Quarter 1 Report Card

[DaveF]

Played all opponents and we have 11 points from 11 games.

W2, D5, L4

3 of those losses under Johnson and 1 win under Gray.

Not brilliant from NM so far and last night's brain fart really hasn't helped his case in the eyes of a lot of fans.

Q2 needs to be substantially better.

[Trinity Hibee]

Extremely disappointing. No obvious style of play yet. Same way it’s been for last 2 years. Rudderless

[Paulie Walnuts]

First quarter has been abysmal.

Don’t see any way this team gets third place unfortunately.

[Pretty Boy]

It's been a really poor start to the season in the league. I don't think anyone could argue otherwise. 0 points from 3 then 11 from 8 are both poor returns. Changing the manager and trying to make an unbalanced squad with glaring deficiencies work sums up 2 or 3 years of errors that have led us to this point.

I'm hopeful things will improve in the run up to and after January because they need to.

D+. Must do better.

[Jim44]

First quarter has been abysmal.

Don’t see any way this team gets third place unfortunately.

Might even struggle for top six.

[Since452]

Dreadful. Both managers culpable. Slow, boring football and sloppy goals. Not confident of finishing top 6 nevermind 3rd. Sadly we've regressed since last season after spending a fortune.

[thebausburst]

Feels like Maloney all over again

[easty]

Utter pish.

NM results have been poor. 8 games, failed to score in 3 of them despite playing with a formation that’s very attack minded. Threw away a 2 goal lead twice. Put in an absolutely stinking performance first half at Tynecastle. Pumped at Ibrox.

He was given an absolute gift in having Dundee and Ross County at home early on. Chucked that away.

I still don’t think 3rd is impossible, because the squad is good enough in my opinion. NM has to start getting more out of it though. Quickly.

[Northernhibee]

It was a stupid idea to give LJ the chance to start the season when anyone could see that he was never going to make it here, and we now have a completely imbalanced squad.

That’s twice though that we’ve blown a two goal lead under Monty and he needs to be better at seeing results out as if you swap two draws for two wins, we’re probably talking about the decent start he’s made.

[Iain G]

NM is clearly capable of getting a tune out of players that LJ couldn't or wouldn't, Miller and Jair are clear indications and this is a major positive around his player management.

It's still early days but he has a clear way of wanting to play and I hope he can implement it and give us the much discussed "identify"

[Paulie Walnuts]

NM is clearly capable of getting a tune out of players that LJ couldn't or wouldn't, Miller and Jair are clear indications and this is a major positive.

It's still early days but he has a clear way of wanting to play and I hope he can implement it and give us the much discussed "identify"

On the flip side, he’s not getting a tune out of potentially our best player in Newell whose early season form has completely deserted him and Paul Hanlons form has dropped off a cliff. Swings and roundabouts and overall there’s been no improvement imo.

[B.H.F.C]

It’s been crap but so is the rest of the league so nothing is gone yet.

Sick of the bull****, we have a different player telling us every week that they’re working so much harder under this manager and learning so much more. There is a core of them that have helped get numerous managers sacked. One thing that gives me hope is that he seems to have identified quite quickly that Hanlon and Stevenson should no longer be first picks (there isn’t much he can do about having to use them at times just now) so hopefully it’s the beginning of the end and changes to the squad are made when he gets the chance.

Bottom line is we have an poor, unbalanced squad and results have been crap. We need a big upturn and 7 points minimum from our 3 games in November.

[cubehindthegoal]

I think we are on the right track. Someone said in the ross county match feed : “new manager, new players, same…” … that’s funny, because I’m not sure what players Monty signed … did I miss something ? There is improvement, but some will stay blind to it for now, then jump on the bandwagon when he improves us more when he does actually get his own new players in … meantime, if you can’t see improvement in a few of the players since he came ie the ones that are standing up to be counted and responding to him, and see he is finding out who won’t also … then we are watching different matches and you will disagree with this post, which is your opinion and fine. Imagine if he didn’t give all players a chance and moved them on without trying them, and they did well elsewhere … I bet the same people moaning about him playing these players, would crucify him for not trying them first during the transition to his own team. My opinion only … and hey, I could be wrong too. We will see …

[Smartie]

I didn’t think it was fair to make much of a call on this season up to this point. Now we’re here I think it’s fair to call it out as piss poor.

