'If you always expect disappointment you'll never really feel disappointed'

[He's here!]

Took the kids to see the new Spiderman movie at the weekend and this quote from Spiderman's girlfriend struck me as being pretty much on the money when it comes to following Hibs.

A variation on the phrase 'It's the hope that kills you', it's probably even more apt because if we're being honest Hibs will disappoint us more often than not.

That's why I find the amount of negativity on here about yesterday's game genuinely surprising. It's as though some were actually expecting us to win. The reality is we got beaten by a better side but nevertheless got ourselves into a winning position and IMHO gave the game everything we had. Compared to the no-show against St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup final I thought our attitude and effort was night and day. The major gripe (apart from the ref) seems to be we didn't take the game to Celtic in the first half, but had we tried to so we'd have been dead and buried by half time. I thought we did just fine.

Looking at the bigger picture, I sometimes wonder what we actually expect from Hibs. Apart from a post-war golden age and a sustained spell of excellence in the early 70s we've never displayed any sort of consistency in the league. Like all other clubs outwith the big two, it's a case of a fleeting good season (or, very rarely, two) followed by spells of mediocrity. Our cup record (particularly this century) is actually excellent on paper if you count reaching the latter stages as success. However, we've lost 20 out of the 26 major finals we've reached so falling at the final hurdle is surely something we're all long used to.

Fact is that unless Ron Gordon has exceptionally deep pockets when it comes to investing in the playing side (or we unearth another golden generation of youngsters) we'll never really reach the levels fans dream of. In reality this has been an excellent year by Hibs standards. Finalists in both domestic cup competitions and best of the rest in the league. Sure, the football hasn't been especially easy on the eye but in terms of cold hard stats that's really as good as it gets for a club like ours.

Of course football's all about hopes and dreams, but as a fan who's seen the same old cycle of momentary success followed by sacked managers and calls to clear the dead wood repeated over and over again I don't think it's an unhealthy thing to temper those dreams with a dose of reality.

[Hibbyradge]

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

[LaMotta]

Despite research that apparently ahows the contrary, I've always felt that pessimists lead happier lives than optimists.

Although maybe thats me being optimistic about my life as a pessimist. :greengrin

[Inconsequential]

Some people are only really happy when they're miserable. Fact.

[Keith_M]

Despite research that apparently ahows the contrary, I've always felt that pessimists lead happier lives than optimists.

Although maybe thats me being optimistic about my life as a pessimist. :greengrin


It's a proven fact that it's better to be a pessimist based on outcome against expectation


Optimist:

Gets what he expected would happen (so all a bit meh)... or ends up disappointed because he was wrong.


Pessimist:

Is proven right... or else is pleasantly surprised that it turns out so well

[LaMotta]

It's a proven fact that it's better to be a pessimist based on outcome against expectation


Optimist:

Gets what he expected would happen (so all a bit meh)... or ends up disappointed because he was wrong.


Pessimist:

Is proven right... or else is pleasantly surprised that it turns out so well

That's what I would have logically thought:agree:

But then I had read research that said the opposite and claims optimists live longer and have more succesful lives.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rainerzitelmann/2019/09/16/studies-prove-that-optimists-live-longer-and-healthier-lives-the-superrich-are-superoptimists/?sh=618227813c04

Probably just the pessimist in me seeking out a worst case scenario for my future' - despite, as you rightly point out, there being enty of evidence to the contrary :greengrin

[john rossi]

I think we all need a reality check yes we lose more cup finals than we win but let’s give Hibs some credit for reaching all these finals over the years. Historically if you look at clubs who were strong in the 50s 60s 70s etc, Clyde, Falkirk, Patrick thistle, Dunfermline for example have fallen by the wayside but would bite your hand for Hibs premier leauge team and great runs in the Scottish and leauge cups. Yes we have had relegations but we have bounced back these teams have not. I support Hibs through thick and thin as do most of us but glory hunter I am not I just love Hibs for over 60 years.

