The "I Was Wrong" thread, a chance to add your own

[Northernhibee]

Nobody likes admitting it, but a thread for those who have been critical of the club to atone and change your mind on where you think the club is heading!

Quite happy to admit that I think I was wrong on my initial impressions of Lee Johnson when his name came up. Thought he was someone who had failed down south and wanted up here thinking it was a bit of a pub league and was put off by comments from Sunderland fans about him. Think he's a positive, energetic manager who for the first time in a while has come in with chat about attacking football but actually is able to show evidence to back up that he is capable of getting the team playing in such a fashion. Think that we could have quite an exciting season ahead of us.

Also it's early days but I thought for a while that the recruitment team headed up by Iain Gordon didn't have a ****ing scooby. Still think that the winter window was an absolute shambles and didn't address the glaring problems in the team but I think there are green shoots that we may have a good squad and an interesting strategy on our hands. If the "option to buy" clauses are watertight for the likes of Youan and Boujang then they're as good as a risk free 'try before you buy' and streets ahead of some of the signings we had in the winter window on paper. We're probably in need of two or three players to really complete the squad IMO - a CB, a winger and another striker, but if we get first team quality players then we're in a really good place. If we can get some of our youngsters like Brydon, Laidlaw and more coming through as well then I'll be even happier but we seem to be really doing things a bit differently and there's a chance in Miller, Tavares, Youan etc. that we might have gotten ourselves some players who can light up the stands as well as perform on the pitch.

Also think that Bushiri might just have a role to play. Thought he was dreadful for a lot of last season but if he can keep it simple and learn how to use his physical attributes to the maximum then he may have a role here.

I think all in all, it's fair to say that top to bottom at the club it's time for a clean slate. Last season was horrendous and I've never felt as unenthused or negative about Hibernian but even from two pre season friendlies, it's only fair to let this new squad and management team to implement their ideas, make mistakes, make some more mistakes but also to grow and bond.

I'd also be keen to see if others are feeling the same as it's fair to say that there's a very different atmosphere around the board in this last fortnight than for most of last season.

[HIBS NUTS]

The 2 pre season games have been enjoyable, and i didn’t think that many times last season.

[Since452]

Very early days but I like Johnson and his thoughts on the game. I can fully understand why the board were so impressed by him. Feel a bit guilty about initially wanting the "big name". Unlike Maloney he has a track record to back the talk up. Very excited about this season.

[Mcbizz1998]

Good post. I didn’t want LJ but I was prepared to give him a chance. So far, so good. We seem to be addressing the massive issues we had last season and trying to play good football.

He also seems a very likeable guy and I feel like he might connect with the club and fans like Stubbs/Lennon were able to do in recent times.

Only 2 games in pre-season but the signs are good. Really looking forward to the Clyde game and seeing these boys in person.

[neil7908]

Nobody likes admitting it, but a thread for those who have been critical of the club to atone and change your mind on where you think the club is heading!

Quite happy to admit that I think I was wrong on my initial impressions of Lee Johnson when his name came up. Thought he was someone who had failed down south and wanted up here thinking it was a bit of a pub league and was put off by comments from Sunderland fans about him. Think he's a positive, energetic manager who for the first time in a while has come in with chat about attacking football but actually is able to show evidence to back up that he is capable of getting the team playing in such a fashion. Think that we could have quite an exciting season ahead of us.

Also it's early days but I thought for a while that the recruitment team headed up by Iain Gordon didn't have a ****ing scooby. Still think that the winter window was an absolute shambles and didn't address the glaring problems in the team but I think there are green shoots that we may have a good squad and an interesting strategy on our hands. If the "option to buy" clauses are watertight for the likes of Youan and Boujang then they're as good as a risk free 'try before you buy' and streets ahead of some of the signings we had in the winter window on paper. We're probably in need of two or three players to really complete the squad IMO - a CB, a winger and another striker, but if we get first team quality players then we're in a really good place. If we can get some of our youngsters like Brydon, Laidlaw and more coming through as well then I'll be even happier but we seem to be really doing things a bit differently and there's a chance in Miller, Tavares, Youan etc. that we might have gotten ourselves some players who can light up the stands as well as perform on the pitch.

Also think that Bushiri might just have a role to play. Thought he was dreadful for a lot of last season but if he can keep it simple and learn how to use his physical attributes to the maximum then he may have a role here.

I think all in all, it's fair to say that top to bottom at the club it's time for a clean slate. Last season was horrendous and I've never felt as unenthused or negative about Hibernian but even from two pre season friendlies, it's only fair to let this new squad and management team to implement their ideas, make mistakes, make some more mistakes but also to grow and bond.

I'd also be keen to see if others are feeling the same as it's fair to say that there's a very different atmosphere around the board in this last fortnight than for most of last season.

I think its very, very early to be making any judgements on the manager or recruitment.

We've played two early pre season friendlies. We've looked good and I like the buzz around the place but I'll be reserving judgment until at least early 2023.

[stoneyburn hibs]

Good post.
Hopefully not but I think this thread will disintegrate fast.

[B.H.F.C]

I think its very, very early to be making any judgements on the manager or recruitment.

We've played two early pre season friendlies. We've looked good and I like the buzz around the place but I'll be reserving judgment until at least early 2023.

Agree. Some positive signs from plenty players and we’re definitely going to try and play in a much more positive way.

Think we can be optimistic but far too early to know whether we’ve done good business or not. I remember thinking James Scott looked good on his debut up at Dundee last season and being well impressed with Maloney’s first two games.

[Hillsidehibby]

I don't think anyone would be wrong to think last season wasn't a **** show. Definite signs of turning it around though.

[MWHIBBIES]

Thank **** we didn't get Roy Keane

[Mike Berry]

Thank **** we didn't get Roy KeaneWould've been an absolute car crash right enough but you must admit it wouldn't have been boring.

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[Northernhibee]

Would've been an absolute car crash right enough but you must admit it wouldn't have been boring.

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I think when we were playing ***** football and losing most games his antics and ranting would have gotten very boring very quickly.

