Praising with Faint Damns

[GloryGlory]

Mikey Stewart sounding a bit like he's been eating a lot of sour grapes!



“I looked at certain players and just thought, no chance, you're not getting anything out of them and some of them he has. The biggest slap in the back I can give to them is that David Gray, he must have been going, like privately, he must have been thinking about some of these players and thinking, not good enough, you're killing me.”

"But privately, he mustn't have been berating them either because if he was, he wouldn't have been able to get a tune out of them eventually. And that's what he's done. Some of those guys that, I'm not gonna name names now, but it's been quite clear in terms of players that I'm looking at now and I'm thinking, they're playing above themselves."

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/michael-stewart-at-hibs-factor-didnt-see-coming-david-gray-5135953

[green day]

Mikey Stewart sounding a bit like he's been eating a lot of sour grapes!



“I looked at certain players and just thought, no chance, you're not getting anything out of them and some of them he has. The biggest slap in the back I can give to them is that David Gray, he must have been going, like privately, he must have been thinking about some of these players and thinking, not good enough, you're killing me.”

"But privately, he mustn't have been berating them either because if he was, he wouldn't have been able to get a tune out of them eventually. And that's what he's done. Some of those guys that, I'm not gonna name names now, but it's been quite clear in terms of players that I'm looking at now and I'm thinking, they're playing above themselves."

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/michael-stewart-at-hibs-factor-didnt-see-coming-david-gray-5135953

Its like its been written by someone whos first language is not English.

[GloryGlory]

Its like its been written by someone whos first language is not English.

TBF, it's direct quotes from Stewart speaking on Sportsound. But you're right - it does sound semi-literate.

[3pm]

I'll 'not name names now' so I have an entire squad to - hopefully - blast next year so I can say I told you so.

Go on Michael, name the names....

[Just_Jimmy]

Its easy with hindsight to slag him, but there's plenty Hibs fans, me included were thinking or saying the same at the time.

What SDG has done, is nothing short of remarkable.

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[Jones28]

Its easy with hindsight to slag him, but there's plenty Hibs fans, me included were thinking or saying the same at the time.

What SDG has done, is nothing short of remarkable.

Sent from my SM-S931B using Tapatalk

Hindsight is all well and good, but Stewarts lack of contrition for some of the hard times he gave a lot of our mainstays - Rocky and Smith especially - is reeking of sour, maroon, slightly past their best grapes.

[Carheenlea]

His “they’re playing above themselves” line suggests he still doesn’t rate them.

Bitterness dripping through the whole article - which is hugely pleasing.

[Chorley Hibee]

His “they’re playing above themselves” line suggests he still doesn’t rate them.

Bitterness dripping through the whole article - which is hugely pleasing.

Yes, that quote struck me as well.

You can tell he's desperate to jump on them at the first opportunity.

[hibsbollah]

Hindsight is all well and good, but Stewarts lack of contrition for some of the hard times he gave a lot of our mainstays - Rocky and Smith especially - is reeking of sour, maroon, slightly past their best grapes.

He brutalised Lewis Miller, too. Borderline bullying behaviour.

Of course Hibs fans lost hope in some of these players too. The difference is, most of us are big enough to admit we were wrong in some cases. In the case of Levitt and Miller in particular, I was badly wrong because i thought they were rank bad players who would never anount to anything. By contrast I always thought Rocky was a class defender who hit some poor form, had some bad luck, was made a media scapegoat but would come out of it as a much better player than we all thought. But its all guesswork really. Michael Stewart is justifying persecuting those players now by saying their improvement is all down to Gray, like he’s lifted these total donkeys up singlehandedly. Thats a stupid take. He would simply be a better pundit if he was more humble.

[JimBHibees]

Hindsight is all well and good, but Stewarts lack of contrition for some of the hard times he gave a lot of our mainstays - Rocky and Smith especially - is reeking of sour, maroon, slightly past their best grapes.

Lewis Miller also. Can't ever accept he has been wrong about anything. His bromance with Mcinnes will start very soon imo or Del as he will be known.

[Jones28]

He brutalised Lewis Miller, too. Borderline bullying behaviour.

Of course Hibs fans lost hope in some of these players too. The difference is, most of us are big enough to admit we were wrong in some cases. In the case of Levitt and Miller in particular, I was badly wrong because i thought they were rank bad players who would never anount to anything. By contrast I always thought Rocky was a class defender who hit some poor form, had some bad luck, was made a media scapegoat but would come out of it as a much better player than we all thought. But its all guesswork really. Michael Stewart is justifying persecuting those players now by saying their improvement is all down to Gray, like he’s lifted these total donkeys up singlehandedly. Thats a stupid take. He would simply be a better pundit if he was more humble.


Lewis Miller also. Can't ever accept he has been wrong about anything. His bromance with Mcinnes will start very soon imo or Del as he will be known.

Miller too, bang on.

If these guys stay with the club it will be interesting to see if his views change next season.

"When the facts change, I change my mind" is a quote I've heard a number of times, someone should pass it on to MS.

