Winter transfer thread 2024/25

[B.H.F.C]

I don't think I'm the only one with serious concerns about the people currently running the club, but if you're happy enough that the current run of good form absolves them of all blame, then that's fine.

In regards to your other point, I'm of the belief that the sooner we get our targets in the better.

The league is so tight that the importance of potentially better players, greater depth, quicker integration etc, could be vital come the end of the season.

I'm not naive enough to think this is necessarily an easy process, but given the state we were in only 6/8 weeks ago, I'd have liked to have seen us further down the line than we currently are.

There will be success and failure both early and late in the window, let's just hope I am proved wrong come the end of the season.

The difference in this window is that we need players who can come in and make an instant impact. We only have 15 league games left, 13 by the time the window is closed.

Some of our best summer signings were made late; Iredale, Triantis and Gayle was even after the window closed. We don’t have a couple of months to spare for folk coming in to get up and running this time though so I share your feeling that there needs to be a bit of urgency about what we do. I really feel like there is an opportunity to push for third, which would have been unthinkable a few weeks back, I hope we can give ourselves the best opportunity to do so.

[evy]

I don't think I'm the only one with serious concerns about the people currently running the club, but if you're happy enough that the current run of good form absolves them of all blame, then that's fine.

In regards to your other point, I'm of the belief that the sooner we get our targets in the better.

The league is so tight that the importance of potentially better players, greater depth, quicker integration etc, could be vital come the end of the season.

I'm not naive enough to think this is necessarily an easy process, but given the state we were in only 6/8 weeks ago, I'd have liked to have seen us further down the line than we currently are.

There will be success and failure both early and late in the window, let's just hope I am proved wrong come the end of the season.

Do tell, how far down the line are we with target signings? There must be some insight on your part to make that statement.

Maybe signings are near, but we're just not telling all and sundry until they happen? Maybe they're not as previous targets rejected moves/went elsewhere? Maye none have been identified as good enough and available?

[Chorley Hibee]

Do tell, how far down the line are we with target signings? There must be some insight on your part to make that statement.

Maybe signings are near, but we're just not telling all and sundry until they happen? Maybe they're not as previous targets rejected moves/went elsewhere? Maye none have been identified as good enough and available?

I'd have like to have seen a signing or two already made by now, and hopefully them integrated into the squad for this weekend.

Whilst that is still possible, I don't think it's a ridiculous assumption that we'll be starting this weekend without any further additions.

[Smartie]

I don't think I'm the only one with serious concerns about the people currently running the club, but if you're happy enough that the current run of good form absolves them of all blame, then that's fine.

In regards to your other point, I'm of the belief that the sooner we get our targets in the better.

The league is so tight that the importance of potentially better players, greater depth, quicker integration etc, could be vital come the end of the season.

I'm not naive enough to think this is necessarily an easy process, but given the state we were in only 6/8 weeks ago, I'd have liked to have seen us further down the line than we currently are.

There will be success and failure both early and late in the window, let's just hope I am proved wrong come the end of the season.

Where I definitely agree with you is that with the league being tight, a good transfer window this January could make a fairly drastic impact - an excellent season from a diabolical start is actually well within our grasp if we get this right. Hibs have zero credit in the bank when it comes to handling transfer windows so as each day goes by with nothing happening and we get closer to the panic zone, I think folk have every right to be concerned. We've got previous, plenty, and we've all got the scars from that.

Where I maybe have some sympathy for Hibs is in the evaluation of what exactly needs done. Our bench looks terrible - but do we improve that by signing better players to sit on the bench or by signing solid players to compete for starting places? What sort of budget do we have available, what sorts of players are available? The usual "market only busies up later" nonsense is being proven to be nonsense by the clubs who obviously feel like they need to be out there doing business actually being out there doing business. But I'm finding it hard to decide whether we're terrible, great, inconsistent, streaky or average right now. The season so far is tricky to appraise and how to markedly improve the first XI whilst acknowledging that strategically Hibs have earmarked a bit of a clear out and radical reshaping in the summer makes it hard to identify exactly what Hibs should be doing, all the trickier whilst our form is undeniably good. And even having started by saying "our bench looks terrible" - both NMW and Levitt have in recent weeks come into a decent side and whilst it would be stretching to say they shone, at least they came in, put in a shift and made acceptable contributions to the games they came into.

Our current injury problems muddy the waters even further - look at the players we were missing from our spine, the number of strikers, and yet still managed a good performance and win against Motherwell at the weekend. Without being able to pinpoint exactly what needs done in the window, it becomes harder to criticise specifically what Hibs are not doing relative to what they should be doing - unlike multiple years when they could have been slaughtered for not fixing that bloody midfield etc when it was screaming out for improvement.

[BS44]

I'd have like to have seen a signing or two already made by now, and hopefully them integrated into the squad for this weekend.

Whilst that is still possible, I don't think it's a ridiculous assumption that we'll be starting this weekend without any further additions.

I think your real issue is that Hibs no longer leak news like a sieve. I'm sure you don't want the club to be signing any old dross, seeing that has been our issue for years.

[007]

Honestly give it a rest…..

The turnaround in the team the last 6 weeks has been brilliant, fighting for everything, fans getting right behind the team. Going to Easter road now is enjoyable again.

Bowie back is like a new signing,
Miko and newell back soon.

Stop panicking and putting the team down.

I’m sure they are maybe waiting for the right player (s) to become available

Our rivals might be signing poor players we don’t know.

If they arent first team starters we don’t need them imo

I agree.

Where we are now compared to about 2 months ago means less work requires to be done this window than we usually end up doing in January.

[007]

If you don't like a discussion and differing opinions,then perhaps this forum isn't the place for you.

So no, I'll not "give it a rest".

It seems more like you are the one who doesn't like a discussion and differing opinions.

[Chorley Hibee]

Where I definitely agree with you is that with the league being tight, a good transfer window this January could make a fairly drastic impact - an excellent season from a diabolic start is actually well within our grasp if we get this right. Hibs have zero credit in the bank when it comes to handling transfer windows so as each day goes by with nothing happening and we get closer to the panic zone, I think folk have every right to be concerned. We've got previous, plenty, and we've all got the scars from that.

Where I maybe have some sympathy for Hibs is in the evaluation of what exactly needs done. Our bench looks terrible - but do we improve that by signing better players to sit on the bench or by signing solid players to compete for starting places? What sort of budget do we have available, what sorts of players are available? The usual "market only busies up later" nonsense is being proven to be nonsense by the clubs who obviously feel like they need to be out there doing business actually being out there doing business. But I'm finding it hard to decide whether we're terrible, great, inconsistent, streaky or average right now. The season so far is tricky to appraise and how to markedly improve the first XI whilst acknowledging that strategically Hibs have earmarked a bit of a clear out and radical reshaping in the summer makes it hard to identify exactly what Hibs should be doing, all the trickier whilst our form is undeniably good. And even having started by saying "our bench looks terrible" - both NMW and Levitt have in recent weeks come into a decent side and whilst it would be stretching to say they shone, at least they came in, put in a shift and made acceptable contributions to the games they came into.

Our current injury problems muddy the waters even further - look at the players we were missing from our spine, the number of strikers, and yet still managed a good performance and win against Motherwell at the weekend. Without being able to pinpoint exactly what needs done in the window, it becomes harder to criticise specifically what Hibs are not doing relative to what they should be doing - unlike multiple years when they could have been slaughtered for not fixing that bloody midfield etc when it was screaming out for improvement.

Good and fair points as always.

I'm still concerned that we are potentially placing a lot of faith in players who (whilst doing well now) have a long history of letting us down.

Add that to the faith in a few aging players, some players prone to injury, and players returning from long term injury, and I worry that we're trying to hobble to the summer, when a real challenge for third and a cup could yet still be made.

This is potentially the final year of automatic group stage European football too.

As you rightly state, we're scarred by the past, and I need convincing that the leopards have changed their spots.

[Chorley Hibee]

It seems more like you are the one who doesn't like a discussion and differing opinions.

I don't agree.

I've been more than amicable throughout, and well aware that I'll have a different opinion from most on here.

Some don't enjoy others being critical or negative, and that's fine, but telling others to "give it a rest" or more, isn't adding much to the discussion.

[Shrekko]

I agree.

Where we are now compared to about 2 months ago means less work requires to be done this window than we usually end up doing in January.

At the moment we're the 3rd best team in the league and a lot of that is to do with the togetherness of the players and the fact that a few of them are finding their feet or just regaining their form and confidence. A mass influx of new players could actually potentially upset that.

We have Expetita, Newell, Myko, Youan and Bowie to come back- most of them would be considered 'first picks', so how many players do people think we need in a window that's traditionally tough to find upgrades?

Personally I think we would ideally want a good goalie and possibly a striker and a right-back. If we get a few more of the wage bill and even a couple of quality additions I'll be happy.

[Since90+2]

The time to judge the January transfer window is at the end of the month, not at the start or in the middle.

[Hibees1973]

Another one who doesn't like differing opinions and demands that we all tow the party line.

There is plenty of evidence of Hibs leaving it too late to sign players, and plenty of evidence of us signing the dregs of a closing transfer window.

We've spent most of this season trying to offload a bus load of them for a start.

I know nothing, but you (and others), of course, know that all these signings made by everyone else are useless panic buys that will make no difference whatsoever.

Let's hope I'm wrong and you're correct.

However, I still don't have the faith in the people running the club that others do.

We have been told things have changed. What other choice do we have.

The club lost close to £3.6m in the last accounts. We will have to accept that the squad is bloated, with a number of players still out on loan or still here and getting very little game time.

This change is likely to result in a less frenetic window this time with only a couple of ins/outs. Kensell is on record as saying that this years accounts will be much better. Personally, I'm not sure how this will be the case given we sacked another managerial group, spent money on Bowie, not received any huge transfer fees and the club likely to be paying a fair chunk of the wages of the players out on loan or of no use to us.

As others have said, Bowie & Newell will improve us when they are back.

I would like to see us prioritising a goalkeeper in this window. One who is not a stop gap who will actually make saves and gain us points.

Apart from this I'm relaxed.

Think you will have to reign it in Chorley and be patient. You are likely to see a more active and measured window from us in the summer when we can finally move on the under performers or guys whose contracts are ending. Gray was quoted on Saturday that there are 15 of them.

We are still paying the price for Ian Gordon's mismanagement of recruitment in the last few years. I'm no fan of Malky but we will have to allow him and Garvan Stewart more time to sort out the mess.

[Since90+2]

At the moment we're the 3rd best team in the league and a lot of that is to do with the togetherness of the players and the fact that a few of them are finding their feet or just regaining their form and confidence. A mass influx of new players could actually potentially upset that.

We have Expetita, Newell, Myko, Youan and Bowie to come back- most of them would be considered 'first picks', so how many players do people think we need in a window that's traditionally tough to find upgrades?

Personally I think we would ideally want a good goalie and possibly a striker and a right-back. If we get a few more of the wage bill and even a couple of quality additions I'll be happy.

We're currently 6th so is a big of a stretch to say we're the 3rd best team in the league.

Form wise, yes, but if a team went on an incredible run over 6 or 7 games that was better than Celtic's, it wouldn't make them the best team in the league.

[PatHead]

The importance of this window also concerns the players who leave. If Boyle went to Australia or Auckland and Youan left it may be time for "full panic mode".

Equally if Newall's injury is worse than anticipated we are light in midfield.

I suspect that if a couple of our targets are on the fringe of their clubs first team and not getting game time then they might get loaned to us late in the window.

[Greenworld]

It is only our form that has prevented us being in the panic buying mode,if we were in the same position as we were October it would be scatter gun .Yes you may be right, David Gray's resurgence has no doubt changed the thought process at board level.

Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk

[eastmainsmsh]

The heart wants what the heart wants.

Was a typing error 😆

Sheep Linked with Hearts Forehead Lawrence shankland and ex Hearts fc Player Josh Ginelly

Sorry Forward done it again

[Jones28]

He throws a lot of stuff at the wall. Very occasionally something will stick.

TBH - I've got no problem with this. I like rumours and people sharing stuff they hear.

Hibs definitely seem to have stopped the leaks though, meaning I wonder who they were coming from?

On that point I wonder if Malky has played a part in that. Kensall was known for being very loose lipped, maybe him being less involved in transfer activity is behind it.

[erin go bragh]

At the moment we're the 3rd best team in the league and a lot of that is to do with the togetherness of the players and the fact that a few of them are finding their feet or just regaining their form and confidence. A mass influx of new players could actually potentially upset that.

We have Expetita, Newell, Myko, Youan and Bowie to come back- most of them would be considered 'first picks', so how many players do people think we need in a window that's traditionally tough to find upgrades?

Personally I think we would ideally want a good goalie and possibly a striker and a right-back. If we get a few more of the wage bill and even a couple of quality additions I'll be happy.
We're desperately in need of a creative midfielder too.

[Donegal Hibby]

I think some folk are getting a bit impatient/ agitated that we haven’t made any signings and the fact Aberdeen and hertz have isn’t helping though the circumstances are different in Aberdeen have been in free fall and hertz have just been ****.

Our circumstances are different in we have improved considerably and have players coming back and don’t need to panic in getting players in , it’s more important we get the right players in and if that takes a bit longer then so be it ….

I’m convinced we will sign a 2 / 3 players but for now we need to chill and wait till we do 👍

[Ray_]

I don't think I'm the only one with serious concerns about the people currently running the club, but if you're happy enough that the current run of good form absolves them of all blame, then that's fine.

In regards to your other point, I'm of the belief that the sooner we get our targets in the better.

The league is so tight that the importance of potentially better players, greater depth, quicker integration etc, could be vital come the end of the season.

I'm not naive enough to think this is necessarily an easy process, but given the state we were in only 6/8 weeks ago, I'd have liked to have seen us further down the line than we currently are.

There will be success and failure both early and late in the window, let's just hope I am proved wrong come the end of the season.

They have a new guy from Bournemouth in to run recruitment, it would be good to give him a go first.

[Shrekko]

We're desperately in need of a creative midfielder too.

If an x-factor type midfielder player was available I wouldn't say no, but we are still managing to score loads of goals at present.

[Springbank]

Keeping in mind the route to European riches this year is via the Scottish Cup, not 3rd, if you can set up a squad that can win the cup

Dundee Utd likely to go out this weekend (away at Dundee)

Aberdeen - if they go a goal down to Elgin, based on last weekend's game vs a poor Hearts team - well, that would be Darvel-esque viewing.

We've got a great chance to get through (I'd still start with a strong starting Xi and make changes later)

Hearts and Rangers got the two weakest teams in the draw (of course) so should be through this round but away from home in future rounds look very vulnerable

Celtic are the strong favourites, but the next 2 rounds of the cup coincide with huge European ties - traditionally when they struggle in the Cup (ie ICT knocked them out the Scottish right after they won at Liverpool in Europe etc)

Altogether, a very winnable prospect this year, compared to most years...

[Joe6-2]

To June next year

👍

[B.H.F.C]

Keeping in mind the route to European riches this year is via the Scottish Cup, not 3rd, if you can set up a squad that can win the cup

Dundee Utd likely to go out this weekend (away at Dundee)

Aberdeen - if they go a goal down to Elgin, based on last weekend's game vs a poor Hearts team - well, that would be Darvel-esque viewing.

We've got a great chance to get through (I'd still start with a strong starting Xi and make changes later)

Hearts and Rangers got the two weakest teams in the draw (of course) so should be through this round but away from home in future rounds look very vulnerable

Celtic are the strong favourites, but the next 2 rounds of the cup coincide with huge European ties - traditionally when they struggle in the Cup (ie ICT knocked them out the Scottish right after they won at Liverpool in Europe etc)

Altogether, a very winnable prospect this year, compared to most years...

