3rd place verses reality

[ArmadaleHibs]

I for one this season am absolutely thrilled that we sit in 3rd place on our own with this seasons destiny firmly in our hands. Do we deserve to be there, well yes we do as we have acquired the points to do so. What frustrates me though more than anything is the position we could be in right now. The amount of points we have thrown away in the last several weeks could have seen us in a far better position than we are right now. The lack of performance at times has been unforgivable and style of play at times is woeful. It gives me shivers as to where we could be in terms of points right now if we were not so inconsistent. At times we look fantastic and just when we seem to be heading in the right direction, we take 3 steps back. It’s so frustrating. What’s the reason/problem. No fans through the door yet we still record great season ticket sales and not knowing exactly it looks like we have spent more on the squad than we have ever done. Or close to it. Yet, here we are trying our very best to throw away a position of great opportunity. If the teams around us could capitalise we would probably be worse off but they seem less likely than us. Has it been a good season to this point? I would have to say yes, certainly in terms of points gained and position in the league. Has it been a good season to this point to watch? Not often enough I would say. It’s been the toughest of watches for a few years if I’m honest but, and it’s a big but, we’re 3rd with a game in hand. Would you have taken this position at the start of the season. You bet you would. Only hibs can gloriously throw it away. The annoying thing is that we could be so far ahead of our immediate competition 3rd place could have all but been sealed. We are not a bad football side but we do show frailties in our play that make us easy to play at times and when the chips are down our manager seems out his depth in terms of trying to change the trend.

We’re 3rd. We’re crap. We’re also good. We’re frustrating to watch. We’re predictable. We’re an enigma in the Scottish game. We literally could be 3rd by miles and close to 2nd.

I have no answers as to why we are like this. Sometimes it’s so hard to be a Hibby

Ggtth

[houstonhibbee]

I for one this season am absolutely thrilled that we sit in 3rd place on our own with this seasons destiny firmly in our hands. Do we deserve to be there, well yes we do as we have acquired the points to do so. What frustrates me though more than anything is the position we could be in right now. The amount of points we have thrown away in the last several weeks could have seen us in a far better position than we are right now. The lack of performance at times has been unforgivable and style of play at times is woeful. It gives me shivers as to where we could be in terms of points right now if we were not so inconsistent. At times we look fantastic and just when we seem to be heading in the right direction, we take 3 steps back. It’s so frustrating. What’s the reason/problem. No fans through the door yet we still record great season ticket sales and not knowing exactly it looks like we have spent more on the squad than we have ever done. Or close to it. Yet, here we are trying our very best to throw away a position of great opportunity. If the teams around us could capitalise we would probably be worse off but they seem less likely than us. Has it been a good season to this point? I would have to say yes, certainly in terms of points gained and position in the league. Has it been a good season to this point to watch? Not often enough I would say. It’s been the toughest of watches for a few years if I’m honest but, and it’s a big but, we’re 3rd with a game in hand. Would you have taken this position at the start of the season. You bet you would. Only hibs can gloriously throw it away. The annoying thing is that we could be so far ahead of our immediate competition 3rd place could have all but been sealed. We are not a bad football side but we do show frailties in our play that make us easy to play at times and when the chips are down our manager seems out his depth in terms of trying to change the trend.

We’re 3rd. We’re crap. We’re also good. We’re frustrating to watch. We’re predictable. We’re an enigma in the Scottish game. We literally could be 3rd by miles and close to 2nd.

I have no answers as to why we are like this. Sometimes it’s so hard to be a Hibby

Ggtth
Totally agree with your sentiments. however its been a lot harder than it is currently - as we are third. What I was thinking today was do these players really want success? We'll not go far in Europe with the attitude they seem to have. Hanlon stepped it up the second half but where is that week in week out and in the first half? I think at times they don't really care or don't want to take any risks. Doig at least has a go.

