Progress ?

[Key West]

Think there has been some progress to what extent it remains to be seen, we could do with a bit more composure and quality in the final 3rd and in front of goal,I have a feeling it will be hit and miss from here until the end of season, anybody more optimistic than me?😁

[J-C]

2-4 games you could see he wanted to play on the front foot more often and be more attack minded but every now and then they go back to the old pedestrian football, one of the biggest problems is scoring and having composure in the final 3rd but the mentality thing comes back to haunt us. The hammering at Celtic and the way we collapsed when we went down to 10 men on Friday is still a problem, we just seem to go to pieces when the going gets tough, something Johnson mentioned the other day.

[Ozyhibby]

Mid table team last year, mid table team this year. Massive squad now though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Key West]

Agree with the points on still being vulnerable and that at least we've avoided going with a streamlined squad which almost resulted in a relegation battle.
With players returning from injury it may give us the edge over our rivals,there's very little between 3rd and 12th in this league, a rejuvenated Nisbet and McGeady could be the answer to our failings up front and Magennis looked strong and sharp for a while on Friday night.

[MWHIBBIES]

Mid table team last year, mid table team this year. Massive squad now though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A better squad I think. And really far too early to be making statements calling us a mid table side. We've been the better team in the majority of our matches, while still learning and making mistakes.


I think we're pretty clearly playing much better, more attacking football than we have for a while. Creating many chances, always looking forward, and winning the ball back well. Composure and we're miles clear in third.

[B.H.F.C]

Agree with the points on still being vulnerable and that at least we've avoided going with a streamlined squad which almost resulted in a relegation battle.
With players returning from injury it may give us the edge over our rivals,there's very little between 3rd and 12th in this league, a rejuvenated Nisbet and McGeady could be the answer to our failings up front and Magennis looked strong and sharp for a while on Friday night.

Squad certainly isn’t streamlined but whilst it’s heavy on numbers, it’s short on quality. There are too many in it who haven’t contributed anything (and don’t look like they will in future) and we’re a third of the way in to the league season now.

McGeady has almost been forgotten about, it’s all very quiet on him. Had he been available I'm pretty sure he’d have added a wee bit in the final third.

We’re a better side than we were at the end of last season but for the level of investment I don’t think we’re where we should be, although I don’t think that’s all down to the manager.

[hibbydog]

We were always going to get off to a poor start this season.

Recent seasons recruitment and managerial appointments have been poor and there is still a legacy of poor players that need to be moved on.

The new manager will need at least 2-3 transfer windows to sort this. And the same amount of time to implement his own ideas.


I think we’ll probably squeeze into the top 6. That represents steady, incremental progress. No I’m not happy clapping, and a club of our size should be fighting for Europe and trophies. But with things being such a mess recently we need to give the new manager and players time.

Patience needed

[Key West]

Squad certainly isn’t streamlined but whilst it’s heavy on numbers, it’s short on quality. There are too many in it who haven’t contributed anything (and don’t look like they will in future) and we’re a third of the way in to the league season now.

McGeady has almost been forgotten about, it’s all very quiet on him. Had he been available I'm pretty sure he’d have added a wee bit in the final third.

We’re a better side than we were at the end of last season but for the level of investment I don’t think we’re where we should be, although I don’t think that’s all down to the manager.

The quality aspect is definitely debatable though I do think there is more to come when certain players get up to speed and aquire match sharpness and others get back to a bit of form.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

We'll be top 6 this year, no doubt about it imo

Style wise, better than most of what Jafk Ross served up and less said about Maloney's stint the better

You can see we try to win the ball further up the park, if we could be a bit more clinical we'd be laughing.

Same for most teams this year, inconsistency will cause us to lose points when we should he winning. It happens

Happy with effort and general quality on display. LJ has been here a few months. Looking forward to seeing what further time training and developing to his methods and further transfer windows bring

Get behind him, the players and club

[weecounty hibby]

We are much better than last year. We are still improving and have players like Nisbet and McGeady to come back who will both improve the team. I'm still optimistic of a decent season

[Wilson]

We'll be top 6 this year, no doubt about it imo

Style wise, better than most of what Jafk Ross served up and less said about Maloney's stint the better

You can see we try to win the ball further up the park, if we could be a bit more clinical we'd be laughing.

Same for most teams this year, inconsistency will cause us to lose points when we should he winning. It happens

Happy with effort and general quality on display. LJ has been here a few months. Looking forward to seeing what further time training and developing to his methods and further transfer windows bring

Get behind him, the players and club

Agreed.

A week ago we were all laughing at the idea of Jim Goodwin as Hibs boss. Now the BBC are lauding him and hailing the return of Aberdeen as third force.

It is funny how a week of good or bad results can change the narrative.

Because we're on a bad run has anyone here changed their tune on Goodwin? Certainly not me. Form is temporary.

We have to believe in the management and players that had us flirting with third. We're clearly not the finished article but we're striving to get there.

[Donegal Hibby]

Been looking at our team since last season and have picked two matches at random.last year Aberdeen beat us 3-1 .Here's our team that day. Dabrowski , Doig , Porteous, Bushiri , Cadden , Stevenson , Newell , Campbell , Jasper , Merkelson , Wright .[ Subs ]. Hanlon , Doidge , Mueller , JDH , Hauge , Mitchell , O'Conner , McIntyre , Henderson .

This year we beat. Ross county 2-0 .Here's the team that day . Marshall , Cabraja , Hanlon , Porteous, Cadden , Campbell , Kennah , Boyle , Newell , Youan , Kukharevych. [ Subs ] Miller , Magennis , Tavares , Schofield , Stevenson, Henderson , Mckirdy , McGregor , Fish .

For me our squad has improved a lot from last year and the sub choices are much stronger as well also I didnt enjoy watching Hibs under Ross and felt it was boring and thought it got much worse under Maloney who I felt was a disastrous appointment . Football under LJ has been exciting and very attacking though we haven't really clicked Infront of goal as of yet and theres been a couple of games we have been unlucky in too . Manager has stated he needs 2 or 3 transfer windows which to me makes sense . Has there been progress ? Absolutely the squads a lot stronger than last year and we are playing much better football as well imo .Just need to have a bit of patience , as they say rome wasn't built in a day . :wink:

[Since90+2]

We'll be top 6 this year, no doubt about it imo

Style wise, better than most of what Jafk Ross served up and less said about Maloney's stint the better

You can see we try to win the ball further up the park, if we could be a bit more clinical we'd be laughing.

