How Are People Feeling About Lee Johnson Now?

[Since452]

It's been a season of ups and downs that's for sure but I'm hearing a lot less negative comments about him these days. What is the general feeling about Lee now we're approach the end of his first season? Imo we're ending it playing some decent stuff.

[MWHIBBIES]

Okay.

A fully fit Nisbet, Boyle and McGeady all season and we'd have 3rd wrapped up.

We either need to keep key players fit, or replace them in the coming season, or we'll be 5/6th again.

[marinello59]

I feel the same as I did at the start of the season. Give him time and the right players and he will do a more than decent job for us. I’m looking forward to next season already.

[Steven79]

Okay.

A fully fit Nisbet, Boyle and McGeady all season and we'd have 3rd wrapped up.

We either need to keep key players fit, or replace them in the coming season, or we'll be 5/6th again.That's how I feel as well.

Been unlucky with all the upheaval and injuries.

Without that fluke run of form by Aberdeen and key players able to play most of the season we would be third.

I'm confident for next season and purchased season tickets when a few months ago I wasn't even going to consider it.

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[worcesterhibby]

I feel the same as I did at the start of the season. Give him time and the right players and he will do a more than decent job for us. I’m looking forward to next season already.

A little more luck with injuries next season and he will get us 3rd. We desperately need to keep a manager and let him build for a change.

[Joe6-2]

A little more luck with injuries next season and he will get us 3rd. We desperately need to keep a manager and let him build for a change.

definitely this, we just can’t keep ditching managers but still having roughly the same players, unless of course it goes pear shaped!

[Garymcl]

I dunno what it is but I’m looking forward to next season think the DOF has already started the ball rolling with players for next season on LJ still don’t know how good a manager he is but he has had a number of long term injuries to key players to deal with this season I will back him based on that alone in the mean time we have another huge game on Sunday the 21/5 let’s sell out our three stands for this and let them be reminded about our glorious day :flag:

[JohnM1875]

I feel the same as I did at the start of the season. Give him time and the right players and he will do a more than decent job for us. I’m looking forward to next season already.

I was gutted he got the job last summer. Wanted him gone a few times during the season as well, but absolutely buzzing for next season now and glad LJ has managed to hold onto his job.

Starting to play some really good football.

[Gmack7]

I was gutted he got the job last summer. Wanted him gone a few times during the season as well, but absolutely buzzing for next season now and glad LJ has managed to hold onto his job.

Starting to play some really good football.

What he said 👍, I've had a full 360 on my opinion of LJ

[Joe6-2]

Feel good days are ahead :flag:

[A Hi-Bee]

Time will tell, still sitting on the fence with this one.
:greengrin

[Carheenlea]

I’ve liked him from day 1, and when the pressure was mounting during after back to back derby defeats and some poor results and performance it was become it very hard to argue the case for him to continue.

I’ve grown weary of managerial change and the “rebuilds” and upheaval that go with it, so for me my feelings were that we let him ride it out and have the chance to build some form again.

I trust Lee Johnson as Hibs manager to make the right decisions and build a team that can both entertain and reap rewards.

[SHODAN]

He's ok.

[bingo70]

We’re heading in the right direction, making progress and scoring a lot more goals.

I’m not sure why anybody would expect any more than that.

Been times I’ve not been convinced by him this season but I’m looking forward to next season now.

[Skol]

Lose the next three games and the Johnson our brigade will be back.

I think he has done ok. Improvement on maloney but not yet reached the level Ross had us at. I am hopeful that a good Summer transfer window and we take a further step forward next season

Worst thing we could do is tip it up and start again.

[B.H.F.C]

Probably for the first time, I feel like we’re heading in the right direction with him.

Disappointed as I was with the result yesterday, I liked how we played and we looked like a team that actually care. We are still lacking quality at times but if we do things properly this summer we have a good chance of getting a decent team on the park. I feel quite optimistic.

If we don’t get above 5th it won’t be down to what we’re doing now IMO, it’ll be down to the shambles that was last summer and the impact it had through to Christmas time.

[Joe6-2]

Probably for the first time, I feel like we’re heading in the right direction with him.

Disappointed as I was with the result yesterday, I liked how we played and we looked like a team that actually care. We are still lacking quality at times but if we do things properly this summer we have a good chance of getting a decent team on the park. I feel quite optimistic.

If we don’t get above 5th it won’t be down to what we’re doing now IMO, it’ll be down to the shambles that was last summer and the impact it had through to Christmas time.

Good point

[weecounty hibby]

Nothings changed for me. I like him and think he has been unlucky with injuries to key players. Boyle, Nisbet, McGeady all long term injuries. Throw in Newall being out for a few weeks, Hanlon, Porto as well. I am looking forward to next season. I think with Mcdermott looking at recruitment as well we are definitely going in the right direction

[wookie70]

Pretty similar to when he arrived. I like what he says if I ignore some of the more flowery phrases. I think he is genuine and comes across really well as a good person. I think injuries and recruitment have been far bigger factors than the manager and with the arrival of a DOF with a background in recruitment and some of the injuries clearing, or at least a summer window to get a more robust playing staff in, then I think we could see quick progress. The biggest things for me are the way we play and the last few weeks we seem to be playing in a style that LJ talked about on arrival. It is a style I really like. It means we are mostly on the front foot, get players forward and get the ball into the danger area often and quickly. The squad also seem like they are really together and I think we can really kick on next season and still have some hope left this season. Fifth position, given the injuries, is definitely a par score but the cups have been very disappointing and that hurts us financially and in terms of those days out we all look forward too.

[HendoDelivered]

50/50 but want him to do well

[Greenio]

Like him. Like how he talks as himself and not some robo script. Feel he's improved a lot of players and knows who/what he wants to enhance the team. But above all that, it's about stability, chopping and changing managers because of the short-term thinking of a vocal and influential fan base is part of football but never one that leads to sustained success, which is the kind I'm after

[J-C]

So far we've had lots of injuries to key players and a pretty poor summer window, shored things up in January but over the season it's been far too up and down to really enjoy anything. Hopefully with McDermott coming in and his contacts, we'll have a better summer window but it's another upheaval we could do without, a good few have to leave to allow some in, we need to get rid of the inconsistency on the pitch and could do without streaky football from this season.

