Thoughts on the manager

[Paulie Walnuts]

The fact of the matter is we have went through too many managers and the club badly needs some stability.

Our current manager hasn't been at us even a year yet and only had one transfer window ( hardest) and not had a pre-season either .

Some folk are/were wanting McInnes to be manager who needed longer than 6 months at Killie to improve them
(most managers will ) .Imo it's laughable and complete nonsense to be talking about sacking our manager before we have given him every chance to succeed.

Since the St Mirren game now that the January signings have settled in there has been a noticeable improvement in both performances and results imo .

Big game today which should be our main priority anyhow.

To be fair, you’re the one that keeps bringing up McInnes. Any time I read his name on here just now, it’s usually you that’s posted.

He also didn’t need longer than 6 months to improve them. He improved them instantly and won them the league.

I also fail to see how we haven’t given him a chance to succeed. Just because he hasn’t done it it doesn’t mean the chance hasn’t been there. Hes been manager for 30 games now. He’s had the chance to succeed and at this point in time, he’s failed.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Completely agree.

Difference of opinion is fine and can have a good debate about it, but just to keep someone in a job based on the last 20 years managerial changes is nonsense.

Absolutely. It’s absolutely nonsensical to suggest we shouldn’t sack him because we’ve appointed lots of crap managers previously.

[Skol]

You would let him learn his trade with us?

Why not hire an actual manager in the first place that is already time served and has learnt from previous mistakes at the smaller clubs he worked for.

The Hibs job is huge (in Scottish football). It should be treated as such, and never be a plaything for a rookie or wannabe manager.

Like butcher. Or Williamson?

[WhileTheChief..]

Like butcher. Or Williamson?

Nope, they were utterly useless.

[Skol]

Nope, they were utterly useless.

And could be the same with these other experienced managers.

[easty]

The fact of the matter is we have went through too many managers and the club badly needs some stability.

Our current manager hasn't been at us even a year yet and only had one transfer window ( hardest) and not had a pre-season either .

Some folk are/were wanting McInnes to be manager who needed longer than 6 months at Killie to improve them
(most managers will ) .Imo it's laughable and complete nonsense to be talking about sacking our manager before we have given him every chance to succeed.

Since the St Mirren game now that the January signings have settled in there has been a noticeable improvement in both performances and results imo .

Big game today which should be our main priority anyhow.

Stability, sure, but not just for the sake of having some stability.

McInnes didn’t need more than 6 months to improve Killie though. He got them promoted in his first 6 months. That’s not really got anything to do with the point I made that you replied to though.

[Donegal Hibby]

To be fair, you’re the one that keeps bringing up McInnes. Any time I read his name on here just now, it’s usually you that’s posted.

He also didn’t need longer than 6 months to improve them. He improved them instantly and won them the league.

I also fail to see how we haven’t given him a chance to succeed. Just because he hasn’t done it it doesn’t mean the chance hasn’t been there. Hes been manager for 30 games now. He’s had the chance to succeed and at this point in time, he’s failed.

I've not started threads about him though . Killie showed patience with him when he hit a rocky patch in the premier and didn't immediately sack him which is why I mentioned him again . Anyhow if he was our manager and we played and had a result like he did against Aberdeen there would be a meltdown on here anyhow.

The only way any manager is going to improve / put his own stamp on a team is by being given time and transfer windows. Monty's had one , the worse one , no pre season either. He's a manager not a magician.

He has made mistakes though I don't know who hasn't in life though as to everything being his fault in were we are I don't agree.

[Scooter]

I like him but starting to get concerned. When he came in we all screamed to change the shape and formation. He does that and things change for the better.

We lose Vente and everyone says Emi isn't a lone striker and to play Alf. 2nd half against county he does that and we look better.

If the majority of us can see these changes, why is it taking him so long so see it

[Greenio]

Absolutely. It’s absolutely nonsensical to suggest we shouldn’t sack him because we’ve appointed lots of crap managers previously.

My view on giving NM more time isn't BECAUSE we've appointed crap managers. It's because we've got clear evidence that the strategy of short term binning of the person charged with achieving long term success has not worked. So why keep doing it? So we can do it again, and again and again.

Like folk say. He's had one jan window and no pre season. You got to give him a proper window and a pre season.

I think he'll come good. So I'm backing him to stay if we make top 6 or not.

[WhileTheChief..]

And could be the same with these other experienced managers.

So going by your reckoning, we just stick with what we've got because a future manager might be useless?

Doesn't make sense to me.

I'd rather try someone else, if that doesn't work out, keep going until we find someone that can get us results. I don't see any upside in sticking with someone who is average at best.

[Paulie Walnuts]

My view on giving NM more time isn't BECAUSE we've appointed crap managers. It's because we've got clear evidence that the strategy of short term binning of the person charged with achieving long term success has not worked. So why keep doing it? So we can do it again, and again and again.

Like folk say. He's had one jan window and no pre season. You got to give him a proper window and a pre season.

I think he'll come good. So I'm backing him to stay if we make top 6 or not.

There’s evidence it does work and there’s evidence it doesn’t work. We sacked LJ, brought in Montgomery, it’s not really made any difference, so it didn’t work. We sacked Terry Butcher though and brought in Alan Stubbs. That worked.

If it doesn’t work it’s because the next appointment has been crap. Get the next appointment correct and it works.

Quite a few folk have quoted the amount of managers we’ve had over X amount of years and said we can’t keep sacking managers. The idea that Colin Calderwood or John Hughes being sacked over a decade ago has any sort of relevance to whether we should keep NM is bonkers.

[Smartie]

So going by your reckoning, we just stick with what we've got because a future manager might be useless?

Doesn't make sense to me.

I'd rather try someone else, if that doesn't work out, keep going until we find someone that can get us results. I don't see any upside in sticking with someone who is average at best.

Does it not depend on whether or not you want to acknowledge any of the mitigating circumstances that may have affected his ability to pick up results?

Getting someone new in - they might not know Scottish football, Monty has at least had a season to be learning about the teams we face. I don't think the squad he inherited was great at all. He improved the worst part of our team by a distance in January. He'll know his own squad and what he can expect from them, a new guy would have to start from scratch. A few abysmal refereeing decisions the other way and we're looking good for a decent tilt at 4th - which isn't all that bad, considering.

I'm fully aware that he plucks out the odd bizarre team selection and I'm not totally on board with some of the changes he makes during games. I'm also not entirely happy that we can be slow, laboured and pish for long periods from the start of games.

I'm just fed up with the upheaval that comes with being in permanent transition and imo that state of indecision re whether or not our managers or players are ever good enough is written all over this squad and the club's recent underachievement. At some time we maybe need to stick rather than eject on a borderline decision re a manager, which is what this is.

TBH I just wish he'd get the results he needs to put the issue to bed.

[ChilliEater]

You would let him learn his trade with us?

Why not hire an actual manager in the first place that is already time served and has learnt from previous mistakes at the smaller clubs he worked for.

The Hibs job is huge (in Scottish football). It should be treated as such, and never be a plaything for a rookie or wannabe manager.

Going back to the early 90's - because that is when big TV deals, the Bosman ruling, the Champions League etc began, so probably indicates the start of the "modern era" we have had:

Experienced managers (I've gone for approx 4/5 years in a management role, dates from Wiki - feel free to argue ;-) ):
Alex Miller
Jocky Scott (2 months in the job - the only caretaker I've included, but I think the job was his if he'd done well)
Jim Duffy
Alex McLeish (only 4 years at 'Well, so borderline)
Bobby Williamson
Yogi
Colin Calderwood
Pat Fenlon
Terry Butcher
Neil Lennon
Paul Heckingbottom (again, 4 years previous)
Jack Ross
Lee Johnson

Inexperienced managers:
Franck Sauzee
Tony Mowbray
John Collins
Alan Stubbs
Shaun Maloney
Nick Montgomery

I've not included Donald Park, Tommy Craig, Alistair Stevenson, Eddie May or David Gray as I don't think they were ever in contention for the job.

So who would you consider a success? Does the evidence point towards experienced managers who've learnt form their mistakes or rookies who still need to learn on the job?

Major trophies: 2-1 to the rookies (3-2 to experience if you count the Championship - and one was with the borderline experience of McLeish)
Relegations: 0-2 against experience
Seriously exciting teams: 2-1 to experience (McLeish(arguably inexperienced), Lennon v Mowbray) - 2-2 if you include Stubbs, but in a lower league that he didn't get us out of.

I'm not sure there's a compelling argument either way. In the market we're usually shopping in, I'm certainly more excited by a rookie coach, in the hope they're on the way up, as the experienced ones are usually a bit meh. Hopefully the Black Knights investment means we can shop in a better coaching, as well as playing, market when Montgomery moves on, and we can attract guys with 5 or 6 years or more of outstanding success at a decent level as part of their planned career trajectory to the very top leagues.

[Donegal Hibby]

Stability, sure, but not just for the sake of having some stability.

McInnes didn’t need more than 6 months to improve Killie though. He got them promoted in his first 6 months. That’s not really got anything to do with the point I made that you replied to though.

I agree about stability not just for the sake of it though since the St Mirren which was bad we have improved.

Away win in cup at tricky venue.

Played well against Celtic and unfortunate not to get something from that game with decisions going against us.

Away at pittodrie is never an easy ground to go though we picked up a respectable draw which again should probably have been more with another unbelievable decision going against us .

Hertz away we all know too well what kind of ground that's been for us over the years yet we get another respectable draw with another bad decision that cost us again.

Then Ross county at home we play well and get a comfortable win , job done .

At that stage most fans on here are talking about how we have improved and results are better since the new signings have settled in ...... Until of course we go to Dingwall which we didn't play well in the first half though were good in the 2nd with only seconds away from a win only to lose a late goal helped by a host of bad/ strange decisions again which leads to a bit of a meltdown.

There's been enough evidence in these games to say that given time Monty could yet come good for us rather than wanting him sacked after 6 months.

Unfortunately though ( not having a go at you btw ) there seems to be a few thats just got their minds made up about the manager and have taken a dislike to him for numerous reasons like " he says thought to much , doesn't pronounce words correctly, repeats himself too much etc etc ......

Any manager needs time to improve things especially longer than 6 months , McInnes certainly did once he got Killie up as they struggled for awhile in the premier League.

[Scottie]

Well done today Monty 3 goals & 3 points for our team enjoy your evening :aok:

[Pagan Hibernia]

I get the fact that overall his win ratio is still poor.

But do the posters who want Monty out at least acknowledge that performances of late have been much better (I'm talking last 6 or 7 games) compared to the run before that? Just curious.

[Hibernian Verse]

I get the fact that overall his win ratio is still poor.

But do the posters who want Monty out at least acknowledge that performances of late have been much better (I'm talking last 6 or 7 games) compared to the run before that? Just curious.

I posted it on the match thread but we have the best points total from the last 6 outwith the old firm. We should have more, were it not for refereeing errors.

[LunasBoots]

I get the fact that overall his win ratio is still poor.

But do the posters who want Monty out at least acknowledge that performances of late have been much better (I'm talking last 6 or 7 games) compared to the run before that? Just curious.

We've been better, but he needs to do it against better teams, Livi are the worst team in the league by a mile.

[VoltaireHibs]

Well done today Monty 3 goals & 3 points for our team enjoy your evening :aok:


As someone that has given him plenty of stick, and I don't want him here next season, if he delivers that kind of result consistently against the poorer teams in the league then it would be a start. Despite my reservations I'm always happy when we win, so well done NM and Hibs.

[Skol]

So going by your reckoning, we just stick with what we've got because a future manager might be useless?

Doesn't make sense to me.

I'd rather try someone else, if that doesn't work out, keep going until we find someone that can get us results. I don't see any upside in sticking with someone who is average at best.

Nope.

I have seen enough from Monty to suggest he is worth giving more time before punting him just because we didn’t fancy him from the outset b

[Jim44]

I get the fact that overall his win ratio is still poor.

But do the posters who want Monty out at least acknowledge that performances of late have been much better (I'm talking last 6 or 7 games) compared to the run before that? Just curious.

While not nearly as vociferous or scathing as some about Monty, I remain very unsure that he is the man for us. However, I liked what I saw today, we played some excellent football and I think he deserves a bit of slack. We’ve got some really good players and, if he could get to grips with how he sets us up and his use of substitutes, he might have a positive end to the season.

[VoltaireHibs]

I get the fact that overall his win ratio is still poor.

But do the posters who want Monty out at least acknowledge that performances of late have been much better (I'm talking last 6 or 7 games) compared to the run before that? Just curious.

Is it better players or better tactics? Or do the better players enable NM's tactics to be more thoroughly followed through? Basically, is it budget or brains?

[DinkyTwo]

I posted it on the match thread but we have the best points total from the last 6 outwith the old firm. We should have more, were it not for refereeing errors.That's it for me. If even half of these decisions had went in our favour, we'd likely be 4th and really not in a position to be having this conversation.

The 442 formation thing was a major negative but that's changed now and Monty's shown more flexibility, his signings pretty much all look like an upgrade on what we've had and performances (if not results) have seen a major improvement.

Stick for now.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Unseen work]

Is it better players or better tactics? Or do the better players enable NM's tactics to be more thoroughly followed through? Basically, is it budget or brains?

I was going to post similar.

Monty was adamant 442 was the way and stuck with it.

We then recruit players and he changes it - you’d think he’d bring in to suit the 442 but that’s when it’s changed.

Marcondes
Maolida
Amos
Moriah-Welsh
Bevan

How many of them, if any, are down to Monty? Or is it purely the recruitment team upping their game along with Bournemouth connections.

Obviously Triantis is the one he’ll have singled out.

I’m not for any second saying he doesn’t deserve credit, but is it a masterclass in management turning it around or a simple recruit better players and you’ll get better performances/results.

[VoltaireHibs]

I was going to post similar.

Monty was adamant 442 was the way and stuck with it.

We then recruit players and he changes it - you’d think he’d bring in to suit the 442 but that’s when it’s changed.

Marcondes
Maolida
Amos
Moriah-Welsh
Bevan

How many of them, if any, are down to Monty? Or is it purely the recruitment team upping their game along with Bournemouth connections.

Obviously Triantis is the one he’ll have singled out.

I’m not for any second saying he doesn’t deserve credit, but is it a masterclass in management turning it around or a simple recruit better players and you’ll get better performances/results.


Very hard to tell. In our league I'd suggest that with our budget and those players we brought in, that today was thoroughly expected. Livi's budget is probably about a quarter of ours. We can't moan about old firm budgets then say, 'Ah but...' when we then have a similar advantage. But for all that, he got the result, so fair play.