Same for most teams this year, inconsistency will cause us to lose points when we should he winning. It happens

Happy with effort and general quality on display. LJ has been here a few months. Looking forward to seeing what further time training and developing to his methods and further transfer windows bring

Get behind him, the players and club

I wouldn't be so certain we'll finish top 6. I can see it being very tight between a group of 6 or so clubs for the 4 spaces. We might make it, but if we do I suspect it will be pretty tight.

[MWHIBBIES]

I wouldn't be so certain we'll finish top 6. I can see it being very tight between a group of 6 or so clubs for the 4 spaces. We might make it, but if we do I suspect it will be pretty tight.

Our quality will show over 33 games. Comfortably better side than everyone except maybe Aberdeen and Hearts. St Mirren will fall away, a good start is Robinsons trademark. Livi always go on bad runs. Motherwell already falling away. St Johnstone a dreadful side.

Keep playing well, keep going forward, keep creating chances, we'll be okay 5th at absolute worst.

[J-C]

The one question mark on our winter/summer recruitment was going for younger players with potential, especially in the striking department. Doidge obviously struggled after his bad injury and Melkersen was for the future, Youan isn't prolific when you look at his stats and kukharevych 5 in 43 senior games. Then you have youngsters with very little 1st team experience like Henderson, Jair, Miller etc, add in injury prone players like McGeady and Mitchell and you can see why we're very hit and miss just now. I still feel we need another 2 windows before you can judge Johnson and his coaching team.

[loanheadhibby]

A better squad I think. And really far too early to be making statements calling us a mid table side. We've been the better team in the majority of our matches, while still learning and making mistakes.


I think we're pretty clearly playing much better, more attacking football than we have for a while. Creating many chances, always looking forward, and winning the ball back well. Composure and we're miles clear in third.

I admire your positivity but you are a complete comedian.
Doubtful if we have made much progress but the football is certainly better than under Maloney.
5th is probably the best we can finish as both Aberdeen and Hearts have better squads.

[Tambo]

The football is definitely much better and no doubt not putting the ball in the net has cost us.

Some progress from last season.

[Stevie Reid]

The one question mark on our winter/summer recruitment was going for younger players with potential, especially in the striking department. Doidge obviously struggled after his bad injury and Melkersen was for the future, Youan isn't prolific when you look at his stats and kukharevych 5 in 43 senior games. Then you have youngsters with very little 1st team experience like Henderson, Jair, Miller etc, add in injury prone players like McGeady and Mitchell and you can see why we're very hit and miss just now. I still feel we need another 2 windows before you can judge Johnson and his coaching team.

Tbf, Miovski, Duk and Besuijen at Aberdeen are 23, 22 and 21 respectively, and I think have 21 goals between them already this season. They’ve obviously managed to pick players who have adapted very well to Scottish football. Time well tell with us.

Big Myk seems an ideal SPL forward, and I’m excited to have him. Not seen anywhere near enough of McKirdy to make a proper assessment. Youan has attributes that should see him thrive in this league but his contributions are getting worse, not better, as the weeks have gone on.

I’m actually very pleased with our progress and our football this season, and totally agree that LJ will need another three windows to really shape us how he wants us.

We’re undoubtedly going to need more from our forward players this year if we are to seriously challenge for third though. More from Boyle and Nisbet hitting the ground running in December would go a long way to helping us.

[MWHIBBIES]

I admire your positivity but you are a complete comedian.
Doubtful if we have made much progress but the football is certainly better than under Maloney.
5th is probably the best we can finish as both Aberdeen and Hearts have better squads.

Why have we got 4 points in our matches against these better squads? Aberdeen are the worst side to play at ER this season, no doubt about that. Why are we currently above Hearts?

Tbh, arguing with you over this is pointless. You are always exceedingly negative about Hibs. I cant remember a positive post tbh.

[B.H.F.C]

Tbf, Miovski, Duk and Besuijen at Aberdeen are 23, 22 and 21 respectively, and I think have 21 goals between them already this season. They’ve obviously managed to pick players who have adapted very well to Scottish football. Time well tell with us.

Big Myk seems an ideal SPL forward, and I’m excited to have him. Not seen anywhere near enough of McKirdy to make a proper assessment. Youan has attributes that should see him thrive in this league but his contributions are getting worse, not better, as the weeks have gone on.

I’m actually very pleased with our progress and our football this season, and totally agree that LJ will need another three windows to really shape us how he wants us.

We’re undoubtedly going to need more from our forward players this year if we are to seriously challenge for third though. More from Boyle and Nisbet hitting the ground running in December would go a long way to helping us.

Concern for me is how we make room for new players in continuing to shape the squad.

We’ve got so many players not contributing anything but tied up on long contracts. Tavares, Melkersen, Miller and McKirdy off the top of my head (appreciate some of them could still come good). You can chuck in a couple currently out on loan contracted beyond this year and even the likes of JDH who although he’s injured just now, wasn’t really looking like playing too much.

[weecounty hibby]

Aberdeen weren't the worst. I thought St Johnstone were honking on Friday and bar our sending off they would never have got anything out of the game. I agree with your other points, I think it will be close for 3rd

[Stevie Reid]

Concern for me is how we make room for new players in continuing to shape the squad.

We’ve got so many players not contributing anything but tied up on long contracts. Tavares, Melkersen, Miller and McKirdy off the top of my head (appreciate some of them could still come good). You can chuck in a couple currently out on loan contracted beyond this year and even the likes of JDH who although he’s injured just now, wasn’t really looking like playing too much.

Fair point. It is a large squad and it may be difficult to move players on.

[NAE NOOKIE]

We were always going to have a bit of work to do to get it all together and it's pretty clear we aint there yet. But IMO we are making reasonable progress without setting the heather on fire, maybe that's how it needs to be done, slow and steady rather than the usual burn bright for a season followed by 3 or 4 with little to get excited about.

There's little doubt the team could be improved with the addition of 3 quality players, but hell what team in this league couldn't?