I'll give him 6/10, could do a lot better.

[Since452]

I've liked him from the start however my patience was being severely tested during the bad run. To his credit he navigated that well. Keeping the likes of Fish and CJ next season would help Lee push on I think. Hopefully talks are happening about that. They both seem to love it here. Hopefully he gets a decent injury free season next season. Our luck over the last 2 or 3 seasons with injuries has been unreal. We're due a good one.

[Frazerbob]

Lee Johnson or Steven Naismith.......no brainer!

[greenlex]

Still not sure he’s the one to take us forward but he has to be given a chance. He’s at least earned that.

[Ryan91]

Lose the next three games and the Johnson our brigade will be back.

I think he has done ok. Improvement on maloney but not yet reached the level Ross had us at. I am hopeful that a good Summer transfer window and we take a further step forward next season

Worst thing we could do is tip it up and start again.

Thinking back, Jack Ross in his first (and only) full season got stupidly lucky with almost no long-term injuries to key players.

Johnson seems to have finally found a settled side these past few weeks.

[MWHIBBIES]

Thinking back, Jack Ross in his first (and only) full season got stupidly lucky with almost no long-term injuries to key players.

Johnson seems to have finally found a settled side these past few weeks.

Magennis missed big chunks of that season. Scott Allan missed almost the entire thing. Murphy missed big chunks.

Allan was our best player the season before, that certainly didn't help us that season.

[JimBHibees]

I feel the same as I did at the start of the season. Give him time and the right players and he will do a more than decent job for us. I’m looking forward to next season already.

So am I. Think he has been fine and needs time to develop the. team.

[H18 SFR]

I really like him. Genuinely believe that he will drive us forward after through the next 4 transfer windows.

[GreenGray]

Meh, still not convinced he’s the man who will take us to the next level but as ever I will be happy to be proven wrong.


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[WhileTheChief..]

He’s doing better than he was but still not keen on him and wouldn’t be unhappy if he was replaced.

He needs to do an awful lot better next season, and if we get emptied out the league cup like last year, I’d bin him straight away.

He’s had a year to learn about us and the league, so he doesn’t have any excuses for signing crap players that don’t suit us, or playing ridiculous formations, as he tries to figure things out.

I think next season will go much the same way as this one and fully expect LJ to be manger this time next year, with the same conversations being had.

Can’t get excited about it at all. Maybe that will change in the summer with some quality signings but I doubt it.

Sorry. I know this sort of post upsets some of you. It’s not my intention but I’m sharing my thoughts as the OP asked for.

No need for a pile on, I accept that I’m in the minority and most of you won’t agree with a word I’ve said here!

[The Modfather]

He’s making slow progress, but progress nonetheless. I see him as someone who will/has steadied the ship and will leave better foundations than he inherited. Don’t think he will do anything special or be revered the same way as the likes of Mowbray or for periods under Collins & Lennon.

[Winston Ingram]

I like him. I think for the first half of the season our recruitment team threw him under a bus.

He’s one of the few managers I can remember us having that actually seems to have a game plan.

[Allant1981]

Folk have made up their mind about him and some won't change it, he was even getting almost personal abuse on here despite posters not even knowing the guy, 4th or 5th in his first season is not a bad start, granted the league Cup campaign was abysmal but hopefully he has learned from it, looking forward to what comes next season

[Jones28]

He’s done more than enough to get a good crack at next season imo.

[Iain G]

What he said 👍, I've had a full 360 on my opinion of LJ

Shouldn't that be a 180? 😁

[Hibernian Verse]

He’s doing better than he was but still not keen on him and wouldn’t be unhappy if he was replaced.

He needs to do an awful lot better next season, and if we get emptied out the league cup like last year, I’d bin him straight away.

He’s had a year to learn about us and the league, so he doesn’t have any excuses for signing crap players that don’t suit us, or playing ridiculous formations, as he tries to figure things out.

I think next season will go much the same way as this one and fully expect LJ to be manger this time next year, with the same conversations being had.

Can’t get excited about it at all. Maybe that will change in the summer with some quality signings but I doubt it.

Sorry. I know this sort of post upsets some of you. It’s not my intention but I’m sharing my thoughts as the OP asked for.

No need for a pile on, I accept that I’m in the minority and most of you won’t agree with a word I’ve said here!

We won’t be in the league cup groups next season

[Pretty Boy]

I don't think he'll be our manager this time next year.

Management in Scotland is rarely long term these days. The chances of getting multiple windows to build a team or a manager who has relative success hanging around for years are both close to nil.

There's no reason to be talking about a material change now, I think the most likely league finish is now 5th which is about as bang average as it gets but progress is progress. He's always going to be no more than 3 or 4 games from a crisis though (that's probably true of any manager of us, Hearts or Aberdeen really). A sticky start to next season and he'll be gone, a season that matches up to this one and he'll be gone and if he is a roaring success then he'll be gone albeit for different reasons.

I'd be surprised if we have a manager again who is here for 4 or 5 seasons. It's just not the nature of the game now.

[matty_f]

I like him, I’ve liked him from the start though, and that’s not to say there’s been times where I’ve found it hard to make a case for him - he’s had some shockers (to be fair, he did set out expectations early doors with that), but when we’re good, we’re really good.

Consistency is his biggest enemy, consistency of player availability, of form, and results. If he gets us playing like we did yesterday regularly, we’ll do well.

[Since452]

I get the feeling winning the last derby was huge for him. 1-0 was a travesty of a scoreline. Should have been more. Yesterday was arguably our best performance of the season. Another travesty we didn't win. St Johnstone game was completely ruined by the ref. I don't expect or think we'll get anything out of the Celtic and Rangers games but will be interesting to see how we perform. They have both schooled us at ER this season. I'd like to see an improvement.

[Nicho87]

I think the derby win was drastically needed to buy a bit credit back after the last two disasters.

He’s not had Nisbet for half a season
Boyle for most of the season
Sold porteous in January
Magennis, well same as most previous managers.

If he can keep us playing on the front foot that’s good enough for me.