[CallumLaidlaw]

I for one this season am absolutely thrilled that we sit in 3rd place on our own with this seasons destiny firmly in our hands. Do we deserve to be there, well yes we do as we have acquired the points to do so. What frustrates me though more than anything is the position we could be in right now. The amount of points we have thrown away in the last several weeks could have seen us in a far better position than we are right now. The lack of performance at times has been unforgivable and style of play at times is woeful. It gives me shivers as to where we could be in terms of points right now if we were not so inconsistent. At times we look fantastic and just when we seem to be heading in the right direction, we take 3 steps back. It’s so frustrating. What’s the reason/problem. No fans through the door yet we still record great season ticket sales and not knowing exactly it looks like we have spent more on the squad than we have ever done. Or close to it. Yet, here we are trying our very best to throw away a position of great opportunity. If the teams around us could capitalise we would probably be worse off but they seem less likely than us. Has it been a good season to this point? I would have to say yes, certainly in terms of points gained and position in the league. Has it been a good season to this point to watch? Not often enough I would say. It’s been the toughest of watches for a few years if I’m honest but, and it’s a big but, we’re 3rd with a game in hand. Would you have taken this position at the start of the season. You bet you would. Only hibs can gloriously throw it away. The annoying thing is that we could be so far ahead of our immediate competition 3rd place could have all but been sealed. We are not a bad football side but we do show frailties in our play that make us easy to play at times and when the chips are down our manager seems out his depth in terms of trying to change the trend.

We’re 3rd. We’re crap. We’re also good. We’re frustrating to watch. We’re predictable. We’re an enigma in the Scottish game. We literally could be 3rd by miles and close to 2nd.

I have no answers as to why we are like this. Sometimes it’s so hard to be a Hibby

Ggtth

I suppose the payoff to this is, an Aberdeen fan sees that they are a very settled team. They’ve had their manager in place for nearly 10 years, they have a bigger budget. They’ve probably also chucked away a LOT of points. I saw someone say we’re 3rd because others are not as good. Is that not the same in every other league in the world??


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[ArmadaleHibs]

I suppose the payoff to this is, an Aberdeen fan sees that they are a very settled team. They’ve had their manager in place for nearly 10 years, they have a bigger budget. They’ve probably also chucked away a LOT of points. I saw someone say we’re 3rd because others are not as good. Is that not the same in every other league in the world??


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Yes that is a fair point

Ggtth

[The Spaceman]

Very frustrating. Had we shown up the past two games against two very average sides (albeit one in smashing form) we would currently be sitting 9 points clear with a game in hand which would have all but sealed third. However, as things stand, we still remain the third best team in the country which was always our dream for this season. Majority of fans would have taken guaranteed 4th at the start of the season and that’s now pretty much done. I will not bed wet about third until we have officially conceded it.

[green.oracle]

I for one this season am absolutely thrilled that we sit in 3rd place on our own with this seasons destiny firmly in our hands. Do we deserve to be there, well yes we do as we have acquired the points to do so. What frustrates me though more than anything is the position we could be in right now. The amount of points we have thrown away in the last several weeks could have seen us in a far better position than we are right now. The lack of performance at times has been unforgivable and style of play at times is woeful. It gives me shivers as to where we could be in terms of points right now if we were not so inconsistent. At times we look fantastic and just when we seem to be heading in the right direction, we take 3 steps back. It’s so frustrating. What’s the reason/problem. No fans through the door yet we still record great season ticket sales and not knowing exactly it looks like we have spent more on the squad than we have ever done. Or close to it. Yet, here we are trying our very best to throw away a position of great opportunity. If the teams around us could capitalise we would probably be worse off but they seem less likely than us. Has it been a good season to this point? I would have to say yes, certainly in terms of points gained and position in the league. Has it been a good season to this point to watch? Not often enough I would say. It’s been the toughest of watches for a few years if I’m honest but, and it’s a big but, we’re 3rd with a game in hand. Would you have taken this position at the start of the season. You bet you would. Only hibs can gloriously throw it away. The annoying thing is that we could be so far ahead of our immediate competition 3rd place could have all but been sealed. We are not a bad football side but we do show frailties in our play that make us easy to play at times and when the chips are down our manager seems out his depth in terms of trying to change the trend.