The biggest imponderable surrounding Hibs just now is our fringe players and those returning, or about to return, from injury and what difference they might make. When you look at it we have a pile of time and money currently tied up in players who have barely made a dent for us this season for a number of reasons.

NISBET ..... Has shown what he is capable of in teams less attacking than this one is, there's clearly a more than decent striker in there ... given our profligacy in front of goal he should be absolutely chomping at the bit .... if he can regain his early form that earned him a Scotland cap and improve on that petted lip he seemed to acquire when he didn't get a transfer his return should be a massive positive ..... a lot of 'ifs' mind.

MAGENNIS ....... Has looked pretty decent since he came back and can only get better, his return is a real bonus for us, sent off for a couple of pretty innocuous fouls against St Johnstone, when will refs get it that not every foul has to be a booking, looking forward to more from him after the world cup, I have higher hopes for him than anybody on this list.

MELKERSEN ..... At times you can see why Hibs parted with a pile of cash for him, but on the other hand he has failed to make the impact you would hope for in return for that money, even at his young age ... I'm still convinced he's wasted out right and we would see his best through the middle, how that can happen with Kukharevych ( boy does he need a nickname ) now the clear first choice is anybodies guess at least for this season, perhaps a loan spell in the championship wouldn't do him any harm.

MCGEADY .... Clearly a quality player, the big question mark over him is at his age can he come back and be in any way as effective as we need him to be, this is his second serious injury in the last few seasons .... in all honesty I'll be surprised if he can, I hope that I'm wrong but I wouldn't put money on it.

BOJANG .... 3 minutes at the end of games is about as much use to him as it is to Hibs, hardly a fair chance to be honest, but I just can't see him making it here. once his loan spell is over I can't help thinking it'll be thanks mate and cheerio.

TAVARES ... Had a bit more of a kick at the baw than Bojang has, but the outcome for him will be the same in my opinion, just hasn't shown enough to make him worth hanging on to.

MITCHELL .... Back in the squad, unfortunately the only discussion to be had around him is when will his next injury be ... I wont hold my breath.

MILLER .... Had high hopes for him given he had a number of first team games under his belt before coming to us in a league not so far away from our level, looked quick going forward with a tackle in him and a bit of a unit as they say .... Cadden can't defend for toffee so a right back spot should really be up for grabs ... he might still be the answer, but if he is I can't see it being this season, another one who might benefit from a loan spell.

MCKIRDY ... This is the guy who so far has been the most frustrating for me. Bags of experience and a good scoring record, I've only seen him play at ER but from that all I see is a guy who gets frustrated really quickly when things don't go his way which results in him talking his way into the refs book. I can't help thinking his step up to the Scottish premiership has turned out to not be the skoosh he thought it might be, he wouldn't be the first ex lower league English player to learn that lesson the hard way.
All the pieces are there for him to be a fans favourite as he was at Swindon and with Youan hardly making himself indispensable and McGeady seemingly miles away there's a big opportunity to cement a place on the left of this team .... Given the money we have allegedly spent on him and his experience McKirdy should have enough about him to grab that opportunity, it's rather disappointing that he hasn't even this early in his Hibs career.

FISH ..... Possibly the most pointless loan spell ever, will he even make a start for us before we chuck him back in the sea?

Though not exactly fitting the criteria for this list questions remain over JDH and Henderson as well, neither one has forced their way into a midfield where good form, or even a couple of decent displays as sub, could get you a place .... I'm seriously struggling to see a long term future for either one of them at Hibs and it's the same with Christian Doidge who as far as I know has yet to score a goal for Kilmarnock and only has 5 appearances for them.

To sum up .... There's a few people on that list with undoubted potential to make us better, the problem is out of the lot of them the only one I can be 100% positive about is Magennis.

[Fergus52]

I admire your positivity but you are a complete comedian.
Doubtful if we have made much progress but the football is certainly better than under Maloney.
5th is probably the best we can finish as both Aberdeen and Hearts have better squads.

What makes you think they have better squads?

Aberdeen are without a doubt better than us going forward but concede far more high quality chances, which is obvious both from watching their highlights and looking at the stats. Not much between the sides tbh, we looked far better than them when we played even before the red.

Hearts have been stinking this season most times I've watched them. If beningame and halkett get fit they will improve but talking as if they're a cert to come ahead of us is complete nonsense. Whether you're judging it on the eye test, style of play, points won so far, or expected goal difference we've been the better side this season.

[loanheadhibby]

Why have we got 4 points in our matches against these better squads? Aberdeen are the worst side to play at ER this season, no doubt about that. Why are we currently above Hearts?

Tbh, arguing with you over this is pointless. You are always exceedingly negative about Hibs. I cant remember a positive post tbh.

I agree that I am hard to please and can be negative.
Aberdeen were very poor at Easter Road but most people will agree the sending off and penalty changed the game.
Probably a bit fortunate to snatch a point at the end of the Hearts game as much as it was great to do so.
I just feel these two teams have stronger squads than us over the course of the season.
My next negative point is that we won't fancy it up at Pittodrie shortly but of course I pray I'm wrong,
Surely you would rather I give honest opinions rather than come on here and over hype guys like Doidge and Newell.

[MWHIBBIES]

I agree that I am hard to please and can be negative.
Aberdeen were very poor at Easter Road but most people will agree the sending off and penalty changed the game.
Probably a bit fortunate to snatch a point at the end of the Hearts game as much as it was great to do so.
I just feel these two teams have stronger squads than us over the course of the season.
My next negative point is that we won't fancy it up at Pittodrie shortly but of course I pray I'm wrong,
Surely you would rather I give honest opinions rather than come on here and over hype guys like Doidge and Newell.

Why are Hearts and their stronger squad behind us, though? If you've seen enough to judge all squads already, surely the better one would be above us?

Newell been brilliant so far this season.

[Donegal Hibby]

I agree that I am hard to please and can be negative.
Aberdeen were very poor at Easter Road but most people will agree the sending off and penalty changed the game.
Probably a bit fortunate to snatch a point at the end of the Hearts game as much as it was great to do so.
I just feel these two teams have stronger squads than us over the course of the season.
My next negative point is that we won't fancy it up at Pittodrie shortly but of course I pray I'm wrong,
Surely you would rather I give honest opinions rather than come on here and over hype guys like Doidge and Newell.
Here's the hearts subs for one of their games. Here's a Aberdeen's subs.
Haring . Lewis.
Grant . Morris.
Neilson. Besuijen.
Henderson. Watkins.
Smith . Duncan.
Clark. Milne.
Pollock. Kennedy .
................ramirez.