My favourite eras were under McLeish and Mowbray - they just wanted to play fast attacking football. If we can get to that I’ll be happy.

Yesterday I hope is a big indication of what’s to come.

I think he has earnt another season. We need to learn and grow as a team I’m hopeful McDermott will offer great help in supporting the vision.

I back Johnson but like almost managers another sticky run like the one he had mid-season I don’t think he’d get away with again.

We can take defeats but it’s the manner in which you lose and how quickly you recover, it’s that in which he must improve and learn tactically to change it up imo.

[Dunbar Hibee]

Same as I’ve always felt. Give the man time. You can see the football he wants us to play - genuinely think with the right signings next season can be a really exciting one.

[Pagan Hibernia]

We’re about where we deserve to be.

when we were on a bad run earlier in the season there were Hibs fans saying we were the worst team in the league. I never felt that, fifth is about right.

a decent summer and next season could be good

[jeffers]

Still feel exactly the same about him and will be delighted the day he leaves.

Yesterday was good though. Thoroughly deserved to win. I’ll never take to him but more performances like that and on a consistent basis and I will give him praise.

[Cat Stanton]

He talks bollocks.

[matty_f]

Still feel exactly the same about him and will be delighted the day he leaves.

Yesterday was good though. Thoroughly deserved to win. I’ll never take to him but more performances like that and on a consistent basis and I will give him praise.

Why wouldn’t you be open to changing your mind about it? That tie saying if that no matter how good he is, you’ll be delighted when he leaves and at best, will throw him some praise?

What if he wins a cup double next season? Still want him gone?

[jeffers]

Why wouldn’t you be open to changing your mind about it? That tie saying if that no matter how good he is, you’ll be delighted when he leaves and at best, will throw him some praise?

What if he wins a cup double next season? Still want him gone?

I don’t like the guy. I don’t like the pish he comes out with, I don’t like the way he blames others. There’s other things I will never post on here that I’ve heard.

I’m fairly confident we won’t win a cup double next season.

[Hibees1973]

Injuries should not be used an excuse.

Other sides, in particular The Yam, have had injuries to key players. What has killed our chances of 3rd was not having adequate replacements for the players that have been out. There are so many players that have been signed who have contributed very little. Some have not been deemed good enough and have been moved on already or loaned out. I get that a few of the new players signed have been positive, however, there have been far too many aimless punts.

I will look on this season as an opportunity lost to get 3rd as Aberdeen and Hearts are well below average. In recent years far better sides have finished 3rd compared to will finish 3rd this season.

He was labelled as 'Streaky Lee' at the outset. This has been a fair assessment of our season.

A very poor record against the worst team in the League, Dundee Utd and shambolic home displays against the likes of Ross County and St Johnstone have come back to haunt us.

Overall I would give Johnson 5/10. No better than that.

He does deserve a shot at clearing out all the duds. There must be at least a dozen of them. With the appointment of McDermott and Iain Gordon taking on a less influential role I hope the signing policy in the summer is more coherent and balanced.

He needs to lose the 'Streaky Lee' tag in the first half of next season.

[Iain G]

He talks bollocks.

Thanks for that.

[Iain G]

I don’t like the guy. I don’t like the pish he comes out with, I don’t like the way he blames others. There’s other things I will never post on here that I’ve heard.

I’m fairly confident we won’t win a cup double next season.

Maybe you should post the other things? Might help people understand your view a bit better as opposed to sounding a little irrational.

And even if we win one cup will you give him credit? There are good signs there that we are progressing.

[jeffers]

Maybe you should post the other things? Might help people understand your view a bit better as opposed to sounding a little irrational.

And even if we win one cup will you give him credit? There are good signs there that we are progressing.

It wouldn’t make any difference, no doubt some would say I’d made them up. Asides from anything else I won’t betray the confidence of the people who told me. If that makes me sound irrational I’ll take that one on the chin.

If we win a cup then yes I’ll give him credit. It may have got lost in my previous post but I was actually giving him credit for yesterday’s performance.

[Iain G]

It wouldn’t make any difference, no doubt some would say I’d made them up. Asides from anything else I won’t betray the confidence of the people who told me. If that makes me sound irrational I’ll take that one on the chin.

If we win a cup then yes I’ll give him credit. It may have got lost in my previous post but I was actually giving him credit for yesterday’s performance.

Fair enough, I wouldn't be taking hearsay from third parties to make my opinion on whether he is doing a good job or not though.

[jeffers]

Fair enough, I wouldn't be taking hearsay from third parties to make my opinion on whether he is doing a good job or not though.

I guess that would depend on who the third parties were though wouldn’t it ?

[Iain G]

I guess that would depend on who the third parties were though wouldn’t it ?

Depends on how many axes they have to grind!

[Jones28]

I don’t like the guy. I don’t like the pish he comes out with, I don’t like the way he blames others. There’s other things I will never post on here that I’ve heard.

I’m fairly confident we won’t win a cup double next season.

Why not post them?

[ekhibee]

I think the derby win was drastically needed to buy a bit credit back after the last two disasters.

He’s not had Nisbet for half a season
Boyle for most of the season
Sold porteous in January
Magennis, well same as most previous managers.

If he can keep us playing on the front foot that’s good enough for me.

My favourite eras were under McLeish and Mowbray - they just wanted to play fast attacking football. If we can get to that I’ll be happy.

Yesterday I hope is a big indication of what’s to come.

I think he has earnt another season. We need to learn and grow as a team I’m hopeful McDermott will offer great help in supporting the vision.

I back Johnson but like almost managers another sticky run like the one he had mid-season I don’t think he’d get away with again.

We can take defeats but it’s the manner in which you lose and how quickly you recover, it’s that in which he must improve and learn tactically to change it up imo.
Yep, couldn't argue with any of that at all. Like you I think he's earned another season, but I would hope we can progress, there's still players we could probably replace with better quality but that obviously comes down to the funds available.

[JimBHibees]

It wouldn’t make any difference, no doubt some would say I’d made them up. Asides from anything else I won’t betray the confidence of the people who told me. If that makes me sound irrational I’ll take that one on the chin.