The route is the same as every year. It’s just that the cup winners have already qualified for Europe via their league position in previous years.

Agree though, the cup is far more open this year.

[JohnM1875]

Keeping in mind the route to European riches this year is via the Scottish Cup, not 3rd, if you can set up a squad that can win the cup

Dundee Utd likely to go out this weekend (away at Dundee)

Aberdeen - if they go a goal down to Elgin, based on last weekend's game vs a poor Hearts team - well, that would be Darvel-esque viewing.

We've got a great chance to get through (I'd still start with a strong starting Xi and make changes later)

Hearts and Rangers got the two weakest teams in the draw (of course) so should be through this round but away from home in future rounds look very vulnerable

Celtic are the strong favourites, but the next 2 rounds of the cup coincide with huge European ties - traditionally when they struggle in the Cup (ie ICT knocked them out the Scottish right after they won at Liverpool in Europe etc)

Altogether, a very winnable prospect this year, compared to most years...

Route to European riches has always been the Scottish Cup, it just goes to third place if The winner of the Scottish Cup is already in Europe, which is usually the case as the uglies tend to win the Cup.

Also think that third place (or SC winner) is still guaranteed group stage football, though this is the last time for that, at least for a year or two.

[Stuart93]

Mon hibs do something

Teams around us doing business

[Mcbizz1998]

Keeping in mind the route to European riches this year is via the Scottish Cup, not 3rd, if you can set up a squad that can win the cup

Dundee Utd likely to go out this weekend (away at Dundee)

Aberdeen - if they go a goal down to Elgin, based on last weekend's game vs a poor Hearts team - well, that would be Darvel-esque viewing.

We've got a great chance to get through (I'd still start with a strong starting Xi and make changes later)

Hearts and Rangers got the two weakest teams in the draw (of course) so should be through this round but away from home in future rounds look very vulnerable

Celtic are the strong favourites, but the next 2 rounds of the cup coincide with huge European ties - traditionally when they struggle in the Cup (ie ICT knocked them out the Scottish right after they won at Liverpool in Europe etc)

Altogether, a very winnable prospect this year, compared to most years...

Both Brechin and Fraserburgh are higher up the football pyramid than Clydebank. Fair to say we have an easier draw than either of the sets of Huns.

[HoboHarry]

Keeping in mind the route to European riches this year is via the Scottish Cup, not 3rd, if you can set up a squad that can win the cup

Dundee Utd likely to go out this weekend (away at Dundee)

Aberdeen - if they go a goal down to Elgin, based on last weekend's game vs a poor Hearts team - well, that would be Darvel-esque viewing.

We've got a great chance to get through (I'd still start with a strong starting Xi and make changes later)

Hearts and Rangers got the two weakest teams in the draw (of course) so should be through this round but away from home in future rounds look very vulnerable

Celtic are the strong favourites, but the next 2 rounds of the cup coincide with huge European ties - traditionally when they struggle in the Cup (ie ICT knocked them out the Scottish right after they won at Liverpool in Europe etc)

Altogether, a very winnable prospect this year, compared to most years...
I admire your confidence in my home town team but sounds a wee bit too good to be true :greengrin

[Since452]

Keeping in mind the route to European riches this year is via the Scottish Cup, not 3rd, if you can set up a squad that can win the cup

Dundee Utd likely to go out this weekend (away at Dundee)

Aberdeen - if they go a goal down to Elgin, based on last weekend's game vs a poor Hearts team - well, that would be Darvel-esque viewing.

We've got a great chance to get through (I'd still start with a strong starting Xi and make changes later)

Hearts and Rangers got the two weakest teams in the draw (of course) so should be through this round but away from home in future rounds look very vulnerable

Celtic are the strong favourites, but the next 2 rounds of the cup coincide with huge European ties - traditionally when they struggle in the Cup (ie ICT knocked them out the Scottish right after they won at Liverpool in Europe etc)

Altogether, a very winnable prospect this year, compared to most years...

I'd say Dundee United are likely to go through. Dundee **** the bed whenever they play them.

[Percy Vere]

I don't think I'm the only one with serious concerns about the people currently running the club, but if you're happy enough that the current run of good form absolves them of all blame, then that's fine.

In regards to your other point, I'm of the belief that the sooner we get our targets in the better.

The league is so tight that the importance of potentially better players, greater depth, quicker integration etc, could be vital come the end of the season.

I'm not naive enough to think this is necessarily an easy process, but given the state we were in only 6/8 weeks ago, I'd have liked to have seen us further down the line than we currently are.

There will be success and failure both early and late in the window, let's just hope I am proved wrong come the end of the season.

I believe they will have targets but often there has to be movement at both ends (as it were).
we need a few away on loan, sold or released and then we hopefully fill a few places with quality first team options. I totally agree that the players returning will give us more strength and depth but we are only ever an injury or two away from difficulties.
I'm also hoping we see Dylan Levitt stay and make a place for him in the first team.
If we bring in two or three quality players this window I reckon we will push on to 3rd or 4th.
GGTTH

[The Modfather]

The difference in this window is that we need players who can come in and make an instant impact. We only have 15 league games left, 13 by the time the window is closed.

Some of our best summer signings were made late; Iredale, Triantis and Gayle was even after the window closed. We don’t have a couple of months to spare for folk coming in to get up and running this time though so I share your feeling that there needs to be a bit of urgency about what we do. I really feel like there is an opportunity to push for third, which would have been unthinkable a few weeks back, I hope we can give ourselves the best opportunity to do so.

I think it’s also worth remembering those fine margins and how quickly they can change. For all they went against us earlier in the season they are currently going for us during this run. 2 penalties against Ross County, 10 man Killie, 10 man St Johnstone, penalty against Rangers, penalty against Motherwell.

I can’t work out how to feel about this team. It’s more than the sum of its parts, which is even more head scratching when some of those parts have such glaring deficiencies and are so up and down. I also can’t work out the talking up of this team while, as an example, talking down the likes of Dundee Utd and how they are “lucky” and “their bubble will burst soon”. Is that the perception of our team from outside too?

I would be looking at, in order (and subject to what happens with Youan etc), a creative midfielder, a new RWB, new GK, new CB. Unless it’s a Maolida level loan I’d be less inclined to bring in loans to pad the squad out. I’m hoping we have started to look for upgrades on Smith, Rocky & Ohora, Miller & Cadden and Campbell. If we need to wait until the summer for them then so be it.

Alternatively, Hibs have, predictably, wasted the opportunity of the guaranteed riches of Europe. This is the last season it’s on offer so perhaps the time to push the boat out for a push at 3rd. Now being the time to spend to accumulate and catch Aberdeen/Dundee Utd? Which makes a proper rebuild in the summer that much easier.

[Col2]

Always rated Josh Ginnelly

[Centre Hawf]

Always rated Josh Ginnelly

He's a good wee player but he also only really did it in his final season at Hearts. Even since leaving he's basically struggled for fitness again and hasn't kicked on.

[Donegal Hibby]

I'd say Dundee United are likely to go through. Dundee **** the bed whenever they play them.

It’s a derby and both teams will be up for it , personally I think it could go either way.

[Greenbeard]

I believe they will have targets but often there has to be movement at both ends (as it were).
we need a few away on loan, sold or released and then we hopefully fill a few places with quality first team options. I totally agree that the players returning will give us more strength and depth but we are only ever an injury or two away from difficulties.
I'm also hoping we see Dylan Levitt stay and make a place for him in the first team.
If we bring in two or three quality players this window I reckon we will push on to 3rd or 4th.
GGTTH
Please no. One swallow and all that. God forbid he shines v Clydebank and gets to stay. He's got way too many black marks and invisible performances to have that rectified by a reasonable 60 minutes v a crap 'Well team and a side as lowly as Clydebank. He's just not good enough, or a hard enough worker, when it really matters.

[Iain G]

Always rated Josh Ginnelly

His dad Gino was even tastier

[CraigHibee]

His dad Gino was even tastier

:agree: tutti frutti :greengrin

[JimboHibs]

Keeping in mind the route to European riches this year is via the Scottish Cup, not 3rd, if you can set up a squad that can win the cup

Dundee Utd likely to go out this weekend (away at Dundee)

Aberdeen - if they go a goal down to Elgin, based on last weekend's game vs a poor Hearts team - well, that would be Darvel-esque viewing.

We've got a great chance to get through (I'd still start with a strong starting Xi and make changes later)

Hearts and Rangers got the two weakest teams in the draw (of course) so should be through this round but away from home in future rounds look very vulnerable

Celtic are the strong favourites, but the next 2 rounds of the cup coincide with huge European ties - traditionally when they struggle in the Cup (ie ICT knocked them out the Scottish right after they won at Liverpool in Europe etc)

Altogether, a very winnable prospect this year, compared to most years...

Playing fantasy football in your head with some of your comment.

[04Sauzee]

Sky Sports Journo

Rangers are working on a deal to sign Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron.

The 22-year-old is out of contract at Dens Park at the end of this season.

Dundee would be due a compensation fee if he moves to Ibrox once his current deal ends.

(w/@SahilJaidka)

#RFC #DFC

[Springbank]

I admire your confidence in my home town team but sounds a wee bit too good to be true :greengrin

May be... but sitting top 3 in their division, at home, in the pit of winter, and Aberdeen on a terrible run, trying to bed in guys who are new to the Scottish game, at Elgin away... I just think, if city go a goal up, it's a proper test of character for the Dons (here's hoping)

[Springbank]

Playing fantasy football in your head with some of your comment.

Let's see shall we... [and isn't speculating part of the magic of a cup?]

Admittedly I'm the sort who thought in the 2015/16 championship season that getting Raith meant our name was on the cup
Then the Cummings and Hanlon goals at Tynecastle had you thinking this really is the year
Knocking out the holders after dumping hearts
Squeezing past United with a debutant keeper who was so far out of shape (that day) it all seemed like fantasy football then too.
And going 1-0, 1-1, 1-2 (oh not again), then 2-2, 3-2

I don't mind a spot of prediction & fantasy football in the cup (guilty)

[Since452]

May be... but sitting top 3 in their division, at home, in the pit of winter, and Aberdeen on a terrible run, trying to bed in guys who are new to the Scottish game, at Elgin away... I just think, if city go a goal up, it's a proper test of character for the Dons (here's hoping)

Aberdeen are now celebrating penalty saves like wins so if ever there was a time for Elgin to do a Darvil it's this weekend.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Confirmed in (0):
N/A

Confirmed new contracts (1):
Rudi Molotnikov (four and a half years)

Confirmed returned from loan (3):
Murray Aiken
Reuben McAllister
Rory Whittaker

Confirmed out (2):
Jake Doyle-Hayes
Josh O'Connor (Crusaders)

Confirmed out on loan (1):
Nohan Kenneh (Ross County)

Rumoured in:
Zander Clark (goalkeeper, Hearts)
Cameron Dawson (goalkeeper, Rotherham)
Jose Pleguezuelo (defender, Plymouth)
Calvin Ramsay (defender, Liverpool)
Kelle Roos (goalkeeper, Triestina)
Nectarios Triantis, permanent
Dylan Vente, loan return

Rumoured new contracts:
Rocky Bushiri
Lewis Miller

Rumoured out:
Luke Amos
Mykola Kuharevich (loan return)
Josh Landers (West Ham)
Dylan Levitt (Wrexham)
Harry McKirdy
Nathan Moriah-Welsh
Elie Youan

Did Ramsay not head to Kille?

[AlbertK86]

Did Ramsay not head to Kille?

Yep - signed until end of the season


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[tonyrougier123]

Rangers in for lyall Cameron sky sports news

[Callum_62]

Rangers in for lyall Cameron sky sports newsHe's no where near the standard rangers should be signing imo

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[The Spaceman]

He's no where near the standard rangers should be signing imo

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It’ll just be to stop the rest of us from getting / playing him. Same old.

[Greenbeard]

He's no where near the standard rangers should be signing imo

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The more "sub-standard" signings they make the better.

[tonyrougier123]

He's no where near the standard rangers should be signing imo

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I think rangers fans would agree also.

[Centre Hawf]

He's no where near the standard rangers should be signing imo

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It's Scott Wright and Connor Barron all over. They'll sign him for free, he helps the homegrown quota to pad out the squad depth wise. He plays a few years and will end up moving for £1m because he's gotten a few caps and played in Europe.

[weecounty hibby]

Every other club in Scotland should be delighted that the hun are looking at Cameron, if he had 3 years on his contract and woukd cist 3 or 4 milkion they wouldn't be in for him. They are now shopping in the same place as the rest of us with the occasional dip into the luxury brands. Celtic could win 20 in a row, and that is a depressing thought as well

[tamig]

Another one who doesn't like differing opinions and demands that we all tow the party line.

There is plenty of evidence of Hibs leaving it too late to sign players, and plenty of evidence of us signing the dregs of a closing transfer window.

We've spent most of this season trying to offload a bus load of them for a start.

I know nothing, but you (and others), of course, know that all these signings made by everyone else are useless panic buys that will make no difference whatsoever.

Let's hope I'm wrong and you're correct.

However, I still don't have the faith in the people running the club that others do.

We’ve got a very highly rated guy running our recruitment now. That gives me a bit of reassurance that this window won’t go the way of many others. Look back at a few of your posts on this thread. Full of doubts. As I said, you know nothing. You ignore the present and hark back to the past all the time. Its a new chapter for us recruitment wise. Maybe try thinking something good might come from that for a change.

[Hibernian2105]

Anyone heard anything about the Jani Atanasov rumour? Cracowia midfielder?

[JohnM1875]

Anyone heard anything about the Jani Atanasov rumour? Cracowia midfielder?

... Go on

[hibsbollah]

He's no where near the standard rangers should be signing imo

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Agree, not nearly rubbish enough .

[Winston Ingram]

Rangers in for lyall Cameron sky sports news

He's out of contract in the summer but saying that, he's only 22 so they'll have to pay a dev fee

[theonlywayisup]

Anyone heard anything about the Jani Atanasov rumour? Cracowia midfielder?

One and half year left on his current contract.

[JohnM1875]

He's out of contract in the summer but saying that, he's only 22 so they'll have to pay a dev fee

Admittedly I've no idea how it works, but I'm guessing if he signs a pre-contract Dundee would prefer he stays til the end of the season. Both to keep the player and then they'll probably get more of a development fee for him then a transfer fee Huns would be willing to pay on Jan.

[Hibernian2105]

... Go on

His agency has recently followed hibs as well as the owner of the company. He’s their biggest player.

He posted quite a cryptic (could be nothing at all) tweet and there are plenty tweets in polish suggesting he’s away to a foreign club

[Stuart93]

His agency has recently followed hibs as well as the owner of the company. He’s their biggest player.

He posted quite a cryptic (could be nothing at all) tweet and there are plenty tweets in polish suggesting he’s away to a foreign club

Have you lifted this from the private board? It’s almost word for word

[Donegal Hibby]

Anyone heard anything about the Jani Atanasov rumour? Cracowia midfielder?

Just after checking up on him and appears going by this he’s a DM …

https://youtu.be/If_jpAYH5-Q?si=bdQw3gVgH9VJY_nv

Then again maybe he’s a AM or just a player who can play both positions ….

https://youtu.be/5p8KTGL7fSQ?si=18sUy88kgLqhwoeB

[JohnM1875]

His agency has recently followed hibs as well as the owner of the company. He’s their biggest player.