[WeeRussell]

It's a proven fact that it's better to be a pessimist based on outcome against expectation


Optimist:

Gets what he expected would happen (so all a bit meh)... or ends up disappointed because he was wrong.


Pessimist:

Is proven right... or else is pleasantly surprised that it turns out so well

Problem is a lot of pessimists don’t seem to bother enjoying the pleasant surprises and just move on to their next negative focus as quickly as possible 😉

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

Problem is a lot of pessimists don’t seem to bother enjoying the pleasant surprises and just move on to their next negative focus as quickly as possible 😉

Please stop publicly attacking me, sir 😁

[NAE NOOKIE]

The bottom line when it comes to Hibs is this:

HIBERNIAN FOOTBALL CLUB ARE THE HARDEST TEAM IN THE WORLD TO SUPPORT.

And here's why:

You can support any number of lower league clubs anywhere in the world knowing the best you will ever see is a one off miraculous cup win or a promotion to a higher league you might only see one or two times in your life. You can support a Motherwell or a Burnley, or a mid range club in any one of a number of leagues and be happy with survival in the top league living in hope that one day you might win a cup, even though you rarely if ever reach a final.

You can support Celtic or Rangers or Liverpool or Man Utd or Barcelona or AC Milan or Ajax or Boca Juniors or River Plate and yes you will see your club lose the odd cup final, but you can be rest assured that the next time they make a final chances are they will win it, as their stuffed trophy rooms will testify.

Is there a club out there so capable of reaching cup finals and so incapable of winning them? ... My first final was 1979 and in that time including 79 Hibs have reached ( so many I have to stop to do a count ) thirteen cup finals, that's an average of one every three and a bit years and we have won a miserly three cups.

If in that time there is any professional football club in the world with such a pathetic winning ratio compared to final appearances I would love to know who they are .... only this club can take it's supporters to the brink so many times and let them down so often ... That's why its so bloody hard being a Hibs supporter.

See ya Wednesday :greengrin

[He's here!]

The bottom line when it comes to Hibs is this:

HIBERNIAN FOOTBALL CLUB ARE THE HARDEST TEAM IN THE WORLD TO SUPPORT.

And here's why:

You can support any number of lower league clubs anywhere in the world knowing the best you will ever see is a one off miraculous cup win or a promotion to a higher league you might only see one or two times in your life. You can support a Motherwell or a Burnley, or a mid range club in any one of a number of leagues and be happy with survival in the top league living in hope that one day you might win a cup, even though you rarely if ever reach a final.

You can support Celtic or Rangers or Liverpool or Man Utd or Barcelona or AC Milan or Ajax or Boca Juniors or River Plate and yes you will see your club lose the odd cup final, but you can be rest assured that the next time they make a final chances are they will win it, as their stuffed trophy rooms will testify.

Is there a club out there so capable of reaching cup finals and so incapable of winning them? ... My first final was 1979 and in that time including 79 Hibs have reached ( so many I have to stop to do a count ) thirteen cup finals, that's an average of one every three and a bit years and we have won a miserly three cups.

If in that time there is any professional football club in the world with such a pathetic winning ratio compared to final appearances I would love to know who they are .... only this club can take it's supporters to the brink so many times and let them down so often ... That's why its so bloody hard being a Hibs supporter.

See ya Wednesday :greengrin

Our Scottish Cup final results:

1887 Hibs 2-1 Dumbarton
1896 Hearts 3-1 Hibs
1902 Hibs 1-0 Celtic
1914 Celtic 0-0 Hibs
Replay Celtic 4-1 Hibs
1923 Celtic 1-0 Hibs
1924 Airdrie 2-0 Hibs
1947 Aberdeen 2-1 Hibs
1958 Clyde 1-0 Hibs
1972 Celtic 6-1 Hibs
1979 Rangers 0-0 Hibs
Replay Rangers 0-0 Hibs
2nd Replay Rangers 3-2 Hibs
2001 Celtic 3-0 Hibs
2012 Cannae mind that one
2013 Celtic 3-0 Hibs
2016 Rangers 2 Hibs 3
2021 St Johnstone 1 Hibs 0

