Early doors but ....

The signs have been encouraging so far and I think there's a noticeable change in the way we are playing compared to last season .

Boyles goal against Elgin springs to mind in there were only about five passes in that move before we scored and even last night at one stage , Bursik went with a long kick out to Boyle who tried to put a cross into Vente .

Last season when we were attacking the build up was slow and would quite possibly end up back at the keeper again , just feels we are more direct and there's more chance of something happening now which surely gives us reason to be optimistic about the season ahead .

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Originally Posted by Donegal Hibby

The signs have been encouraging so far and I think there's a noticeable change in the way we are playing compared to last season .

Boyles goal against Elgin springs to mind in there were only about five passes in that move before we scored and even last night at one stage , Bursik went with a long kick out to Boyle who tried to put a cross into Vente .

Last season when we were attacking the build up was slow and would quite possibly end up back at the keeper again , just feels we are more direct and there's more chance of something happening now which surely gives us reason to be optimistic about the season ahead .

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Definitely looking up. How often have we failed to perform against smaller clubs. That is now two games where we have scored 5. Would have been a clean sheet last night too, if they hadn’t switched off when Youan went down. Need to watch that, we have been guilty of switching off for a while now.

With all the caveats about quality of opposition, new manager bounce etc etc. the early signs are good.

We have quickly moved to address the biggest issue with last season which was the number of goals we conceded. 2 goals less scored than 3rd place Hearts, 17 more conceded. Go figure. A whole new central 3 of CBs and GK and building a solid foundation had to be the number 1 priority and we have addressed that.

I don't expect miracles next season but equally I've never bought into the idea that managers need 3, 4 or 5 windows to put their stamp on a team. Consistent progress and travel in the right direction should be pretty swift whilst accepting getting it spot on will take longer. Both Johnson and Montgomery saw teams regress under their watch and, particularly in the case of the former, there was no real indication of what they were trying to achieve in terms of identity and style. After only a couple of games I think I can see what Gray wants from his sides and it's refreshingly back to basics stuff.

Ultimately he's a rookie manager in a league that can be ultra competitive between 3rd and 12th, it could be a disaster and we'll all be soul searching again in a few months. He has made a good start though and I have never hid that I'm a fan who wears my heart on my sleeve; if it's crap I'll call it as such and will be as negative as I feel. When it's good or there are signs that there are reasons to be positive then I'll be just as vocal that way. Right now I have a feeling we are heading towards a period of the latter and I aim to enjoy it.

I'm very optimistic. The biggest plus for me is the attitude we've shown in these LC games. Gray is showing standards matter when you pull on a green and white jersey. Bodes well.

Promising. How many times under Montgomery could you say we looked like scoring more than 2 goals, never mind 10 in our last two games. Building some positive momentum going into the start of the season could be a big boost.

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Originally Posted by bordergreen

Definitely looking up. How often have we failed to perform against smaller clubs. That is now two games where we have scored 5. Would have been a clean sheet last night too, if they hadn’t switched off when Youan went down. Need to watch that, we have been guilty of switching off for a while now.

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There are really only 2 clubs bigger in Scotland than Hibs. So we often fail against smaller clubs, and always will.

Against lower league sides when we're an SPL side? We probably win 90%

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Originally Posted by MWHIBBIES

There are really only 2 clubs bigger in Scotland than Hibs. So we often fail against smaller clubs, and always will.

Against lower league sides when we're an SPL side? We probably win 90%

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To be fair the poster you quoted didn't say win against smaller clubs. They said fail to perform and its spot on.

Can think of plenty games, especially in recent League Cup campaigns, where we’ve looked poor throughout. The past two games have been quite impressive when it comes to intensity and application.

Exciting to see how this season goes.

Two-three signings away from being a decent side.

So far, so good.

Signings and style look to be exactly what is needed to do well in our league. Hopefully get a couple more first 11 players in and we’ll be good to go

I'm excited. But then again I've been positive and optimistic after the first couple of games of most managers only to be disappointed.What SDG has that most don't is a ready made reservoir of love and goodwill in the bank amongst the Hibs support. Its not that we ever want any Hibs manager to fail. But we are most certainly desperate for him to succeed.

Far, far, far too early to judge how the season will go. The personnel is hardly any different from last year. I expect the starting team will look a lot different come September.

Aa we shouldn't get too downhearted if losing preseason games, equally, we shouldn't get carried away with good results in essentially pre season games albeit LC games.

Sure, I'd rather be winning these games but I don't think this season's team can really be assessed properly till at least first round of games in league complete

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Originally Posted by bordergreen

Definitely looking up. How often have we failed to perform against smaller clubs. That is now two games where we have scored 5. Would have been a clean sheet last night too, if they hadn’t switched off when Youan went down. Need to watch that, we have been guilty of switching off for a while now.