He posted quite a cryptic (could be nothing at all) tweet and there are plenty tweets in polish suggesting he’s away to a foreign club

Very interesting. I've had a quick look at his profile on Transfermarkt and I am absolutely all for it!

Get him signed.

[Joe6-2]

I think rangers fans would agree also.

That weird manager of theirs says he’s not a quitter, he’s a winner 🤭

[Victor]

That weird manager of theirs says he’s not a quitter, he’s a winner [emoji2960]

Came across as a bit of a f•••y. Dead man walking.

[ruthven_raiders]

We’ve got a very highly rated guy running our recruitment now. That gives me a bit of reassurance that this window won’t go the way of many others. Look back at a few of your posts on this thread. Full of doubts. As I said, you know nothing. You ignore the present and hark back to the past all the time. Its a new chapter for us recruitment wise. Maybe try thinking something good might come from that for a change.

Absolutely agree with you, this window is not the best to get quality, that's why SDG said it would be towards the end of the window when players start to become available and things open up, we are not jumping in and getting any player for the sake of it. Players coming back from injury, we need a couple of quality additions this window. Definitely one should be a goalkeeper....

[Cabbage-Patch]

Just after checking up on him and appears going by this he’s a DM …

https://youtu.be/If_jpAYH5-Q?si=bdQw3gVgH9VJY_nv

Then again maybe he’s a AM or just a player who can play both positions ….

https://youtu.be/5p8KTGL7fSQ?si=18sUy88kgLqhwoeB

Finally a rumor! Centre mid and established international player. His agent started following hibs today. Could just be trying to get his name in the mix and dosent mean we are interested i guess but it's a rumour!

[King Cosell]

Anyone heard anything about the Jani Atanasov rumour? Cracowia midfielder?

Definitely on the move, saying his goodbyes on Twitter/X. He follows Trapanovski, the Dundee Utd player.

[04Sauzee]

Lyall Cameron back in the Dundee squad this evening but only makes the bench.

[Wilson]

Lyall Cameron back in the Dundee squad this evening but only makes the bench.

Carpenter as well? Sign him up hibs!

[djw80!]

He's being strongly linked with Korona Kielce in Poland also.

[Tambo]

Just after checking up on him and appears going by this he’s a DM …

https://youtu.be/If_jpAYH5-Q?si=bdQw3gVgH9VJY_nv

Then again maybe he’s a AM or just a player who can play both positions ….

https://youtu.be/5p8KTGL7fSQ?si=18sUy88kgLqhwoeB

Transfermarket has him as a DM CM and AM, going off his stats it's looks like he's been playing as a DM?

[007]

Definitely on the move, saying his goodbyes on Twitter/X. He follows Trapanovski, the Dundee Utd player.

If he's saying goodbyes then you'd think a deal with someone is signed but not yet announced. I cannot see the post you refer to, just a photo posted 4hrs ago of him in his North Macedonia kit.

[Devonhibs]

:aok:
Carpenter as well? Sign him up hibs!

[Donegal Hibby]

Transfermarket has him as a DM CM and AM, going off his stats it's looks like he's been playing as a DM?

Maybe can play as a No 8 ? .🤔

[Cabbage-Patch]

Very interesting. I've had a quick look at his profile on Transfermarkt and I am absolutely all for it!

Get him signed.

Had a look at his agencies other players and he certainly seems to be thier prize asset. Hope it's him we are looking at not anyone else on thier books

Seems to play both AM and DM for North Macedonia

[King Cosell]

If he's saying goodbyes then you'd think a deal with someone is signed but not yet announced. I cannot see the post you refer to, just a photo posted 4hrs ago of him in his North Macedonia kit.

The replies to that post are thanking him and wishing him good luck.

[Donegal Hibby]

Had a look at his agencies other players and he certainly seems to be thier prize asset. Hope it's him we are looking at not anyone else on thier books

Even though you don’t sound terrible optimistic about the others , is there someone else they have on their books that it could be? . Just curious .

[J-C]

Definitely on the move, saying his goodbyes on Twitter/X. He follows Trapanovski, the Dundee Utd player.

Quick look on FM( yes I know but where else can you check) looks like he can play DM, CM o AM, an all round midfielder but it says contracted to next year, FM is known to be bad for some info.

[007]

The replies to that post are thanking him and wishing him good luck.

Ah, ok thanks. Presumably they've heard something unofficial, I imagine wherever he is going it will be announced fairly soon.

[Cabbage-Patch]

Even though you don’t sound terrible optimistic about the others , is there someone else they have on their books that it could be? . Just curious .

They only have about 15 players on thier books who are mostly Macedonian players. The only other player of note i would say is Gambian Winger called Ousman Marong who plays in the Macedonian premier league. Considering we don't play wingers now I doubt we are after him

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sports-management-consulting-ltd-/beraterfirma/berater/3133

[PHeffernan]

Always rated Josh Ginnelly

Ginnelly left Hearts 18 months ago, but 2 months later in September 2023 he ruptured an Achilles tendon, only returning 2 days ago when he got on for 10 minutes.
No touch, no touch!

[AlbertK86]

Ginnelly left Hearts 18 months ago, but 2 months later in September 2023 he ruptured an Achilles tendon, only returning 2 days ago when he got on for 10 minutes.
No touch, no touch!

The sheep were suggesting he may be somebody they’re after


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[GreenCastle]

This is not a rumour but just checked and saw Will Fish only played 3 games for Cardiff since his move - been on bench as unused sub nearly every game.

[J-C]

This is not a rumour but just checked and saw Will Fish only played 3 games for Cardiff since his move - been on bench as unused sub nearly every game.

Never got the hype about him, decent CH but nothing outstanding IMHO.

[erin go bragh]

It's Scott Wright and Connor Barron all over. They'll sign him for free, he helps the homegrown quota to pad out the squad depth wise. He plays a few years and will end up moving for £1m because he's gotten a few caps and played in Europe.

Connor Barron ended up costing them 750k through a tribunal.
He is the type of player we should be signing( Dundee player)

[Unseen work]

Josh landers at the West Ham game tonight

Got to imagine he’s away

[The Modfather]

Josh landers at the West Ham game tonight

Got to imagine he’s away

Maybe he’s just another promising youngster that will disappear down south. If he had a real chance of making it though questions should be asked why we were giving McKirdy minutes instead of showing a pathway for someone like Landers IMO.

[PHeffernan]

The sheep were suggesting he may be somebody they’re after


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He's been out injured for 16 months.
Swansea will be wanting to closely manage his return so can't see Ginnelly going anywhere this month.

[Donegal Hibby]

They only have about 15 players on thier books who are mostly Macedonian players. The only other player of note i would say is Gambian Winger called Ousman Marong who plays in the Macedonian premier league. Considering we don't play wingers now I doubt we are after him

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sports-management-consulting-ltd-/beraterfirma/berater/3133

Agree with you there , looked at a few of them on utube though didn’t bother with the 40 or 37 year old … St Johnstone giving a trial to a 37 year old who played in champions league and was once subject to a 13 million bid “ Roman Eremenko “ .

[MacGruber]

Josh Mulligan proving again tonight what a good player he is. Out of contract, should be all over it

[Gordy M]

Josh Mulligan proving again tonight what a good player he is. Out of contract, should be all over it

He might be decent, but three times in the 2nd half he hasnt closed down the cross coming in......something that we are highly critical off our own players doing.

[Edinburgh Green]

Josh Mulligan proving again tonight what a good player he is. Out of contract, should be all over it

What position does he usually play for them?

[Silky]

Carpenter as well? Sign him up hibs!

Lyall Cameron's a carpenter as well? Need to nail him down!

[Gmack7]

Quick look on FM( yes I know but where else can you check) looks like he can play DM, CM o AM, an all round midfielder but it says contracted to next year, FM is known to be bad for some info.

Is Saul on the case, who's checking the flights?

[tamig]

Maybe he’s just another promising youngster that will disappear down south. If he had a real chance of making it though questions should be asked why we were giving McKirdy minutes instead of showing a pathway for someone like Landers IMO.
The few times I’ve seen the boy he’s looked a million miles off being ready for the first team.

[The Modfather]

The few times I’ve seen the boy he’s looked a million miles off being ready for the first team.

Are you talking about McKirdy or Landers? 😀 (only joking).

[tonyrougier123]

Transfermarket has him as a DM CM and AM, going off his stats it's looks like he's been playing as a DM?

Celtic were strongly linked in 2022, also scored an og against England.

[Ribs1875]

Ginnelly left Hearts 18 months ago, but 2 months later in September 2023 he ruptured an Achilles tendon, only returning 2 days ago when he got on for 10 minutes.
No touch, no touch!

He was pish, it used to piss me off when he and Toby Sibbick were getting the upper hand on us.

[Nicho87]

Gray in papers talking up Lewis Miller

Extension sounds imminent

Can see deals for
Boyle
Miller
Rocky
Cadden

[Donegal Hibby]

Gray in papers talking up Lewis Miller

Extension sounds imminent

Can see deals for
Boyle
Miller
Rocky
Cadden

I would be happy to see these sign extensions as I think they have a lot to offer our club and it would save money on transfer fees possibly in the summer if we had to replace them .

[Franck Stanton]

Hope he can also persuade Dwight Gayle to stay on for another year.

[PHeffernan]

Hope he can also persuade Dwight Gayle to stay on for another year.

Gayle is doing a great job for us at the moment but it is a big risk to give a new contract to a striker who will be 36 early next season.
Time waits for no man so, come May, I would thank both Gayle and Hoilett for their help and bring in younger replacements.
P.S. Taking up the option on Boyle would then make him our oldest player at 32.

[Murphys Touch]

I would be happy to see these sign extensions as I think they have a lot to offer our club and it would save money on transfer fees possibly in the summer if we had to replace them .

With exception of Boyle at the minute - these guys are consistently getting us mid table. Surely has to come a point where this is acknowledged and we get improvements or top 6 battles are what we are accepting.

Boyle will be 32 in April and a top earner. He will be offered reduced terms and rightly so.

[Onion]

Gray in papers talking up Lewis Miller

Extension sounds imminent

Can see deals for
Boyle
Miller
Rocky
Cadden

Apart from Boyle on a good day, all those are firmly mid-table players probably being paid top 4 wages. Bowie is the benchmark for the standard we need in each position. Yes, we'll likely have to extend some very average player contracts as place fillers, but we need to show intent by at very least targeting a few better quality players in key positions. Seen none of that so far.

[Winston Ingram]

Gray in papers talking up Lewis Miller

Extension sounds imminent

Can see deals for
Boyle
Miller
Rocky
Cadden

Really don’t see one for Cadden and I’m no sure Rocky will get one either. Mackay talked about contracts of higher earners ending this season and there’s 3 of them right there. We could get far better than Cadden and Rocky for the dough they’re on.

[gorgie greens]

I would be happy to see these sign extensions as I think they have a lot to offer our club and it would save money on transfer fees possibly in the summer if we had to replace them .

Personally I would not keep any of them

[blackpoolhibs]

Miller leaving????

[3pm]

Miller leaving????

Not disappointed.

[Nicho87]

I’d keep Boyle and Cadden

The rest overall I think haven’t shown anywhere near enough for different reasons

[Centre Hawf]

Apart from Boyle on a good day, all those are firmly mid-table players probably being paid top 4 wages. Bowie is the benchmark for the standard we need in each position. Yes, we'll likely have to extend some very average player contracts as place fillers, but we need to show intent by at very least targeting a few better quality players in key positions. Seen none of that so far.

I do know what you mean. But I think it’s fine to have mid-table players, it’s unlikely we signed a 10/15 players that are of such quality to all be considered the best in their position outside of Glasgow.


Aberdeen and Hearts’ squads that finished third were average too. They had players that wouldn’t get into our team at times but what they did have was a good consistent level throughout their squad. When they have Barrie Mackay and James Forest (at the time performing well) we had Jair to replace Elie. When Aberdeen had Miovski and Duk we had Nisbet and Hoppe.

While we should always strive to sign the best player we can at all times it’s also important that we raise the floor of the squad and have depth that can actually play and compete at this level. I think guys like Cadden and Boyle definitely do. Rocky and Miller have done so recently but both also need to nail down some consistency. I think there are good arguments to keeping them if we do.

[JohnM1875]

Miller leaving????

To go where?

[Dmas]

Need to be ruthless imo, Rocky and miller have been making basic mistakes since they came in and still are, Boyle has been a good servant but he’s on the decline and a big wage in our terms, cadden for me still good going forward suspect defensively if the manager is wanting a flat back 4 he should go, if he’s going to continue with wing backs he wouldn’t be a bad option to keep around with someone new also being signed to compete for the position

[MacGruber]

Miller leaving????

Personally would be disappointed if he is away. Makes some mistakes but been improving, been better going forward aswell of late. Wins a lot of headers in both boxes.

[JimBHibees]

Personally would be disappointed if he is away. Makes some mistakes but been improving, been better going forward aswell of late. Wins a lot of headers in both boxes.

So would I

[flash]

I like Lewis Miller but presuming Megwa is going to be involved next season then one of the out of contract right backs will move on.

Can see a fair bit of interest in him as he undoubtedly has massive potential so it wouldn't be a shock to see him leave.

[theonlywayisup]

Need to be ruthless imo, Rocky and miller have been making basic mistakes since they came in and still are, Boyle has been a good servant but he’s on the decline and a big wage in our terms, cadden for me still good going forward suspect defensively if the manager is wanting a flat back 4 he should go, if he’s going to continue with wing backs he wouldn’t be a bad option to keep around with someone new also being signed to compete for the position

I understand what you are saying, but we need to be careful not to have to completely rebuild the team for next season. Especially as there's no guarantee that those coming in will be better than those being replaced.

If you look at the team that started against Motherwell, there is a possibility that many of the players won't be here next season either because they are out of contract or are players we'd like to move on as rarely feature.

Motherwell - Rocky, Chris Cadden, Triantis, Levitt, Boyle and Gayle, plus Obita, Moriah-Welsh, McKirdy, Kwon, Hoilett, Amos, Bursik & Miller

So, only 6 out of 20 likely to be at Hibs next season, which includes young Molotnikov who probably needs some time away on loan unless he demonstrates he's ready to contribute.

So, there is a possibility we start next season with only Smith, O'Hora, Iredale, Nicky Cadden, Campbell, Newell and big Marv from recent matchday squads assuming those listed above from the Motherwell game along with Kuharevich and Youan are allowed to leave.

I don't think we should be letting all leave and then hope that we recruit better. Take the example of O'Hora and big Marv Ekpiteta, are they considered to be upgrades on Rocky, Hanlon and Fish?

[Callum_62]

Personally would be disappointed if he is away. Makes some mistakes but been improving, been better going forward aswell of late. Wins a lot of headers in both boxes.I agree to an extent

I think there's a lot more development in Miller

I'd personally be trying to keep him

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[tonyrougier123]

Hibs have a year option on millers current deal, I’d be hoping we are looking to extend that to a new package. Not the complete player but certainly still huge potential there with millsy.

[hibsforeurope]

Gray in papers talking up Lewis Miller

Extension sounds imminent

Can see deals for
Boyle
Miller
Rocky
Cadden

Signing up all 3 defenders leaves us with 7 contracted defenders next season, hardly any room for bringing in change, unless we are looking to ship on some of the currently signed up players.

[04Sauzee]

Hibs have a year option on millers current deal, I’d be hoping we are looking to extend that to a new package. Not the complete player but certainly still huge potential there with millsy.