[The Modfather]

I was going to post similar.

Monty was adamant 442 was the way and stuck with it.

We then recruit players and he changes it - you’d think he’d bring in to suit the 442 but that’s when it’s changed.

Marcondes
Maolida
Amos
Moriah-Welsh
Bevan

How many of them, if any, are down to Monty? Or is it purely the recruitment team upping their game along with Bournemouth connections.

Obviously Triantis is the one he’ll have singled out.

I’m not for any second saying he doesn’t deserve credit, but is it a masterclass in management turning it around or a simple recruit better players and you’ll get better performances/results.

You only have to look at Chelsea, granted an extreme example, to see that chucking lots of good players together doesn’t necessarily make a good team. Or Man U, where chucking money at the team isn’t the magic formula, I’m sure they have spent more than Man City.

The January signings definitely made Montgomery’s job easier, but I think he also deserves credit for presumably having an input on the type of player he needed to get the team moving in the right direction. For example, if Bournemouth had given us a quality deep lying playmaker who liked to take the ball from the defence instead of the athleticism and drive of Moriah-Welsh I’m not sure the midfield would have really improved.

I’m encouraged that Montgomery saw that Stevenson & Hanlon aren’t the answer. That the midfield needed rebuilt - Triantis, Moriah-Welsh & Emilano is a quality and balanced midfield in itself. As well as some physicality up top in Maolida.

The investment might change things in terms of a new manager coming in, but in normal circumstances Montgomery looks like he sees the issues we all do and has made a good fist of it in his first window. An improved defence and we will kick on further IMO.

[JohnM1875]

I was going to post similar.

Monty was adamant 442 was the way and stuck with it.

We then recruit players and he changes it - you’d think he’d bring in to suit the 442 but that’s when it’s changed.

Marcondes
Maolida
Amos
Moriah-Welsh
Bevan

How many of them, if any, are down to Monty? Or is it purely the recruitment team upping their game along with Bournemouth connections.

Obviously Triantis is the one he’ll have singled out.

I’m not for any second saying he doesn’t deserve credit, but is it a masterclass in management turning it around or a simple recruit better players and you’ll get better performances/results.

Don't get this at all if I'm honest. Surely if he was that adamant about a 442 he would have stuck with it regardless of the January signings?

If none of them (or one) are down to the manager then again, surely credit is due for working with players he didn't ask for.

[SHODAN]

That's six league games unbeaten now.

[Unseen work]

Don't get this at all if I'm honest. Surely if he was that adamant about a 442 he would have stuck with it regardless of the January signings?

If none of them (or one) are down to the manager then again, surely credit is due for working with players he didn't ask for.

I think it’s fair to say he was all for 442, he pretty much said as much himself.

Then there was examples in games where putting on an extra midfielder etc would benefit us instead of keeping 2 up front of putting a 17 year old on up front instead of a Jeggo for example.

I don’t know what’s caused the change, but it’s 100% improved us and yes he deserves credit for changing it as he never looked like he would

[JohnM1875]

I think it’s fair to say he was all for 442, he pretty much said as much himself.

Then there was examples in games where putting on an extra midfielder etc would benefit us instead of keeping 2 up front of putting a 17 year old on up front instead of a Jeggo for example.

I don’t know what’s caused the change, but it’s 100% improved us and yes he deserves credit for changing it as he never looked like he would

He came over to a new league and stuck with a formation that won him a trophy at his last club. I don't really think that's a bad decision. Started off pretty well here as well actually.

Think he then stuck with it due to personnel more than anything else. As you say, as soon as he had the players to change it he did. Who else could we have chucked in to have really made an impact? Most fans slaughtered Jeggo and were happy he left. Some folk can't stand Levitt now and want him gone in the summer.

[hibbydog]

Keeping him because “we go through too many managers” is by the far the worst reason to keep him I’ve read.

I disagree when people say he’s improving us, but that’s a matter of opinion, and everyone’s entitled to theirs.

Keeping him because we’ve already had 15 managers in 20 years. It’s laughable. Complete nonsense.

Depends how you look at it. 15 managers in 20 years and very little success tells me that changing managers isn’t improving us, so why do we keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome?

[Viva_Palmeiras]

That's it for me. If even half of these decisions had went in our favour, we'd likely be 4th and really not in a position to be having this conversation.

The 442 formation thing was a major negative but that's changed now and Monty's shown more flexibility, his signings pretty much all look like an upgrade on what we've had and performances (if not results) have seen a major improvement.

Stick for now.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

It would appear some in the support have already made up their minds.

Hes the first manager to really move on from Lewis and Hanlon
Hes not had his troubles to seek injuries, VAR and absences due to international call ups of key players.

We see that ALF is quality - quality denied through injury - not Nicks fault
After the horror show of St Mirren the new guys have started to make a real difference.
That January window was much better than many anticipated - it was needed but Jan is a tough one.

He’s adapted to an extent. Injuries and bizarre VAR/ officiating have emerged.

I say don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater - stick. But I would change up the pre/post match duties. He is sounding a bit like a broken record but when game after game these decisions are having a big impact on the points - and the fact we seem to get punished at the drop of a hat best keeping his powder dry. Must be so frustrating for him! Wonder what the deal is with speaking your mind in Oz? Probably a free for all :)

[Lancs Harp]

Depends how you look at it. 15 managers in 20 years and very little success tells me that changing managers isn’t improving us, so why do we keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome?

Is that a valid case for Monty? For me he isnt up to it
. Foley will want more IMO to protect his investment and personally dont blame him.

Personally will be shocked to see Monty here at the start of next season.

We need to move on and stop being losers.

[HoboHarry]

Is that a valid case for Monty? For me he isnt up to it
. Foley will want more IMO to protect his investment and personally dont blame him.

Personally will be shocked to see Monty here at the start of next season.

We need to move on and stop being losers.

Not for me. I don't want us reaching next season starting all over again. Again.

[RIP]

We need to move on and stop being losers.

Didn't we stop seven games ago? The only team in the SPL unbeaten in six!

[Donegal Hibby]

Personally will be shocked to see Monty here at the start of next season.

Personally I'd be shocked if he isn't here at the start of the season .

I'd imagine we have been busy identifying signing targets , who we are trying to keep / sell / move on under Monty .

New manager coming in would put us backwards in terms of planning for next season imo .

[Forza Fred]

Is that a valid case for Monty? For me he isnt up to it
. Foley will want more IMO to protect his investment and personally dont blame him.

Personally will be shocked to see Monty here at the start of next season.

We need to move on and stop being losers.

‘shocked”?

Really?

Don’t think many others would be ‘shocked’ to see an incumbent manager under contract for a couple of years still be in the position for his first full season.

[cubehindthegoal]

Very hard to tell. In our league I'd suggest that with our budget and those players we brought in, that today was thoroughly expected. Livi's budget is probably about a quarter of ours. We can't moan about old firm budgets then say, 'Ah but...' when we then have a similar advantage. But for all that, he got the result, so fair play.

We have a similar advantage to the old firm budget now? This place makes me despair … the nonsense that can be spoken to justify the argument to get rid of our manager. Relentless digging for the next desperate justification, whenever we see some progress. What next …

[cubehindthegoal]

That's it for me. If even half of these decisions had went in our favour, we'd likely be 4th and really not in a position to be having this conversation.

The 442 formation thing was a major negative but that's changed now and Monty's shown more flexibility, his signings pretty much all look like an upgrade on what we've had and performances (if not results) have seen a major improvement.

Stick for now.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

Some fair thought … wish there was more here from some, that reflected the truth in front of us … that the changes they constantly demanded are happening … but when they do, they are unable to give credit where credit is due. So … when will they actually give credit ? Jeezo like. To be able to change things round against the continual ”dodgy” decisions of the past couple months …. well done our manager. Few could … few have.

[cubehindthegoal]

You only have to look at Chelsea, granted an extreme example, to see that chucking lots of good players together doesn’t necessarily make a good team. Or Man U, where chucking money at the team isn’t the magic formula, I’m sure they have spent more than Man City.

The January signings definitely made Montgomery’s job easier, but I think he also deserves credit for presumably having an input on the type of player he needed to get the team moving in the right direction. For example, if Bournemouth had given us a quality deep lying playmaker who liked to take the ball from the defence instead of the athleticism and drive of Moriah-Welsh I’m not sure the midfield would have really improved.

I’m encouraged that Montgomery saw that Stevenson & Hanlon aren’t the answer. That the midfield needed rebuilt - Triantis, Moriah-Welsh & Emilano is a quality and balanced midfield in itself. As well as some physicality up top in Maolida.

The investment might change things in terms of a new manager coming in, but in normal circumstances Montgomery looks like he sees the issues we all do and has made a good fist of it in his first window. An improved defence and we will kick on further IMO.

Good to see some thinking that isn’t stuck in the quagmire of “Monty out regardless, we should have instant change and success” type that seems to have grown arms and legs here … as if we are some sort of a solo ‘new firm’.

[Dazzjw1875]

I definitely think his role will be up for discussion in the summer due to our poor league position but we can still get technically make 4th i cant see it myself though...more so especially with the investment made in Jan and the new investment from BK and foley being on the board. There aiming high with Hibs and they will want a manager capable of providing that.. If there is any doubt in Monty whatsoever by the board then be sensible and let go don't allow him to spend in players in summer then sack 5 wks in that'll just make it worse.

[Alex Trager]

I was going to post similar.

Monty was adamant 442 was the way and stuck with it.

We then recruit players and he changes it - you’d think he’d bring in to suit the 442 but that’s when it’s changed.

Marcondes
Maolida
Amos
Moriah-Welsh
Bevan

How many of them, if any, are down to Monty? Or is it purely the recruitment team upping their game along with Bournemouth connections.

Obviously Triantis is the one he’ll have singled out.

I’m not for any second saying he doesn’t deserve credit, but is it a masterclass in management turning it around or a simple recruit better players and you’ll get better performances/results.

Don’t think it matters who brought them in.

Either it was the manager or the recruitment dept.

If it is the second option, then that is the framework within which Monty will be made to work in. He seems to be doing fairly well in said framework.

[Greenio]

Don’t think it matters who brought them in.

Either it was the manager or the recruitment dept.

If it is the second option, then that is the framework within which Monty will be made to work in. He seems to be doing fairly well in said framework.

This.

The manager is part of a team. You can't take praise off him and say, that wasn't him. It was him as he's part of the whole set up.

[Northernhibee]

Is that a valid case for Monty? For me he isnt up to it
. Foley will want more IMO to protect his investment and personally dont blame him.

Personally will be shocked to see Monty here at the start of next season.

We need to move on and stop being losers.

Six academy players made their debut.

Just off the best window we’ve had in years.


Unbeaten in six and if it wasn’t for dodgy refereeing to put it politely then we might be fourth and in the semi final of the Scottish Cup.

Liked by the players.

Signs of very attractive attacking football appearing.

A clear vision of where we should be going.

[Springbank]

For a good few Windows (since Hecky) we have needed to sign a different profile of midfielder.

Signing better all rounders (who work Hard & who keep the ball) has been huge in Improving performances

There are 2 sides to the game (scoring in possession & defending out of possession) and we've signed too many midfielders who only do 1 side.

Levitt & Jeggo were good examples of why we could never be top 6 with the squad that started this season

[Brightside]

I was going to post similar.

Monty was adamant 442 was the way and stuck with it.

We then recruit players and he changes it - you’d think he’d bring in to suit the 442 but that’s when it’s changed.

Marcondes
Maolida
Amos
Moriah-Welsh
Bevan

How many of them, if any, are down to Monty? Or is it purely the recruitment team upping their game along with Bournemouth connections.

Obviously Triantis is the one he’ll have singled out.

I’m not for any second saying he doesn’t deserve credit, but is it a masterclass in management turning it around or a simple recruit better players and you’ll get better performances/results.

He didn't stick with 442. He's covered that in all the recent interviews. The 442 bashing needs to stop.

[Crunchie]

He didn't stick with 442. He's covered that in all the recent interviews. The 442 bashing needs to stop.

It’s still being trotted out in the media as well, it’s very boring now but also very easy for the pundits and amateurs to spout this myth

[VoltaireHibs]

He came over to a new league and stuck with a formation that won him a trophy at his last club. I don't really think that's a bad decision. Started off pretty well here as well actually.

Think he then stuck with it due to personnel more than anything else. As you say, as soon as he had the players to change it he did. Who else could we have chucked in to have really made an impact? Most fans slaughtered Jeggo and were happy he left. Some folk can't stand Levitt now and want him gone in the summer.



It showed how naive (arguably arrogant) he was, to think that system would work in a league where no one else played it but a guy still wet behind the ears that won a championship in a footballing backwater, could come here and show folks how it's done. Naive is the kindest word so we'll go with that.

As for Jeggo, I thought he did some of the stuff we lacked, shutting down space and offering a wee bit of dig. Not good enough with the ball or fast enough over the ground, but he did the best he could so I had no issues with him.

Levitt is not cut out for this league. Lightweight, lacks work rate, lovely pass on him , when it reaches it's intended target. There's definitely a player in there but it's entirely up to Dylan Levitt if we get to see it. As things stands I'd be happy to see him leave if we could get a decent lump for him, break even or a small loss. He's on big wages for us, even with the new money, and in no way does he justify that.

[Brightside]

It showed how naive (arguably arrogant) he was, to think that system would work in a league where no one else played it but a guy still wet behind the ears that won a championship in a footballing backwater, could come here and show folks how it's done. Naive is the kindest word so we'll go with that.

As for Jeggo, I thought he did some of the stuff we lacked, shutting down space and offering a wee bit of dig. Not good enough with the ball or fast enough over the ground, but he did the best he could so I had no issues with him.

Levitt is not cut out for this league. Lightweight, lacks work rate, lovely pass on him , when it reaches it's intended target. There's definitely a player in there but it's entirely up to Dylan Levitt if we get to see it. As things stands I'd be happy to see him leave if we could get a decent lump for him, break even or a small loss. He's on big wages for us, even with the new money, and in no way does he justify that.

You first sentence is just wrong. But if you are just going to ignore everything the manager has said then its utterly pointless making any commentary on it.

[VoltaireHibs]

You first sentence is just wrong. But if you are just going to ignore everything the manager has said then its utterly pointless making any commentary on it.