Both managers have contributed to that but we miss the point by continually blaming managers. We’ve had many successive dreadful transfer windows and that’s being reflected on the park.

We have the makings of a decent team but the squad is dreadfully short of what is required to finish third. This is another transitional season with signs that next season might be better although surely nobody would be surprised if ended up being transitional again.

Montgomery has his hands tied to an extent with critical weaknesses such as our goalkeeping options but he should still be picking up more than he has been.

Ultimately I reckon Hibs are a soulless moneyball outfit with the actual football a secondary concern for emotional fans to get wound up about so it’s not necessarily a surprise if footballing success seems to be a distant prospect in perpetuity.

[easty]

I didn’t think it was fair to make much of a call on this season up to this point. Now we’re here I think it’s fair to call it out as piss poor.

Both managers have contributed to that but we miss the point by continually blaming managers. We’ve had many successive dreadful transfer windows and that’s being reflected on the park.

We have the makings of a decent team but the squad is dreadfully short of what is required to finish third. This is another transitional season with signs that next season might be better although surely nobody would be surprised if ended up being transitional again.

Montgomery has his hands tied to an extent with critical weaknesses such as our goalkeeping options but he should still be picking up more than he has been.

Ultimately I reckon Hibs are a soulless moneyball outfit with the actual football a secondary concern for emotional fans to get wound up about so it’s not necessarily a surprise if footballing success seems to be a distant prospect in perpetuity.

I just don’t agree that this squad isn’t good enough for third. St Mirren up there just now, and they don’t have a better squad than we do. They’ve a manager who’s getting more out of what he has available. Using the players he has well. Hearts squad is nae better than ours. Neither is Aberdeens.

Don’t really get the Moneyball outfit point.

[Smartie]

I just don’t agree that this squad isn’t good enough for third. St Mirren up there just now, and they don’t have a better squad than we do. They’ve a manager who’s getting more out of what he has available. Using the players he has well. Hearts squad is nae better than ours. Neither is Aberdeens.

Don’t really get the Moneyball outfit point.

The core of the squad is definitely good enough for third. There are a lot of points to be won between now and January though, when we can bring in players to address our deficiencies. This isn’t a squad that has it in it to play the way Montgomery wants to play and defend well enough to pick up enough points to finish third.

The moneyball point relates to our transfer priorities. We’ll know what we need to do next summer to improve the football team but it won’t happen if the opportunity to sign more Vente types arises, where we can blow our budget on someone who might earn us a financial return but leave us with the same weaknesses we’ve known about for ages.

I’m just not loving the Gordon era much tbh.

[easty]

The core of the squad is definitely good enough for third. There are a lot of points to be won between now and January though, when we can bring in players to address our deficiencies. This isn’t a squad that has it in it to play the way Montgomery wants to play and defend well enough to pick up enough points to finish third.

The moneyball point relates to our transfer priorities. We’ll know what we need to do next summer to improve the football team but it won’t happen if the opportunity to sign more Vente types arises, where we can blow our budget on someone who might earn us a financial return but leave us with the same weaknesses we’ve known about for ages.

I’m just not loving the Gordon era much tbh.

Absolutely agree with your first point, and it’s something that’s bothered me for ages with Hibs managers. I don’t want a manager who “plays a certain way”. This is the squad, get the best out of what you have. Results first, then you can implement your changes as you bring in the right players to do what you want.

[Northernhibee]

The core of the squad is definitely good enough for third. There are a lot of points to be won between now and January though, when we can bring in players to address our deficiencies. This isn’t a squad that has it in it to play the way Montgomery wants to play and defend well enough to pick up enough points to finish third.

The moneyball point relates to our transfer priorities. We’ll know what we need to do next summer to improve the football team but it won’t happen if the opportunity to sign more Vente types arises, where we can blow our budget on someone who might earn us a financial return but leave us with the same weaknesses we’ve known about for ages.

I’m just not loving the Gordon era much tbh.

The last sentence sums it up for me. IG and BK have gotten a lot wrong on the footballing side of things and although McDermott coming in has improved it, there’s a lot of things to correct before we can really move forward.