To me it makes sense to extend his contract by 12 months , we could still sell him in the summer.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I understand what you are saying, but we need to be careful not to have to completely rebuild the team for next season. Especially as there's no guarantee that those coming in will be better than those being replaced.

If you look at the team that started against Motherwell, there is a possibility that many of the players won't be here next season either because they are out of contract or are players we'd like to move on as rarely feature.

Motherwell - Rocky, Chris Cadden, Triantis, Levitt, Boyle and Gayle, plus Obita, Moriah-Welsh, McKirdy, Kwon, Hoilett, Amos, Bursik & Miller

So, only 6 out of 20 likely to be at Hibs next season, which includes young Molotnikov who probably needs some time away on loan unless he demonstrates he's ready to contribute.

So, there is a possibility we start next season with only Smith, O'Hora, Iredale, Nicky Cadden, Campbell, Newell and big Marv from recent matchday squads assuming those listed above from the Motherwell game along with Kuharevich and Youan are allowed to leave.

I don't think we should be letting all leave and then hope that we recruit better. Take the example of O'Hora and big Marv Ekpiteta, are they considered to be upgrades on Rocky, Hanlon and Fish?

Given how crap we’ve been for years I’d suggest we need to make sure we’re rebuilding most of the team next season rather than being careful to make sure we don’t have to.

Boyle is showing more than enough for a new deal. All the others should be gone and we can let Garvin Stewart take the wheel on recruitment imo. It would seem almost a bit pointless to bring him in if we’re going to keep extending the deals of failed players.

[GreenCastle]

I like Lewis Miller but presuming Megwa is going to be involved next season then one of the out of contract right backs will move on.

Can see a fair bit of interest in him as he undoubtedly has massive potential so it wouldn't be a shock to see him leave.

Don’t think Megwa is the answer. Stevenson wasn’t the tallest but was better in the air - Megwa I feel isn’t the strongest in the air and that’s an issue.

One thing Miller does have is real athleticism - he wins a lot of headers for Hibs and I think he is actually better going forward than defending but I’ve seen worse.

[tonyrougier123]

Signing up all 3 defenders leaves us with 7 contracted defenders next season, hardly any room for bringing in change, unless we are looking to ship on some of the currently signed up players.

To be competitive we will need options mind, the amount of games we will face when we get Europe will be ridiculous 😝. Best we recruit wisely and double up in positions whilst maintaining a certain standard, for me I use gerrards rangers as an example, doubled up with quality in most positions and that brought about success for his team, and inevitably money on players sold after the success. If we are going to compete we need a rotational system with quality because it’s clear we have a shape that works going forward it’s how we supplement and tweak that to our advantage.

[tonyrougier123]

To me it makes sense to extend his contract by 12 months , we could still sell him in the summer.

I’d be looking at adding a year to that for sure. Big strong athletic laddie believe me there’s no failure in giving millsy a decent length of contract imo.

[Since452]

Don’t think Megwa is the answer. Stevenson wasn’t the tallest but was better in the air - Megwa I feel isn’t the strongest in the air and that’s an issue.

One thing Miller does have is real athleticism - he wins a lot of headers for Hibs and I think he is actually better going forward than defending but I’ve seen worse.

I'd be looking to move Megwa on. Nowhere near good enough for the Hibs first team. If he wasn't our player already you wouldn't be looking at him now thinking we should sign him.

[hibsforeurope]

To be competitive we will need options mind, the amount of games we will face when we get Europe will be ridiculous 😝. Best we recruit wisely and double up in positions whilst maintaining a certain standard, for me I use gerrards rangers as an example, doubled up with quality in most positions and that brought about success for his team, and inevitably money on players sold after the success. If we are going to compete we need a rotational system with quality because it’s clear we have a shape that works going forward it’s how we supplement and tweak that to our advantage.

I agree we need to build depth of quality players if we are to improve but how many quality players can we realistically afford to carry. you could argue that Sevco couldn't afford that model so there's no way we will be able to.

[hibees 7062]

StJohnstone signing Roman Eremenko

[Paulie Walnuts]

I'd be looking to move Megwa on. Nowhere near good enough for the Hibs first team. If he wasn't our player already you wouldn't be looking at him now thinking we should sign him.

I’ve not seen Megwa for a while now but he was certainly nowhere near ready this time last year.

[Paulie Walnuts]

StJohnstone signing Roman Eremenko

Looks like he was a player back in his day. 37 now though so likely to be average to poor.

[Dmas]

I understand what you are saying, but we need to be careful not to have to completely rebuild the team for next season. Especially as there's no guarantee that those coming in will be better than those being replaced.

If you look at the team that started against Motherwell, there is a possibility that many of the players won't be here next season either because they are out of contract or are players we'd like to move on as rarely feature.

Motherwell - Rocky, Chris Cadden, Triantis, Levitt, Boyle and Gayle, plus Obita, Moriah-Welsh, McKirdy, Kwon, Hoilett, Amos, Bursik & Miller

So, only 6 out of 20 likely to be at Hibs next season, which includes young Molotnikov who probably needs some time away on loan unless he demonstrates he's ready to contribute.

So, there is a possibility we start next season with only Smith, O'Hora, Iredale, Nicky Cadden, Campbell, Newell and big Marv from recent matchday squads assuming those listed above from the Motherwell game along with Kuharevich and Youan are allowed to leave.

I don't think we should be letting all leave and then hope that we recruit better. Take the example of O'Hora and big Marv Ekpiteta, are they considered to be upgrades on Rocky, Hanlon and Fish?

So far they are not upgrades, I wouldn’t say they are any worse either, big Marv was coming onto a game, O’hora looked far more comfortable on Saturday, but you can’t sit there and tell me the last 4/5 years has been good enough? these players have played there part in that thr last 10 games don’t change 4 seasons worth of poor performances and League placings, the only way to improve is to move these guys on and use the wage to hopefully recruit better, yes it’s a gamble and it’s hard to have faith we are capable of it judging by our recruitment over the same period however we can’t beat the recruitment for being rubbish whilst thinking about offering at least 2 guys signed by rubbish recruitment new deals

[J-C]

Don’t think Megwa is the answer. Stevenson wasn’t the tallest but was better in the air - Megwa I feel isn’t the strongest in the air and that’s an issue.

One thing Miller does have is real athleticism - he wins a lot of headers for Hibs and I think he is actually better going forward than defending but I’ve seen worse.

I thought they seen Megwa as a DM and not RB.

[easty]

I thought they seen Megwa as a DM and not RB.

Is he playing RB or DM for Partick just now?

[J-C]

Is he playing RB or DM for Partick just now?

I think RB as it's where he's natural, there was talk on here that they seen him as a DM moving forward.

[easty]

I think RB as it's where he's natural, there was talk on here that they seen him as a DM moving forward.

If we want him to play DM then he should've been loaned to a team who'd play him DM.

[Donegal Hibby]

Don’t think Megwa is the answer. Stevenson wasn’t the tallest but was better in the air - Megwa I feel isn’t the strongest in the air and that’s an issue.

One thing Miller does have is real athleticism - he wins a lot of headers for Hibs and I think he is actually better going forward than defending but I’ve seen worse.

Losing either Cadden or Miller and promoting Megwa doesn’t improve us IMO

[CapitalGreen]

Losing either Cadden or Miller and promoting Megwa doesn’t improve us IMO

It’ll improve the budget that’s available, we don’t need 3 right sided defenders.

[GreenCastle]

Losing either Cadden or Miller and promoting Megwa doesn’t improve us IMO

I agree with you.

Cadden and Miller have improved this season after a shaky start.

My other concern is how Nicky Cadden will be if his brother leaves!!

[Donegal Hibby]

It’ll improve the budget that’s available, we don’t need 3 right sided defenders.

It might improve the budget but losing either Cadden or Miller and having Megwa in their place IMO significantly weakens us in that area as he’s not as good as either player .

[easty]

My other concern is how Nicky Cadden will be if his brother leaves!!

They've only ever played together this season, I don't think they have to come as a pair.

[Donegal Hibby]

I agree with you.

Cadden and Miller have improved this season after a shaky start.

My other concern is how Nicky Cadden will be if his brother leaves!!

I don’t see the point in rocking the boat when things have improved , personally I’d keep both Miller and Cadden mainly because they are better than Megwa who for me maybe lacks a physical presence too .

[bingo70]

http://sportwitness.co.uk/bournemouth-make-formal-offer-to-sign-youngster-agent-waiting-for-manchester-city-proposal/

Bournemouth competing with Man City to sign young Finnish player Matias Siltanen. He’s only 17 but played a decent amount of first team football in Finland. You’d assume he would be one they’d look to send out on loan initially. Sort of signing that would make sense to send to us as I doubt he’s premiership ready but going from first team football in Finland to under 21 football in England would be a backward step in his development.

YouTube link below, doesn’t look like physicality would be an issue, despite his age:-

https://youtu.be/FEs6pjWh4XY?si=-W6oc83aSvM6a3nZ

[Unseen work]

I think we will keep Chris Cadden due to SDG liking him and him being an experienced player in dressing room/good lad.

But to me we need to massively improve that area. I think he works hard, gets up and down the line well but just doesn’t offer a huge amount going forward or defensively.

I think right wing back is a position we could massively improve on and imo relatively easily.

Cadden as a right winger or right back is a massive no too.

Miller? Depends what day, one minute he’s brilliant and the next he’s a complete liability.

Megwa? Found the new deal a bit off, think he’ll leave to a championship team again

[The Modfather]

I don’t see the point in rocking the boat when things have improved , personally I’d keep both Miller and Cadden mainly because they are better than Megwa who for me maybe lacks a physical presence too .

Are Miller and Cadden as good as we can hope for in terms of right sided defenders when we now have Mackay & Garvan Stewart?

I don’t see the point of last seasons re-structure and appointment of Stewart if we’re simply going to worry about replacing average players because we might sign worse.

[JohnM1875]

I think we will keep Chris Cadden due to SDG liking him and him being an experienced player in dressing room/good lad.

But to me we need to massively improve that area. I think he works hard, gets up and down the line well but just doesn’t offer a huge amount going forward or defensively.

I think right wing back is a position we could massively improve on and imo relatively easily.

Cadden as a right winger or right back is a massive no too.

Miller? Depends what day, one minute he’s brilliant and the next he’s a complete liability.

Megwa? Found the new deal a bit off, think he’ll leave to a championship team again

Agree, think we absolutely need a new starter in the summer. Offering one of Cadden/Miller an extension as a squad player makes sense, definitely not both.

If I was to offer one of them it would probably be Miller, likely to make more money off him and still room to improve.

Megwa offer is making less sense by the day

[Paulie Walnuts]

Agree, think we absolutely need a new starter in the summer. Offering one of Cadden/Miller an extension as a squad player makes sense, definitely not both.

If I was to offer one of them it would probably be Miller, likely to make more money off him and still room to improve.

Megwa offer is making less sense by the day

I have no idea what Megwas contract situation was before, but I wonder if we offered him one because another team was sniffing around him and it would have got us a development fee if he went elsewhere because we’d offered him one and it’s backfired?

[Vault Boy]

Zander Clark renews at Hearts.

Daily Record running a story with our interest in Jani Atanasaov.

[Edinburgh Green]

Good news, Zander Clark signs an extension at hearts.

[GloryGlory]

Are Miller and Cadden as good as we can hope for in terms of right sided defenders when we now have Mackay & Garvan Stewart?

I don’t see the point of last seasons re-structure and appointment of Stewart if we’re simply going to worry about replacing average players because we might sign worse.

Me neither. I thought part of the medium to longer term strategy with the BKG investment was not just to improve one or two positions within the team with a couple of quality additions here and there but to also improve the overall quality of the squad, so it doesn't make sense to offer new deals to more than one or two of the existing soon-to-be out of contract players.

[Glory Lurker]

Get on with it! 😀

[CapitalGreen]

I have no idea what Megwas contract situation was before, but I wonder if we offered him one because another team was sniffing around him and it would have got us a development fee if he went elsewhere because we’d offered him one and it’s backfired?

If that were true we wouldn’t have offered him 4 years and he’d be on absolute peanuts. Can’t see that being the case.

[GloryGlory]

Zander Clark renews at Hearts.

Daily Record running a story with our interest in Jani Atanasaov.

No doubt just picked up from trawling through the posts on here.

[Spike Mandela]

Zander Clark signs two year extension at Tiny. As predicted, THE most obvious agent placed story about Hibs being interested got the desired affect.

[B.H.F.C]

Are Miller and Cadden as good as we can hope for in terms of right sided defenders when we now have Mackay & Garvan Stewart?

I don’t see the point of last seasons re-structure and appointment of Stewart if we’re simply going to worry about replacing average players because we might sign worse.

All the talk last summer was also about how this summer would be where we could really change things as well. I accept that not every player is going to be released but it would make absolutely no sense to renew two players out of the contract, who play in the same area, when we already handed a four year deal to another, albeit young player, last season. We’d be giving ourselves no opportunity to improve that area of the pitch.

[badabing67]

I'd be looking to move Megwa on. Nowhere near good enough for the Hibs first team. If he wasn't our player already you wouldn't be looking at him now thinking we should sign him.



I agree with this, apparently Keelan Adams at Falkirk is a better right back than him, we should look to swap player plus cash. But could be difficult persuading Megwa now that we have given him a contract to May 2028

[Paulie Walnuts]

If that were true we wouldn’t have offered him 4 years and he’d be on absolute peanuts. Can’t see that being the case.

That’s true :agree:

[bod]

Zander Clark signs two year extension at Tiny. As predicted, THE most obvious agent placed story about Hibs being interested got the desired affect.

if he signed for us he'd be called everything under the sun & a jambo b*****d to boot for every mistake he made.
don't think he wouldv'e made the switch TBH

[davhibby]

No doubt just picked up from trawling through the posts on here.

Scott Burns so that means he’ll be announced somewhere else this afternoon

[JohnM1875]

Scott Burns so that means he’ll be announced somewhere else this afternoon

Aw so it is! Hearts or Aberdeen bound then.

[Wilson]

Zander Clark signs two year extension at Tiny. As predicted, THE most obvious agent placed story about Hibs being interested got the desired affect.

Subby keeper for heroic bottom six minnows. Good luck with that Zander.

[badabing67]

Subby keeper for heroic bottom six minnows. Good luck with that Zander.



Or he has been told Gordon is moving upstairs

[kentao]

Zander Clark renews at Hearts.

Daily Record running a story with our interest in Jani Atanasaov.

Stevie Mallan 2.0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p8KTGL7fSQ

Some terrific goals from distance.

[Hibee Daft]

Zander is decent or was decent for this level. Lack of games time is a killer for keepers though and think its been a year maybe since hes played regularly

[Donegal Hibby]

Are Miller and Cadden as good as we can hope for in terms of right sided defenders when we now have Mackay & Garvan Stewart?

I don’t see the point of last seasons re-structure and appointment of Stewart if we’re simply going to worry about replacing average players because we might sign worse.

They shouldn’t be , we should always be looking to improve on what we have. In saying that though I don’t think losing one of Miller or Cadden and replacing them with Megwa improves us and unless we have better lined up I’d rather hang on to what we got …

I’ve been of the opinion from day one that we have to keep some of these players like the ones mentioned and the likes of Boyle , Rocky , Campbell etc , not many but a few …

My logic behind this if any is they are players that contribute and have an impact on games and by keeping some of them we are reducing the cost of the rebuilding job in the summer which I still think will be big enough and maybe quite costly too …

What we need to do is add better quality to the squad. I really don’t think gutting it totally is the answer when you see how weak our bench has been recently with four or five injuries…

[Wilson]

Or he has been told Gordon is moving upstairs

Not without a Stannah!