[The Tubs]

I thought Miller had a bad game at St Mirren. Hopefully he can get back to the same consistency he had for a good period of 2025.

[GloryGlory]

His “they’re playing above themselves” line suggests he still doesn’t rate them.

Bitterness dripping through the whole article - which is hugely pleasing.

Yes. I think it is more the case that the players were not fulfilling their potential, particularly relatively young and inexperienced players like Bushiri and Miller, and the guidance and coaching from SDG and his staff, along with their own hard work, has improved them.

Mikey doesn't seem to realise that SPFL clubs outwith the OF don't actually have the means to buy the finished article so have to search for players with potential in the hope that they can be developed.

There was a constant mantra from BBC commentators throughout the season about "Bushiri has got a mistake in him" despite several great performances and loads of consistently good ones. Let's be honest, most if not all SPFL players "have a mistake" in them, otherwise they wouldn't be playing in the SPFL.

[Lago]

Its easy with hindsight to slag him, but there's plenty Hibs fans, me included were thinking or saying the same at the time.

What SDG has done, is nothing short of remarkable.

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Yip I was one as well, so hold my hands up ask for forgiveness and say we'll done David Gray & his coaching staff 👏

[Donegal Hibby]

Its easy with hindsight to slag him, but there's plenty Hibs fans, me included were thinking or saying the same at the time.

What SDG has done, is nothing short of remarkable.

Sent from my SM-S931B using Tapatalk

That’s not really telling the whole story of the way MS was going on though in he was singling out individual Hibs players as well as repeatedly pointing out he thought there was issues with our squad and yet he was blowing hot air about hertz having a good balance in their squad that had a clear “ identity “ in the way they were playing under Critchley…

I never even when things were bad thought this Hibs squad was any worse than other teams outside the OF’s and in most cases actually thought it was better . I asked myself a question in how many hertz players would get into our first team and was struggling to pick even one ..

Though just like Stewart there was folk belittling Hibs and bumming up hertz who ended up looking pretty stupid ..

https://youtu.be/JhbkxRyh9y0?si=9tMuFAsQ7H9Ai6SZ

[Bostonhibby]

Amateur pundit, Hearts man and a complete inability to recognise he might be wrong, ever, facts this season tend to fly in the face of his "expert" opinion.

More faces than the town hall clock......

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[Since452]

I feel like people look for any excuse to berate Mikey Stewart. Even when he's talking sense. Find it all a bit weird.

[hibsbollah]

I feel like people look for any excuse to berate Mikey Stewart. Even when he's talking sense. Find it all a bit weird.

Its not ‘any excuse’ when people are giving concrete examples of why he’s a rubbish pundit. If you like him fair enough.

[dangermouse]

That’s not really telling the whole story of the way MS was going on though in he was singling out individual Hibs players as well as repeatedly pointing out he thought there was issues with our squad and yet he was blowing hot air about hertz having a good balance in their squad that had a clear “ identity “ in the way they were playing under Critchley…

I never even when things were bad thought this Hibs squad was any worse than other teams outside the OF’s and in most cases actually thought it was better . I asked myself a question in how many hertz players would get into our first team and was struggling to pick even one ..

Though just like Stewart there was folk belittling Hibs and bumming up hertz who ended up looking pretty stupid ..

https://youtu.be/JhbkxRyh9y0?si=9tMuFAsQ7H9Ai6SZ

Strange one that, as he latterly was going on about how they had no identity and lacked pace or balance.

[ancient hibee]

Amateur pundit, Hearts man and a complete inability to recognise he might be wrong, ever, facts this season tend to fly in the face of his "expert" opinion.

More faces than the town hall clock......

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Exactly. It’s amazing his attempt to be a politician failed.

[Hiber-nation]

I feel like people look for any excuse to berate Mikey Stewart. Even when he's talking sense. Find it all a bit weird.

Exactly what I was going to post. Strange obsession.

[One Day Soon]

Its not ‘any excuse’ when people are giving concrete examples of why he’s a rubbish pundit. If you like him fair enough.

TBF I think he can be a pretty insightful pundit. The problem is though that he's hard work on the occasions he he won't admit to being wrong when he is and he also seems to struggle with preventing his bus shelter tinted spectacles from informing aspects of his views on Edinburgh football.

But then why single him out, look at how similar problems affect most of the Sportsound staff...

[Jones28]

TBF I think he can be a pretty insightful pundit. The problem is though that he's hard work on the occasions he he won't admit to being wrong when he is and he also seems to struggle with preventing his bus shelter tinted spectacles from informing aspects of his views on Edinburgh football.

But then why single him out, look at how similar problems affect most of the Sportsound staff...

Probably because MS used to be reasonable and have some quality insight over and above the Sportsound Screech Squad.

Now he just comes across as a stubborn, in-bedded blowhard who, despite the evidence of his eyes and ears, thinks the Hibs squad is only in the position its in because it's playing above itself?

[wookie70]

I hope the players Stewart was constantly berating and picking up every mistake, Miller and Rocky in particular, have listened to his nonsense and are enjoying all teh u-turns from him and the rest of teh "pundits" on Sportsound. Have we ever heard them talk about Soutar having a mistake in him or weeks worth of content on Taveniers defensive frailties. To be fair at least most of them are now giving plaudits to Rocky. Like Boyle seemingly being one of the worst divers they seem to make it personal with Hibs players and bring it up every broadcast. Even when praising Rocky's season they can't resist the reference to having a mistake in him.

[hibsbollah]

Interestingly i really rated him as a player. I thought he didnt get nearly enough credit as part of an excellent midfield with Boozy Broony and KT. Made us tick at times. Sadly was broken up.

[USA_Hibee]

*****bag. Name the names!

[One Day Soon]

Probably because MS used to be reasonable and have some quality insight over and above the Sportsound Screech Squad.

Now he just comes across as a stubborn, in-bedded blowhard who, despite the evidence of his eyes and ears, thinks the Hibs squad is only in the position its in because it's playing above itself?

Fair.

I do wonder how much of it is deliberate though - digging his heels in and being confrontational with others to generate some 'controversy' and interest?. A bit like Sutton and the other guy on Radio 5 Live.

[One Day Soon]

I hope the players Stewart was constantly berating and picking up every mistake, Miller and Rocky in particular, have listened to his nonsense and are enjoying all teh u-turns from him and the rest of teh "pundits" on Sportsound. Have we ever heard them talk about Soutar having a mistake in him or weeks worth of content on Taveniers defensive frailties. To be fair at least most of them are now giving plaudits to Rocky. Like Boyle seemingly being one of the worst divers they seem to make it personal with Hibs players and bring it up every broadcast. Even when praising Rocky's season they can't resist the reference to having a mistake in him.

I can think of a minimum of four Hearts supporting presenters on that programme and two Aberdeen ravers. To say nothing of the bias of their backroom staff. Throughout the close stages of the season our frankly astounding undefeated run and the third place finish from the terrible start were largely underplayed by all concerned. If that had been Hearts or Aberdeen they'd have been creaming themselves.

[Callum_62]

He did say Nicky Cadden should have been in the Scotland squad tho

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[Lendo]

Mikey Stewart sounding a bit like he's been eating a lot of sour grapes!



“I looked at certain players and just thought, no chance, you're not getting anything out of them and some of them he has. The biggest slap in the back I can give to them is that David Gray, he must have been going, like privately, he must have been thinking about some of these players and thinking, not good enough, you're killing me.”

"But privately, he mustn't have been berating them either because if he was, he wouldn't have been able to get a tune out of them eventually. And that's what he's done. Some of those guys that, I'm not gonna name names now, but it's been quite clear in terms of players that I'm looking at now and I'm thinking, they're playing above themselves."

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/michael-stewart-at-hibs-factor-didnt-see-coming-david-gray-5135953

It helps to read this in Donald Trump’s voice.

[WestStandWillie]

Stewart is in odious individual.

Couldn't warm to him when he played for us.

Speaks volumes that the only honour in his career is the "Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_United_F.C._Reserves_and_Academy#Player s_of_the_Year): 2000–01 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000%E2%80%9301_Manchester_United_F.C._season)" at Manchester United.

[JimBHibees]

Stewart is in odious individual.

Couldn't warm to him when he played for us.

Speaks volumes that the only honour in his career is the "Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_United_F.C._Reserves_and_Academy#Player s_of_the_Year): 2000–01 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000%E2%80%9301_Manchester_United_F.C._season)" at Manchester United.

League cup winner surely 😄

[WestStandWillie]

League cup winner surely 😄

Nah, **** him. He was a ****stirring little creep so I don't count him in that.

[hibsbollah]

It helps to read this in Donald Trump’s voice.

:faf:

[Smartie]

TBF I think he can be a pretty insightful pundit. The problem is though that he's hard work on the occasions he he won't admit to being wrong when he is and he also seems to struggle with preventing his bus shelter tinted spectacles from informing aspects of his views on Edinburgh football.

But then why single him out, look at how similar problems affect most of the Sportsound staff...

I’ve found him historically to be fair about us - complimentary when we’re good / doing things right and critical when we’re not. Over the years we’ve given him enough material to support each position.

His Achilles heel, as has been alluded to above by many posters, is his intransigence. He won’t back down, change his mind or admit he’s wrong.

The problem this current squad gives many people of that outlook is that it has done an about turn and only a moron won’t change his mind about it. Let’s face it - Ian Gordon is at the helm, Malky MacKay doing his thing, our rookie manager in his first job is learning his trade on the job and players like Rocky, Levitt, Campbell and Miller are high performing mainstays having previously been figures of ridicule.

These are all things that Hibs reasonably attracted ridicule for earlier in the season but now our fortunes have turned all look inspired.

Even amongst our own support though the “told you so” brigade creep out the second it gets a bit tricky again.

I’d like to see Youan complete his redemption arc, mainly because watching him celebrate by doing mock keepie uppies in front of Stewart would surely see him self combust.