How do Livingston have more firepower than we do?

[Scotty Leither]

A club with a fanbase of 3 men and a dug, yet I’m sat here watching Sportscene and they’ve created more chances and shots at goal in one game than we seem to have done in the last half dozen…

They can mix the play up as well in a manner that we don’t come near to with this sterile possession-based guff that’s really beginning to grate to be honest.

If they claim the fourth European spot and we trail in behind Ross County, how will that be spun at Easter Road, another season of “transition”, maybe?

[JohnM1875]

A club with a fanbase of 3 men and a dug, yet I’m sat here watching Sportscene and they’ve created more chances and shots at goal in one game than we seem to have done in the last half dozen…

They can mix the play up as well in a manner that we don’t come near to with this sterile possession-based guff that’s really beginning to grate to be honest.

If they claim the fourth European spot and we trail in behind Ross County, how will that be spun at Easter Road, another season of “transition”, maybe?

Third top scorers in the league! Crazy, didn't know that at all.

[wookie70]

A club with a fanbase of 3 men and a dug, yet I’m sat here watching Sportscene and they’ve created more chances and shots at goal in one game than we seem to have done in the last half dozen…

They can mix the play up as well in a manner that we don’t come near to with this sterile possession-based guff that’s really beginning to grate to be honest.

If they claim the fourth European spot and we trail in behind Ross County, how will that be spun at Easter Road, another season of “transition”, maybe?

Their manager plays a style that suits their players and they try to score before the opposition has had time to get back into formation. I think they are the fourth best side in the league and possibly have the best manager. I'd be very surprised if we finish above them. Football is a simple game and Maloney has made it very complicated. Our "style" suits pretty much every poor team in the league we play against as we let them get back into their shape and we don't have the skill to break that down. There is also a confidence and determination in Martindale. He sounded absolutely positive when he said Livi wouldn't get relegated after a dreadful start, It wasn't talk for the camera and you could tell he had no doubt in his abilities and knew his squad and what it would be capable off.

[Stuart93]

A sign of how poor we are just now.

[Scotty Leither]

They’ve got the laddie Forrest who is very direct and looks to drive at defenders every time he gets the ball, in short exactly the type of player we lack. I heard we were interested in the last window but the deal didn’t happen.

I really, really hope it didn’t fall down due to money, especially after the fee we got for Boyle, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that was indeed the case.

[green day]

There are too many managers trying to put some new "style" on teams of players who don't have the capabilities to deliver.

Martindale is a good solid manager, who plays a basic, solid, tried and tested brand of football. It's simple, uncomplicated and the players understand their jobs.

No surprise that they get solid results.

[lenny leith]

A club with a fanbase of 3 men and a dug, yet I’m sat here watching Sportscene and they’ve created more chances and shots at goal in one game than we seem to have done in the last half dozen…

They can mix the play up as well in a manner that we don’t come near to with this sterile possession-based guff that’s really beginning to grate to be honest.

If they claim the fourth European spot and we trail in behind Ross County, how will that be spun at Easter Road, another season of “transition”, maybe?

Exactly correct scotty. We have a good team but the manager has drained out the style of play. It’s awful football and we have nothing in the final place of the park. It’s bored it’s slow it’s drained Back Or sideways and I’m sad but we will end up in the bottom league because we are just not good enough tactics.

[B.H.F.C]

Their manager plays a style that suits their players and they try to score before the opposition has had time to get back into formation. I think they are the fourth best side in the league and possibly have the best manager. I'd be very surprised if we finish above them. Football is a simple game and Maloney has made it very complicated. Our "style" suits pretty much every poor team in the league we play against as we let them get back into their shape and we don't have the skill to break that down. There is also a confidence and determination in Martindale. He sounded absolutely positive when he said Livi wouldn't get relegated after a dreadful start, It wasn't talk for the camera and you could tell he had no doubt in his abilities and knew his squad and what it would be capable off.

I don’t see anything complicated about what we’re doing, personally. I do see a total lack of quality in the final third but I don’t think it’s down to tactics.

When we went on the run that lost Ross his job we could hardly score a goal and since then we’ve lost the only good attacking player we actually had. First half tonight we had the ball in so many good areas, even second half late on, but we hardly had a proper shot because it just totally breaks down when it gets there. Cadden had 3 poor crosses in the first 10 minutes when he was in acres of space and that set the tone.