[yerauldda]

Stevie Mallan 2.0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p8KTGL7fSQ

Some terrific goals from distance.

Scored a couple against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico, must have something about him!

[matty_f]

Given how crap we’ve been for years I’d suggest we need to make sure we’re rebuilding most of the team next season rather than being careful to make sure we don’t have to.

Boyle is showing more than enough for a new deal. All the others should be gone and we can let Garvin Stewart take the wheel on recruitment imo. It would seem almost a bit pointless to bring him in if we’re going to keep extending the deals of failed players.

I think this is the first time in years where I’m firmly of the view that if we’re serious about improving then we need to be ruthless when it comes to keeping or letting players go.

We’re on a good run at the moment but we’ve seen how quickly that can turn and this group of players have it in them to be as bad as they are good. Ultimately unless we accept that the squad just now isn’t a third or fourth place squad then we’re going to continue to fail to hit targets.

There’s probably one or two players at the club that I would be desperate to keep and even then, that’s maybe a push.

[Since452]

I think Smiths form has made the search for a keeper less urgent. Would be little sense in Clark swapping Hearts bench for ours. We can make a change in the summer if we need to. Probably be more hassle than it was worth for Clark.

[bingo70]

I think Smiths form has made the search for a keeper less urgent. Would be little sense in Clark swapping Hearts bench for ours. We can make a change in the summer if we need to. Probably be more hassle than it was worth for Clark.

I’m still not convinced by Smith although he’s done a lot better than I expected him to so fair play to him.

I’d love us to have a match winner in goals, feels like it’s been years since we had one of them and i don’t see Smith as that.

If we’d signed Clarke I would have been fine with that but I like to think there’s better out there.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I’m still not convinced by Smith although he’s done a lot better than I expected him to so fair play to him.

I’d love us to have a match winner in goals, feels like it’s been years since we had one of them and i don’t see Smith as that.

If we’d signed Clarke I would have been fine with that but I like to think there’s better out there.

Likewise. I’m comfortable enough with Smith in goals in the same way I was comfortable enough with the likes of Mark Oxley or Matt Macey. I’m under no illusions he’s anything exceptional though and we should definitely be on the hunt for a replacement who, like you said, can win us points. Another Marciano type would be ideal.

[Joe6-2]

Or he has been told Gordon is moving upstairs

He’s in trouble if it’s the ones with no door at the top

[Cocaine&Caviar]

How far off 100 goals for Hibs is Martin Boyle? Cant be many...

[Paulie Walnuts]

How far off 100 goals for Hibs is Martin Boyle? Cant be many...

He’s on 89.

[Cocaine&Caviar]

He’s on 89.

Thanks, 11 for the remainder of the season might not be realistic.

It would be a real shame if he were to head down under sitting 2-3 away.

[Callum_62]

Thanks, 11 for the remainder of the season might not be realistic.

It would be a real shame if he were to head down under sitting 2-3 away.I expect him to get at least 5 this weekend

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Smartie]

I think this is the first time in years where I’m firmly of the view that if we’re serious about improving then we need to be ruthless when it comes to keeping or letting players go.

We’re on a good run at the moment but we’ve seen how quickly that can turn and this group of players have it in them to be as bad as they are good. Ultimately unless we accept that the squad just now isn’t a third or fourth place squad then we’re going to continue to fail to hit targets.

There’s probably one or two players at the club that I would be desperate to keep and even then, that’s maybe a push.

The recent good run has me stumped.

They say class is permanent but form is temporary, normally a way of talking up a good team that's in a bit of a lull but could it be manipulated into saying that we're still pish, but enjoying a purple patch?

It's hard to predict what will happen between now and the end of the season but it's tempting to be optimistic - a couple of decent loans to add to what we've got, the league from 3rd down really doesn't look the best - a good final placing is far from beyond us. A final placing that was beyond much more celebrated Hibs teams that this one is within grasp.

If we had a decent end to the season (doesn't even need to be spectacular) and there's an argument imo for keeping the team together... and adding some true, genuine quality to replace departing loan players and upgrade the remaining weakest part of the team - and repeating this incrementally over a number of years. No signing "projects", just siging good players to improve the first team, then repeat.

If we finish 3rd this season, that seems to make more sense to me than ditching all the players who managed to get us there and who have shown quite brilliant spirit in recent months for the sake of having a clear out and massive changes.

And, of course, we could start moving in the wrong direction again. None of the above makes sense if we drop to 10th / 11th.

I'm stumped, and I'm glad those decisions are somebody else's to make.

[basehibby]

Stevie Mallan 2.0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p8KTGL7fSQ

Some terrific goals from distance.

Hardly! Considering his other highlights reel is as a defensive midfielder - full of blocks and ball winning tackles - Mallan couldn't tackle a fish supper!

[04Sauzee]

Scott Burns has reported

Hearts agree fee with Varnamo for Michael Steinwender and are close to agreeing personal terms. The Austrian defender is expected to arrive in Scotland over the weekend.

[The Modfather]

The recent good run has me stumped.

They say class is permanent but form is temporary, normally a way of talking up a good team that's in a bit of a lull but could it be manipulated into saying that we're still pish, but enjoying a purple patch?

It's hard to predict what will happen between now and the end of the season but it's tempting to be optimistic - a couple of decent loans to add to what we've got, the league from 3rd down really doesn't look the best - a good final placing is far from beyond us. A final placing that was beyond much more celebrated Hibs teams that this one is within grasp.

If we had a decent end to the season (doesn't even need to be spectacular) and there's an argument imo for keeping the team together... and adding some true, genuine quality to replace departing loan players and upgrade the remaining weakest part of the team - and repeating this incrementally over a number of years. No signing "projects", just siging good players to improve the first team, then repeat.

If we finish 3rd this season, that seems to make more sense to me than ditching all the players who managed to get us there and who have shown quite brilliant spirit in recent months for the sake of having a clear out and massive changes.

And, of course, we could start moving in the wrong direction again. None of the above makes sense if we drop to 10th / 11th.

I'm stumped, and I'm glad those decisions are somebody else's to make.

I think that’s reason to move in a different direction IMO. The more we have a core of players who you don’t know what you’re going to get the more we will have these wild peaks and troughs. A core of, to varying degrees, Newell, Campbell, C Cadden, Rocky, Miller, Boyle, Triantis the more we will forever be in a state of flux between needing to rip it up and them actually being the answer. It’s often lost that this group have needed clear the air talks two seasons in a row to try and salvage the season.

For me, time to move on from the core of the squad the last 2/3/4 years and trust in recruiting more players like Iredale, N Cadden and maybe in the near future Ekpiteta, who are solid, consistent and don’t have the wild fluctuations that have been our trademark for a long time now.

[GreenCastle]

I was never that keen on Clark - solid enough Scottish keeper but no where near the levels of Craig Gordon few years back. Watched him a few times and I think we can get better. I would have only wanted Clark if he was coming to Hibs pissed off at Hearts and wanting to do well.

I do think we need a new GK though as if Smith gets injured we are in big trouble.

It’s a massive risk to except Bursik to fill in - no co-incidence since we have changed keepers we have improved.

With us not signing anyone yet I’m convinced the club are being very careful who we do add - I reckon players like Calvin Ramsay were offered to Hibs but we said no.

Clubs / agents will be sending through clips of players etc all the time hoping Hibs would be keen but we are obviously waiting till the right fit as frustrating as it is when we all want some new players in the door and a few who aren’t contributing to move on. The start of this season is a massive warning though that things have to improve and we need better players. The 2nd half of this season will be a massive test and the start of next season can’t be like we have witnessed - we can’t be floating about the bottom 6.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I think that’s reason to move in a different direction IMO. The more we have a core of players who you don’t know what you’re going to get the more we will have these wild peaks and troughs. A core of, to varying degrees, Newell, Campbell, C Cadden, Rocky, Miller, Boyle, Triantis the more we will forever be in a state of flux between needing to rip it up and them actually being the answer. It’s often lost that this group have needed clear the air talks two seasons in a row to try and salvage the season.

For me, time to move on from the core of the squad the last 2/3/4 years and trust in recruiting more players like Iredale, N Cadden and maybe in the near future Ekpiteta, who are solid, consistent and don’t have the wild fluctuations that have been our trademark for a long time now.

I think your post is why I find the shouts that we need some continuity baffling. The idea behind continuity should be knowing what you’re going to get. With the guys folk are wanting to give new deals to like Rocky, Miller and Cadden, they’ve shown for years that we have absolutely no idea what version of them we’re going to get, and that’s not even just on a game to game basis or a season to season basis, it’s even an issue between halves of games.

As you’ve said, new deals for these guys is pretty much just signing us up for more seasons of wild inconsistency, something which makes finishing in a decent league position nigh on impossible.

[JohnM1875]

Evening news suggesting we'll trigger the Miller year extension. Well, the headline hints at that, nothing confirming it in the article though, standard stuff.

[Tyler Durden]

I think Megwa's 4 year deal is pretty meaningless. Certainly the length of contract was a surprise but he won't be on big money and we could easily loan him out for 4 years. If he improves in the next few years, he might have a chance at Hibs.

Very unlikely that he's in the squad next season and I don't see him impacting any decisions on Miller and Cadden.

[Donegal Hibby]

I think that’s reason to move in a different direction IMO. The more we have a core of players who you don’t know what you’re going to get the more we will have these wild peaks and troughs. A core of, to varying degrees, Newell, Campbell, C Cadden, Rocky, Miller, Boyle, Triantis the more we will forever be in a state of flux between needing to rip it up and them actually being the answer. It’s often lost that this group have needed clear the air talks two seasons in a row to try and salvage the season.

For me, time to move on from the core of the squad the last 2/3/4 years and trust in recruiting more players like Iredale, N Cadden and maybe in the near future Ekpiteta, who are solid, consistent and don’t have the wild fluctuations that have been our trademark for a long time now.

Does this mean your also for moving on the likes of Obita who’s approaching 32 and has made his fair share of mistakes like the rest of our defenders , Levitt another that’s shown very little and then maybe O’Hora who IMO hasn’t looked as good as Rocky …

If this is the case we are basically looking at almost an entire new squad of over twenty players, have we the finances to recruit on such a large scale ?

[Paulie Walnuts]

Does this mean your also for moving on the likes of Obita who’s approaching 32 and has made his fair share of mistakes like the rest of our defenders , Levitt another that’s shown very little and then maybe O’Hora who IMO hasn’t looked as good as Rocky …

If this is the case we are basically looking at almost an entire new squad of over twenty players, have we the finances to recruit on such a large scale ?

It’s a completely different ball game moving on players with contracts, hence why it makes infinitely more sense to get rid of the ones that are out of contract.

Whilst you might not think O’Hora hasn’t looked as good as Rocky, he’s played a hell of a lot more minutes than Rocky, had a hell of a lot less goal-costing mistakes than Rocky and the introduction of Rocky has seen our goals conceded get worse. On that basis it would be madness to pay someone like O’Hora off when you can just get rid of Rocky for nothing.

Why would we not have the finances to recruit on a large scale but potentially would have the finances to give deals to the out of contract players? The money isn’t going to disappear, the money saved from guys like Cadden, Miller, Rocky etc would just be given to the new signings instead.

We’ve also got 12 first team players contracted beyond the end of this season, so it’s not going to be 20 players being signed. Nowhere near it in fact.

[The Modfather]

Does this mean your also for moving on the likes of Obita who’s approaching 32 and has made his fair share of mistakes like the rest of our defenders , Levitt another that’s shown very little and then maybe O’Hora who IMO hasn’t looked as good as Rocky …

If this is the case we are basically looking at almost an entire new squad of over twenty players, have we the finances to recruit on such a large scale ?

Obita’s not out of contract and has been our player of the season previously, he’s also lost his place to Cadden so he’s a good backup/viable alternative to Cadden. I’d move on the likes of Levitt given their contributions to date but easier said than done without a financial cost.

I’m not sure why you’re taking it to extremes debating the 5 first team players out of contract and talking about a squad of 20 new players, who is making that point?

[Donegal Hibby]

It’s a completely different ball game moving on players with contracts, hence why it makes infinitely more sense to get rid of the ones that are out of contract.

Yeah but if your moving one’s on that are better than the ones under contract I don’t think it’s much of a step forward..

Another thing is if your not picking up replacements that are coming out of contract we are more likely to pay a transfer fees and in the likes of Martin Boyles case to get a suitable replacement won’t be cheap ..

Doing a complete overhaul to the squad I’m not sure is feasible unless we have unlimited funds at the club of course.

[easty]

Does this mean your also for moving on the likes of Obita who’s approaching 32 and has made his fair share of mistakes like the rest of our defenders , Levitt another that’s shown very little and then maybe O’Hora who IMO hasn’t looked as good as Rocky …

If this is the case we are basically looking at almost an entire new squad of over twenty players, have we the finances to recruit on such a large scale ?

I dunno why you're dragging players who aren't part of the out-of-contract situation into it, besides I've seen Rocky have more poor games for Hibs than O'Hora has played for Hibs at all!

[Greenworld]

The recent good run has me stumped.

They say class is permanent but form is temporary, normally a way of talking up a good team that's in a bit of a lull but could it be manipulated into saying that we're still pish, but enjoying a purple patch?

It's hard to predict what will happen between now and the end of the season but it's tempting to be optimistic - a couple of decent loans to add to what we've got, the league from 3rd down really doesn't look the best - a good final placing is far from beyond us. A final placing that was beyond much more celebrated Hibs teams that this one is within grasp.

If we had a decent end to the season (doesn't even need to be spectacular) and there's an argument imo for keeping the team together... and adding some true, genuine quality to replace departing loan players and upgrade the remaining weakest part of the team - and repeating this incrementally over a number of years. No signing "projects", just siging good players to improve the first team, then repeat.

If we finish 3rd this season, that seems to make more sense to me than ditching all the players who managed to get us there and who have shown quite brilliant spirit in recent months for the sake of having a clear out and massive changes.

And, of course, we could start moving in the wrong direction again. None of the above makes sense if we drop to 10th / 11th.

I'm stumped, and I'm glad those decisions are somebody else's to make.That's an interesting summary, I'm of the same opinion. It's baffling the turnaround in form . It would have been far easier to make cart blanche changes had the bad form continued.
You just need to look at the coaches suddenly they are all on their feet at games shouting instructions or encouragement that was not happening before.
I'm very sure the black knights are just as baffled .
I think though the clear out will happen we have far too many players who are not going to take us to the new level we want.
Chris cadden I think will get a new contract both caddens have been integral in our improvement.


Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk

[Paulie Walnuts]

Yeah but if your moving one’s on that are better than the ones under contract I don’t think it’s much of a step forward..

Another thing is if your not picking up replacements that are coming out of contract we are more likely to pay a transfer fees and in the likes of Martin Boyles case to get a suitable replacement won’t be cheap ..

Doing a complete overhaul to the squad I’m not sure is feasible unless we have unlimited funds at the club of course.

We wouldn’t really be doing that though. At best our centre half’s for example are much of a muchness. Arguably we’d be getting rid of the one who has made more goal-costing mistakes this season than the other three combined and for his whole time here, his introduction to our defence always leads to us conceding more goals.

Why would we not be picking up players out of contract? This summer we signed 6 players for free, four on loan and paid a fee for Bowie. We always sign plenty players on frees.

Your argument for keeping players who regularly let us down appears to be because we’d have to pay transfer fees for most incoming players, which we never do, and for 20 of them, which it won’t even be close to being. We have 23 contracted players next season. We signed 11 this summer. We’d probably be looking at a similar turnover next summer, it’s hardly unprecedented.

