Ross County on Saturday

[SHODAN]

The must win of must wins.

If we win this we're guaranteed to be off the bottom as Hearts and Kilmarnock are playing each other.

[Spike Mandela]

Confidence shouldn't be too badly dented after today which, realistically, was all we could hope for. Despite being wasteful in front of goals the performance overall wasn't the worst.

Every effort should be made in getting a win next week at home and building on the work done in the Aberdeen and Motherwell games. Hopefully the team can do it but we all know how stuffy Ross County can be.

I'm nervous but optimistic.

[Pretty Boy]

We won't be bottom this time next week if we win (coupled with a Rangers win tomorrow). It really is as simple as that.

Biggest game of the season this far. The two upcoming home games both are as is the derby which is huge anyway but will also be a big psychological moment.

Cliche and all but we need to take every game as it comes.

[Booker5time]

How many must win games are we going to have, before we get the pitcure Gray just not up to it :rolleyes:

Not winning next week and there should be no way back from this for him.

worst start since 79/80 season when we went down. Not good enough.

[JohnM1875]

Be dropping Myko and Obita

Smith

Iredale
Rocky
O'Hora

N.Cadden
Newell
Kwon
Hoilett (more as a 10)
Miller

Youan
Gayle

Would like to see NMW play but he doesn't seem to get a look in so can't see it happening.

[hibsbollah]

I havent been along to ER for a month or so and im champing at the bit to get back for this one. Time to get behind Gray and the players at this point.

[The Spaceman]

I can see us winning this one and kicking on from there. We’ve played pretty well last few games against the top 2 plus the Motherwell result.

[GreenCastle]

I’m confident we will win this.

Played well last 3 games - more fight and better balance to the team.

Won’t be easy but get the first goal and do what we did against Motherwell - don’t sit in.

I except Myko to miss it so hopefully Hoilett comes back in and Gayle starts.

[The Tubs]

Same team as last week.

[Hibees1973]

The Motherwell game was a 'must win' for Gray or he would have been punted.

Ross County next Saturday is the same as well.

It's the territory Gray has put himself in.

Until he can win two or three games in succession to get us mid table he is going to remain under scrutiny and pressure.

[GloryGlory]

The Motherwell game was a 'must win' for Gray or he would have been punted.

Ross County next Saturday is the same as well.

It's the territory Gray has put himself in.

Until he can win two or three games in succession to get us mid table he is going to remain under scrutiny and pressure.

:agree: At the moment it seems to be one step forward two steps back. Gray definitely needs to start getting a run of wins - hopefully Hibs can address some of the glaring weaknesses in the January window - but I feel the board are feeling buyer's remorse and, if they hadn't spent the last couple of years sacking a succession of managers, Gray would already be gone.

[TrinityHFC]

The must win of must wins.

If we win this we're guaranteed to be off the bottom as Hearts and Kilmarnock are playing each other.

The league doesn’t end after next week.

Agree we need to be picking up points and preferably quickly but we aren’t at the stage of it being the be all and end all where we are positioned each week.

[DinkyTwo]

How many must win games are we going to have, before we get the pitcure Gray just not up to it :rolleyes:

Not winning next week and there should be no way back from this for him.

worst start since 79/80 season when we went down. Not good enough.A month ago I would have agreed with you, but with the upturn in results (and performances) I think the sacking of Gray in 2024 ship has sailed.

Let's get behind him and the team for the next run of fixtures. If we're still in the danger zone after Kilmarnock then we can say we definitely gave SDG every chance

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[GreenCastle]

:agree: At the moment it seems to be one step forward two steps back. Gray definitely needs to start getting a run of wins - hopefully Hibs can address some of the glaring weaknesses in the January window - but I feel the board are feeling buyer's remorse and, if they hadn't spent the last couple of years sacking a succession of managers, Gray would already be gone.

Looking at the fixtures till the split..it’s going to be hard for us to win more than 2 in a row. We always seem to have a bottom 6 / middle table team then old firm / Aberdeen or Hearts in the 3rd game.

We have had chances to put runs together but haven’t managed it.

The top 6 is gone for me - it’s about beating teams around us and picking up points against others like Motherwell.

Our home games left before the split..

In no order..

Celtic
Hearts
Rangers
Aberdeen
Ross County - next game
Killie - last game of 2024
Motherwell
St Johnstone
Dundee

Away to..

Rangers
Killie
Hearts
Aberdeen
Dundee Utd
St Mirren
Ross County
St Johnstone
Motherwell

[He's here!]

The league doesn’t end after next week.