How was it wrong? The fans could see it didn't work. The media could see it didn't work. The results showed it didn't work. So in what way was he not naive?

https://www.hibsobserver.co.uk/tactics/23923869.montgomery-getting-players-442/

[Brightside]

How was it wrong? The fans could see it didn't work. The media could see it didn't work. The results showed it didn't work. So in what way was he not naive?

https://www.hibsobserver.co.uk/tactics/23923869.montgomery-getting-players-442/

If you aren't willing to read his interview piece properly and understand what he said there is not point talking about it. There is nothing naive about what he was trying to do and he's covered that countless times. The "media" constantly tell us the wrong set up and system we are playing and many fans just take their feed from that. We have lost just a many games playing 4231 or 433 or any other starting line up as we have when we started as a 442. He knows better than any of us what was required.

He is very clear in what he was trying to do prior to getting the new players in.

[VoltaireHibs]

If you aren't willing to read his interview piece properly and understand what he said there is not point talking about it. There is nothing naive about what he was trying to do and he's covered that countless times. The "media" constantly tell us the wrong set up and system we are playing and many fans just take their feed from that. We have lost just a many games playing 4231 or 433 or any other starting line up as we have when we started as a 442. He knows better than any of us what was required.

He is very clear in what he was trying to do prior to getting the new players in.

I prefer to believe my eyes rather than a manager (and this apples to every manager) who justified themselves retrospectively.

[007]

I prefer to believe my eyes rather than a manager (and this apples to every manager) who justified themselves retrospectively.

Out of interest,how would you have had us playing? What players in what formation and what style? How would you have adapted it to suit certain opposition and what changes would you have made mid game if it wasn't working?

How would you have changed it to cope with the injuries and players away at the Afcon and Asian cups?

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Serious question:

Do we actually have many qualified coaches on the forum?

It’s interesting seeing some of the managerial/coaching insights towards how Hibs are setup - seen that on Twitter/YouTube as well as the HibsObserver (which appears to be at times too much info!).

How much time does NM devote to the dev squad, 121 coaching and opening up pathways, building the right culture at the club? Things very much needed but will have a lag factor on some fronts til you see improved outcomes.

It interesting to read the headline from Radcliffe at ManU - he won’t splash the cash on a couple of outstanding players. Perhaps a reflection on the need for teams to be first and foremost - a team. Maybe the superstars get in the way? What was Rashford thinking in Dublin ? Disrespected the team. Cardinal sin that.

[O'Rourke3]

Serious question:

Do we actually have many qualified coaches on the forum?

It’s interesting seeing some of the managerial/coaching insights towards how Hibs are setup - seen that on Twitter/YouTube as well as the HibsObserver (which appears to be at times too much info!).

How much time does NM devote to the dev squad, 121 coaching and opening up pathways, building the right culture at the club? Things very much needed but will have a lag factor on some fronts til you see improved outcomes.

It interesting to read the headline from Radcliffe at ManU - he won’t splash the cash on a couple of outstanding players. Perhaps a reflection on the need for teams to be first and foremost - a team. Maybe the superstars get in the way? What was Rashford thinking in Dublin ? Disrespected the team. Cardinal sin that.There's a few certainly. Not sure they are the ones who constantly make the comments about whats going wrong why its.going wrong, and how to fix things.

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[Springbank]

True - though I think almost 16,000 could see that 442 with an engine room of dylan levitt, 2 wingers & Joe newell was leaving JN to the dogs, a fast track to bottom 6 results

Fair play to monty for changing it but I query why St Johnstone away wasn't Rock bottom / time for change. It cost us a lot of points in a busy december

[VoltaireHibs]

Out of interest,how would you have had us playing? What players in what formation and what style? How would you have adapted it to suit certain opposition and what changes would you have made mid game if it wasn't working?

How would you have changed it to cope with the injuries and players away at the Afcon and Asian cups?


I would have played a clear three in the middle. I get that his hands were tied by injuries and Afcon didn't help, but pretty much every manager in the league has injuries. That's the nature of being a manager, to resolve those issues.

And I'm not the manager of Hibs, so it's not really up to me to decide what systems we play. But anyone with eyes could see we were being overrun in midfield for months. That isn't tactics, that stupidity.

[VoltaireHibs]

True - though I think almost 16,000 could see that 442 with an engine room of dylan levitt, 2 wingers & Joe newell was leaving JN to the dogs, a fast track to bottom 6 results

Fair play to monty for changing it but I query why St Johnstone away wasn't Rock bottom / time for change. It cost us a lot of points in a busy december

Spot on. I'm no tactical genius and don't profess to be. But I can see when a system isn't working.

[Brightside]

I would have played a clear three in the middle. I get that his hands were tied by injuries and Afcon didn't help, but pretty much every manager in the league has injuries. That's the nature of being a manager, to resolve those issues.

And I'm not the manager of Hibs, so it's not really up to me to decide what systems we play. But anyone with eyes could see we were being overrun in midfield for months. That isn't tactics, that stupidity.

"his hands were tied with injuries and afcon etc" But you then claim he was just being stupid. Dearie me.

[VoltaireHibs]

"his hands were tied with injuries and afcon etc" But you then claim he was just being stupid. Dearie me.


Look, you're obviously his biggest fan, so there's not much point debating him with you. I'm open to changing my mind on him, I want him to succeed, I just don't feel it's very likely. Here's hoping I'm in the wrong. 👍

[Donegal Hibby]

True - though I think almost 16,000 could see that 442 with an engine room of dylan levitt, 2 wingers & Joe newell was leaving JN to the dogs, a fast track to bottom 6 results

Fair play to monty for changing it but I query why St Johnstone away wasn't Rock bottom / time for change. It cost us a lot of points in a busy december

The engine room with Levitt and Newell was a massive part of the problem which imo because it wasn't winning control of the midfield in games was putting extra pressure on the defence too .

That and Boyle playing more central at times and with a poacher playing totally out of position as a 10 too were factors as well . We did have injuries , players away on international duty etc were Monty didn't have the players available though sticking with something that wasn't working was a mistake .

Did it cost us a lot of points in December though ? . Five games I make it we had in that period , 2 wins and 3 defeats one of which was to Celtic away , hertz at home which we were really unlucky in and the St Johnstone one you mentioned which was one of our worse results /performances this season.

Would getting rid off Monty after the saints away game been anyway beneficial too us then ? , would we have got Triantis ? . I think we can all see the improvement in the teams performances of late since the January signings have settled in .

I've changed my tune about Monty making the top 6 tbh even though it's probably a totally unpopular opinion I think we should stick with him wither he makes it or not now and allow him the summer to rebuild and have a pre season . I'm sure we have already started working on potential transfer targets he wants at this stage , getting rid of the manager now or at the end of the season will only put us backwards again imo .

[Hibees1973]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

[A Hi-Bee]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

Heard it is between Lennon or Roy Kean.:thumbsup:

[big gogs]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.
Your very good source is.come on ,name your source.

[Alfred E Newman]

Given the resources at his disposal including a raft of quality loan signings in January , to be scratching about trying to finish the season in the top half of the league iat this stage of the season is just not good enough.

[Coach Jon]

If he fails to get us into the top 6 he wont have a say in his future at the club.

[HIBERNIAN-0762]

If that is true then Michael O'Neill for me 👍

[Hibees1973]

Heard it is between Lennon or Roy Kean.:thumbsup:

Not heard that tbh.

[supermcginn]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

Not a huge surprise, probably for the best for both parties.

[we are hibs]

Don't see that being true tbh.

Why would we bother keeping him in charge for the rest of the season if that was the case? We would be as well putting Gray in charge. Not to mention the fact he was talking about rebuilding for next season just the other day.

[Hermit Crab]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

His wife and daughter were in the hibs end today. They’ve only been here 3 months according my source. Not a long time to settle is it?

[Paulie Walnuts]

Don't see that being true tbh.

Why would we bother keeping him in charge for the rest of the season if that was the case? We would be as well putting Gray in charge. Not to mention the fact he was talking about rebuilding for next season just the other day.

Saves compensation?

[Centre Hawf]

In all honesty if that's the case then I think it would be a beneficial get out of jail clause for everyone involved. That said if NM was to leave without getting Top 6 I'm not hugely sure he'd look that attractive for a new job that isn't a bit of a jobber League 1 or 2 job.

[NC1875]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

Strange you’ve posted this as I heard similar yesterday. Wife/kids wants back to Oz is what I heard.

Cant blame them

[Stuart93]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

Hoping this is the case.

Would be best for all parties involved

[He's here!]

Strange you’ve posted this as I heard similar yesterday. Wife/kids wants back to Oz is what I heard.

Cant blame them

Why can't you blame them?

[hibeg]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

Funny that, I heard completely the opposite , also from a very good source

[He's here!]

Hoping this is the case.

Would be best for all parties involved

Why would it be best for all parties?

[JohnM1875]

Why would it be best for all parties?

NM could leave without being officially sacked and we can look for a new manager.

For what it's worth I think he'll be given next season regardless of top six, not that I agree with that.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Why would it be best for all parties?

A failing manager leaves off his own accord saving the club compensation and saving him having a sacking on his CV?

[He's here!]

Don't see that being true tbh.

Why would we bother keeping him in charge for the rest of the season if that was the case? We would be as well putting Gray in charge. Not to mention the fact he was talking about rebuilding for next season just the other day.

Exactly. It's a nonsense rumour. NM and his family didn't make the decision to make such a huge move on a whim. He's a very ambitious guy.

[babahibs]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

I smell *****

[ScottB]

Why can't you blame them?

Preferring living in Oz over Scotland / the UK? Seems pretty understandable really!

[ScottB]

Exactly. It's a nonsense rumour. NM and his family didn't make the decision to make such a huge move on a whim. He's a very ambitious guy.

Sure, he arrived pretty strongly hinting at seeing his career take him to the EPL one day, so the move back to the UK made sense.

Given he’s not shown enough to even guarantee him another season with us, never mind a step up to a higher level, combined with the culture shock of trading Aussie life for here, I wouldn’t be shocked if they head back to Oz for a bigger job than he left.

[He's here!]

Preferring living in Oz over Scotland / the UK? Seems pretty understandable really!

Why?

[Since90+2]

Don't see that being true tbh.

Why would we bother keeping him in charge for the rest of the season if that was the case? We would be as well putting Gray in charge. Not to mention the fact he was talking about rebuilding for next season just the other day.

To get rid of him now you'd have to pay off his contract, would cost the club money.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

This would be best case scenario imo.

We’re too late now to be sacking him but I’d be disappointed if he was here next season. If we can find a way to get rid without having to pay up his contract then that would be great.

[ekhibee]

Why?

Why not?

[ScottB]

Why?

Because the UK is a crumbling, cold ****hole of a country?

[Frazerbob]

To get rid of him now you'd have to pay off his contract, would cost the club money.

Depends what his contract is. Could be an agreed severance if top 6 isn't achieved, could be 6 months notice regardless....could be anything really. The days of Hibs paying up a full contract when sacking a manager are long gone I'd imagine.

[jeffers]

To get rid of him now you'd have to pay off his contract, would cost the club money.

We’d have agreed payoff terms when he was appointed. Not to say it won’t cost us but we wouldn’t be paying off his contract in full.

[He's here!]

Sure, he arrived pretty strongly hinting at seeing his career take him to the EPL one day, so the move back to the UK made sense.

Given he’s not shown enough to even guarantee him another season with us, never mind a step up to a higher level, combined with the culture shock of trading Aussie life for here, I wouldn’t be shocked if they head back to Oz for a bigger job than he left.

He's lived most of his life in the UK so there's no culture shock. Yes, big ask for his kids to uproot their lives but unless he feels there's no chance of them settling he'll not want to give up on things so readily.

[ScottB]

Depends what his contract is. Could be an agreed severance if top 6 isn't achieved, could be 6 months notice regardless....could be anything really. The days of Hibs paying up a full contract when sacking a manager are long gone I'd imagine.

Surely, suits both sides, especially if he just wants to go back to Oz, to mutually part ways, ideally having secured top 6.

[Hibees1973]

To get rid of him now you'd have to pay off his contract, would cost the club money.

For a long time Hibs have negotiated a 3-6 month full pay severence package for managers.

Kind of makes sense and with our penchant for sacking managers a necessity.

[JimBHibees]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

Nonsense

[Since452]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

Maybe back to Australia would be best for him.

[JimBHibees]

I smell *****

So do I. Never has a good word

[Alfred E Newman]

Why can't you blame them?

The weather for a start!

[Hiber-nation]

Preferring living in Oz over Scotland / the UK? Seems pretty understandable really!

He should move to North Berwick, seems to be one of the top places to live in the UK! Haddington maybe not so.

[J-C]

He's lived most of his life in the UK so there's no culture shock. Yes, big ask for his kids to uproot their lives but unless he feels there's no chance of them settling he'll not want to give up on things so readily.
He's spent the last 12 years in Australia where his kids have grown up, they're at an age where they're more Australian than British.

[Forza Fred]

Why?

How long you got?

[Forza Fred]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

Mischief making, and not for the first time.

[TelaStella]

Why?

HAHA


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[He's here!]

Because the UK is a crumbling, cold ****hole of a country?

A great many people seem prepared to risk their lives to come and live here.

Australia might seem the sunnier option but it has one of the world's harshest migration policies.

[Callum_62]

A great many people seem prepared to risk their lives to come and live here.

Australia might seem the sunnier option but it has one of the world's harshest migration policies.We make people risk there life by getting into small boats as we provide very few legal ways to apply

Not sure we can be classed as open and welcoming (from a govt standpoint)

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[WeeRussell]

We make people risk there life by getting into small boats as we provide very few legal ways to apply

Not sure we can be classed as open and welcoming (from a govt standpoint)

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

Yep - and what either country’s migration policies have to do with not blaming Monty’s kids if they preferred living in Australia is anyone’s guess.

[TelaStella]

A great many people seem prepared to risk their lives to come and live here.

Australia might seem the sunnier option but it has one of the world's harshest migration policies.

The Australian government’s home affairs policies has what baring to Nick Montgomery and his tenure at Hibernian Football Club ?


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[Smartie]

To be fair - a football manager’s family living on the salary such a job will pay will be somewhat protected from the harshest extremes of Brexit Britain.

He’ll have fancied his chances of succeeding and making it back to the riches involved in football down South but even so - I think swapping Central Coast for Scotland is a weird choice when you’ve got a family to take into consideration.

[Iain G]

A great many people seem prepared to risk their lives to come and live here.

Australia might seem the sunnier option but it has one of the world's harshest migration policies.