Even the much praised improved commercial side sees us with emails for “85% off watches” which is the sort of junk email I’d expect on wish.com, and Sportemon Go on the back of our shirt for a while. I expect the club to look after the fans better and not have its name next to stuff like that.

If we become a serious Avenue for young players to get to the EPL whilst retaining our own identity with our own players and become a far more serious footballing outfit, I’m all for it.

[Chorley Hibee]

The core of the squad is definitely good enough for third. There are a lot of points to be won between now and January though, when we can bring in players to address our deficiencies. This isn’t a squad that has it in it to play the way Montgomery wants to play and defend well enough to pick up enough points to finish third.

The moneyball point relates to our transfer priorities. We’ll know what we need to do next summer to improve the football team but it won’t happen if the opportunity to sign more Vente types arises, where we can blow our budget on someone who might earn us a financial return but leave us with the same weaknesses we’ve known about for ages.

I’m just not loving the Gordon era much tbh.

Couldn't agree more.

We'll not get a return off Vente at present either, because we create so little for him to actually showcase his ability.

Much of that due to the fact we overlook our glaring deficiencies, in other positions, each transfer window.

I expect more of this blinkered thinking come January.

[Crunchie]

Couldn't agree more.

We'll not get a return off Vente at present either, because we create so little for him to actually showcase his ability.

Much of that due to the fact we overlook our glaring deficiencies, in other positions, each transfer window.

I expect more of this blinkered thinking come January.
I expect you'll be wrong, again.

[Chorley Hibee]

I expect you'll be wrong, again.

Please, enlighten us all with these successful transfer windows of late then.

[Bobby's Cinema]

1 defeat in 9 since we sacked LJ. Just struggling to accumulate points turning draws into wins- we have not lost any great ground on what you would think will be our main competitors. 1 defeat from 4 games (3away) vs celtic, rangers, aberdeen, hearts since sacking a manager is OK - suppose you can flip stats whatever way you want.

I am fairly confident we will pick up. Just been a bit frustrating and missed opportunities.

[Crunchie]

Please, enlighten us all with these successful transfer windows of late then.
The new gaffer's not had a transfer window yet, please give him a chance before you write him off, although I think you've already done that.

[Bobo]

As poor as ever again this season, slowest unadventurous team for a long time with very little to enthuse the support.

We will find ourselves languishing in the bottom six struggling for mediocrity if things continue.

Another wasted season of major under-achievement, in a poor SPL, if our form continues.

How many "transitional seasons" do we have to endure?

[Chorley Hibee]

The new gaffer's not had a transfer window yet, please give him a chance before you write him off, although I think you've already done that.

Point me to a single post where I have written Montgomery off?

However, I don't think it's unfair to point out that he'll need to learn that being welded to a philosophy, or tactic, particularly with inferior players, won't end well.

I also don't think it's unfair to suggest that many of us are fed up with being a learning curve for the latest manager.

Our failings in successive transfer windows go further than the manager IMHO, and are symptomatic of our moneyball approach to the transfer market at present.

I expect more of that in January, and it's not something that has worked out well so far.

[andrew70]

Extremely disappointing. No obvious style of play yet. Same way it’s been for last 2 years. Rudderless

No obvious style of play? Apart from the obvious playing out from the back, high full backs, midfielders spreading the play and our attackers initiating a press then yes I’d agree with you.

It’s miles better.

[Paulie Walnuts]

No obvious style of play? Apart from the obvious playing out from the back, high full backs, midfielders spreading the play and our attackers initiating a press then yes I’d agree with you.

It’s miles better.

It’s not miles better at all. It’s different, but the idea things are miles better is absolute nonsense. We’ve generally been guff since he came in, hence why his record is crap. We’ve hardly created anything since Tynecastle, we’ve threw away two goal leads twice, his subs are absolutely bizarre and we couldn’t break down a crap Dundee side at home.

[blackpoolhibs]

What i dont undertand is the football under Monty is generally better, yet here we are with most of the people on here not happy?

Whatever happened to folk just wanting us to play better irrespective of results? :wink:

[Paulie Walnuts]

What i dont undertand is the football under Monty is generally better, yet here we are with most of the people on here not happy?