We’re 3rd. We’re crap. We’re also good. We’re frustrating to watch. We’re predictable. We’re an enigma in the Scottish game. We literally could be 3rd by miles and close to 2nd.

I have no answers as to why we are like this. Sometimes it’s so hard to be a Hibby

Ggtth


Cant disagree with any of that.

In the 9 league games lost this season, we have failed to score. In the 7 drawn games we have had 2 goalless draws. That's 11 out of 31 games we have failed to score in (35.48% of games).

When we go behind in the league, we have only managed to recover a draw on 3 occasions (sevco and St johnstone at home and sellic away).

Why is there no real fight in this team?

You could have switched the game off after craig's goal yesterday. Beaten by a team who had 3 rejects in it and by their manager's admission, it was the worst they had played all season!!

In the other 20 league games we are averaging over 2 goals a game.

We're 3rd. We're crap. We're also good. We're frustrating to watch. We're predictable. We're an enigma in the Scottish game.

Never have truer words been spoken!!

Rant over. :grr::grr::fuming::fuming:

[The Spaceman]

For context, if we win our next two matches, regardless of what Aberdeen do in their remaining game before the split, that would leave them needing to pick up 7 points more than us in the final 5 games given our superior GD. That’s a mountain for them.

[ArmadaleHibs]

For context, if we win our next two matches, regardless of what Aberdeen do in their remaining game before the split, that would leave them needing to pick up 7 points more than us in the final 5 games given our superior GD. That’s a mountain for them.
More than one win in a row seems to be a mountain for us atm

Ggtth

[hibbysam]

More than one win in a row seems to be a mountain for us atm

Ggtth

Just two games ago we were on the back of our 4th straight win. Hardly a mountain.

[CallumLaidlaw]

More than one win in a row seems to be a mountain for us atm

Ggtth

You might want to look into that short term memory loss you’re suffering from.


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[ArmadaleHibs]

You might want to look into that short term memory loss you’re suffering from.


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It was more of a throw away comment without thought lol.

Ggtth

[Sir David Gray]

For context, if we win our next two matches, regardless of what Aberdeen do in their remaining game before the split, that would leave them needing to pick up 7 points more than us in the final 5 games given our superior GD. That’s a mountain for them.

I've been saying that 3 wins from our last 7 games will be enough for 3rd, looking at the table again I actually think 2 wins from our last 7 games (not just 2 wins from our next 2 games) should be enough.

Due to our superior goal difference that would likely leave Aberdeen requiring at least 10 points from their last 6 games to overtake us or in other words only being able to afford to lose 2 of their last 6 matches which I think is unlikely.

[jacomo]

I think this is fair comment.

Our league position is very good but this team has turned in too many poor performances at crucial times this season. We seem to lack the final X factor that will see us fulfil our potential.

Two good opportunities for silverware passed up.

[number9dream]

Our defensive record is much improved, albeit from the shoddy benchmark of last season, but that's probably easier to fix than problems at the top end of the pitch.
As others point out, it is hard to discern any real strategy from game to game but that probably goes for most of the teams in the league, which does seem especially poor this time, although that has a lot to do with empty stadiums and a wholly different viewing experience.
The 'slug race' for third has been tortuous at times but we've all experienced many far worse campaigns.
We need to grind it out when things are not clicking for us. If we'd picked up even two draws from the home losses to Livingston, Ross County or 'Well, our situation would be so much more comfortable.
Next Saturday is another biggie. Take three points in Dingwall and it's hard to see how Aberdeen can catch up, even with our terrible record at Pittodrie.

[Key West]

It has been a strange season in more ways than one, there was a great incentive to strengthen our position yesterday, the opposition pressed early and that is something we didn’t seem to be able to match or overcome. Players seemed to be scared of having the ball and the amount of misplaced passes was embarrassing, Newell decided to go wherever he wanted which didn’t help the balance of the team, it is difficult at times to work out the individual roles of what looks like a decent midfield and arguably on paper at least our strongest area.
As usual we are overly reliant on Boyle to come up with the goods and every team in the SPL knows this, the only player that looked like he wanted to make something happen was Doig.