If we win a cup then yes I’ll give him credit. It may have got lost in my previous post but I was actually giving him credit for yesterday’s performance.

So not willing to give him a chance

[jacomo]

He talks bollocks.


He does, but his passion and commitment seem genuine.

If the players respond to his ‘bollocks’ that’s all that really matters.

[jeffers]

So not willing to give him a chance

Giving him a chance to do what exactly ? My opinion of him has absolutely zero impact on his ability to do the job he was appointed for.

[Wilbur]

I like him. Given the injuries we’ve had and the poor recruitment I think he’s done ok. Feeling positive for next season with a full squad and hopefully the DOF getting the right signings in and the duds out the door. Hopefully he gets the chance long term as I hate the constant change of manager.

[Smartie]

I like him.

It would be hard to think of a manager who could get more out of the squad we have right now than Johnson is getting.

There have been mitigating circumstances all season long and we could have capitulated but I think we look organised, fit, the players look like they'll play to the very end for him and that's all you can ask for.

A bit of handy recruitment and I can only see him doing well for us.

If only we could get to the bottom of those dips in form that we seem to get from time to time...

[Eyrie]

I'm fine with him.

Wouldn't say I'd be upset if he was poached by a team down south, but we've improved over the course of this season so I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen next year with him in charge.

[Donegal Hibby]

I've been in the Lee Johnson camp from day one and tbh wanted him as manager when it was rumoured it was down to him and JDT . Purely because I thought he was a more experienced manager who had done well at other clubs that were struggling which is what Hibs were before his appointment.

We have still struggled this season at times with Lee Johnson as manager though I still think there's players at our club signed by our last two manager's that I don't think fit into his plans that we haven't been able to move on yet . Recruitment hasn't helped him early on either.

It's been said a few times that we can't use injuries as a excuse , for me it's not a excuse but purely the facts of the matter that we have had horrendous bad luck with injuries to our best players and imo any team would struggle to a degree without there key players and have also had some awful decisions that's cost us points too ! .

There's definitely signs of improvement and some really good performances with Lee Johnson as manager who I think is a decent manager who comes across well in interviews. Now with our new DOF in to help Lee Johnson I feel quite optimistic about next season and I am hoping the club can find abit of stability which I think it needs.

GGTTH.🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬 .

https://youtu.be/ek1pRXdu5bU

[Just_Jimmy]

I'm not a fan at all. I've just never been able to take to him. I wanted him gone when he lost the back to back derbies and had 11 game winless stuff.

However, he turned it around and deserved credit for that. Then there were pish results that ultimately meant we'd never catch third.

I don't see 5th as any success and our cup performances were *****.

That said, he should get a fair crack and the clubs been turmoil this year and he's had key injuries. So let's see how next season goes and I really hope by this time next year I can say I am a fan.

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[Pagan Hibernia]

I honestly think with a fit Martin Boyle we’d have third sown up by now.

all ifs and buts though. Every team gets injuries and it’s the managers job to manage that.

[McGruber]

Will wait until the end of the season to decide, big difference in how the feeling will be if we go well and jump Hearts to 4th with a last day win at Tynie compared to 3 potential loses in a row culminating in another derby defeat last day with that hanging over us all summer.
Something about the 'looking forward to next season/we will be strong next year' narrative doesn't sit right with me. We are in a dog fight now with 3 big games to go. Sounds a little excuses in early deflection for the possibility of losing these games.
Also the injuries, terrible hand yes but other clubs in the same boat with most others unable to sign 20 plus players to cover. Injuries are part and parcel albeit we lost some big hitters.
6th/5th place and disaster in both cups can only be labelled average no matter how you cut it. 5th likely sneak into some early European qualifying rounds at least. Strong finish and 4th (above Hearts) with Europe and will be very happy with that.
Is all to play for.
Regardless, even a 5th/6th finish this year he keeps his job. It would be average with top 6 minimum criteria though think you can get away with that in your 1st season - slight improvement from last year and signs of improvement to come. Think McDermott will be a superb appointment for us

[neil7908]

I'm still not convinced by him. Every time we hit a good spell and feel like we are turning a corner, we end up chucking in a couple of poor performances and undo progress made.

As alluded to above, the end of the season will be telling. 4th after beating Hearts will be a big success and I think we'll see a lot of optimism across the summer, including increased ticket sales etc.

But 5th or 6th will be a huge disappointment.

That said, he's done enough to earn backing over summer, and hopefully the new structure with the DOF etc should mean our recruitment improves.

We will need around 6-8 players this summer to replace those on loan, out of contract or likely to leave (Nisbet). European football would make that task significantly easier.

[Haymaker]

If he signs Griffiths I'm 100% behind the man

[basehibby]

When he signed what I hoped for was a talented young manager with experience that belied his years - that would have the wherewithall to take us forward from the stagnancy of last season but also the potential to grow as a manager with his team. He has made the odd error along the way - playing Fish at RB at Tynie comes to mind - but his overall performance has been good IMO and I feel very optimistic that LJ will turn out to be a great appointment for Hibs.
Although there have been a couple of bad runs there has been a consistency of approach - a commitment to playing more direct football in the opposition half as opposed to the slow build up. The players have benefited from that consistency and we have been rewarded with more solid team performances as the season has progressed.
I think LJ deservess credit for getting the most out of certain key players. Nisbet and Newell in particular frustrated to varying degrees last season but have both looked right on their game this term - that makes a difference! Youan has also developed as a player while veterans like Marshall, McGeady, Stevenson and Hanlon have all made key contributions.
Lee has been slagged for his communication style at times as he has an astonishing flair for inventing new football cliches on a weelky basis (if that's not a contradiction in terms). In the big scheme of things I don't think this matters a jot as long as he's doing his best for Hibs and winning games of football, but for what it's worth I actually find that quite an entertaining and endearing trait - he's just a total football-head that can't seem to open his gob without adding to the great lexicon of football gobsheightery - surely this is not a problem in a manager but a quaification!