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We have failed to perform against smaller clubs on numerous occasions which is why the last two games has been pleasing in we have shown a ruthlessness in our attacking play .

One of the things that surprised me last night was NMW having a go from outside the box , don't really remember him doing that much since he joined us ( maybe he has ) , rudi another as others have tried too . Maybe that's another thing we'll see more of this season is shots from outside the box.

Their goal was abit annoying actually in we should have kept another clean sheet and is something we need to watch as we lost to many late goals last season .

Start of this season has a similar feel to a bit of a Stubbs reset moment for me with the way we are going about things.I like the fact the two new guys at the back have decent experience and thought of as leaders at their previous clubs. A few more of those type of signings that are ready made to slot into the starting XI is what we need. Too many is recent seasons were brought in and found not good enough to play.Imagine SDG lifting a trophy as manager :hyper

We hardly won 2 games in a row last season so it’s definitely an improvement.

Ok the opposition were poor but I’ve seen a few things which make me feel a little more optimistic.

My concern is still the depth of the squad plus the sloppy goal we last near the end of the game last night. We just can’t do that against better teams.

We need more cover at CB and LB. Sadly Rocky starting is the future for this team as much as I like the guy.

Centre midfield is still an issue - Newell played deeper but against quicker and better opposition we need better midfielders and a CDM who wins the ball / brings some toughness to the middle.

A player maker - as good as some of the goals last night were - we need a Latapy / Allan type to produce some magic centrally.

Strikers - we need 2 more centrally - for competition and in case Vente is injured etc. if Youan leaves we also need another left footed left winger.

Not impossible but as well as starting 11 have done the subs have shown they did ok but the balance wasn’t the same and last thing we need is players getting complacent.

Really good start. Players working hard, closing down, winning ball back and midfield looks more effective. Creating a lot of chances.

However we know re opposition and we know we are probably 4-5 players short (striker, winger, left back, creative midfielder). I am so hopeful the quality comes through in recruitment. Our defense hasn’t been tested yes but early signs are good.

I agree with the positivity - in fact I'd probably be a bit more positive than some. I think o'Hora is potentially what we have ben looking for at the back since 2018/2019 (since the Lennon days where the back three of peak Daz, Efe and Hanlon). On first impressions we have a natural leader there, and a defender who appreciates that the centre back role is not to try unnecessary touches in the wrong part of the pitch, but to hit clean crisp passes at pace, to make the team play in different areas of the pitch. Always talking and demanding more from others, he looks the part. Like the giant defence in general (Miller / Ekpiteta / O'Hora / Obita as a starting 4 all have physical presence). Liked the dynamic movement of the midfield - so much harder to defend against than what we have been serving up since 2018. And SGD asking the wingers to hug the touchline makes the pitch big, and is much harder to defend against, while giving Newell etc an out-ball to hit, to get us up the park. Rudi and Boyler worked hard coming back the way as well as lightning going forward. All in all, solid when out of possession and a LOT more effective in possession than under previous managers. That's not about the opposition (anyone who was at Bonnyrigg for the "Bojang miss" game 2 seasons ago would have to say the attitude and intensity yesterday was like night and day compared to that). I'd only add that I can see why SDG has left the guys on the bench that he has (and all could be sold if the right offer came in) but that first XI is beginning to really look the part. Squad depth is the thing now. Early days but an encouraging start from SDG and the club.

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Originally Posted by Spike Mandela

Far, far, far too early to judge how the season will go. The personnel is hardly any different from last year. I expect the starting team will look a lot different come September.

Aa we shouldn't get too downhearted if losing preseason games, equally, we shouldn't get carried away with good results in essentially pre season games albeit LC games.

Sure, I'd rather be winning these games but I don't think this season's team can really be assessed properly till at least first round of games in league complete

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I’m not convinced the starting team will look hugely different come September to the one that started last night.

Goalie has the position. Two centre halves won’t change. Obita has the left back position. Right back I think is a potential weakness but we are well stocked so someone on the books is going to be playing.

Whatever the arguments about them, Newell will definitely be in the team and Campbell is likely to be in it. I think the other place in midfield is up for grabs but again I think that will be filled with players already there, we might sign one midfielder at most I reckon (an attacking one). Boyle is going to play, forgetting who he’s playing against he looks a lot fitter and sharper. We’re going to need at least a couple of players added in the final third, that’s the only area of the pitch I could see looking particularly different.

We need more depth to the squad and quality in the final third but I don’t see the team looking hugely different come September.

