Right, Let's Build On This 3rd Place Finish

[Since452]

What an amazing opportunity we have to push on as a club. European group stage football all but confirmed. Let's get the summer transfer window done properly and build a squad to give Europe a decent shot and challenge for 3rd again next season.

Let's not make the same mistakes we did in the summer of 2021 when we last finished 3rd.

[Northernhibee]

Biggest challenge if Celtic win the cup final is how we balance the extra workload. So far it’s cost each manager their jobs and the team has had a stinking season.

We need to recruit smartly and well to support SDG in this and to break the riddle no other team has yet.

[JeMeSouviens]

Assuming the Dons lose as we all expect, it's 8-10 extra games in the first half of the season. That's a lot. Think we need to manage our expectations?

[Trinity Hibee]

Agree. I imagine, should Aberdeen lose the cup final and we get Euro groups, that should go a long way to attracting players this summer. Really hopeful we can pull together a great squad. McGrath is a good start

[Speedy]

Assuming the Dons lose as we all expect, it's 8-10 extra games in the first half of the season. That's a lot. Think we need to manage our expectations?

Top 4 and qualifying from the conference league would represent a fantastic season. That should be our target.

[lucky]

As fans, we have our part to play. We need show a bit of patience if things aren't going to plan. European group stages is very a big ask on the squad. Finishing third in successive seasons is also very difficult. Hearts will spend, probably not wisely, and Aberdeen will come again. But if we all pull together we can build on this season. It's a great time to be a Hibbie.

[LoaningCrHibbie]

I agree it's a massive opportunity, especially if Hibs get into the Europa league play-offs by Celtic winning the Scottish cup. In fact I think that would be an ideal time for Bill Foley and the Black Knights to substantially invest in the player budget as the best time to build for the future is from a position of strength.

[Hibs Go Bragh]

Assuming the Dons lose as we all expect, it's 8-10 extra games in the first half of the season. That's a lot. Think we need to manage our expectations?

I think we need to pretty much write off the first half of next season. The Thurs/Sun schedule will take it's toll and the players minds will be on the euro ties.

What we do need to do is remember this season and even being bottom on the league in Nov/Dec we were still able to finish third.

Lets just enjoy europe, try and get a few wins which is worth even more money and then smash the league from xmas onwards.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Top 4 and qualifying from the conference league would represent a fantastic season. That should be our target.

If we qualify from the conference league, top 6 would be an unbelievable achievement

[Thatdayinmay16]

Said this to my dad, we had the chance to build on 3rd place when JR finished there.

Let's not make the same mistakes this time around, get the players SDG wants in and build on what could be an excellent period for our club.

[ToffeeCabbage]

100% this. If do get group stage football it gives us such a great opportunity to get that wee head start over Hearts & Aberdeen in terms of building on what is a strong squad foundation and attracting that next level of player etc. Hearts with Bloom/Brighton onboard will likely have a similar model to us in future but they are starting from scratch. Aberdeen are faltering and I think there are big doubts about Jimmy Thelin now but they've got the financial backing to pull themselves back together etc. So it's crucial we get it right.

But I do have faith in our set up now that I don't believe we'll completely tank next season like Hearts and Aberdeen have in the last 2 seasons. But in my living memory, we haven't really managed to back up a 3rd place finish (and there's not been many) the following season, although Mowbray did get us 3rd then 4th the next season. When we came 3rd in 01 & 21, we came 10th & 8th the following season. Not great.

[SonOfDavidFrancey]

Im relieved to see so many people urging caution as this schedule has destroyed both Aberdeen and Hearts in the last two seasons. Hopefully we can learn from their experiences.

[SJNB Hibby]

Assuming the Dons lose as we all expect, it's 8-10 extra games in the first half of the season. That's a lot. Think we need to manage our expectations? Minus 4 SLC group matches---admittedly against lower league opposition

[Nicho87]

I remember hibs playing Livingston I’m sure after the Athens game and they were completly done it and got beat

Managing hopefully 6 league games will take some doing.