Martin Boyle is the one out of contract player we should be looking to keep, because he is our best player. The others are nowhere near being our best, in fact they’re a big part of the reason we’ve been so **** for so long.

[Centre Hawf]

My issue with not renewing some players currently is that I think it's a big big ask to expect a club that has been so poor at recruitment for years to all of a sudden have a near 100% hit rate across what could be at least 15 signings in the summer. Even clubs who are actually good at recruitment would struggle to do that.

One of Chris Cadden and Lewis Miller are known quantities, and that is fairly safe middle of the road right backs. They're not poor but they're unlikely to be going in the leagues team of the year at any point soon. I can see the case for getting rid of one, keeping the other, and rolling the dice on another new right back. But to get rid of both and go into next season with a new RB and Megwa would be a huge risk at that position, if we take that approach across other areas I honestly believe we risk being a far worse team next season than we are currently.

I think we're more likely to be a better team competing for Europe if we narrowed in and focused our efforts to sign say 5/6 top class players in areas we need them than trying to build a new squad of 15-20 names. Even 5 or 6 is quite a big ask but that is probably the bare minimum required in general with the amount leaving/loans ending.

[Paulie Walnuts]

My issue with not renewing some players currently is that I think it's a big big ask to expect a club that has been so poor at recruitment for years to all of a sudden have a near 100% hit rate across what could be at least 15 signings in the summer. Even clubs who are actually good at recruitment would struggle to do that.

One of Chris Cadden and Lewis Miller are known quantities, and that is fairly safe middle of the road right backs. They're not poor but they're unlikely to be going in the leagues team of the year at any point soon. I can see the case for getting rid of one, keeping the other, and rolling the dice on another new right back. But to get rid of both and go into next season with a new RB and Megwa would be a huge risk at that position, if we take that approach across other areas I honestly believe we risk being a far worse team next season than we are currently.

I think we're more likely to be a better team competing for Europe if we narrowed in and focused our efforts to sign say 5/6 top class players in areas we need them than trying to build a new squad of 15-20 names. Even 5 or 6 is quite a big ask but that is probably the bare minimum required in general with the amount leaving/loans ending.

Can we really argue Cadden, and more so Miller, are known quantities?

We regularly watch Lewis Miller spend one half looking like he’s never played football before and then the next half looking pretty good. I’m not sure I’d call someone a known quantity if you have no idea what you’re going to get from them on a half-to-half basis.

It’s also only really right back where we’d be rolling the dice if you want to look at it that way. Losing Rocky for example still leaves us with 3 centre half’s. Losing any of the centre midfielders leaves us with Newell and Campbell still here. Out of the attacking players it’s only Gayle and Boyle who are offering anything and Gayle is out of our hands anyway. Martin Boyle should quite clearly be getting a new deal so I’d like to think common sense will prevail on that front.

[easty]

My issue with not renewing some players currently is that I think it's a big big ask to expect a club that has been so poor at recruitment for years to all of a sudden have a near 100% hit rate across what could be at least 15 signings in the summer. Even clubs who are actually good at recruitment would struggle to do that.

One of Chris Cadden and Lewis Miller are known quantities, and that is fairly safe middle of the road right backs. They're not poor but they're unlikely to be going in the leagues team of the year at any point soon. I can see the case for getting rid of one, keeping the other, and rolling the dice on another new right back. But to get rid of both and go into next season with a new RB and Megwa would be a huge risk at that position, if we take that approach across other areas I honestly believe we risk being a far worse team next season than we are currently.

I think we're more likely to be a better team competing for Europe if we narrowed in and focused our efforts to sign say 5/6 top class players in areas we need them than trying to build a new squad of 15-20 names. Even 5 or 6 is quite a big ask but that is probably the bare minimum required in general with the amount leaving/loans ending.

If we don't trust Garvan Stewart to do a good job bringing in players, then we shouldn't have employed him.

[allmodcons]

The recent good run has me stumped.

They say class is permanent but form is temporary, normally a way of talking up a good team that's in a bit of a lull but could it be manipulated into saying that we're still pish, but enjoying a purple patch?

It's hard to predict what will happen between now and the end of the season but it's tempting to be optimistic - a couple of decent loans to add to what we've got, the league from 3rd down really doesn't look the best - a good final placing is far from beyond us. A final placing that was beyond much more celebrated Hibs teams that this one is within grasp.

If we had a decent end to the season (doesn't even need to be spectacular) and there's an argument imo for keeping the team together... and adding some true, genuine quality to replace departing loan players and upgrade the remaining weakest part of the team - and repeating this incrementally over a number of years. No signing "projects", just siging good players to improve the first team, then repeat.

If we finish 3rd this season, that seems to make more sense to me than ditching all the players who managed to get us there and who have shown quite brilliant spirit in recent months for the sake of having a clear out and massive changes.

And, of course, we could start moving in the wrong direction again. None of the above makes sense if we drop to 10th / 11th.

I'm stumped, and I'm glad those decisions are somebody else's to make.


I think that’s reason to move in a different direction IMO. The more we have a core of players who you don’t know what you’re going to get the more we will have these wild peaks and troughs. A core of, to varying degrees, Newell, Campbell, C Cadden, Rocky, Miller, Boyle, Triantis the more we will forever be in a state of flux between needing to rip it up and them actually being the answer. It’s often lost that this group have needed clear the air talks two seasons in a row to try and salvage the season.

For me, time to move on from the core of the squad the last 2/3/4 years and trust in recruiting more players like Iredale, N Cadden and maybe in the near future Ekpiteta, who are solid, consistent and don’t have the wild fluctuations that have been our trademark for a long time now.

Agree with Smartie here.

Wholesale change is just a bad idea. I appreciate that some in the 'core' you reference are inconsistent but Gray is just starting to get a tune out of this core and found a system that suits them. A complete dismantling of the squad is the last thing we'd want in this January window.

A decent goalkeeper is a must for me and one or two other well researched signings (e.g. - a good quality central defender) would be good. Couple that with Newell, Youan and Bowie all coming in to contention and I think we'd well placed for the league run in and, hopefully, a good Scottish Cup run too.

I'd look to get rid of those who are not contributing - McKirdy, Kenneh, Tavares, Moriah Welsh and Amos but keep the 'core' and compliment them with better signings.

For what it's worth, I think Iredale has been decent since he's come in and Nicky Cadden excellent. Expiteta, however, is anything but solid. He's been in a winning league side once (at home versus St Johnstone) and on that day was terrible.

[Paulie Walnuts]

If we don't trust Garvan Stewart to do a good job bringing in players, then we shouldn't have employed him.

:agree:

The idea we should give new deals to players who have regularly been desperately poor, in desperately poor teams, because we know them well, rather than give the guy we’ve come in to improve things the chance to have a right good go at doing that is bizarre.

If we go out and give a new deal to either/or Miller/Cadden and Rocky then there’s very little scope for any real work to be done on a dreadful defence and we’ll be sitting here again next season asking why we’re underperforming again.

[Centre Hawf]

Can we really argue Cadden, and more so Miller, are known quantities?

We regularly watch Lewis Miller spend one half looking like he’s never played football before and then the next half looking pretty good. I’m not sure I’d call someone a known quantity if you have no idea what you’re going to get from them on a half-to-half basis.

You've probably summed up the average Hibs player to be honest. But yes I would say we know what Lewis Miller is, an athletic RB that can have really good games and sometimes not so good games, but for the most part does the job fine over the course of a season. There is a real chance you replace him with someone worse, which is why I wouldn't get rid of both Cadden and Miller. As much as people will say they're bad players the reality is they're mostly just average and are not worse than the majority of RBs in this league.

I personally would keep Cadden and sign a new right back that is hopefully better than him, but if he isn't or needs to be rotated in and out then I would feel comfortable with Cadden playing still in the same way I'm okay with Obita replacing Nicky Cadden but I have a preference on who I want to start.

[theonlywayisup]

Agree with Smartie here.

Wholesale change is just a bad idea. I appreciate that some in the 'core' you reference are inconsistent but Gray is just starting to get a tune out of this core and found a system that suits them. A complete dismantling of the squad is the last thing we'd want in this January window.

A decent goalkeeper is a must for me and one or two other well researched signings (e.g. - a good quality central defender) would be good. Couple that with Newell, Youan and Bowie all coming in to contention and I think we'd well placed for the league run in and, hopefully, a good Scottish Cup run too.

I'd look to get rid of those who are not contributing - McKirdy, Kenneh, Tavares, Moriah Welsh and Amos but keep the 'core' and compliment them with better signings.

For what it's worth, I think Iredale has been decent since he's come in and Nicky Cadden excellent. Expiteta, however, is anything but solid. He's been in a winning league side once (at home versus St Johnstone) and on that day was terrible.

Agree with much of what you state, but especially the bit in bold adding Levitt as well. I wouldn't be disappointed to see Miller and Rocky leave Hibs, if we can recruit better, but in the transitional state that we are currently in I expect them to be re-signed, along with Cadden and Boyle.

[JohnM1875]

Come on, Hibs. Get Jani Atanasov signed and announced. Grim in here.

according to Hibs Observer;

Atanasov - 'among several options being considered'

Pleguezuelo - not currently perusing a deal

[Paulie Walnuts]

You've probably summed up the average Hibs player to be honest. But yes I would say we know what Lewis Miller is, an athletic RB that can have really good games and sometimes not so good games, but for the most part does the job fine over the course of a season. There is a real chance you replace him with someone worse, which is why I wouldn't get rid of both Cadden and Miller. As much as people will say they're bad players the reality is they're mostly just average and are not worse than the majority of RBs in this league.

I personally would keep Cadden and sign a new right back that is hopefully better than him, but if he isn't or needs to be rotated in and out then I would feel comfortable with Cadden playing still in the same way I'm okay with Obita replacing Nicky Cadden but I have a preference on who I want to start.

I’m not convinced there is a real likelihood you get worse. We’re talking about an average Scottish Premiership right back at a club with a well above average budget. I can’t think of many players in recent years that would be described as average Scottish Premiership player that we’ve let go of that we’ve went on to replace with worse, we usually just replace them with someone equally as average, hence why we’re always floating around the same sort of league positions. Guys like Doidge, Jeggo, Cabraja, Magennis, McGeady, Macey, McGinn, Fish, Gogic, Drey Wright, Doyle-Hayes, Hanlon and Stevenson by the time they left, they could all have been filed in the same sort of average SPL player as Miller and Cadden and losing all of the above players hasn’t really made us any worse. In reality these guys are ten-a-penny when your Hibs and you’ve got a bigger budget than most other teams in your league.

If we’ve got ourselves to a point where we’ve acknowledged our transfer activity over the last 5 years or so hasn’t been good enough, but we’re wanting to extend contracts of guys that have been part of that because we’re scared of what’s to come, rather than giving Stewart a clean slate to work with then we’re really screwed imo.

[Hibees1973]

The recent good run has me stumped.

They say class is permanent but form is temporary, normally a way of talking up a good team that's in a bit of a lull but could it be manipulated into saying that we're still pish, but enjoying a purple patch?

It's hard to predict what will happen between now and the end of the season but it's tempting to be optimistic - a couple of decent loans to add to what we've got, the league from 3rd down really doesn't look the best - a good final placing is far from beyond us. A final placing that was beyond much more celebrated Hibs teams that this one is within grasp.

If we had a decent end to the season (doesn't even need to be spectacular) and there's an argument imo for keeping the team together... and adding some true, genuine quality to replace departing loan players and upgrade the remaining weakest part of the team - and repeating this incrementally over a number of years. No signing "projects", just siging good players to improve the first team, then repeat.

If we finish 3rd this season, that seems to make more sense to me than ditching all the players who managed to get us there and who have shown quite brilliant spirit in recent months for the sake of having a clear out and massive changes.

And, of course, we could start moving in the wrong direction again. None of the above makes sense if we drop to 10th / 11th.

I'm stumped, and I'm glad those decisions are somebody else's to make.

And that's the thing.

How long does it take for us all to be totally convinced Hibs are on an upward trajectory in the long term. One loss (against Celtic) in 10 is good form.

Maybe some are convinced already Gray is the real deal, but it's early days.

I'll be interested how the team & the support react when we lose a game again we are expected to win. Will the team get over it quickly and win shortly afterwards or will it result in another 10-11 games without a win.

If it does, we could be in the play-off spot and the knives will be out for Gray again.

Much as I am very pleased with the form we are in we should not forget we are still only 5 points away from the play off spot. This convinces me that we must get upgrades for the likes of Bushiri, Miller, C Cadden, etc.

[Centre Hawf]

If we don't trust Garvan Stewart to do a good job bringing in players, then we shouldn't have employed him.

You are not just trusting the guy to do a good job bringing in players, you're asking him to rebuild a squad of around 20 players, who are better than the average Scottish Premiership player in their position, all in the space of about 9 months since taking the role.

Assuming he can even find enough realistic targets to fill those positions, there is no guarantee we can even coax all of them to even come here.

[Centre Hawf]

I’m not convinced there is a real likelihood you get worse. We’re talking about an average Scottish Premiership right back at a club with a well above average budget. I can’t think of many players in recent years that would be described as average Scottish Premiership player that we’ve let go of that we’ve went on to replace with worse, we usually just replace them with someone equally as average, hence why we’re always floating around the same sort of league positions. Guys like Doidge, Jeggo, Cabraja, Magennis, McGeady, Macey, McGinn, Fish, Gogic, Drey Wright, Doyle-Hayes, Hanlon and Stevenson by the time they left, they could all have been filed in the same sort of average SPL player as Miller and Cadden and losing all of the above players hasn’t really made us any worse. In reality these guys are ten-a-penny when your Hibs and you’ve got a bigger budget than most other teams in your league.

If we’ve got ourselves to a point where we’ve acknowledged our transfer activity over the last 5 years or so hasn’t been good enough, but we’re wanting to extend contracts of guys that have been part of that because we’re scared of what’s to come, rather than giving Stewart a clean slate to work with then we’re really screwed imo.

The thing is he does have a clean slate to work with. The only real conversation here is we're debating keeping potential back ups as a safety net. If you go across the starting XI he pretty much has the opportunity to go sign a starting player in every position other than LWB. That's is as clean slate as it can get. I doubt keeping Cadden and Boyle (assuming their wages aren't huge) would somehow ruin his ability to do that.

[Paulie Walnuts]

The thing is he does have a clean slate to work with. The only real conversation here is we're debating keeping potential back ups as a safety net. If you go across the starting XI he pretty much has the opportunity to go sign a starting player in every position other than LWB. That's is as clean slate as it can get. I doubt keeping Cadden and Boyle (assuming their wages aren't huge) would somehow ruin his ability to do that.

If we give a contract to one of Cadden or Miller and Rocky for example, that leaves us with Miller/Cadden, Megwa, Rocky, O’Hora, Ekpiteta, Iredale, Obita and Nicky Cadden as his back up with senior contracts for the defence. We’ve never carried more than 4 centre half’s in our squad for years, so I’d find it hard to say we’d be giving him a clean slate for what is probably the weakest area of our team if he’d get to potentially add nothing more than a player or two to it whilst we burden him with players who continuously let us down.

[JohnM1875]

The thing is he does have a clean slate to work with. The only real conversation here is we're debating keeping potential back ups as a safety net. If you go across the starting XI he pretty much has the opportunity to go sign a starting player in every position other than LWB. That's is as clean slate as it can get. I doubt keeping Cadden and Boyle (assuming their wages aren't huge) would somehow ruin his ability to do that.