Agree we need to be picking up points and preferably quickly but we aren’t at the stage of it being the be all and end all where we are positioned each week.

That stage will come around alarmingly fast if we don't get a couple of wins on the board.

I'd love us to bang in a few confidence boosting goals but I'd take 1-0 right now.

[hibsbollah]

That stage will come around alarmingly fast if we don't get a couple of wins on the board.

I'd love us to bang in a few confidence boosting goals but I'd take 1-0 right now.

:agree:

[TrinityHFC]

That stage will come around alarmingly fast if we don't get a couple of wins on the board.

I'd love us to bang in a few confidence boosting goals but I'd take 1-0 right now.

Yep and we won last week. Would be great to add to that quickly but calling it the must win of all must wins or anything like that is just daft. It is still quite tight and I don’t think we’re a bad team where you just can’t see where a result might come from.

[Tambo]

The biggest must win game since Motherwell away.

[babahibs]

We'll pump 'em, easy.

[Donegal Hibby]

Play like we did today or in the previous two games and we will get 3 points.

[InvertedFullBak]

We need 6 points from Ross county and Kilmarnock. Absolutely imperative we do.

[GRA]

Win next week and we'll likely be up to the dizzying heights of 8th 🤣

Quite tight at the bottom thankfully. Confident we won't be near there end of the season. Not sure about top 6 though.

[Bridge hibs]

I havent been along to ER for a month or so and im champing at the bit to get back for this one. Time to get behind Gray and the players at this point.

Here here mate 👊

[AdidasHibernian]

We lose next week surely SDG goes? Hope the players put in a performance.

[sauzee1989]

Need to drop triantis he’s horrendous. His fault for two goals today and almost cost us one last week being daft aswell.

[chrisski33]

Every game is a must win game from now on....

[hibsbollah]

Yep, me too.
Gradual improvement along the way has me optimistic again and looking forward to getting back.

:aok:

[Spike Mandela]

in terms of league position we need to stay in contention till January without getting detached at the bottom and hope January recruitment (over to you Garvan) can improve our team as it did last year

[JimBHibees]

:agree: At the moment it seems to be one step forward two steps back. Gray definitely needs to start getting a run of wins - hopefully Hibs can address some of the glaring weaknesses in the January window - but I feel the board are feeling buyer's remorse and, if they hadn't spent the last couple of years sacking a succession of managers, Gray would already be gone.

Not really two steps back to lose to Celtic

[GreenCastle]

This really is a massively important game for the club.

Any update on Myko?

Hoilett must start - have a feeling Gray rested him for the Celtic game with this game in mind.

This is the type of game we score - we don’t sit back - we push on and go for a 2nd and 3rd.

Ross County haven’t won away from home all season in league and only scored 1 away goal and let in 18 away goals !!

[B.H.F.C]

This really is a massively important game for the club.

Any update on Myko?

Hoilett must start - have a feeling Gray rested him for the Celtic game with this game in mind.

This is the type of game we score - we don’t sit back - we push on and go for a 2nd and 3rd.

Ross County haven’t won away from home all season in league and only scored 1 away goal and let in 18 away goals !!

Think Hoilett missing out at Parkhead was tactical rather than anything else. Do think he will come back in though.

I’d go for the team that played at Motherwell with the exception of Gayle coming in for Myko.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Not really two steps back to lose to Celtic

Regardless of who we were playing we went back to the bottom of the league and lost ground on the 3 teams above us, so it was definitely two steps back after taking a step forward against Motherwell.

It’s an absolute must win this weekend as we will likely struggle to get a win over the next 2 fixtures.

[Jones28]

I don't feel many games are truely "must win" matches but this feels like one, especially when we've got Hearts and Aberdeen away games as our next 2.

Finishing up in 8th by Sunday night feels like a big psychological milestone and we need to do all we can to ensure this happens by winning fairly comfortably.

It's definitely achievable, we need to put in the same level of performance as we have for the last 3 games and if we do that we win.

I'm going for 4-0 Hibs. Youan, Hoillet, Gayle and Triantis the scorers.

[Northernhibee]

We played very well against Celtic, we just came up against a team who could steamroller anyone in the country.

We should do well at the weekend.

[eastterrace]

We played very well against Celtic, we just came up against a team who could steamroller anyone in the country.

We should do well at the weekend. only problem I see is Ross county won’t play open football against us like Celtic did which gave us opportunities. They will sit in and we will huff and puff and hopefully get an early goal or the crowd will get restless.

[easty]

We played very well against Celtic, we just came up against a team who could steamroller anyone in the country.