[DH1875]

We are 3rd but the football is terrible and boring to watch.

What I have learned is all we will ever be is 3rd. No one other than rangers or celtic is ever winning this league. Took me 25 years to finally realise this. We should really have been pushing for 2nd this season and had an outside chance of getting it and champions league. Never gonna happen.

[Shrekko]

We are 3rd but the football is terrible and boring to watch.

What I have learned is all we will ever be is 3rd. No one other than rangers or celtic is ever winning this league. Took me 25 years to finally realise this. We should really have been pushing for 2nd this season and had an outside chance of getting it and champions league. Never gonna happen.

Why should we have been pushing for 2nd? We’re nowhere near Celtic.

[Sir David Gray]

We are 3rd but the football is terrible and boring to watch.

What I have learned is all we will ever be is 3rd. No one other than rangers or celtic is ever winning this league. Took me 25 years to finally realise this. We should really have been pushing for 2nd this season and had an outside chance of getting it and champions league. Never gonna happen.

At the time of writing this post Celtic are on 68 points with 6 games remaining and continuing with their points per game average will put them on around 80 points by the end of the season.

We were never likely to get anywhere near that number of points.

[DH1875]

Why should we have been pushing for 2nd? We’re nowhere near Celtic.
It's not about Celtic. It's about losing to Livingston, St Johnstone and Motherwell.

At the time of writing this post Celtic are on 68 points with 6 games remaining and continuing with their points per game average will put them on around 80 points by the end of the season.

We were never likely to get anywhere near that number of points.

We have been poor this season (which is strange given we are 3rd). We really should have 12 to 15 points more than we have which would see us level with celtic.

[jacomo]

Why should we have been pushing for 2nd? We’re nowhere near Celtic.


Celtc have been so honking this season (by their standards) that there was an opportunity for us to put pressure on them.

[JimBHibees]

Our defensive record is much improved, albeit from the shoddy benchmark of last season, but that's probably easier to fix than problems at the top end of the pitch.
As others point out, it is hard to discern any real strategy from game to game but that probably goes for most of the teams in the league, which does seem especially poor this time, although that has a lot to do with empty stadiums and a wholly different viewing experience.
The 'slug race' for third has been tortuous at times but we've all experienced many far worse campaigns.
We need to grind it out when things are not clicking for us. If we'd picked up even two draws from the home losses to Livingston, Ross County or 'Well, our situation would be so much more comfortable.
Next Saturday is another biggie. Take three points in Dingwall and it's hard to see how Aberdeen can catch up, even with our terrible record at Pittodrie.

Agree win there would be a massive step to third.

[Key West]

Agree win there would be a massive step to third.


Based on what you have seen recently can you see us being up for a scrap?

I hope I’m wrong but we’ve been far too pedestrian when passing the ball, offering no tempo apart from sporadic moments involving Boyle and Doig and forwards who look like they are trying to regain their confidence.

We are painfully too reliant on Martin Boyle, others need to show up to get that positivity back.

[BlackSheep]

Hanlon showed a fantastic amount of enthusiasm yesterday, one of the only positive points.... and I’m not his biggest fan, so no bias from me.

The rest need to take a leaf out of his book next weekend right from the first whistle.

[Andy74]

It's not about Celtic. It's about losing to Livingston, St Johnstone and Motherwell.


We have been poor this season (which is strange given we are 3rd). We really should have 12 to 15 points more than we have which would see us level with celtic.

Unfortunately sport doesn’t work that way. We are miles away from being a team that’s going to go unbeaten.

Of course we are going to have any number of games we ‘should’ have done better. If it applies to us we have to apply it to every other team and give them the points they’d have got.

We’d have been nowhere near Celtic on that basis and Aberdeen and others would be getting all their ‘lost’ points too.

[JimBHibees]

Based on what you have seen recently can you see us being up for a scrap?

