Monty on trial?

[Spike Mandela]

No doubt the manager will be delighted to get the new guys on board in January. However, with the new investment there is bound to be pressure and expectations for him to get the team playing good football, winning matches and climbing the table.

There is always pressure on a Hibs manager, but do you think he is essentially on trial to the end of the season to see if he is the man to lead this project?

[greenlex]

Definitely on triall as he should be. Not sure it ends at the end of the season though.

[B.H.F.C]

I think he is/was irrespective of the investment. As much as I’ve supported him and think there are plenty of reasons why we are where we are, he needs to start winning more games, simple as that.

[Stubbsy90+2]

Yes.

If we’re starting to look at signing guys like Emiliano and we want to be best of the rest then it stands to reason that a manager who fails to hit our minimum targets should that come to pass won’t be kept around to manage them.

Anything short of 5th and he’ll be gone imo. 5th might not even be enough.

[Pretty Boy]

It's much more his team now so I think there will be an expectation of marked improvement between now and the end of the season.

I think 3rd is gone but comfortably top 6 and in the mix for 4th should be where we are come May.

He'll get the summer barring a total disaster but we will need to start well next season. With extra cash and higher ambitions comes added expectation and pressure. The 'historically that's about right for us' stuff just isn't going to fly anymore and rightly so.

[Diclonius]

Can he play centre back?

[J-C]

Every manager is on trial once they put their own mark on a team, he's been well backed this window and has to start getting performances and some wins.

[Spike Mandela]

Every manager is on trial once they put their own mark on a team, he's been well backed this window and has to start getting performances and some wins.

Yeah, every manager is on trial and has a relationship with his board.

However, this summer is a whole new thing with major investment and a minor shareholder who, whilst not running the club, will have an influential say in the leadership going forward.

Monty, I think, will have to prove he can get an exciting tune out of this squad to show himself worthy as the man to be in charge of the team going forward. Exciting prospect but a lot of pressure on him I think.

I wish him well and hope he proves himself.

[Stanton Spence]

As it’s already been said most managers are on trial and it’s just the nature of the game nowadays.
I personally think that even the managers need more than one transfer window to build a side

[Unseen work]

The same thought went through my head.

A lot of players on loan, potential to complete change the squad in the summer and new inventors. A lot of fans not convinced yet and his next few league games - St Mirren, Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee and Hearts are massive. Realistically need 3 wins minimum from that and a couple of draws.

[easty]

As it’s already been said most managers are on trial and it’s just the nature of the game nowadays.
I personally think that even the managers need more than one transfer window to build a side

I don’t think a manager should only be judged on their ability to build a side.

If you sack one manager for underachieving, then the next one has to get better results otherwise they’re also underachieving

[blackpoolhibs]

I'm not basing this on anything, but i just get the feeling our new investors will have an influence on us getting a new manager, and the first sign of a bad run he will be gone, and someone they have their eye on will be appointed very quickly.

[Skol]

I don’t get why people constantly look to undermine our manager.

[Springbank]

Can he play centre back?

Can he play anything beyond the Limited 442

Thats the question

[Springbank]

I don’t get why people constantly look to undermine our manager.

Want him to succeed but was outplayed first half by Forfar

That's alarm Bells & is a wake up call, not undermining

[A Hi-Bee]

No doubt the manager will be delighted to get the new guys on board in January. However, with the new investment there is bound to be pressure and expectations for him to get the team playing good football, winning matches and climbing the table.

There is always pressure on a Hibs manager, but do you think he is essentially on trial to the end of the season to see if he is the man to lead this project?

Yawn, as always at a real exiting time for our club the FM judges sit on the bench black caps on just waiting, ffs, support the club.
:blah::blah::blah:

[easty]

Yawn, as always at a real exiting time for our club the FM judges sit on the bench black caps on just waiting, ffs, support the club.
:blah::blah::blah:

Dramatic

[matty_f]

It's the nature of the beast that he's on trial, this is his side now, as much as it's going to be. Seven signings in has to make a difference.

[theonlywayisup]

I don’t get why people constantly look to undermine our manager.

Yes, I can't understand that either. It feels like we've some posters who are so unbelievably perfect in everything that they do that they feel the need to criticise at the first sign of something that is below their standards. The first thread about Maolida was a perfect example. FFS, give them a chance!

[A Hi-Bee]

Dramatic
:faf:

[A Hi-Bee]

Yes, I can't understand that either. It feels like we've some posters who are so unbelievably perfect in everything that they do that they feel the need to criticise at the first sign of something that is below their standards. The first thread about Maolida was a perfect example. FFS, give them a chance!