Don't see what's so good in these squad's compared to our own . You mention Doidge and Newell ? Maybe you would prefer Watkins and Haring as to Doidge and Newell ?

[loanheadhibby]

Why are Hearts and their stronger squad behind us, though? If you've seen enough to judge all squads already, surely the better one would be above us?

Newell been brilliant so far this season.

He's not he's a chancer.
Did you read the comments from johnyboy about him last week at Parkhead - missing in action. I admit he wasn't the only one.
He's ponderous and slows everything down.
Watch Joe Newell at Pittodrie next week - Aberdeen will be up for it and I'm not so sure Joe will fancy it.
To say he has been brilliant is ridiculous but then again you thought Doidge was brilliant.

[MWHIBBIES]

He's not he's a chancer.
Did you read the comments from johnyboy about him last week at Parkhead - missing in action. I admit he wasn't the only one.
He's ponderous and slows everything down.
Watch Joe Newell at Pittodrie next week - Aberdeen will be up for it and I'm not so sure Joe will fancy it.
To say he has been brilliant is ridiculous but then again you thought Doidge was brilliant.

With all due respect to Johnnyboy, I judge players based on my own eyes, not his comments (which tbh, I generally agree with, hes a great poster)

Doidge was brilliant for Hibs before his injury. Shame he never recovered, although you are absolutely delighted. Joe isn't ponderous, anything but. Just a rubbish take. Best 2 forward passes of the match on Friday. Our best midfielder easily.

Joe Newell wont be playing at Pittodrie next week pal. You tried, though :aok:

[NAE NOOKIE]

I agree that I am hard to please and can be negative.
Aberdeen were very poor at Easter Road but most people will agree the sending off and penalty changed the game.
Probably a bit fortunate to snatch a point at the end of the Hearts game as much as it was great to do so.
I just feel these two teams have stronger squads than us over the course of the season.
My next negative point is that we won't fancy it up at Pittodrie shortly but of course I pray I'm wrong,
Surely you would rather I give honest opinions rather than come on here and over hype guys like Doidge and Newell.

Its a two way street with Newell though isn't it. For everybody who allegedly over hypes him there seems to be three others who simply cant wait to criticise the guy .... the truth is somewhere in between, no he isn't some midfield genius, but neither is he the waste of space some folk seem ultra keen to paint him as.

I agree with you about honest opinions though, I got my baws handed to me by more than one poster for daring to suggest that we were a very long shot to get anything at Celtic park, I took absolutely no pleasure in being proved far more right than my worst fears over that game ... I'm always a bit confused when folk have a go at you for expressing an opinion based on a mountain of evidence to support it because in their opinion it means you're being negative .... positivity is fine, but that doesn't mean it should cross the line into delusion.

I share your opinion about Pittodrie .... our record there over the last 20 odd years is slightly below bang average, they have recovered well from their car crash at Tannadice whereas we are on a three game losing streak. Does that mean we can't win up there? no it doesn't, we will make chances and if we can get a grip in front of goal we have a far better chance of coming away with at least a point far more than we do at the likes of Celtic park.

When it comes to Hibs I always have hope that they can surprise me, it's why I have been part of every piss poor Hibs turnout at Hampden for semi finals over the last 40 years for games that far too many of our fans have failed to attend because they were convinced we were going to lose, that didn't mean I was letting the side down because I wan't full of unjustified optimism ... hoping against hope and optimism are not the same thing, one is based on nothing more than 'this is fitba and strange things happen' the other in my opinion needs some evidence that we can actually win based on recent form to back it up.

But my experience following Hibs also means I was one of the folk who approached ER on Friday night thinking "right it's St Johnstone, we'll have 19,000 fans cheering the boys on .... what can possibly go wrong?" Did I think we could win? absolutely. Was there that nagging doubt based on past experience that this was exactly the sort of situation where Hibs burst yer bubble ... damned right there was and I bet a million quid practically every Hibs fan over the age of 30 shared that nagging doubt.

[B.H.F.C]

Its a two way street with Newell though isn't it. For everybody who allegedly over hypes him there seems to be three others who simply cant wait to criticise the guy .... the truth is somewhere in between, no he isn't some midfield genius, but neither is he the waste of space some folk seem ultra keen to paint him as.

I agree with you about honest opinions though, I got my baws handed to me by more than one poster for daring to suggest that we were a very long shot to get anything at Celtic park, I took absolutely no pleasure in being proved far more right than my worst fears over that game ... I'm always a bit confused when folk have a go at you for expressing an opinion based on a mountain of evidence to support it because in their opinion it means you're being negative .... positivity is fine, but that doesn't mean it should cross the line into delusion.

I share your opinion about Pittodrie .... our record there over the last 20 odd years is slightly below bang average, they have recovered well from their car crash at Tannadice whereas we are on a three game losing streak. Does that mean we can't win up there? no it doesn't, we will make chances and if we can get a grip in front of goal we have a far better chance of coming away with at least a point far more than we do at the likes of Celtic park.

When it comes to Hibs I always have hope that they can surprise me, it's why I have been part of every piss poor Hibs turnout at Hampden for semi finals over the last 40 years for games that far too many of our fans have failed to attend because they were convinced we were going to lose, that didn't mean I was letting the side down because I wan't full of unjustified optimism ... hoping against hope and optimism are not the same thing, one is based on nothing more than 'this is fitba and strange things happen' the other in my opinion needs some evidence that we can actually win based on recent form to back it up.

But my experience following Hibs also means I was one of the folk who approached ER on Friday night thinking "right it's St Johnstone, we'll have 19,000 fans cheering the boys on .... what can possibly go wrong?" Did I think we could win? absolutely. Was there that nagging doubt based on past experience that this was exactly the sort of situation where Hibs burst yer bubble ... damned right there was and I bet a million quid practically every Hibs fan over the age of 30 shared that nagging doubt.