I hope I’m wrong but we’ve been far too pedestrian when passing the ball, offering no tempo apart from sporadic moments involving Boyle and Doig and forwards who look like they are trying to regain their confidence.

We are painfully too reliant on Martin Boyle, others need to show up to get that positivity back.

Absolutely up for the fight just lacking some quality. Need to remember pitches in Scotland are horrific at present. Will be ups and downs in race for third win on Saturday would put Aberdeen on back foot.

[Itsnoteasy]

I for one this season am absolutely thrilled that we sit in 3rd place on our own with this seasons destiny firmly in our hands. Do we deserve to be there, well yes we do as we have acquired the points to do so. What frustrates me though more than anything is the position we could be in right now. The amount of points we have thrown away in the last several weeks could have seen us in a far better position than we are right now. The lack of performance at times has been unforgivable and style of play at times is woeful. It gives me shivers as to where we could be in terms of points right now if we were not so inconsistent. At times we look fantastic and just when we seem to be heading in the right direction, we take 3 steps back. It’s so frustrating. What’s the reason/problem. No fans through the door yet we still record great season ticket sales and not knowing exactly it looks like we have spent more on the squad than we have ever done. Or close to it. Yet, here we are trying our very best to throw away a position of great opportunity. If the teams around us could capitalise we would probably be worse off but they seem less likely than us. Has it been a good season to this point? I would have to say yes, certainly in terms of points gained and position in the league. Has it been a good season to this point to watch? Not often enough I would say. It’s been the toughest of watches for a few years if I’m honest but, and it’s a big but, we’re 3rd with a game in hand. Would you have taken this position at the start of the season. You bet you would. Only hibs can gloriously throw it away. The annoying thing is that we could be so far ahead of our immediate competition 3rd place could have all but been sealed. We are not a bad football side but we do show frailties in our play that make us easy to play at times and when the chips are down our manager seems out his depth in terms of trying to change the trend.

We’re 3rd. We’re crap. We’re also good. We’re frustrating to watch. We’re predictable. We’re an enigma in the Scottish game. We literally could be 3rd by miles and close to 2nd.

I have no answers as to why we are like this. Sometimes it’s so hard to be a Hibby

Ggtth

Sometimes 🤞

[CB Hibs 68]

Regardless of recent performances we still have 3 rd place in our own hands and who would have thought that after getting humped at home by Ross County and ICT. Clearly we are still work in progress but surely we can agree that there has been an improvement on last season.Mind you for some folk there will be no pleasing as evidently second was there for the taking .Sadly third is as good as it gets given the vast turnover differential between the old firm and rest of Scottish Fitba so realistically Hibs are at the limit of our ambitions.That would only change if we had a super rich benefactor which Ron isn’t.

[CB Hibs 68]

Regardless of recent performances we still have 3 rd place in our own hands and who would have thought that after getting humped at home by Ross County and ICT. Clearly we are still work in progress but surely we can agree that there has been an improvement on last season.Mind you for some folk there will be no pleasing as evidently second was there for the taking .Sadly third is as good as it gets given the vast turnover differential between the old firm and rest of Scottish Fitba so realistically Hibs are at the limit of our ambitions.That would only change if we had a super rich benefactor which Ron isn’t.

Oops meant Livi

[Lago]

Play the way they have in the last few weeks & Hibs stay in Europe will be very short lived & maybe a bit embarrassing.

[DH1875]

Unfortunately sport doesn’t work that way. We are miles away from being a team that’s going to go unbeaten.

Of course we are going to have any number of games we ‘should’ have done better. If it applies to us we have to apply it to every other team and give them the points they’d have got.

We’d have been nowhere near Celtic on that basis and Aberdeen and others would be getting all their ‘lost’ points too.

True. If ever there was a chance of doing it, it was this year though.


Play the way they have in the last few weeks & Hibs stay in Europe will be very short lived & maybe a bit embarrassing.

If we finish 3rd does in not mean a few games and guaranteed European football after Christmas.

