The young team

[500miles]

It appears that yesterday one of the few positives was the introduction and performance of Lewis Allan. Although not a young player in the strictest sense, his spinal problems - now finally resolved - held him back from earlier chances, and he seems to be working like a trojan to make the grade.

So who is the next to break into the first team to positive effect? The left fullback, Mackie, looks physically capable and seems to dominate reserve games, with strong running, goals and creating chances. Fraser Murray bagged a couple of league Cup goals early last season, and is recovering from a lengthy layoff. Ben Stirling seems to be a strong box to box type, which we need right now.

Any thoughts from those who get a chance to see the young team regularly?

[matty_f]

It appears that yesterday one of the few positives was the introduction and performance of Lewis Allan. Although not a young player in the strictest sense, his spinal problems - now finally resolved - held him back from earlier chances, and he seems to be working like a trojan to make the grade.

So who is the next to break into the first team to positive effect? The left fullback, Mackie, looks physically capable and seems to dominate reserve games, with strong running, goals and creating chances. Fraser Murray bagged a couple of league Cup goals early last season, and is recovering from a lengthy layoff. Ben Stirling seems to be a strong box to box type, which we need right now.

Any thoughts from those who get a chance to see the young team regularly?
Not a comment about Allan in particular but the development of the youth players seems to have been lost in the angst about the transfer window.

People pointed to Lewis as evidence of a poor window yesterday, the fact he played apparently showing that we didn't spend enough on strikers.

Shaw, now a recognised first team player, was on the bench so presumably could have played, which would indicate that Allan was there on merit rather than out of desperation or lack of options. That many saw him as man of the match probably vindicates the decision to play him.

Lennon has a duty to the club to develop these boys and bleed them into the first team. Yesterday's game would have seemed like an ideal time to do so.

Cummings wouldn't have been the player we did without getting games under his belt, neither would any of the young players we've sold over the years (or indeed kept for the first team).

Allan, Shaw, Porteous etc will all need first team exposure this season if they're to develop. It's not a sign of thriftiness on the board's part and poor transfer activity, it's another sign of a successful youth program that delivered a double last year.

[Smartie]

It appears that yesterday one of the few positives was the introduction and performance of Lewis Allan. Although not a young player in the strictest sense, his spinal problems - now finally resolved - held him back from earlier chances, and he seems to be working like a trojan to make the grade.

So who is the next to break into the first team to positive effect? The left fullback, Mackie, looks physically capable and seems to dominate reserve games, with strong running, goals and creating chances. Fraser Murray bagged a couple of league Cup goals early last season, and is recovering from a lengthy layoff. Ben Stirling seems to be a strong box to box type, which we need right now.

Any thoughts from those who get a chance to see the young team regularly?

I've not seen him play, but if we had one of those at the club who was anywhere near good enough then he'd be in the team.

[Smartie]

Not a comment about Allan in particular but the development of the youth players seems to have been lost in the angst about the transfer window.

People pointed to Lewis as evidence of a poor window yesterday, the fact he played apparently showing that we didn't spend enough on strikers.

Shaw, now a recognised first team player, was on the bench so presumably could have played, which would indicate that Allan was there on merit rather than out of desperation or lack of options. That many saw him as man of the match probably vindicates the decision to play him.

Lennon has a duty to the club to develop these boys and bleed them into the first team. Yesterday's game would have seemed like an ideal time to do so.

Cummings wouldn't have been the player we did without getting games under his belt, neither would any of the young players we've sold over the years (or indeed kept for the first team).

Allan, Shaw, Porteous etc will all need first team exposure this season if they're to develop. It's not a sign of thriftiness on the board's part and poor transfer activity, it's another sign of a successful youth program that delivered a double last year.

The problem isn't so much the presence of these players, it's who we have playing next to them to guide them.

When youngsters are hurled into a struggling team with little quality it is a recipe for disaster.

When they have quality around them, then if they are good enough (which I think the ones you refer to are) then they will thrive.

Porteous needs a midfield that will protect him, Allan needs a midfield that will get up and support him and Shaw needs chances created for him.

These 3 have done all that could be asked of them.

Our problems lie elsewhere.

[biscuitersed75]

The problem isn't so much the presence of these players, it's who we have playing next to them to guide them.

When youngsters are hurled into a struggling team with little quality it is a recipe for disaster.

When they have quality around them, then if they are good enough (which I think the ones you refer to are) then they will thrive.

Porteous needs a midfield that will protect him, Allan needs a midfield that will get up and support him and Shaw needs chances created for him.

These 3 have done all that could be asked of them.

Our problems lie elsewhere.Excellent post.

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[biscuitersed75]

Not a comment about Allan in particular but the development of the youth players seems to have been lost in the angst about the transfer window.

People pointed to Lewis as evidence of a poor window yesterday, the fact he played apparently showing that we didn't spend enough on strikers.

Shaw, now a recognised first team player, was on the bench so presumably could have played, which would indicate that Allan was there on merit rather than out of desperation or lack of options. That many saw him as man of the match probably vindicates the decision to play him.

Lennon has a duty to the club to develop these boys and bleed them into the first team. Yesterday's game would have seemed like an ideal time to do so.

Cummings wouldn't have been the player we did without getting games under his belt, neither would any of the young players we've sold over the years (or indeed kept for the first team).

Allan, Shaw, Porteous etc will all need first team exposure this season if they're to develop. It's not a sign of thriftiness on the board's part and poor transfer activity, it's another sign of a successful youth program that delivered a double last year. Agree totally with this.