So - basically very happy with Lee. No manager is perfect and he has made the odd error this season and endured a couple of rotten runs. But he's turned them round each time and currently has a team that's playing with purpose and intent and cuffing it out with Aberdeen & Hearts for Europe - as we should be! Three enormous matches remain of the season and I reckon if he can overhaul Hearts LJ will be rewarded with a massive and deserved groundswell of support that will serve him well and push us forward - keeping my fingers crossed.

[JOD]

Still to be convinced.

Maybees aye, or Maybees naw.

I rest my case.

[JimBHibees]

Giving him a chance to do what exactly ? My opinion of him has absolutely zero impact on his ability to do the job he was appointed for.

A chance to change your opinion of him what else

[BILLYHIBS]

Still to be convinced but excited for next season regardless of where we finish this season under the guidance of the new DoF and hopefully some decent high quality recruits fit to wear the famous jersey

Hopefully LJ will prove me wrong and be the man to lead us and take us forward whatever the future may hold

Onwards and upwards

[Heisenberg]

The league cup shambles and some of our performances up until the 6-0 win vs Aberdeen were horrific. We definitely improved after Fish/CJ/Jeggo came into the team, there have still been some dreadful performances and results thrown in but they’ve not been as frequent. If he finishes 5th then it’s an average season, maybe slightly below given we got put out the cup by Falkirk and Morton.

Neither love him or hate him at the moment I don’t think.

[JimBHibees]

The league cup shambles and some of our performances up until the 6-0 win vs Aberdeen were horrific. We definitely improved after Fish/CJ/Jeggo came into the team, there have still been some dreadful performances and results thrown in but they’ve not been as frequent. If he finishes 5th then it’s an average season, maybe slightly below given we got put out the cup by Falkirk and Morton.

Neither love him or hate him at the moment I don’t think.

A fair summary

[GRA]

Let's see how we get on in the last three games of the season.

If we win a couple and leapfrog Hearts to 4th it will be a partial success.

If we get pumped in all three and finish 6th it will be a failure.

I personally think we'll get 5th & Euro football. Which would be an average season.

But I've seen enough to encourage me we'll do much better next season. Injury permitting of course, if we get Boyle back fit and firing that will heavily impact us.

[Paulie Walnuts]

The league cup shambles and some of our performances up until the 6-0 win vs Aberdeen were horrific. We definitely improved after Fish/CJ/Jeggo came into the team, there have still been some dreadful performances and results thrown in but they’ve not been as frequent. If he finishes 5th then it’s an average season, maybe slightly below given we got put out the cup by Falkirk and Morton.

Neither love him or hate him at the moment I don’t think.

Pretty much where I am.

I stuck up for him earlier in the season as the recruitment in the summer was yet again desperately poor. Comes a point though where you can’t keep making excuses about recruitment, injuries etc and he simply needed to start delivering results.

We’ve done alright over the piece on that front, no more, no less. He’ll get next season but if he doesn’t start well he’s not got much credit in the bank imo.

[ChilliEater]

I'm with Jeffers in my opinion of him. I think he's quick to take credit for good things and blame others for bad things. Even his summing up of Saturday - dominating, getting in behind them but lacked quality in attack - read to me like "My coaching, tactics and preparation were spot on but the players weren't good enough to finish the job". Maybe harsh, but I'm seeing narcissistic tendencies in him and fear he'll create a toxic environment at the club. Hopefully I'm wrong and just overthinking, that being said, when we're good we're really good so if he gets us consistently playing at our best then I won't care if he's Hitler and Stalin rolled into one.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

He’s doing better than he was but still not keen on him and wouldn’t be unhappy if he was replaced.

He needs to do an awful lot better next season, and if we get emptied out the league cup like last year, I’d bin him straight away.

He’s had a year to learn about us and the league, so he doesn’t have any excuses for signing crap players that don’t suit us, or playing ridiculous formations, as he tries to figure things out.

I think next season will go much the same way as this one and fully expect LJ to be manger this time next year, with the same conversations being had.

Can’t get excited about it at all. Maybe that will change in the summer with some quality signings but I doubt it.

Sorry. I know this sort of post upsets some of you. It’s not my intention but I’m sharing my thoughts as the OP asked for.

No need for a pile on, I accept that I’m in the minority and most of you won’t agree with a word I’ve said here!

I'm still quite ambivalent about him too.

[West lower]

We look a much improved and more entertaining side compared to last season. He majorly under estimated the League cup, but that aside the standard is definitely on the way up. A few decent signings and next season could be exciting.

[One Day Soon]

Pretty ambivalent about him tbh. Seems a decent guy but also prone to the occasional drift towards Cathro-isms.

Much more importantly his first season has been weak.

Cons:
Emptied woefully out of both cups, substantial amount of points thrown away in a series of matches just a fraction of which should have seen us in third, some inexplicable formation and late substitution choices and a signings record best described as patchy.

Pros:
Top 6, possibility of some kind of European place (even if only by default depending on cup final), Yuan is developing nicely, a year nearly completed with presumably plenty of lessons learned.

He's had injuries to contend with which haven't helped him. On the other hand his job is to develop a squad capable of coping with injuries. This summer and the first third of next season will tell us whether or not he knows what he's doing.

[Iain G]

I'm with Jeffers in my opinion of him. I think he's quick to take credit for good things and blame others for bad things. Even his summing up of Saturday - dominating, getting in behind them but lacked quality in attack - read to me like "My coaching, tactics and preparation were spot on but the players weren't good enough to finish the job". Maybe harsh, but I'm seeing narcissistic tendencies in him and fear he'll create a toxic environment at the club. Hopefully I'm wrong and just overthinking, that being said, when we're good we're really good so if he gets us consistently playing at our best then I won't care if he's Hitler and Stalin rolled into one.

I think that's pretty harsh and surprised at that reading of any of his after match interview form the Aberdeen game, he was pretty positive in general about how we played and are developing.

And sure about the narcissistic idea either? He seems quite inclusive.

[Hibbyradge]

I'm with Jeffers in my opinion of him. I think he's quick to take credit for good things and blame others for bad things. Even his summing up of Saturday - dominating, getting in behind them but lacked quality in attack - read to me like "My coaching, tactics and preparation were spot on but the players weren't good enough to finish the job". Maybe harsh, but I'm seeing narcissistic tendencies in him and fear he'll create a toxic environment at the club. Hopefully I'm wrong and just overthinking, that being said, when we're good we're really good so if he gets us consistently playing at our best then I won't care if he's Hitler and Stalin rolled into one.