[Stevie Reid]

Given the lost revenue from this season, there’s maybe never been a more important time to finish 3rd. It would be huge.

For a long time this season, many on here - myself included - thought that 4th would be the best would could achieve. Aberdeen had taken six points from us in the first two rounds of fixtures, and they seemed to have really good strength and depth in their squad.

Now they look a team in serious decline, and seem to be in real financial bother as well. Given the bids we turned down in January, we seem to be in good health in that regard.

Taking 3rd spot isn’t just more revenue for us - it’s less for Aberdeen. It would really help us to kick on further next season, and hopefully extend our advantage over them and the rest of the SPL.

This is definitely not an inspiring Hibs side, but it’s a strange season for so many reasons, and there are no stand out footballing sides in the league this season, bar the obvious one. I can very much take this being as good as it gets when we can’t get to games, and extra revenue is so important.

For many years many people on this board wanted us to simply ‘punch our weight’ when we were struggling down in the bottom six, Motherwell were finishing second, and the likes of Inverness and St. Johnstone were finishing third.

When we were on track to do that this season (4th) many decided that they weren’t that bothered about it, as it shouldn’t be seen as noteworthy for Hibs (even though history very much says otherwise).

Now we’re clear in 3rd and we’re a poor side - and we’re only in that position because the rest of the league is worse than us (even though that’s always the case in any league).

I know it won’t be all the same posters, but there were complaints went we weren’t achieving the league position our budget says we should, ambivalence when we were on track for that, and now we’re clear in 3rd place there are complaints that we aren’t impressive enough in getting there, or folk saying they they can’t get excited about it.

I really couldn’t care less. 3rd place would be massive, and not being impressive whilst getting there is not remotely concerning to me in the current environment.

[Wakeyhibee]

Play the way they have in the last few weeks & Hibs stay in Europe will be very short lived & maybe a bit embarrassing.

If 3rd does get EL play off and not cup winner, 8 games will be shortest it can be.

[MWHIBBIES]

Celtc have been so honking this season (by their standards) that there was an opportunity for us to put pressure on them.

Honking celtic are miles ahead of good hibs. Hibs tally for entire season in 2018 is lower than what they have now.

[jacomo]

Honking celtic are miles ahead of good hibs. Hibs tally for entire season in 2018 is lower than what they have now.


Jeez... as I said, there was opportunity there for us this season.

We haven’t taken it, obviously.

[Stuart93]

Honking celtic are miles ahead of good hibs. Hibs tally for entire season in 2018 is lower than what they have now.

Aye but it was a harder league in 2018. People don’t seem to be grasping this and it also explains why some people aren’t considering 3rd place a massive achievement this season. The quality of the league this season is really bad. Aberdeen who’ve scored 1 goal in 9 games are 3 points off 3rd place albeit played a game more.

Put the hibs team from 2018 in the league this season and they’re up in 2nd place imo if not very close to Celtic.

[Stevie Reid]

Jeez... as I said, there was opportunity there for us this season.

We haven’t taken it, obviously.

I think given how much of a disaster this season has been for Celtic, and what was a stake, the perception of how bad their league campaign has been is worse than the reality. Obviously they have been miles worse than Rangers, who have been exceptional this year, but they've won 20 of 32 games, and lost only 4. They are on track for 80 points, which has been a winning total in the SPL before, and would be nowhere near the worst second place finish in the battles between those two. I think Aberdeen's 76 points is the highest non-OF points total in the SPL, and that was McInnes' team at its peak.

Losing the first OF game, the dreadful Europa league campaign and the cup loss to RC all came in quick succession, it was an horrendous time for them. But their league form hasn't been awful, and there is just no way that this Hibs team was ever going to be able to push for second.

[MWHIBBIES]

Jeez... as I said, there was opportunity there for us this season.

We haven’t taken it, obviously.

I disagree. 3rd is all we were ever getting. If Ross had been here a few years and had a settled squad, then maybe. But 2nd was never a possibility. I agree this would've been the season to push them hard and I thought we might early on but there was never much hope, too many fitness issues, a thin squad and a pretty poor home record have made it impossible.