What the hell are you on about? This place gets more fantasist and unreal by the hour 🤣 has NM risked his life to come to Hibs?

[Glory Lurker]

Sharks, spiders, snakes and crocs though.

[scm70nyd1973]

Maybe he has been earmarked for the Auckland job - or has someone been appointed already - anyhoo NZ is a better country to live in than OZ - apologies in advance to Forza Fred but I have lived in both 🤭

[WeeRussell]

Sharks, spiders, snakes and crocs though.

And that’s just this thread

[Vini1875]

No chance. Hibs are a club on the verge on large sustained investment, therefore from NM's point of view, he will have a better playing squad and the opportunity to enhance his CV. Another two or three years at Hibs, with good backing would see him become a success. Then a move to an English Championship club and on to EPL. If I was him that's what I would be planning.

He wasn't a guy who moved around a lot in his playing career and although it's hard to judge what his management career would look like, I just don't get the feeling he'll chop and change. He will want to build a solid platform if he has EPL ambitions and with money to spend at Hibs I'm sure he'll believe he can do that here.

Whether or not we want to keep him is another question.

[A Hi-Bee]

Sharks, spiders, snakes and crocs though.

Aye but compared with the two legged ones in Britain, they are nothing to worry about.

[DaveF]

What the hell are you on about? This place gets more fantasist and unreal by the hour 🤣 has NM risked his life to come to Hibs?

People have dared criticise his precious United Kingdom so it's his duty to defend it 🙄

[A Hi-Bee]

People have dared criticise his precious United Kingdom so it's his duty to defend it 🙄

Cold old broken country, most folks struggle to pay to keep the heating on. I am 2 auld to go back now.
:thumbsup:

[Bridge hibs]

Sharks, spiders, snakes and crocs though.

And mullets 🫣

[A Hi-Bee]

And mullets 🫣

Are they fresh water or salt water.

[Jones28]

Are they fresh water or salt water.

It’s the salt water mullets you’re to watch for.

[badabing67]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

Wonder if he wants to go to Auckland

[Iain G]

People have dared criticise his precious United Kingdom so it's his duty to defend it 🙄

Very happy to have left the place (again!).😁

[SHODAN]

Regardless of what Montgomery wants I suspect he'll be sacked the minute bottom six is confirmed, should it happen.

[Iain G]

Regardless of what Montgomery wants I suspect he'll be sacked the minute bottom six is confirmed, should it happen.

I don't think that's going to happen, he will be our manager going into next year regardless

[One Day Soon]

I don't think that's going to happen, he will be our manager going into next year regardless

Jeezo.

[Bridge hibs]

Are they fresh water or salt water.

Hairy mullets, can be seen frequenting A League games in Australia 😳

[Iain G]

Jeezo.

You don't think that's likely?

[Forza Fred]

Maybe he has been earmarked for the Auckland job - or has someone been appointed already - anyhoo NZ is a better country to live in than OZ - apologies in advance to Forza Fred but I have lived in both 🤭

I lived in Auckland for a bit too.

As exciting as Glasgow on a wet Sunday…but each to their own.

People were good.

[Forza Fred]

Wonder if he wants to go to Auckland

Steve Corica is already appointed there.

[Bostonhibby]

Anyone trying to change a game by lobbing on Jair from the bench in front of a half fit Martin Boyle playing with his feet joined together by a bungee cord is on borrowed time unfortunately.

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[Mikey_1875]

I’d be happy to call it a day if we didn’t make top 6. If we did then I would still be looking for something to inspire hope post split. Bottom line for me is that it has all been a bit dull and I’m struggling to buy into what I’ve seen so far.

I’ll concede that there have been glimpses of good play and he has been the victim of bad luck and poor officiating at times. I just don’t think he has done enough at the moment to deserve what could be a massive opportunity for us in the summer.

[J-C]

A great many people seem prepared to risk their lives to come and live here.

Australia might seem the sunnier option but it has one of the world's harshest migration policies.

Any chance of not turning this into a political point, you must be missing the Holy Ground and decided to come on here to bicker and point score.

[B.H.F.C]

I’d be happy to call it a day if we didn’t make top 6. If we did then I would still be looking for something to inspire hope post split. Bottom line for me is that it has all been a bit dull and I’m struggling to buy into what I’ve seen so far.

I’ll concede that there have been glimpses of good play and he has been the victim of bad luck and poor officiating at times. I just don’t think he has done enough at the moment to deserve what could be a massive opportunity for us in the summer.

Pretty much where I am. I think he’s had a fair bit of bad luck but, ultimately, it’s not been good enough.

In his favour, for me, is that he had a good first window and made us better so I’d not be worried about him in the summer.

It’s a funny one because, if we do get top six, I think we’ll do better than sixth and qualify for Europe which we don’t do that often. But here we are, with two games to go, struggling to achieve the first part.

[Real Emerald]

The red flags have never stopped for me, I just get the impression he’s making it up as he goes along. Jair seemed a really poor decision along with some other subs changes. Didn’t expect anything today but I don’t think he knows how to give ourselves a better chance of taking anything from these games. I don’t think he’ll last long.

[IberianHibernian]

Pretty much where I am. I think he’s had a fair bit of bad luck but, ultimately, it’s not been good enough.

In his favour, for me, is that he had a good first window and made us better so I’d not be worried about him in the summer.

It’s a funny one because, if we do get top six, I think we’ll do better than sixth and qualify for Europe which we don’t do that often. But here we are, with two games to go, struggling to achieve the first part.We`re in more or less the same situation as in last 2 years . 2 years ago we just missed out on top 6 despite looking like we wanted it and last year we scraped in to top 6 despite looking uninterested cause of other results then made Europe and very nearly made group stages . This year we could still finish 4th though I`m not sure we have motivation required to give us a good chance of making top 6 .

[Paulie Walnuts]

We`re in more or less the same situation as in last 2 years . 2 years ago we just missed out on top 6 despite looking like we wanted it and last year we scraped in to top 6 despite looking uninterested cause of other results then made Europe and very nearly made group stages . This year we could still finish 4th though I`m not sure we have motivation required to give us a good chance of making top 6 .

Huge ask to make 4th now imo. That being said, I don’t think it’ll make a huge amount of odds between 4th and 5th in terms of Europe.

[HendoDelivered]

Heard from a very good source today that Montgomery is leaving at the end of the season.

Rumours that he/his family have not settled are close to the mark. Ian Gordon & Kensell not working that hard to persuade Montgomery to stay.

Source = trust me bro

[IberianHibernian]

Huge ask to make 4th now imo. That being said, I don’t think it’ll make a huge amount of odds between 4th and 5th in terms of Europe.If we make top 6 ( personally I don`t think we will ) then little difference between 4th and 5th unless Aberdeen win cup . . If like this season , extra round like us in Andorra instead of a couple of pre season friendlies , assuming we wouldn`t arrange a friendly 2 days after a qualifier like Blackpool match this season .

[Paulie Walnuts]

If we make top 6 ( personally I don`t think we will ) then little difference between 4th and 5th unless Aberdeen win cup . . If like this season , extra round like us in Andorra instead of a couple of pre season friendlies , assuming we wouldn`t arrange a friendly 2 days after a qualifier like Blackpool match this season .

Yeah. Other than prize money then I doubt there’ll be much difference between 4th and 5th. Likely just means one extra round in Europe against a very poor side that you should won comfortably over 2 legs.

Killie are 7 ahead with a 12 better goal difference, so pretty much 8 points better off. Can’t see us closing that gap in 7 games when 2 of those games would also be against the Old Firm.

[Greensunshine]

We’ve still no addressed the elephant in the room.

The defence.

Fish & Rocky are simply not at the level of consistency we need. Anyone who says otherwise is delusional.

[Auckland Hibs]

I lived in Auckland for a bit too.

As exciting as Glasgow on a wet Sunday…but each to their own.

People were good.😁

[CB Hibs 68]

Regardless of what Montgomery wants I suspect he'll be sacked the minute bottom six is confirmed, should it happen.

Is that right?What do you base your suspicions on.Nothing I see from the board tells me that is there plan.I suspect he will be our manager next season.

[Keepthefaith]

are folk really reacting that much to the defeat today? our performances and results have been better since the window, anyone who watched us v Livvy could see a really good attacking style of play and actually not just livi - we played well in defeat to Celtic and rangers, hearts and Aberdeen (penalty decisions impacting on the outcome of those games).. yes the defence needs to be stronger but I'm sure Monty said that we didn't get the defender we were after in January - sometimes it's not the clubs fault, esp in jan window. so maybe we did the best we could at that time and IMO did really well to get Maoilida and marcondes, along with Mariah welsh.

I want us to bank the positives from jan onwards, learn from the mistakes and build from a stable base using the investment that's coming in to really push us on. folk are at it if you can't see that we've been better since the st Mirren game - with another 4 / 6 points from hearts / Aberdeen / ross county games when the officials messed up, the mood here would be very different.

[He's here!]

Any chance of not turning this into a political point, you must be missing the Holy Ground and decided to come on here to bicker and point score.

Yep, that must be it. I'm only on here every other day talking about Hibs after all...

The point is it's an absurd generalisation to claim that Scotland/the UK is a 's***hole' whatever your politics may be. Both Edinburgh clubs, for example, very much use the city as a selling pont for would-be signings.

[The Baldmans Comb]

Thank God the clock is ticking and bottom 6 will kill off the Yorkshire pudding 2.

At least he doesn't treat Hibs and Scottish football with contempt as did "Slaverpuss" but he is so far out his depth it is frightening and Jair today to save the game is just beyond ridiculous.

No doubt our sappy little supporters will start up another "Thank you Nick" thread as they did for Yorkshire Pudding 1 and "Slaverpuss" but this dour non entity is doomed no doubt to be replaced by another rookie who hasn't a clue about Scottish football as that's the only template the English and Americans have. 🤔😢

[WeeRussell]

Someone has had a few beers and tried to act cool again..

[Cabbage-Patch]

For me he dosent just need to make top 6 he needs 5th as that is the minimum we would expect to be every season from now on with the investment and budget we have had. I appreciate that likely won't happen now and if he manages to scrape into the top 6 he will get pre season. If he dosent should be binned instantly.

If it wasn't for the marquee loans of Myziane and Marcondes etc then we would probably be in a relegation fight along with Dons, County etc.

Personally my faith in him is gone whatever happens now. Jobs too big for him and he dosent fill me with confidence that he has the character and mentality to turn it around.

[B.H.F.C]

Thank God the clock is ticking and bottom 6 will kill off the Yorkshire pudding 2.

At least he doesn't treat Hibs and Scottish football with contempt as did "Slaverpuss" but he is so far out his depth it is frightening and Jair today to save the game is just beyond ridiculous.

No doubt our sappy little supporters will start up another "Thank you Nick" thread as they did for Yorkshire Pudding 1 and "Slaverpuss" but this dour non entity is doomed no doubt to be replaced by another rookie who hasn't a clue about Scottish football as that's the only template the English and Americans have. 🤔😢

Referring to other folk as “slaverpuss” whilst typing the stuff you type is really quite ironic. You’d get on well I think.

[StirlingHibee]

I'm undecided. If we don't make top six it's a big failure, but continuously changing our manager is not necessarily the answer. We were poor yesterday against what I think is a mediocre Rangers team. Apart from the first 10 minutes in the second half we never laid a finger on them. Other than picking the ball out of the net once I don't recall Butland making one save. There can be no excuses on what was a good pitch with bags of space available, we simply struggled to get many of the basics right.

[J-C]

Yep, that must be it. I'm only on here every other day talking about Hibs after all...

The point is it's an absurd generalisation to claim that Scotland/the UK is a 's***hole' whatever your politics may be. Both Edinburgh clubs, for example, very much use the city as a selling pont for would-be signings.

He was in Australia for 11 years as a player/manager and has twin daughters who'll feel very much Australian, he also has an Australian citizenship, all these things could be a major factor, particularly if his wife and kids haven't settled.

Edinburgh might be a lovely place, if you like road works and potholes, architecture and culture yes but overly expensive. There's a reason many people move to |Australia for a new life but to comment on their strict immigration control is just cheap political point scoring and has nothing to do with the manager.

[Since452]

are folk really reacting that much to the defeat today? our performances and results have been better since the window, anyone who watched us v Livvy could see a really good attacking style of play and actually not just livi - we played well in defeat to Celtic and rangers, hearts and Aberdeen (penalty decisions impacting on the outcome of those games).. yes the defence needs to be stronger but I'm sure Monty said that we didn't get the defender we were after in January - sometimes it's not the clubs fault, esp in jan window. so maybe we did the best we could at that time and IMO did really well to get Maoilida and marcondes, along with Mariah welsh.

I want us to bank the positives from jan onwards, learn from the mistakes and build from a stable base using the investment that's coming in to really push us on. folk are at it if you can't see that we've been better since the st Mirren game - with another 4 / 6 points from hearts / Aberdeen / ross county games when the officials messed up, the mood here would be very different.

The officials messed up multiple times last season under LJ and we had a far better season under him than Montgomery. He ultimately ended up sacked. The higher quality players we have been able to get with Foley have bailed him out to an extent but we still have warning signs. Bringing in his first choice CB in Triantis who looked a bomb scare at the back then stumbling across a decent position for him in midfield while still looking dodgy at the back, playing Marcondes up front, continually turning to Jair etc. It's things like that that worry me. We were always going to improve after January but there are huge question marks over if he's the man to make the most of this investment. I suspect the BK's will want their own guy in.

[Greensunshine]

There’s going to be a lot of comings and goings from what I can read into this new Foley deal with new loans coming to the club.

We’re going to need a manager that can juggle like a circus clown to help keep things in the air and not drop any balls.

Is he the man? Probably not but can we really afford to bring in yet another manager? Do we trust the people charged with this task?

I think we need to stick for the moment and see what develops in the new season which quite frankly can’t come quick enough for me.

Hopefully get some new defenders in and a new goalkeeper

[B.H.F.C]

The officials messed up multiple times last season under LJ and we had a far better season under him than Montgomery. He ultimately ended up sacked. The higher quality players we have been able to get with Foley have bailed him out to an extent but we still have warning signs. Bringing in his first choice CB in Triantis who looked a bomb scare at the back then stumbling across a decent position for him in midfield while still looking dodgy at the back, playing Marcondes up front, continually turning to Jair etc. It's things like that that worry me. We were always going to improve after January but there are huge question marks over if he's the man to make the most of this investment. I suspect the BK's will want their own guy in.