Your first paragraph is bang on about Newell. Playing well currently, having spent plenty time not playing well. Biggest issue IMO, and this just doesn’t apply to him, is the ability to go absolutely missing when something goes against us. We saw it with the red card on Friday and we’ve seen it when going down to 10 in the past. We still lack that someone in there that is going to drag us through.

[Scotty Leither]

I’d be more optimistic if we showed some intent in the transfer market rather than this continual churn of ordinary players. We’ve spent a bing of money on the facilities under the West Stand which the fans have bought into.

Can the Board not see the same potential with a bigger uptake of season tickets if it looked like we were going big on buying players that can churn out comfortable wins at home against the majority of the teams in the league?

We had a full stadium on Friday, hospitality was busy, the ground looked fantastic, in short the presentation was brilliant but the team lacked the tools to finish off a crap team and then see the game out when we faced a wee bit of adversity with the sending off.

Until the lingering safety-first mindset of the old regime regarding buying players vanishes, then we’ll always get what we’ve always had with Hibs, and that’s the biggest frustration for me.

[basehibby]

The progress I see is in the style of football we are playing. More often than not this season we have been the dominant side, getting the ball forward quickly and creating lots of chances - a welcome change after the more laboured and insipid fare we got used to under Johnson's predecessors. There is much room for improvement in terms of converting these chances and if we can progress on that front I can see us having a good season yet.

Recruitment has been criticised in some quarters - usually on the grounds that too few of the incoming players have good experience at SPL level - and that criticism has some merit in the here and now. It remains to be seen whether it will be justified in the medium to long term though. The strategy has largely been to bring in players with the POTENTIAL to be very good, and if the likes of Melkerson, Tavares & Kenneh grow into regulars in a successful first team then we may well look back with dewey eyed wonder at the great foresight of LJ & the recruitment team. That's a gamble though and Johnson can only hope it pays off sooner rather than later - football fans don't do delayed gratification as a rule and going by his record so far, neither does Gordon!

[B.H.F.C]

I’d be more optimistic if we showed some intent in the transfer market rather than this continual churn of ordinary players. We’ve spent a bing of money on the facilities under the West Stand which the fans have bought into.

Can the Board not see the same potential with a bigger uptake of season tickets if it looked like we were going big on buying players that can churn out comfortable wins at home against the majority of the teams in the league?

We had a full stadium on Friday, hospitality was busy, the ground looked fantastic, in short the presentation was brilliant but the team lacked the tools to finish off a crap team and then see the game out when we faced a wee bit of adversity with the sending off.

Until the lingering safety-first mindset of the old regime regarding buying players vanishes, then we’ll always get what we’ve always had with Hibs, and that’s the biggest frustration for me.

I wouldn’t say our approach to signings is safety first. If anything, I’d say it’s completely the opposite in that of all the signings we’re making hardly any of them are proven at any kind of level. It’s no surprise that the ones who have played first team games and have a decent bit of experience have made an impact whilst the vast majority who haven’t got that, haven’t.

Our strategy is what it is and it’s not changing any time soon. I don’t think we’re trying to do things on the cheap but I don’t think what we are doing is giving us the best chance to be a good team.

[Scotty Leither]

I wouldn’t say our approach to signings is safety first. If anything, I’d say it’s completely the opposite in that of all the signings we’re making hardly any of them are proven at any kind of level. It’s no surprise that the ones who have played first team games and have a decent bit of experience have made an impact whilst the vast majority who haven’t got that, haven’t.

Our strategy is what it is and it’s not changing any time soon. I don’t think we’re trying to do things on the cheap but I don’t think what we are doing is giving us the best chance to be a good team.

Good point(s). I think we’re both arguing the same thing from different angles. Why I characterise the signing approach as “safety first” is because if players like Bojang and Tavares don’t make it, then the outlay to bring them in is negligible so the risk financially is equally low.

That to me is the wrong approach because if a player isn’t good enough for Hibs then that should be apparent during the scouting process and that’s why rightly, the recruitment team gets it in the neck.

Bringing these players in and sticking them in the first team to see if they pass muster is an approach fraught with danger, isn’t fair on the player, and is ultimately cheating the fans.

Nae more “punts” in January, please Hibs.

[B.H.F.C]

Good point(s). I think we’re both arguing the same thing from different angles. Why I characterise the signing approach as “safety first” is because if players like Bojang and Tavares don’t make it, then the outlay to bring them in is negligible so the risk financially is equally low.

That to me is the wrong approach because if a player isn’t good enough for Hibs then that should be apparent during the scouting process and that’s why rightly, the recruitment team gets it in the neck.

Bringing these players in and sticking them in the first team to see if they pass muster is an approach fraught with danger, isn’t fair on the player, and is ultimately cheating the fans.

Nae more “punts” in January, please Hibs.

Totally agree on the last point.

I’m not so sure about Tavares being cheap given he’s on a four year deal. Added to that, if he doesn’t improve rapidly, you have a space in the squad taken up by someone not contributing.

I think there is always room for a punt or a project here or there. But I don’t think it should be accounting for such a large proportion of your transfer business. As long as that continues to be the case, I think we’ll forever be talking about needing this or that and never be content with what we actually have.

[J-C]

I don't mind bringing in guys for the future but we needed players for now.

Henderson - Loan turned permanent, showed lots of potential when he was younger but two loans did nowt, still to show something, disappointing.
Youan - Been on loan most of his career apart from early doors in Nantes 2nd team.
Melkersen - Bodo/Glimt 2nd and 2 loans
Jair - Benfica B
Miller - Another potential
Bojang - From a team called Rainbow, so low that Lee who does the Hibs data for Football Manager couldn't find them on the database to make him a loan so had to make him a 1 year permanent deal.

Time to maybe stop the youngsters trial and start looking at ready made 1st team players

[Basildon Hibs]

I wouldn’t say our approach to signings is safety first. If anything, I’d say it’s completely the opposite in that of all the signings we’re making hardly any of them are proven at any kind of level. It’s no surprise that the ones who have played first team games and have a decent bit of experience have made an impact whilst the vast majority who haven’t got that, haven’t.

Our strategy is what it is and it’s not changing any time soon. I don’t think we’re trying to do things on the cheap but I don’t think what we are doing is giving us the best chance to be a good team.

