Alicky Ranks
11-01-2010, 03:31 PM
Having returned to the UK for a belated new year break, we attended our first Hibs game in well over a year on Saturday so I appreciate that by basing the following observations on only one game I may be well off the mark. However, I was struck by:
1. A total lack of atmosphere among the home fans. My memory may be playing tricks on me but I recall days when the first cup tie of the year added a bit of spice to the day. Given how freezing it was, I'd have thought a song or two would have helped to warm everyone up. Have we all forgotten how to sing?
2. Lack of support for the team. Fair enough, it was a p**h game and nobody in a Hibs shirt played especially well, but it seemed to me the overwhelming majority of fans just sat there waiting for something to happen before they would lend any backing to the team.
3. A worryingly low standard of football. Have things really slipped so far since I used to go to Hibs games regularly until 2006? When I left the UK, Mowbray's side were often a joy to watch. On paper, we look to have a good team but the standard on show was by and large woeful. Can those who attend regularly put me straight here? Was it just an all-round sub-standard show, or is Scottish football really this bad?! If it is, how dire must the teams below us in the table be?
Lest that all sounds like one big moan, I should stress that I am delighted to see John Hughes making such a difference since coming in as manager. I like the look of the squad he's building and I sense he has brought the spirit back to the dressing room. Here's hoping my current concerns will be blown away as the team steadily improves.
1. A total lack of atmosphere among the home fans. My memory may be playing tricks on me but I recall days when the first cup tie of the year added a bit of spice to the day. Given how freezing it was, I'd have thought a song or two would have helped to warm everyone up. Have we all forgotten how to sing?
2. Lack of support for the team. Fair enough, it was a p**h game and nobody in a Hibs shirt played especially well, but it seemed to me the overwhelming majority of fans just sat there waiting for something to happen before they would lend any backing to the team.
3. A worryingly low standard of football. Have things really slipped so far since I used to go to Hibs games regularly until 2006? When I left the UK, Mowbray's side were often a joy to watch. On paper, we look to have a good team but the standard on show was by and large woeful. Can those who attend regularly put me straight here? Was it just an all-round sub-standard show, or is Scottish football really this bad?! If it is, how dire must the teams below us in the table be?
Lest that all sounds like one big moan, I should stress that I am delighted to see John Hughes making such a difference since coming in as manager. I like the look of the squad he's building and I sense he has brought the spirit back to the dressing room. Here's hoping my current concerns will be blown away as the team steadily improves.