Whatever happened to folk just wanting us to play better irrespective of results? :wink:

Im not seeing the better football that others are seeing tbh. It’s a bit different, but I’d find it hard to claim it’s any better. We’ve hardly created any chances for 3 games now and his ridiculous system has nullified the threat of the vast majority of our best/most exciting players. Vente is struggling to get involved, Newells form has dropped and Boyle and Youan rarely get up to much playing wide in a 4-4-2.

[GreenCastle]

The recruitment in summer missed out key areas.

Still think we need a better back line and GK. Marshall has just made too many errors and the back line don’t know what they get each week.

Central midfield has been poor for years. I’m still not convinced it’s good enough on a consistent basis.

We continually overlook leadership in players too - still too many players who don’t have enough drive.

LJ should have gone last season but we kept him on and Monty has had to try pick up the pieces in a short space of time.

I like Monty and the wear he comes across but at the end of the day it’s about results and looking at the teams above us currently in a poor league it really is concerning.

Massively important game on Saturday - looking forward to it but also know we could easily get beat 3-0.

The games till Christmas will be a clear indicator where the team will finish but could easily be bottom 6 if we don’t start picking up more wins.

[Tyler Durden]

Im not seeing the better football that others are seeing tbh. It’s a bit different, but I’d find it hard to claim it’s any better. We’ve hardly created any chances for 3 games now and his ridiculous system has nullified the threat of the vast majority of our best/most exciting players. Vente is struggling to get involved, Newells form has dropped and Boyle and Youan rarely get up to much playing wide in a 4-4-2.

I think there is a very clear style of play but it's not necessarily that entertaining so far. We keep the ball in our own half and try to bring teams onto us and then play through them. When it works, it's great but last night it was maybe twice in the first half and twice in the second half (once for Jair's goal and once at about the 80 minute mark with an attack ending in Stevenson shooting). The rest of the time is pretty dull and deliberate/slow stuff.

There was a move last night where the keeper almost begrudgingly gave it to Stevenson quickly after a County attack. Stevenson played it quickly down the line to Youan and we were in behind. Bizarrely we don't seem interested in those type of quick breaks. There's nowhere near enough variety in the build up.

I assume Montgomery thinks his approach gives us control in the game but it's really not great to watch so far IMO.

[Superfurry72]

11 points from 11 games. I know we've had a managerial change, but at this point last year we had 17.

Montgomery's record is eight points from seven games. Yes, I know he's not been able to bring his own players in yet, but when he arrived he insisted we had a good squad and that he believed in them. Well, they need to start winning or we are in for another poor season, perhaps even worse than last year.

Saturday would be a good time to start.

[Jones28]

The good:

Points against Hearts and Celtic, getting to the semi-final, winning against St Johnstone

The bad:

Pumped off Rangers and 0-0 against Dundee.

The ugly:

Last night, Killie away.

Grade wise its a C- for me at the moment. One defeat lifts that from a D, the draws against RC, Killie and Dundee would have had us at an A if we could have taken 3 wins.

The semi-final is a tremendous opportunity. Go and take it and lets bag another final.

Last night is a steep learning curve, I think NM will have maybe seen enough from some to say that they will not get another chance in the team for a while.

[HIBERNIAN-0762]

Time to bring in Lennon? 🤔😏😇

[Since452]

Im not seeing the better football that others are seeing tbh. It’s a bit different, but I’d find it hard to claim it’s any better. We’ve hardly created any chances for 3 games now and his ridiculous system has nullified the threat of the vast majority of our best/most exciting players. Vente is struggling to get involved, Newells form has dropped and Boyle and Youan rarely get up to much playing wide in a 4-4-2.

Completely agree with this. Vente has almost been anonymous in Montgomery's system. He's our most valuable player transfer fee wise so he needs to find a way to get him involved more. As for the football, im not seeing any improvement. The only thing i'm seeing is that we're piss easy to play and create chances against. If you add up all the shots against us since Montgomery came in it must be a frightening figure.

[hibeerealist]

As poor as ever again this season, slowest unadventurous team for a long time with very little to enthuse the support.

We will find ourselves languishing in the bottom six struggling for mediocrity if things continue.

Another wasted season of major under-achievement, in a poor SPL, if our form continues.

How many "transitional seasons" do we have to endure?

This

The transition continues season after season with very little improvement.