[Unseen work]

They’ve got the laddie Forrest who is very direct and looks to drive at defenders every time he gets the ball, in short exactly the type of player we lack. I heard we were interested in the last window but the deal didn’t happen.

I really, really hope it didn’t fall down due to money, especially after the fee we got for Boyle, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that was indeed the case.

I think he’s a good player but you put him in our squad with the formation and style we play and he wouldn’t be effective imo, same with most effected singers in the league. All of a sudden they would start receiving the ball deeper and with their back to goal.

Part of the problem for us imo is everything is in front of the opposition, to be effective in this league you need your share of balls over the top and I’m behind the opposition which we rarely do.

Dundee are horrible at the back and yet you wouldn’t know it tonight, we don’t test teams defensively enough.

Ive no doubt if you put Jasper, Mueller etc, even Wright in that Livi game they would do well as they play to their strengths.

Martindale is also a very good manager imo

[JammyDoidger]

They aren't missing 7 or 8 starters. They've got a settled squad that know their jobs. We don't. Maybe this time next year we will, time will tell. I've accepted this is how it's going to be until at least next season.

[Hermit Crab]

A sign of how poor we are just now.


We are poor yet we managed to carve Dundee open time and time again with 10 men. We are so poor in front of goal, shot shy and poor decision making costing us points on a weekly basis.

[The Harp Awakes]

Livi are far more direct in their play when they have the ball. They play to their strengths.

It only works if you employ the right players to play in that formation. They get players into the box when they are attacking. Watch their game v Dundee United tonight and it shows this.

In contrast we play across the pitch and have no quality up front. So unsurprisingly Livi score far more goals than us.

[Waxy]

A sign of how poor we are just now.

And all the teams around us.

[Since452]

The league is utterly atrocious this season. Mind boggling we're sitting 5th.

[fife hfc]

Livi played with 4 attacking players last night Pittman, Forrest, Nouble and Anderson. We played Doidge and at a push Henderson. There in lies the problem. Our midfield is too defensive minded (including Wright). No willingness to push past Doidge or drive forward with the ball, meaning all our play is in front of the opposition and easy to defend against.

Only when Melkersen, Hague and Jasper came on did we have forwards who would go behind the Dundee defence. We have optoons but Maloney appears to be over cautious and it will end our hopes of a top six finish imho.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[The Spaceman]

If we didn’t have a season-long injury crisis, we’d be third at a canter. Look at Hearts - never mind 8 or 9 key players missing, remove Gordon and they are utterly screwed.

It’s Hibs B team in the running for 4th plus good cup runs.

[green day]

It’s Hibs B team in the running for 4th plus good cup runs.

Reasonable statement while some lose their heads.

The league is basically dross this season, that we are still in touch with our injuries is remarkable.

Still boring as F to watch mind.......

[Steve20]

We are poor yet we managed to carve Dundee open time and time again with 10 men. We are so poor in front of goal, shot shy and poor decision making costing us points on a weekly basis.

It's not just in front of goal because most of the time we don't get there. We didn't carve Dundee open time and time again. Most of the time we got to the box and didn't know what to do, so played that same ridiculous cross into the box that never leads to anything.

We have a very poor squad. If you go through it, hardly any are worth keeping for a team that wants a top 3 finish and to win a cup. Some players that people rate are nothing more than solid bottom 6 players.

Huge amount of changes to that team if we want to challenge for top 3 in the next couple of seasons. Not even the return of the injured players change that, because they're not much better.

[Hibernian Verse]

If we didn’t have a season-long injury crisis, we’d be third at a canter. Look at Hearts - never mind 8 or 9 key players missing, remove Gordon and they are utterly screwed.

It’s Hibs B team in the running for 4th plus good cup runs.

Tend to agree with this. We might well finish 4th with the big hitters all missing - time will tell.

[sauzeelegod]

Would love us to start playing a 433.
We are always too empty looking in the middle of the park.
We are so boring to watch it’s unreal. It’s obvious the ball is gonna go wide. We must be so easy to defend against.
Dundee are absolutely woeful.
Totally disillusioned with Hibs and football in general just now.