Our League Cup final results:

1950 Motherwell 3 Hibs 0
1969 Hibs 2 Celtic 6
1973 Hibs 2 Celtic 1
1974 Hibs 3 Celtic 6
1985 Aberdeen 3 Hibs 0
1991 Hibs 2 Dunfermline 0
1993 Rangers 2 Hibs 1
2004 Livingston 2 Hibs 0
2007 Hibs 5 Kilmarnock 1
2016 Ross County 2 Hibs 1
2021 Hibs 1 Celtic 2

As I mentioned in the OP we've won 6 out of our 26 finals.

[Lancs Harp]

Our Scottish Cup final results:

1887 Hibs 2-1 Dumbarton
1896 Hearts 3-1 Hibs
1902 Hibs 1-0 Celtic
1914 Celtic 0-0 Hibs
Replay Celtic 4-1 Hibs
1923 Celtic 1-0 Hibs
1924 Airdrie 2-0 Hibs
1947 Aberdeen 2-1 Hibs
1958 Clyde 1-0 Hibs
1972 Celtic 6-1 Hibs
1979 Rangers 0-0 Hibs
Replay Rangers 0-0 Hibs
2nd Replay Rangers 3-2 Hibs
2001 Celtic 3-0 Hibs
2012 Cannae mind that one
2013 Celtic 3-0 Hibs
2016 Rangers 2 Hibs 3
2021 St Johnstone 1 Hibs 0

Our League Cup final results:

1950 Motherwell 3 Hibs 0
1969 Hibs 2 Celtic 6
1973 Hibs 2 Celtic 1
1974 Hibs 3 Celtic 6
1985 Aberdeen 3 Hibs 0
1991 Hibs 2 Dunfermline 0
1993 Rangers 2 Hibs 1
2004 Livingston 2 Hibs 0
2007 Hibs 5 Kilmarnock 1
2021 Hibs 1 Celtic 2

As I mentioned in the OP we've won 6 out of our 26 finals.


No Ross County League Cup final?

[S4uzee]

I wouldn’t say I expected us to win but a part of me just thought surely not again, surely we’re due one

[He's here!]

No Ross County League Cup final?

Cheers. Added that one now.

[NAE NOOKIE]

Our Scottish Cup final results:

1887 Hibs 2-1 Dumbarton
1896 Hearts 3-1 Hibs
1902 Hibs 1-0 Celtic
1914 Celtic 0-0 Hibs
Replay Celtic 4-1 Hibs
1923 Celtic 1-0 Hibs
1924 Airdrie 2-0 Hibs
1947 Aberdeen 2-1 Hibs
1958 Clyde 1-0 Hibs
1972 Celtic 6-1 Hibs
1979 Rangers 0-0 Hibs
Replay Rangers 0-0 Hibs
2nd Replay Rangers 3-2 Hibs
2001 Celtic 3-0 Hibs
2012 Cannae mind that one
2013 Celtic 3-0 Hibs
2016 Rangers 2 Hibs 3
2021 St Johnstone 1 Hibs 0

Our League Cup final results:

1950 Motherwell 3 Hibs 0
1969 Hibs 2 Celtic 6
1973 Hibs 2 Celtic 1
1974 Hibs 3 Celtic 6
1985 Aberdeen 3 Hibs 0
1991 Hibs 2 Dunfermline 0
1993 Rangers 2 Hibs 1
2004 Livingston 2 Hibs 0
2007 Hibs 5 Kilmarnock 1
2016 Ross County 2 Hibs 1
2021 Hibs 1 Celtic 2

As I mentioned in the OP we've won 6 out of our 26 finals.