Squad game and no time for passengers.

Hoping that the Black Knights really step in with one or two really good players on 6 months loans

[hibsforeurope]

This will be where, hopefully, the BKFC group come in to play, getting a few quality loans in until January (initially) to bulk out the squad at minimal cost would be massive.

[SHODAN]

Yeah we need a huge squad for this. Big signings needed in the window.

[Mcbizz1998]

Minus 4 SLC group matches---admittedly against lower league opposition

That’s a good point.

And tbh yes Aberdeen and Hearts have struggled, but we don’t really know the reason for that. We are making the (admittedly reasonable) assumption it’s due to the extra fixtures but we don’t know that. It’s ultimately 4 more games than we would usually expect in first half of season, though against tougher opponents plus travel. If we can keep the core of this group together and make some good signings, there is no reason we can’t succeed where Aberdeen and hearts failed.

[Alex Trager]

That’s a good point.

And tbh yes Aberdeen and Hearts have struggled, but we don’t really know the reason for that. We are making the (admittedly reasonable) assumption it’s due to the extra fixtures but we don’t know that. It’s ultimately 4 more games than we would usually expect in first half of season, though against tougher opponents plus travel. If we can keep the core of this group together and make some good signings, there is no reason we can’t succeed where Aberdeen and hearts failed.

Tbh though, I’m not so sure Hearts did fail the first time they had the groups.

They finished fourth and were in third (I think) when they sacked Neilson after his first bad spell of five straight defeats.

Finishing fourth with the group stages earlier on in that season is good going.

I can’t remember their cup performances that year.

[percy veer]

Assuming the Dons lose as we all expect, it's 8-10 extra games in the first half of the season. That's a lot. Think we need to manage our expectations?


We won't have the league cup group stages at least

[Garymcl]

We must continue to do our bit ,so far support has been unbeleivable but I agree let’s not rest on our laurels ,sell as many season tickets as possible ,this team and management deserve it let’s smash the record for season ticket sales

[Since452]

Foleys/Black Knights eyes must be lighting up at European group stage football. They're not going to get that at any of the other clubs in the group.

With the learnings of the past and the infrastructure we now have in place this could be very exciting times for us Hibbys. I totally agree with other posters though. We need to realise the pressure Thursday/Sundays will put on the squad and look at why Aberdeen and Hearts struggled so badly.

[WhileTheChief..]

Let's not make the same mistakes we did in the summer of 2021 when we last finished 3rd.

Exactly my thoughts.

Hopefully lessons have been learnt.

[JohnM1875]

This HAS to be the time we go for it. There won't be a better opportunity for a good few years, if again, with the changes to the coefficient from next season.

Already buzzing for the summer transfer window and all the madness to kick off.

[BoomtownHibees]

Foleys/Black Knights eyes must be lighting up at European group stage football. They're not going to get that at any of the other clubs in the group.

With the learnings of the past and the infrastructure we now have in place this could be very exciting times for us Hibbys. I totally agree with other posters though. We need to realise the pressure Thursday/Sundays will put on the squad and look at why Aberdeen and Hearts struggled so badly.

They could with Bournemouth no?

[Hibees1973]

Will be very difficult.

It's not just a big squad we need. We need to be mighty lucky with no injuries / suspensions to key players.

Tbh I'm prepared for us being bottom 3 or 4 up until the new year.

It's a price I'm quite happy for us to pay if we have 8 European games up before Christmas.

Surely everyone would be content with this, if we end up having a few epic European games. Particularly if we manage to qualify for the Europa League phase.

[GreenCastle]

Will be very difficult.

It's not just a big squad we need. We need to be mighty lucky with no injuries / suspensions to key players.

Tbh I'm prepared for us being bottom 3 or 4 up until the new year.

It's a price I'm quite happy for us to pay if we have 8 European games up before Christmas.

Surely everyone would be content with this, if we end up having a few epic European games. Particularly if we manage to qualify for the Europa League phase.