Place is full of undercover ones.
:casper:

[DH1875]

Don't know about trial but if Inverness knock us out the cup and we finish bottom 6 then he's gonna have a problem. Flip that around though and we win the cup and finish 4th. Then he is a hero. Results driven business so in that respect I'd say every manager is on trial.

[Hibby Bairn]

Probably. But if we're not winning 5-0 at HT today then please give the boos a rest for a week or two until things bed in a bit.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

A new era starts today. Buzzing

[Iain G]

Can he play anything beyond the Limited 442

Thats the question

Like a 4231 like we did in the last game (tin hat on) 😁

[Spike Mandela]

It’s not a case of undermining the manager or boo boys unable to wait to see the team fail.

It’s the fact that we are at the start of something new, something exciting. Something I have never witnessed in my 40 odd years supporting Hibs. Major investment by a billionaire..

Monty happens to be the incumbent and it’s a great opportunity for him and I hope he has us flying. However, if he doesn’t I just feel he might not get the time he deserves because of the standards set from the new investors.

Really don’t want this thread to be a ‘slag the manager’ type thing, it would be pressure for anyone, but I feel we have to accept things are different now and he has to deliver. He will know this of course and hopefully will thrive on it.

[Since452]

Really hope we see a good performance today even if the result isn't exactly what we want. If performances improve he'll build a bit of good will from those who doubt him - especially me.

He's under big pressure especially with the investment.

[J-C]

It’s not a case of undermining the manager or boo boys unable to wait to see the team fail.

It’s the fact that we are at the start of something new, something exciting. Something I have never witnessed in my 40 odd years supporting Hibs. Major investment by a billionaire..

Monty happens to be the incumbent and it’s a great opportunity for him and I hope he has us flying. However, if he doesn’t I just feel he might not get the time he deserves because of the standards set from the new investors.

Really don’t want this thread to be a ‘slag the manager’ type thing, it would be pressure for anyone, but I feel we have to accept things are different now and he has to deliver. He will know this of course and hopefully will thrive on it.

Foley was very quick to get rid of O'Neil and replace him Iraola, if he has the same powers at Hibs to influence then he could do the same here.

[Donegal Hibby]

Feels a wee bit like we are ready to pass sentence ?. For what it's worth imo barring a disaster this year in we don't make the top 6 ( which I don't think will happen) Monty should remain as Hibs manager next season.

Next season we have another rebuilding job to do to the squad again and the last thing we need on top of that is another managerial change also. Club badly needs some stability .

Monty's has put his own stamp on the team with all the players he's taken in and hopefully they all hit the ground running though some might need a wee bit of time to settle or gel with the team .

After all the talk about McInnes , Lennon and I think Ian Murray was even mentioned at one point too I'm probably more in the Monty camp than I was before . 👍

[ScottB]

Realistically, every manager is always on trial, if anything the investment and new signings further raise the stakes.

I hope he can turn it around!

[Pretty Boy]

It’s not a case of undermining the manager or boo boys unable to wait to see the team fail.

It’s the fact that we are at the start of something new, something exciting. Something I have never witnessed in my 40 odd years supporting Hibs. Major investment by a billionaire..

Monty happens to be the incumbent and it’s a great opportunity for him and I hope he has us flying. However, if he doesn’t I just feel he might not get the time he deserves because of the standards set from the new investors.

Really don’t want this thread to be a ‘slag the manager’ type thing, it would be pressure for anyone, but I feel we have to accept things are different now and he has to deliver. He will know this of course and hopefully will thrive on it.

Yep.

It's all levels obviously but Man City judge managers to totally different standards these days compared to the time of Joy Royle and Brian Horton. Good managers like Mancini and Pellegrini were hugely successful by the old standards but not good enough for the new.

As I said above it's a new era for Hibs and the old standards of 3rd once a decade or less isn't going to cut it anymore. The new investment is an amazing opportunity for Montgomery and it's in the best interests of everyone if he is the man and we kick on under him. It's also a whole new pressure on him to deliver and that's fair enough.

I daresay there are a tiny minority who would rather be right than see the manager succeed but for most the hope will be that we have the man already in place. If we don't then the change will be made again. Let's hope that the former is the case.

[MKHIBEE]

Dramatic

Lots of drama about. Let’s see how the rest of the season pans out before we send out the lynching party

[WhileTheChief..]

Kinda feels like a fresh start today.

Don’t think NM is under any more pressure than usual for a Hibs manager and am looking forward to seeing how his team performs now.

[eastmainsmsh]

Think NM will kick on starting with a win today GGTTH hopefully this is start of good things for Hibs

[Eyrie]

Montgomery is definitely on trial.