[Brightside]

It’s weird as some on here said we’d be much better without Niz. We continue to miss a proper no10. And the bottom line is we’ve been pretty poor since Kyle got injured.

[brog]

They’ve got the laddie Forrest who is very direct and looks to drive at defenders every time he gets the ball, in short exactly the type of player we lack. I heard we were interested in the last window but the deal didn’t happen.

I really, really hope it didn’t fall down due to money, especially after the fee we got for Boyle, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that was indeed the case.

Hibs and many other clubs have been watching Forrest since his Ayr days. Only Livi took a chance and even then he's only now becoming a regular starter. He may be a late developer like Boyle or he may be a half season wonder, time will tell.
PS, if we played like Livi this board would be in meltdown. Any team from 4 to 10 could finish in Europe.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

Livingston play to their strengths with a realistic expectation level of the ability of their squad. I am no football expert, but it may be as simple as this.

[Danderhall Hibs]

Great to see the return of some posters that haven’t been round for a few weeks. Welcome back guys.

[Paulie Walnuts]

It’s weird as some on here said we’d be much better without Niz. We continue to miss a proper no10. And the bottom line is we’ve been pretty poor since Kyle got injured.

To be fair we’ve only not had him in one game. I’m not sure there’s enough evidence either way to say whether we’re better or not without him.

[Scotty Leither]

Hibs and many other clubs have been watching Forrest since his Ayr days. Only Livi took a chance and even then he's only now becoming a regular starter. He may be a late developer like Boyle or he may be a half season wonder, time will tell.
PS, if we played like Livi this board would be in meltdown. Any team from 4 to 10 could finish in Europe.

They get the ball forward quickly to a big front man who holds it up and then they’ve got quick players like Forrest and Pitman who pick up the knockdowns and actually get in behind defenders.

That Dundee defence is absolutely awful and did Maloney set up to play through them?

Seems he’s happy with another drab 0-0, and he strikes me as another in a long line of incumbents who thinks he knows better and he’s doing us a favour managing us.

Just give me a team that has a go and scores goals, Maloney. That would at least appease us in the short term.

[matty_f]

They get the ball forward quickly to a big front man who holds it up and then they’ve got quick players like Forrest and Pitman who pick up the knockdowns and actually get in behind defenders.

That Dundee defence is absolutely awful and did Maloney set up to play through them?

Seems he’s happy with another drab 0-0, and he strikes me as another in a long line of incumbents who thinks he knows better and he’s doing us a favour managing us.

Just give me a team that has a go and scores goals, Maloney. That would at least appease us in the short term.

A fully qualified football coach thinking he knows better than Scotty from Leith. Whatever next?

[Scotty Leither]

A fully qualified football coach thinking he knows better than Scotty from Leith. Whatever next?

Hibs.net admin capo in blind defence of Manager/Board/catering (delete as appropriate).

Cor Blimey, whatever next , eh?

[matty_f]

Hibs.net admin capo in blind defence of Manager/Board/catering (delete as appropriate).

Cor Blimey, whatever next , eh?

what on earth are you talking about?

[Paulie Walnuts]

They get the ball forward quickly to a big front man who holds it up and then they’ve got quick players like Forrest and Pitman who pick up the knockdowns and actually get in behind defenders.

That Dundee defence is absolutely awful and did Maloney set up to play through them?

Seems he’s happy with another drab 0-0, and he strikes me as another in a long line of incumbents who thinks he knows better and he’s doing us a favour managing us.

Just give me a team that has a go and scores goals, Maloney. That would at least appease us in the short term.

He’s probably publicly happy enough with it because he struggled to get a team out on the park and then went down to 10 men.

Behind closed doors I’m sure he’ll be slightly disappointed but also realistic enough to know that we’re not good enough to win every game. Avoiding defeat away from home in this league is rarely a disaster. Given our circumstances, it certainly wasn’t yesterday.

[Scotty Leither]

what on earth are you talking about?

Ooh, touched a raw nerve have I?

You’re the one that’s come on with a sly dig on a thread I’ve started about the style of play and lack of goals in the team.

Which maybe begs the question “What on earth are you talking about?”

[matty_f]

Ooh, touched a raw nerve have I?