[richard_pitts]

this

the transition continues season after season with very little improvement.

ltyf

[richard_pitts]

The good:

Points against Hearts and Celtic, getting to the semi-final, winning against St Johnstone

The bad:

Pumped off Rangers and 0-0 against Dundee.

The ugly:

Last night, Killie away.

Grade wise its a C- for me at the moment. One defeat lifts that from a D, the draws against RC, Killie and Dundee would have had us at an A if we could have taken 3 wins.

The semi-final is a tremendous opportunity. Go and take it and lets bag another final.

Last night is a steep learning curve, I think NM will have maybe seen enough from some to say that they will not get another chance in the team for a while.

Last night was a microcosm of the season: there is clearly a team in there. Some very decent stuff on show, but outside of our best 12 or 13 players the squad isn't good enough. Our midfield lacked cohesion post subs and we are down to the bare bones in defence. Long term I see Youan up front with Vente and another left-sided midfielder brought in. I trust Monty to get more out the players he's got as we are better than we were. Don't forget Killie for example had beaten both the Old Firm before we drew 2-2 with them. Under Johnson i think we'd have been hammered.

[Dashing Bob S]

Terrible first quarter. We've stablized after the three defeats, but not yet clicked into the side who look like finishing third. That said, nobody else really has so far, though St.Mirren will be happy with their start.

I'm optimistic that we'll continue to improve incrementally, though not as spectacularly as we would wish. Drawing with Celtic at home is acceptable, but two points against Dundee and Ross County are way short of our expectations.

[hibee-boys]

Back of the class and write 100 lines of “I must not play Hanlon and Stevenson together ever again”😏

[j'adorehibs]

. Yes, I know he's not been able to bring his own players in yet, but when he arrived he insisted we had a good squad and that he believed in them.

Would you have preferred he came in and said the squad was crap and he didnt believe in them?

Are you Terry Butcher?

[wookie70]

No point giving LJ a mark as he has been expelled. Head boy SDG got an A plus for his time in charge and Montgomery for me is a C. The good news is he must do better and I think he will but only if he is flexible in his style of play at least until he gets players who can successfully play it. The best news is much of teh league have managers performing pretty poorly and those that are doing well could see small size squads catch up with them. Every chance we can still have a great season but the boss needs to learn quickly. When most of the crowd can see a substitution looks like a mistake as the player is entering the field of play we need a manager that can adjust his style and ideas when it is clear they were wrong. Taking ownership last night was exactly the right thing to do and I still think Montgomery will soften but not abandon his approach on the formation in the weeks to come

[FC1875]

Dreadful.

[FC1875]

The good:

Points against Hearts and Celtic, getting to the semi-final, winning against St Johnstone

The bad:

Pumped off Rangers and 0-0 against Dundee.

The ugly:

Last night, Killie away.

Grade wise its a C- for me at the moment. One defeat lifts that from a D, the draws against RC, Killie and Dundee would have had us at an A if we could have taken 3 wins.

The semi-final is a tremendous opportunity. Go and take it and lets bag another final.

Last night is a steep learning curve, I think NM will have maybe seen enough from some to say that they will not get another chance in the team for a while.

Not a lot of good. Classing beating the worst team in the league, drawing with Celtic and a terrible Hearts team as good shows how far we have fallen.

[Hibees1973]

Cannot really blame Montgomery for the first quarter.

The only positive I can take from the first quarter is that Montgomery is worth listening to (so far). It's a relief he doesn't spout the bile Maloney & Johnson did.

It's on the Gordon's and Kensall appointing the two managers prior to Montgomery and the amount of time and money wasted in the previous transfer windows. I've lost count the number of players brought in the last two years who are now either out on loan or no longer here. The timing of sacking Johnson was lamentable. Just after the transfer window closed giving Montgomery no chance to bring his own players in.

I won't even hold Montgomery culpable even if we are in the bottom 6 come the New Year. I think our squad is very poor, with little depth and one injured player (Newell or Boyle) away from the bottom 4. I would judge him, hopefully he is still here, this time next year. He needs and deserves a couple of transfer windows alongside McDermott to be properly judged.