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Originally Posted by MWHIBBIES

There are really only 2 clubs bigger in Scotland than Hibs. So we often fail against smaller clubs, and always will.

Against lower league sides when we're an SPL side? We probably win 90%

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We didn't two seasons ago against Falkirk and Morton.

The main thing that impressed me last night from Hibs was work rate from all the players which was not the case under Jonson mcgomery. When we lost the ball we hunted in packs to get it back, the midfield 3 of Nmw, newal,Campbell were terrific. Gray was exactly that type of player worked his socks of in a Hibs jersey and hopefully the players continue play in this manner. I know.the opposition was lower leauge but queens have invested in some quality players and I expected a close encounter but we totally dominated the game very pleasing this early in the season but Gray will be judged against premier leauge outfits.

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Originally Posted by erin go bragh

We didn't two seasons ago against Falkirk and Morton.

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Sue perb. We did however win against Elgin x2, Queens park, Raith, Forfar x2, Inverness x2, Clyde, Bonnyrigg, Cove Rangers x2, Arbroath x2, Kilmarnock, Brora, Dundee x2 Alloa x2, Queen of the south, Stranraer, Morton, Dundee United, BSC Glasgow All since last not winning vs a lower league side, in a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion So since July 2019 we've played 28 games vs lower league sides, winning 25, drawing 2, losing 1. Pretty exceptional record really. Can't be accused of slipping up against crap sides really. Time to move on from the Falkirk result and recognize we usually win, quite easily, when we should.

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Originally Posted by MWHIBBIES

There are really only 2 clubs bigger in Scotland than Hibs. So we often fail against smaller clubs, and always will. Against lower league sides when we're an SPL side? We probably win 90%

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What do you think the honest ambition is inside Easter Road for the season?Do the players, managers and owners all think it'll be great to be top 6 / top 4? Or it'll be great to win every other game against Motherwell and as long as we don't lose more than 4 goals against Celtic that'll be okay?I really can't believe that only the OF can win the league. The players have all grown up being the best players in their teams and winning every game they play - have they really had that knocked out of them when they arrive at Hibs?I'd love someone to say - we're going to win the league in 3 / 5 years time and this is how we're going to do it.Outlandish things happen in every other sport, in business and every other walk of life - why not in Scottish football?Or does anyone who says this have to be a crook who bankrupts the club like Romanov?

There were a few posts suggesting the Queens Park game would be a lot harder than away to Elgin. Given QP are two divisions higher, that was probably a fair assessment, but we still dominated and scored five, so can't complain.

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Originally Posted by JohnM1875

To be fair the poster you quoted didn't say win against smaller clubs. They said fail to perform and its spot on.

Can think of plenty games, especially in recent League Cup campaigns, where we’ve looked poor throughout. The past two games have been quite impressive when it comes to intensity and application.

Exciting to see how this season goes.

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Agree, it’s more the performances previously against these sides that have been a struggle to watch. Pleasing to see two good results in a row with loads of chances etc.

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Originally Posted by Yorkshire HFC

What do you think the honest ambition is inside Easter Road for the season?Do the players, managers and owners all think it'll be great to be top 6 / top 4? Or it'll be great to win every other game against Motherwell and as long as we don't lose more than 4 goals against Celtic that'll be okay?I really can't believe that only the OF can win the league. The players have all grown up being the best players in their teams and winning every game they play - have they really had that knocked out of them when they arrive at Hibs?I'd love someone to say - we're going to win the league in 3 / 5 years time and this is how we're going to do it.Outlandish things happen in every other sport, in business and every other walk of life - why not in Scottish football?Or does anyone who says this have to be a crook who bankrupts the club like Romanov?

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Its just wildly unrealistic sadly. Lets start by improving on last season, and bringing a bit of pride back to our performances. 3rd and European groupstage football is as good as it will get I think. Although the huns look to be in a bit of a mess. Celtic are so disgustingly ahead and have insane cash reserves if that ever changed.

I think he’s going to be putting a lot of trust into last seasons squad, and don’t expect to see a huge raft of incomings and outs.

Pretty clear the main priority was to address the central defence and replace Marshall as a matter of urgency. Three signings made early with first team ready additions, and the new central defensive pairing looks solid, experienced and reliable.

I’d assume a target man/striker will be high on the list and expect to see an addition made there, but elsewhere I’m not anticipating a big turnaround in squad at this time.

The signs so far have been hugely encouraging, and while the opposition hasn’t been strong, the attitude and commitment shown by the players despite that when we’ve seen in the past how we can pitch up in these games and not look fully commited, with the inevitable results.

