Top six and pre-split fixtures

[JohnM1875]

Great result today but we still need a few of them to guarantee top six and have a crack at a good season I reckon. Our remaining games are;

Livi (A)
Sevco (H)
Celtic (A)
Motherwell (H)
Dundee Utd (A)
Them (H)
St Johnstone (A)

Really not an easy run of fixtures at all. Think we probably need 9 points to secure top six. So win our three home games. Livi away next is key.

[Greencore]

15 points I hope. But will probably get 10

[Trinity Hibee]

Think we should be okay for top 6 now. Can’t see Aberdeen catching us. Incredible that 4th is on and 3rd isn’t inconceivable given how the season has been. I’d written us off a month or so ago.

All it takes is shankland to get an injury and hearts are struggling just as we have without nisbet and Boyle. We need to win that derby before the split for multiple reasons.

[JohnM1875]

Think we should be okay for top 6 now. Can’t see Aberdeen catching us. Incredible that 4th is on and 3rd isn’t inconceivable given how the season has been. I’d written us off a month or so ago.

All it takes is shankland to get an injury and hearts are struggling just as we have without nisbet and Boyle. We need to win that derby before the split for multiple reasons.

Aberdeen are five behind us but definitely have an easier set of fixtures I reckon. The next game against Livi is massive, for all three teams actually, As Livi play us and Aberdeen in their next two games.

[HarpOnHibee]

Think we should be okay for top 6 now. Can’t see Aberdeen catching us. Incredible that 4th is on and 3rd isn’t inconceivable given how the season has been. I’d written us off a month or so ago.

All it takes is shankland to get an injury and hearts are struggling just as we have without nisbet and Boyle. We need to win that derby before the split for multiple reasons.

If Motherwell can do us a turn tomorrow, then 3rd is absolutely on. The football media and press have been making Hearts out to be better than they actually are. They play the same counter game in every match with no variation to their style. Rangers showed them up big time at Tynecastle.

[JamesHFC]

Beat Livi and I'm convinced top 6 is in the bag.

Even one point from either of the OF would be a bonus.

We should beat Motherwell at home. I think at least 4 points from United & Saints away is a realistic target.

The Hearts game will decide whether we have a chance of getting 3rd.

[HibeeSince85]

I can see us beating the other 4 teams and gaining 12 points. Sevco and Hearts we have shown we can get at least a point this season at home but I'd really hope we put in a performance in the derby to make right the previous two losses. Celtic away is a free hit, just avoid a skelping basically.

[IberianHibernian]

Looking at the table , it looks like we shouldn`t have even lingering worries about being in playoffs or worse and our goal difference is already worth another point on most of the 4 teams just below us but we`re still in a similar situation to last year albeit with not quite as bad an injury situation and with more time between games for injuries to clear up . We still need need to get in top 6 before we can challenge for top 4 or even third . Last year we were a Melkerson sitter away from top 6 and challenging for 4th . This year we`ll see what happens . Even if we beat Livi ,which won`t be easy, there`s a good chance we won`t be in top 6 after Celtic match on March 18th which would mean having to do well in last 4 pre split games to make top 6 . Can see us needing to win in Perth in last pre split match to make top 6 . After split , if we make top 6 , results against OF often depend on if league is already decided which will probably be the case .

[Onion]

Looking at the table , it looks like we shouldn`t have even lingering worries about being in playoffs or worse and our goal difference is already worth another point on most of the 4 teams just below us but we`re still in a similar situation to last year albeit with not quite as bad an injury situation and with more time between games for injuries to clear up . We still need need to get in top 6 before we can challenge for top 4 or even third . Last year we were a Melkerson sitter away from top 6 and challenging for 4th . This year we`ll see what happens . Even if we beat Livi ,which won`t be easy, there`s a good chance we won`t be in top 6 after Celtic match on March 18th which would mean having to do well in last 4 pre split games to make top 6 . Can see us needing to win in Perth in last pre split match to make top 6 . After split , if we make top 6 , results against OF often depend on if league is already decided which will probably be the case .