Struggle to see how we had a far better season last year to be fair. Out one cup to lower league teams. Humped 3-0 at home to Hearts in the other. Find ourselves in pretty much the same position in the league. Lost to every team in the league last season as well.

Last year was pish for large parts. This season has been the same. Montgomery not had the benefit of three transfer window as and two full pre seasons though.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Struggle to see how we had a far better season last year to be fair. Out one cup to lower league teams. Humped 3-0 at home to Hearts in the other. Find ourselves in pretty much the same position in the league. Lost to every team in the league last season as well.

Last year was pish for large parts. This season has been the same. Montgomery not had the benefit of three transfer window as and two full pre seasons though.

It’s all ifs and buts at this point but we’re 2 games away from the split and look marginally more likely to miss out than make it I reckon. If that happens then I don’t think there can be much argument that this season has been worse than last imo.

[B.H.F.C]

It’s all ifs and buts at this point but we’re 2 games away from the split and look marginally more likely to miss out than make it I reckon. If that happens then I don’t think there can be much argument that this season has been worse than last imo.

Aye but I think the time to have the argument is when we know the actual outcome. I still think we’ll be in the top six if we can win both our games and I think there’s a pretty reasonable chance we will. There’s not too much happened yesterday that I didn’t expect so I don’t think we’re in a much different position to we were yesterday morning.

[He's here!]

He was in Australia for 11 years as a player/manager and has twin daughters who'll feel very much Australian, he also has an Australian citizenship, all these things could be a major factor, particularly if his wife and kids haven't settled.

Edinburgh might be a lovely place, if you like road works and potholes, architecture and culture yes but overly expensive. There's a reason many people move to |Australia for a new life but to comment on their strict immigration control is just cheap political point scoring and has nothing to do with the manager.

Yep, fair enough. The point I was trying to make was that it's not as though other countries don't have their troubles to seek.

I'm with you on the potholes and roadworks. They've turned getting round Edinburgh into an obstacle course.

I'm sure Monty would always put his family first, in which case I'd 100% respect any decision he made to leave based on that. However, from a career point of view I very much doubt he wants away.

[scm70nyd1973]

I lived in Auckland for a bit too.

As exciting as Glasgow on a wet Sunday…but each to their own.

People were good.

It’s got better though (not Glasgow).

Being a Weegie myself I have actually spent a good few wet Sundays there and all I can say is thank god pubs opened on a Sunday and for the West End.

[He's here!]

Struggle to see how we had a far better season last year to be fair. Out one cup to lower league teams. Humped 3-0 at home to Hearts in the other. Find ourselves in pretty much the same position in the league. Lost to every team in the league last season as well.

Last year was pish for large parts. This season has been the same. Montgomery not had the benefit of three transfer window as and two full pre seasons though.

Agreed. Personally I feel there's too much impatience for instant transformation. We've been treading water for several seasons now and you're right, bar a couple of very good results last season was NOT enjoyable. It was heavy going for the most part. I never felt we had anything like the foundation of a team to take us places.

It's going to take time to get us moving definitively in the right direction and I don't actually think Monty should go even if we fail to make the top six.

[ChuckNor]

If he doesn’t make top six and it’s direct result of us failing to win our next two games then he should be sacked. If we win the next two and fail to make it then there is an argument to keep him around, but a very weak one.

[Donegal Hibby]

If he doesn’t make top six and it’s direct result of us failing to win our next two games then he should be sacked. If we win the next two and fail to make it then there is an argument to keep him around, but a very weak one.

I honestly think even if we fail to make the top 6 there would be anything to be gained by sacking Monty and in fact I'd even go as far as to say it would only put us backwards .

This season hasn't gone as well as we would have hoped though talks about sacking the manager are premature imo . The guys only had one transfer window and hasn't even had a pre -season either .

Let's show a little patience and give him the chance of a decent transfer window and a pre -season especially since over numerous weeks now we have seen the team improving .👍

[JohnM1875]

I honestly think even if we fail to make the top 6 there would be anything to be gained by sacking Monty and in fact I'd even go as far as to say it would only put us backwards .

This season hasn't gone as well as we would have hoped though talks about sacking the manager are premature imo . The guys only had one transfer window and hasn't even had a pre -season either .

Let's show a little patience and give him the chance of a decent transfer window and a pre -season especially since over numerous weeks now we have seen the team improving .👍

Employing a more capable manager would be what we gain.

Genuinely think any manager that doesn't make top six with Hibs these days should be punted. The league is pretty weak right now.

I was Montgomery daft when we announced him as manager. Was all for it. But he really hasn't done a good job at all, in fact, its been a poor job if he fails to make top six.

[Donegal Hibby]

Employing a more capable manager would be what we gain.

Genuinely think any manager that doesn't make top six with Hibs these days should be punted. The league is pretty weak right now.

I was Montgomery daft when we announced him as manager. Was all for it. But he really hasn't done a good job at all, in fact, its been a poor job if he fails to make top six.

Who is a more capable manager though ? , even if there is one he'd still need longer than one transfer window too .

Monty has made mistakes though not finishing in the top 6 wouldn't be all down to him either as there is other factors to be taken into consideration as well .

Yesterday I didn't expect anything and it's harsh to be too judgemental of the team considering the quality of the opposition we faced .

Personally I'd stick with the manager even if we fail to make the top 6 as there's been clear signs of improvement and the team playing some really nice stuff too . The relentless Managerial merry go round we have been going on the last few years isn't getting us anywhere and has proved to be a costly business too.

[Heisenberg]

I don’t see Foley coming along and not having a big say on the football side, no matter what we’ve told the SFA. I couldn’t see him being too happy with a 7th (or lower) place finish.

There’s plenty factors to take into account but realistically there’s no reason Monty should have us finishing outside the top six, if he does then I can see him returning to Australia sharpish.

[He's here!]

I'm undecided. If we don't make top six it's a big failure, but continuously changing our manager is not necessarily the answer. We were poor yesterday against what I think is a mediocre Rangers team. Apart from the first 10 minutes in the second half we never laid a finger on them. Other than picking the ball out of the net once I don't recall Butland making one save. There can be no excuses on what was a good pitch with bags of space available, we simply struggled to get many of the basics right.

Rangers aren't mediocre. They're a pretty good side under Clement so there are excuses for us not being able to come away with anything.

[JohnM1875]

Who is a more capable manager though ? , even if there is one he'd still need longer than one transfer window too .

Monty has made mistakes though not finishing in the top 6 wouldn't be all down to him either as there is other factors to be taken into consideration as well .

Yesterday I didn't expect anything and it's harsh to be too judgemental of the team considering the quality of the opposition we faced .

Personally I'd stick with the manager even if we fail to make the top 6 as there's been clear signs of improvement and the team playing some really nice stuff too . The relentless Managerial merry go round we have been going on the last few years isn't getting us anywhere and has proved to be a costly business too.

There'll be plenty managers out there more capable than Montgomery seems to be. It's up to Hibs to find them. Black Knight involvement should help with that search.

Every manager in the league will have to deal with other factors throughout the season. It's his job to get results despite that.

If he gets top six I think he'll get the summer window. If he doesn't then for me, he doesn't deserve it.

[mcfly]

There’s going to be a lot of comings and goings from what I can read into this new Foley deal with new loans coming to the club.

We’re going to need a manager that can juggle like a circus clown to help keep things in the air and not drop any balls.

Is he the man? Probably not but can we really afford to bring in yet another manager? Do we trust the people charged with this task?

I think we need to stick for the moment and see what develops in the new season which quite frankly can’t come quick enough for me.

Hopefully get some new defenders in and a new goalkeeper


More loans?? I’d rather we starting taking the best players from the teams around us that know the league.

Our recruiting has been awful recently. Yet another rebuild in the summer.

Same thing every year with hibs.

It’s obvious what we need.

A Goalie
2 big centre backs
A ball winning midfielder
A leader on the pitch

[JohnM1875]

Rangers aren't mediocre. They're a pretty good side under Clement so there are excuses for us not being able to come away with anything.

Nowhere near mediocre unfortunately. They're a good team as shown by their form since baldy came in and their run in Europe.

[Onion]

I'm undecided. If we don't make top six it's a big failure, but continuously changing our manager is not necessarily the answer. We were poor yesterday against what I think is a mediocre Rangers team. Apart from the first 10 minutes in the second half we never laid a finger on them. Other than picking the ball out of the net once I don't recall Butland making one save. There can be no excuses on what was a good pitch with bags of space available, we simply struggled to get many of the basics right.

Even if true, the Board needs to know which of the failing managers to stick with ! Sticking with a failing manager, just because we've sacked other failing managers is not necessarily the answer either. Those of a certain age still remember us sticking with Duffy just because of one 45 mins at Tyne - when otherwise he was toast. Sticking with him cost the club it's place in the top league and ££££.

What we need from Monty are clear signs that he's a decent manager - even if the results don't reflect that. Not sure we've seen enough to suggest he's got what it takes.

[greenlex]

My thoughts on the manager are after the January window and business done we should make top six. We had the better fixtures in the run up. I thought he should go if we failed. I hadn’t really factored in the form of St Mirren or Dundee to be fair so another couple of results and we miss out his only salvation should be beating everything in our path after the split whilst performing to a good level. No excuses. Do that and he should be given next seasons start minimum. Don’t do that and he should be gone. Getting top six should really be a minimum but prepared to cut him slack after injuries and international call ups.

[B.H.F.C]

My thoughts on the manager are after the January window and business done we should make top six. We had the better fixtures in the run up. I thought he should go if we failed. I hadn’t really factored in the form of St Mirren or Dundee to be fair so another couple of results and we miss out his only salvation should be beating everything in our path after the split whilst performing to a good level. No excuses. Do that and he should be given next seasons start minimum. Don’t do that and he should be gone. Getting top six should really be a minimum but prepared to cut him slack after injuries and international call ups.

My gut feeling is that if he doesn’t get top six he should go. Apart from anything else I think things will bubble away and there will be no goodwill towards him.

But, on the other hand, I don’t think he’s a million miles away. He’s lost 8 league games but 5 of them have been against Rangers and Celtic. We rarely lose to anyone else in the league and the reason we haven’t won more is a complete inability to defend. The amount of times we’ve scored two in a game and failed to win is ridiculous. I think he will know what the issue is and do something about it in the summer, he couldn’t fix everything in January but did address some of the other obvious issues.

If he fails to make top six he couldn’t have any complaints if he was emptied. Win these two games and I think we’ll be fine and we’ll give ourselves a good shout of making Europe.

[WeeRussell]

More loans?? I’d rather we starting taking the best players from the teams around us that know the league.

Our recruiting has been awful recently. Yet another rebuild in the summer.

Same thing every year with hibs.

It’s obvious what we need.

A Goalie
2 big centre backs
A ball winning midfielder
A leader on the pitch

What is it you mean by ‘players that know the league’? I know similar gets asked when people use the term for managers, but what knowledge of the league is it that would make them better signings than players (perhaps of better ability) that haven’t been playing here for seasons prior?

That’s a genuine question - not intended to sound arsey.

[7Hero]

I'm undecided. If we don't make top six it's a big failure, but continuously changing our manager is not necessarily the answer. We were poor yesterday against what I think is a mediocre Rangers team. Apart from the first 10 minutes in the second half we never laid a finger on them. Other than picking the ball out of the net once I don't recall Butland making one save. There can be no excuses on what was a good pitch with bags of space available, we simply struggled to get many of the basics right.

id prefer if we stop employing useless managers and spending tons of money on poor players

[StirlingHibee]

Rangers aren't mediocre. They're a pretty good side under Clement so there are excuses for us not being able to come away with anything.

Clement seems a good manager, yes and I don't expect to go to Ibrox and come away with anything. I think my point was that it's inexcusable that we at least don't make the keeper work. Unless I missed it (and that's possible as there was a lot of banter going on in and around me where I was standing) I can't remember Butland making a single save and for me that's not good enough.

[Iain G]

id prefer if we stop employing useless managers and spending tons of money on poor players

Maybe NM should wear a balaclava to games?

[Donegal Hibby]

There'll be plenty managers out there more capable than Montgomery seems to be. It's up to Hibs to find them. Black Knight involvement should help with that search.

Every manager in the league will have to deal with other factors throughout the season. It's his job to get results despite that.

If he gets top six I think he'll get the summer window. If he doesn't then for me, he doesn't deserve it.

There's also a lot of managers out there like your Martindale's and Shaun Maloney's too though .

Every manager does have to deal with certain factors like injuries and decisions going against them though we have had more than our fair share of both .

Monty was spot on weeks ago when he said our performances haven't always got the points that they've deserved which hasn't been his fault imo .

If we missed out on top 6 by a point say I'd still stick with him as we have been unfortunate in a fair few games and especially this last while when there's clearly been signs of improvement that we are maybe going in the right direction after all .

Good summer window and pre -season under Monty and hopefully we will be alright. Honestly think we'd be mad sacking him when he's not really had a proper opportunity to change the squad either .

[Donegal Hibby]

id prefer if we stop employing useless managers and spending tons of money on poor players

Who'd be the good manager you'd appoint then ?

[JohnM1875]

There's also a lot of managers out there like your Martindale's and Shaun Maloney's too though .

Every manager does have to deal with certain factors like injuries and decisions going against them though we have had more than our fair share of both .

Monty was spot on weeks ago when he said our performances haven't always got the points that they've deserved which hasn't been his fault imo .

If we missed out on top 6 by a point say I'd still stick with him as we have been unfortunate in a fair few games and especially this last while when there's clearly been signs of improvement that we are maybe going in the right direction after all .

Good summer window and pre -season under Monty and hopefully we will be alright. Honestly think we'd be mad sacking him when he's not really had a proper opportunity to change the squad either .

Harsh on Maloney that. He's actually doing a good job at Wigan just now. Think they had a points deduction at the start of the season too.

I've said myself I've started to enjoy watching Hibs again, but the more I think about it, it's really only for wee spells in games. Even the games where I've enjoyed it there's been long spells of just utter boredom. Take the Livi game as a prime example. Outstanding first half hour then boring. I actually left after about 80 minutes when I usually always stay to the final whistle. Bizarre when top six could be decided on goal difference.

Obviously still want Montgomery to do well. He seems like a top class guy, but he needs to start winning games of football. Too many draws, from winning positions as well and a lot of that has been his fault with subs etc.

[Since452]

Struggle to see how we had a far better season last year to be fair. Out one cup to lower league teams. Humped 3-0 at home to Hearts in the other. Find ourselves in pretty much the same position in the league. Lost to every team in the league last season as well.

