January window

[andrew_dundee]

Now we seem to be on a good run and have found a bit of momentum, what would be your priorities.

I was listening to the Longbangers podcast earlier and they all seemed to be saying business isn't so necessary and time to move a couple of people on and keep money for the summer (sorry if that's a misrepresentation).

I'd still like another keeper and a bit more depth for the defence. Less concerned about up front if Bowie is back soon esp as we have a few players scoring goals for us at the moment.

[Ribs1875]

business is a necessity for us going forward. We are definitely needing to empty and perhaps get another couple of loan signings that are the equivalent of Maolida and Marcondes calibre to see our season through. We need a goalscorer and a holding mid.

Time for us to try offload some deadwood, like Amos, NMW, Kenneh and bursik.

[ian cruise]

We signed a bucket load in the summer and it's taken time for players to gel and adapt, we're seeing the benefit of showing them patience (honestly, we were all super patient and confident 😅), so I don't think big changes are either necessary or wise.

A keeper for sure.

A CH to take pressure off O'Hora would be a good idea.

Still feel like we're short an attacking threat.

We've too many midfielders as it is, we're not replacing anyone there unless there's a fire sale with our current players.

[PHeffernan]

Now we seem to be on a good run and have found a bit of momentum, what would be your priorities.

I was listening to the Longbangers podcast earlier and they all seemed to be saying business isn't so necessary and time to move a couple of people on and keep money for the summer (sorry if that's a misrepresentation).

I'd still like another keeper and a bit more depth for the defence. Less concerned about up front if Bowie is back soon esp as we have a few players scoring goals for us at the moment.

I see more outs than ins for Hibs in this window given the turn in fortunes which has come about since we started keeping 11 players on at all times during matches. Who knew :greengrin

Kuharevych will probably be available for our 1st game in January and Bowie and Ekpiteta for our 1st game in February.
Their return will leave few gaps in the squad.

Kenneh, JDH and McKirdy are all out of contract in 5 months time so they need to be playing to be in the shop window to attract a new suitor so almost certain to leave on loan or permanently in January. Presume the players, their agents and Hibs have been working on this and are ready to move when the window opens.
Amos is another who may move closer to home in January if he gets an offer. He is still getting in the match day squad but never gets on which is no use to him.

A good chance Bursik will return to his parent club if the contract allows. Not playing does nothing for the player or his owners.
If that is happening Hibs will have been working on a loan replacement.

Other possible out is Youan. January is when desperate clubs pay over the odds for a good player. If he stays until summer he will have a year left on his contract which will weaken our bargaining position. A January sale solves that. Again a loan replacement would be required.

Outside of that Hibs need a new loan club for Murray Johnson who isn't playing at Airdrie as well as a new loan or permanent club for Malik Zaid and Josh O'Connor who are both back at base and out of contract in 5 months time.
22 years old Max Boruc is another young player out of contract in the summer and again I would like to see Hibs helping him find a new club or a shop window loan in January if they have no intention of giving him another contract.

Have I forgotten anyone?

There is also the not so small matter of players that are out of contract in the summer that the club may want to keep.
Too date we have heard no mention of new contract talks and the likes of Chris Cadden, Reuben McAllister, Lewis Miller and Rocky Bushiri are free to negotiate with other clubs in under a week.

P.S. no chance we strike gold like we did with Maolida last January. What a player he was! If Brian McDermott found him I can almost forgive him the Montgomery deal.