Clearout

[HIBS NUTS]

First of all I can’t say I’m enjoying the football at the moment, it’s been dire, however Monty is getting rid of the players that aren’t good enough, he has also started to replace players that were guaranteed starters in the past.
He is the first manger to actually try and play young players from our youth set up, most fans have been calling for this for years.
In the squad against rangers , he had Megwa, and Rory Whittaker on the pitch, but also Murray Johnstone, and Jacob Blaney on the bench, he’s introduced countless others.
It’s hard but we really need to give him time, we cannot keep changing managers.
Or nothing will change.

[Winston Ingram]

First of all I can’t say I’m enjoying the football at the moment, it’s been dire, however Monty is getting rid of the players that aren’t good enough, he has also started to replace players that were guaranteed starters in the past.
He is the first manger to actually try and play young players from our youth set up, most fans have been calling out for this for years.
In the squad against rangers , he had Megwa, and Rory Whittaker on the pitch, but also Murray Johnstone, and Jacob Blaney on the bench, he’s introduced countless others.
It’s hard but we really need to give him time, we cannot keep changing managers.
Or nothing will change.

Nothing will change if we keep him. This team qualified for Europe last season and if it wasn't for a dodgy VAR call and missed pen from Nisbet we would've been 3rd.

It's utter nonsense that the squad is not good enough. It's the manager misusing it that is the problem.

[flash]

Nothing will change if we keep him. This team qualified for Europe last season and if it wasn't for a dodgy VAR call and missed pen from Nisbet we would've been 3rd.

It's utter nonsense that the squad is not good enough. It's the manager misusing it that is the problem.

The squad is desperately substandard. That's the main reason why we are rotten.

The manager needs to become a bit more flexible but let's not pretend a different formation will suddenly cure all our ills overnight.

Pretty sure the last 3 managers weren't playing 442 most of the time and they all bit the dust.

I agree with the original poster in that, while things aren't great on the park, we appear to be ditching the people who need getting rid of for the first time in ages.

[Chipper1875]

First of all I can’t say I’m enjoying the football at the moment, it’s been dire, however Monty is getting rid of the players that aren’t good enough, he has also started to replace players that were guaranteed starters in the past.
He is the first manger to actually try and play young players from our youth set up, most fans have been calling for this for years.
In the squad against rangers , he had Megwa, and Rory Whittaker on the pitch, but also Murray Johnstone, and Jacob Blaney on the bench, he’s introduced countless others.
It’s hard but we really need to give him time, we cannot keep changing managers.
Or nothing will change.
Nothing will change until we stop signing rubbish players and bad managers

[RIP]

The squad ended up bloated with the philosophy of buying 'Young players with promise' rather than 'SPL-Ready. Almost all have been shipped out or sent on loan with little or no prospect of them ever impacting the first team, most of whom I rate.

The back line we played on Wednesday are all tacklers and are up for a battle. Nobody in front of them apart from Joe puts a foot in or pressures the opposition player with the ball. Our rivals attack with 10 and defend with 10. We only defend with 6.

I can't think of any other SPL manager who wouldn't be able to manage these guys better. We have some good and some competent players who are getting ruined by a manager with a stinking style of football which fails to acknowledge their best positions.

[Winston Ingram]

The squad is desperately substandard. That's the main reason why we are rotten.

The manager needs to become a bit more flexible but let's not pretend a different formation will suddenly cure all our ills overnight.

Pretty sure the last 3 managers weren't playing 442 most of the time and they all bit the dust.

I agree with the original poster in that, while things aren't great on the park, we appear to be ditching the people who need getting rid of for the first time in ages.

Marshall, Miller, Fish, Rocky, Obita, - Jeggo, Levitt, Newall - Boyle, Vente, Youan . That's your starting 11

Probably, Jeggo and Rocky are the only players i'd replace but the rest is easily as good enough to challenge for the top 3.

The squad as a whole probably needs beefed up a bit but we pretty much play a game a week so they're not going to suffer burnout.

We're short in defence but we plenty decent cover in JDH, Campbell, Le Fondre, Jair, Doidge, McKirdy. That's before we add the new boys.

I dunno who it is that needs 'cleared out'? We need bodies, particularly in defence. Either way, it'll make **** all difference if we carry on trying to shoehorn everyone into a 442.