We should do well at the weekend.

I do think we'll win at the weekend but it's going to be a completely different game. I dinnae expect that Ross County will push up so much that we'd get the 2 opportunities Myko did, for example.

There's little to no expectation that we go to Celtc Park and get anything, there's the additional pressure the players will have on them this weekend.

County will come to Easter Road and plan to sit in and frustrate us. Something that has worked for a number of teams.

If we can get an early-ish goal I'll be delighted.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I do think we'll win at the weekend but it's going to be a completely different game. I dinnae expect that Ross County will push up so much that we'd get the 2 opportunities Myko did, for example.

There's little to no expectation that we go to Celtc Park and get anything, there's the additional pressure the players will have on them this weekend.

County will come to Easter Road and plan to sit in and frustrate us. Something that has worked for a number of teams.

If we can get an early-ish goal I'll be delighted.

:agree:

Not sure the Celtic game tells us anything really in terms of this match. The Aberdeen and Motherwell games (and also, the games prior) are much better indicators as to how we’re placed for this weekends game.

[B.H.F.C]

We played very well against Celtic, we just came up against a team who could steamroller anyone in the country.

We should do well at the weekend.

That wasn’t really how I saw the game on Saturday. It was a big opportunity missed for me, as has been the case in plenty other games this season.

I get that it was Celtic but when you just look at how the game played out, we just made big mistakes in both boxes which is just the story of the season. It never had the feeling of being steamrollered or Celtic running over us, as they can.

Different game entirely on Saturday. Ross County will sit in, waste time, foul and generally make it a scrappy game. We need to come out with an intent and get ourselves in front.

[Heisenberg]

EEN saying Myko out for at least a fortnight. Gayle won’t be fit enough to play full games by the looks of it so be interesting to see what SDG does

[JimBHibees]

EEN saying Myko out for at least a fortnight. Gayle won’t be fit enough to play full games by the looks of it so be interesting to see what SDG does

Youan up front with Hoilett just off?

[California-Hibs]

Ready for me to put the kiss of death on it?.....This really no doubt should be a Hibs win. Let's dig into Rose Countys truly horrific Away Form...

Their last league away win was 29 matches ago! September 2nd 2023 at Kilmarnock.

Stretch it back further and the total is 1 away win in.....33 straight league games!

With our upturn the last 3 games, battling performance against Aberdeen, total domination against Motherwell, and the most clear cut chances I can ever remember at Celtic Park....I think it'll be a comfortable 2 maybe even 3-0 Hibs win.

(I know, I know 👀)

[California-Hibs]

EEN saying Myko out for at least a fortnight. Gayle won’t be fit enough to play full games by the looks of it so be interesting to see what SDG does

It'll be Gayle who starts, and I'm really looking forward to that. Campbell will come on 2nd half when Gayles gassed and we're comfortable.

[Gatecrasher]

For the first time in a long time I feel like we have a good chance at 3 points, I'm so sorry for what's about to happen :hide:

[JohnM1875]

EEN saying Myko out for at least a fortnight. Gayle won’t be fit enough to play full games by the looks of it so be interesting to see what SDG does

Honestly wouldn't bother me if we don't see Myko play for us again.

Get Youan and Boyle up top.

[Pretty Boy]

I'm going to make a bold prediction and say that if both us and Hearts win at the weekend neither of us will prop up the league again.

The kind of post comes back to haunt but I genuinely believe that. I'm not predicting some great run and any kind of success but a win on Saturday means we will have put a decent wee run together, relatively speaking, and will potentially see us leapfrog 2 or 3 teams. That momentum and confidence boost will see us ok.

[The Modfather]

EEN saying Myko out for at least a fortnight. Gayle won’t be fit enough to play full games by the looks of it so be interesting to see what SDG does

A perfect opportunity to be brave and promote Clelland or Landers. If not starting then give them a meaningful amount of minutes as a sub. Are they any less ready or less physical than the 17 year old who scored hearts equaliser in the derby?

[B.H.F.C]

Youan up front with Hoilett just off?

Gayle will play with Youan I’d think. Get what you can from him.

[Centre Hawf]

A perfect opportunity to be brave and promote Clelland or Landers. If not starting then give them a meaningful amount of minutes as a sub. Are they any less ready or less physical than the 17 year old who scored hearts equaliser in the derby?

Neither are near the level required still and Dave Gray cannot take that level of risk for me.

[andrew70]

Neither are near the level required still and Dave Gray cannot take that level of risk for me.

You seen much of them?

I don’t think they’ll play but very harsh assessment of two good young players.

Landers looked handy enough previously and both have worked hard and would deserve a chance if handed to them.

[Donegal Hibby]

Honestly wouldn't bother me if we don't see Myko play for us again.

Get Youan and Boyle up top.

I know he’s missed a couple of really good chances against Celtic though I think we’ll miss him for this one as they’ll sit in which I think won’t make Youan and Boyles pace as effective in getting in behind them .

[WhileTheChief..]

Think this is probably the first time this season I've felt we can get the win.

Not bothered at all about the performance.

[GreenCastle]

Honestly wouldn't bother me if we don't see Myko play for us again.

Get Youan and Boyle up top.

That’s pretty harsh - he’s had a couple difficult moments but he’s still got potential. Think his confidence has been down and this injury will probably keep him out for a few weeks. We don’t have anyone with his physicality up front.

I do think we need to add goals to our team in January and that’s even with the return of Bowie potentially as he will take time to get back to speed.

[Keepthefaith]

I know he’s missed a couple of really good chances against Celtic though I think we’ll miss him for this one as they’ll sit in which I think won’t make Youan and Boyles pace as effective in getting in behind them .

actually when teams sit in I think it's arguable that having youan and Boyle running at the defence, forcing tackles and making them back off might work so long as we have a striker who can find a pocket of space with good movement in the box - that might suit Gayle more than Myko?

[Carheenlea]

Honestly wouldn't bother me if we don't see Myko play for us again.

Get Youan and Boyle up top.

It’s got the feel of a game that Boyle could have a strong performance and get a goal or two.

Looking forward to it - a Hibs Kids game so will be relocating to East for this one. Always adds a good few onto the attendance.

[chrisski33]

It’s got the feel of a game that Boyle could have a strong performance and get a goal or two.

Looking forward to it - a Hibs Kids game so will be relocating to East for this one. Always adds a good few onto the attendance.

Really? What makes you feel that? What's the drink your drinking?

[Ronniekirk]

Gayle will play with Youan I’d think. Get what you can from him.

Has Youan actually scored a league goal yet this season ?

[JohnM1875]

That’s pretty harsh - he’s had a couple difficult moments but he’s still got potential. Think his confidence has been down and this injury will probably keep him out for a few weeks. We don’t have anyone with his physicality up front.

I do think we need to add goals to our team in January and that’s even with the return of Bowie potentially as he will take time to get back to speed.

Don't think it is. He barely scores, isn't great in the air or at holding up play.

I was one who was buzzing at him coming back, but he's been really poor.

[IanM]

A perfect opportunity to be brave and promote Clelland or Landers. If not starting then give them a meaningful amount of minutes as a sub. Are they any less ready or less physical than the 17 year old who scored hearts equaliser in the derby?

Neither of them mentioned by DG as possible replacements

‘So you've still got Dwight Gayle, Elie Youan can play there, Martin Boyle, Harry McKirdy, Josh Campbell, Rudi Molotnikov ... but probably the only real recognised one that's an out-and-out nine who could play himself potentially would be someone like a Myko or a Gayle type.

[Aldo]

Don't think it is. He barely scores, isn't great in the air or at holding up play.

I was one who was buzzing at him coming back, but he's been really poor.

Tbh Boyle has done nothing to show he deserves a starting berth.

He has been as poor as many others and has contributed pretty much nothing this season and most of last season.

Sad state of affairs

[Centre Hawf]

You seen much of them?

I don’t think they’ll play but very harsh assessment of two good young players.

Landers looked handy enough previously and both have worked hard and would deserve a chance if handed to them.

I have. They're good for their level for sure and time will tell if their potential comes to fruition which I hope it does, but the truth is I just don't think they're ready.

[Jones28]

That’s pretty harsh - he’s had a couple difficult moments but he’s still got potential. Think his confidence has been down and this injury will probably keep him out for a few weeks. We don’t have anyone with his physicality up front.

I do think we need to add goals to our team in January and that’s even with the return of Bowie potentially as he will take time to get back to speed.

I like him, I want to score goals for us, much like I did with Vente. But he is bringing nothing for me. He doesn't score enough, he doesn't link play well enough, for a big lad he gets bullied by defenders and his 2 misses on Saturday were bread and butter for a striker.

If we can get better in January and it means punting him back to Swansea then it absolutely needs doing.

Bowie, Gayle, Youan, plus 2 others at the expense of Myko and Boyle and I'd say that was very good business at the top end of the park.

[B.H.F.C]

I like him, I want to score goals for us, much like I did with Vente. But he is bringing nothing for me. He doesn't score enough, he doesn't link play well enough, for a big lad he gets bullied by defenders and his 2 misses on Saturday were bread and butter for a striker.

If we can get better in January and it means punting him back to Swansea then it absolutely needs doing.

Bowie, Gayle, Youan, plus 2 others at the expense of Myko and Boyle and I'd say that was very good business at the top end of the park.

Whilst I think Myko needs to offer more, as does Boyle, they’ve actually both offered more this season than the two you’d keep in Gayle and Youan. Gayle looks like he’ll struggle to get on the pitch with any regularity and Youan hasn’t scored a goal since February.

If, and it looks like quite a big if, we can get Gayle on the park with any regularity he may well offer something. Youan just needs to start scoring, even if he’s looked lively in the last few weeks. Bowie missing so much has, obviously, been a big blow as I’m sure he’d have been out number one striker.

[B.H.F.C]

Just reading that Ross County haven’t won a game away from home in the league for 15 months. And scored one goal away from home this season.

[The Modfather]

I have. They're good for their level for sure and time will tell if their potential comes to fruition which I hope it does, but the truth is I just don't think they're ready.

Genuine question, what’s the difference between the likes of Clelland & Landers and the stick thin 17 year old that won Hearts a point in the last derby? Is he sinply more developed at the same age or are Hearts simply better at being bold and promoting youngsters? Gray talking about McKirdy & Campbell as options to fill the potential void upfront, why? What will we learn trying to shoehorn players with no long term future?

I often wonder how the golden generations careers would pan out if they came through in the last 5 or 10 years instead. Their talent would shine through in the end but when would they actually get an opportunity in the first team and would they have the careers they did if they didn’t get opportunities until a year or two later than they did.

[eastterrace]

Just reading that Ross County haven’t won a game away from home in the league for 15 months. And scored one goal away from home this season.
Oh dear you just know what’s coming

[Centre Hawf]

Genuine question, what’s the difference between the likes of Clelland & Landers and the stick thin 17 year old that won Hearts a point in the last derby? Is he sinply more developed at the same age or are Hearts simply better at being bold and promoting youngsters? Gray talking about McKirdy & Campbell as options to fill the potential void upfront, why? What will we learn trying to shoehorn players with no long term future?

I often wonder how the golden generations careers would pan out if they came through in the last 5 or 10 years instead. Their talent would shine through in the end but when would they actually get an opportunity in the first team and would they have the careers they did if they didn’t get opportunities until a year or two later than they did.

Of course sometimes opportunities need to happen and there is an element of sink or swim with these laddies. But the first barrier that any player coming up from the youth setup needs to break through is not looking out of place at training when they're called up to the senior training.

I remember there was a lot made of the likes of Ethan Laidlaw, who was a fantastic looking prospect at youth level, but something I had heard frequently was that he really struggled to show that talent off when training with the seniors which meant the coaching staff were quite hesitant to throw him in. However Josh O'Connor did appear to translate some of his qualities through better and he was rewarded with a couple of opportunities in the squad for example.

So that's always the first thing people need to remember is that the management team will see them step up to take on an Ekpiteta/Rocky Bushiri as a striker in a drill and really struggle. Likewise a defender may bully laddies his age at centre half but even the smallest of senior players may be able to nudge them around, if you see that in training against guys who don't make even your starting XI then it's hard to trust them against a Simon Murray or a Liam Gordon when you are desperate for no mistakes and three points.

I think one of the things that's worth pointing out is that James Wilson has played all of about 90 minutes worth of Premiership football and only made 4 appearances in the league and is still being used sparingly. But something that has maybe helped his case is that he's also spent time in the Lowland league with their B-Team and done well there playing against senior players, perhaps something like that has helped him acclimatise better to the step up.

I'm quite opposed to the idea of the B-Teams but I do wonder if it's something we should have looked to have done especially if Hearts are doing it just to keep up with them. Especially when we wanted to make that weird Development Team anyway at least they'd have had a league schedule to have played.

[Donegal Hibby]

actually when teams sit in I think it's arguable that having youan and Boyle running at the defence, forcing tackles and making them back off might work so long as we have a striker who can find a pocket of space with good movement in the box - that might suit Gayle more than Myko?

It might suit Gayle alright though I think there’s a question over wither he will start or not as his last start was against hertz and since then he’s only played 8, 21 , 26 , 24 minutes or not been used , now with Gray saying we won’t see Bowie till after Xmas I think there’s a possibility we won’t start Gayle and maybe just go with Youan an Boyle . I’m hoping Boyle will grab his chance and be the one to do the damage getting a couple of goals ( just a feeling) after his injury problem to his hand …

https://www.nottheoldfirm.com/news/martin-boyle-had-hibs-injury-setback-as-boss-david-gray-reveals-re-operation/

Go with …

Smith .

O’hora .
Rocky.
Iredale.

Cadden .
Triantis .
Newell .
Levitt.
Cadden .

Boyle .
Youan.

[Tarrahib]

Just reading that Ross County haven’t won a game away from home in the league for 15 months. And scored one goal away from home this season.
Local radio up here interviewing County. Players confident they will get a win as they will never get a better chance. Mon the Hibs let’s prove them wrong.

[The Modfather]

Of course sometimes opportunities need to happen and there is an element of sink or swim with these laddies. But the first barrier that any player coming up from the youth setup needs to break through is not looking out of place at training when they're called up to the senior training.

I remember there was a lot made of the likes of Ethan Laidlaw, who was a fantastic looking prospect at youth level, but something I had heard frequently was that he really struggled to show that talent off when training with the seniors which meant the coaching staff were quite hesitant to throw him in. However Josh O'Connor did appear to translate some of his qualities through better and he was rewarded with a couple of opportunities in the squad for example.

So that's always the first thing people need to remember is that the management team will see them step up to take on an Ekpiteta/Rocky Bushiri as a striker in a drill and really struggle. Likewise a defender may bully laddies his age at centre half but even the smallest of senior players may be able to nudge them around, if you see that in training against guys who don't make even your starting XI then it's hard to trust them against a Simon Murray or a Liam Gordon when you are desperate for no mistakes and three points.

I think one of the things that's worth pointing out is that James Wilson has played all of about 90 minutes worth of Premiership football and only made 4 appearances in the league and is still being used sparingly. But something that has maybe helped his case is that he's also spent time in the Lowland league with their B-Team and done well there playing against senior players, perhaps something like that has helped him acclimatise better to the step up.

I'm quite opposed to the idea of the B-Teams but I do wonder if it's something we should have looked to have done especially if Hearts are doing it just to keep up with them. Especially when we wanted to make that weird Development Team anyway at least they'd have had a league schedule to have played.

I appreciate the reply. Lots of good, and relevant, points raised.

Sometimes players don’t show much in training but deliver on a Saturday despite that. Although that’s probably more relevant, or likely, for senior pros than youngsters.

I get that there is a massive step up and not many make that step up. However, look at Rudi. He’s physically ready and was really good in the league cup games. He’s struggled as the season has gone on, alongside almost everyone else, and now barely features. From the outside it looks like another example of a youngsters development being badly managed. I certainly can’t see any signs off a coherent and structured plan to develop him and get him closer to being first team ready next season. He looks like he’s following the path of McKirdy, JDH & NMW. Nothing for months, then we might see a spate of random appearances before he disappears again.

I just think that as a club it has to be inbuilt to use opportunities like this weekend to promote youngsters rather than turn to square pegs in round holes, some of which we are actively trying to move on/waiting on their contracts expiring. Maybe some youthful exuberance is just what’s needed. Whittaker coming though last season, and in the early games, not looking out of place was a rare bright spot in yet another forgettable season. Before it was time to take him out the team again, but he had to stay in out of necessity.

[Jones28]

Local radio up here interviewing County. Players confident they will get a win as they will never get a better chance. Mon the Hibs let’s prove them wrong.

Never get a better chance? I thought they were utter guff in our game against them a few weeks ago. We weren't much better but we dominated the ball in the second half.

**** em, go and give them a hiding Hibs.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I appreciate the reply. Lots of good, and relevant, points raised.

Sometimes players don’t show much in training but deliver on a Saturday despite that. Although that’s probably more relevant, or likely, for senior pros than youngsters.

I get that there is a massive step up and not many make that step up. However, look at Rudi. He’s physically ready and was really good in the league cup games. He’s struggled as the season has gone on, alongside almost everyone else, and now barely features. From the outside it looks like another example of a youngsters development being badly managed. I certainly can’t see any signs off a coherent and structured plan to develop him and get him closer to being first team ready next season. He looks like he’s following the path of McKirdy, JDH & NMW. Nothing for months, then we might see a spate of random appearances before he disappears again.

I just think that as a club it has to be inbuilt to use opportunities like this weekend to promote youngsters rather than turn to square pegs in round holes, some of which we are actively trying to move on/waiting on their contracts expiring. Maybe some youthful exuberance is just what’s needed. Whittaker coming though last season, and in the early games, not looking out of place was a rare bright spot in yet another forgettable season. Before it was time to take him out the team again, but he had to stay in out of necessity.

I’m not sure Rudi has ever looked really good imo. He looks like he has potential, but if you look at him as a first team player, he’s nowhere near being really good imo. At best he looks like he should just about be good enough to make the bench.

It goes back to the Josh Campbell thread where people are in disagreement about whether homegrown players get it worse. Rudi isn’t first team ready for the top tier imo but people are happy to give him a lot more leeway as he’s a youth player.

I had a discussion with a poster on here a season or two ago where they were going mental because I said the likes of Murray Aiken and Josh O’Connor were nowhere near ready for our first team and that they would make us significantly worse. They were advocating throwing 4 or 5 of them in because they were better than what we have. The reality is, whilst they were very good at youth level, none of that team that played Dortmund are good enough at this point in time and for the vast majority they never will be.

I’ve seen Landers a few times and from the limited amount of time I’ve seen him, he shouldn’t be in our first team, and that’s absolutely fine at 17 years old. I’ve never seen much of Clelland so can’t comment on him, but even comparing them to Wilson at Hearts, he’s only made 4 appearances and has done much more throughout his youth career than our two with success all the way through the Scotland youth teams for example.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Local radio up here interviewing County. Players confident they will get a win as they will never get a better chance. Mon the Hibs let’s prove them wrong.

I don’t think that’s an unreasonable thought process on their part. We’re bottom of the league, it stands to reason this is their best chance of beating us.

[andrew70]

I have. They're good for their level for sure and time will tell if their potential comes to fruition which I hope it does, but the truth is I just don't think they're ready.

Fair, I also note your point below regard Lowland League.

I am against the B teams and wouldn’t want to follow that lead however I do want us to utilise the loan market better.

I know Landers was going out on loan before his arm break and if Cleland isn’t to be involved then I hope he does too although still very young.

I do believe both could do a job as a substitutes. I’ve not seen them play too much this season as I coach Friday’s now but both have been very active in the gym and have bulked up on the premise of first team football this season.

The situation we are in can go against young players but equally the supporters would buy into them
a lot better than some of the others.

Having seen a lot of them last season I was hopeful both would be in and around.

[B.H.F.C]

I don’t think that’s an unreasonable thought process on their part. We’re bottom of the league, it stands to reason this is their best chance of beating us.

Hard to argue with that. We don’t win very often and give away loads of goals so I’d fancy my chances, whoever I was. Expect Jordan White to play up front and them to chuck the ball in his direction at any opportunity.

On the flip side, we are in desperate need of three points and if there is one game I could choose to play, it would be Ross County at home.

[Centre Hawf]

I appreciate the reply. Lots of good, and relevant, points raised.

Sometimes players don’t show much in training but deliver on a Saturday despite that. Although that’s probably more relevant, or likely, for senior pros than youngsters.

I get that there is a massive step up and not many make that step up. However, look at Rudi. He’s physically ready and was really good in the league cup games. He’s struggled as the season has gone on, alongside almost everyone else, and now barely features. From the outside it looks like another example of a youngsters development being badly managed. I certainly can’t see any signs off a coherent and structured plan to develop him and get him closer to being first team ready next season. He looks like he’s following the path of McKirdy, JDH & NMW. Nothing for months, then we might see a spate of random appearances before he disappears again.

I just think that as a club it has to be inbuilt to use opportunities like this weekend to promote youngsters rather than turn to square pegs in round holes, some of which we are actively trying to move on/waiting on their contracts expiring. Maybe some youthful exuberance is just what’s needed. Whittaker coming though last season, and in the early games, not looking out of place was a rare bright spot in yet another forgettable season. Before it was time to take him out the team again, but he had to stay in out of necessity.

I wouldn't necessarily say that Rudi's development has been badly managed, the player also needs to take ownership of their own development and I think sometimes players just don't kick on despite having the platform there to do so. If I'm honest I've never really felt he has stepped up another gear when watching him so far. He struggled to get game time on loan last season and when the League Cup was over I've not felt he's justified playing much more than he currently has. I think he'll still get opportunities but as you say he has to deliver when he gets it. Players aren't owed chances they have to earn them either in training or in the cameos they get, preferably both.

I would agree though that there perhaps needs to be considerations given into the squad planning for some youngsters to step into the fold as say a second or third choice depending on their current ability levels rather then we start to hoard 5 strikers all over 25 earning 3-6k a week and none of them really doing it, could we drop 1 or 2 of them and have a 20/21 year old looking to break in?