His description of our performance was spot on.

He gave the team credit for what they did well and pointed out where we were a bit lacking.

I see nothing to criticise him for.

[H18S NX]

Neither up nor down with him,if he stays he stays,if he goes he goes.

[JammyDoidger]

Stick with it, hopefully Brian McDermott can make a few astute signings and we will be on our way. Genuinely believe with a bit more luck in terms of decisions going our way, and certainly with injury's, having Boyle, magennis, McGeady, Doyle hayes fit for majority of the season and we would have been third. The difference Boyle alone would have made would likely have been enough.

[Donegal Hibby]

The manager has had a lot of issue to deal with at our football club this year though we have improved on last year and at times the style football has been very good , alot better than last season .Maybe I'm in the minority here though how Hibs play football is extremely important to me as a fan also . Article on hibs making progress.
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/hibs-are-starting-to-show-signs-of-tangible-progress-after-bold-decision-to-back-lee-johnson-4141954

[Torto7]

I'm in the keep camp. He's finally moved Cadden out of a back 4 and low and behold we look far more solid. If he hadn't tried that too many times third would be in the bag and that's before we even mention all the other injuries we have had to key men, we have the third best team imo and stats but not points unfortunately back that up. His football is good to watch for the most part. I'd really love to get Fish and CJ back even if its just for another season. Jeggo I'm not sure about. He does a lot of dirty work but his ability isn't that great.

[Hibiza]

He's doing ok , just wish he'd cut out the story telling interviews.

[JimBHibees]

His description of our performance was spot on.

He gave the team credit for what they did well and pointed out where we were a bit lacking.

I see nothing to criticise him for.

Agree totally

[NAE NOOKIE]

Feel a bit better about LJ than I did half way through the season. But our poor cup record under him needs to improve, a cup game with Hearts is never a gimmie and it could have been shelved under 'oh well' if it hadn't been for our league cup disaster, chuck the two together and it's failure on an unacceptable scale. They are the only two competitions we have a hope of winning and you don't make real money until the semis ... two facts any Hibs manager should have imprinted on their mind if they want to be remembered for winning anything, not to mention a half decent budget for the next season.

The fact we aren't favourites for third at the moment is down to a few factors not under his control, but the ones that are include a couple of poor losses at home to teams for whom a win at Easter Road should be an event that rarely happens.

If he can somehow manufacture finishing above Hearts in the next 3 games then his stock will be high for sure and we can carry some real positivity into the summer. But there's barely a Hibs manager in history faced with the three games he has left who would be confident of full points. A win against the Huns or Sellic would be huge at this point and at least give us a chance of something to play for in the last game. In our last two home games against the uglies we have been woeful, we were lucky the Huns didn't put 6 or 7 past us ..... needless to say we need a massive improvement on these performances if we are to get anything.

Whatever happens so far IMO he has 'just' earned a shot at next season, but our recruitment had better be spot on not to see a similar season next time, with us once again fighting fires in January ... I doubt he would survive a second season like this one.

[Unseen work]

I like him.

I like how he is honest in interviews, he sometimes uses a funny phrase etc but at least he’s being himself and not the standard phrases some managers use.

I like how in our difficult period he was blunt about players moving on etc and then done what he said he would do.

I like how he is trying to get the team to play and how he has improved some of them massively.

I’m really optimistic about next season now.

Only thing I’ve yet to be sold on is his dress sense 🤣

[Svengali]

Still on the fence TBH.

As some have said on here, our luck with injuries with key players has been a nightmare.

However, many games we’ve thrown it away / shot ourself in the foot (Ross County, Motherwell & St Johnstone at home)

Haven’t beaten Dundee Utd, lost heavily to Aberdeen. Every team in the league has beaten us

That being said, in my view we’ve improved on last season and there has been games I’ve really enjoyed this season (performance & results).

Big three games coming up which could shape how highly he’s viewed this season. If we play well and pick up some points we go into the summer with some optimism, lose and lose badly,knifes will be out IMO.

If we finish 5th, no a disaster by any stretch just a ‘meh’

[Tambo]

When he first came into Hibs he did say not to expect many 0-0 draws.

A few ups and downs over the season which looked like his job could of been in danger after the Derby results in January.

Still in with a shout at European football for next season with our best player coming back for next season.

I honestly think he's trying to get it right with us and some games you can see he is but again a little bit of inconsistencies which results we look back thinking how did we lose?

A few adjustments in the summer and we could be a good side capable of being in the race for 3rd next season.

[JimBHibees]

Feel a bit better about LJ than I did half way through the season. But our poor cup record under him needs to improve, a cup game with Hearts is never a gimmie and it could have been shelved under 'oh well' if it hadn't been for our league cup disaster, chuck the two together and it's failure on an unacceptable scale. They are the only two competitions we have a hope of winning and you don't make real money until the semis ... two facts any Hibs manager should have imprinted on their mind if they want to be remembered for winning anything, not to mention a half decent budget for the next season.

The fact we aren't favourites for third at the moment is down to a few factors not under his control, but the ones that are include a couple of poor losses at home to teams for whom a win at Easter Road should be an event that rarely happens.

If he can somehow manufacture finishing above Hearts in the next 3 games then his stock will be high for sure and we can carry some real positivity into the summer. But there's barely a Hibs manager in history faced with the three games he has left who would be confident of full points. A win against the Huns or Sellic would be huge at this point and at least give us a chance of something to play for in the last game. In our last two home games against the uglies we have been woeful, we were lucky the Huns didn't put 6 or 7 past us ..... needless to say we need a massive improvement on these performances if we are to get anything.

Whatever happens so far IMO he has 'just' earned a shot at next season, but our recruitment had better be spot on not to see a similar season next time, with us once again fighting fires in January ... I doubt he would survive a second season like this one.