Last year was pish for large parts. This season has been the same. Montgomery not had the benefit of three transfer window as and two full pre seasons though.

The football was much better last season I thought. Beat Hearts and Celtic. Managed a draw with Rangers at home. Scudded Aberdeen 6-0. Manageed to clear out dead wood in January and were very unfortunate not to finish 3rd IMO. There were periods of rubbish in there too of course but on the whole id say it was far better. I always thought we were capable of giving someone a hiding last season. I've not felt that this season. I've never felt as disconnected with Hibs as I have this season sadly.

[Eyrie]

I've been consistent in stating that Montgomery is on an extended trial period for the manager's job next season.

The Board will have learnt their lesson after allowing Johnson the transfer budget and window last summer only to then sack him and leave Montgomery with no opportunity to shape the squad. Add in the expected cash injection from the Black Knights and it's inevitable that a decision will need to be made as soon as the season is over to avoid repeating that mistake.

We certainly haven't overachieved with Montgomery in charge so he's proving to be an average manager at this level which isn't good enough for the publicly stated ambitions of Foley. There's no point to sacking him before the end of the season but I expect him to leave soon after.

A well run club should always be monitoring potential players and managers behind the scenes and with the advantage of being able to draw on Bournemouth's research, the next appointment should be reasonably quick and probably someone none of us have heard of at this point.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Harsh on Maloney that. He's actually doing a good job at Wigan just now. Think they had a points deduction at the start of the season too.

I've said myself I've started to enjoy watching Hibs again, but the more I think about it, it's really only for wee spells in games. Even the games where I've enjoyed it there's been long spells of just utter boredom. Take the Livi game as a prime example. Outstanding first half hour then boring. I actually left after about 80 minutes when I usually always stay to the final whistle. Bizarre when top six could be decided on goal difference.

Obviously still want Montgomery to do well. He seems like a top class guy, but he needs to start winning games of football. Too many draws, from winning positions as well and a lot of that has been his fault with subs etc.

What Maloney done at Hibs with the squad he had was more impressive than what NM has done. Maloney took us over in the bottom 6, with a much worse squad, much deeper into the season and only just missed out. NM has had all but 4 games and is looking likely to deliver the same.

[ScottB]

What Maloney done at Hibs with the squad he had was more impressive than what NM has done. Maloney took us over in the bottom 6, with a much worse squad, much deeper into the season and only just missed out. NM has had all but 4 games and is looking likely to deliver the same.

Maloney was either put in an almost impossible situation or allowed to put himself in one; a rookie coach, mid season, trying to change how we played.

If he’d joined in a summer he’d probably have done better.

[Unseen work]

Maloney was either put in an almost impossible situation or allowed to put himself in one; a rookie coach, mid season, trying to change how we played.

If he’d joined in a summer he’d probably have done better.

Said it before but I really feel for Maloney.

Boyle was sold a couple of weeks after he was appointed and then Nisbet got injured.

His forward options were Mueller, Scott, Melkersen, Henderson and Jasper. It’s no wonder we struggled to create

[Unseen work]

On Montgomery, I just don’t think he helps himself.

2-1 down at Ibrox and you put jair on ahead of Boyle. It’s just stuff that makes the support really question his thinking

[Keepthefaith]

The football was much better last season I thought. Beat Hearts and Celtic. Managed a draw with Rangers at home. Scudded Aberdeen 6-0. Manageed to clear out dead wood in January and were very unfortunate not to finish 3rd IMO. There were periods of rubbish in there too of course but on the whole id say it was far better. I always thought we were capable of giving someone a hiding last season. I've not felt that this season. I've never felt as disconnected with Hibs as I have this season sadly.

I think you're being a bit creative with your examples! The football overall was awful under Johnson, so many discussions on here about it. We beat hearts once but iirc we didn't play them off the park like we did in the last derby. We beat Celtic after they had won the title and an awful Aberdeen side who'd stopped playing for Goodwin. The draw with rangers was a last minute stunner against 9 men.

IMO we have had games when we've played really well and should have scored a lot more. Of course the problem has been the number of draws, losing leads. Our recent games at home against Celtic and rangers showed we can compete and the livi game was a joy to see how we played.

You can't pretend that we weren't affected by injuries and the asia cup?

I think we need to see how we end the season, but I do have faith that he's a good manager with a good coaching team behind him. We need stability and sometimes it's about building foundations before you get the success. As I've said numerous times before, folk act like there's a manager out there who we can afford who's guaranteed to be a success. It's simply fantasy to think that.

Let strengthen what we have and give him the opportunity to learn from mistakes and build on strengths.

[WeeRussell]

Said it before but I really feel for Maloney.

Boyle was sold a couple of weeks after he was appointed and then Nisbet got injured.

His forward options were Mueller, Scott, Melkersen, Henderson and Jasper. It’s no wonder we struggled to create

It could be my memory but I’m almost certain he had Doidge pretty much his whole time here? But it was the poorest version of Doidge we’ve had.

I remember a lot of us being frustrated that he kept playing the big man who was like a man down at the time, and Melkerson had actually began his time with us like he was going to be useful and score a few goals.

For the most part, Jasper looked like only one who was going to go past a man and provide a bit of excitement.

It was hard times indeed.

[B.H.F.C]

On Montgomery, I just don’t think he helps himself.

2-1 down at Ibrox and you put jair on ahead of Boyle. It’s just stuff that makes the support really question his thinking

His subs are the biggest issue I’ve had with him. I think they’ve been worse than the persistence he showed with the formation. Right back to when he had the spell of taking a centre half of with 20 minutes to go. The ridiculous subs when we were leading Ross County at home. To the present day where he’s bringing Jair on in a game like yesterday which simply weakened the team.

[Smartie]

His subs are the biggest issue I’ve had with him. I think they’ve been worse than the persistence he showed with the formation. Right back to when he had the spell of taking a centre half of with 20 minutes to go. The ridiculous subs when we were leading Ross County at home. To the present day where he’s bringing Jair on in a game like yesterday which simply weakened the team.

Yeah, I agree.

Tbh - Hibs since January have been good enough. Not great, but good enough, and it’s been enough to a guest that I’d be happy if Monty was given longer.

But the subs are often weird.

[Donegal Hibby]

Harsh on Maloney that. He's actually doing a good job at Wigan just now. Think they had a points deduction at the start of the season too.

I've said myself I've started to enjoy watching Hibs again, but the more I think about it, it's really only for wee spells in games. Even the games where I've enjoyed it there's been long spells of just utter boredom. Take the Livi game as a prime example. Outstanding first half hour then boring. I actually left after about 80 minutes when I usually always stay to the final whistle. Bizarre when top six could be decided on goal difference.

Obviously still want Montgomery to do well. He seems like a top class guy, but he needs to start winning games of football. Too many draws, from winning positions as well and a lot of that has been his fault with subs etc.

Maybe though I've never rated Maloney and still don't , I thought his football was awful to watch and about as exciting as watching paint dry on a wall . Reason he was sacked is there were no signs of any improvement the same can't be said for Monty .

Wigan fans seem to be getting fed up with him and his style of football too and already have had a thread wanting him out . Page 3 is were it gets interesting.

https://forums.vitalfootball.co.uk/threads/burton-at-home-match-threat.137510/page-3

I totally understand what your saying about the Livvy game though rather than risking losing players to injury when the game was already won I think it was the right thing to do and good management .

Draws have been a big factor this year for us compared to hertz who've won 9 or 10 by a single goal .Some of the draws we've had have been his fault while others like Ross county away, hertz away and aberdeen away horrendous decisions have also played there part . Fine margins I suppose.

Sometimes this season I don't think he's really had options from the bench which was also a problem under the previous manager which is why since the recruitment side has improved with a full summer window which will be easier than the January one and a good pre-season we will hopefully see further improvements like we have lately. At least I hope we do .

[IberianHibernian]

Said it before but I really feel for Maloney.

Boyle was sold a couple of weeks after he was appointed and then Nisbet got injured.

His forward options were Mueller, Scott, Melkersen, Henderson and Jasper. It’s no wonder we struggled to createI agree . I think Maloney was a good appointment ( maybe at the wrong time ) and it was a huge mistake to get rid of him. He took over a struggling team with many fans wondering why Ross had been sacked , lost Boyle at end of window and with a terrible injury list but still took us through 3 awkward cup ties , almost in to top 6 and always had the team super motivated . Knee jerk reaction to sack him has led to big compensation payments and no stability in signings . Appointing Maloney ( a good appointment I think ) but then sacking him soon after , for me , sums up how those in charge have done things in recent years . The devt team idea , signing players with potential was a good idea but those in charge didn`t have patience or were too influenced by fan pressure to see it through so we`re back to where we were 5 or 6 years ago . We`re now in a very similar situation to 2 years ago but without cup semi to look forward to so could scrape into top 6 and fight for European places like last year or miss out narrowly like 2 years ago .

[babahibs]

Monty's going nowhere, no matter where we finish, he's here for the mid - long term. We can't keep sacking managers every year and starting again, means we constantly get nowhere.
He'll be given time to build something and I for one am looking forward to where that takes us, there's been obvious improvement since January.
He needs to learn a couple of lessons though, namely his subs and his blind spot with Jair.

[Unseen work]

It could be my memory but I’m almost certain he had Doidge pretty much his whole time here? But it was the poorest version of Doidge we’ve had.

I remember a lot of us being frustrated that he kept playing the big man who was like a man down at the time, and Melkerson had actually began his time with us like he was going to be useful and score a few goals.

For the most part, Jasper looked like only one who was going to go past a man and provide a bit of excitement.

It was hard times indeed.

Doidge was also injured during alot of Maloney’s spell was he not? Did he not get injured around September time with Ross where he injured his Achilles? Think when he did come back he was miles off of it too

[WeeRussell]

Doidge was also injured during alot of Maloney’s spell was he not? Did he not get injured around September time with Ross where he injured his Achilles? Think when he did come back he was miles off of it too

Maybe you’re right - I forget Maloney was with us as long as he was. But yeah he was definitely of very little use on his return after the bad injury.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Said it before but I really feel for Maloney.

Boyle was sold a couple of weeks after he was appointed and then Nisbet got injured.

His forward options were Mueller, Scott, Melkersen, Henderson and Jasper. It’s no wonder we struggled to create

Agree.

He was crap for us and deserved to be sacked. No getting away from that.

I don’t think his time at Hibs told us anything about how good a manager he is though. I don’t think any manager within our budget would have got more out of that squad. The guy was going into cup semi finals against our local rivals who were on their way to third place with James Scott as our only centre forward after seeing Martin Boyle who was all but a one man team sold the the minute he walked in the door. He was thrown under the bus and I’m not surprised his default setting turned to ‘try shore things up’ the minute Boyle left the building.

[greenpaper55]

Just forced my self to watch yesterday’s highlights and it’s obvious we need a clear out in the summer, so many out there just not good enough. Cadden couldn’t tackle a fish supper and the same with Newell then we bring on Levitt who stands and points for other players to move and on the bench we have Hanlon and Stevenson ! The manager has had his hands tied with the players he inherited and hopefully once the dross is emptied he will prove his worth ?

[Donegal Hibby]

Monty's going nowhere, no matter where we finish, he's here for the mid - long term. We can't keep sacking managers every year and starting again, means we constantly get nowhere.
He'll be given time to build something and I for one am looking forward to where that takes us, there's been obvious improvement since January.
He needs to learn a couple of lessons though, namely his subs and his blind spot with Jair.

He does need time in fairness , he was never going to fix everything in only one transfer window which is the hardest as well though we did recruit wisely and we have improved which should give us cause to be optimistic about the summer window which is easier with more players available and with the new investment hopefully there's good times ahead for us in the future .

[Real Emerald]

Every single bad result the fans are on his back. He has very little in the bank, he comes across weak and clueless and he also can’t get me confident he knows what he’s doing.

I apologise to people who think he deserves time and appreciate their opinion BUT, I really want him gone.

[Paulie Walnuts]

He does need time in fairness , he was never going to fix everything in only one transfer window which is the hardest as well though we did recruit wisely and we have improved which should give us cause to be optimistic about the summer window which is easier with more players available and with the new investment hopefully there's good times ahead for us in the future .

Since the window closed our results have improved by the slimmest of margins. I’m not sure the improvement is half as big as folk would have us believe.

Since the window closed we’ve played 11, won 4, drawn 3, lost 4. It’s hardly worth shouting about.

Edit: our results in the 11 game prior to the window closing were actually better. Won 5, drawn 2, lost 4. I’m not sure the argument that things have clearly got better actually stands up to much scrutiny. Not all that much of a surprise when we’re still scrambling to get into the top 6, much the same as we were pre January window closing.

[WeeRussell]

Since the window closed our results have improved by the slimmest of margins. I’m not sure the improvement is half as big as folk would have us believe.

Since the window closed we’ve played 11, won 4, drawn 3, lost 4. It’s hardly worth shouting about.

With St Mirren being the only team outside the old firm to beat us, I think?

Form hasn’t been spectacular by any means but the fact games are worth looking forward to, for most, rather than a chore suggests significant improvement for me.

Hopefully plenty more to come.

[Paulie Walnuts]

With St Mirren being the only team outside the old firm to beat us, I think?

Form hasn’t been spectacular by any means but the fact games are worth looking forward to, for most, rather than a chore suggests significant improvement for me.

Hopefully plenty more to come.

Are they? I’ve seen god knows how many posts on here from folk saying they just want the season to be over, and that’s been from folk who have been huge backers of Montgomery.

Theres absolutely nothing to look forward to about watching a Montgomery Hibs team imo.

[Real Emerald]

With St Mirren being the only team outside the old firm to beat us, I think?

Form hasn’t been spectacular by any means but the fact games are worth looking forward to, for most, rather than a chore suggests significant improvement for me.

Hopefully plenty more to come.

The football we’re playing is awful to watch apart from a half here and there. I can’t stand the thought of more seasons under Monty, it’s terrible football to watch and that’s not what the Hibs are about.

[WeeRussell]

Are they? I’ve seen god knows how many posts on here from folk saying they just want the season to be over, and that’s been from folk who have been huge backers of Montgomery.

I read a lot of ***** on here every single day I take a look. That’ll happen whether we’re being relegated or taking over the world.

I enjoy watching us a lot more than what I did a few months ago. We’ve got 2 or 3 pretty exciting players now compared to what we were used to.

It was improvement you were talking about. We’ve definitely improved - still work to be done.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I read a lot of ***** on here every single day I take a look. That’ll happen whether we’re being relegated or taking over the world.