You’re the one that’s come on with a sly dig on a thread I’ve started about the style of play and lack of goals in the team.

Which maybe begs the question “What on earth are you talking about?”
No nerve touched. You made a statement (or sly dig) about the manager thinking he knows better than the rest of us (presuming you know what he thinks, I guess) and my reply wasn’t a sly dig, it was making the point that that the point was ridiculous. Which, imho, it is.

Then you come out with some bizarre fantasist stuff about capos etc.

[Scotty Leither]

No nerve touched. You made a statement (or sly dig) about the manager thinking he knows better than the rest of us (presuming you know what he thinks, I guess) and my reply wasn’t a sly dig, it was making the point that that the point was ridiculous. Which, imho, it is.

Then you come out with some bizarre fantastic stuff about capos etc.

You took the thread off track with your usual personalisation of my posts, hence my sarky reply.

So feel free to have the last word Matty (if I can just ask you though not to speculate on my personal identity like you did the last time we had a similar exchange) then that would be appreciated.

[brog]

No nerve touched. You made a statement (or sly dig) about the manager thinking he knows better than the rest of us (presuming you know what he thinks, I guess) and my reply wasn’t a sly dig, it was making the point that that the point was ridiculous. Which, imho, it is.

Then you come out with some bizarre fantastic stuff about capos etc.

He also 'heard' we were in for Forrest in last window and suggests it may have fallen through because of money. We weren't and it didn't but let's not miss the opportunity for a gratuitous dig at our club.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

We're in the mix for 4th with other clubs. Considering our injury list and the run of form earlier in the season I think it's pretty impressive

Martindale has been at Livi for years. Built HIS team to play HIS style

I don't think we're regressing, I do think we needed more in January but IMO SM deserves the full support as we target 4th and the Scottish Cup.

Get. Behind. The. Manager. And. Players!!

[matty_f]

You took the thread off track with your usual personalisation of my posts, hence my sarky reply.

So feel free to have the last word Matty (if I can just ask you though not to speculate on my personal identity like you did the last time we had a similar exchange) then that would be appreciated.

You got a sincere apology for that, interesting when you’re talking about digs that you’d bring that up however many years later. Good for you.

[Scotty Leither]

You got a sincere apology for that, interesting when you’re talking about digs that you’d bring that up however many years later. Good for you.

I think you’ll find it was only about 7/8 months ago. Keep “digging” though. Matty. Over and out.

[matty_f]

I think you’ll find it was only about 7/8 months ago. Keep “digging” though. Matty. Over and out.

All these months later, then. :aok:

Edit. A little over a year, signed A.Pedant.

[BILLYHIBS]

I thought at the time Forrest for Boyle would have been a decent shout but hey ho it is what it is we carry on

[matty_f]

I thought at the time Forrest for Boyle would have been a decent shout but hey ho it is what it is we carry on

St Johnstone were in for him and had a bid agreed, but he turned them down.

Hibs never made any moves for him at all.

[BILLYHIBS]

St Johnstone were in for him and had a bid agreed, but he turned them down.

Hibs never made any moves for him at all.
Never said we did

Remember the Saints bid right enough

Just my own meanderings :greengrin

[Danderhall Hibs]

Hibs.net admin capo in blind defence of Manager/Board/catering (delete as appropriate).

Cor Blimey, whatever next , eh?


You're not a fan of folk having a different opinion to you eh?

[superfurryhibby]

You're not a fan of folk having a different opinion to you eh?

Is that an ironic statement or what......

Maybe better to just focus on the football and the question asked.

[Danderhall Hibs]

Is that an ironic statement or what......

Maybe better to just focus on the football and the question asked.

Not intended as ironic.

You're right though if we stick to the question - the answer is injuries to key players and disruption mid-season with a change of manager and style of play.

Close thread?

[matty_f]

Is that an ironic statement or what......

Maybe better to just focus on the football and the question asked.

What was your answer to the question?

FWIW, Livi have scored (i think) four more goals than us so far this season, so we’re not talking about a team that’s light years ahead of us in that regard.

I don’t follow them closely enough to know what their situation is with playing a consistent team or how the goals are spread out, but our weakness in that regard comes from losing our biggest goal threat and not having a striker in any sort of goal scoring form this season, despite both Doidge and Nisbet demonstrating that they’re more than capable of good scoring records at this level.