Think basically the league cup was a shocker the team we played in our most difficult game at Falkirk should have been the one playing at Bonnyrigg and same in reverse. In saying that we would have been out anyway due to Rocky shambles.Hopefully we are not in the groups for a while

[Basildon Hibs]

Never wanted him in the first place. Still don't.
He's a bull-****ter and not good enough for our club.

[Iain G]

Never wanted him in the first place. Still don't.
He's a bull-****ter and not good enough for our club.

Why is he not good enough?

[Northernhibee]

I don’t know is the truthful answer.

I don’t think I’ve been as angry about Hibs back in the winter, even during the relegation times. To have such a dismal summer window was bad enough, to spend so much money to have that was unforgivable. Add in that horrific run of form and no clue how we could turn it around.

Winter window was decent but we still have a lot of deadwood to move on. Fifth is for me bare minimum, cups were entirely unacceptable.

A lot depends on the first half of next season as to how it goes.

In terms of the football, when we’re good we are very enjoyable to watch. When we’re bad it’s atrocious.

[McHibby]

I'm still neutral-ish. We've had such an up and down season. Some absolutely stinking results yet, despite all the injuries, we've somehow found ourselves in the mix for 3rd place.

I do feel quite positive about next season, but I think that's more to do with Ian Gordon being removed from recruitment and the appointment of our DOF rather than anything LJ has done.

[Dmas]

I’m quite willing to let him have time, anyone coming in when he did after the s***show before him would have needed time to change things round, he’s lost very big important players all through the season where any manager would struggle and he’s got us top 6 and still in the hunt for 4th, even 3rd was still an option until last week so although we’ve been inconsistent and struggled at points he’s done quite well keeping us in touch of where we want to be, next season hopefully a few good signings and top players back for we could be a decent team

[Hibbyradge]

I'm like many who've said they're neutral or ambivalent. I wouldn't say I like him as much I did Mowbray, Stubbs or (mostly) Lennon, but that could change as I've really enjoyed some of our football.

I do think some of the stuff being used to knock him is exaggerated and unfair. The David Brent analogy is nonsense. He occasionally uses phrases that we're not used to hearing, but they make perfect sense.

The "throwing people under a bus" cliché is totally exaggerated and it's pretty obvious that the players are responding well to the coaching, so any criticism that LJ has levelled at them must have been taken in the way it was intended.

"Streaky" is a lazily copied term which actually applies to every manager outside the top 2, and to just about every manager we've ever had.

I hope he does well, there are definitely signs of progress, and I hope he becomes more relatable to the fans.

I was unhappy when we binned Lennon and even Jack Ross, but, despite my comments above, I don't think I'd feel like that if LJ left. Not yet anyway.

[Steve20]

Why is he not good enough?

Because 5th isn't good enough and we got emptied out the cups at the earliest possible chance?

[Hibees1973]

Never wanted him in the first place. Still don't.
He's a bull-****ter and not good enough for our club.

Like your style.

Frank, honest, to the point and I need no clarification of your stance.

Don't get why others ask for any reasoning or explanation of your views. Thoroughly entitled to your view and it's not necessary to elaborate to others the reasons why.

[DarlingtonHibee]

Never wanted him in the first place. Still don't.
He's a bull-****ter and not good enough for our club.

He speaks highly of you. He is our manager, show some respect.

[Fergus52]

Because 5th isn't good enough and we got emptied out the cups at the earliest possible chance?

Hearts and Aberdeen's playing budgets are miles ahead of us, we're closer in wage bill to Dundee utd, Motherwell and St Mirren than Aberdeen or Hearts.

5th is sadly absolutely fine based on that.

[B.H.F.C]

Hearts and Aberdeen's playing budgets are miles ahead of us, we're closer in wage bill to Dundee utd, Motherwell and St Mirren than Aberdeen or Hearts.

5th is sadly absolutely fine based on that.

What is the difference in playing wage bills between the three out of interest?

[Hibbyradge]

Like your style.

Frank, honest, to the point and I need no clarification of your stance.

Don't get why others ask for any reasoning or explanation of your views. Thoroughly entitled to your view and it's not necessary to elaborate to others the reasons why.

Answers like that don't add much to the discussion though. Which is the point of the forum.

[SHODAN]

If we win at Tynecastle and finish 4th this will have been a great season, all things considered.

If.

[JimBHibees]

Never wanted him in the first place. Still don't.
He's a bull-****ter and not good enough for our club.

Lol

[Donegal Hibby]

Like your style.

Frank, honest, to the point and I need no clarification of your stance.

Don't get why others ask for any reasoning or explanation of your views. Thoroughly entitled to your view and it's not necessary to elaborate to others the reasons why.
Of course they are entitled to there views and they don't have to elaborate on it if they chooses not too though maybe the other poster is asking merely to try and understand why they have such a critical opinion of the Hibs manager . Don't see anything wrong in asking either tbh .

[JohnM1875]

Hearts and Aberdeen's playing budgets are miles ahead of us, we're closer in wage bill to Dundee utd, Motherwell and St Mirren than Aberdeen or Hearts.

5th is sadly absolutely fine based on that.

Think that used to be the case before RG. He spoke about closing the gap on them not long ago, so I'm sure we'll be nearer both now than the likes of Motherwell etc.

[Iain G]

Like your style.

Frank, honest, to the point and I need no clarification of your stance.

Don't get why others ask for any reasoning or explanation of your views. Thoroughly entitled to your view and it's not necessary to elaborate to others the reasons why.

I disagree, the poster says they never wanted him in the first place which surely needs some kind of rationale behind it?

[jacomo]

I'm like many who've said they're neutral or ambivalent. I wouldn't say I like him as much I did Mowbray, Stubbs or (mostly) Lennon, but that could change as I've really enjoyed some of our football.

I do think some of the stuff being used to knock him is exaggerated and unfair. The David Brent analogy is nonsense. He occasionally uses phrases that we're not used to hearing, but they make perfect sense.

The "throwing people under a bus" cliché is totally exaggerated and it's pretty obvious that the players are responding well to the coaching, so any criticism that LJ has levelled at them must have been taken in the way it was intended.

"Streaky" is a lazily copied term which actually applies to every manager outside the top 2, and to just about every manager we've ever had.