Let's be honest, this Hibs team would be a mess in Europe - just as it would have been had Melkerson not missed that sitter and we'd sneaked a Euro spot. Hibs are a team in transition (and that's progress compared to 4 weeks ago) toward something better, which needs to be much better than we currently have.

This season is all about relief that we've managed to avoid a relegation battle, and maybe learn from the horrific mistakes of the last 12-18 months.

[Diclonius]

Livi (A) Draw
Rangers (H) Loss
Celtic (A) Loss
Motherwell (H) Win
Dundee Utd (A) Win
Hearts (H) Loss
St Johnstone (A) Draw

8 points.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

If we can beat Livingston, then it starts to look good. Not being defeatist, but Sevco and the Lesser Greens are damage limitation.

[B.H.F.C]

Let's be honest, this Hibs team would be a mess in Europe - just as it would have been had Melkerson not missed that sitter and we'd sneaked a Euro spot. Hibs are a team in transition (and that's progress compared to 4 weeks ago) toward something better, which needs to be much better than we currently have.

This season is all about relief that we've managed to avoid a relegation battle, and maybe learn from the horrific mistakes of the last 12-18 months.

Big problem we might, or probably will, have is the amount of work required on the squad in the summer. We just look like we’ve streamlined it a bit and are better for it. But you have Fish, CJ and Youan all on loan so there is obviously questions over whether they’ll be here. Same with Myko. Nisbet likely to be sold and that injury today might finish McGeady.

Really hope we kick in and qualify for Europe. We’ve put ourselves in a great position to do so. But we’re going to need to act quickly in the summer if we do get there.

[Trinity Hibee]

Big problem we might, or probably will, have is the amount of work required on the squad in the summer. We just look like we’ve streamlined it a bit and are better for it. But you have Fish, CJ and Youan all on loan so there is obviously questions over whether they’ll be here. Same with Myko. Nisbet likely to be sold and that injury today might finish McGeady.

Really hope we kick in and qualify for Europe. We’ve put ourselves in a great position to do so. But we’re going to need to act quickly in the summer if we do get there.

I think the main positive of January was clearing out the amount of deadwood we managed to. Hopefully it really helps us bring proper quality in early in the summer.

[IberianHibernian]

Livi (A) Draw
Rangers (H) Loss
Celtic (A) Loss
Motherwell (H) Win
Dundee Utd (A) Win
Hearts (H) Loss
St Johnstone (A) Draw

8 points.Would be hoping to get at least a point and with a good chance of a win in the Derby though like last year`s pre split Derby we`re likely to need points while they`re in a relaxed 3rd position . Not sure how many points are usually needed for top 6 but doubt 8 would be enough .

[Hibernia&Alba]

Livi (A) Draw
Rangers (H) Loss
Celtic (A) Loss
Motherwell (H) Win
Dundee Utd (A) Win
Hearts (H) Loss
St Johnstone (A) Draw

8 points.

To be honest, that's probably realistic. Livi away is usually tough for us; Old Firm are the Old Firm, and we all know about our derby record. We are due a win against the maroonics, so you never know. I think St J away is a good opportunity for a win. Overall we should be okay for top six.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

4 teams fighting for 3 positions

Fixtures are much of a muchness. And with teams playing each other I'd say we're in the box seat

Crazy considering the mood on here over last 4-6 weeks eh?

Onwards and upwards

[IberianHibernian]

Big problem we might, or probably will, have is the amount of work required on the squad in the summer. We just look like we’ve streamlined it a bit and are better for it. But you have Fish, CJ and Youan all on loan so there is obviously questions over whether they’ll be here. Same with Myko. Nisbet likely to be sold and that injury today might finish McGeady.