To compound that, we don’t have goals from any other area of the pitch, which is a massive issue if you’re strikers aren’t doing it.

[superfurryhibby]

Not intended as ironic.

You're right though if we stick to the question - the answer is injuries to key players and disruption mid-season with a change of manager and style of play.

Close thread?

Close thread....there’s the irony for you when it comes to others and having an opinion. ..feel free to disengage, but there’s more to discuss than that.

Injuries have hit us hard all over the team, but Nisbet has been misfiring all season, regardless of manager or style of play and Doidge has had a serious injury and looked a shadow of himself in a pretty disjointed return to the side. Bad luck, loss of form, injury , all factors

The sale of Boyle took away our main goals threat and we didn’t sign a striker who was able to go straight into the team. That for me is major failing and a big factor in terms of why this side can barely score a goal.

Hopefully Melkerson can now start having an impact, but it’s a big ask for a young guy who has really only played second tier football in Norway , to come in and turn the fortunes of a faltering side.

Maybe Maloney can find a way to get more from the players, changing tactics, as our “style of play” isn’t really working. I’ll grant him the games v Dundee Utd and Aberdeen, but since then it has been pretty grim.

Livi have the lowest budget in the League (IIRC) and they are now sitting above us in the table. I think their manager just knows more about managing in the SPFL and has more grasp on how to get results with limited resources, it’s a fundamental and sits alongside the injuries etc.

[Danderhall Hibs]

Close thread....there’s the irony for you when it comes to others and having an opinion. ..feel free to disengage, but there’s more to discuss than that.

Injuries have hit us hard all over the team, but Nisbet has been misfiring all season, regardless of manager or style of play and Doidge has had a serious injury and looked a shadow of himself in a pretty disjointed return to the side. Bad luck, loss of form, injury , all factors

The sale of Boyle took away our main goals threat and we didn’t sign a striker who was able to go straight into the team. That for me is major failing and a big factor in terms of why this side can barely score a goal.

Hopefully Melkerson can now start having an impact, but it’s a big ask for a young guy who has really only played second tier football in Norway , to come in and turn the fortunes of a faltering side.

Maybe Maloney can find a way to get more from the players, changing tactics, as our “style of play” isn’t really working. I’ll grant him the games v Dundee Utd and Aberdeen, but since then it has been pretty grim.

Livi have the lowest budget in the League (IIRC) and they are now sitting above us in the table. I think their manager just knows more about managing in the SPFL and has more grasp on how to get results with limited resources, it’s a fundamental and sits alongside the injuries etc.

They're 1 point ahead and have scored 4 more goals - having just won a match 4-0. Despite us misfiring all season and having a full starting 11 out injured they're on a par with us.

[loanheadhibby]

They're 1 point ahead and have scored 4 more goals - having just won a match 4-0. Despite us misfiring all season and having a full starting 11 out injured they're on a par with us.

Read that back to yourself! Livingston are on a par with Hibernian!

With our resources against theirs, It’s an embarrassment. We as a club are underperforming this season.

[RIP]

They have a magic ingredient that we don’t. A highly intelligent, tactically aware, articulate assistant coach.

[superfurryhibby]

They're 1 point ahead and have scored 4 more goals - having just won a match 4-0. Despite us misfiring all season and having a full starting 11 out injured they're on a par with us.

Yes, we have injuries, but we haven’t had a full team out injured all season.

What did you think about my point that Livi operate very effectively on a very low budget and that they have a manager who is better at getting results in our league?

[Danderhall Hibs]

Read that back to yourself! Livingston are on a par with Hibernian!

With our resources against theirs, It’s an embarrassment. We as a club are underperforming this season.

Yeah that's right. They're outperforming expectations, we're under performing - with the mitigations we seem to be ignoring.

[Danderhall Hibs]

Yes, we have injuries, but we haven’t had a full team out injured all season.

What did you think about my point that Livi operate very effectively on a very low budget and that they have a manager who is better at getting results in our league?

They are this season - can't deny that.

Although they did only over take us last night so not ready to jump on the Martindale IN bus just yet.