[Potty78]

Not been great and Jan we definitely need a couple at least of first picks in the door. I keep hearing the media saying we are good going forward, I'm not noticing that just now. I dont think we create enough at all? We need more out of Boyle and Youan in my opinion��*♂️

[Hibees1973]

Not been great and Jan we definitely need a couple at least of first picks in the door. I keep hearing the media saying we are good going forward, I'm not noticing that just now. I dont think we create enough at all? We need more out of Boyle and Youan in my opinion��*♂️

The main problem is our goals against column. 18.

Worst in the league.

If that doesn't improve we ain't going to climb the league.

[Malthibby]

Not going to happy clap because watching a team with a defence as bad as we have doesn't lend to clapping of any variety.
However, I do think we have a core of decent players; last night was another punch in the guts but a very changed team
was still more than comfortable, winning 2:0 with RC not managing a shot on target (I think).
Making changes which left a kid with little game time & Paul & Lewis (legends always but Paul's first touch in our box,
right in front of their fans was excruciating, & Lewis got slower and slower as the game progressed) together meant our
defence disintegrated. We have decent cover mid to front (Levitt was mom for me, just excellent, Jair also very good) but
we know that our defence is as bad as the stats say it is. First choice defence usually struggles and second choice was exposed as
totally inadequate last night.
Not sure we can do much about it until the winter transfer market opens but I don't think we will be out of the Euro race by then.
Solid C.

[DaveF]

The main problem is our goals against column. 18.

Worst in the league.

If that doesn't improve we ain't going to climb the league.

In just 7 games. It's terrible.

[Baader]

Nowhere near good enough. Monty needs to start getting wins.

[Unseen work]

In just 7 games. It's terrible.

18 total no? 10 in Montys 7 league games

[greenlex]

It’ll come good. I’m convinced of that.

[Trinity Hibee]

It’ll come good. I’m convinced of that.

No offence but we’ve heard this all before. We need action from the management team and players now. Years of good work has been eroded these last couple of years. Completely unacceptable.

[DH1875]

Not good enough, could do better.

[DaveF]

18 total no? 10 in Montys 7 league games

Yes, though I meant we have conceded 18 in 7 league games overall, given the other 4 we did not concede

[AL-Qaholik]

Nowhere near good enough.
Under either manager.

[blackpoolhibs]

The main problem is our goals against column. 18.

Worst in the league.

If that doesn't improve we ain't going to climb the league.

We are way too open, it's no big secret. We need better players or a different formation/style of play.

[snedzuk]

Last night was a microcosm of the season: there is clearly a team in there. Some very decent stuff on show, but outside of our best 12 or 13 players the squad isn't good enough. Our midfield lacked cohesion post subs and we are down to the bare bones in defence. Long term I see Youan up front with Vente and another left-sided midfielder brought in. I trust Monty to get more out the players he's got as we are better than we were. Don't forget Killie for example had beaten both the Old Firm before we drew 2-2 with them. Under Johnson i think we'd have been hammered.

But Derek McInnes is hopeless / boring etc.

[Superfurry72]

Would you have preferred he came in and said the squad was crap and he didnt believe in them?

Are you Terry Butcher?

No, of course not. That's not the point I'm making.

Ultimately, football is about results and he's only had one win in the league since he came in, against a very poor St Johnstone side. Of course it's going to take time for a manager to bed in and get his ideas across, but I felt there would be a reasonable improvement by now, and I'm not really seeing it. Eight points so far is a poor return. There are clearly glaring deficiencies in this squad, but we have enough, like NM said when he took over, to be doing a bit better than we are.

But, of course, he hasn't had time to bring his own players in yet, and it is still relatively early days.

A good result this weekend would be enormously helpful in many ways for NM.

[john rossi]

Mongomery is very obstinate and one dimensional in his formation he has the opportunity to play his best 11 on Saturday which would include Levitt and Tavares but won’t change and ultimately will stick with 442. Since his appointment we have been second best in midfield pattern of play seems no better than Jonson, Maloneynot impressed with this manager time will tell but I can doubt he will last the test of time.

[CCM4LIFE]

So can the Mariners have him back now?

I'll even throw in a packet of tim tams and a slab of beer to sweeten the deal.

[greenlex]

So can the Mariners have him back now?

I'll even throw in a packet of tim tams and a slab of beer to sweeten the deal.

No. Not you cannot.