[Sir David Gray]

I personally don't take much notice of pre-season friendlies either way so it's hard for me to comment on whether I was wrong or not. Although having said that it's clearly nice to see us winning both games in Portugal and apparently playing well too (I say apparently as I didn't see either game as I was working).

For me the hard work starts a week tomorrow and that's when I'll judge the team from. Qualifying from the group with 12 points is a must and then hopefully we can start the league season well too.

I still think we're short of a few players but we'll see.

[Mike Berry]

I personally don't take much notice of pre-season friendlies either way so it's hard for me to comment on whether I was wrong or not. Although having said that it's clearly nice to see us winning both games in Portugal and apparently playing well too (I say apparently as I didn't see either game as I was working).

For me the hard work starts a week tomorrow and that's when I'll judge the team from. Qualifying from the group with 12 points is a must and then hopefully we can start the league season well too.

I still think we're short of a few players but we'll see.I'd like to see another striker in.

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[Gordy M]

Yes its very early and we have to wait and see, but then again it wasnt too early for some posters to have a very negative opinion before the new manager and new players started??

[Eyrie]

Bushiri.

I was disappointed that we made such a mess of his loan deal that we were committed to buying someone who clearly wasn't good enough and then compounded the error with the negative tone of the announcement that he'd been signed permanently.

However someone pointed out in another thread that it was unfair to judge anyone on how they played under Maloney, so I'm going to stock my neck out and say that, by the end of this season, I'll be happy to admit I was wrong and will be pleased that we did sign him.

[Pretty Boy]

Yes its very early and we have to wait and see, but then again it wasnt too early for some posters to have a very negative opinion before the new manager and new players started??

I don't really have any issue with people jumping to conclusions, either way, as long as they are willing to shift their position when the evidence necessitates it. I always say football is emotive and irrational and people dive in in a way they may not in other areas of their lives.

I think it's still way too early to say anyone was right or wrong about Johnson, recruitment or whatever else. The early signs are promising but it is ultimately 2 pre season friendlies. If Hearts fans were getting excited off the back of similar we'd be everything from talking it down to pissing ourselves laughing.

In saying that if the current good signs of progress continue into the LC games and the 1st round of League fixtures then all the summer critics should be big enough to admit their error and accept they reached the wrong early conclusions. We have all done it at one time or another, I was convinced Butcher was going to be great, it was the Ross Caldwell episode at Dingwall before I would even consider changing my mind. Likewise I thought Mowbray was going to be a total flop. It happens.

[MWHIBBIES]

Would've been an absolute car crash right enough but you must admit it wouldn't have been boring.

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Getting beat with a crap manager is boring.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

I don't think anyone would be wrong to think last season wasn't a **** show.

I think they would be. 😉

[IberianHibernian]

So people keep saying the winter window was a "shambles " etc but it turns out that Bushiri, the 2 Norwegians and Delferriere are in fact good players just as most were disappointed to see Clarke leave and most rate Mitchell . Jasper showed enough to see why we signed him at least . So in fact good players were signed in winter , problem was that some were signed for devt team and injury crisis forced them to be played too soon . Mueller the disappointment perhaps . Far too soon to know how strong / weak squad is but good to read positive comments for a change .With just normal injuries we would have finished a comfortable 4th and maybe made SC final last season . We`d be preparing for Europe with some of the same new signings we got this summer - Marshall , McGeady ,...with old manager enjoying benefits of full pre season and new signings .
As a general point good when someone recognises their opinion was mistaken or rushed .

[Jones28]

Happy to admit I was underwhelmed by LJ but as soon as his first interview “dropped” (I believe that’s what the kids call it) I was happy to give him every chance I’ve given any manager.

[GreenGray]

To be fair I don’t think many people thought LJ was a bad appointment (maybe a small minority) most just felt he was the underwhelming option compared to JDH. The more you read about LJ the more it felt like the right appointment. Looks like we’re on the right track and hopefully it stays that way.

Would love ST numbers to get boosted after a strong pre season and people get behind the team.


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[blackpoolhibs]

I dont get excited whoever we appoint as manager, it's how they do that excites me these days.

I think it's too early to judge how things are going, we need to start the campaign before i will start judging this new side and those in charge, although first signs are encouraging. :agree:

[Alex Trager]

I don’t want to piss on anyone’s parade here but I think it is perhaps best to reflect on what may have been wrongly decided once we have seen the team in sustained competitive action.

There is an enjoyable buzz around the club at the moment which is lightyears away from where we were just 1-1.5 months ago, and that’s great. I feel it too.

I think we should finish top of our league cup group, and having seen the team in action, I am expecting 12 points.

If we can get 12 points and take that form into the SJ game we will be looking good.

We had a good start to the league season last season and it fell apart pretty quickly, so I am cautious of heaping praise onto the team and staff after two pre season games (as always really).

I would like to think that people can take time to come to a reasoned opinion if we hit a bad run of form, but the fact that people are so keen to praise after two friendlies makes me think they would flip if we have a few bad ones.

Maybe (hopefully) I’ve read the room wrong and people are just genuinely excited about hibs again, but I do think it’s too early to be saying the manager, players and staff were all correct.

Hopefully I can come back to this post in a year’s time and say with complete confidence and evidence that the posters were correct

[Northernhibee]

I don’t want to piss on anyone’s parade here but I think it is perhaps best to reflect on what may have been wrongly decided once we have seen the team in sustained competitive action.

There is an enjoyable buzz around the club at the moment which is lightyears away from where we were just 1-1.5 months ago, and that’s great. I feel it too.

I think we should finish top of our league cup group, and having seen the team in action, I am expecting 12 points.

If we can get 12 points and take that form into the SJ game we will be looking good.

We had a good start to the league season last season and it fell apart pretty quickly, so I am cautious of heaping praise onto the team and staff after two pre season games (as always really).

I would like to think that people can take time to come to a reasoned opinion if we hit a bad run of form, but the fact that people are so keen to praise after two friendlies makes me think they would flip if we have a few bad ones.

Maybe (hopefully) I’ve read the room wrong and people are just genuinely excited about hibs again, but I do think it’s too early to be saying the manager, players and staff were all correct.

Hopefully I can come back to this post in a year’s time and say with complete confidence and evidence that the posters were correct


I'll tell you what I think it is - I enjoyed watching Hibs today. It's left me wanting to see the next game.

For the first time in nearly a year, it's fun following Hibs. I've really missed that feeling, a lot.

[Since452]

The derby will be a huge game for him. Win it and he'll have pretty much the whole support on board and it could be a springboard to a very positive season. Important to remember that this is the start of the journey though and there will be bumps along the road. Especially with such a young squad. One thing is certain, it won't be boring. Adam Owen seems a top notch coach too. Very excited.

[Forza Fred]

I’m always excited about watching Hibs and am never wrong😂

But, praise is indeed due to the club for showing both friendlies live to whomever wanted to watch them around the globe.

[Since452]

I’m always excited about watching Hibs and am never wrong😂

But, praise is indeed due to the club for showing both friendlies live to whomever wanted to watch them around the globe.

A lot of praise from Burton and Hartlepool fans for that. Both also reckon we're a right good side.

[OldEast]

I thought Hecky then Maloney would take Hibs to another level. I was nearly right if you count relegation as another level 😟

[Paulie Walnuts]

Far too early to say.

Whilst the pre season games were enjoyable, Hartlepool were absolutely terrible and looked like they were about League One/bottom end Championship standard up here.

Button, whilst a good bit better, still weren’t a great side.

They’re also only pre season friendlies. We’ll get a better idea over the League Cup games and then the proof will really be in the pudding when the league starts.

[theonlywayisup]

It's far too early off course, but the signs are very encouraging.

This time last year, I felt that we needed to sign more depth to the squad to cover for when players were injured or lost form, but we didn't. That I felt was the reason we played so poorly. This year, I feel we need to sign the leaders in the team, when "two nil down at Tynie" the players who are going to man up and get us on the front foot.

I knew very little about LJ, but I've been impressed with the way the team has played in the two friendlies. There is much more of an attractive style of play compared to SM's team. That said, I felt JR tried the pressing game early in last season, but that didn't last long maybe because of the injuries that I mentioned earlier.

I have also been encouraged by the way certain players have clearly improved since last season - Melkerson, Campbell, Rocky etc. Still early days, but I'm impressed. Also, those coming in are obviously an upgrade on the players that have left such as Wright, Scott, Jasper, McGinn.

However, my major concern is what happens if we're two nil down at Easter Road, which will happen at some point. Do we have the leaders in the team to turn us around. Maybe a bizarre way to think about it, but who are the leaders in our team?

[Libby Hibby]

It's far too early off course, but the signs are very encouraging.

This time last year, I felt that we needed to sign more depth to the squad to cover for when players were injured or lost form, but we didn't. That I felt was the reason we played so poorly. This year, I feel we need to sign the leaders in the team, when "two nil down at Tynie" the players who are going to man up and get us on the front foot.

I knew very little about LJ, but I've been impressed with the way the team has played in the two friendlies. There is much more of an attractive style of play compared to SM's team. That said, I felt JR tried the pressing game early in last season, but that didn't last long maybe because of the injuries that I mentioned earlier.

I have also been encouraged by the way certain players have clearly improved since last season - Melkerson, Campbell, Rocky etc. Still early days, but I'm impressed. Also, those coming in are obviously an upgrade on the players that have left such as Wright, Scott, Jasper, McGinn.

However, my major concern is what happens if we're two nil down at Easter Road, which will happen at some point. Do we have the leaders in the team to turn us around. Maybe a bizarre way to think about it, but who are the leaders in our team?

Porteous, Kenneh Marshall, McGeady and possibly Newell (when playing like the evening Derby last season) will all lead by example but I do agree with you, a Shinnie / Bartley type would really be beneficial to the side we are trying to build.

[LeithMike]

Judging after 2 pre-season games? Should we be doing that if we had had two shocking pre-season games? What would we make of Jim Duffy after his start to the league after 3 proper games in 97/98?

I'm certainly one who has been sceptical of the recruitment (based on what has gone before) and it will be great if I am wrong and I can really enjoy games at ER. I always think that teams can play well in the late summer months then collapse a bit over autumn as pitches deteriorate. Let's just see what happens before rushing to any judgement.

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[bigwheel]

Judging after 2 pre-season games? Should we be doing that if we had had two shocking pre-season games? What would we make of Jim Duffy after his start to the league after 3 proper games in 97/98?

I'm certainly one who has been sceptical of the recruitment (based on what has gone before) and it will be great if I am wrong and I can really enjoy games at ER. I always think that teams can play well in the late summer months then collapse a bit over autumn as pitches deteriorate. Let's just see what happens before rushing to any judgement.

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Posters are just enjoying some positive signs after a difficult period….it’s good that people have some hope back…


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[Heisenberg]

Glad to see some positivity back amongst the fans. Hopefully keep building on it in the league cup games.

[Libby Hibby]

Judging after 2 pre-season games? Should we be doing that if we had had two shocking pre-season games? What would we make of Jim Duffy after his start to the league after 3 proper games in 97/98?

I'm certainly one who has been sceptical of the recruitment (based on what has gone before) and it will be great if I am wrong and I can really enjoy games at ER. I always think that teams can play well in the late summer months then collapse a bit over autumn as pitches deteriorate. Let's just see what happens before rushing to any judgement.

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Hopefully we’ll see you again on this thread soon enough saying you were wrong.

One swallow does not make a summer however the signs are there to see on the style of football LJ is trying to achieve. It is night and day to the previous incumbent.

[degenerated]

Judging after 2 pre-season games? Should we be doing that if we had had two shocking pre-season games? What would we make of Jim Duffy after his start to the league after 3 proper games in 97/98?

I'm certainly one who has been sceptical of the recruitment (based on what has gone before) and it will be great if I am wrong and I can really enjoy games at ER. I always think that teams can play well in the late summer months then collapse a bit over autumn as pitches deteriorate. Let's just see what happens before rushing to any judgement.

Sent from my SM-N960F using TapatalkThis place would be in absolute meltdown if we had lost those 2 games.

[Keith_M]

Am I picking this up wrong or has this thread been inspired by the fact we've won two very early pre-season friendlies against lower league English teams?