[Chipper1875]

Marshall, Miller, Fish, Rocky, Obita, - Jeggo, Levitt, Newall - Boyle, Vente, Youan . That's your starting 11

Probably, Jeggo and Rocky are the only players i'd replace but the rest is easily as good enough to challenge for the top 3.

The squad as a whole probably needs beefed up a bit but we pretty much play a game a week so they're not going to suffer burnout.

We're short in defence but we plenty decent cover in JDH, Campbell, Le Fondre, Jair, Doidge, McKirdy. That's before we add the new boys.

I dunno who it is that needs 'cleared out'? We need bodies, particularly in defence. Either way, it'll make **** all difference if we carry on trying to shoehorn everyone into a 442.
Midfield three is terrible, hence we are 14 points third behind and our defence isn’t good enough for third. Plus players you have mentioned like Jeggo and Doidge will be away before window closes. JDH , Mikirdy have shown to be not good enough

[tamh]

Nothing will change if we keep him. This team qualified for Europe last season and if it wasn't for a dodgy VAR call and missed pen from Nisbet we would've been 3rd.

It's utter nonsense that the squad is not good enough. It's the manager misusing it that is the problem.
Well said:thumbsup:

[Pretty Boy]

Hopefully the clear out that is underway is the final nail in the coffin of the bizarre recruitment strategy of the last few years and the general mess that has been the footballing department at Hibs. Most of those 3 year contracts we were throwing about like confetti are starting to reach their final year/few months as well which should make moving some of those players on easier as well.

For all my misgivings about Montgomery I do think he is just another manager who has suffered from the rudderless ship that our football department has been. Jack Ross arguably signed his own death warrant when he called it out after a European exit however long ago. Since then Maloney, Johnson and now Montgomery have, to varying degrees, suffered as a result of the same failings. Just throwing money at the problem isn't wholly the answer and hopefully all these departures is evidence that a more focused approach is happening. It feels a bit like that period under Petrie when guys like Mixu, Calderwood, Fenlon and Hughes carried the can for failing that ran far deeper.

It feels like we say this every year but this summer really is critical for us, it's a huge rebuild but with a lot of older heads coming to the end of their contracts it's also a chance to build from scratch. Football is a ruthless business and it's time to be ruthless. I would point to David Wotherspoon at St Johnstone as an example of letting good football business override sentimentality. 3 major trophies with his boyhood club but on the back off a serious injury and in his mid 30s they made the hard nosed decision not to offer him a new contract. I'm sure that was tough on him but he survived, that's football.

[Winston Ingram]

Midfield three is terrible, hence we are 14 points third behind and our defence isn’t good enough for third. Plus players you have mentioned like Jeggo and Doidge will be away before window closes. JDH , Mikirdy have shown to be not good enough

I'll give you Jeggo. Totally disagree about Newell and Levitt. Levitt was excellent in a midfield 3 for Dundee United for 2 years. No one here complained when we spent £250k on him this summer. He's not got the legs to play in a 2.

Baffles me how any doesn't rate Newell.

[flash]

I'll give you Jeggo. Totally disagree about Newell and Levitt. Levitt was excellent in a midfield 3 for Dundee United for 2 years. No one here complained when we spent £250k on him this summer. He's not got the legs to play in a 2.

Baffles me how any doesn't rate Newell.

Levitt certainly wasn't excellent in his second year at United.

[The Modfather]

Marshall, Miller, Fish, Rocky, Obita, - Jeggo, Levitt, Newall - Boyle, Vente, Youan . That's your starting 11

Probably, Jeggo and Rocky are the only players i'd replace but the rest is easily as good enough to challenge for the top 3.

The squad as a whole probably needs beefed up a bit but we pretty much play a game a week so they're not going to suffer burnout.

We're short in defence but we plenty decent cover in JDH, Campbell, Le Fondre, Jair, Doidge, McKirdy. That's before we add the new boys.

I dunno who it is that needs 'cleared out'? We need bodies, particularly in defence. Either way, it'll make **** all difference if we carry on trying to shoehorn everyone into a 442.

I can’t correlate you talking up the strength of the squad then listing JDH, ALF (rarely available), McKirdy & Doidge as evidence.

[HIBS NUTS]

We actually can’t have a clearout, if. We keep getting new managers, the first thing any new mangers says is “Every player has a clean slate, I want players that aren’t good enough to be replaced.
Or players from the youth set up, need introduced, and identified, Monty has actually done this, better than any of the previous incumbents, we can’t start everything again.

[Chipper1875]

I'll give you Jeggo. Totally disagree about Newell and Levitt. Levitt was excellent in a midfield 3 for Dundee United for 2 years. No one here complained when we spent £250k on him this summer. He's not got the legs to play in a 2.

Baffles me how any doesn't rate Newell.

If levitt was excellent he’d have got a better move than us. He’s lazy and can’t run. Something l got told before he even signed. Where did you get the £250k fee ? Hibs didn’t release a fee

[Itsnoteasy]

Levitt certainly wasn't excellent in his second year at United.

He is slow, with no engine & looks unfit

[Winston Ingram]

I can’t correlate you talking up the strength of the squad then listing JDH, ALF (rarely available), McKirdy & Doidge as evidence.

Doidge was fantastic at the start of the season. Monty just hasn't played him since he came in. Alf has been available for half the games Monty has been in charge.

[Winston Ingram]

Levitt certainly wasn't excellent in his second year at United.

He was impressive when I saw him and I've got a couple of Dundee United ST holder pals who strongly disagree with you.

[Pretty Boy]

We actually can’t have a clearout, if. We keep getting new managers, the first thing any new mangers says is “Every player has a clean slate, I want players that aren’t good enough to be replaced.
Or players from the youth set up, need introduced, and identified, Monty has actually done this, better than any of the previous incumbents, we can’t start everything again.

As I said above we have quite a natural clear out happening/about to happen.

This summer the following are out of contract or their loan ends:

Emiliano Marcondes
Myziane Maolida
Jimmy Jeggo
Will Fish
Adam Le Fondre
Lewis Stevenson
David Marshall
Paul Hanlon
Christian Doidge

Out of that lot the first 2 have played one game so it's hard to judge. Jeggo can go for me, Fish I'd like to keep but seems unblikely. The other 5 are a 'thanks for your service but it's time to go' for me. The exception perhaps being Hanlon but I wouldn't be that forceful in making an argument to keep. Red is go, green is keep and yellow is undecided.

The following season we have the below out of contract:

Martin Boyle
Joe Newell
Josh Campbell
Chris Cadden
Rocky Bushiri
Lewis Miller
Jake Doyle-Hayes
Luke Amos
Jordan Obita
Kanayo Megwa
Harry McKirdy

If we could shift a few of them in a way that works for both parties then I wouldn't be too upset. We also have the likes of Tait, Henderson and Mackay who we are in the process of moving out the door and I daresay Delferierre's recent 3 year contract won't prove good value for money either and he will go if we can agree something that suits both parties.

[matty_f]

Hopefully the clear out that is underway is the final nail in the coffin of the bizarre recruitment strategy of the last few years and the general mess that has been the footballing department at Hibs. Most of those 3 year contracts we were throwing about like confetti are starting to reach their final year/few months as well which should make moving some of those players on easier as well.

For all my misgivings about Montgomery I do think he is just another manager who has suffered from the rudderless ship that our football department has been. Jack Ross arguably signed his own death warrant when he called it out after a European exit however long ago. Since then Maloney, Johnson and now Montgomery have, to varying degrees, suffered as a result of the same failings. Just throwing money at the problem isn't wholly the answer and hopefully all these departures is evidence that a more focused approach is happening. It feels a bit like that period under Petrie when guys like Mixu, Calderwood, Fenlon and Hughes carried the can for failing that ran far deeper.

It feels like we say this every year but this summer really is critical for us, it's a huge rebuild but with a lot of older heads coming to the end of their contracts it's also a chance to build from scratch. Football is a ruthless business and it's time to be ruthless. I would point to David Wotherspoon at St Johnstone as an example of letting good football business override sentimentality. 3 major trophies with his boyhood club but on the back off a serious injury and in his mid 30s they made the hard nosed decision not to offer him a new contract. I'm sure that was tough on him but he survived, that's football.

I still maintain that the strategy itself wasn’t flawed, however there are huge issues with the execution, which has been woeful.

As for a clear out, I think this side is the end of the cycle started by Ross and Heckingbottom. Doidge, Newell, Hanlon, Stevenson, JDH all need moved on as well as more recent signings like Jeggo, Marshall, Wallacot, Harbottle, Delferrier etc (some of whom are already away).

We have a very limited budget, until we’re in a better shape on the pitch and financially every penny needs to be a prisoner and that means that we can’t afford to carry players who either don’t contribute at all, or are sub par when they play. Unless a youth player becomes available that’s an exceptional talent who has somehow flown under the radar of other clubs, we should be focusing as much spend as possible on the first eleven, and if we’re signing to bulk up the squad with cover, the new guy has to be better than the guy in position not and the current first pick becomes the back up, rather than signing players who won’t play unless there’s an injury or suspension.

[Donegal Hibby]

For a lot of games this season our bench has been weak with a lack of options on it so i really don't think we need a massive clear out other than a couple which seems to be happening with rumours of Doidge and Jeggo moving.

Players like Rocky , Hanlon , Campbell , Lewy are good squad players to have . Mckirdy is another after his health issues should also be given a chance too . Cadden and JDH coming back will also give us more options too.

Midfields been the main problem though hopefully we have sorted that with the signings of Marcondes and Amos plus a new striker in and probably a decent Centre half our squads not as bad as some are making out imo and more than capable of going to Killie and getting a result too !.

[blackpoolhibs]

Marshall, Miller, Fish, Rocky, Obita, - Jeggo, Levitt, Newall - Boyle, Vente, Youan . That's your starting 11

Probably, Jeggo and Rocky are the only players i'd replace but the rest is easily as good enough to challenge for the top 3.

The squad as a whole probably needs beefed up a bit but we pretty much play a game a week so they're not going to suffer burnout.

We're short in defence but we plenty decent cover in JDH, Campbell, Le Fondre, Jair, Doidge, McKirdy. That's before we add the new boys.

I dunno who it is that needs 'cleared out'? We need bodies, particularly in defence. Either way, it'll make **** all difference if we carry on trying to shoehorn everyone into a 442.

I disagree, unbalanced pish bar a couple who would probably be in a fight for top 6, but not good enough to make a challenge for top 3 in my opinion.

Our keeper is pish, the whole back 4 need replaced and that midfield are weaker than my first piss on new years day.

Of course we have quality up front, but that is to the detrement of our midfield every game, i really hope this Foley money does address the defence and midfield as we cant carry on the way we currently try and win games.

[KWJ]

I was really excited about his appointment and every game up to Rangers away was building on that. We got slapped at Ibrox but I was kinda happy that he gave it a proper go. Since then though those exciting attacking moments in games have become less and less frequent. I figured some of the winter conditions in games and the pitches at Livi and St J but I am becoming worried.

I'm excited but nervous about the signings. A lot of pressure on them to stay fit and for guys like Cadden, Boyle, McKirdy and perhaps even Rocky to really step up when they return.

Our best player since NM came in has probably been Marshall which is bizarre considering where he was in my estimation prior.

His interviews don't help either. He's like the opposite of LJ in that he's protecting his players so much and not really calling out bad performances. I hope he's seeing what we're seeing.

I said during his early run of draws that I could see it was a different intensity when we knocked it around the back compared to LJ and more specifically Maloney but I feel we've lost a bit of that.

Get it back Nick!

[Northernhibee]

Nothing will change if we keep him. This team qualified for Europe last season and if it wasn't for a dodgy VAR call and missed pen from Nisbet we would've been 3rd.

It's utter nonsense that the squad is not good enough. It's the manager misusing it that is the problem.

We mostly all want Shankland to be sold as Hearts are a one man team, yet downplay losing Nisbet and Egan-Riley who were both very important players for us last season and Nisbet being a potent goal scorer.

[flash]

He was impressive when I saw him and I've got a couple of Dundee United ST holder pals who strongly disagree with you.

The season they got relegated? You sure now.

[where'stheslope]

Keep seeing midfield rubbish not balanced, yet our main problem is our strikers not finishing!
On Wednesday we had at least 5 clear good chances and we never scored?
We have got to start turning chances into goals, or we will continue to drop down the league rather than charging up it!!!

[Centre Hawf]

Nothing will change if we keep him. This team qualified for Europe last season and if it wasn't for a dodgy VAR call and missed pen from Nisbet we would've been 3rd.

It's utter nonsense that the squad is not good enough. It's the manager misusing it that is the problem.

This is where I am with it really. We were a stones throw from 3rd and solitary goal in the Aberdeen or Hearts game from 4th with arguably a worse squad than we actually have this season bar having a Nisbet (which I guess goals is the most important).

I do believe a competent manager can get this group to perform better than they are.

I think we can improve on some guys don't get me wrong, but overall I do think we have at least a top 5 finishing squad that is currently being coached poorly to the point we're back sliding into the bottom six again.

Sign a new CB, sign a new GK, sign a new midfielder, but if we're going to play this way then they'll be labelled as clowns as well and needing emptied in the summer no doubt.

[greenpaper55]

According to the BBC Jeggo is getting his contract terminated so he can return to Melbourne, hope he can find the airport better than he finds his teammates !

[Donegal Hibby]

Keep seeing midfield rubbish not balanced, yet our main problem is our strikers not finishing!
On Wednesday we had at least 5 clear good chances and we never scored?
We have got to start turning chances into goals, or we will continue to drop down the league rather than charging up it!!!

Last time we had more than 3 shots on target against any team in the league was the 11 Nov I think and apart from a couple of times the other teams generally had more shots than us in total which is about 9 games including teams like Livvy, St Johnstone, Motherwell and Dundee .

Our midfield hasn't been creative or doesn't dominate games which I think is also part of the problem in us losing so many goals too . Hopefully the new midfielders will improve us now 🤞

[MKHIBEE]

According to the BBC Jeggo is getting his contract terminated so he can return to Melbourne, hope he can find the airport better than he finds his teammates !
Funny guy eh.

[RIP]

Good post Matty but I'd be more comfortable laying the blame on the past squad-building process on a poor transition fron Mathie under Kensell to Ian Gordon, rather than Ross or Hecky.

As Head Coaches, they had limited say in our recruitment strategy, if we can call it that.

Ross famously said that the first time he knew the club had made a particular signing is when he bumped into him at Training.

[B.H.F.C]

I disagree, unbalanced pish bar a couple who would probably be in a fight for top 6, but not good enough to make a challenge for top 3 in my opinion.

Our keeper is pish, the whole back 4 need replaced and that midfield are weaker than my first piss on new years day.

Of course we have quality up front, but that is to the detrement of our midfield every game, i really hope this Foley money does address the defence and midfield as we cant carry on the way we currently try and win games.

Correct. The squad is not good. Not going to sit here and say Montgomery is getting the maximum out of what we have, but we have a real lack of good players. Look at our bench most weeks, we’ve been playing a 16 year old who is miles from being ready at right back ffs.

[matty_f]

Good post Matty but I'd be more comfortable laying the blame on the past squad-building process on a poor transition fron Mathie under Kensell to Ian Gordon, rather than Ross or Hecky.

As Head Coaches, they had limited say in our recruitment strategy, if we can call it that.

Ross famously said that the first time he knew the club had made a particular signing is when he bumped into him at Training.

I was more meaning of their time rather than their input to the signing, I agree with your point.

[matty_f]

Correct. The squad is not good. Not going to sit here and say Montgomery is getting the maximum out of what we have, but we have a real lack of good players. Look at our bench most weeks, we’ve been playing a 16 year old who is miles from being ready at right back ffs.

We talked about this on a recent podcast, the first choice eleven is competitive at the top four level, beyond that it’s a big drop off in quality.

[greenpaper55]

Funny guy eh.

Thats me !

[Jones28]

We talked about this on a recent podcast, the first choice eleven is competitive at the top four level, beyond that it’s a big drop off in quality.

Do you do a podcast Matty?

[McD]

According to the BBC Jeggo is getting his contract terminated so he can return to Melbourne, hope he can find the airport better than he finds his teammates !



Can’t just let him move on with some grace…:rolleyes:

[Golden Bear]

Can’t just let him move on with some grace…:rolleyes:

Correct.

I'd say that Jeggo has been a competent player for Hibs without setting the heather in fire.

If he does leave, then I wish him all the best and thank him for his contribution.

[greenpaper55]

Can’t just let him move on with some grace…:rolleyes:

Nope

[matty_f]

Do you do a podcast Matty?

Apologies if this is a whoosh and you’re taking the mick a bit, but yes, longbangers.

*Wish I'd mentioned it before etc. 😂

[HoboHarry]

According to the BBC Jeggo is getting his contract terminated so he can return to Melbourne, hope he can find the airport better than he finds his teammates !
Your patter is rotten.

[Stanton Spence]

I disagree, unbalanced pish bar a couple who would probably be in a fight for top 6, but not good enough to make a challenge for top 3 in my opinion.

Our keeper is pish, the whole back 4 need replaced and that midfield are weaker than my first piss on new years day.

Of course we have quality up front, but that is to the detrement of our midfield every game, i really hope this Foley money does address the defence and midfield as we cant carry on the way we currently try and win games.
Pretty much how I see that 11 it’s nowhere near good enough for top 3

[leith lynx]

According to the BBC Jeggo is getting his contract terminated so he can return to Melbourne, hope he can find the airport better than he finds his teammates !

Uncalled for, Jeggo gave 100% every game, good professional and has done well in his career considering his medical background, I've seen a lot,lot worse in a Hibs jersey, I wish him all the very best for the future.

[KWJ]

Uncalled for, Jeggo gave 100% every game, good professional and has done well in his career considering his medical background, I've seen a lot,lot worse in a Hibs jersey, I wish him all the very best for the future.

Agree with this. Done an important job for us when we had nobody else that could do it.

Hoping that Amos is an improvement but there's no guarantee that he will be or that he'll be fit enough to play as often as Jeggo was.

[Winston Ingram]

Uncalled for, Jeggo gave 100% every game, good professional and has done well in his career considering his medical background, I've seen a lot,lot worse in a Hibs jersey, I wish him all the very best for the future.

He might not have been the most technical footballer but off the ball he was brilliant. So clever with his positioning and reading of the game.

[ruthven_raiders]

That's not a bad option, getting contract terminated and your option is Melbourne, fantastic city to work in🙂 if my contract was terminated I wouldn't have that option unfortunately, been 30 years since I worked there🤣

[cabbageandribs1875]

good luck to any player that has worn our colours, good or not so good

[Jones28]

Apologies if this is a whoosh and you’re taking the mick a bit, but yes, longbangers.

*Wish I'd mentioned it before etc. 😂

😂😂😂

Defo a whoosh.

I’ve heard fighter jets whoosh overhead more quietly 😂

[J-C]

Nope

Sometimes it's better to keep your mouth closed, on this occasion stop your fingers typing what's inside your head, no need at all.

[J-C]

That's not a bad option, getting contract terminated and your option is Melbourne, fantastic city to work in🙂 if my contract was terminated I wouldn't have that option unfortunately, been 30 years since I worked there🤣

Returning home to finish off his career, seemingly a coaching option too.

[JimBHibees]

He might not have been the most technical footballer but off the ball he was brilliant. So clever with his positioning and reading of the game.

Agree his covering of position was excellent

[LaMotta]

He might not have been the most technical footballer but off the ball he was brilliant. So clever with his positioning and reading of the game.


Agree his covering of position was excellent

He was 31 when he signed. Working out where to be positioned on the pitch is hardly a badge of honour, it's the minimum you'd expect off an experienced player. He was also called out on numerous occasions by ex pro pundits for poor positioning when we lost goals.

I wish him all the best he seemed like a likeable guy with a great attitude but he's part of the reason we have been not up to scratch over the last 12 months.

[greenlex]

He was 31 when he signed. Working out where to be positioned on the pitch is hardly a badge of honour, it's the minimum you'd expect off an experienced player. He was also called out on numerous occasions by ex pro pundits for poor positioning when we lost goals.

I wish him all the best he seemed like a likeable guy with a great attitude but he's part of the reason we have been not up to scratch over the last 12 months.
I wouldn’t pay too much attention to ex pro pundits. They either see things through ex club tinted specs or sometimes can’t get past their own restricted views on a player or how to play the game. Decent ones are few and far between particularly up here. I tend to trust my gut and own observations when forming an opinion.

[LaMotta]

I wouldn’t pay too much attention to ex pro pundits. They either see things through ex club tinted specs or sometimes can’t get past their own restricted views on a player or how to play the game. Decent ones are few and far between particularly up here. I tend to trust my gut and own observations when forming an opinion.

I certainly trust ex pro pundits observations on poor positioning of football players when goals are conceded over the guts and instincts of your average football fan, particularly with some of the stuff I've read on Jeggo from some Hibs fans.

[easty]

Nothing will change if we keep him. This team qualified for Europe last season and if it wasn't for a dodgy VAR call and missed pen from Nisbet we would've been 3rd.

It's utter nonsense that the squad is not good enough. It's the manager misusing it that is the problem.


I'll give you Jeggo. Totally disagree about Newell and Levitt. Levitt was excellent in a midfield 3 for Dundee United for 2 years. No one here complained when we spent £250k on him this summer. He's not got the legs to play in a 2.

Baffles me how any doesn't rate Newell.

:agree: :top marks

[easty]

The season they got relegated? You sure now.

Good players can't get relegated?

[easty]

He was 31 when he signed. Working out where to be positioned on the pitch is hardly a badge of honour, it's the minimum you'd expect off an experienced player. He was also called out on numerous occasions by ex pro pundits for poor positioning when we lost goals.

I wish him all the best he seemed like a likeable guy with a great attitude but he's part of the reason we have been not up to scratch over the last 12 months.

I'm not too bothered to see Jeggo go, and don't think his work off the ball was all that great. I do think the bit on bold is massively underselling the ability of seeing and finding space though. As much as it seems a simple thing to do, if it was so easy we'd be all be playing like Man City. Seeing where the space is, finding it and asking for the ball is a massive positive.

[JimBHibees]

He was 31 when he signed. Working out where to be positioned on the pitch is hardly a badge of honour, it's the minimum you'd expect off an experienced player. He was also called out on numerous occasions by ex pro pundits for poor positioning when we lost goals.

I wish him all the best he seemed like a likeable guy with a great attitude but he's part of the reason we have been not up to scratch over the last 12 months.

Thought his reading of the game defensively was very good

[Greencore]

Good players can't get relegated?

Exactly.
John mcginn, perfect example.

[B.H.F.C]

We talked about this on a recent podcast, the first choice eleven is competitive at the top four level, beyond that it’s a big drop off in quality.

The defence is so weak. I can’t believe people claim we have a strong squad when you look at how weak we are in that area. He could/should get more out of the attacking players but the defensive options are so poor and how crap we are in that area has cost us more than anything this season IMO.

[The Modfather]

The defence is so weak. I can’t believe people claim we have a strong squad when you look at how weak we are in that area. He could/should get more out of the attacking players but the defensive options are so poor and how crap we are in that area has cost us more than anything this season IMO.

It’s like top trumps. I’ll raise you the defence and offer you the central midfield options pre Amos & Emiliano 😀

[LaMotta]

I'm not too bothered to see Jeggo go, and don't think his work off the ball was all that great. I do think the bit on bold is massively underselling the ability of seeing and finding space though. As much as it seems a simple thing to do, if it was so easy we'd be all be playing like Man City. Seeing where the space is, finding it and asking for the ball is a massive positive.

I agree with all that mate. I suppose when we're talking about Jeggo's reading of the game I wasnt really thinking in terms of finding space, more like seeing and interpretating danger to spoil the opposition. I'm not sure there was anything outstanding from Jeggo on that front.

For attacking players totally agree that finding space etc can set you apart.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Who would you be disappointed to see stay compared to leave? There's the problem.

[matty_f]

The defence is so weak. I can’t believe people claim we have a strong squad when you look at how weak we are in that area. He could/should get more out of the attacking players but the defensive options are so poor and how crap we are in that area has cost us more than anything this season IMO.

Miller, Fish, Rocky and Obita is decent, take just one of them out though and the drop is noticeable.

[Crunchie]

Miller, Fish, Rocky and Obita is decent, take just one of them out though and the drop is noticeable.
:agree:

[Brooster]

Miller, Fish, Rocky and Obita is decent, take just one of them out though and the drop is noticeable.

Depends what your definition of decent is and whether you are content with decent. I respect your opinion but I wouldn't class Rocky as being anywhere near decent and by decent I mean a 6/10 performer.

[B.H.F.C]

Miller, Fish, Rocky and Obita is decent, take just one of them out though and the drop is noticeable.

They’ve not shown up as decent this season. Even just being decent would massively improve us. Miller has been average at best over his time here with the odd really good game thrown in. Fish has suffered for lack of a decent partner and had a pretty poor season, he’s better than what he’s shown. Rocky is crap. Obita has been fairly solid, not much more than that.

They might well be the best we have but that’s the problem for me.

[jeffers]

They’ve not shown up as decent this season. Even just being decent would massively improve us. Miller has been average at best over his time here with the odd really good game thrown in. Fish has suffered for lack of a decent partner and had a pretty poor season, he’s better than what he’s shown. Rocky is crap. Obita has been fairly solid, not much more than that.

They might well be the best we have but that’s the problem for me.
:agree:

Surprised Matty lists Rocky in particular as decent as if to completely discount Paul Hanlon who is far better imo.

[BSEJVT]

I think its the nature of the beast that folk are either crap or good in most folks minds with no room for in between.

I don't think there's any doubt that both Jair & Rocky have had really poor games and now they have improved a bit and folk all of a sudden think they are good players.

Other than the very odd flash both still have a long way to go in my opinion.

At the level both are at now I wouldn't mind seeing them on the bench but the fact that they have each started so many games shows how desperately poor a squad we have.

I am honestly staggered when I see folk say differently.

I am hopeful both can still improve but IMO Rocky's time to do so is more limited than Jair's.

[Donegal Hibby]

Miller, Fish, Rocky and Obita is decent, take just one of them out though and the drop is noticeable.

:agree:

[B.H.F.C]

:agree:

Surprised Matty lists Rocky in particular as decent as if to completely discount Paul Hanlon who is far better imo.

I’d play Hanlon but then every time he’s come in to the team in place of Rocky lately he’s been just as poor. We really just need a centre half so we don’t need to play either.

[jeffers]

I’d play Hanlon but then every time he’s come in to the team in place of Rocky lately he’s been just as poor. We really just need a centre half so we don’t need to play either.

He’s had his moments this season undoubtedly, but he’s still our best cb for me. The fact we are looking to bring one in though would suggest neither him nor Rocky will be first pick (although that’s me making an assumption Monty rates Fish) though Rocky seems ahead of Paul Hanlon in the pecking order.

[chrisski33]

Nothing will change if we keep him. This team qualified for Europe last season and if it wasn't for a dodgy VAR call and missed pen from Nisbet we would've been 3rd.

It's utter nonsense that the squad is not good enough. It's the manager misusing it that is the problem.

Nonsense. This squad isnt up to it. We were lucky to get into Europe tbh. Too many players playd under the last managers who have failed. Some of the players are at fault as well as the manager. Clearout of some of the imposters cant come soon enough

[chrisski33]

I disagree, unbalanced pish bar a couple who would probably be in a fight for top 6, but not good enough to make a challenge for top 3 in my opinion.

Our keeper is pish, the whole back 4 need replaced and that midfield are weaker than my first piss on new years day.

Of course we have quality up front, but that is to the detrement of our midfield every game, i really hope this Foley money does address the defence and midfield as we cant carry on the way we currently try and win games.

Spot on 👍

[easty]

Nonsense. This squad isnt up to it. We were lucky to get into Europe tbh. Too many players playd under the last managers who have failed. Some of the players are at fault as well as the manager. Clearout of some of the imposters cant come soon enough

We qualified for Europe by finishing 5th. I'd say we were more unlucky not to finish 4th than we were lucky to be 5th.

[easty]

:agree:

Surprised Matty lists Rocky in particular as decent as if to completely discount Paul Hanlon who is far better imo.

:agree:

[Is It On....]

Nothing will change if we keep him. This team qualified for Europe last season and if it wasn't for a dodgy VAR call and missed pen from Nisbet we would've been 3rd.

It's utter nonsense that the squad is not good enough. It's the manager misusing it that is the problem.

I would agree with you; like all teams we have areas that we need to improve but the manager, for whatever reason, is not getting the best out of the players at his disposal.

[matty_f]

:agree:

Surprised Matty lists Rocky in particular as decent as if to completely discount Paul Hanlon who is far better imo.

Hanlon is better, imho, but Monty prefers Rocky so I reflected that as the starting back four rather than twisting it to suit my point.

[jeffers]

Hanlon is better, imho, but Monty prefers Rocky so I reflected that as the starting back four rather than twisting it to suit my point.

:aok: