Ekpiteta out for 10 weeks

[we are hibs]

Won't be back until mid February time

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[JimBHibees]

Won't be back until mid February time

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Nightmare that

[B.H.F.C]

Bad one. Best centre half we have since he settled.

We’re so, so weak in that area.

[Tambo]

That sucks, a slow start but felt over the past few months he's been very solid at the back.

[greenginger]

What is the injury?

[Unseen work]

We genuinely have no luck this season

We’re going down

[gbhibby]

Bad one. Best centre half we have since he settled.

We’re so, so weak in that area.
Rocky will step up to the plate.

[B.H.F.C]

Rocky will step up to the plate.

I hope so but we’ve lost 7 goals in the two games he’s started, no that we were brilliant defensively before that obviously.

[Trinity Hibee]

We genuinely have no luck this season

We’re going down

It feels that way. Absolutely everything going against us. Bad mistakes, injuries, VAR

[BILLYHIBS]

It feels that way. Absolutely everything going against us. Bad mistakes, injuries, VAR

Dodgy referee’s bookings that are never a booking free kicks that are never free kicks but only if it is Hibs

[BILLYHIBS]

I hope so but we’ve lost 7 goals in the two games he’s started, no that we were brilliant defensively before that obviously.

I would only blame Rocky for one Dundee away in the 93rd minute

Rocky is ok

[McGruber]

FFS. Only bonus is it will force Gray into 3 at the back which he would tend not to do otherwise though suits the players we have far more.

Yes all going against us but the biggest mistakes have all been of our own doing including the coaching set up.

We won't necessarily go down but we need to empty Gray and recruit well in January.

[nonshinyfinish]

What is the injury?

Described as a thigh strain in the EEN: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/shock-injury-verdict-hibs-starter-long-spell-side-lines-innocuous-training-ground-strain-4889824

"Really innocuous in training, just a simple 10-yard pass. He stepped into the ball, went to pass it, and unfortunately just overstretched his thigh"

[McGruber]

Described as a thigh strain in the EEN: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/shock-injury-verdict-hibs-starter-long-spell-side-lines-innocuous-training-ground-strain-4889824

"Really innocuous in training, just a simple 10-yard pass. He stepped into the ball, went to pass it, and unfortunately just overstretched his thigh"

Passing is his weakness but come on!!

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Sum up our fortunes. Time and opp for others to step up.

[GreenCastle]

That’s annoying- especially as he was starting to find form.

We are fortunate the January window opens soon so maybe another centre back added ?

Always feels we get a player back then another gets injured for several weeks.

[JimBHibees]

Leaves us very light if another centre back gets injured or suspended

[GreenCastle]

I guess Triantis could play there too?

[JimBHibees]

I guess Triantis could play there too?

Yes right enough

[Paul1642]

He been great for us but it’s probably the position where we have the most competent cover at the moment.

[scoopyboy]

I guess Triantis could play there too?

Obita had one of his best games for us at centre half against Rangers

[Mark05]

We could always try and get bevan from Bournemouth when the window opens :greengrin sorry couldn't resist that one

[Cat Stanton]

I guess Triantis could play there too?

Looked very poor there last season.

[BILLYHIBS]

Looked very poor there last season.

Was a bombscare not helped by his weird og last week

[Coco Bryce]

I guess Triantis could play there too?

Really wouldn't be relying on him.

Not good enough.

[GreenCastle]

Really wouldn't be relying on him.

Not good enough.

Agree I want better

[LaMotta]

After a woeful start for us, Marv has been far better recently, particularly in one to one battles and heading the ball away, but still question marks positionally throughout this time here so not convinced its the end of the world.

Need others to step up now.

[overdrive]

Looked very poor there last season.

Yeah if folk think he’s bad in midfield, he’s diabolical at centre back.

[eastmainsmsh]

Rocky will step up to the plate.

Think Iredale looks ok as well a win today be nice I think we will GGTTH

[silverhibee]

I guess Triantis could play there too?

Reported

[Carheenlea]

After a woeful start for us, Marv has been far better recently, particularly in one to one battles and heading the ball away, but still question marks positionally throughout this time here so not convinced its the end of the world.

Need others to step up now.

We’re just one suspension or injury away from a proper defensive selection headache though.

[Ribs1875]

Good to see he is not far off returning to full fitness. With the change in system and Rocky being in sublime form, will be interesting to see if Marv can establish himself as a regular starter again. It's a good problem to have in my opinion.

[PHeffernan]

Good to see he is not far off returning to full fitness. With the change in system and Rocky being in sublime form, will be interesting to see if Marv can establish himself as a regular starter again. It's a good problem to have in my opinion.

The positive with the form of Bushiri is Ekpiteta has not and will not be under pressure to rush back.
He's a very good defender who will return soon enough when one of the other centre halves is injured or suspended.

[KWJ]

I think he's a good bit better than WOH but I can't really see SDG changing it until the opportunity presents itself in the form of a howler/general poor game.

[flash]

I think he's a good bit better than WOH but I can't really see SDG changing it until the opportunity presents itself in the form of a howler/general poor game.

I can't remember the last time O'Hora made a mistake.

[Centre Hawf]

The back 3 is playing well. Ekpiteta was starting to look like my preferred choice of CB before his injury but Rocky is undroppable for me at this point in time. O'Hora has had shaky moments but I know him and his partner had a child around autumn time when his form started to dip, but I think in 2025 he's looked far more solid overall.

If there's a one positive to take from all this is that we don't need to rush Ekpiteta back currently. He can take a few extra weeks being in the squad getting the fitness back up and not needing to overdo it too soon. Then when we need to rotate we can.

[B.H.F.C]

Playing in a three, I could only see Ekpiteta playing in the middle of it and Rocky has that position just now.

O’Hora still doesn’t convince me but he is more suited to playing on the right of the three than Ekpiteta for me.

[Brightside]

I can't remember the last time O'Hora made a mistake.

Agreed - found it odd that a fair few people weren't happy with him. He's pretty consistent and gets on the end of loads of defensive headers at corners etc.

[Ribs1875]

I would like to see what Bushiri could offer in a defensive mid role.

[Eyrie]

I would like to see what Bushiri could offer in a defensive mid role.

Why would anyone want to sabotage us by moving our best defender from his best position to a position he's never played?

[IberianHibernian]

Why would anyone want to sabotage us by moving our best defender from his best position to a position he's never played?Maybe because our much - maligned recruitment team actually found three ( Marv , O `Hora and Iredale ) excellent ( for our league ) defenders which gives us a chance to see if Rocky could play further forward where he often seems to make his mark especially later in games ? Looking ahead to next season , almost all our main forwards will have left while hopefully the 3 new defenders will continue plus Obita and hopefully Rocky ( as captain ? ) will continue .

[Donegal Hibby]

Why would anyone want to sabotage us by moving our best defender from his best position to a position he's never played?

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it .. I’d say that even after tomorrow too .

[matty_f]

I can't remember the last time O'Hora made a mistake.

Was saying similar earlier. His performances have really gone under the radar the last few games.

[PHeffernan]

I would like to see what Bushiri could offer in a defensive mid role.

That's a wild take. I would be leaving Rocky where he is, in the centre of the back line, with instructions to continue to keep it simple

[Nicho87]

I remember years ago most fans were convinced Hanlon was the perfect foil for a holding midfield role

It lasted 45 minutes if memory serves me correct

[Paul1642]

I can't remember the last time O'Hora made a mistake.

I’ve simply not seen it. Our defence, which O’Hora has been a constant part of, has been absolutely rock solid for months now, hence why most teams have been scoring 0 or 1 against us.

[hibsbollah]

I can't remember the last time O'Hora made a mistake.

O Hora is the quietest of the back three in terms of actual contributions i would imagine, less flashy than Rocky and probably less tackles and blocks than the fantastic Iredale but hes part of a solid 3 in front of an on-fire Smith no absolutely no changes at all please.

[BS44]

O Hora is the quietest of the back three in terms of actual contributions i would imagine, less flashy than Rocky and probably less tackles and blocks than the fantastic Iredale but hes part of a solid 3 in front of an on-fire Smith no absolutely no changes at all please.

There was a stat after a match recently that O'Hora had made the most attempted passes from a Hibs player in that particular game, and that was also the most in a game from any Hibs player for the season at that point.

[JimBHibees]

I would like to see what Bushiri could offer in a defensive mid role.

Nah

[AdidasHibernian]

On bench today

[maturehibby]

Did well when he came on to replace Rocky .
Hope rocky's injury isnt serious and he is OK for Wednesday

[cubehindthegoal]

Did well when he came on to replace Rocky .
Hope rocky's injury isnt serious and he is OK for Wednesday

He did. Feels like we are maybe seeing a pool of players forming. Will always be ins and outs though, just need to keep finding the good ones. Easy when you say it like that 😊

[RIP]

Maybe because our much - maligned recruitment team actually found three ( Marv , O `Hora and Iredale ) excellent ( for our league ) defenders which gives us a chance to see if Rocky could play further forward where he often seems to make his mark especially later in games ? Looking ahead to next season , almost all our main forwards will have left while hopefully the 3 new defenders will continue plus Obita and hopefully Rocky ( as captain ? ) will continue .

I do recall thinking earlier in the season that we were finally finding centre halves that were big units and who would be the backbone of a strong defensive backbone.

Marvin Ekpiteta looked class and Warren O'Hora looked very steady. I wonder if when negotiating contract renewal with Rocky if both players plus Iredale and Miller already give us a backstop in case Rocky either wants a move or seeks better terms than the club is willing to offer?

I'd absolutely love Bushiri to stay. Rocky has so many exciting qualities.

But part of me would like to see how our defence copes with different permutations along the backline.

Thoughts?

[Ozyhibby]

I do recall thinking earlier in the season that we were finally finding centre halves that were big units and who would be the backbone of a strong defensive backbone.

Marvin Ekpiteta looked class and Warren O'Hora looked very steady. I wonder if when negotiating contract renewal with Rocky if both players plus Iredale and Miller already give us a backstop in case Rocky either wants a move or seeks better terms than the club is willing to offer?

I'd absolutely love Bushiri to stay. Rocky has so many exciting qualities.

But part of me would like to see how our defence copes with different permutations along the backline.

Thoughts?

Rocky is the best centre half at the club and I really hope he stays.[emoji1696]


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[Nicho87]

Said on another thread

If I was ohora and ekpiteta I’d be concerned over playing time for next season

Neither have greatly impressed imo

Squad players but not battering the door down for starts

[Dashing Bob S]

Said on another thread

If I was ohora and ekpiteta I’d be concerned over playing time for next season

Neither have greatly impressed imo

Squad players but not battering the door down for starts

I agree completely. Gray however seems to be a rehab/performance improvement specialist and if either come back in I’ve no doubt it’ll be as enhanced performers

[CallumLaidlaw]

Were we not told that Ekpiteta was best in a back 3? We’ve not really seen him in this formation much so will be interesting. Think he’d work well in the central of the 3 if Rocky goes.


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[MagicSwirlingShip]

Were we not told that Ekpiteta was best in a back 3? We’ve not really seen him in this formation much so will be interesting. Think he’d work well in the central of the 3 if Rocky goes.


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Succession planning?? Football department at it again 😉

[pepe]

FFS. Only bonus is it will force Gray into 3 at the back which he would tend not to do otherwise though suits the players we have far more.

Yes all going against us but the biggest mistakes have all been of our own doing including the coaching set up.


I think your on to something

[SHODAN]

It is quite amazing that the back three, the catalyst behind our run, is comprised of a player we didn't want, a backup centre back signed on deadline day, and, for the last couple months, a right back.