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[lyonhibs]

I remember the angst and existential crisis used to be "where are the youth players getting involved in the 1st team squad" (amongst other things)

Now we have a few of them who NL judges to be good enough to be in and around the starting line up, we're collectively raging that we only have 8 new players on board who may stymie their development.

Confusing times.

[Mibbes Aye]

I've not seen him play, but if we had one of those at the club who was anywhere near good enough then he'd be in the team.

I've seen him play a few times. I've watched the dev team over the years and I think Stirling is the real deal, but he's young and I wouldn't be rushing to blood him in the first team too quickly.

Proper head-up player who looks composed on the ball. I've got high hopes for him but my concern is that he will have to find his way into the first-team covering positions outwith his natural strength, which for me is deep-sitting midfield, furnishing the attack.

[Hermit Crab]

Shaw needs to bulk up a bit or he's not going to make it at Hibs. He gets bullied by opposition centre halfs.

[Mibbes Aye]

Shaw needs to bulk up a bit or he's not going to make it at Hibs. He gets bullied by opposition centre halfs.

Sorry, but that is so wrong.

He's tall which makes folk think he should bulk out and be a Hateley.

He's not that kind of player and we shouldn't try to turn him into one.

He's a ball-to-feet, keep it and make a yard or half-yard of space, kind of forward.

His height belies that. I hope he stays at Hibs for years because he's a talented footballer who will score for fun, wherever he ends up.

[Smartie]

Sorry, but that is so wrong.

He's tall which makes folk think he should bulk out and be a Hateley.

He's not that kind of player and we shouldn't try to turn him into one.

He's a ball-to-feet, keep it and make a yard or half-yard of space, kind of forward.

His height belies that. I hope he stays at Hibs for years because he's a talented footballer who will score for fun, wherever he ends up.

He reminds me of Tommy Coyne, who was small, slight and as good at holding the ball up (using guile and sharpness rather than strength and size) as anyone I've seen.

Shaw was bullied against Aberdeen, but that was mainly because he was very isolated. It was also his first below par performance for us.

[Mibbes Aye]

He reminds me of Tommy Coyne, who was small, slight and as good at holding the ball up (using guile and sharpness rather than strength and size) as anyone I've seen.

Shaw was bullied against Aberdeen, but that was mainly because he was very isolated. It was also his first below par performance for us.

Interesting comparison. Coyne was IMO a very under-estimated player.

Shaw is young and learning his game. I think he's pretty decent now, I think he will be pretty awesome with another couple of seasons under his belt.

[MWHIBBIES]

Shaw needs to bulk up a bit or he's not going to make it at Hibs. He gets bullied by opposition centre halfs.

He'd need to bulk up to make it at Hearts, the fact he's a very talented footballer is enough at Hibs.

[stantonhibby]

He reminds me of Tommy Coyne, who was small, slight and as good at holding the ball up (using guile and sharpness rather than strength and size) as anyone I've seen.

Shaw was bullied against Aberdeen, but that was mainly because he was very isolated. It was also his first below par performance for us.

Not how I remember Coyne....he was almost 6ft !

[Smartie]

Not how I remember Coyne....he was almost 6ft !

Almost 6ft = under 6ft - he was a bit different in stature to your average target man.

I always wanted Hibs to sign him.

When I see Shaw dropping off with his back to goal, bringing other players into the game (without being a typical Hertz galoot striker build and size) it is Coyne I'm reminded of.

[BILLYHIBS]

Almost 6ft = under 6ft - he was a bit different in stature to your average target man.

I always wanted Hibs to sign him.

When I see Shaw dropping off with his back to goal, bringing other players into the game (without being a typical Hertz galoot striker build and size) it is Coyne I'm reminded of.
Coyne and Wright Wright and Coyne the Cobra and the *****ose Why did HIBS not think of that?

Lexo decided th break the bank by going for Wright and Jackson and not a tried and successful strike partnership unlikely Dundee FC would have let us have them both.

I remember being at Easter Road one Saturday and by 3.25 Dundee were 0-4 up Coyne and Wright had ripped us apart.I was in the Artisan Bar by 3.45 pm but that is another story 😀

[LaMotta]

Coyne and Wright Wright and Coyne the Cobra and the *****ose Why did HIBS not think of that?

Lexo decided th break the bank by going for Wright and Jackson and not a tried and successful strike partnership unlikely Dundee FC would have let us have them both.

I remember being at Easter Road one Saturday and by 3.25 Dundee were 0-4 up Coyne and Wright had ripped us apart.I was in the Artisan Bar by 3.45 pm but that is another story 😀

That game was brutal! Graham Mitchell scored one of the most bizaare own goals ive ever seen, lobbing Alan Rough from the touchline.

[BILLYHIBS]

That game was brutal! Graham Mitchell scored one of the most bizaare own goals ive ever seen, lobbing Alan Rough from the touchline.
Yeah I was there with a Dundee fan in the old North Enclosure he celebrated at the fourth goal a Hibby threw a punch at him he ducked hit my wee brother all hell broke loose. Me my brother my HIBS supporting mate and the Dundee fan were escorted from the North Enclosure to the Dundee End by the local Polis with the sound of Hooli Hooli Hooligans from the east ringing in our ears I explained to the local constabulary we were hibbys apart from my Dundee supporting mate. We were ejected from the ground and my Dundee mate was allowed into their end hence Artisan 3.45 pm :wink: