Post winter transfer window discussion

[AugustaHibs]

Thought I’d start a thread as for some reason OP felt the need to close the last one even though there was decent discussion.

How do people feel we have done this window?

7/10 for me. A lot more depth and got rid of some deadwood but just slightly concerned with the amount of young loanees.

[CapitalGreen]

Thought I’d start a thread as for some reason OP felt the need to close the last one even though there was decent discussion.

How do people feel we have done this window?

7/10 for me. A lot more depth and got rid of some deadwood but just slightly concerned with the amount of young loanees.

Thanks for starting this after the other was inexplicably closed.

Excited to see what the new boys can bring, greater depth is welcome and should have some decent options on the bench now going forward.

[04Sauzee]

Thought I’d start a thread as for some reason OP felt the need to close the last one even though there was decent discussion.

How do people feel we have done this window?

7/10 for me. A lot more depth and got rid of some deadwood but just slightly concerned with the amount of young loanees.

Done a bit of both in this window, youth and experience.
I think we will see a younger squad being built under Monty, guys with real energy, drive and pace. Midfielder's who will get around the pitch.

January window just closed and I'm already looking forward to what we do in the summer.

[Smartie]

It looks like we’ve done well to me.

Marcondes looks like the type of player and position we were crying out for.

We’ve got a bit of youth and (presumably) energy, which fits the way Monty wants to play a bit better.

A few players who haven’t made much of an impact on the first team have either moved on permanently or to get some much needed game time on loan.

[Dmas]

Happy with it, some real excitement with the quality of some, I think the squad was well over due a shake up with a bit of ruthlessness needed I think we’ve seen the start of that with more to come in the summer with players out of contract as well, looking
Forward to the game tomorrow some already a few weeks in and the others showing what they have

[Paulie Walnuts]

Think Marcondes will be an almost undoubted success.

After that, it’ll just be a case of seeing what happens with the rest of them imo.

[SonOfDavidFrancey]

Generally an Interesting window. Lots of potential freshening up. We need to stick with this manager and let him succeed or fail with players in his own style.

Wondering already if the ‘few million’ in the Summer might mean Marcondes is not completely out of reach.

[Hibby Bairn]

Really looking forward to the game tomorrow now.

[GreenCastle]

Marcondes is the level of player we need if we want to progress.

Lots of the players we have brought in lack experience so there are risks.

Expect energy and hunger though and a few surprises along the way. Most of the loans have a point to prove and need to do well to get careers moving forward.

If nothing else it should be exciting to see how the new players fit in.

Reality is that we have 16 games left plus Scottish Cup games - so 17 currently.

Getting a team out playing that isn't different every week will be important for consistency and cohesion especially in the back line so we stop leaking goals.

[McGruber]

No idea how we've done and the proof will be in the pudding.
What we usually do is hail how good a transfer window is simply on numbers. Most bemoaning the quality of the squad but last transfer window was lauded brilliant at the time, and the one before.

Each signing is a gamble and could go either way. Lots of exciting names in there but just have to see how we go.

On one hand, Miaolda, Marcondes, Amos have all got pedigree and already seen with Marcondes he has quality in abundance. Don't know a lot about Noriah-Welsh though we needed centre backs and the 2 young lads from their reels look talented, front footed ball playing centre backs. The young lad from Sunderland is young but exciting prospect.

On the other hand, we were ideally looking for players to hit the ground running and experienced centre back at least so probably missed that criteri though granted January is a difficult window. Lots of kids in there and short term loans - what will the attitudes and applications be like? Not much men's football between a lot of them and bringing in such a big number has other risks, will they all gel? Parterships on the park,? Dressing room/team spirit? What does it say to our own youth to bring in a raft of inexperienced kids on loan? Blaney must be ages with these centre halfs - can't get a look in but Southampton are sniffing.

Weighing it all up, not sure we had much other oprion than to roll the dice and take a gamble. I'm all for it and excited for the second half of the season. How it actually goes from here?, Piggy knows! Only results will dictate if it was a good window or not

[04Sauzee]

Generally an Interesting window. Lots of potential freshening up. We need to stick with this manager and let him succeed or fail with players in his own style.

Wondering already if the ‘few million’ in the Summer might mean Marcondes is not completely out of reach.

I'd imagine his wages for next season would probably be close to 1m? Unless he is happy to reduce his wages significantly I'd think he's out of reach. Maybe just maybe he will fall in love with Hibs 😁

[B.H.F.C]

It all hinges on one of the young centre halves coming in and being capable of making a difference for me. If that happens, it’ll have been a good window.

Marcondes is going to be a good player, that’s obvious. Saw enough from Maolida at Kilmarnock to suggest he will be as well.

We could be doing with one of the midfielders making an impact as well.

I think things will pick up again in the final third, if we don’t come out of it improved defensively though it won’t have been a success.

[Since452]

Not even going to attempt a rating out of 10 as i just don't know enough about the players. Will just need to see how we get on. Tomorrows team will be interesting.

I think we all agree Marcondes looks quality.

[ozwoody]

I'd imagine his wages for next season would probably be close to 1m? Unless he is happy to reduce his wages significantly I'd think he's out of reach. Maybe just maybe he will fall in love with Hibs 😁

He's currently on £780,000 at Bournemouth, so maybe that's where some of the BK money will go if we sign him next season?

https://www.spotrac.com/epl/afc-bournemouth/payroll/

[Gordy M]

Im looking forward to seeing more of Luke Amos, if he can recapture the form from before his injury he will be a top player for us.

[CapitalGreen]

He's currently on £780,000 at Bournemouth, so maybe that's where some of the BK money will go if we sign him next season?

https://www.spotrac.com/epl/afc-bournemouth/payroll/

Those numbers are plucked out of thin air, clubs don’t publish individual players salaries.

[ToffeeCabbage]

A lot of loans but I think that was sensible.

Once the Black Knights/Foley investment is rubber stamped at the AGM this month, I imagine we'll be making signings in the summer that'll be at a higher level than the permanent players we have currently.

No use us signing lots of players now on permanent contracts when they'll most likely get replaced come summer. Players like McIntyre or Penrice, both 25 and solid enough, but we'll be shopping higher than them imo.

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[neil7908]

On paper it's an 8.5/10.

We've signed more players than I was expecting, with a few stand outs in terms of the level they've been playing at.

My main worry is around how experienced they are and do we have any leaders in the team? Players might be talented but can they do it on a cold, wet night at Dingwall or when we're a goal down at Tynecastle etc? I'd have loved another player or two in the prime of their career, ideally with a knowledge of Scottish football. But that's a big ask in January.

Only time will tell.

[JeMeSouviens]

Not getting my hopes up. It's asking a hell of a lot of so many young laddies to fit into a team halfway through a season. But at least we've addressed bits of the team that need addressed and sounds like Marcondes might be a bit of a gem.

[matty_f]

I don't have any issues with loaning players this window, we've got a significant rebuild due in the summer and if we couldn't get players that are going to be good for us for 2-3 years, then loans make sense. Given what happened in 2012, I can understand the reluctance to go with them, but what gets lost is that those loan players kept us in the league and got us to a cup final. The pumping we took wasn't down to the number of loans we had, we were just not very good.

It is more important that we increased the quality of the squad between now and May, and start clearing the decks for the summer. I think we've done a bit of both. It's not just the players that we signed that are significant, the signings we didn't make (particularly contract extensions) are notable. As things stand, it doesn't look like there are new deals on the table for Hanlon, Stevenson, and Marshall, while Jeggo, Doidge, and McKirdy have all been moved on. I don't think we'll see McKirdy back, he was comfortable at Swindon and I fully expect him to want to stay there beyond this season and I don't think Hibs will stand in his way.

We've added some pace to the team, brought in two young centre halves (their inexperience is a concern, if I'm honest - but I'm more concerned about their ability, and if they're better than what we have then their experience doesn't really matter).

I don't think we will know if it's a good window or not until we see the team play and see what results they get.

What is certain, though, is that Monty has been backed. This is his squad, no question. He can't afford 4-5 weeks of settling in and getting players used to his system. The turnaround has to start tomorrow and the club and support should be comfortable in demanding an improvement now, there are no excuses for the manager from here.

[Yorkshire HFC]

Thought I’d start a thread as for some reason OP felt the need to close the last one even though there was decent discussion.

How do people feel we have done this window?

7/10 for me. A lot more depth and got rid of some deadwood but just slightly concerned with the amount of young loanees.

No idea - I've never heard of any of the new players!

[ozwoody]

Those numbers are plucked out of thin air, clubs don’t publish individual players salaries.

I've looked at multiple sites and they all say the same thing, that he's on bout £15,000 a week.
Now, even if that's ballpark figure, it's well outside our wage structure.
He's also a free agent at end of season, so we might as well enjoy him while he's here and that his goals will help us into Europe

[SlickShoes]

Probably as good as you can expect in January when you don’t have big money to throw around.

Based on these signings I’m keen to see what this summers permanent ones will look like.

[Smartie]

I also think we’re going to have to get used to a fair number of loan players or people with us for a short time.

And I hate to say it, but we’ll probably be in the position for eternity that we’re waiting until the end of August for the likes of Bournemouth and Lorient to complete their squads before we know who we’re going to get on loan.

The early window, with the thin squad for European football (if we manage to qualify) is something I think we’re going to need to take on the chin.

Monty (or whoever our manager / coach is) is just going to need to get used to turnover of players and be ready to mould teams with what he has at his disposal quickly.

[Gatecrasher]

We'll just have to wait and see, one or two of them look promising but it's difficult to tell until a few games have passed. Disappointed with the number of loans and have concerns about replacing our inexperienced players with other inexperienced players.

Monty will need to show a marked improvement over what we have seen so far. It looks like we were amongst the most active clubs in Scotland with transfers, so no excuses now.

[Fergus52]

Excellent window on paper anyway, hopefully it plays out well on the pitch.

Don't really understand some of the moaning we've seen, at the start of the window it was widely accepted here that we needed 3 or 4 starting signings up the spine of the team.

In Triantis, Amos, Marcondes and Maolida we got that, the 4 of them on paper are more than good enough to start for any team in our league outside the old firm - Triantis might be young but Montgomery clearly trusts him.

In addition to that we've got the two guys from Bournemouth and the Spanish forward on loan which in my eyes are just bonuses that will improve our depth.

[B.H.F.C]

Excellent window on paper anyway, hopefully it plays out well on the pitch.

Don't really understand some of the moaning we've seen, at the start of the window it was widely accepted here that we needed 3 or 4 starting signings up the spine of the team.

In Triantis, Amos, Marcondes and Maolida we got that, the 4 of them on paper are more than good enough to start for any team in our league outside the old firm - Triantis might be young but Montgomery clearly trusts him.

In addition to that we've got the two guys from Bournemouth and the Spanish forward on loan which in my eyes are just bonuses that will improve our depth.

Moriah-Welsh shouldn’t really be seen as a bonus IMO, he’s signed the longest term deal of the lot so we need to be looking at him making an impact.

Marcondes and Maolida are clearly players that would normally be out of our reach so they are the biggest positives. Hopefully Amos can get up to speed.

[easty]

Overall I’m happy enough, but I’d hoped we’d have brought in no nonsense experienced centre half. Defence has been ropey for a while.

The 2 young guys might be quality, I’ve never seen them. But at the start of the window if you’d said we’d be signing 2 20 year old centre halfs to sort out our defensive problems…I’d have said thats not solving our defensive problems.

[GreenCastle]

Feels like we brought in the most players in the UK ?

Not sure if any other teams added / moved out so many players ?!

[Paulie Walnuts]

Feels like we brought in the most players in the UK ?

Not sure if any other teams added / moved out so many players ?!

Think Motherwell and Ross County have been similar to us.

All 3 of us have had 7 in and lost 6.

[Not In The Know]

The reality is if half the new lads turn out a success, then we have added 3(.5) quality players to the squad.

I suppose if we were asked if that would do in December it wouldn't be a disaster.

[tug.lismore]

It is a massive amount of change to make mid way through the season.

Amos and Moriah-Welsh are here on permanent deals so one would imagine that they will be seen as potentially the midfield two going forward but will Montgomery throw both in together straight away?

Newell and Levitt is not working.

Marcondes and Maolida are here to make impact in the short term. Hopefully they shine bright for the time they are here.

Suspect that Triantis is ahead of Bevan in the queue for a start. Possibly Fish and Triantis going forward. However, we are unlikely to keep either of them for next season whereas Bevan could be back. Might see he get game time a RB to see what he about.

The Spanish youngster is a bit of an outlier. Can't see him starting games but might be an impact player.

Bar GK and LB, every player already in the squad now has competition for their spot. That has to be a good thing.

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[SHODAN]

Thought I’d start a thread as for some reason OP felt the need to close the last one even though there was decent discussion.

I always close the thread after the window closes mate. No point having an enormous hundred pager taking up space on the board, more sense to have post-window chat like this one.

[matty_f]

I also think we’re going to have to get used to a fair number of loan players or people with us for a short time.

And I hate to say it, but we’ll probably be in the position for eternity that we’re waiting until the end of August for the likes of Bournemouth and Lorient to complete their squads before we know who we’re going to get on loan.

The early window, with the thin squad for European football (if we manage to qualify) is something I think we’re going to need to take on the chin.

Monty (or whoever our manager / coach is) is just going to need to get used to turnover of players and be ready to mould teams with what he has at his disposal quickly.

I had this conversation a while back, and I agree with you.

A club our size would ideally have continuity, but the reality of the situation is that the players that tend to stay are the ones who are comfortable here - they've maybe seen Hibs as as the extent of their talent, we're a comfortable club to play for - great facilities, good payers, great city, no expectations to challenge for the title so you just have to be not completely rubbish to stay off the radar for flak.

Really good players, the ones that you want to build the team around, don't stick around too long at Hibs, so there's probably a strong argument to be made for kicking the arse out of the loan market if it means you can bring in better players than you'd be able to get permanently.

Having a great player for a season or a half season and then swapping them out for a new great player is probably preferable to a good player tied down to a three year deal, in theory.

There are obviously benefits to permanent signings - transfer income and some degree of stability is important, and you probably wouldn't want to rip up and start again ever transfer window so balance is important, but the loan market is definitely not to be sniffed at if used well.

[TheSouthMoroccan]

I think Matty pretty much nails it. Personally I think this season is a write off other than hopes of a wee cup run. Loaners look decent quality so we may see some decent football along the way and then in the summer we’ll clear the decks of the old guard and the weak links. A new team from August means that we can only really judge Monty next December. We’ll defo know by then whether he knows what he’s doing. I like him so I hope he succeeds.

[Centre Hawf]

I had this conversation a while back, and I agree with you.

A club our size would ideally have continuity, but the reality of the situation is that the players that tend to stay are the ones who are comfortable here - they've maybe seen Hibs as as the extent of their talent, we're a comfortable club to play for - great facilities, good payers, great city, no expectations to challenge for the title so you just have to be not completely rubbish to stay off the radar for flak.

Really good players, the ones that you want to build the team around, don't stick around too long at Hibs, so there's probably a strong argument to be made for kicking the arse out of the loan market if it means you can bring in better players than you'd be able to get permanently.

Having a great player for a season or a half season and then swapping them out for a new great player is probably preferable to a good player tied down to a three year deal, in theory.

There are obviously benefits to permanent signings - transfer income and some degree of stability is important, and you probably wouldn't want to rip up and start again ever transfer window so balance is important, but the loan market is definitely not to be sniffed at if used well.

I agree with you and the post you quote, I think that may be the reality of our situation for the next while.

But it probably means we need to be realistic and also look within our own league still for a good core of players to allow us some continuity from window to window and season to season. We probably shouldn't be looking to form a new CB pairing every summer, you'd ideally like the next Paul Hanlon there ready to play beside the next Fish for example and a steady longer term keeper that has a relationship with 1 or 2 of the defenders in front of him.

So while I get some have said we should be aiming higher than some of the names that were said from within our league, I don't think we should ever look away from it either as ultimately there will be solid domestic players that will jump to play for Hibs. The trick is picking the best of them.

[overdrive]

I'm battle scarred enough now to refrain from saying whether it is a good window until seeing the players play (or not as is sometimes the case, particularly with January loans) for a few games.

Given NM plays a system that was unsuited to our existing players, it will be interesting to see how the new players fit into that. Most of these players are of an unknown quantity to me. I'd have liked some experience at centre half. The two new guys might be outstanding, though. We just don't know.

I'm not as worried with the loans as I have been in some previous seasons. I'd be more worried if we were a bit worse off in the league and in serious danger of getting drawn into a relegation battle. I don't think loans are great in that situation (unless there is an option to buy) as the loanees don't really have any skin in the game. It isn't their livelihoods on the line if the team is relegated. In our current situation, they fill a gap until we can reset in the summer.

[Fergus52]

Overall I’m happy enough, but I’d hoped we’d have brought in no nonsense experienced centre half. Defence has been ropey for a while.

The 2 young guys might be quality, I’ve never seen them. But at the start of the window if you’d said we’d be signing 2 20 year old centre halfs to sort out our defensive problems…I’d have said thats not solving our defensive problems.

two more options at centre mid that have a bit of pace, energy and ball winning ability might though.

[Since452]

I think Matty pretty much nails it. Personally I think this season is a write off other than hopes of a wee cup run. Loaners look decent quality so we may see some decent football along the way and then in the summer we’ll clear the decks of the old guard and the weak links. A new team from August means that we can only really judge Monty next December. We’ll defo know by then whether he knows what he’s doing. I like him so I hope he succeeds.

Strongly disagree. Montgomery has to show he can get results and performances sharpish especially, now he's had a transfer window. He's been backed now so there are no excuses. He needs to show big improvement. We cant wait almost a calendar year from now to judge him.

[MrRobot]

Good window for me. Would have liked a strong experienced left sided centre back to have really solidified the window but we have strengthened midfield and brought in Marcondes who looks an absolute player.

[john rossi]

I feel it could be quantity over quality would like to have seen two established centre backs as a priority but Montgomery has gone for inexperienced youngsters from Sunderland and the cherries. The one that stands out is Emiliano but unsure how the rest will impact our season.

[Callum_62]

Strongly disagree. Montgomery has to show he can get results and performances sharpish especially, now he's had a transfer window. He's been backed now so there are no excuses. He needs to show big improvement. We cant wait almost a calendar year from now to judge him.There's definitely holes in that theory

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[KeithTheHibby]

With the players brought in I’m expecting us to kick on and finish 4th. A total bonus would be a deep run in the Scottish.

[matty_f]

With the players brought in I’m expecting us to kick on and finish 4th. A total bonus would be a deep run in the Scottish.

I think he's well backed and needs to show the improvement immediately - at least notable progress from where we've been this season. Clinging on to a top 6 place isn't going to cut it. Third is probably out of reach, but fourth is manageable and we should be going all guns blazing to get it.

[SickBoy32]

I think he's well backed and needs to show the improvement immediately - at least notable progress from where we've been this season. Clinging on to a top 6 place isn't going to cut it. Third is probably out of reach, but fourth is manageable and we should be going all guns blazing to get it.

Well backed with 2 very inexperienced centre halves ? Not sure if that’s what the manager would’ve been looking for in that position.

We look to have brought in good forward options, but scoring goals hasn’t really been our primary issue.

[matty_f]

Well backed with 2 very inexperienced centre halves ? Not sure if that’s what the manager would’ve been looking for in that position.

We look to have brought in good forward options, but scoring goals hasn’t really been our primary issue.

Nectar was one of his top targets, and he's been allowed to reshape the squad. It's all relative, but he was on record several times to say he hoped he could get four in but it was all dependant on finance. He's got 7 in and got a few out that he wanted to move on.

Not sure how much more backing they could have given him?

[Since452]

There's definitely holes in that theory

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Why should he be given longer than LJ before we get to judge him?

[Greenbeard]

No idea how we've done and the proof will be in the pudding.
What we usually do is hail how good a transfer window is simply on numbers. Most bemoaning the quality of the squad but last transfer window was lauded brilliant at the time, and the one before.

Each signing is a gamble and could go either way. Lots of exciting names in there but just have to see how we go.

On one hand, Miaolda, Marcondes, Amos have all got pedigree and already seen with Marcondes he has quality in abundance. Don't know a lot about Noriah-Welsh though we needed centre backs and the 2 young lads from their reels look talented, front footed ball playing centre backs. The young lad from Sunderland is young but exciting prospect.

On the other hand, we were ideally looking for players to hit the ground running and experienced centre back at least so probably missed that criteri though granted January is a difficult window. Lots of kids in there and short term loans - what will the attitudes and applications be like? Not much men's football between a lot of them and bringing in such a big number has other risks, will they all gel? Parterships on the park,? Dressing room/team spirit? What does it say to our own youth to bring in a raft of inexperienced kids on loan? Blaney must be ages with these centre halfs - can't get a look in but Southampton are sniffing.

Weighing it all up, not sure we had much other oprion than to roll the dice and take a gamble. I'm all for it and excited for the second half of the season. How it actually goes from here?, Piggy knows! Only results will dictate if it was a good window or not
Pretty much my current thoughts. Pre-window I felt we needed to invest all our available funds in a couple of really strong buys - experienced, confident, strong leaders for the defence and midfield - and that we had enough promising youngsters. Post-window I don't see where that strong leadership is coming from - not yet anyway.
I'd rather have had a couple of lobsters than a load of prawns, even if some of them might prove to be langoustines.

[Mikey_1875]

I think Matty pretty much nails it. Personally I think this season is a write off other than hopes of a wee cup run. Loaners look decent quality so we may see some decent football along the way and then in the summer we’ll clear the decks of the old guard and the weak links. A new team from August means that we can only really judge Monty next December. We’ll defo know by then whether he knows what he’s doing. I like him so I hope he succeeds.


It depends on your expectations I suppose but I can’t understand how the season is a write off when there are European places still up for grabs (albeit third is gone). I also expect Monty to line us up to have a right good crack at it and will judge him at the end of the season based on that.

The window looks to have some exciting players on paper along with a throw enough **** at the wall and something will stick approach to CH. I’m optimistic for the rest of this season and even more excited for what lies beyond that in general. Monty has to prove he is the right man to take us on that journey in the meantime and I hope he does.

[SickBoy32]

Nectar was one of his top targets, and he's been allowed to reshape the squad. It's all relative, but he was on record several times to say he hoped he could get four in but it was all dependant on finance. He's got 7 in and got a few out that he wanted to move on.

Not sure how much more backing they could have given him?

I guess time will tell with regards to the quality of the incoming players, and the effect they can have on the team.

Just wary of going for more managerial upheaval, if it transpires that these players aren’t up to much. For me that would suggest deeper issues than just the manager.

[B.H.F.C]

Well backed with 2 very inexperienced centre halves ? Not sure if that’s what the manager would’ve been looking for in that position.

We look to have brought in good forward options, but scoring goals hasn’t really been our primary issue.

I don’t necessarily disagree on the centre halves and I’m not sure how it’ll work out. But, you need to remember the background of this manager. His success has been with a very young team, one of which we’ve just signed. I think that is exactly the player he wanted. Whether it works or not time will tell.

[Callum_62]

Why should he be given longer than LJ before we get to judge him?Nice edit from Colander [emoji6][emoji1787]

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[matty_f]

I guess time will tell with regards to the quality of the incoming players, and the effect they can have on the team.

Just wary of going for more managerial upheaval, if it transpires that these players aren’t up to much. For me that would suggest deeper issues than just the manager.

I agree about the managerial upheaval, I'm not suggesting that. I do think, though, that more pressure comes when you take away some of the mitigation for the results so far (which is to say it's not his team, the players can't play how he wants etc) then more of the responsibility for the results sits on his shoulders.

I don't think that's unfair. I desperately want him to succeed, I thought he was a great pick for the job and so far it's not been as good as I hoped. I've been happy to give him the benefit of the doubt because of the squad injuries, availability, and in some areas, capability.

This is going to be mostly his team now, so it's not unreasonable to expect to see some improvement.

[Heisenberg]

I think he's well backed and needs to show the improvement immediately - at least notable progress from where we've been this season. Clinging on to a top 6 place isn't going to cut it. Third is probably out of reach, but fourth is manageable and we should be going all guns blazing to get it.

Definitely agree with this. There needs to be an upturn in results now given the squad is a lot stronger and he’s brought in players to suit his style of play. Big game tomorrow.

[Tyler Durden]

I don't share the enthusiasm over signing the lad Nectar. However hopefully Monty has a plan - for example if he helps us play a higher line it might be worthwhile.

Same with Moriah-Welsh and Amos. I think they need to come in and make a difference asap - maybe the cumulative impact can solve some of the defensive issues.

For me, if he wants to keep his job then Monty needs to deliver

* Minimum 5th place finish
* Cup Semi final
* At least one derby win

[JimBHibees]

I think he's well backed and needs to show the improvement immediately - at least notable progress from where we've been this season. Clinging on to a top 6 place isn't going to cut it. Third is probably out of reach, but fourth is manageable and we should be going all guns blazing to get it.

Think that is fair

[WestStandWillie]

If we're not top 4 come end of the season with that squad (newbies and returns from injury) then i'll be astounded.

Massive couple of months for NM to get things right. We mustn't drop points to deadwood like Livingston, St Johnstone, Ross County etc...

[Paul1642]

I don't share the enthusiasm over signing the lad Nectar. However hopefully Monty has a plan - for example if he helps us play a higher line it might be worthwhile.

Same with Moriah-Welsh and Amos. I think they need to come in and make a difference asap - maybe the cumulative impact can solve some of the defensive issues.

For me, if he wants to keep his job then Monty needs to deliver

* Minimum 5th place finish
* Cup Semi final
* At least one derby win

This is generally fair however needs to be subjective.

5th place I agree with.

Cup semi I agree with but if we draw the old firm, especially away, next round (not to assume we are guaranteed to pass Inverness) then I don’t think that can be held against him.

Derby win I also agree with but if he managed the other two objectives and two Derby draws I’m certainly not going to be calling for his head.

[Since452]

Nice edit from Colander [emoji6][emoji1787]

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:greengrin

[greenlex]

Why should he be given longer than LJ before we get to judge him?

Why not?

[Nicho87]

Must happens:

- Fourth
- Good cup run, if we draw the uglies can’t argue going out, but a semi final would be minimum requirement based on good draws

Would be nice:

- consistency in performances
- laying a glove / points of the uglies
- beat hearts


Must nots / risk of losing the fans from Monty perspective

- finish bottom six
- knocked out cup by a lesser team
- dull football, been backed time to see some attacking energetic football

[Paulie Walnuts]

This is generally fair however needs to be subjective.

5th place I agree with.

Cup semi I agree with but if we draw the old firm, especially away, next round (not to assume we are guaranteed to pass Inverness) then I don’t think that can be held against him.

Derby win I also agree with but if he managed the other two objectives and two Derby draws I’m certainly not going to be calling for his head.

Would agree with this.

The cup should pretty much be a case of not losing to teams we shouldn’t be losing to.

5th place, no slip ups in the cup unless it’s against the OF, Hearts or potentially Aberdeen and a win at home in the last derby of the season. That would be enough imo. I think the league is the big one though. Fail to take what will almost certainly be one of the 5 European spots then he’s completely failed and taken us backwards imo.

[Kato]

Strongly disagree. Montgomery has to show he can get results and performances sharpish especially, now he's had a transfer window. He's been backed now so there are no excuses. He needs to show big improvement. We cant wait almost a calendar year from now to judge him.You didn't even wait one match and you were on him.

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[SHODAN]

Strongly disagree. Montgomery has to show he can get results and performances sharpish especially, now he's had a transfer window. He's been backed now so there are no excuses. He needs to show big improvement. We cant wait almost a calendar year from now to judge him.

Out of curiosity, what would it take for you to back him? How many games of an unbeaten/winning run etc?

[VoltaireHibs]

Well I'm in what may be termed the 'Happy Clapper's' camp. Not because I think everything will be perfect and all our signings will be awesome (though they will be!) But because it's the only intelligent position to adopt. What I think will have no impact on anything so I may as well think good things rather than be a miserable naysayer. Vive la Hibs! 🎉🎉😁😁

[B.H.F.C]

Must happens:

- Fourth
- Good cup run, if we draw the uglies can’t argue going out, but a semi final would be minimum requirement based on good draws

Would be nice:

- consistency in performances
- laying a glove / points of the uglies
- beat hearts


Must nots / risk of losing the fans from Monty perspective

- finish bottom six
- knocked out cup by a lesser team
- dull football, been backed time to see some attacking energetic football

I’d be moving the bit about beating Hearts to must happen. Manager needs some of that type of result to build a bit of good will.

[Kato]

Well I'm in what may be termed the 'Happy Clapper's' camp. Not because I think everything will be perfect and all our signings will be awesome (though they will be!) But because it's the only intelligent position to adopt. What I think will have no impact on anything so I may as well think good things rather than be a miserable naysayer. Vive la Hibs! [emoji322][emoji322][emoji16][emoji16]That's the boat I sail in too.

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[TheSouthMoroccan]

Well I'm in what may be termed the 'Happy Clapper's' camp. Not because I think everything will be perfect and all our signings will be awesome (though they will be!) But because it's the only intelligent position to adopt. What I think will have no impact on anything so I may as well think good things rather than be a miserable naysayer. Vive la Hibs! 🎉🎉😁😁

I believe you are right, it’s the only intelligent / sensible option. We can’t keep swapping managers. We are where we are today because we’ve recruited poorly on the manager front and because we’ve then needed to be trigger happy and as a result we’ve had window after window of short term fixes that don’t work. Our poorish squad had been six windows in the making. So yes these are short term fixes again (albeit perhaps of better quality) but let’s see where we are after the summer window and then let’s see how something that’s been given time to be built performs. I know not everyone’s view but Aberdeen are a good example of a trigger happy club. Let’s not be like Aberdeen 😂

[Wachibs]

Generally very pleased with the way the window has gone, those brought in look to be a higher standard than we had access to before.
Slight note of caution, remember the loan heavy Fenlon team that stumbled through to the cup final. The accusations were the loaners weren’t that bothered…


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[Pedantic_Hibee]

Time will tell whether the ins and outs this month see us faring better than we did pre-window.

What I will say though, is that there’s no way we’d have that amount of ins and outs if NM was happy with the squad he inherited. So that in itself suggests he sees what we see; a squad riddled with mediocrity and an acceptance of that mediocrity from said squad given not one single player looked like he wanted to grab a game by the scruff of the neck or looked like he would run through a brick wall for the shirt.

[VoltaireHibs]

Generally very pleased with the way the window has gone, those brought in look to be a higher standard than we had access to before.
Slight note of caution, remember the loan heavy Fenlon team that stumbled through to the cup final. The accusations were the loaners weren’t that bothered…


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Everyone seems to be looking at this through the loan prism and ignoring the other elephant in the room. What if our existing, pre-window players down tools? Let's face it, the writing is on the wall for most of them, if not all of them. They wouldn't be the first bunch to start looking to their own future and playing within themselves. If these new players come in and set new standards that our older guys can't match then I think they're the one's we have to worry about. It will be very interesting to see the line up tomorrow, and possibly even more interesting will be the team after 90 minutes, when the subs are on. That will tell us more than anything I suspect.

[Hibernian Verse]

Everyone seems to be looking at this through the loan prism and ignoring the other elephant in the room. What if our existing, pre-window players down tools? Let's face it, the writing is on the wall for most of them, if not all of them. They wouldn't be the first bunch to start looking to their own future and playing within themselves. If these new players come in and set new standards that our older guys can't match then I think they're the one's we have to worry about. It will be very interesting to see the line up tomorrow, and possibly even more interesting will be the team after 90 minutes, when the subs are on. That will tell us more than anything I suspect.

Like they did in December and Jan to date.

A professional footballer should have the wherewithal to dig deep now and face the challenge head on. If not, they're no good to us and cya in the Summer.

[greenlex]

Everyone seems to be looking at this through the loan prism and ignoring the other elephant in the room. What if our existing, pre-window players down tools? Let's face it, the writing is on the wall for most of them, if not all of them. They wouldn't be the first bunch to start looking to their own future and playing within themselves. If these new players come in and set new standards that our older guys can't match then I think they're the one's we have to worry about. It will be very interesting to see the line up tomorrow, and possibly even more interesting will be the team after 90 minutes, when the subs are on. That will tell us more than anything I suspect.

There’s as much chance that if the new guys perform they will drag the long the long termers up with them as them downing tools. Team games are like that.

[BSEJVT]

Strongly disagree. Montgomery has to show he can get results and performances sharpish especially, now he's had a transfer window. He's been backed now so there are no excuses. He needs to show big improvement. We cant wait almost a calendar year from now to judge him.

Hell no

Not when lots of folk have already written him off :-)

I predict we will show promising signs of improvement for a while

By the end of which time some of his most vehement denouncers will have him labelled as the next SAF

We will then slide back to mediocrity but those self same folk will still proclaim him noisily as they can’t change their minds again and deal only in hyperbole so can’t say he is okay

Seen it with at least 3 players in current team

Honestly speaking though I wish the guy all the best, I hope his drastic pruning of the squad he inherited continues as it has been long overdue drastic surgery

[Paul1642]

Well I'm in what may be termed the 'Happy Clapper's' camp. Not because I think everything will be perfect and all our signings will be awesome (though they will be!) But because it's the only intelligent position to adopt. What I think will have no impact on anything so I may as well think good things rather than be a miserable naysayer. Vive la Hibs! 🎉🎉😁😁

Couldn’t agree more. I watch Hibs to enjoy it, not because I gain it loose anything based on out results. The folk who are bursting blood vessels at poor performances can’t be enjoying it.

[VoltaireHibs]

There’s as much chance that if the new guys perform they will drag the long the long termers up with them as them downing tools. Team games are like that.

I agree, I was just playing devils advocate as a few posters were making it look like only the loan players could be an issue.

[Since452]

Out of curiosity, what would it take for you to back him? How many games of an unbeaten/winning run etc?

Results are important, of course they are but i'd start to back him if the performances improved more than anything. I'd take that as a sign that his plan was starting to work and the results should start to follow. It's been an incredibly poor watch under Montgomery for the last few months at least. It should be getting better not worse. I want to enjoy watching Hibs and haven't under this manager so far.

What i will say for him is he does have a plan/system he wants to play. With seven new players this month we should hopefully see signs of that plan working. It's really up to him now.

[VoltaireHibs]

Couldn’t agree more. I watch Hibs to enjoy it, not because I gain it loose anything based on out results. The folk who are bursting blood vessels at poor performances can’t be enjoying it.

Exactly, I've supported Hibs for almost 50 years, ups and downs, but it's always been interesting, added value to my life and it's occasionally been awesome. But real life, the truly important things, happen elsewhere.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Results are important, of course they are but i'd start to back him if the performances improved more than anything. I'd take that as a sign that his plan was starting to work and the results should start to follow. It's been an incredibly poor watch under Montgomery for the last few months at least. It should be getting better not worse. I want to enjoy watching Hibs and haven't under this manager so far.

What i will say for him is he does have a plan/system he wants to play. With seven new players this month we should hopefully see signs of that plan working. It's really up to him now.

Think that’s a fair summary.

He has a way he wants to play and won’t stray from it. It’s not been working so far, we’ve signed 7 players to try and make it work. I’d expect to see a significant improvement going forward.

[superfurryhibby]

Think that’s a fair summary.

He has a way he wants to play and won’t stray from it. It’s not been working so far, we’ve signed 7 players to try and make it work. I’d expect to see a significant improvement going forward.

I always travel more in hope than expectation, but yes improvement is expected from me too. There's also a bit scepticism, there's seven signings, but all have some proviso or another attached. That said, I do think we have the nucleus of a good football team here already, these guys, even three-four regular starters from them, that will help a lot.

Really looking forward to tomorrow, it's a great chance for the new guys to lift the side and the fans (and give Monty a boost too, he has been under pressure). I hope the likes of Marcondes, Amos and Maolida can make a difference, provide a bit more cutting edge and quality.

Optimism, but at least hoping for an eventful end to the season and a bit entertainment on the field.

[hibee-boys]

I just hope with such a large turnover of bodies that they can gel quickly as a team, we really don’t have the time left of the season for players to bed in.