To cut a long story short, we've bought a load of dross.

🙂

[Basildon Hibs]

I don't mind bringing in guys for the future but we needed players for now.

Henderson - Loan turned permanent, showed lots of potential when he was younger but two loans did nowt, still to show something, disappointing.
Youan - Been on loan most of his career apart from early doors in Nantes 2nd team.
Melkersen - Bodo/Glimt 2nd and 2 loans
Jair - Benfica B
Miller - Another potential
Bojang - From a team called Rainbow, so low that Lee who does the Hibs data for Football Manager couldn't find them on the database to make him a loan so had to make him a 1 year permanent deal.

Time to maybe stop the youngsters trial and start looking at ready made 1st team players

Correct.

[Hibbyradge]

I don't mind bringing in guys for the future but we needed players for now.

Henderson - Loan turned permanent, showed lots of potential when he was younger but two loans did nowt, still to show something, disappointing.
Youan - Been on loan most of his career apart from early doors in Nantes 2nd team.
Melkersen - Bodo/Glimt 2nd and 2 loans
Jair - Benfica B
Miller - Another potential
Bojang - From a team called Rainbow, so low that Lee who does the Hibs data for Football Manager couldn't find them on the database to make him a loan so had to make him a 1 year permanent deal.

Time to maybe stop the youngsters trial and start looking at ready made 1st team players

Marshall, Cabraja and Boyle all cost good money and McGeady will be on a decent wage.

Add Rocky, Kenneth and McKirdy to the list and that's 7 players who are regular first team.

[Spudster]

MILLER .... Had high hopes for him given he had a number of first team games under his belt before coming to us in a league not so far away from our level, looked quick going forward with a tackle in him and a bit of a unit as they say .... Cadden can't defend for toffee so a right back spot should really be up for grabs ... he might still be the answer, but if he is I can't see it being this season, another one who might benefit from a loan spell.
No chance, A-League is miles off Scottish Premier IMO

[chippy]

Marshall, Cabraja and Boyle all cost good money and McGeady will be on a decent wage.

Add Rocky, Kenneth and McKirdy to the list and that's 7 players who are regular first team.
I suspect there will be quite a few departures in January

[Since452]

I suspect there will be quite a few departures in January

Henderson, Hauge, Bojang, Doidge, Miller, MacKay, Melkersen, Tavares are all on borrowed time imo. Either January or the summer i can see them leaving the club permanently or going out on loan.

[J-C]

Marshall, Cabraja and Boyle all cost good money and McGeady will be on a decent wage.

Add Rocky, Kenneth and McKirdy to the list and that's 7 players who are regular first team.


We needed 1st team players for those positions, so they were a must.

Rocky, there were rumours of a cock up in his loan, we still don't know how true that was, Kenneh has come from U23 but looks a good buy, McKirdy has come from league 2 in England which is equivalent to our lower championship/league 1.

The players I mentioned plus Rocky, Kenneh and McKirdy are all still punts as they've not proven anything at a level near this league, I understand we now have a development/U21 team but we needed players 1st team ready and outwith the best 11 players we have we're looking at youngsters to bring on.

[B.H.F.C]

Henderson, Hauge, Bojang, Doidge, Miller, MacKay, Melkersen, Tavares are all on borrowed time imo. Either January or the summer i can see them leaving the club permanently or going out on loan.

This is our biggest problem at the moment IMO. A lot of players on the books who are contributing nothing (I know some of them are on loan but they are all contracted beyond this season, for multiple seasons in some cases).

We need to find a way of getting more from some of them as it’s not going to be easy to move players on to make room for new ones.

[Hibee Mac]

Henderson, Hauge, Bojang, Doidge, Miller, MacKay, Melkersen, Tavares are all on borrowed time imo. Either January or the summer i can see them leaving the club permanently or going out on loan.Have to agree with you there, would like to keep Melkerson on the books and MacKay still hasn't been given much of a chance but I wouldn't mind letting the rest go if it meant we could bring in 2 quality players.

It's not that easy to get that many players off the books though unfortunately.

[MWHIBBIES]

Have to agree with you there, would like to keep Melkerson on the books and MacKay still hasn't been given much of a chance but I wouldn't mind letting the rest go if it meant we could bring in 2 quality players.

It's not that easy to get that many players off the books though unfortunately.


If miller goes we'd need another right back, which makes him going pointless.

We paid a significant fee for Melkersen knowing he would take time. No way he's leaving permanently.

Tavares another long term one. No way he leaves. Not had a real chance.

Mackay hasn't had anything like a proper chance here.

All of these guys are very young. Still young enough to improve significantly. We desperately need to stop writing them off already.

[Scotty Leither]

If miller goes we'd need another right back, which makes him going pointless.

We paid a significant fee for Melkersen knowing he would take time. No way he's leaving permanently.

Tavares another long term one. No way he leaves. Not had a real chance.

Mackay hasn't had anything like a proper chance here.

All of these guys are very young. Still young enough to improve significantly. We desperately need to stop writing them off already.

More “patience” required then?

We’re top heavy with young guys needing time to improve. Spending some serious cash on proven players, like a playmaker and a forward that can convert 50/60% of chances will generate better results than laboured 1-0 grinds (or worse) against teams we should be tucking away regularly, like that limited St Johnstone team we played on Friday.

It’s easier for young players to come into a settled winning team, rather than the expectation of coming off the bench and changing the game being placed on them just now.

[Hibee Mac]

If miller goes we'd need another right back, which makes him going pointless.

We paid a significant fee for Melkersen knowing he would take time. No way he's leaving permanently.

Tavares another long term one. No way he leaves. Not had a real chance.

Mackay hasn't had anything like a proper chance here.

All of these guys are very young. Still young enough to improve significantly. We desperately need to stop writing them off already.

I agree with you, sorry didn't make it clear I wasn't saying we should sell them all but instead most should go out on loan to free up some cash for better players now. Maybe a few could be sold but as for the 4 you mention I agree we shouldn't sell any of them yet.

I think Melkerson and Tavares would benefit from loans, McKay deserves a chance to break into first team and we've not seen enough of Miller to make a call yet.

[JimBHibees]

More “patience” required then?