I'm actually of the opinion that our new Manager seems a decent appointment, so I'm not even one of the target audience that needs to be won over, but even I think this is all a bit premature.

[Libby Hibby]

This place would be in absolute meltdown if we had lost those 2 games.

Correct and the fact we have won them with a bit of style and swagger is enough to see what at least LJ is trying to do.

This years recruitment looks good too. A couple more of important signings and this season will surely not be as depressing as last season.

[Nicho87]

I’ve always said i and think most hibs fans accept we will always lose a game or three but for me it’s the manner of the defeat.

If they give they’re all and just can’t score on the day - it happens

It’s the losses when the heads go down and the towel is chucked that makes me think unforgivable that happened under Ross at the end and maloney.

If LJ has the trust of the players and fans I think it will be potentially a fun season.

[70KevinHFC62]

I’ve always said i and think most hibs fans accept we will always lose a game or three but for me it’s the manner of the defeat.

If they give they’re all and just can’t score on the day - it happens

It’s the losses when the heads go down and the towel is chucked that makes me think unforgivable that happened under Ross at the end and maloney.

If LJ has the trust of the players and fans I think it will be potentially a fun season.

This for me, I honestly didn’t really mind who came in as manager, but from the 2 games we have seen there is an intensity to the way we want to play which will lead to winning the ball higher up the park and should in theory create more chances

[LaMotta]

Thank **** we didn't get Roy Keane


I think when we were playing ***** football and losing most games his antics and ranting would have gotten very boring very quickly.


Getting beat with a crap manager is boring.

That could still be the case with LJ and might not have been the case with Keane.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I’ve always said i and think most hibs fans accept we will always lose a game or three but for me it’s the manner of the defeat.

If they give they’re all and just can’t score on the day - it happens

It’s the losses when the heads go down and the towel is chucked that makes me think unforgivable that happened under Ross at the end and maloney.

If LJ has the trust of the players and fans I think it will be potentially a fun season.

:agree:

[jacomo]

I didn’t want Scott Allan to return for a 2nd stint at the club. I was very wrong about that.

Interesting thread. Hilarious how few posters answer the question, and just use it as another opportunity to declare how right they are about everything.

:faf:

[WhileTheChief..]

That could still be the case with LJ and might not have been the case with Keane.

:top marks

The only people to bring up Keane in the last 2 months are folk who didn't want him. Everyone else has moved on and is fully behind LJ.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

I’ve always said i and think most hibs fans accept we will always lose a game or three but for me it’s the manner of the defeat.

If they give they’re all and just can’t score on the day - it happens

It’s the losses when the heads go down and the towel is chucked that makes me think unforgivable that happened under Ross at the end and maloney.

If LJ has the trust of the players and fans I think it will be potentially a fun season.

Sums it up nicely.

[Northernhibee]

That could still be the case with LJ and might not have been the case with Keane.

No way of proving otherwise, but it's absolutely how it would have turned out under Keane.

[MWHIBBIES]

I didn’t want Scott Allan to return for a 2nd stint at the club. I was very wrong about that.

Interesting thread. Hilarious how few posters answer the question, and just use it as another opportunity to declare how right they are about everything.

:faf:

I thought Stevie Mallan would be excellent, was really excited by his signing

[Northernhibee]

I’ve always said i and think most hibs fans accept we will always lose a game or three but for me it’s the manner of the defeat.

If they give they’re all and just can’t score on the day - it happens

It’s the losses when the heads go down and the towel is chucked that makes me think unforgivable that happened under Ross at the end and maloney.

If LJ has the trust of the players and fans I think it will be potentially a fun season.

On a personal level I liked Jack Ross but think at the end it was time for him to go.

What I hated about Shaun Maloney is it always felt he was playing at being a manager. From the change of sign on his office door from first team coach or head coach to just 'manager', talking about how much fun he was having as manager, signing that fitness coach because he was "fascinated" by him, hiring an ex journo to his team, Caldwell, the bizarre January window, playing players out of position all the time and not to their strengths, insisting on sticking with tactics that simply do not work in this league, saying how he's super happy about elements of performances directly after offering the fans some absolutely wretched 'football' where we could be seen as lucky if we got to witness a shot on goal and the stories that have come out since about PAs and the like. I got the feeling or impression that he thought he was bigger than the job and was doing us a favour by being here and whether or not that was the case, that was the general feeling I got about his stint as manager. Being honest, I wanted him punted by the time February came along. I'm disappointed it took so long for others to see it as those of us who seen that the Emperor had no clothes on got a fair bit of stick but I think most people seen it in the end.

I almost think it's the other way around with Lee Johnson. I think he's excited to be here. I really like that he attended two games in the stands before signing up. I like how engaged he's been with fans. I like how enthusiastic he is. I like that he wants us to play entertaining football and I like how in the evidence we've had so far he understands what that means. I like how he's house hunting up here. I think it looks like he's seeking the players - and fans - to buy into his ideas and to work with them. I like his signings. I think he'll look to get the best out of the players that we have here and I'm encouraged to see Newell, JDH, Campbell all looking like more the players we know they can be in the two games so far.

It really is early doors to make a proper judgment on LJ and the club but I'm already willing to admit that I may well have been wrong and that comes from the fact that things feel different from last season already. That's what I wanted to feel from this team this season - I said on the "what is a successful season" thread that it's a more emotional answer this year than logical or statistical - if we finish 6th for example but play exciting, entertaining football and I look forward to heading to the next game then that's a massive improvement for me (although the following season I'd want much better than 6th).

[BoomtownHibees]

I thought Stevie Mallan would be excellent, was really excited by his signing

This is a collectors item

[Gmack7]

All those years ago I thought we were wrong to spend what we did on Andy Goram, couldn't have been more wrong

[The Modfather]

I thought Boyle was too raw and ultimately too limited. Couldn’t foresee just how much he would develop and work on his final ball to the level he is today.

[LaMotta]

No way of proving otherwise, but it's absolutely how it would have turned out under Keane.