Any of our fans who are over 137 years old must be f'ing well suicidal by now, that record is beyond shocking, even random chance should have made it better, I bet there's not a single own goal or dodgy penalty for us in the whole lot of them :greengrin

[hibby6270]

And still, we’ve only ever beaten Celtic once in a major cup final at Hampden. Fact!
I don’t count Drybrough Cup wins - glorious as they were at the time.
Yesterday was always going to be a long shot. One day though. One day!!

[Greencore]

Our Scottish Cup final results:

1887 Hibs 2-1 Dumbarton
1896 Hearts 3-1 Hibs
1902 Hibs 1-0 Celtic
1914 Celtic 0-0 Hibs
Replay Celtic 4-1 Hibs
1923 Celtic 1-0 Hibs
1924 Airdrie 2-0 Hibs
1947 Aberdeen 2-1 Hibs
1958 Clyde 1-0 Hibs
1972 Celtic 6-1 Hibs
1979 Rangers 0-0 Hibs
Replay Rangers 0-0 Hibs
2nd Replay Rangers 3-2 Hibs
2001 Celtic 3-0 Hibs
2012 Cannae mind that one
2013 Celtic 3-0 Hibs
2016 Rangers 2 Hibs 3
2021 St Johnstone 1 Hibs 0

Our League Cup final results:

1950 Motherwell 3 Hibs 0
1969 Hibs 2 Celtic 6
1973 Hibs 2 Celtic 1
1974 Hibs 3 Celtic 6
1985 Aberdeen 3 Hibs 0
1991 Hibs 2 Dunfermline 0
1993 Rangers 2 Hibs 1
2004 Livingston 2 Hibs 0
2007 Hibs 5 Kilmarnock 1
2016 Ross County 2 Hibs 1
2021 Hibs 1 Celtic 2

As I mentioned in the OP we've won 6 out of our 26 finals.
Damn that gypsy's curse.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

And what of the Leith motto - and the 2016 hashtag #Persevered.

We need to dust ourselves down and stop feeling so sorry for ourselves Leithers have endured worse than a number of Hibs results that didn’t go our way - the Gretna rail crash that wiped out a generation for example. time for the stat laden wallowers to stop and desist and put things into a bit of perspective.





Took the kids to see the new Spiderman movie at the weekend and this quote from Spiderman's girlfriend struck me as being pretty much on the money when it comes to following Hibs.

A variation on the phrase 'It's the hope that kills you', it's probably even more apt because if we're being honest Hibs will disappoint us more often than not.

That's why I find the amount of negativity on here about yesterday's game genuinely surprising. It's as though some were actually expecting us to win. The reality is we got beaten by a better side but nevertheless got ourselves into a winning position and IMHO gave the game everything we had. Compared to the no-show against St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup final I thought our attitude and effort was night and day. The major gripe (apart from the ref) seems to be we didn't take the game to Celtic in the first half, but had we tried to so we'd have been dead and buried by half time. I thought we did just fine.

Looking at the bigger picture, I sometimes wonder what we actually expect from Hibs. Apart from a post-war golden age and a sustained spell of excellence in the early 70s we've never displayed any sort of consistency in the league. Like all other clubs outwith the big two, it's a case of a fleeting good season (or, very rarely, two) followed by spells of mediocrity. Our cup record (particularly this century) is actually excellent on paper if you count reaching the latter stages as success. However, we've lost 20 out of the 26 major finals we've reached so falling at the final hurdle is surely something we're all long used to.

Fact is that unless Ron Gordon has exceptionally deep pockets when it comes to investing in the playing side (or we unearth another golden generation of youngsters) we'll never really reach the levels fans dream of. In reality this has been an excellent year by Hibs standards. Finalists in both domestic cup competitions and best of the rest in the league. Sure, the football hasn't been especially easy on the eye but in terms of cold hard stats that's really as good as it gets for a club like ours.

Of course football's all about hopes and dreams, but as a fan who's seen the same old cycle of momentary success followed by sacked managers and calls to clear the dead wood repeated over and over again I don't think it's an unhealthy thing to temper those dreams with a dose of reality.