We’re top heavy with young guys needing time to improve. Spending some serious cash on proven players, like a playmaker and a forward that can convert 50/60% of chances will generate better results than laboured 1-0 grinds (or worse) against teams we should be tucking away regularly, like that limited St Johnstone team we played on Friday.

It’s easier for young players to come into a settled winning team, rather than the expectation of coming off the bench and changing the game being placed on them just now.

Dont think Hibs would ever be able to afford a striker who scores 50 to 60 per cent of chances.

[MWHIBBIES]

More “patience” required then?

We’re top heavy with young guys needing time to improve. Spending some serious cash on proven players, like a playmaker and a forward that can convert 50/60% of chances will generate better results than laboured 1-0 grinds (or worse) against teams we should be tucking away regularly, like that limited St Johnstone team we played on Friday.

It’s easier for young players to come into a settled winning team, rather than the expectation of coming off the bench and changing the game being placed on them just now.

New manager and loads of new players and you didn't think patience was required?

[Unseen work]

We needed 1st team players for those positions, so they were a must.

Rocky, there were rumours of a cock up in his loan, we still don't know how true that was, Kenneh has come from U23 but looks a good buy, McKirdy has come from league 2 in England which is equivalent to our lower championship/league 1.

The players I mentioned plus Rocky, Kenneh and McKirdy are all still punts as they've not proven anything at a level near this league, I understand we now have a development/U21 team but we needed players 1st team ready and outwith the best 11 players we have we're looking at youngsters to bring on.

No way is English league 2 the equivalent of our league 1.

[Scotty Leither]

New manager and loads of new players and you didn't think patience was required?

No, I’m sick of the “patience” mantra, TBH. This club should be in Europe every season, no toiling against teams that aren’t interested in playing nor getting caned at Parkhead.

We’ve got a set up at Easter Road that’s one of the best in the country now, a core support that’s ultra loyal and is choking to see a decent, consistent, winning team.

Time for the Board and owner to cut loose some of the growing commercial income and make that happen.

[MWHIBBIES]

No, I’m sick of the “patience” mantra, TBH. This club should be in Europe every season, no toiling against teams that aren’t interested in playing nor getting caned at Parkhead.

We’ve got a set up at Easter Road that’s one of the best in the country now, a core support that’s ultra loyal and is choking to see a decent, consistent, winning team.

Time for the Board and owner to cut loose some of the growing commercial income and make that happen.

Ah right, its about the board not spending money. You do know we've spent significant fees over the last few years, right? Is that not showing ambition?

[Scotty Leither]

Ah right, its about the board not spending money. You do know we've spent significant fees over the last few years, right? Is that not showing ambition?

…,and taken in much more significant income through transfer fees, season tickets and commercial income.

Time to change the mindset around recruitment, especially proven players in key positions.

Or should we not be expecting European football more than once every 5 or 6 seasons?

[Eyrie]

…,and taken in much more significant income through transfer fees, season tickets and commercial income.

Time to change the mindset around recruitment, especially proven players in key positions.

Or should we not be expecting European football more than once every 5 or 6 seasons?

A significant income which the board have spent on recruitment. Whether it was spent wisely is a different matter.

I'm realistic enough to accept that not all signings for the first team will work out but I'm not a fan of having a B team. Players coming through our youth system fit into three categories - those good enough for the first team squad, those who won't make it at Hibs and a few in between who should be sent on loan for a season for experience and evaluation. The money spent on the B team is money that should have been invested in the first team squad.

[Basildon Hibs]

More “patience” required then?

We’re top heavy with young guys needing time to improve. Spending some serious cash on proven players, like a playmaker and a forward that can convert 50/60% of chances will generate better results than laboured 1-0 grinds (or worse) against teams we should be tucking away regularly, like that limited St Johnstone team we played on Friday.

It’s easier for young players to come into a settled winning team, rather than the expectation of coming off the bench and changing the game being placed on them just now.

Correct.

[blackpoolhibs]

Ah right, its about the board not spending money. You do know we've spent significant fees over the last few years, right? Is that not showing ambition?

We have spent an absolute fortune on a load of players who are nowhere near good enough for the first team yet, if ever?

So yes, we are looking at the patience mantra again, it's wonderful isnt it.:rolleyes:

[MWHIBBIES]

We have spent an absolute fortune on a load of players who are nowhere near good enough for the first team yet, if ever?

So yes, we are looking at the patience mantra again, it's wonderful isnt it.:rolleyes:

Just because I point out an obvious truth doesn't mean I think it's wonderful. I'm frustrated we were buying better more proven players in the championship. Our recruitment hasn't been great. We're still well in with a chance at 3rd.

[matty_f]

More “patience” required then?

We’re top heavy with young guys needing time to improve. Spending some serious cash on proven players, like a playmaker and a forward that can convert 50/60% of chances will generate better results than laboured 1-0 grinds (or worse) against teams we should be tucking away regularly, like that limited St Johnstone team we played on Friday.

It’s easier for young players to come into a settled winning team, rather than the expectation of coming off the bench and changing the game being placed on them just now.

The team that lost on Friday was mostly proven players. Marshall, Cadden, Porteous, Hanlon, Cabraja, Newell, Magennis, Boyle - 8 out of the 11.

[Scotty Leither]

The team that lost on Friday was mostly proven players. Marshall, Cadden, Porteous, Hanlon, Cabraja, Newell, Magennis, Boyle - 8 out of the 11.

“Proven” players that couldn’t convincingly beat a team that will comfortably be bottom 6 this season.

That’s my point Matty, we need better, and with the money that’s coming into the club there’s no excuse not to go after better.

[J-C]

“Proven” players that couldn’t convincingly beat a team that will comfortably be bottom 6 this season.

That’s my point Matty, we need better, and with the money that’s coming into the club there’s no excuse not to go after better.


Little if any real experience on the bench is the problem, no one on it to change a game. Youan, McKirdy and Tavares were the subs with Stevenson, Kenneh, Henderson, Mitchell and Fish as the other outfield players, nothing there you'd say oooh, bring him on he'll make a difference.

[Tambo]

Let's wait and see what January brings.

3 tough defeats in a row for various reasons but I'm happy so far with the progress Johnson has made.

[Donegal Hibby]

Let's wait and see what January brings.