[MWHIBBIES]

Aye but it was a harder league in 2018. People don’t seem to be grasping this and it also explains why some people aren’t considering 3rd place a massive achievement this season. The quality of the league this season is really bad. Aberdeen who’ve scored 1 goal in 9 games are 3 points off 3rd place albeit played a game more.

Put the hibs team from 2018 in the league this season and they’re up in 2nd place imo if not very close to Celtic.
Was it a harder league? Purely on the quality of the teams, perhaps. But with no fans, less funds to invest, injuries, our best player been out all year with a heart issue, managers first full season etc, this is probably the hardest season in clubs history. I'd be delighted with 3rd. Absolutely buzzing.

[JimBHibees]

Aye but it was a harder league in 2018. People don’t seem to be grasping this and it also explains why some people aren’t considering 3rd place a massive achievement this season. The quality of the league this season is really bad. Aberdeen who’ve scored 1 goal in 9 games are 3 points off 3rd place albeit played a game more.

Put the hibs team from 2018 in the league this season and they’re up in 2nd place imo if not very close to Celtic.

Think Aberdeen were ahead points wise of where they were last season a couple of weeks ago.

[Stuart93]

Think Aberdeen were ahead points wise of where they were last season a couple of weeks ago.

Yea of course they are because the league isn’t providing as much competition this season that’s my point. They’ve scored 1 goal in 9 games and aren’t far off their points total from last season. They’re clearly not as good as they were last season yet they’ve still accumulated just about as many points because it’s a lot easier to pick up points.

[Since452]

We're the 3rd best team in Scotland after 31 games. That's the reality.

[JimBHibees]

Yea of course they are because the league isn’t providing as much competition this season that’s my point. They’ve scored 1 goal in 9 games and aren’t far off their points total from last season. They’re clearly not as good as they were last season yet they’ve still accumulated just about as many points because it’s a lot easier to pick up points.

My point is they aren't as bad as been made out. Not sure the league is easier. Dundee United are an improvement on Hearts and we have obviously got better.

[Stuart93]

My point is they aren't as bad as been made out. Not sure the league is easier. Dundee United are an improvement on Hearts and we have obviously got better.

They really are though, 1 goal in 9 games is absolutely horrendous and going by reports they’re on the brink of losing their manager. They really are as bad if not worse than is made out.

[hibbysam]

Aye but it was a harder league in 2018. People don’t seem to be grasping this and it also explains why some people aren’t considering 3rd place a massive achievement this season. The quality of the league this season is really bad. Aberdeen who’ve scored 1 goal in 9 games are 3 points off 3rd place albeit played a game more.

Put the hibs team from 2018 in the league this season and they’re up in 2nd place imo if not very close to Celtic.

What was harder about it in 2018? I’d probably say it was slightly, there wouldn’t be a whole lot in it though, outwith the top 4 it was similar level teams as what we have now, Rangers are better this season than Celtic were that season in first place, Celtic are probably better this season than Rangers were that season. Aberdeen are arguably worse. Year after year our league rarely changes. Top two, another two, other 8.

Take into considering all the external factors mentioned before around protocols, fans etc and it’s a very difficult season this.

[Sammy7nil]

McInnes away

[Fergus52]

They really are though, 1 goal in 9 games is absolutely horrendous and going by reports they’re on the brink of losing their manager. They really are as bad if not worse than is made out.

Pretty sure they're still on track to achieve a similar amount of points as they did last season.

[Ozyhibby]

McInnes away

Great news. McInnes has been a great manager for them.


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[Brightside]

Great news. McInnes has been a great manager for them.


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I like this potential debate Ozy. If he’s a great manager, constantly getting third whilst playing industrial football, will JR be seen the same by Hibs fans if he does likewise over the next few years?

[Crunchie]

I like this potential debate Ozy. If he’s a great manager, constantly getting third whilst playing industrial football, will JR be seen the same by Hibs fans if he does likewise over the next few years?