That's just like me saying Keane would have absolutely been a huge success.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

When we went to Maribor and left Stokes & Riordan on the bench I thought we had a great chance... 😉

[Highwayman]

Always remember a guy sitting in front of me after Simon Murray had scored goals against lower league teams in the Betfred Cup Group Stages and getting the winning goal against the Jambos in the first derby of the 2017 - 2018 season saying “see that Simon Murray,always thought he was a great signing”.

Wonder if he thought the same when Lenny shipped Murray out in the next transfer window.

[LaMotta]

I thought Stevie Mallan would be excellent, was really excited by his signing

What's even more wrong than that is your assertion that Mallen was a passenger in a Hibs jersey.

[LaMotta]

Always remember a guy sitting in front of me after Simon Murray had scored goals against lower league teams in the Betfred Cup Group Stages and getting the winning goal against the Jambos in the first derby of the 2017 - 2018 season saying “see that Simon Murray,always thought he was a great signing”.

Wonder if he thought the same when Lenny shipped Murray out in the next transfer window.

Murray was still a pretty good signing to be fair!

[LaMotta]

My worst one was thinking Kenny Miller would never be good enough for us.:wtf:

[MWHIBBIES]

What's even more wrong than that is your assertion that Mallen was a passenger in a Hibs jersey.

Sadly not, I absolutely nailed that. Off to mid table league 2 Salford now, Hibs was as good as it will ever get for him. Looked great on youtube and started well, but was hopeless otherwise.

[Brightside]

Sadly not, I absolutely nailed that. Off to mid table league 2 Salford now, Hibs was as good as it will ever get for him. Looked great on youtube and started well, but was hopeless otherwise.

He wasn’t hopeless. Again I don’t understand why people have to use such extreme langue when describing players.

[MWHIBBIES]

He wasn’t hopeless. Again I don’t understand why people have to use such extreme langue when describing players.

Sorry, you are actually correct. He wasn't hopeless. Still offered a bit of a goal threat and turned up vs the poor sides of the league. But wasn't very good, lets say that. Certainly done nothing since to prove me wrong.

[bigwheel]

Sadly not, I absolutely nailed that. Off to mid table league 2 Salford now, Hibs was as good as it will ever get for him. Looked great on youtube and started well, but was hopeless otherwise.

Hopeless is such an lazy exaggeration..was he hopeless when he fed in Horgan for the second at Tynie ? we didn’t have the players to allow a luxury like Mallan play in the first 11 - as a result he was asked to do a shift that was not to his strengths …

[LaMotta]

Sadly not, I absolutely nailed that. Off to mid table league 2 Salford now, Hibs was as good as it will ever get for him. Looked great on youtube and started well, but was hopeless otherwise.

:hilarious

[superfurryhibby]

Way, way too early to have removed all doubt. A few more decent signings and a couple of inevitable departures, we can come back to this in a month or so.

[stantonhibby]

Sadly not, I absolutely nailed that. Off to mid table league 2 Salford now, Hibs was as good as it will ever get for him. Looked great on youtube and started well, but was hopeless otherwise.

Just copy and paste your post to someone else a few mins ago........Certainly wasn't hopeless. Average I'd say. There is a middle ground between Martin Scott and John Mcginn you know.........

[MWHIBBIES]

Just copy and paste your post to someone else a few mins ago........Certainly wasn't hopeless. Average I'd say. There is a middle ground between Martin Scott and John Mcginn you know.........


Hopeless is such an lazy exaggeration..was he hopeless when he fed in Horgan for the second at Tynie ? we didn’t have the players to allow a luxury like Mallan play in the first 11 - as a result he was asked to do a shift that was not to his strengths …


Sorry, you are actually correct. He wasn't hopeless. Still offered a bit of a goal threat and turned up vs the poor sides of the league. But wasn't very good, lets say that. Certainly done nothing since to prove me wrong.

Always funny when folk don't actually read threads :faf:

[Spike Mandela]

Nobody likes admitting it, but a thread for those who have been critical of the club to atone and change your mind on where you think the club is heading!

Quite happy to admit that I think I was wrong on my initial impressions of Lee Johnson when his name came up. Thought he was someone who had failed down south and wanted up here thinking it was a bit of a pub league and was put off by comments from Sunderland fans about him. Think he's a positive, energetic manager who for the first time in a while has come in with chat about attacking football but actually is able to show evidence to back up that he is capable of getting the team playing in such a fashion. Think that we could have quite an exciting season ahead of us.

Also it's early days but I thought for a while that the recruitment team headed up by Iain Gordon didn't have a ****ing scooby. Still think that the winter window was an absolute shambles and didn't address the glaring problems in the team but I think there are green shoots that we may have a good squad and an interesting strategy on our hands. If the "option to buy" clauses are watertight for the likes of Youan and Boujang then they're as good as a risk free 'try before you buy' and streets ahead of some of the signings we had in the winter window on paper. We're probably in need of two or three players to really complete the squad IMO - a CB, a winger and another striker, but if we get first team quality players then we're in a really good place. If we can get some of our youngsters like Brydon, Laidlaw and more coming through as well then I'll be even happier but we seem to be really doing things a bit differently and there's a chance in Miller, Tavares, Youan etc. that we might have gotten ourselves some players who can light up the stands as well as perform on the pitch.

Also think that Bushiri might just have a role to play. Thought he was dreadful for a lot of last season but if he can keep it simple and learn how to use his physical attributes to the maximum then he may have a role here.

I think all in all, it's fair to say that top to bottom at the club it's time for a clean slate. Last season was horrendous and I've never felt as unenthused or negative about Hibernian but even from two pre season friendlies, it's only fair to let this new squad and management team to implement their ideas, make mistakes, make some more mistakes but also to grow and bond.

I'd also be keen to see if others are feeling the same as it's fair to say that there's a very different atmosphere around the board in this last fortnight than for most of last season.

Why don’t we all be a bit patient and see how the season actually goes instead of making rash statements one way or the other.

Stay on the train and see where it takes us.

[Northernhibee]

Why don’t we all be a bit patient and see how the season actually goes instead of making rash statements one way or the other.

Stay on the train and see where it takes us.