I hope he does well, there are definitely signs of progress, and I hope he becomes more relatable to the fans.

I was unhappy when we binned Lennon and even Jack Ross, but, despite my comments above, I don't think I'd feel like that if LJ left. Not yet anyway.


I think the streaky nickname is apt and the pattern is set. We’re likely to go on another bad run with him at some point, I hope Hibs fans don’t act shocked and lose their minds.

The upside is decent runs of form and some good attacking football. It’s a very different approach to someone like Jack Ross (who shouldn’t have been sacked when he was).

He also talks complete manure at times… but, as you say, if the players are responding in the right way, what does it matter?

I think he’s certainly improved some players, and the team has a good shape when he’s not trying to force square pegs into round holes.

I hope this season has been an investment of sorts: he’s made mistakes and hopefully learned from them. I hope we will benefit from that next season.

He seems happy to be at Hibs and ‘gets us’ more than say Maloney or Calderwood.

I’ve always said that the Hibs job is a tough one: maybe the 5th biggest budget in Scotland but high levels of scrutiny and pressure.

[Unseen work]

Because 5th isn't good enough and we got emptied out the cups at the earliest possible chance?

5th biggest bushes in the league and if our history is anything to go on we have no right to expect 4th or above as a way to judge a manager being good enough.

League cup was poor

[007]

5th biggest bushes in the league and if our history is anything to go on we have no right to expect 4th or above as a way to judge a manager being good enough.

League cup was poor

Didn't realise this thread was about the women's team. 🤔

[Fergus52]

What is the difference in playing wage bills between the three out of interest?

Tried to get the chart from Swiss rambles most recent blogpost on hearts accounts, but it's now behind a paywall.

[Fergus52]

Think that used to be the case before RG. He spoke about closing the gap on them not long ago, so I'm sure we'll be nearer both now than the likes of Motherwell etc.

We weren't last season, I've posted the graph showing last season's wage bills before and we were closer to those 3 clubs than Aberdeen and hearts.

Tried to find it again but you now have to pay

[McGruber]

Hearts and Aberdeen's playing budgets are miles ahead of us, we're closer in wage bill to Dundee utd, Motherwell and St Mirren than Aberdeen or Hearts.

5th is sadly absolutely fine based on that.

Not for me. If Hearts and Aberdeen have far bigger budgets and smash it accordingly fair enough. Neither have had a great season, both sacked managers as a result. Hearts spending significant amounts of their bigger budget on Jorge Grant, Kio, Oda etc- never exactly used their budget wisely.
We are 1 point behind Hearts as it stands. We took 3 points out of 33 at one point. Any win from a string of games against all the lower budget teams would have seen us comfortably above them. Infact, any string of consistency befitting the club with the 5th biggest budget in the league would have seen us finish 3rd this year - because clubs with budgets 3 and 4 have badly misfired over the piece.
All being equal the clubs with more money finish higher up, you have to hope they underperform. If they do then you can finish above them if you have your own house in order. If you can't aim for that then what's the point.

[Tyler Durden]

Hearts and Aberdeen's playing budgets are miles ahead of us, we're closer in wage bill to Dundee utd, Motherwell and St Mirren than Aberdeen or Hearts.

5th is sadly absolutely fine based on that.

I don’t think there is any way thats accurate for this season or last

That “Swiss ramble” account won’t take any time on Scottish teams to interrogate the accounts properly and break down football costs accurately.

[bingo70]

I think a lot of people are being really quite harsh on him.

He’s not been perfect and there’s times in particular I’ve been frustrated by him but you’ve got to take into consideration his starting position. If we come 5th this season, that’s a pretty decent outcome for his first season.

I’m normally all for the excitement of a managerial change and if I was a chairman I’d be like the guy at Watford, that said, changing the manager now and losing everything LJ has learnt over his first season would be *****. IMO we’re in a really good position to kick on from here.

[jakedance]

Pass marks for me. I wanted him gone after the Tynie derby but he’s done ok. I try to keep in mind that the plan for this season would have been for McGeady, Nisbett and Boyle to be on the pitch. I’d think they’d be good for a few points. It’s also not LJ’s fault for some of the disgraceful refereeing that has undoubtedly cost us points. I really hope we do better in the transfer market this summer.

[B.H.F.C]

Pass marks for me. I wanted him gone after the Tynie derby but he’s done ok. I try to keep in mind that the plan for this season would have been for McGeady, Nisbett and Boyle to be on the pitch. I’d think they’d be good for a few points. It’s also not LJ’s fault for some of the disgraceful refereeing that has undoubtedly cost us points. I really hope we do better in the transfer market this summer.

The reaction, in the league, to that Tynecastle game (when you think back to how bad it was) has actually been pretty good. Played 15, won 7, lost 4, drawn 4. But you consider we have been done by a couple of shocking decisions in a couple of the draws (Ross County and St Johnstone) even if we didn’t help ourselves in the draw at the weekend.

I’d have happily had him out the door after that Tynecastle game but there has been definite improvement since then. Think he’s slowly but surely turned us in to a better team. Just really hope we can do things properly in the summer this year.

[hibee-boys]

Irrespective of the last 3 results I think he’s done enough to be given another pre season and transfer window. He inherited a bloated squad with far too many contracted players not making meaningful contributions. Unfortunately for home it may take more than the 1 transfer window to clear out the squad though.

[B.H.F.C]

Irrespective of the last 3 results I think he’s done enough to be given another pre season and transfer window. He inherited a bloated squad with far too many contracted players not making meaningful contributions. Unfortunately for home it may take more than the 1 transfer window to clear out the squad though.

Regardless of what happens next week, it would make little sense to get to this point and bin him for me.

He needs to get off to a positive start next season though. I have seen signs of something starting to come together and he/we need to take that on a step in the summer.

[jeffers]

Regardless of what happens next week, it would make little sense to get to this point and bin him for me.

He needs to get off to a positive start next season though. I have seen signs of something starting to come together and he/we need to take that on a step in the summer.

Agree with your first sentence. Wait til the season is over to bin him :wink:

[flash]

Agree with your first sentence. Wait til the season is over to bin him :wink:

Good to see you mellowing on him.:greengrin