Which is where maybe a B-Team would be useful for that 16-20 age range. You look at Josh O'Connor for example he's probably now only hitting the age where you could reasonably expect to see him cut it at a senior level consistently, and he's only now at the age his father was when he was starting to play regularly and score goals, Deeks similar. Not saying he should be hitting those twos numbers as they were excellent players, but I just don't think it's reasonable of fans or the club to expect every 16 to 19 year old to be ready at the same time, some will take more development and maybe a year or two longer. But I think that's a general football problem now where not a lot of players are given time to develop and everyone has to be Mbappe or Neymar finished products at 18 in some places.

[HIBS NUTS]

I would generally agree that throwing young forwards in to quickly isn’t the way forward, However when your main centre forward is injured, and your main replacements are not going to give you a lot of running up front, I think there should be a place in the squad, for Dean Clelland, even if it’s for his all action style and energy, and as a reward for his recent incredible goal scoring this season.
Probably a 10 minute cameo , and the end of games, when defenders are tiring.
His work ethic, in games, is brilliant.
Please do not play McKirdy, or waste a place on the bench again.

[GreenCastle]

Just reading that Ross County haven’t won a game away from home in the league for 15 months. And scored one goal away from home this season.

Tomorrow is massively important. Really looking forward to it.

We need to win - no excuses.

I’m confident we can.

Would be nice to have a proper 90 minute good performance and move off the bottom of the table.

[Franck Stanton]

This really is a massively important game for the club.

Any update on Myko?

Hoilett must start - have a feeling Gray rested him for the Celtic game with this game in mind.

This is the type of game we score - we don’t sit back - we push on and go for a 2nd and 3rd.

Ross County haven’t won away from home all season in league and only scored 1 away goal and let in 18 away goals !!


Aaagggghhhhhh, was feeling quietly optimistic about the game tomorrow until I read your last paragraph.
If ever a team hasn't won away from home for a number of games, hasn't scored a goal in weeks etc etc then you can bet your bottom dollar they rectify that when they play us.

[wookie70]

I would generally agree that throwing young forwards in to quickly isn’t the way forward, However when your main centre forward is injured, and your main replacements are not going to give you a lot of running up front, I think there should be a place in the squad, for Dean Clelland, even if it’s for his all action style and energy, and as a reward for his recent incredible goal scoring this season.
Probably a 10 minute cameo , and the end of games, when defenders are tiring.
His work ethic, in games, is brilliant.
Please do not play McKirdy, or waste a place on the bench again.

That is where I am at. I don't think Dean is ready to be a starter but when I see McKirdy I can't believe we would get less from Deano. He has an amazing knack of getting on the end of things whether from the left or through the middle. As you say he has endless energy and never stops running usually with purpose rather than the headless chicken variety. He also looks a very determined lad who doesn't like losing his own battles. For me he has enough to sit on the bench and get a chance

[JimBHibees]

Never get a better chance? I thought they were utter guff in our game against them a few weeks ago. We weren't much better but we dominated the ball in the second half.

**** em, go and give them a hiding Hibs.

Absolutely think I would be sharing that with players prior to the game. Time to run right over the top of them

[Tambo]

Having to work again so will check the highlights out later, another must win game.

Mon the Hibs.

[Saint Hibee]

I think Rudi actually did really well the last time I saw him play (at Tannadice). He might lose possession occasionally, but so does everyone else. I like how direct and attack minded he is.

[Donegal Hibby]

Who’s the ref for our game ?

[He's here!]

Genuine question, what’s the difference between the likes of Clelland & Landers and the stick thin 17 year old that won Hearts a point in the last derby? Is he sinply more developed at the same age or are Hearts simply better at being bold and promoting youngsters? Gray talking about McKirdy & Campbell as options to fill the potential void upfront, why? What will we learn trying to shoehorn players with no long term future?

I often wonder how the golden generations careers would pan out if they came through in the last 5 or 10 years instead. Their talent would shine through in the end but when would they actually get an opportunity in the first team and would they have the careers they did if they didn’t get opportunities until a year or two later than they did.

Genuine question. When you look at the number of players who have come through the academy and established themselves in the first team it's a paltry return on investment. What, really, is the point in the youth system these days? You could say the same about other clubs but it would probably yield better results if we simply signed promising youngsters from lower league clubs.

[Tully]

Who’s the ref for our game ?

L Wilson never heard of him

[Donegal Hibby]

L Wilson never heard of him

Neither did I though did see he was the fourth official in our 3-0 win against Motherwell so hopefully a good omen.