Will the players sign new contracts to be backups though? Miller has a year extension we could trigger, so I guess he wouldn't be signing a new contract as such.

[One Day Soon]

The thing is he does have a clean slate to work with. The only real conversation here is we're debating keeping potential back ups as a safety net. If you go across the starting XI he pretty much has the opportunity to go sign a starting player in every position other than LWB. That's is as clean slate as it can get. I doubt keeping Cadden and Boyle (assuming their wages aren't huge) would somehow ruin his ability to do that.

He won’t have the option to actually sign players in every starting 11 position though because we will be looking to reduce overheads when these players leave. So it will be something like 15 out and half that number, at most, in. I’m not unhappy with that, I’d rather we were signing between 2 and 4 of real quality each window.

[easty]

You are not just trusting the guy to do a good job bringing in players, you're asking him to rebuild a squad of around 20 players, who are better than the average Scottish Premiership player in their position, all in the space of about 9 months since taking the role.

Assuming he can even find enough realistic targets to fill those positions, there is no guarantee we can even coax all of them to even come here.

If he cannae find realistic targets then he was the wrong appointment. We make his job easier by emptying the players we can, the players who are going out of contract.

We brought in 12 players in the summer, 16 last season. 17 the year before. 13 the year before.

We'll bring in roughly that same average number again. Not everyone has to be a great player. A good keeper, centre half, centre mid and centre forward, supplemented by some decent other signings.

[Paulie Walnuts]

If he cannae find realistic targets then he was the wrong appointment. We make his job easier by emptying the players we can, the players who are going out of contract.

We brought in 12 players in the summer, 16 last season. 17 the year before. 13 the year before.

We'll bring in roughly that same average number again. Not everyone has to be a great player. A good keeper, centre half, centre mid and centre forward, supplemented by some decent other signings.

:agree:

It’s a bit of a nonsense to suggest he’ll be forced to sign 20 players. It’s not going to be anywhere near that amount, it’ll likely be a fairly similar amount to what we regularly sign. The last 3 summer windows have seen us sign 36 players, 12 this year, 9 and 15 the previous 2. There’ll be 13 first team players left at the club. That doesn’t leave us needing 20 first team players, it probably leaves us needing 11 or 12 with some of them as you say backup players.

[B.H.F.C]

You are not just trusting the guy to do a good job bringing in players, you're asking him to rebuild a squad of around 20 players, who are better than the average Scottish Premiership player in their position, all in the space of about 9 months since taking the role.

Assuming he can even find enough realistic targets to fill those positions, there is no guarantee we can even coax all of them to even come here.

Off the top of my head we have the following contracted for next season.

Smith, O’Hora, Ekpiteta, Iredale, Newell, Levitt, Campbell, Cadden, Youan, Bowie, Obita, Moriah-Welsh. With the exception of a right wing back, you could make a team out of that which is pretty comparable to what is starting at the moment and doing well, indeed half of them started at the weekend and another couple would have had they been available.

You’ve got the younger ones like Molotnikov and Megwa contracted as well although I’ve not included any of the players out on loan as I don’t think any of them will come back and make an impact.

So I make that 14 players contracted for next year, appreciate someone like Youan might well be sold though. But with all that in mind I’m not sure the rebuild in the summer is as extensive as suggested. Our squad has been bloated it’s just that the quality has been crap. I think it’s almost the perfect time for a Head of Recruitment to be looking at things. A time when budget is going to be freed up giving them more options to look at in the first place.

I think we should offer Boyle a contract. Beyond that, not fussed in the slightest about any of them and I don’t think we need to replace every single player we let go either.

[Centre Hawf]

Will the players sign new contracts to be backups though? Miller has a year extension we could trigger, so I guess he wouldn't be signing a new contract as such.

If they don't want to that's fine, if they don't want to compete for the starting spot then we're probably better off anyway.


If we give a contract to one of Cadden or Miller and Rocky for example, that leaves us with Miller/Cadden, Megwa, Rocky, O’Hora, Ekpiteta, Iredale, Obita and Nicky Cadden as his back up with senior contracts for the defence. We’ve never carried more than 4 centre half’s in our squad for years, so I’d find it hard to say we’d be giving him a clean slate for what is probably the weakest area of our team if he’d get to potentially add nothing more than a player or two to it whilst we burden him with players who continuously let us down.

In my opinion Megwa is not the answer and as others have said I'm not sure why the 4 year deal was given. If our plan is to go into next season with Megwa as the number 2 right back then I think we're at risk of being overall weaker in that role.

I will concede that Rocky, O'Hora, Iredale, and Ekpiteta is quite a stacked area that I'm least concerned about retaining expiring contracts in, but considering we play three at the back we're probably going to want to sign at least one more to that list already. I also think Rocky is probably better off moving on for his own sake.

In my opinion I would keep Boyle and Cadden and move Rocky and Miller on.

[Cabbage-Patch]

The recent good run has me stumped.

They say class is permanent but form is temporary, normally a way of talking up a good team that's in a bit of a lull but could it be manipulated into saying that we're still pish, but enjoying a purple patch?

It's hard to predict what will happen between now and the end of the season but it's tempting to be optimistic - a couple of decent loans to add to what we've got, the league from 3rd down really doesn't look the best - a good final placing is far from beyond us. A final placing that was beyond much more celebrated Hibs teams that this one is within grasp.

If we had a decent end to the season (doesn't even need to be spectacular) and there's an argument imo for keeping the team together... and adding some true, genuine quality to replace departing loan players and upgrade the remaining weakest part of the team - and repeating this incrementally over a number of years. No signing "projects", just siging good players to improve the first team, then repeat.

If we finish 3rd this season, that seems to make more sense to me than ditching all the players who managed to get us there and who have shown quite brilliant spirit in recent months for the sake of having a clear out and massive changes.

And, of course, we could start moving in the wrong direction again. None of the above makes sense if we drop to 10th / 11th.

I'm stumped, and I'm glad those decisions are somebody else's to make.

The turnaround in form has been nothing short of remarkable but i think it's inevitable we will go through a bad patch again before the end of the season. As such we need to remember we are only 5 points off the play offs and a couple of losses and we are right back bang in trouble again such is the competitiveness of the league this season. I think the only things that are a certainty at this point is Celtic win the league and St Johnstone go down. Literally anything else could happen with the other 10 teams.

Based on the above we absolutely must bring in some quality this window to ensure when that bad patch/fresh injuries come we are adequately stocked to deal with it. I think a Centre back and a Centre mid are an absolute must as a minimum. I would also look to try and get a keeper in (even on loan) because if God forbid if Smith gets injured we cannot play Bursik.

[MacGruber]

The turnaround in form has been nothing short of remarkable but i think it's inevitable we will go through a bad patch again before the end of the season. As such we need to remember we are only 5 points off the play offs and a couple of losses and we are right back bang in trouble again such is the competitiveness of the league this season. I think the only things that are a certainty at this point is Celtic win the league and St Johnstone go down. Literally anything else could happen with the other 10 teams.

Based on the above we absolutely must bring in some quality this window to ensure when that bad patch/fresh injuries come we are adequately stocked to deal with it. I think a Centre back and a Centre mid are an absolute must as a minimum. I would also look to try and get a keeper in (even on loan) because if God forbid if Smith gets injured we cannot play Bursik.

Agreed but would add a striker, ideally on loan though might be difficult. Appreciate Bowie coming back however wary of the expectation we are putting on him to hit the ground running. Myko has previous with injuries and can't be relied on to hit the goal trail anyway. Youan might be away this window though if not would have to wait to see what form he is in if missed out on a move. Gayle is giving us everything we hoped he would right now but needs to be nursed a bit in terms of workload

[Centre Hawf]

Off the top of my head we have the following contracted for next season.

Smith, O’Hora, Ekpiteta, Iredale, Newell, Levitt, Campbell, Cadden, Youan, Bowie, Obita, Moriah-Welsh. With the exception of a right wing back, you could make a team out of that which is pretty comparable to what is starting at the moment and doing well, indeed half of them started at the weekend and another couple would have had they been available.

You’ve got the younger ones like Molotnikov and Megwa contracted as well although I’ve not included any of the players out on loan as I don’t think any of them will come back and make an impact.

So I make that 14 players contracted for next year, appreciate someone like Youan might well be sold though. But with all that in mind I’m not sure the rebuild in the summer is as extensive as suggested. Our squad has been bloated it’s just that the quality has been crap. I think it’s almost the perfect time for a Head of Recruitment to be looking at things. A time when budget is going to be freed up giving them more options to look at in the first place.

I think we should offer Boyle a contract. Beyond that, not fussed in the slightest about any of them and I don’t think we need to replace every single player we let go either.


:agree:

It’s a bit of a nonsense to suggest he’ll be forced to sign 20 players. It’s not going to be anywhere near that amount, it’ll likely be a fairly similar amount to what we regularly sign. The last 3 summer windows have seen us sign 36 players, 12 this year, 9 and 15 the previous 2. There’ll be 13 first team players left at the club. That doesn’t leave us needing 20 first team players, it probably leaves us needing 11 or 12 with some of them as you say backup players.


I'm obviously doing a lot of "if" work here but I think it's a realistic possibility you go into next season with -

Smith
Ekpiteta
O'Hora
Iredale
Obita
N.Cadden
Newell
Campbell
Bowie
Rudi
Megwa

I can see Megwa, maybe even Rudi going out on loan again as I don't think they're ready or good enough to improve us. Guys like Levitt, NMW, Elie, all are likely to leave as well. That leaves you realistically needing quality starter level additions in -


Goalkeeper
RB
CB
CM x2
Wingers x2
CAM
A new forward to play/rotate with Bowie.


That's just to likely start and doesn't take into account getting getting in any depth to account for injuries and suspensions we might get. I've seen some who disagree with me cite that we've signed 10-15 before, but why are we wanting to repeat windows like that when it's proven time and time again to be a failed approach. I don't think that's sustainable for any football team to use as an approach to recruitment even if the head of recruitment is considered good at their job.

[Donegal Hibby]

I dunno why you're dragging players who aren't part of the out-of-contract situation into it, besides I've seen Rocky have more poor games for Hibs than O'Hora has played for Hibs at all!

Probably because folk keep saying they’d like to offload some of them too like Campbell who has contributed a lot to the team recently.. like Cadden , Rocky and Miller .

I suppose saying you seen Rocky have more poor games than O’ Hora is fair enough considering he’s been at us longer than the other though in recent games I wouldn’t put O’Hora in ahead of him TBH .

All our players have poor games or make mistakes at times though other times they’ve performed well like Cadden as this article states …

https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/inside-chris-cadden-stunning-hibs-27035150

[Ozyhibby]

If Megwa wasn’t already a Hibs player and he played for Partick, would his form this season have us clamouring to sign him?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Paulie Walnuts]

I'm obviously doing a lot of "if" work here but I think it's a realistic possibility you go into next season with -

Smith
Ekpiteta
O'Hora
Iredale
Obita
N.Cadden
Newell
Campbell
Bowie
Rudi
Megwa

I can see Megwa, maybe even Rudi going out on loan again as I don't think they're ready or good enough to improve us. Guys like Levitt, NMW, Elie, all are likely to leave as well. That leaves you realistically needing quality starter level additions in -


Goalkeeper
RB
CB
CM x2
Wingers x2
CAM
A new forward to play/rotate with Bowie.


That's just to likely start and doesn't take into account getting getting in any depth to account for injuries and suspensions we might get. I've seen some who disagree with me cite that we've signed 10-15 before, but why are we wanting to repeat windows like that when it's proven time and time again to be a failed approach. I don't think that's sustainable for any football team to use as an approach to recruitment even if the head of recruitment is considered good at their job.

Keep in mind there should in theory be signings in this window that will likely be here next season as well.

It’s been proven to be a failed approach by a widely accepted failed recruitment team. Playing guys like Miller, Rocky etc has proven to be a failed approach as well. I’d rather take the gamble that the change of recruitment direction could bare fruit than take the gamble that guys like Miller and Rocky suddenly become different players.

[Ardenttwo]

I think Smiths form has made the search for a keeper less urgent. Would be little sense in Clark swapping Hearts bench for ours. We can make a change in the summer if we need to. Probably be more hassle than it was worth for Clark.


Rumour going round in the Behind the Goals lounge on Saturday that Rocky Marciano wife has been seen in Edinburgh looking at house properties so that has prompted the rumour that Rocky could be back at Hibs.

[joe breezy]

I was at Partick Thistle v Queens Park and thought Megwa was okay at times but not good enough on the whole for Hibs.

[easty]

I'm obviously doing a lot of "if" work here but I think it's a realistic possibility you go into next season with -

Smith
Ekpiteta
O'Hora
Iredale
Obita
N.Cadden
Newell
Campbell
Bowie
Rudi
Megwa

I can see Megwa, maybe even Rudi going out on loan again as I don't think they're ready or good enough to improve us. Guys like Levitt, NMW, Elie, all are likely to leave as well. That leaves you realistically needing quality starter level additions in -


Goalkeeper
RB
CB
CM x2
Wingers x2
CAM
A new forward to play/rotate with Bowie.


That's just to likely start and doesn't take into account getting getting in any depth to account for injuries and suspensions we might get. I've seen some who disagree with me cite that we've signed 10-15 before, but why are we wanting to repeat windows like that when it's proven time and time again to be a failed approach. I don't think that's sustainable for any football team to use as an approach to recruitment even if the head of recruitment is considered good at their job.

10-15 isn't a lot. Its standard for us, and for teams at our level of football.

The season we won the Scottish we signed 20 players.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Probably because folk keep saying they’d like to offload some of them too like Campbell who has contributed a lot to the team recently.. like Cadden , Rocky and Miller .

I suppose saying you seen Rocky have more poor games than O’ Hora is fair enough considering he’s been at us longer than the other though in recent games I wouldn’t put O’Hora in ahead of him TBH .

All our players have poor games or make mistakes at times though other times they’ve performed well like Cadden as this article states …

https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/inside-chris-cadden-stunning-hibs-27035150

I’ve seen Rocky make more major mistakes this season than the other 3 centre half’s combined despite the fact he’s played less minutes than Ekpiteta and miles less minutes than O’Hora.

That’s a strange article about Cadden as well. A headline that claims his form has been stunning which then goes on to tell us he had to be moved position due to defensive lapses and that he puts in lots of crosses with a lower accuracy rate than numerous players, attempts passes with a lower accuracy rate than numerous players, is fairly middle of the road for challenges attempted and challenges won and attempts dribbles with a lower success rate than numerous players :greengrin

Given it was also written two seasons ago I wouldn’t be in a rush to use it as evidence that a new deal would be worth it.

[Centre Hawf]

Keep in mind there should in theory be signings in this window that will likely be here next season as well.

It’s been proven to be a failed approach by a widely accepted failed recruitment team. Playing guys like Miller, Rocky etc has proven to be a failed approach as well. I’d rather take the gamble that the change of recruitment direction could bare fruit than take the gamble that guys like Miller and Rocky suddenly become different players.

If there are people that come in this window that are to be here beyond this season then yes that will help massively, but obviously at the minute we haven't signed any so it's hard to account for that until it happens.

I've also said I'd probably be fine with releasing Miller and Rocky, It's Cadden and Boyle that I think we should retain as I think both have shown they are capable of performing for us in this league and would at least serve as decent rotation options.


10-15 isn't a lot. Its standard for us, and for teams at our level of football.

The season we won the Scottish we signed 20 players.

I think the issue I have with signing that many players is that you're needing a lot of them to hit the ground running quickly, if you look across the teams that do sign that many, even us in 2015/16, it's probably not unrealistic to say that 50% of them don't contribute much. I can count 8 out of the 20 we signed in 2015/16 as players that made up numbers in reality. If we had that level of success this summer in rebuilding I think we'd be a worse off squad personally.

[B.H.F.C]

I'm obviously doing a lot of "if" work here but I think it's a realistic possibility you go into next season with -

Smith
Ekpiteta
O'Hora
Iredale
Obita
N.Cadden
Newell
Campbell
Bowie
Rudi
Megwa

I can see Megwa, maybe even Rudi going out on loan again as I don't think they're ready or good enough to improve us. Guys like Levitt, NMW, Elie, all are likely to leave as well. That leaves you realistically needing quality starter level additions in -


Goalkeeper
RB
CB
CM x2
Wingers x2
CAM
A new forward to play/rotate with Bowie.


That's just to likely start and doesn't take into account getting getting in any depth to account for injuries and suspensions we might get. I've seen some who disagree with me cite that we've signed 10-15 before, but why are we wanting to repeat windows like that when it's proven time and time again to be a failed approach. I don't think that's sustainable for any football team to use as an approach to recruitment even if the head of recruitment is considered good at their job.

I don’t think you’ll ever get to a point where you’re not signing, or getting close to signing, 10+ players every year at our level of football. Money dictates it, being reliant on short term loans, only getting certain players because of the stage of their career and so on.

[Bob Box Fish]

My mates family are Partick season ticket holders and not very impressed with Megwa.

[04Sauzee]

Worth a read about Jani Atanasov


https://x.com/fmishov/status/1879546991300219125?t=4w63p0-ZchMhcuXd-eXLew&s=19

[Paulie Walnuts]

I've also said I'd probably be fine with releasing Miller and Rocky, It's Cadden and Boyle that I think we should retain as I think both have shown they are capable of performing for us in this league and would at least serve as decent rotation options.

Boyle id keep without a shadow of a doubt and I’d argue letting him go would be sheer stupidity.

We’ll probably just have to agree to disagree. Cadden for me is part of the problem at Hibs. He signed 4 years ago. In that time he played half a season whilst we finished third, starting most games but regularly being subbed early and sometimes on the bench. He’s also missed 55 games over those 4 seasons, a not insignificant amount.

For my money he’s been a bang average Scottish Premiership right back in a team generally delivering below average league placings with an above average budget. If we let him and Miller go imo it’s likely we either get at worst similar or better for our money.

[Centre Hawf]

Boyle id keep without a shadow of a doubt and I’d argue letting him go would be sheer stupidity.

We’ll probably just have to agree to disagree. Cadden for me is part of the problem at Hibs. He signed 4 years ago. In that time he played half a season whilst we finished third, starting most games but regularly being subbed early and sometimes on the bench. He’s also missed 55 games over those 4 seasons, a not insignificant amount.

For my money he’s been a bang average Scottish Premiership right back in a team generally delivering below average league placings with an above average budget. If we let him and Miller go imo it’s likely we either get at worst similar or better for our money.

I don’t think we’re really a million miles apart to be honest. I certainly won’t be having sleepless nights if Cadden were to leave and I would hoping we can sign someone to start over him if possible of we were to keep him. I just would save Garvan Stewart the headache of finding another potential signing by keeping him for now.

[erin go bragh]

How far off 100 goals for Hibs is Martin Boyle? Cant be many...

11.

[Smartie]

What would be the biggest reasons behind our improved form?

I'd say Triantis hitting a cracking spell of form has been part of that. Take Triantis out of the side and how do things look for certain players? Newell, Rocky, Campbell, C.Cadden etc? If we have no Triantis do these players go back to being hot and cold, error prone, good week and bad week players or do we think they've all risen to a level where they can be relied upon to the extent that a decent replacement comes in for Triantis and hits the ground running surrounded by the others?

That sort of thinking should probably influence the decision making re new contracts.

[Donegal Hibby]

I’ve seen Rocky make more major mistakes this season than the other 3 centre half’s combined despite the fact he’s played less minutes than Ekpiteta and miles less minutes than O’Hora.

That’s a strange article about Cadden as well. A headline that claims his form has been stunning which then goes on to tell us he had to be moved position due to defensive lapses and that he puts in lots of crosses with a lower accuracy rate than numerous players, attempts passes with a lower accuracy rate than numerous players, is fairly middle of the road for challenges attempted and challenges won and attempts dribbles with a lower success rate than numerous players :greengrin

Given it was also written two seasons ago I wouldn’t be in a rush to use it as evidence that a new deal would be worth it.

Agree about Rocky making mistakes he has a mistake in him though I also seen other players make as many and I don’t think there’s many in our team that hasn’t made a mistake ..

In Rocky’s case the positives in his game outweigh the bad for me …

If some of the players coming out of contract go and are replaced with better.. brilliant ! . Though I think Hibs will be actively trying to hang onto most of the ones like Cadden , Rocky and Miller because they generally contribute in a good way to the team ..

https://www.nottheoldfirm.com/news/david-gray-and-hibs-weighing-up-option-to-extend-contract-of-star-with-real-strength-of-character/

[Wilson]

My mates family are Partick season ticket holders and not very impressed with Megwa.

Kris Doolan was desperate to get him on loan based on his appearances for Airdrie against Partick. Praising his one on one defending and reading of the game.

We know he's a grafter hence why he was given a 4 year deal.
I'd hope he'd kick on at Partick.

Certainly he got 74mins in their most recent win. Must be doing something right.

[EGL2000]

Genuine question that I have always wondered. Why are 99% of fees in Scotland always undisclosed but in loads of other leagues around the world the fee is published? I was assuming it would maybe just be more media coverage in other leagues. However, have seen some relatively similar standard/sized leagues who are still publishing fees pretty widely?

I get the purpose of an undisclosed fee also why are they not just used in every transfer.I do also understand that some fees are just speculation and you won't actually know till looking at accounts.

[kentao]

Hardly! Considering his other highlights reel is as a defensive midfielder - full of blocks and ball winning tackles - Mallan couldn't tackle a fish supper!

I didn't mean it as a negative, Would love to have some who can hit worldies again from midfield if he can do the defensive side of the game he should be top of our transfer list but i have a feeling being able to do both will mean he wont be coming to Hibs.

[SteveHFC]

Rumour going round in the Behind the Goals lounge on Saturday that Rocky Marciano wife has been seen in Edinburgh looking at house properties so that has prompted the rumour that Rocky could be back at Hibs.

Would love it if he came back.

[Ribs1875]

I hope we hold on to the likes of Rocky, Boyle, Cadden and Miller. Have them for keeping the bench warm (except Boyle who is still a key player) and to come in during an injury crisis, there is a lot worse out there. All four of them would improve a lot of teams in the league.

[allmodcons]

What would be the biggest reasons behind our improved form?

I'd say Triantis hitting a cracking spell of form has been part of that. Take Triantis out of the side and how do things look for certain players? Newell, Rocky, Campbell, C.Cadden etc? If we have no Triantis do these players go back to being hot and cold, error prone, good week and bad week players or do we think they've all risen to a level where they can be relied upon to the extent that a decent replacement comes in for Triantis and hits the ground running surrounded by the others?

That sort of thinking should probably influence the decision making re new contracts.

Agree that Triantis has been excellent but most of team have lifted their game.

David Gray has persevered with Youan and he's come good with game time. Previously, he'd been in and out of the team and not really been given a sustained period to find his feet so credit to the Manager.

Boyle has been outstanding since Aberdeen away. Campbell suddenly looks like a really good no. 10 and the rest, with special mention to the Cadden brothers, have improved no end.

Football, and sport in general, owes so much to confidence. There's some good players in our squad and when confidence is high you can see it in their play.

[JohnM1875]

Rumour going round in the Behind the Goals lounge on Saturday that Rocky Marciano wife has been seen in Edinburgh looking at house properties so that has prompted the rumour that Rocky could be back at Hibs.

Loved the big man, easily my favourite modern Hibs keeper, but he's barely played since leaving us, under 40 games in almost 4 years.

[04Sauzee]

Few Aberdeen fans on line believe Lyall Cameron has turned Rangers & Hibs down to sign for Aberdeen.

[JohnM1875]

Few Aberdeen fans on line believe Lyall Cameron has turned Rangers & Hibs down to sign for Aberdeen.

Highly doubt it. But I can see the appeal of both us and Aberdeen. Both can point to improving players and letting them leave for bigger leagues. More so Aberdeen recently.

Huns, not so much. But much more money.

[PHeffernan]

Rumour going round in the Behind the Goals lounge on Saturday that Rocky Marciano wife has been seen in Edinburgh looking at house properties so that has prompted the rumour that Rocky could be back at Hibs.

Rich person buying assets, it's what they do.
As for Ofir he is contracted, at his present club in his homeland, for another season after this one so I can't see him going anywhere for 18 months.

However

he is barely getting a game at his club this season and has only played 108 minutes of league football in 18 rounds of matches.
Came on for 18 minutes, I presume because the number 1 was injured. He then played the following league match and a cup match before being deposited back on the bench.
Either the other keeper at the club is some player or Ofir is done.

We should buy the guy who has kept him out of the team all season!
He is 22 years old Niv Eliasi

[Bobby's Cinema]

He won’t have the option to actually sign players in every starting 11 position though because we will be looking to reduce overheads when these players leave. So it will be something like 15 out and half that number, at most, in. I’m not unhappy with that, I’d rather we were signing between 2 and 4 of real quality each window.
Far too often we have signed players that have been found not good enough to contribute and get a place in the 11. We need to make sure players we identify are better than what is here. Should be straight forward when you say it like that really.

I agree we need quality over quantity. I think anyone expecting the entire squad to leave and be replaced is going to be disappointed. We need improvements yes but also some continuity.

[Libby Hibby]

What would be the biggest reasons behind our improved form?

I'd say Triantis hitting a cracking spell of form has been part of that. Take Triantis out of the side and how do things look for certain players? Newell, Rocky, Campbell, C.Cadden etc? If we have no Triantis do these players go back to being hot and cold, error prone, good week and bad week players or do we think they've all risen to a level where they can be relied upon to the extent that a decent replacement comes in for Triantis and hits the ground running surrounded by the others?

That sort of thinking should probably influence the decision making re new contracts.

Change of shape, change of goalie, the introduction of Iredale to the team.

[Bobby's Cinema]

Change of shape, change of goalie, the introduction of Iredale to the team.
Also Boyle going from apparently 'finished' to sharp as anything finding an extra yard of pace and scoring goals again.

I also think the way Gray stood by Youan and giving minutes to others, the way he has used the squad has helped with the togetherness.

[Mcbizz1998]

Rich person buying assets, it's what they do.
As for Ofir he is contracted, at his present club in his homeland, for another season after this one so I can't see him going anywhere for 18 months.

However

he is barely getting a game at his club this season and has only played 108 minutes of league football in 18 rounds of matches.
Came on for 18 minutes, I presume because the number 1 was injured. He then played the following league match and a cup match before being deposited back on the bench.
Either the other keeper at the club is some player or Ofir is done.

We should buy the guy who has kept him out of the team all season!
He is 22 years old Niv Eliasi


You think the Marciano family are looking at houses in Edinburgh just to buy it as an asset? Would be a remarkably stupid place to buy, plenty better places to be investing money in property - where you can maximise profit. Plus, I don’t think they will be as ‘rich’ as you imagine. If it’s true that Shelley is looking at houses, and I have no idea if she is, then I think it’s far more likely they are headed back to Scotland.

It was well documented how much they loved Edinburgh and given Rocky’s lack of game time and the current situation in Israel, it would make a lot of sense to move and settle with their 2 young boys.

[Hibernian2105]

Hibs hearts rangers and Aberdeen interested in Allan Campbell

https://t.co/80Wt2IWZKV

[JohnM1875]

Hibs hearts rangers and Aberdeen interested in Allan Campbell

https://t.co/80Wt2IWZKV

**** sake, can't see him ending up here then. Was one I was hoping we’d get.

[04Sauzee]

Hibs hearts rangers and Aberdeen interested in Allan Campbell

https://t.co/80Wt2IWZKV

Was great in Luton's promotion season, haven't seen anything of him since so not sure if his performances have dropped of or if he's still just as good?

Charlton fans don't rate him highly

https://x.com/SportsPeteO/status/1879575007527092390?t=QJPU70tWbY6AlXhSRjswQg&s=19

Played 544 minutes in league 1


174 minutes in the EFL trophy

119 minutes in the FA Cup

[Paulie Walnuts]

Agree about Rocky making mistakes he has a mistake in him though I also seen other players make as many and I don’t think there’s many in our team that hasn’t made a mistake ..

In Rocky’s case the positives in his game outweigh the bad for me …

If some of the players coming out of contract go and are replaced with better.. brilliant ! . Though I think Hibs will be actively trying to hang onto most of the ones like Cadden , Rocky and Miller because they generally contribute in a good way to the team ..

https://www.nottheoldfirm.com/news/david-gray-and-hibs-weighing-up-option-to-extend-contract-of-star-with-real-strength-of-character/

You’ve seen other players make as many mistakes as Rocky? :confused:

Other than Bursik who’s been bombed out the team and people are pretty unanimously wanting rid of so would be a weird example to use I’m at a loss who those players could be.

[Winston Ingram]

Agree about Rocky making mistakes he has a mistake in him though I also seen other players make as many and I don’t think there’s many in our team that hasn’t made a mistake ..

In Rocky’s case the positives in his game outweigh the bad for me …

If some of the players coming out of contract go and are replaced with better.. brilliant ! . Though I think Hibs will be actively trying to hang onto most of the ones like Cadden , Rocky and Miller because they generally contribute in a good way to the team ..

https://www.nottheoldfirm.com/news/david-gray-and-hibs-weighing-up-option-to-extend-contract-of-star-with-real-strength-of-character/

Rocky's recent form in the last 4 games has cost us 3 goals and it should've been 4.

I rate Rocky and I think if he could cut the brain farts out, he'd be a player. However, he's not cutting them out and the last month, these brain farts have been more regular than ever. He's been here 3 years and there is no sign he's going to improve. He's arguably got worse. We cannae be resigning a play that is as good as a goal start for the opposition.

[Unseen work]

Hibs hearts rangers and Aberdeen interested in Allan Campbell

https://t.co/80Wt2IWZKV

Hopefully just one where they’re chucking clubs that have no solid interest in him in the mix too

One I really want us to sign

[Nicho87]

Genuine question that I have always wondered. Why are 99% of fees in Scotland always undisclosed but in loads of other leagues around the world the fee is published? I was assuming it would maybe just be more media coverage in other leagues. However, have seen some relatively similar standard/sized leagues who are still publishing fees pretty widely?

I get the purpose of an undisclosed fee also why are they not just used in every transfer.I do also understand that some fees are just speculation and you won't actually know till looking at accounts.

I would simply say to not show other clubs how much the said club has just received and may look to spend on their new player

Everyone is skint when they’re buying players

[PHeffernan]

Worth a read about Jani Atanasov


https://x.com/fmishov/status/1879546991300219125?t=4w63p0-ZchMhcuXd-eXLew&s=19

I checked Atanasov out yesterday.
Has only started 3 of his clubs 18 league matches this season and was subbed in all 3.
Didn't make the match day squad 3 times and didn't get off the bench 5 times.

[04Sauzee]

Hopefully just one where they’re chucking clubs that have no solid interest in him in the mix too

One I really want us to sign

He isn't rated many Charlton fans looking socials and their forums

https://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/98938/january-transfer-window-rumours-actuals/p55