[Since452]

Teams like Livingston with tiny budgets play to their strenghts and don't try and do anything fancy. Compact, well organised and hard to beat. I actually think it's an effective principle in the Scottish Premiership over a season and we've seen a few teams be successfull over the years doing it. Hamilton, ICT, St Johnstone etc. I even thought we had that basic principle last season and our better players made the difference in pushing us on to 3rd. I also think thats why we didn't win at least one of the trophies last season as we we came up against the masters of that system in St Johnstone. Most of the time it works but when it doesn't work they end up like St Johnstone this season.

I think the likes of Hibs and Aberdeen will strugle against teams so well organised while going through a transitional period.

[eastmainsmsh]

Forrest and Anderson two players Who would do us a turn

[Brightside]

Read that back to yourself! Livingston are on a par with Hibernian!

With our resources against theirs, It’s an embarrassment. We as a club are underperforming this season.

We have 11 players out. Read that back.

[Brightside]

They have a magic ingredient that we don’t. A highly intelligent, tactically aware, articulate assistant coach.

Is Marv now coach of the year? Fwiw I'd like to have Marv back here as a defensive coach i think he is decent at reading the game and weaknesses of opponents. But lets not over egg him just yet.

[MWHIBBIES]

Is Marv now coach of the year? Fwiw I'd like to have Marv back here as a defensive coach i think he is decent at reading the game and weaknesses of opponents. But lets not over egg him just yet.

We're defending very well.

[Brightside]

Teams like Livingston with tiny budgets play to their strenghts and don't try and do anything fancy. Compact, well organised and hard to beat. I actually think it's an effective principle in the Scottish Premiership over a season and we've seen a few teams be successfull over the years doing it. Hamilton, ICT, St Johnstone etc. I even thought we had that basic principle last season and our better players made the difference in pushing us on to 3rd. I also think thats why we didn't win at least one of the trophies last season as we we came up against the masters of that system in St Johnstone. Most of the time it works but when it doesn't work they end up like St Johnstone this season.

I think the likes of Hibs and Aberdeen will strugle against teams so well organised while going through a transitional period.

We had the same when StJ were playing well. "Why cant we be more like StJ" If we played like Livi and StJ this board would be full of complaints about how **** and one dimensional the football is.

[Brightside]

We're defending very well.

We are. I didnt say we werent.

[flash]

They have a magic ingredient that we don’t. A highly intelligent, tactically aware, articulate assistant coach.

Seems to me our assistant manager is presumably heavily involved in our recent excellent defensive performances.

[loanheadhibby]

We have 11 players out. Read that back.

Livi can only dream of our playing budget. Regardless of having 11 players out (which has only been the case since February) we should be better than Livi/Ross County/St Mirren.

Our Manager and players are currently under performing with some mitigation, but under performing all the same.

[Golden Bear]

Livi can only dream of our playing budget. Regardless of having 11 players out (which has only been the case since February) we should be better than Livi/Ross County/St Mirren.

Our Manager and players are currently under performing with some mitigation, but under performing all the same.

That's actually quite a positive post from your good self!

😁

[Callum_62]

If we had Martindale in charge he would have been hounded out early in the season after a bad start

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[bigwheel]

Livi can only dream of our playing budget. Regardless of having 11 players out (which has only been the case since February) we should be better than Livi/Ross County/St Mirren.

Our Manager and players are currently under performing with some mitigation, but under performing all the same.

I’m not sure that’s fair. Since Maloney arrived we have been hammered with major players Unavailable. Whilst is has reached a ridiculous level currently, he’s struggled to get to use many of his January acquisitions, and has had key players out for most of his time here . Not sure you can call four games without defeat, struggling to score, yet rarely conceded goals as under performance. It’s probably a reasonable expectation due the lack of players available .

[loanheadhibby]

That's actually quite a positive post from your good self!

😁

Thank you young man! Always try to look on the bright side of life (altho I am known as the Rev I M Jolly to my friends).

I just find it so frustrating that fans are happy to watch and defend the mediocrity that is on offer. I'm all for supporting the team but lets call a spade a spade. We are honking to watch and have been for a few years.

[Danderhall Hibs]

Thank you young man! Always try to look on the bright side of life (altho I am known as the Rev I M Jolly to my friends).