We all expect a large transfer budget in the summer so he has to prove that he is the manager who can maximise the benefit of the spending. He's been backed in this window so has the opportunity to show what he can do with his own players. If he does he'll be here next season. If he doesn't then he'll be gone.

As Hibs fans we should all want him to succeed because that means we have a successful team.

Fingers crossed.

[jakeshibs]

No doubt the manager will be delighted to get the new guys on board in January. However, with the new investment there is bound to be pressure and expectations for him to get the team playing good football, winning matches and climbing the table.

There is always pressure on a Hibs manager, but do you think he is essentially on trial to the end of the season to see if he is the man to lead this project?

why are we are supporters even asking these questions, we are constantly looking at ways to discredit the manager of our club, why dont we get behind him and his players show our support, do our bit.

This constant hounding out managers is getting us know where, extremely expensive and not productive, look at Sir Alex Fergusons record at Manchester United, they persevered and reaped the rewards, if he was at Hibs, we would have booted him out and never achieved any success as our history clearly demonstrates.

[Greensunshine]

I don’t think it’s just Monty who is on trial. It’s the whole team behind him who help identify players.

It’s got to be said that more than a few of the players who have passed through this great club in recent years haven’t been a good fit.
We must start to recruit better.

The manager can’t work miracles.

[The Modfather]

I don’t think a manager should only be judged on their ability to build a side.

If you sack one manager for underachieving, then the next one has to get better results otherwise they’re also underachieving

I think an element of mitigation also has to be allowed for what a manager is inheriting. You can’t expect a manager to get much more out of a patchwork squad compiled by various managers at the same time a recruitment strategy that was then subsequently binned because it had been disastrously implemented. I don’t think a manager should be properly judged until he has a spine of the team he can work with.

When we sign new players to for the spine of the team, like Kenneh or Harbottle, who are then loaned out at the next window I don’t think it’s fair to expect anything different than the squad has previously delivered.

There also had to be signs of progress or a glimpse into the future of course. Monty identifying straight away that Stevenson & Hanlon weren’t the answer, and that in his first window he has identified the midfield and central defence as our biggest issues is encouraging as previous managers haven’t made much of an attempt to rebuild either area.

[basehibby]

why are we are supporters even asking these questions, we are constantly looking at ways to discredit the manager of our club, why dont we get behind him and his players show our support, do our bit.

This constant hounding out managers is getting us know where, extremely expensive and not productive, look at Sir Alex Fergusons record at Manchester United, they persevered and reaped the rewards, if he was at Hibs, we would have booted him out and never achieved any success as our history clearly demonstrates.
The OP is merely asking a question - and I cannot see a single reply that is "hounding" the manager.
The consensus seems to be that of course Monty is on trial - as is any football manager - only the stakes just got higher with the Foley investment. That said, there is a lot of good will and a great desire for Monty to succeed.
Seems a pretty reasonable discussion to have!

[Pretty Boy]

I thought this would be an interesting thread to revisit today.

I was very much of the opinion Montgomery was on trial yesterday morning, by last night I was fully in the get him to **** camp. However by tonight I think my stance has softened. Don't get me wrong if I read tomorrow he had been mutually consented I doubt I would shed many tears.

However we are where we are now. We had a terrible start, a bit of a new manager bounce and are now on a very concerning run. However what are the options? Sack Monty and give it to Gray? Do we then risk boxing ourselves into a corner as Aberdeen did with Robson and then trusting one of the biggest jobs in the country and our biggest budget ever to a rookie manager? Is it likely popular choices in Robinson and McInnes would walk out on a chase for European football mid season to take on a team in something resembling freefall?

I don't think we will end up in the play offs and equally I don't think we are capable of putting a run together to challenge for Europe. So with that in mind are we as well just sticking with what we have and letting the man currently in the job prove he either deserves to stay or deserves to go? I'm just not convinced there is huge merit in sacking a manager now when we will be in a far stronger position to make an appointment in the summer when there is clarity around the incoming investment and a fair few players departing the scene for good.

I suppose my question is does Montgomery deserve an extended trial between now and the end of the season?

[Johnny_Leith]

I thought this would be an interesting thread to revisit today.

I was very much of the opinion Montgomery was on trial yesterday morning, by last night I was fully in the get him to **** camp. However by tonight I think my stance has softened. Don't get me wrong if I read tomorrow he had been mutually consented I doubt I would shed many tears.

