Would be more than happy to see Hanlon given a run at CH when Bamba is away at the African Nations, especially given the fact he is a natural left sided CH unlike Bamba.

That option should be explored by Yogi.. Bamba will be away and we have a ready made replacement there in Hanlon... I do think that Hughes will put Murray to CH and play either Hanlon or Stevenson at LB....

[--------]

He's not a natural left back though so maybe that's why he struggles in that position. I honestly think we'd see a different player if Yogi played him in the heart of the defence.


IIRC Sloop started off in the team at right-back (and he really wasn't very good at it).

Then he switched to sweeper beside the centre-half, and he was a revelation.

Not saying Paul Hanlon would be as good as Sloop (that would be asking a lot of the lad) but your point seems to me to be a very good one. Full-back is a very specialised position; PH isn't a full-back. He IS a centre-back, however.

[number 27]

According to reports this morning outstanding again at centre half and being tipped as the next captain of the U 21 team.

With all the talk of Darren Barr I hope that it isn't at the expense of the most highly rated young CH in the league, just on that note where was the Rangers lad Wilson yesterday...you would've thought that a £2m player would walk into the Scotland U21 team, or is another 2 page spread from the Sunday Mail not enough to convince Stark and co :wink:


I think Wilson is with the under 19's. For what its worth I reckon that based on his form this year and in last seasons Huns u19's Wilson really is the business and unlike Fleck he justifies the hype. Hopefully he and Hanlon will end up together in the full Scotland set up with Hanlon at ER and Wilson playing down south.

[offshorehibby]

I said after the last display for the under 21's that yogi should give as much game time as possible to Hanlon at CH in theses bounce games, that way he will be ready to fill in if required.
If need be out on loan again in Jan with the club he goes to asked to play him at CH.

[J-C]

Hanlon like McCormack is a natural CH and has been played out of position too often. Why do managers always attempt to do this, surely playing them at their prefered position will bode well for the future.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

He's not a natural left back though so maybe that's why he struggles in that position. I honestly think we'd see a different player if Yogi played him in the heart of the defence.


But you could say that in our back four, or our combination of back fours the only player consistently played in his correct position is Chris Hogg.:confused:

[hibsbollah]

I think its a good bet that our defence in January will be the same as at Tynecastle...Hogg and Murray in the middle and Wotherspoon and Stevenson out wide.

[Hibeescott]

Hanlon I feel will need to make his mark in the team as a centre half as it wont be long before Callum Booth jumps ahead of him in the pecking order for left back......the boy is outstanding.

[Andy74]

From what i have seen of Hanlon, he's far from impressed me that much to think he can fill in at the centre of defence at this moment in time. He needs to toughen up a bit imho to play centre half in the SPL.

Same here. Neither him nor McCormack look anywhere near ready to be centre halfs at the level we want to be at. Playing against 19 and 20 year olds is worlds away from playing against tough experienced senior players.

[WindyMiller]

Hanlon I feel will need to make his mark in the team as a centre half as it wont be long before Callum Booth jumps ahead of him in the pecking order for left back......the boy is outstanding.


Callum is outstanding at the level he's playing at, but IMO will need to work hard on his defensive duties if he's to make it in the SPL.

[Kato]

Hanlon like McCormack is a natural CH and has been played out of position too often. Why do managers always attempt to do this, surely playing them at their prefered position will bode well for the future.


Because it teaches them what that position requires and means they can fill in when the full-back is out of position, which happens a lot during the game. This is also why Wotherspoon is playing at full-back. John Collins played all he reserve football for Hibs (which wasn't much) at Left-Back, stood him in good stead. It's an eduction and Yogi is doing the right thing. When they move to their proper places they will be better players for it.

[Franck is God]

Because it teaches them what that position requires and means they can fill in when the full-back is out of position, which happens a lot during the game. This is also why Wotherspoon is playing at full-back. John Collins played all he reserve football for Hibs (which wasn't much) at Left-Back, stood him in good stead. It's an eduction and Yogi is doing the right thing. When they move to their proper places they will be better players for it.

Exactly!

Both McCormack and Hanlon are natural centre halfs that can fill in at full back if required and the experience of doing that will only improve them as players. It would be nice to see them getting a chance in the middle but our defence has been performing extremely well so why break it up unless its required.