I don’t think it’s rash to say that enough doubt has been raised in my head to take a step or two back from my previously set in stone opinion and I’m happy to have a clean slate for all involved.

[SteveHFC]

I thought Dylan McGeouch was a pish signing.

[MWHIBBIES]

I thought Dylan McGeouch was a pish signing.

Yeah. Infact, very few of Stubbs early signings had this forum excited. Gray, McGeouch on loan, big Fonts and Malonga coming in a few weeks after the season started. Only really Farid had us excited and sadly he ended up being the worst one (not his fault of course)

[SteveHFC]

When we went to Maribor and left Stokes & Riordan on the bench I thought we had a great chance... 😉

Remember being seething when getting to the ground and finding out Stokes & Riordan were on the bench.

[blackpoolhibs]

Remember being seething when getting to the ground and finding out Stokes & Riordan were on the bench.

To be honest, i could see the thinking behind it, neither were great at doing the dirty stuff, and we were under the cosh a lot that night, who knows we might have done better, but on the flip side we could have got hammered more? :dunno:

[Key West]

I thought Craig Brewster would be an excellent signing for Hibs I was wrong.

[SaulGoodman]

Every Saturday I put a fiver on Liam Fontaine to score for us. Apart from the two games he scored for us.

[Northernhibee]

Every Saturday I put a fiver on Liam Fontaine to score for us. Apart from the two games he scored for us.

If you hadn't kept putting bets on him we'd have had a thirty-odd goal a season defender and wouldn't have spent so long in the second tier.

I can't even look at you :greengrin

[Pretty Boy]

I thought Dylan McGeouch was a pish signing.

The problem with McGeouch, and this is somewhat topical, is that everyone had themselves worked up that it was Griffiths coming. Hibs tried really hard to get LG on loan, there were all kinds of rumours, we knew someone was coming from Celtic and then it was announced as Dylan. A recipe for disappointment.

He turned out ok though.

[Stevie Reid]

I thought Craig Brewster would be an excellent signing for Hibs I was wrong.

Brewster was a good signing for us, and a huge loss after he left.

[cameronw-hfc]

Sorry, you are actually correct. He wasn't hopeless. Still offered a bit of a goal threat and turned up vs the poor sides of the league. But wasn't very good, lets say that. Certainly done nothing since to prove me wrong.


Had a brilliant game at ER vs Celtic as a deep-lying playmaker type and just seemed to never be able to replicate that whenever he was played deeper.

Always feel like we would have got more out of Mallan used as a 10. Even if it was just goals because he could finish and strike a ball, but too often wasn't in the position to hit it. Have him higher up and closer around the edge of the box and think he'd have scored a few more.

[Key West]

Brewster was a good signing for us, and a huge loss after he left.

So I'm wrong again then.🙂

[Stevie Reid]

So I'm wrong again then.🙂

:greengrin

[IberianHibernian]

On a personal level I liked Jack Ross but think at the end it was time for him to go.

What I hated about Shaun Maloney is it always felt he was playing at being a manager. From the change of sign on his office door from first team coach or head coach to just 'manager', talking about how much fun he was having as manager, signing that fitness coach because he was "fascinated" by him, hiring an ex journo to his team, Caldwell, the bizarre January window, playing players out of position all the time and not to their strengths, insisting on sticking with tactics that simply do not work in this league, saying how he's super happy about elements of performances directly after offering the fans some absolutely wretched 'football' where we could be seen as lucky if we got to witness a shot on goal and the stories that have come out since about PAs and the like. I got the feeling or impression that he thought he was bigger than the job and was doing us a favour by being here and whether or not that was the case, that was the general feeling I got about his stint as manager. Being honest, I wanted him punted by the time February came along. I'm disappointed it took so long for others to see it as those of us who seen that the Emperor had no clothes on got a fair bit of stick but I think most people seen it in the end.

I almost think it's the other way around with Lee Johnson. I think he's excited to be here. I really like that he attended two games in the stands before signing up. I like how engaged he's been with fans. I like how enthusiastic he is. I like that he wants us to play entertaining football and I like how in the evidence we've had so far he understands what that means. I like how he's house hunting up here. I think it looks like he's seeking the players - and fans - to buy into his ideas and to work with them. I like his signings. I think he'll look to get the best out of the players that we have here and I'm encouraged to see Newell, JDH, Campbell all looking like more the players we know they can be in the two games so far.

It really is early doors to make a proper judgment on LJ and the club but I'm already willing to admit that I may well have been wrong and that comes from the fact that things feel different from last season already. That's what I wanted to feel from this team this season - I said on the "what is a successful season" thread that it's a more emotional answer this year than logical or statistical - if we finish 6th for example but play exciting, entertaining football and I look forward to heading to the next game then that's a massive improvement for me (although the following season I'd want much better than 6th).So you wanted Maloney out by early February , barely a month after he`d taken over a team in crisis without huge advantage of spending a pre season with squad , had lost its best player on last day of window and then had numerous bad injuries to vital players and now suddenly rate LJ after a couple of friendlies with numerous substitutions against weak opposition . Seems you were more upset by signs on doors and impressions of persons than managerial know how . Anyway what we all want as Hibs fans is success ( good results and entertaining play ) whoever is manager so hopefully LJ will be given time which wasn`t given to his predecessors to put his ideas in to practice . He`s inherited a motivated squad ( despite the result at Hampden in semi ,noone could question motivated display Maloney got out of his depleted squad that day and others ) and got a few promising new signings to strengthen squad while key injured players recover and has advantage of pre season and LC group matches to prepare squad for league campaign . Our managers who have been remembered as successes this century started in summer so hopefully LJ joins that list .

[jacomo]

I thought Stevie Mallan would be excellent, was really excited by his signing


Props to you, you’ve responded in the spirit of the thread.

Don’t get drawn into another extended row though, please!!!