However we are where we are now. We had a terrible start, a bit of a new manager bounce and are now on a very concerning run. However what are the options? Sack Monty and give it to Gray? Do we then risk boxing ourselves into a corner as Aberdeen did with Robson and then trusting one of the biggest jobs in the country and our biggest budget ever to a rookie manager? Is it likely popular choices in Robinson and McInnes would walk out on a chase for European football mid season to take on a team in something resembling freefall?

I don't think we will end up in the play offs and equally I don't think we are capable of putting a run together to challenge for Europe. So with that in mind are we as well just sticking with what we have and letting the man currently in the job prove he either deserves to stay or deserves to go? I'm just not convinced there is huge merit in sacking a manager now when we will be in a far stronger position to make an appointment in the summer when there is clarity around the incoming investment and a fair few players departing the scene for good.

I suppose my question is does Montgomery deserve an extended trial between now and the end of the season?

Whilst I can see your point from a strategic point of view, for me Montgomery hasn't done anywhere near well enough to be granted an extension.

He wasn't able to get the squad, which qualified for Europe last season and beat a good Luzern team, playing well.

He's tactically inflexible and his changes mid game have yet to positively affect a game - they've certainly negatively affected a few.

He regularly states there are no excuses and then proceeds to blame injuries and international duty as the reason he can't get a tune out of the players he has available.

When we have been winning, we've generally won tight games. We've not seen a convincing performance from him yet and of our 'big' fixtures at home we've scored 0 goals Vs hearts, Celtic and rangers. He looks incapable of getting the team up for the big occasion, not to mention we shat the bed Vs 10 man Aberdeen in tbe semi final.

I do not think it's been a strong start from NM and his team at all and the closer we get to that play off trapdoor, the iticher the boards finger will get.

I would love nothing more than chowing down on a big slice of humble pie and having a few comforting wins with good performances over the next month, I just can't see it.

[B.H.F.C]

I thought this would be an interesting thread to revisit today.

I was very much of the opinion Montgomery was on trial yesterday morning, by last night I was fully in the get him to **** camp. However by tonight I think my stance has softened. Don't get me wrong if I read tomorrow he had been mutually consented I doubt I would shed many tears.

However we are where we are now. We had a terrible start, a bit of a new manager bounce and are now on a very concerning run. However what are the options? Sack Monty and give it to Gray? Do we then risk boxing ourselves into a corner as Aberdeen did with Robson and then trusting one of the biggest jobs in the country and our biggest budget ever to a rookie manager? Is it likely popular choices in Robinson and McInnes would walk out on a chase for European football mid season to take on a team in something resembling freefall?

I don't think we will end up in the play offs and equally I don't think we are capable of putting a run together to challenge for Europe. So with that in mind are we as well just sticking with what we have and letting the man currently in the job prove he either deserves to stay or deserves to go? I'm just not convinced there is huge merit in sacking a manager now when we will be in a far stronger position to make an appointment in the summer when there is clarity around the incoming investment and a fair few players departing the scene for good.

I suppose my question is does Montgomery deserve an extended trial between now and the end of the season?

I really can’t decide. I’ve desperately wanted him to improve things because I don’t want to be sacking another manager. But yesterday was a totally different level of performance to anything I can remember. I really can’t remember seeing players so visibly chucking it so early in a game.

We need to see some fight on Wednesday. I don’t expect a result but he needs to shake the team up and muster a team that he thinks is going to run and tackle. We then need to go and beat Inverness.

I think it’s impossible now to say let’s give him the rest of the season. Wednesday is about a reaction and the result will be what it’ll be but he needs to get some wins beyond that.

[Pretty Boy]

Whilst I can see your point from a strategic point of view, for me Montgomery hasn't done anywhere near well enough to be granted an extension.

He wasn't able to get the squad, which qualified for Europe last season and beat a good Luzern team, playing well.

He's tactically inflexible and his changes mid game have yet to positively affect a game - they've certainly negatively affected a few.

He regularly states there are no excuses and then proceeds to blame injuries and international duty as the reason he can't get a tune out of the players he has available.

When we have been winning, we've generally won tight games. We've not seen a convincing performance from him yet and of our 'big' fixtures at home we've scored 0 goals Vs hearts, Celtic and rangers. He looks incapable of getting the team up for the big occasion, not to mention we shat the bed Vs 10 man Aberdeen in tbe semi final.

I do not think it's been a strong start from NM and his team at all and the closer we get to that play off trapdoor, the iticher the boards finger will get.

I would love nothing more than chowing down on a big slice of humble pie and having a few comforting wins with good performances over the next month, I just can't see it.

I can't argue with you because I could have typed almost the same thing myself and it would probably have made more sense than my own logic.