I enjoy watching us a lot more than what I did a few months ago. We’ve got 2 or 3 pretty exciting players now compared to what we were used to.

It was improvement you were talking about. We’ve definitely improved - still work to be done.

We’ve definitely improved but our results have got worse than they were in the 11 games prior to the window shutting?

I wouldn’t necessarily disagree that we’ve improved. That much should have been a given when we’ve signed guys like Marcondes and Maolida. We’ve not improved anywhere near enough though imo and we’re still massively underperforming as we have the whole way through Montgomerys tenure.

[WeeRussell]

We’ve definitely improved but our results have got worse than they were in the 11 games prior to the window shutting?

I was considering from start of the year, as opposed to from February. My mistake.

But yes - I think we are a far better team having added Marcondes, MW, Maolida and Triantes. A team I prefer watching. (I’m not necessarily giving Monty a bundle of credit for that, or saying he’s the man to take us forward)

I’m not suggesting we’re suddenly dynamite. Just significantly better. And you’re absolutely free to disagree 👍

[TrinityHFC]

Struggle to see how we had a far better season last year to be fair. Out one cup to lower league teams. Humped 3-0 at home to Hearts in the other. Find ourselves in pretty much the same position in the league. Lost to every team in the league last season as well.

Last year was pish for large parts. This season has been the same. Montgomery not had the benefit of three transfer window as and two full pre seasons though.

We are miles away from being pretty much where we were last year. We were in the fight for third going into the split. It is currently out of our hands whether we make the split or not.

[eastmainsmsh]

Wasn't sure in montys early days but took a liking to things I'm sure he has bought house in Haddington so can't see him going this was always going to be transitional season for hibs and Monty since new signings things have got better

[Paulie Walnuts]

Wasn't sure in montys early days but took a liking to things I'm sure he has bought house in Haddington so can't see him going this was always going to be transitional season for hibs and Monty since new signings things have got better

He could buy 10 houses in Haddington. That won’t play any part in whether Hibs keep him on.

[B.H.F.C]

I read a lot of ***** on here every single day I take a look. That’ll happen whether we’re being relegated or taking over the world.

I enjoy watching us a lot more than what I did a few months ago. We’ve got 2 or 3 pretty exciting players now compared to what we were used to.

It was improvement you were talking about. We’ve definitely improved - still work to be done.

Similar here. The last couple of months it’s been much better and we’ve played relatively well in all the games, sometimes better than in others, over that period of time.

We might reach the top six, we might not. If we do, we might qualify for Europe, we might not. Whatever happens, will happen but I’m looking forward to getting back to Easter Road next Saturday and turning up with the expectation of winning.

[WeeRussell]

Similar here. The last couple of months it’s been much better and we’ve played relatively well in all the games, sometimes better than in others, over that period of time.

We might reach the top six, we might not. If we do, we might qualify for Europe, we might not. Whatever happens, will happen but I’m looking forward to getting back to Easter Road next Saturday and turning up with the expectation of winning.

A well-worded version of what I was trying to say 😁

[B.H.F.C]

We are miles away from being pretty much where we were last year. We were in the fight for third going into the split. It is currently out of our hands whether we make the split or not.

We’re not miles away from where we were then. Hearts have improved their results dramatically since this time last year meaning they’ve run away with third. Over the course of the season, in terms of points accumulated, we’re in more or less the same position. I think we will go in to the split on exactly the same number of points as we did last season.

[He's here!]

I think you're being a bit creative with your examples! The football overall was awful under Johnson, so many discussions on here about it. We beat hearts once but iirc we didn't play them off the park like we did in the last derby. We beat Celtic after they had won the title and an awful Aberdeen side who'd stopped playing for Goodwin. The draw with rangers was a last minute stunner against 9 men.

IMO we have had games when we've played really well and should have scored a lot more. Of course the problem has been the number of draws, losing leads. Our recent games at home against Celtic and rangers showed we can compete and the livi game was a joy to see how we played.

You can't pretend that we weren't affected by injuries and the asia cup?

I think we need to see how we end the season, but I do have faith that he's a good manager with a good coaching team behind him. We need stability and sometimes it's about building foundations before you get the success. As I've said numerous times before, folk act like there's a manager out there who we can afford who's guaranteed to be a success. It's simply fantasy to think that.

Let strengthen what we have and give him the opportunity to learn from mistakes and build on strengths.

Good post. Agree with all of that.

[TrinityHFC]

We’re not miles away from where we were then. Hearts have improved their results dramatically since this time last year meaning they’ve run away with third. Over the course of the season, in terms of points accumulated, we’re in more or less the same position. I think we will go in to the split on exactly the same number of points as we did last season.

We’ve got a better squad than last year and we are much less competitive. It really doesn’t matter what the points level will have got you last year. We were competing with the teams in third and fourth place last year. We aren’t this year.

Not just Hearts but we have the likes of St Mirren and Kilmarnock doing better than we are.

We’ve also dine a little bit better by abandoning how the manager actually wants to coach and play. That’s not really positive for the long run. He seems a decent guy but he’s a less than average Hibs manager.

[wookie70]

We are miles away from being pretty much where we were last year. We were in the fight for third going into the split. It is currently out of our hands whether we make the split or not. Miles away in terms of the other teams but not too far from our stats. We had 2 more points after 31 games last year and a slightly better goal difference. We then took 4 points in rounds 32 and 33, that won't be good enough to get top 6 this time I don't think. Barring Hearts having 9 more points than Aberdeen had at this stage last year the rest of the positions in the top six are similar in terms of points. Killie and Aberdeen have swapped performance with Killie 17 points better off than this time last year and the Dons 14 worse off. We have pretty much stagnated and in Montgomery gets two wins that would get him to the split on the same points as LJ had last season and it may still not be enough for top six.

[JohnM1875]

He does need time in fairness , he was never going to fix everything in only one transfer window which is the hardest as well though we did recruit wisely and we have improved which should give us cause to be optimistic about the summer window which is easier with more players available and with the new investment hopefully there's good times ahead for us in the future .

You back managers. Nothing at all wrong with that. But it seems to be a backing for the sake of it rather than any real progress.

We have maybe slightly improved, but I genuinely think I'd be able to improve a team after signing NMW, Triantis, Marcondes and Maolida.

[ChilliEater]

Agree.

He was crap for us and deserved to be sacked. No getting away from that.

I don’t think his time at Hibs told us anything about how good a manager he is though. I don’t think any manager within our budget would have got more out of that squad. The guy was going into cup semi finals against our local rivals who were on their way to third place with James Scott as our only centre forward after seeing Martin Boyle who was all but a one man team sold the the minute he walked in the door. He was thrown under the bus and I’m not surprised his default setting turned to ‘try shore things up’ the minute Boyle left the building.

:confused:

Can you explain that one? Nobody could have done better, but he was crap and deserved to be sacked?

[B.H.F.C]

We’ve got a better squad than last year and we are much less competitive. It really doesn’t matter what the points level will have got you last year. We were competing with the teams in third and fourth place last year. We aren’t this year.

Not just Hearts but we have the likes of St Mirren and Kilmarnock doing better than we are.

We’ve also dine a little bit better by abandoning how the manager actually wants to coach and play. That’s not really positive for the long run. He seems a decent guy but he’s a less than average Hibs manager.

That’s not the point I’m making though. We are performing to pretty much the same level so we haven’t regressed in that sense. Others have improved, that’s not something we have any influence over.

I’m not saying that’s good or anything, just that we weren’t performing much better last season as was suggested in the post I originally responded to.

[Scooter]

I can't help but keep thinking, if it wasn't far VAR and poor refereeing we could potentially be 4th right now. How much is that NM fault

[joe breezy]

I just watched a video of him post Rangers game
I don’t trust men over 40 with no signs of a receding hairline


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WhileTheChief..]

Matching or beating our points tally from last year means nothing to me.

We're competing with other teams for Europe, not ourselves. If Hearts, St M, and Killie all improve, then we need to as well.

It's been a crap season so far, and unless we go on an amazing run between now and the ned of the season, it will have been a crap one overall.

[Smartie]

Matching or beating our points tally from last year means nothing to me.

We're competing with other teams for Europe, not ourselves. If Hearts, St M, and Killie all improve, then we need to as well.

It's been a crap season so far, and unless we go on an amazing run between now and the ned of the season, it will have been a crap one overall.

It has been a crap season.

Last season was crap too, even if we salvaged a bit of respectability towards the end (and might do again this season).

Either way - neither season is any sort of a barometer of success, quite the opposite. It’s the sort of stuff we should be trying to be much better than.

I know you’ll disagree but I don’t know how much of the past 2 season is really on either manager. Obviously they’ll play a part but the seasons are the consequences of poor squads, dire transfers and constant transition through differing managerial approaches.

A full season with the squad we’re going to finish this season with and I strongly suspect either LJ or NM would have had a decent tilt at third.

Priority really needs to be what gives us the best chance of having an adequate squad when we start playing for points in August rather than February.

[bingo70]

It has been a crap season.

Last season was crap too, even if we salvaged a bit of respectability towards the end (and might do again this season).

Either way - neither season is any sort of a barometer of success, quite the opposite. It’s the sort of stuff we should be trying to be much better than.

I know you’ll disagree but I don’t know how much of the past 2 season is really on either manager. Obviously they’ll play a part but the seasons are the consequences of poor squads, dire transfers and constant transition through differing managerial approaches.

A full season with the squad we’re going to finish this season with and I strongly suspect either LJ or NM would have had a decent tilt at third.

Priority really needs to be what gives us the best chance of having an adequate squad when we start playing for points in August rather than February.

If you don’t think it’s on the manager, are you suggesting McDermott could/should be under pressure?

[One Day Soon]

If we make the top 6 then, grudgingly, he probably deserves the chance to show what he can do next season. I'm far from convinced however that his tactics for most of this season, his substitutions, his results, his signings and his style of play mean he is going to get it right and have us seriously challenging for 3rd.

If we don't make top 6 he should be out the door immediately that happens, without question. The amount of points our defence has thrown away this season is something that any manager worth his salt should have been showing serious signs of having tackled by now but the one signing he wanted to resolve our central defence problem is now playing - when he does play - in midfield. It's not a good sign.

[easty]

I can't help but keep thinking, if it wasn't far VAR and poor refereeing we could potentially be 4th right now. How much is that NM fault

Potentially.

We also could’ve ended up with exactly the same results if it wasn’t for Var and poor refereeing.

I don’t think managers generally get credit in the bank for hypotheticals.

[easty]

We were ***** for months. Stuck playing a system that wasn’t working. His system. January comes along and we sign better players and do better. Better players do better. Shocker.

What manager we’ve had in the last few years would’ve have got better performances out of better players?

When the loan players leave at the end of the season, does he get a free pass again until he can sign better players again?

[WhileTheChief..]

It has been a crap season.

Last season was crap too, even if we salvaged a bit of respectability towards the end (and might do again this season).

Either way - neither season is any sort of a barometer of success, quite the opposite. It’s the sort of stuff we should be trying to be much better than.

I know you’ll disagree but I don’t know how much of the past 2 season is really on either manager. Obviously they’ll play a part but the seasons are the consequences of poor squads, dire transfers and constant transition through differing managerial approaches.

A full season with the squad we’re going to finish this season with and I strongly suspect either LJ or NM would have had a decent tilt at third.

Priority really needs to be what gives us the best chance of having an adequate squad when we start playing for points in August rather than February.

I don't necessarily blame the managers. Whilst I think appointing Maloney, LJ and NM were mistakes, the biggest problem we've had since the Gordon's took over has been our signing policy.

The way I see it, is that we've signed players purely based on an expectation that we could sell them for a profit. I don't think we signed players based on what they could do on the pitch in the here and now.

I think it's been a disastrous approach, and am hoping that January and the BKs have put an end to that folly.

I'd like us to get a new manager in the summer. Noting against NM, I just think we could get better.

More importantly though, I think we'll sign better players and see a lot leave in a couple of months. That's the bit I'm looking forward to.

This season was a write off back in August!!

[SickBoy32]

If you don’t think it’s on the manager, are you suggesting McDermott could/should be under pressure?

Of course he should be, signings under his watch have been poor / ineffective largely. Concern I have is how much influence from above he is getting in terms of the player profile we should be targeting.

Kensell is the one who should be under real scrutiny though. This is his 3rd season running the club, and with 2 games to go before the split, we’re odds on to be bottom 6.

Season 1 - 8th
Season 2 - 5th (after sneaking into the top 6 at the final hour)
Season 3 - TBC.

Dreadful record for our club, especially when you look at the money we’ve spent. I’d be getting him out the club asap for someone competent to come in and lead things.

Unfortunately think this is a pipe dream though, with Ian Gordon describing him as one of the best CEOs around, at the recent AGM. He’s certainly one of the most overpaid CEOs, the best however…

[Since452]

Potentially.

We also could’ve ended up with exactly the same results if it wasn’t for Var and poor refereeing.

I don’t think managers generally get credit in the bank for hypotheticals.

:agree: if they did then LJ would still be here. NM has been unlucky with var calls. LJ was unlucky with var calls. Probably every manager could say they were. It's football these days unfortunately.

I think/hope that we are now shopping in a different market for managers as well as players. SM/LJ/NM might have been acceptable for the Gordons/Kensell but i doubt they would be for the BK's. They'll want to see their investment returning results on the park. I don't think for a second they wouldn't have a say on who is in the dugout. If we finish bottom six then i think that process will start if it hasn't done already. Same goes for McDermott.

[Forza Fred]

:agree: if they did then LJ would still be here. NM has been unlucky with var calls. LJ was unlucky with var calls. Probably every manager could say they were. It's football these days unfortunately.

I think/hope that we are now shopping in a different market for managers as well as players. SM/LJ/NM might have been acceptable for the Gordons/Kensell but i doubt they would be for the BK's. They'll want to see their investment returning results on the park. I don't think for a second they wouldn't have a say on who is in the dugout. If we finish bottom six then i think that process will start if it hasn't done already. Same goes for McDermott.

Maybes aye/maybes no.

Black Knight group …the 100% owners..note…the sole owners of newly formed A League club Auckland FC a couple of months ago appointed Aussie Steve Corica…who was sacked by Sydney FC a few months earlier as manager.

If they were looking for a ‘higher level’ manager, I wouldn’t have expected them to go for Corica, but a name that would have possibly excited the locals, and a well known European based manager as a statement.