I just find it so frustrating that fans are happy to watch and defend the mediocrity that is on offer. I'm all for supporting the team but lets call a spade a spade. We are honking to watch and have been for a few years.

Although ironically we were the division's 3rd top scorers last season when we finished 3rd. Even better than what Martindale's doing this season.

[loanheadhibby]

Although ironically we were the division's 3rd top scorers last season when we finished 3rd. Even better than what Martindale's doing this season.

Yes it was great finishing 3rd last season although the games I watched, it was not that attractive on the eye. A few dull ground out wins along the way.

I think my point is, we should never be comparing ourselves with Livi or David Martindale. Our budget is far bigger than theirs. We should easily finish above them every season.

[Gordy M]

Yes it was great finishing 3rd last season although the games I watched, it was not that attractive on the eye. A few dull ground out wins along the way.

I think my point is, we should never be comparing ourselves with Livi or David Martindale. Our budget is far bigger than theirs. We should easily finish above them every season.
Thing is with that is that, is that we should really finish below Aberdeen and Hearts then? Its not a simple as a that though. Fwiw i think we will finish above Livi this season.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Yes it was great finishing 3rd last season although the games I watched, it was not that attractive on the eye. A few dull ground out wins along the way.

I think my point is, we should never be comparing ourselves with Livi or David Martindale. Our budget is far bigger than theirs. We should easily finish above them every season.

In that case we should easily be finishing 5th each season and rangers and Celtic should easily win every trophy available.

Thankfully football isn’t played on balance sheets. Even if it was, we’re actually sitting exactly where we should be.

You could maybe focus on the positives that a few days ago we drew with a team who we should never be able to compete with and we’re currently 5 places above another team that we should never be able to finish above.

[LunasBoots]

Because we are missing key components to our team/squad forward thinking central midfielder, a proven goal scoring striker and replacing Boyle, and players to play the style Maloney wants us to play.

[Hibernian Verse]

Thing is with that is that, is that we should really finish below Aberdeen and Hearts then? Its not a simple as a that though. Fwiw i think we will finish above Livi this season.

Yep, we are actually bang in line with our budget in 5th.

[where'stheslope]

I’m not sure that’s fair. Since Maloney arrived we have been hammered with major players Unavailable. Whilst is has reached a ridiculous level currently, he’s struggled to get to use many of his January acquisitions, and has had key players out for most of his time here . Not sure you can call four games without defeat, struggling to score, yet rarely conceded goals as under performance. It’s probably a reasonable expectation due the lack of players available .
This scenario only works if other teams don't get injuries?
All teams lose players to injuries, its the back up squad that covers for this.
Looking at our 11 last night, we have adequate cover for a full team, they are just not scoring!
The main reason for that is the £3 million we have sitting in the bank?
As soon as he was sold we should have had a replacement lined up, but we have sat on the money which I hope won't disappear!

[brog]

This scenario only works if other teams don't get injuries?
All teams lose players to injuries, its the back up squad that covers for this.
Looking at our 11 last night, we have adequate cover for a full team, they are just not scoring!
The main reason for that is the £3 million we have sitting in the bank?
As soon as he was sold we should have had a replacement lined up, but we have sat on the money which I hope won't disappear!

You don't think that the 8 or so players we brought in, in the same month Boyle departed, count?

[Paulie Walnuts]

You don't think that the 8 or so players we brought in, in the same month Boyle departed, count?

It definitely counts but I’d agree that losing Boyle is the main reason.

With this exact squad and all the players out but Boyle added back in I’d fancy our chances with Boyle more than all the missing players out together.

[Alfred E Newman]

Thank you young man! Always try to look on the bright side of life (altho I am known as the Rev I M Jolly to my friends).

I just find it so frustrating that fans are happy to watch and defend the mediocrity that is on offer. I'm all for supporting the team but lets call a spade a spade. We are honking to watch and have been for a few years.

Football at the top level is honking, full stop .
We are not the only team trying to play the possession game, just watch any English Premier game though granted, they are better at it than we are.
I was fortunate to grow up watching football that was more direct, when the wingers took on the full backs and whipped the ball over while the defenders were still tracking back. Just watch any of the 1970s highlights on YouTube. Maybe not always technically brilliant but it was entertaining
Now its a slow, methodical , out to the wide player who passes it back and it's moved over to the other wing and back again while the whole of the opposing team is camped in their box.
It's dreadful to watch.

[brog]

It definitely counts but I’d agree that losing Boyle is the main reason.

With this exact squad and all the players out but Boyle added back in I’d fancy our chances with Boyle more than all the missing players out together.

I really meant that having brought in so many players about same time as Boyle departed, we're unlikely to be sitting on £3m regardless of what Club may say.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I really meant that having brought in so many players about same time as Boyle departed, we're unlikely to be sitting on £3m regardless of what Club may say.

Ah apologies :aok:

[H18 SFR]

They’ve got the laddie Forrest who is very direct and looks to drive at defenders every time he gets the ball, in short exactly the type of player we lack. I heard we were interested in the last window but the deal didn’t happen.

I really, really hope it didn’t fall down due to money, especially after the fee we got for Boyle, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that was indeed the case.

I work with Forrest’s best mate, closest pal bar none. We’ve not been interested since 2017. That doesn’t rule out future interest of course.

Alan Forrest wants to move to England at the end of his contract. He has firm interest from two league two clubs as well as st Johnstone and Dundee.

[Hibiza]

A first choice strike force of Nisbet and Doidge speaks for itself.

[Danderhall Hibs]

A first choice strike force of Nisbet and Doidge speaks for itself.

30 goals between them last season?

[brog]

Ah apologies :aok:

Not at all, you made a good point.

[cannastar]

as i posted on here before i thought martindale and marv may have been under consideration for us when jack went and thought aberdeen may have looked toward them but understand why they went with goodwin. time will tell whether the right choice has been made for them. i genuinely think what they have done at livingston is remarkable a bit john lambie/jim leishman type.

[where'stheslope]

You don't think that the 8 or so players we brought in, in the same month Boyle departed, count?
How many of them were direct replacements?
We needed a ready to go strikers, not ones for the future!

[Danderhall Hibs]

With all this firepower they have it took an OG to take them above us (by 1 point) on Wednesday night.

[silverhibee]

as i posted on here before i thought martindale and marv may have been under consideration for us when jack went and thought aberdeen may have looked toward them but understand why they went with goodwin. time will tell whether the right choice has been made for them. i genuinely think what they have done at livingston is remarkable a bit john lambie/jim leishman type.

Just my thoughts, but I don’t think Martindale will get another job if he leaves Livingston.

[silverhibee]

Is this stat correct, celtc haven’t won at Livingston for 15 years, :shocked: think there last win was a cup game as well where Deek’s scored one of the best goals of his career.

[cabbageandribs1875]

Is this stat correct, celtc haven’t won at Livingston for 15 years, :shocked: think there last win was a cup game as well where Deek’s scored one of the best goals of his career.


Livingston were not in the top flight for 13 of those years

[wookie70]

Football at the top level is honking, full stop .
We are not the only team trying to play the possession game, just watch any English Premier game though granted, they are better at it than we are.
I was fortunate to grow up watching football that was more direct, when the wingers took on the full backs and whipped the ball over while the defenders were still tracking back. Just watch any of the 1970s highlights on YouTube. Maybe not always technically brilliant but it was entertaining
Now its a slow, methodical , out to the wide player who passes it back and it's moved over to the other wing and back again while the whole of the opposing team is camped in their box.
It's dreadful to watch.

That is my view too. I can't say I enjoyed Ross's tenure in terms of entertainment but when SM joined I have lost a bit of my enthusiasm for Hibs. The style of fitba he wants to play bores me rigid so even if he makes it a success I doubt I'll enjoy watching us. When everyone was raving about Barcelona a few years back and the wonderful possession football they played I stopped watching the champions league and now that lots of teams do it in the Premiership I have stopped watching that. I'm sure younger fans might like it but passing the ball about the back four and having as many reverse gears as forward ones is as much ant football to me as Hearts in full team foul mode. I want fast forward thinking football, lots of shots and crosses into the box when our players are actually standing in the area. Score more goals than the other team. Bertie Auld would be loving the 0-0 count lately but even his teams threatened the goal more than we have recently.

[silverhibee]

Livingston were not in the top flight for 13 of those years

That explains it then. :greengrin