I'm just at the point at which I can't be arsed with another 'Gray until the end of the season' scenario. The whole new manager thing happens so often now that I can't get excited by it anymore.

I suppose I just think it might be better for Montgomery to really balls it up rather than acting now and putting ourselves in an awkward position mid season. I totally get others will believe we are already beyond that point and he has to go.

[Since90+2]

He won't get an 'extended" trial. Said on another thread but,IMO, the board will give him 3 league games to make an improvement. If not I've little doubt he'll be out the door.

The play offs and potential relegation at the moment, despite how pish we have been, is a pretty unlikely scenario. If that changes in the next few games and it becomes a genuine threat then he'll be out the door.

[Johnny_Leith]

I can't argue with you because I could have typed almost the same thing myself and it would probably have made more sense than my own logic.

I'm just at the point at which I can't be arsed with another 'Gray until the end of the season' scenario. The whole new manager thing happens so often now that I can't get excited by it anymore.

I suppose I just think it might be better for Montgomery to really balls it up rather than acting now and putting ourselves in an awkward position mid season. I totally get others will believe we are already beyond that point and he has to go.

If he's given more time and results improve then there's several positive perspectives that could be garnished there.

Alternatively, if he continues makes an arse of it but we do enough to be safe then we can cut ties at thr end of the season and hopefully have a bit of a fresh slate with a new manager and then the squad over a bit.

If he starts getting us into trouble that's when action will need to be taken. Personally I think he will but we'll see. I'm not massively enthused by SDG taking the team but he's had some decent interim results before and I think anything would be better than what we've been served up so far.

[Crab apple]

Whilst I can see your point from a strategic point of view, for me Montgomery hasn't done anywhere near well enough to be granted an extension.

He wasn't able to get the squad, which qualified for Europe last season and beat a good Luzern team, playing well.

He's tactically inflexible and his changes mid game have yet to positively affect a game - they've certainly negatively affected a few.

He regularly states there are no excuses and then proceeds to blame injuries and international duty as the reason he can't get a tune out of the players he has available.

When we have been winning, we've generally won tight games. We've not seen a convincing performance from him yet and of our 'big' fixtures at home we've scored 0 goals Vs hearts, Celtic and rangers. He looks incapable of getting the team up for the big occasion, not to mention we shat the bed Vs 10 man Aberdeen in tbe semi final.

I do not think it's been a strong start from NM and his team at all and the closer we get to that play off trapdoor, the iticher the boards finger will get.

I would love nothing more than chowing down on a big slice of humble pie and having a few comforting wins with good performances over the next month, I just can't see it.

He's got zero credit in the bank for all the reasons you state. After yesterday I don't think there is any way back for him. We are heading for the bottom six. I doubt he'll be fired though as then that piles the pressure on BK.

[Mikey_1875]

I think he was naturally on trial so to speak for the rest of the season before yesterday but that has now changed to a game by game basis. Not many managers ever fully recover from that but LJ did do enough to survive the season after the double derby debacle this time last year.

I think we would need similar from Monty but we could then find ourselves in exactly the same situation as LJ with a bad start to the next season. It’s a bit of a mess again unfortunately.

[Since452]

I think he was naturally on trial so to speak for the rest of the season before yesterday but that has now changed to a game by game basis. Not many managers ever fully recover from that but LJ did do enough to survive the season after the double derby debacle this time last year.

I think we would need similar from Monty but we could then find ourselves in exactly the same situation as LJ with a bad start to the next season. It’s a bit of a mess again unfortunately.

Maybe we'll beat Celtic 6-0 😉

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

I'm not basing this on anything, but i just get the feeling our new investors will have an influence on us getting a new manager, and the first sign of a bad run he will be gone, and someone they have their eye on will be appointed very quickly.

This is where I am too.

[Just_Jimmy]

I don’t get why people constantly look to undermine our manager.I know, he's doing well enough on his own without our help.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

[J-C]

Foley and the Black Knights haven't bought into Hibs to see us squirming around in 8th or 9th place, they were very quick to get rid of O'Neil at Bournemouth and I'm pretty sure their investment, even a minor shareholding will allow them a major say in managerial appointments and how their money is to be used. They've invested to get us Europe on a regular basis and challenge the top 3, we're miles away from even looking like a top 6 team.

[James70]

Our players are good enough to avoid the play offs. If the situation should arise that we are seriously in trouble of being caught up I would expect NM to be given his books and another manager, interim or permanent to be brought in.

[007]

I'm not basing this on anything, but i just get the feeling our new investors will have an influence on us getting a new manager, and the first sign of a bad run he will be gone, and someone they have their eye on will be appointed very quickly.

Is that not one of the very things we had to assure the SFA wouldn't happen?

https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/hibernian-black-knight-group-bill-foley-investment-bournemouth/

"The SFA’s articles on dual interest state that nobody who is involved in the management or administration of a club, or has any power to manage or influence the management or administration of a club should be able to do so for another club."

[RIP]

Our players are good enough to avoid the play offs. If the situation should arise that we are seriously in trouble of being caught up I would expect NM to be given his books and another manager, interim or permanent to be brought in.

As ingredients, the players have been good enough to win more games. But we have a greasy spoon chef instead of a cordon bleu.

The board can keep throwing out the old ingredients and replacing them with new if they think that will make a difference. But with Nick as chef, I don't trust him to serve up anything that's remotely palatable to the fans.

We could easily go another 6 games without a win. Like you, I can't believe that we can afford to wait until then.

[percy veer]

Crimes against football?

[VoltaireHibs]

Foley and the Black Knights haven't bought into Hibs to see us squirming around in 8th or 9th place, they were very quick to get rid of O'Neil at Bournemouth and I'm pretty sure their investment, even a minor shareholding will allow them a major say in managerial appointments and how their money is to be used. They've invested to get us Europe on a regular basis and challenge the top 3, we're miles away from even looking like a top 6 team.

Lorient may beg to differ.

[May21/05/16]

I don’t get why people constantly look to undermine our manager.Agree he's had one transfer window and sme want change its in my humble opinion crazy

Sent from my SM-A908B using Tapatalk

[Gloucester Hibs]

As ingredients, the players have been good enough to win more games. But we have a greasy spoon chef instead of a cordon bleu.

The board can keep throwing out the old ingredients and replacing them with new if they think that will make a difference. But with Nick as chef, I don't trust him to serve up anything that's remotely palatable to the fans.

We could easily go another 6 games without a win. Like you, I can't believe that we can afford to wait until then.

Fully expecting another sh** sandwich on Wednesday night

[The Modfather]

Whilst I can see your point from a strategic point of view, for me Montgomery hasn't done anywhere near well enough to be granted an extension.

He wasn't able to get the squad, which qualified for Europe last season and beat a good Luzern team, playing well.

He's tactically inflexible and his changes mid game have yet to positively affect a game - they've certainly negatively affected a few.

He regularly states there are no excuses and then proceeds to blame injuries and international duty as the reason he can't get a tune out of the players he has available.

When we have been winning, we've generally won tight games. We've not seen a convincing performance from him yet and of our 'big' fixtures at home we've scored 0 goals Vs hearts, Celtic and rangers. He looks incapable of getting the team up for the big occasion, not to mention we shat the bed Vs 10 man Aberdeen in tbe semi final.

I do not think it's been a strong start from NM and his team at all and the closer we get to that play off trapdoor, the iticher the boards finger will get.

I would love nothing more than chowing down on a big slice of humble pie and having a few comforting wins with good performances over the next month, I just can't see it.

That same squad got Johnson sacked this season despite the 5th place finish last season and the Luzern tie this season, with almost no one arguing the case it wasn’t time for Johnson to go.

The luzern tie, particularly the home leg is a good example of issues out with the manager. We played 442 that night and Newell & levitt as our two. Newell was everything I want in a midfielder that night and drove us up the park and was approaching McGinn levels that night. Compare his, and Levitt’s, performance yesterday and over the last few months and it can’t be put solely down to formations and Johnson &Montgomery IMO.

The squad pre January signings will get any manager sacked within 12 months or so IMO.

[Lago]

Dramatic
He's not along, plenty others on here.

[DH1875]

Lorient may beg to differ.

Yip.

[Eyrie]

Is that not one of the very things we had to assure the SFA wouldn't happen?

https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/hibernian-black-knight-group-bill-foley-investment-bournemouth/

"The SFA’s articles on dual interest state that nobody who is involved in the management or administration of a club, or has any power to manage or influence the management or administration of a club should be able to do so for another club."

It's up the the Black Knights to decide whether the summer cheque says £500k or £5m.

That is influence, whether it is written down or not.

[007]

It's up the the Black Knights to decide whether the summer cheque says £500k or £5m.

That is influence, whether it is written down or not.

Can they do that? Just reduce how much they're paying for the c25% from the contracted amount down to £500k?

[Dr What If?]

Can they do that? Just reduce how much they're paying for the c25% from the contracted amount down to £500k?

Nah, that initial investment is to purchase shares, that won't change. We will find out for sure post AGM but I assume that will be through the creation of additional ordinary shares, diluting everyone else's holding but not reducing the amount of shares held. I would expect that investment to be used for tangible improvements (EM and ER improvements) though there may be some spend on players, improved contracts, specialist coaches, etc.
What is exciting about Foley is the promise of additional investment going forward, effectively money to bring in higher value players. This additional investment won't be in exchange for shares - it will be for players he can take to Bournemouth, Lorient or elsewhere.....or it may be for the profit on a sale. It could be £1m a year or it could be £10m.....it may very well dictated by our performance on the pitch. If we are playing in Europe it would certainly provide more confidence for larger investment.

[matty_f]

Is that not one of the very things we had to assure the SFA wouldn't happen?

https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/hibernian-black-knight-group-bill-foley-investment-bournemouth/

"The SFA’s articles on dual interest state that nobody who is involved in the management or administration of a club, or has any power to manage or influence the management or administration of a club should be able to do so for another club."

Was going to reference that as well. Been some chat that they’ve just said he’ll not interfere but the reality is that he will, but for that to be true they’d have to lie to shareholders, the SFA, and the supporters and what - just hope nobody notices?

[Hibeesdaft16]

Was going to reference that as well. Been some chat that they’ve just said he’ll not interfere but the reality is that he will, but for that to be true they’d have to lie to shareholders, the SFA, and the supporters and what - just hope nobody notices?

They can always go seek advice over the other side of the city about how you deal with that sort of stuff :greengrin

[Onion]

Any new 20% investor will seek assurances that their money will be used wisely and affectively, before they hand over a penny. Part of that will be looking at those that spend and use it. To date, Monty's been given very little to spend, which historically is a measure of how highly a manager is held at Hibs.

IMO Monty is under scrutiny until the end of the season. His performance working with what he has will determine if he's going to get a bean to spend on new players, or if we Strat again. Tough, but fair.

[Hibeesdaft16]

Any new 20% investor will seek assurances that their money will be used wisely and affectively, before they hand over a penny. Part of that will be looking at those that spend and use it. To date, Monty's been given very little to spend, which historically is a measure of how highly a manager is held at Hibs.

IMO Monty is under scrutiny until the end of the season. His performance working with what he has will determine if he's going to get a bean to spend on new players, or if we Strat again. Tough, but fair.


Why wouldn't he be sacked if we fail to reach the top six? Maloney was after a less amount of time, Boyle sold in the January window and a ***** heap of a squad bar Nisbet? :confused:

ICT beat us next week, and there's a real possibility it will happen based on what I seen with my own eyes in Forfar he should be gone.

[Since90+2]

Was going to reference that as well. Been some chat that they’ve just said he’ll not interfere but the reality is that he will, but for that to be true they’d have to lie to shareholders, the SFA, and the supporters and what - just hope nobody notices?

Think it would depend on the definition of influence, and it would also be impossible to prove. Having an "opinion" for instance that the Gordons also happened to agree with would not fall foul of the rules.

[Johnny_Leith]

That same squad got Johnson sacked this season despite the 5th place finish last season and the Luzern tie this season, with almost no one arguing the case it wasn’t time for Johnson to go.

The luzern tie, particularly the home leg is a good example of issues out with the manager. We played 442 that night and Newell & levitt as our two. Newell was everything I want in a midfielder that night and drove us up the park and was approaching McGinn levels that night. Compare his, and Levitt’s, performance yesterday and over the last few months and it can’t be put solely down to formations and Johnson &Montgomery IMO.

The squad pre January signings will get any manager sacked within 12 months or so IMO.

I disagree, I don't think the squad was bad and there's been flashes of what they're capable of.

As had been well discussed on here, the 4-4-2 of that night is a different style to the 4-4-2 of Montgomery. We did not have a rigid philosophy we had to abide by that night, we didn't have one of the strikers dropping into midfield all the time and we could be direct when required. Our centre miss also didn't play on the toes of the centre halves and we played players in their correct positions.

We also had the flexibility to change the approach for the away leg, which gave us more solidity in the middle of the park and made us dangerous on the break.

Any competent manager could get better results than Montgomery with the pre January squad. If anything, there's been some incredibly poor debuts from the new guys and very little to suggest we've anything special, apart from maybe marcondes. Early days and I'm by no means writing these guys off but none of the new guys look ready to hit the ground running.

Last season we should have finished Third, we just couldn't finish our chances first half of the season then got much better when nisbet was available. We've totally changed that approach, despite replacing nisbet with a strike with an excellent goal scoring record and we've, imo, regressed significantly. It's not all on the players although they need to take some responsibility but the manager should be able to get more out of them.

[J-C]

Lorient may beg to differ.