[jacomo]

So you wanted Maloney out by early February , barely a month after he`d taken over a team in crisis without huge advantage of spending a pre season with squad , had lost its best player on last day of window and then had numerous bad injuries to vital players and now suddenly rate LJ after a couple of friendlies with numerous substitutions against weak opposition . Seems you were more upset by signs on doors and impressions of persons than managerial know how . Anyway what we all want as Hibs fans is success ( good results and entertaining play ) whoever is manager so hopefully LJ will be given time which wasn`t given to his predecessors to put his ideas in to practice . He`s inherited a motivated squad ( despite the result at Hampden in semi ,noone could question motivated display Maloney got out of his depleted squad that day and others ) and got a few promising new signings to strengthen squad while key injured players recover and has advantage of pre season and LC group matches to prepare squad for league campaign . Our managers who have been remembered as successes this century started in summer so hopefully LJ joins that list .


*cough*

So… what have you got wrong?

[Northernhibee]

So you wanted Maloney out by early February , barely a month after he`d taken over a team in crisis without huge advantage of spending a pre season with squad , had lost its best player on last day of window and then had numerous bad injuries to vital players and now suddenly rate LJ after a couple of friendlies with numerous substitutions against weak opposition . Seems you were more upset by signs on doors and impressions of persons than managerial know how . Anyway what we all want as Hibs fans is success ( good results and entertaining play ) whoever is manager so hopefully LJ will be given time which wasn`t given to his predecessors to put his ideas in to practice . He`s inherited a motivated squad ( despite the result at Hampden in semi ,noone could question motivated display Maloney got out of his depleted squad that day and others ) and got a few promising new signings to strengthen squad while key injured players recover and has advantage of pre season and LC group matches to prepare squad for league campaign . Our managers who have been remembered as successes this century started in summer so hopefully LJ joins that list .

Maloney was ****ing pish mate and where I'll always admit where I got something wrong, I was bang on the button as soon as it started to go wrong, a manager needs to adapt and know how to manage a squad and he didn't have a ****ing scooby. Way, way more interested in his incredible vision, arrogant enough to seemingly not realise that you have to earn the time in the job and results proved my point completely.

[Smartie]

I thought the signing of Mixu Paatelainen at (?) 32 when we were toiling in the First Division was an act of absolute desperation for a side in deep trouble and the last thing we needed at the time.

It was arguably one of our most important and successful ever signings and started a momentum shift back in a positive direction that would subsequently be built upon very nicely.

[Scouse Hibee]

Not Hibs related but I said on here that Andy Robertson was a crap signing for Liverpool and well below the standard they should be looking at 😀

[SideBurns]

I recall Stokes having a shocker v Motherwell in his first stint, and I stood up and shouted, "Yogi, get him off the park!"

Two minutes later Stokesy smashed one in from 25 yards.

[sleeping giant]

David Murphy. He was blowing out his arse during his first game and gave up chasing a ball down. I remember thinking that he was a lazy unfit waste of a Jersey.

[JimBHibees]

Far too early to say.

Whilst the pre season games were enjoyable, Hartlepool were absolutely terrible and looked like they were about League One/bottom end Championship standard up here.

Button, whilst a good bit better, still weren’t a great side.

They’re also only pre season friendlies. We’ll get a better idea over the League Cup games and then the proof will really be in the pudding when the league starts.

Also need to take into account we are likely to be much further on preparation wise given we are playing competitive games earlier.

[Alfred E Newman]

After the cup win, promotion and a top three finish I thought we were in for a sustained period of top four finishes and European football . I was wrong.

[Jim44]

I hope this continues as an ‘I was wrong’ thread and doesn’t morf into an ‘I told you so!’ thread. My arse is sore sitting on the fence. :greengrin

[Eyrie]

I recall Stokes having a shocker v Motherwell in his first stint, and I stood up and shouted, "Yogi, get him off the park!"

Two minutes later Stokesy smashed one in from 25 yards.

Up there with O'Connor's reaction to being replaced by Sproule at Ibrox.

[NAE NOOKIE]

Wont say I was wrong, because I wasn't bothered about Maloney getting the tin tack and I wasn't critical of appointing LJ as his replacement either, not excited about it, but not disappointed either ... I'm usually pretty realistic about what sort of manager and players Hibs can attract / afford and a manager with LJ's record was probably just what I thought we would end up with .... in all honesty I thought some of the names folk were bandying about were never realistically going to happen.

In reality I don't think folk are getting carried away over the level of opposition we beat in the two friendlies, I would expect any Hibs team to give clubs from leagues 1 and 2 in England a contest and beat them at least 50% of the time, even half way through a season, never mind pre season, and I would be disappointed with any Hibs team that couldn't.

What is getting folk thinking positively and far more upbeat is not who we beat but the far more energetic and positive style of football we showed in both games and the fact that it seemed to suit some of our existing and new players far more than the chess like approach under Maloney.
Melkersen showed excellent movement for both his goals which shows he can do it with good service. Youan looks strong and lively, Tavares looks like he could be tricky once fully up to speed, McGeady looks like he still has a bit of pace left and a few good moves still too, Hauge done himself no harm whatsoever and I thought the lad Delferriere looks like he has more than a bit of class about him, Miller looks a machine with a good touch and a tough tackle in him. The one guy I was looking forward to seeing most, Kenneh, was ok but he didn't stand out the way I'd hoped he would, I'm sure he'll improve though.

It was harder to judge the defenders because we were so much on top for most of both games, but young McClelland looked not bad on the ball. Most of the other established players played well, including Campbell and JDH which was pleasing .... and Lewis was, well just Lewis, be it a meaningless end of season game, a pre season friendly or a cup final all you ever get is 100% .. if he had had the skill and pace to go with his fantastic attitude he would have spent the last 10 years at Real Madrid not Hibs :greengrin

In the end though nobody is kidding anybody, pre season friendlies count for very little, just ask Arsenal, and all we have at the moment are some positive signs that we might have found some players capable of making us a better team and a manager who knows ... A) what to do with them ... and B) not to try and put square pegs into round holes. It's fine to be positive after a good pre season, but we all know there are far more difficult tests to come and all we can hope is that the current good vibes are still there 11 games into the season. If there's one thing anybody who follows this club should have learned by now it's never to count your chickens before they've hatched.