Oddly we actually did well when Newell (club captain) Youan and N.Cadden were all missing.

But we need more depth and quality…

The aim should be able to do well on both fronts - we can’t just let league form slip away - it’s not easy but we should be looking at other clubs experiences and avoiding same mistakes.

[BoomtownHibees]

Will be very difficult.

It's not just a big squad we need. We need to be mighty lucky with no injuries / suspensions to key players.

Tbh I'm prepared for us being bottom 3 or 4 up until the new year.

It's a price I'm quite happy for us to pay if we have 8 European games up before Christmas.

Surely everyone would be content with this, if we end up having a few epic European games. Particularly if we manage to qualify for the Europa League phase.

Na we can’t just forget about keeping the progress going in the league

[Since452]

They could with Bournemouth no?

They could but very unlikely id have thought.

[Tambo]

We should have pushed on last time we finished 3rd so lets no make the same mistake again.

[Hibby Kay-Yay]

We need to be careful in not overloading the squad going beyond next season. Or we risk stagnation if we don’t qualify for Europe next season and need to take a hit on releasing players etc.

It’s a fine balance.

[BoomtownHibees]

They could but very unlikely id have thought.

They’re currently only 2 points off a European place. Not sure where they would enter if they did qualify but don’t think it’s that unlikely

[Donegal Hibby]

I think we need to be realistic in juggling between European and league football isn’t easy plus the fact I think hertz won’t be as bad next season either , hopefully a run in Europe , Cup final 🤞and finishing top 6 would be a decent season.

[Tambo]

I think we need to be realistic in juggling between European and league football isn’t easy plus the fact I think hertz won’t be as bad next season either , hopefully a run in Europe , Cup final 🤞and finishing top 6 would be a decent season.

Sounds realistic, no reason we shouldn't be aiming for another high finish, will be tough with Thursday and Sundays we just need to make full use of the whole squad.

I did see someone comment on youtube that we should be looking to make some serious signings, get rid of spfl standard players and go on a European run and go for the league.

[Since452]

They’re currently only 2 points off a European place. Not sure where they would enter if they did qualify but don’t think it’s that unlikely

Didn't realise English teams got so many European places. They're currently 10th. Incredible.

[hibsforeurope]

Didn't realise English teams got so many European places. They're currently 10th. Incredible.

English league is mad, one of the teams who are currently 4th and 5th bottom place will be champions league next season.

[ancient hibee]

It would be interesting to know if Aberdeen and Hearts suffered because they constantly changed team selections to rest players or because they didn’t change them enough and some players played too often.

[ancient hibee]

English league is mad, one of the teams who are currently 4th and 5th bottom place will be champions league next season.
That’s because of the rules of the European competition so hardly anything to do with the league.

[bingo70]

It would be interesting to know if Aberdeen and Hearts suffered because they constantly changed team selections to rest players or because they didn’t change them enough and some players played too often.

It’s a bit of a bug bear of mine, in the last couple of years Aberdeen and Hearts managers have spoken about their teams being tired in the first month or two of the season. I get why it can affect rangers and Celtic when it gets to Christmas and they’ve been doing it for months but the first few weeks of the season there shouldn’t be any fatigue.

[Wilson]

It’s a bit of a bug bear of mine, in the last couple of years Aberdeen and Hearts managers have spoken about their teams being tired in the first month or two of the season. I get why it can affect rangers and Celtic when it gets to Christmas and they’ve been doing it for months but the first few weeks of the season there shouldn’t be any fatigue.

Travel. Mental preparation for tougher fixtures. The reliance on a smaller pool of quality players with no depth to the squad.

You mention fatigue. What about niggling injuries. Fans want the best eleven every game so they power through. Without players at 100 percent or quality cover performance suffers.

These aren't throw away comments by failing managers you are dismissing. It is evidenced every season by our smaller clubs failing to repeat their league success while also competing in Europe.

It will be interesting to see if hibs have any strategy to try and buck the trend.