£50m in player sales and £22m in bought players, sitting mid table 2nd bottom. I think the 2 big sales were their better players who they haven't replaced. They're in a tough league after promotion a few years ago, probably looking at 4th/5th for European football similar to us.

[J-C]

Black Knight can't interfere as such but their share will still mean they have a strong voice on things moving forward, especially if they intend to invest more in the future.

[Henderson2Del]

I am curious why the players seems so disinterested at times. I feel we have gone backwards under NM, are the players so fed up with the same old system and tactics failing and just sticking to it?

Are they being turned into robots being so rigid?
The players , manager and football side of the club is a mess.

I cannot see NM recovering this at all. I’d bin him today.

[Stubbsy90+2]

£50m in player sales and £22m in bought players, sitting mid table 10th. I think the 2 big sales were their better players who they haven't replaced. They're in a tough league after promotion a few years ago, probably looking at 4th/5th for European football similar to us.

Lorient are 17th out of 18 teams.

[Hibeesdaft16]

£50m in player sales and £22m in bought players, sitting mid table 10th. I think the 2 big sales were their better players who they haven't replaced. They're in a tough league after promotion a few years ago, probably looking at 4th/5th for European football similar to us.

They are odds on to get relegated.

[J-C]

They are odds on to get relegated.

Yea I was looking at a different date table wise, edited it.

[Alan62]

There's absolutely no question that Montgomery is on trial - if not by the board then certainly by the fans. He came in on a wave of optimism and has turned that to dust with a succession of dreadful performances, awful team selections and inadequate tactics.

As it is, he has all but lost the support from the stands. Saturday's atmosphere was as toxic as any I have seen at Easter Road and that usually signals that a manager's tenure is coming to an end. I'd say he has a very small window of opportunity to turn that around. While we may not hold out much hope for Wednesday's game against Celtic, we'd expect to progress in the cup against Inverness on Saturday. If we see pitiful performances in both games, then I can't see him being in charge for the trip to Aberdeen.

[fiolex1]

Currently Hibs sit on a 26% win rate in the league. If we don’t win on Wed or Sat this will fall to 24%. The standard of the league isn’t great this season and to be sitting on 26% is criminal. A massive game for Monty on Sat if he doesn’t win, jotters for me.

[Smartie]

Currently Hibs sit on a 26% win rate in the league. If we don’t win on Wed or Sat this will fall to 24%. The standard of the league isn’t great this season and to be sitting on 26% is criminal. A massive game for Monty on Sat if he doesn’t win, jotters for me.

Saturday is huge for me too, to the extent that I'd almost be sacrificing Wednesday to give us the best chance of getting a result in Inverness.

Any sort of win in the cup, Celtic game out of the way, regroup and try to salvage what we can out of the rest of the season.

Meanwhile - I'd expect our recruitment team to be getting a few ducks in a row regarding out of contract players who might be able to join up with us next season in time for pre season training starting.

[Chipper1875]

Saturday is huge for me too, to the extent that I'd almost be sacrificing Wednesday to give us the best chance of getting a result in Inverness.

Any sort of win in the cup, Celtic game out of the way, regroup and try to salvage what we can out of the rest of the season.

Meanwhile - I'd expect our recruitment team to be getting a few ducks in a row regarding out of contract players who might be able to join up with us next season in time for pre season training starting.

I have no confidence in our recruitment team

[Smartie]

I have no confidence in our recruitment team

To me it depends on the remit they're working to.

It might be that they're doing an excellent job of delivering exactly what and who they are expected to, both by the football department and those above them (BK? The board? IG?)

The summer activity was presumably delivered to play the way LJ wanted to play. He was hoofed with a week of the transfer window to go. Just because those players don't necessary fit under Monty doesn't mean that the recruitment team hasn't done it's job.

That the whole football operation in general is a shambles isn't up for debate - just who is most culpable, whether it is those setting the expectations and hiring/firing managers, the recruitment team, or the present managerial incumbent.

[Chipper1875]

To me it depends on the remit they're working to.

It might be that they're doing an excellent job of delivering exactly what and who they are expected to, both by the football department and those above them (BK? The board? IG?)

The summer activity was presumably delivered to play the way LJ wanted to play. He was hoofed with a week of the transfer window to go. Just because those players don't necessary fit under Monty doesn't mean that the recruitment team hasn't done it's job.

That the whole football operation in general is a shambles isn't up for debate - just who is most culpable, whether it is those setting the expectations and hiring/firing managers, the recruitment team, or the present managerial incumbent.

All good points. LJ said consistently from day one in Hibs club, he wanted to play high tempo and high pressing game. Still waiting on players who can play that way.