[Libby Hibby]

Wont say I was wrong, because I wasn't bothered about Maloney getting the tin tack and I wasn't critical of appointing LJ as his replacement either, not excited about it, but not disappointed either ... I'm usually pretty realistic about what sort of manager and players Hibs can attract / afford and a manager with LJ's record was probably just what I thought we would end up with .... in all honesty I thought some of the names folk were bandying about were never realistically going to happen.

In reality I don't think folk are getting carried away over the level of opposition we beat in the two friendlies, I would expect any Hibs team to give clubs from leagues 1 and 2 in England a contest and beat them at least 50% of the time, even half way through a season, never mind pre season, and I would be disappointed with any Hibs team that couldn't.

What is getting folk thinking positively and far more upbeat is not who we beat but the far more energetic and positive style of football we showed in both games and the fact that it seemed to suit some of our existing and new players far more than the chess like approach under Maloney.
Melkersen showed excellent movement for both his goals which shows he can do it with good service. Youan looks strong and lively, Tavares looks like he could be tricky once fully up to speed, McGeady looks like he still has a bit of pace left and a few good moves still too, Hauge done himself no harm whatsoever and I thought the lad Delferriere looks like he has more than a bit of class about him, Miller looks a machine with a good touch and a tough tackle in him. The one guy I was looking forward to seeing most, Kenneh, was ok but he didn't stand out the way I'd hoped he would, I'm sure he'll improve though.

It was harder to judge the defenders because we were so much on top for most of both games, but young McClelland looked not bad on the ball. Most of the other established players played well, including Campbell and JDH which was pleasing .... and Lewis was, well just Lewis, be it a meaningless end of season game, a pre season friendly or a cup final all you ever get is 100% .. if he had had the skill and pace to go with his fantastic attitude he would have spent the last 10 years at Real Madrid not Hibs :greengrin

In the end though nobody is kidding anybody, pre season friendlies count for very little, just ask Arsenal, and all we have at the moment are some positive signs that we might have found some players capable of making us a better team and a manager who knows ... A) what to do with them ... and B) not to try and put square pegs into round holes. It's fine to be positive after a good pre season, but we all know there are far more difficult tests to come and all we can hope is that the current good vibes are still there 11 games into the season. If there's one thing anybody who follows this club should have learned by now it's never to count your chickens before they've hatched.

👏 👏 👏

[basehibby]

As one of the minority that favoured Lee's appointment its not so much a matter of admitting I was wrong as being convinced I was right! A bit early to know after 2 friendlies, but the signs are encouraging - he speaks well and the style he favours looks attractive and has yielded results. The signings LOOK positive and (dare I say it) exciting! The proof of the pudding though, will be in the consumption of routine league and Cup fixtures and how our new look side performs in them. I'm looking forward to the Clyde game with a sense of cautious optimism!

[Unseen work]

I thought Shefki Kuqi would do a job for us.

[Since452]

I think not being in Europe and having the league cup games will be a blessing in disguise for us this season. Will give Lee a chance to get his ideas over and get the players used to his system in competitive games that we'll win pretty comfortably imo. I think it gave Hearts a good platform to build on last season.

[Stevie Reid]

I think not being in Europe and having the league cup games will be a blessing in disguise for us this season. Will give Lee a chance to get his ideas over and get the players used to his system in competitive games that we'll win pretty comfortably imo. I think it gave Hearts a good platform to build on last season.

Was saying exactly this to my Dad yesterday. Happy to have the LC group stage, good way to build confidence and get up to speed for the SPL campaign, and if things go very right, for some players to get in good scoring form early on.

[Mike Berry]

I thought Shefki Kuqi would do a job for us.I thought Rowan Vine would as well.[emoji33]


Sent from my SM-S901B using Tapatalk

[OldEast]

I changed my score forecast from 5-0 to 2-0 for the Clyde game 😡

[Keith_M]

I thought the decision to make the East Stand single tier, and not a mirror image of the West Stand, was a good idea.

Having read the Safe Standing thread, I now realise how wrong I was.

[Dashing Bob S]

Wont say I was wrong, because I wasn't bothered about Maloney getting the tin tack and I wasn't critical of appointing LJ as his replacement either, not excited about it, but not disappointed either ... I'm usually pretty realistic about what sort of manager and players Hibs can attract / afford and a manager with LJ's record was probably just what I thought we would end up with .... in all honesty I thought some of the names folk were bandying about were never realistically going to happen.

In reality I don't think folk are getting carried away over the level of opposition we beat in the two friendlies, I would expect any Hibs team to give clubs from leagues 1 and 2 in England a contest and beat them at least 50% of the time, even half way through a season, never mind pre season, and I would be disappointed with any Hibs team that couldn't.

What is getting folk thinking positively and far more upbeat is not who we beat but the far more energetic and positive style of football we showed in both games and the fact that it seemed to suit some of our existing and new players far more than the chess like approach under Maloney.
Melkersen showed excellent movement for both his goals which shows he can do it with good service. Youan looks strong and lively, Tavares looks like he could be tricky once fully up to speed, McGeady looks like he still has a bit of pace left and a few good moves still too, Hauge done himself no harm whatsoever and I thought the lad Delferriere looks like he has more than a bit of class about him, Miller looks a machine with a good touch and a tough tackle in him. The one guy I was looking forward to seeing most, Kenneh, was ok but he didn't stand out the way I'd hoped he would, I'm sure he'll improve though.

It was harder to judge the defenders because we were so much on top for most of both games, but young McClelland looked not bad on the ball. Most of the other established players played well, including Campbell and JDH which was pleasing .... and Lewis was, well just Lewis, be it a meaningless end of season game, a pre season friendly or a cup final all you ever get is 100% .. if he had had the skill and pace to go with his fantastic attitude he would have spent the last 10 years at Real Madrid not Hibs :greengrin

In the end though nobody is kidding anybody, pre season friendlies count for very little, just ask Arsenal, and all we have at the moment are some positive signs that we might have found some players capable of making us a better team and a manager who knows ... A) what to do with them ... and B) not to try and put square pegs into round holes. It's fine to be positive after a good pre season, but we all know there are far more difficult tests to come and all we can hope is that the current good vibes are still there 11 games into the season. If there's one thing anybody who follows this club should have learned by now it's never to count your chickens before they've hatched.

Great post.