Did have a bit of razzmatazz at the launch though including Foley speaking on a video with Hibs playing in the background saying they aim to produce the best young players in New Zealand, take them to Hibs, and then on to Bournemouth in the EPL once they are ready.

Dunno about managers, but I think there might be a few Aussie/Kiwi accents on the training ground at East Mains in a few years.

Wonder if we’ll sign a number sux.

[Callum_62]

Maybes aye/maybes no.

Black Knight group …the 100% owners..note…the sole owners of newly formed A League club Auckland FC a couple of months ago appointed Aussie Steve Corica…who was sacked by Sydney FC a few months earlier as manager.

If they were looking for a ‘higher level’ manager, I wouldn’t have expected them to go for Corica, but a name that would have possibly excited the locals, and a well known European based manager as a statement.

Did have a bit of razzmatazz at the launch though including Foley speaking on a video with Hibs playing in the background saying they aim to produce the best young players in New Zealand, take them to Hibs, and then on to Bournemouth in the EPL once they are ready.

Dunno about managers, but I think there might be a few Aussie/Kiwi accents on the training ground at East Mains in a few years.

Wonder if we’ll sign a number sux.Chuuuur bro!

Yeowwww!

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Smartie]

If you don’t think it’s on the manager, are you suggesting McDermott could/should be under pressure?

Not quite yet… but I think he should have a few questions to answer.

We’ll be better placed to judge him after another 1 or 2 windows.

In all honesty - I don’t think last summer is looking great for him at all, with what we’ve effectively got from Vente, Levitt and Harbottle this season. Obita’s been excellent and Youan’s been a success, even though he was already here on loan.

January was good, no doubt about it.

Somebody at Hibs though, whether it is a DoF, a manager or whoever is at some point going to have to have a solid summer window, something we’ve not had since Stubbs was here imo.

Big job this summer.

[JimBHibees]

I can't help but keep thinking, if it wasn't far VAR and poor refereeing we could potentially be 4th right now. How much is that NM fault

Agree that should be taken into account

[Wilson]

I can't help but keep thinking, if it wasn't far VAR and poor refereeing we could potentially be 4th right now. How much is that NM fault

You can go on to any football forum and find var and refereeing sob stories. We're not exceptional in that.

The manager isn't terrible. He's just nothing special. As average as average gets probably.

I'm not sure if it is an improvement that he isn't as divisive as Lee Johnson or if we should be looking for someone better than average.

[Forza Fred]

I can't help but keep thinking, if it wasn't far VAR and poor refereeing we could potentially be 4th right now. How much is that NM fault

In his defence I think there is a bit of a case for taking that into account.

I was an enthusiastic supporter of Monty for the job after having very closely followed his managerial career in Oz.

I remain thus, but am not blind to what I see as an underwhelming start to his Hibs career, and a further couple of hiccups along the way.

I’m pretty sure as I can be that irrespective of what position we finish in, that he’ll be in charge when we kick off next season.

With a settled squad and a decent preseason, I’m confident we’ll see an improved Hibs side and this season will just be remembered as a blip.

[Ronniekirk]

I rarely listen to his after match interviews He doesn’t imo come across as confident or enthusiastic . very little analysis of the game ,just the usual stock glib statements So in that sense I haven’t really warmed to him The January window and slight tweaking of team have saved his bacon
But how much of that was down to N M and some of the key players on loan will be away
So we have it all to do again plus more , as while we have improved we haven’t strung several back to back wins together hence Sixth place is now out our hands
For me he has to get us top six and at least fifth but hopefully pushing for fourth even if we don’t get it
I keep an open mind but with Foley in the mix now it’s going to interesting to see what happens next Season

[Donegal Hibby]

You back managers. Nothing at all wrong with that. But it seems to be a backing for the sake of it rather than any real progress.

We have maybe slightly improved, but I genuinely think I'd be able to improve a team after signing NMW, Triantis, Marcondes and Maolida.

Yes i suppose I do . My logic behind that ( if any ) is any manager that comes into a club thats got problems needs time , definitely longer than one January transfer window imo .

I don't think I'm backing Monty just for the sake of it as I think we have made some progress since the St Mirren game...

Celtic ( Home ). 1-2 Defeat . Thought we played well against the champions and we were unlucky not to get something from the game in which we had more shots than them in. *.

Aberdeen ( Away ). 2-2 . Not the easiest of grounds to go too even in their current circumstances , thought we done well getting a respectable draw while having more possession than them in a game we could have won too . *.

Dundee ( Home ). 2-1 win . Decent team that's well organized and having a good season. We dominated the game while restricting them to 1 shot on target .

Hertz ( Away ). 1-1 . Not always a ground we do well on like pittodrie though again I thought we played well and were unlucky not to get the win in . Shots were Hibs 21/6 to hertz 14/2 . * .

Ross County ( Home ) . 2-0 Win . Totally professional performance from us . More shots and possession .

Ross county (Away ) . 2-2 . After a first half in which Monty got it wrong in which he changed the team which I feel is an encouraging sign that he's beginning to adapt to changing things we are extremely unfortunate not to get a win in.*.

Livvy ( Home ) . 3-0 Win . Probably the best I've seen Hibs play in sometime. Really good football , fast , good movement etc . Changed players when the game was won which I thought was good management tbh .

Sevco ( Away) . 3-1 Defeat. Thought we done ok in it if I'm honest considering the quality of the opposition and we were still in the game up until the 85 th minute .

That's my reason for backing Monty as in our last 8 games we have Won 3 , Drawn 3 and lost 2 which was to the old firm and to me we have made progress and at times played well too .

I put a star beside the games that some decisions have went against us in which have/ could have cost us extra points which are 4 out of the 8 games we've played and is another reason I'm going to stick with Monty if he doesn't make the top 6 .

[LewysGot2]

Just been thinking about our lack of coverage on Sportsound post match and how it's seemingly declined in recent months. Wonder if LJ being David Brent comedy gold made his post match comments broadcastable because he could be laughed at by them on air...and NM gives them really boring inoffensive comments that they just can't get mileage from. Definitely seems to have been reduced coverage since he came in. Compare and contrast with Warnocks airtime...

[Billy Whizz]

If you don’t think it’s on the manager, are you suggesting McDermott could/should be under pressure?

You have too if he’s making the decisions.
You’d have to think his summer recruitment overall was poor
Jo Jo, hardly played
Obita - success
Levitt - jury is out
Alf - success
Harbottle - sent out on loan so not a success
Vente - started off excellent but has gone backwards
Youan - singed from previous recruitment, generally I’d say a success

Winter is a lot better, but apart from Triantis, I’m presuming a Monty signing, do we know who signed them

[Kato]

Just been thinking about our lack of coverage on Sportsound post match and how it's seemingly declined in recent months. Wonder if LJ being David Brent comedy gold made his post match comments broadcastable because he could be laughed at by them on air...and NM gives them really boring inoffensive comments that they just can't get mileage from. Definitely seems to have been reduced coverage since he came in. Compare and contrast with Warnocks airtime...Reporting on Hibs isn't a priority on Sportsound.

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[Viva_Palmeiras]

In his defence I think there is a bit of a case for taking that into account.

I was an enthusiastic supporter of Monty for the job after having very closely followed his managerial career in Oz.

I remain thus, but am not blind to what I see as an underwhelming start to his Hibs career, and a further couple of hiccups along the way.

I’m pretty sure as I can be that irrespective of what position we finish in, that he’ll be in charge when we kick off next season.

With a settled squad and a decent preseason, I’m confident we’ll see an improved Hibs side and this season will just be remembered as a blip.

We can’t keep on firing managers at the stage in a season we have done then not give the new guy a fair crack of the whip including transfer windows.

I’ve said it and I’ll say it again we don’t want to follow Aberdeen.footsteps.

[LewysGot2]

Reporting on Hibs isn't a priority on Sportsound.

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Oh I know but they loved putting the boot into LJ and it was all for their entertainment. NM is probably just too boring (and, so yeah, he is, I fink. So yeah) 😂

[JohnM1875]

Yes i suppose I do . My logic behind that ( if any ) is any manager that comes into a club thats got problems needs time , definitely longer than one January transfer window imo .

I don't think I'm backing Monty just for the sake of it as I think we have made some progress since the St Mirren game...

Celtic ( Home ). 1-2 Defeat . Thought we played well against the champions and we were unlucky not to get something from the game in which we had more shots than them in. *.

Aberdeen ( Away ). 2-2 . Not the easiest of grounds to go too even in their current circumstances , thought we done well getting a respectable draw while having more possession than them in a game we could have won too . *.

Dundee ( Home ). 2-1 win . Decent team that's well organized and having a good season. We dominated the game while restricting them to 1 shot on target .

Hertz ( Away ). 1-1 . Not always a ground we do well on like pittodrie though again I thought we played well and were unlucky not to get the win in . Shots were Hibs 21/6 to hertz 14/2 . * .

Ross County ( Home ) . 2-0 Win . Totally professional performance from us . More shots and possession .

Ross county (Away ) . 2-2 . After a first half in which Monty got it wrong in which he changed the team which I feel is an encouraging sign that he's beginning to adapt to changing things we are extremely unfortunate not to get a win in.*.

Livvy ( Home ) . 3-0 Win . Probably the best I've seen Hibs play in sometime. Really good football , fast , good movement etc . Changed players when the game was won which I thought was good management tbh .

Sevco ( Away) . 3-1 Defeat. Thought we done ok in it if I'm honest considering the quality of the opposition and we were still in the game up until the 85 th minute .

That's my reason for backing Monty as in our last 8 games we have Won 3 , Drawn 3 and lost 2 which was to the old firm and to me we have made progress and at times played well too .

I put a star beside the games that some decisions have went against us in which have/ could have cost us extra points which are 4 out of the 8 games we've played and is another reason I'm going to stick with Monty if he doesn't make the top 6 .

Aye, fair enough mate. We have improved since the new signings came in. Not denying that. But we can't just erase the St Mirren 3-0 game from memory. That was up there with the worst I've ever seen Hibs play and that was a Montgomery team.

Hopefully we scud St Johnstone and Motherwell over the next few weeks and get top six.

Like I say I want Montgomery to be a success. Just think his time is running out to make it happen.

[Donegal Hibby]

Aye, fair enough mate. We have improved since the new signings came in. Not denying that. But we can't just erase the St Mirren 3-0 game from memory. That was up there with the worst I've ever seen Hibs play and that was a Montgomery team.

Hopefully we scud St Johnstone and Motherwell over the next few weeks and get top six.

Like I say I want Montgomery to be a success. Just think his time is running out to make it happen.

Yeah I agree about the St mirren game and there were a few more like the St Johnstone away one and the Ross county home game when we were 2-0 and Monty's substitutions cost us .

He has made mistakes though I think recently he's been more willing to change things when it's not working which is encouraging.

This season like last has been another struggle there's no doubt about that though hopefully as you say we can get two wins in our next two games to salvage something from it

I'm still hoping that given more time he can turn us into a successful team the way he did CCM though .🤞

[ancient hibee]

Only the OF have a better record than us over the last 6 league games. You would assume that the manager is part of the reason for that.

[7Hero]

it's like he's learning on the job, that simply is not something we should be expecting from a coach, especially one who had been hired after 2 failed appointemnts.

[A Hi-Bee]

Oh I know but they loved putting the boot into LJ and it was all for their entertainment. NM is probably just too boring (and, so yeah, he is, I fink. So yeah) 😂

I dont fink that is very fair and not very Hibs like, I have a speech impediment and no like what you say.

[jeffers]

Maybe he recognised he needed to make changes and did so of his accord or maybe it was a case of being told if he didn’t the club would. After being initially delighted with his appointment he’s looking like yet another poor choice and I see little to suggest he’s going turn things round.

[Iain G]

Maybes aye/maybes no.

Black Knight group …the 100% owners..note…the sole owners of newly formed A League club Auckland FC a couple of months ago appointed Aussie Steve Corica…who was sacked by Sydney FC a few months earlier as manager.

If they were looking for a ‘higher level’ manager, I wouldn’t have expected them to go for Corica, but a name that would have possibly excited the locals, and a well known European based manager as a statement.

Did have a bit of razzmatazz at the launch though including Foley speaking on a video with Hibs playing in the background saying they aim to produce the best young players in New Zealand, take them to Hibs, and then on to Bournemouth in the EPL once they are ready.

Dunno about managers, but I think there might be a few Aussie/Kiwi accents on the training ground at East Mains in a few years.

Wonder if we’ll sign a number sux.

There is only one real team in NZ and they ain't based in Auckland! 😁

The table topping Nix have a huge head start on the new franchise in embedding themselves into NZ football culture, it's a rugby playing country so 2 teams will be challenging to support. Will be nice to have a local derby at least I suppose.

[Iain G]

I rarely listen to his after match interviews He doesn’t imo come across as confident or enthusiastic . very little analysis of the game ,just the usual stock glib statements So in that sense I haven’t really warmed to him The January window and slight tweaking of team have saved his bacon
But how much of that was down to N M and some of the key players on loan will be away
So we have it all to do again plus more , as while we have improved we haven’t strung several back to back wins together hence Sixth place is now out our hands
For me he has to get us top six and at least fifth but hopefully pushing for fourth even if we don’t get it
I keep an open mind but with Foley in the mix now it’s going to interesting to see what happens next Season

Much the same as Jack Ross interview, the usual pre programmed statements, how we miss LJ and his abuse of the English language.

[LaMotta]

Much the same as Jack Ross interview, the usual pre programmed statements, how we miss LJ and his abuse of the English language.

Ross was far more accomplished in interviews than Monty IMO.

[LewysGot2]

Ross was far more accomplished in interviews than Monty IMO.

Prefer Montys green zip necked sweater though 😂

[Dashing Bob S]

Only the OF have a better record than us over the last 6 league games. You would assume that the manager is part of the reason for that.

Exactly. Would be nuts to bin him just when he’s coming good. If the board have any sense that won’t happen. Next November is the time to look at the results and performances - unless the opening of next season is a winless disaster of a start.

[Since452]

it's like he's learning on the job, that simply is not something we should be expecting from a coach, especially one who had been hired after 2 failed appointemnts.

Totally agree with this and it was exactly my concern from the start. We didn't bring in Montgomery from a position of strength. We brought him in off the back of a manager most fans couldn't stand who took over from a guy who was completely hopeless. Montgomery isn't to blame for that, he had to take the Hibs job. It's the people above him making the decision i blame. Montgomery had a lot of people on his side, and in some cases raving about him, simply because he wasn't Lee Johnson.