3 tough defeats in a row for various reasons but I'm happy so far with the progress Johnson has made.
I'm happy with progress too but our next transfer windows got me slightly worried as we are obviously going to have to shift players out before any come in which is easier said than done . I do wonder who we will try and move on too and have a few who i think we Might though they have long term contracts too!

[basehibby]

2-4 games you could see he wanted to play on the front foot more often and be more attack minded but every now and then they go back to the old pedestrian football, one of the biggest problems is scoring and having composure in the final 3rd but the mentality thing comes back to haunt us. The hammering at Celtic and the way we collapsed when we went down to 10 men on Friday is still a problem, we just seem to go to pieces when the going gets tough, something Johnson mentioned the other day.

I found it difficult to fathom why Lee started 4-3-3 at Celtic Park followed by 3-5-2 at home to St Johnstone. I can only speculate that he wanted to get certain players into the team - namely Rocky and Magennis - and was prepared to tweak the formation to do so.
It could have worked - we'd been dominating the game and if Magennis had not got himself sent off it's hard to imagine anything but a Hibs win having resulted.
It didn't happen though - and that exposed some weaknesses of Johnson and/or our squad/recruitment over the summer. We went down to 10 men at 1-0 up with 20mins to go. Some teams/managers would have made it look easy and regular as clockwork to see out that time and seal the points - but this is Hibs - and Hibs under Johnson!
Johnson likes to roll the dice. Already in his time at Hibs I can see that he's not scared to change things up during a game - and that he has an ethos of trying to play the game in the oposition half - getting the ball forward quickly from defence has been a feature of our play this season. These are good things!
Against St J the plan went agley with Kyle's sending off and Lee did not do the best job of mitigating for that - which perhaps exposes a weakness in his tactical skillset - or does it?
Notwithstanding VARs influential debut dismissal of (failure to spot?) an obvous push on Porteous at St Js equaliser, we pretty much folded and lamely gave up the points after going down to 10 men. Lee's tactical moves from the lamentably quick concession of the equaliser were almost exclusively to chuck on ever more increasing amounts of forwards until we basically weren't allowed to put on any more!
Of course, given our summer recruitment, half the bench were forward players anyway and with 5 subs allowed it might have been diffcult for Lee to proceed in any way other than by placing more forwards on the pitch! This would not be any grounds for griping if any of them were in the happy habit of scoring goals for Hibs of course - and believe me! I would rather my team had a surpluss of forwards than defenders or defensive midfielders in these situations.
So - do I see progress? Yes - a bit anyway. I see a team trying to play attacking football and recruiting accordingly. I see an erudite young manager who buys into that philosophy. Is it perfect? Of course not - but I think for the most part, Easter Road has been a more pleasant place to be this season quite simply because the footlball has been more enjoyable to watch. If I'm not mistaken the crowds are up as well - does that count as progress?

[MWHIBBIES]

“Proven” players that couldn’t convincingly beat a team that will comfortably be bottom 6 this season.

That’s my point Matty, we need better, and with the money that’s coming into the club there’s no excuse not to go after better.
We were dominating until a red card.

Hibs will never have enough money to dominate all these sides every week. We've won 4 of the last 6 against st Johnstone. That's about right.

[basehibby]

We needed 1st team players for those positions, so they were a must.

Rocky, there were rumours of a cock up in his loan, we still don't know how true that was, Kenneh has come from U23 but looks a good buy, McKirdy has come from league 2 in England which is equivalent to our lower championship/league 1.

The players I mentioned plus Rocky, Kenneh and McKirdy are all still punts as they've not proven anything at a level near this league, I understand we now have a development/U21 team but we needed players 1st team ready and outwith the best 11 players we have we're looking at youngsters to bring on.

Sorry but that bit in bold is total nonsense - the average wage bill in England's League 2 is not far off £3 million per club - putting them roughly on a par with non-OF SPL sides. And I know money is not everything but it's certainly a big indicator in terms of the standard of player these clubs can afford.

Most years, Scottish Chamionship sides are paying maybe £250K to £1M - not in the same ball park really.

[sean]

Progress: Much more entertaining and value for money than last season. Cabraja, Marshall, the big Ukrainian, Boyle and Keenah In spells have all proven to be good additions. (rocky has also come onto a game when he's played)

Negative: Many of the loan signings / Punts dont look at the moment to be unto the Job. Youan , Bojan , miller, Tavares, Mcgeady, Henderson, Mkurdy, Melkersen have added next to nothing this season (albeit some are injured) We have missed some glaring goal scoring opportunities which has maybe cost us 6-8 points.

Going Forward: Personally I would like to see us trim the squad and in turn add some real quality in 2 or 3 positions and rely on some younger boys to fill up the squad from the Dev side/ 19s. If we can fix the scoring issue I see no reason why we can't finish 3rd.



,

[NAE NOOKIE]

Little if any real experience on the bench is the problem, no one on it to change a game. Youan, McKirdy and Tavares were the subs with Stevenson, Kenneh, Henderson, Mitchell and Fish as the other outfield players, nothing there you'd say oooh, bring him on he'll make a difference.

But the thing is McKirdy shouldn't be on that list, the guy has a pile of seniour appearances under his belt and the dreaded 'showreel' paints a picture of exactly the type of player who should be able to come on and change a game ..... It's testament to the disappointing start he has made that folk are already becoming somewhat tepid towards the impact they feel he can have.

This is a guy we all thought could excite the fans and it has to be said that the club must have as well given the money we allegedly paid to get him. OK in his defence it is early days, but the left side of our team should be an open goal for any player willing or able to step up given the relative inexperience of the contenders for that area, Youan's failure to improve on a reasonable start and McGeady's injury woes.

Hibs stated in the summer that they were looking to step away from trawling the lower reaches of the EFL for 'talent' because that approach was not proving particularly fruitful, especially given the inflated prices in English football ..... McKirdy if anything has so far done nothing more than make that approach seem like a sensible one going forward.

Nobody want's to see this guy succeed here more than me, I was fair looking forward to a player with a bit of devilment in him who can beat a man and knows how to hit the target when the chance arises, something this club could sure do with. Instead so far all I've seen is a guy who takes the pet as soon as his first failure to skin a defender happens and who looks like he could talk his way into the ref's book every time a decision is given against him.