Really hope we kick in and qualify for Europe. We’ve put ourselves in a great position to do so. But we’re going to need to act quickly in the summer if we do get there.Important points here . The players we`ve signed who really make a difference are either loans who are young like Fish and CJ and will want to play for bigger clubs or have a mixed record like Youan who we couldn`t afford to risk as a permanent signing and are probably out of our range now or older , talented players like McGeady who is fantastic for our level ( and like Sauzee brings out best in younger teammates ) but has fitness doubts . You and others here talk about signing real talent early in summer but harsh reality is that real talent won`t want to sign for us ( or any other non OF team in Scotland ) and especially in early summer before other options are considered by players and their clubs . This means waiting till end of transfer windows in August and January to get great ( for our league`s standards ) young players like Fish or older talented players who have had fitness or other problems limiting their game time at big clubs .
If above goes well , we`ll be challenging for 3rd to 5th and odd cup final like always but nothing more .
Alternatives ? Being extremely lucky with group of talented young players at same time like Brown , Whittaker etc but probably harder to keep such players now . Often think investing in top , proven coaches for young players would be worth it .
Another alternative is devt team plan that I think was a good idea and would have worked if club had been able to ignore critics and had been able to give players extensive match experience . What happened to playing English teams regularly ?

[B.H.F.C]

Important points here . The players we`ve signed who really make a difference are either loans who are young like Fish and CJ and will want to play for bigger clubs or have a mixed record like Youan who we couldn`t afford to risk as a permanent signing and are probably out of our range now or older , talented players like McGeady who is fantastic for our level ( and like Sauzee brings out best in younger teammates ) but has fitness doubts . You and others here talk about signing real talent early in summer but harsh reality is that real talent won`t want to sign for us ( or any other non OF team in Scotland ) and especially in early summer before other options are considered by players and their clubs . This means waiting till end of transfer windows in August and January to get great ( for our league`s standards ) young players like Fish or older talented players who have had fitness or other problems limiting their game time at big clubs .
If above goes well , we`ll be challenging for 3rd to 5th and odd cup final like always but nothing more .
Alternatives ? Being extremely lucky with group of talented young players at same time like Brown , Whittaker etc but probably harder to keep such players now . Often think investing in top , proven coaches for young players would be worth it .
Another alternative is devt team plan that I think was a good idea and would have worked if club had been able to ignore critics and had been able to give players extensive match experience . What happened to playing English teams regularly ?

Totally disagree with the bit about having to sign players late in the window. Perfectly possible to get good players in early. Marshall, McGeady, Youan (amongst others) all examples of that. Fact is last summer we signed too much crap and suffered for it.

[1van Sprou7e]

It's about time we took 3 points against rangers. Been unlucky a few times in recent years

But unfortunately it's a tough run of fixtures for the last 7 games, thankfully the team looks solid again

[darwenhibby]

If Hibs were to beat Motherwell at home and Dundee United away
Can you see Aberdeen getting 11 points from their last 7 games before the split??

[Col2]

I know it’s looking too far ahead but do we know what the European situation is for qualifying 3rd, 4th or 5th assuming Scottish cup is won by the OF? Is it the same as last season eg 3rd guaranteed group stages in Europa conference?

[Trinity Hibee]

I know it’s looking too far ahead but do we know what the European situation is for qualifying 3rd, 4th or 5th assuming Scottish cup is won by the OF? Is it the same as last season eg 3rd guaranteed group stages in Europa conference?

Yes I believe same as last season. 4th would play 2 rounds to get into the group stage.

[GreenCastle]

Aberdeen have been a bigger mess than us this season and they won’t bring in a manager till Burrows helps with the recruitment.

So we have to push on when Aberdeen are in this state.

Aberdeen do play Livi on 25th Feb so a draw would probably be best for us.

Aberdeens away record is awful but they play Dundee Utd away, St Johnstone away and Ross County away so may pick up some points on the road.

Livi, Hearts, Killie and Rangers home.

Livi don’t have to play Rangers or Celtic in next 8 games but have to play us and Aberdeen.

St Mirren fixtures similar to ours.

Next 7 games are massive for us - ideally need a win away to Livi and win 2 more wins after that minimum - so x3 wins but more if we want to push on for 4th or even 3rd. A derby win being one of these wins would get many fans back on side.

Hopefully the fans keep getting behind the team and we finish the season strong - definitely feels like more togetherness at the club now.