I see what you did there :faf:

[calumhibee1]

I like this potential debate Ozy. If he’s a great manager, constantly getting third whilst playing industrial football, will JR be seen the same by Hibs fans if he does likewise over the next few years?

To be fair you just need to look at the reaction of the Aberdeen fans who have had to watch it. They’re ecstatic.

It’s probably easier to give McInnes credit when you’re looking in from the outside and not had to put up with being bored as **** watching his teams for 8 years.

[jeffers]

I like this potential debate Ozy. If he’s a great manager, constantly getting third whilst playing industrial football, will JR be seen the same by Hibs fans if he does likewise over the next few years?

I’m sure some will if Ross achieves that. Results are all that matters to some, personally I’d like to be entertained when watching us. It appears a lot of Aberdeen fans felt the same way about McInnes.

It depends what matters to you as a supporter. Finishing high up the league for a short stint in Europe or being entertained and winning a trophy on a more frequent basis than Aberdeen managed under McInnes. Now if Ross can manage to achieve both......

[Saint Hibee]

I think I probably feel now how Aberdeen fans have felt for years: an undeniably good league position but painfully passionless, boring football. I guess that will teach me for wanting my cake and eating it.

[jeffers]

I think I probably feel now how Aberdeen fans have felt for years: an undeniably good league position but painfully passionless, boring football. I guess that will teach me for wanting my cake and eating it.

The concern for me is that is JR’s style. I don’t think his football at Sunderland was free flowing entertainment.

Obviously no crowds has an impact on the passion, the entertainment though I’m not sure about. The Huns have managed it this season and while they undoubtedly have better players it’s not as if we have no talent in our squad.

[Coco Bryce]

I think I probably feel now how Aberdeen fans have felt for years: an undeniably good league position but painfully passionless, boring football. I guess that will teach me for wanting my cake and eating it.

I feel the same.

It's no wonder the Dons crowds have fallen so much over the years with the eye bleeding football on show.

I really worry about our crowds dwindling away because of the football on show under Jack Ross.

[calumhibee1]

I feel the same.

It's no wonder the Dons crowds have fallen so much over the years with the eye bleeding football on show.

I really worry about our crowds dwindling away because of the football on show under Jack Ross.

Seeing us play Aberdeen 3 or 4 times a season has been enough to bore me over McInnes reign, I’m not surprised their fans are bored to tears watching it every week. I’d have wanted rid of him as well.

[Brightside]

I also dont want us playing like Aberdeen tbh. But i think we need to find a way to consistently get 3rd and then look at being entertaining.

[WhileTheChief..]

Was it a harder league? Purely on the quality of the teams, perhaps. But with no fans, less funds to invest, injuries, our best player been out all year with a heart issue, managers first full season etc, this is probably the hardest season in clubs history. I'd be delighted with 3rd. Absolutely buzzing.


Eh? That’s some leap you’ve made there!

[blackpoolhibs]

I also dont want us playing like Aberdeen tbh. But i think we need to find a way to consistently get 3rd and then look at being entertaining.

So do I, but folk seem to want it yesterday. Football manager must have really taken off these last 12 months.

[flash]

If we finish 3rd and earn group football in Europe that's a magnificent season's work which gives us great foundations to build on.
It's been a bit up and down this season but there's definitely a cloud of negativity hanging over our potential achievements.
I reckon there are two main reasons for this.
Firstly and most understandably there is something fundamental missing at games without crowds. I can't help but notice how few yellow and red cards there are compared to a normal season. Games are more like pre season matches, the increased amount of subs allowed adding to this impression.
Once we are all back in the stadium I am confident things will massively improve on the entertainment front.
The second reason is simply some people are never happy! Not going to dwell on this one.
Personally I am going to focus on the bigger picture for now. If we can get to the end of this strange and unique season in 3rd place the benefits will be massive.
Should the style of football not improve once we are all back in the ground and the manager has had a bit longer to work on these things that would be the time to consider if he is the right man for us.
War and peace completed!