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Originally Posted by Carheenlea

I think he’s going to be putting a lot of trust into last seasons squad, and don’t expect to see a huge raft of incomings and outs.

Pretty clear the main priority was to address the central defence and replace Marshall as a matter of urgency. Three signings made early with first team ready additions, and the new central defensive pairing looks solid, experienced and reliable.

I’d assume a target man/striker will be high on the list and expect to see an addition made there, but elsewhere I’m not anticipating a big turnaround in squad at this time.

The signs so far have been hugely encouraging, and while the opposition hasn’t been strong, the attitude and commitment shown by the players despite that when we’ve seen in the past how we can pitch up in these games and not look fully commited, with the inevitable results.

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I’ll be really surprised if a forward isn’t next in the door.

Encouraging start but against limited opposition and way too early to making any predictions.

Obviously need more signings but I’m well impressed by Gray. Convinced me already that he was ready to step up and definitely seems to know what he’s doing.

I think it’s as simple as we have got our act together. We seem to have addressed our frailties of the last couple of seasons whilst adding a bit of steel and a hunger to win.

We’re beating the teams we should be beating quite easily so to me, that shows that all seems happy in the camp.

A couple of additions to the squad and we’ll be punching where we should be punching this season.

We've sorted the two centre half positions, which has clearly been a huge issue for years.

It looks like we're just trying to get the basics right, 2 solid centre backs so we can focus on being tight at the back, get the ball forward quickly and play attacking players in roles that suit them

Sounds stupid but I honestly think that's basically all you need to do well in this league if you have a half decent squad which we definitely do.

Obviously not much evidence to go off so far but I'm cautiously optimistic with Gray

Hope Vente can grab a couple on Saturday to boost his confidence levels ahead of the big kick off

Reports of Dundee United showing interest in Kevin Nisbet on loan might be worth a phone call but suppose it all depends on how he got on with SDG ?

He obviously needs to be seen against better calibre of players but I really liked what I saw of O'Hora. Very vocal, very comfortable with the ball, good positional sense and scored from a set-piece. If he can continue that against better quality opposition he is a key part of the jigsaw that we have been missing for too long.

I also think if Amos can get fit and stay fit he will be an important player for us.

I think main area is additional recruits up front but both Boyle and Youan for his brief appearance seemed to have a buzz about them again.

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Originally Posted by 1van Sprou7e

It looks like we're just trying to get the basics right, 2 solid centre backs so we can focus on being tight at the back, get the ball forward quickly and play attacking players in roles that suit them

Sounds stupid but I honestly think that's basically all you need to do well in this league if you have a half decent squad which we definitely do.

Obviously not much evidence to go off so far but I'm cautiously optimistic with Gray

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It’s no stupid at all. There isn’t anything complicated to doing well in this league at all.

I do think we’re a bit away in terms of the decent squad. We’re an injury away from not having a left back, an injury away from not having a striker, an injury away from Rocky being back in the team. Obviously more players will come in but we need it to happen sooner rather than later.

Lovell called it bang on during commentry on Tuesday

The difference was the tempo from the first whistle

Monty was punted cause he took a leaf out Maloneys lethargic, slow brand of boring the opponent into submission

Scottish football is not there and probably never will be.

Hibs should always look to be attacking from the off in most games, best form of defence

If gray has - can tighten up the back we may just have a chance to do something this season

Early days indeed but 200% confirms Monty was way out his depth and we have a man who knows what it takes to at least impliment some tactics which may do some damage to opponents.

Scottish football doesn’t require a lot to be the best of the rest.

Our pals over the road for example, Shankland scored a barrow load and they’re third by a mile.

Maybe a Kevin Nisbet loan in this team might help push for Europe.

Excited for the season and I wasn’t thinking that 6 weeks ago.

Biggest positive for me - whilst they’re yet to be tested against top opposition, the centre halves really look the part. One big, strong and physical and a communicator next to him. These look like the types we’ve been crying out for and suggest that whoever is doing the recruitment knows what they are doing at last - giving huge hope for future recruitment.

The squad looks thin but the first team is looking good and I totally agree with the point above about tempo. When Hibs have been at their poorest over the past few years it’s been when we’ve been indirect with poor tempo and when we’ve played well it’s been when we’ve stepped it up.

Lots to be happy with so far though.

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Originally Posted by Nicho87

Lovell called it bang on during commentry on TuesdayThe difference was the tempo from the first whistleMonty was punted cause he took a leaf out Maloneys lethargic, slow brand of boring the opponent into submissionScottish football is not there and probably never will be.Hibs should always look to be attacking from the off in most games, best form of defenceIf gray has - can tighten up the back we may just have a chance to do something this seasonEarly days indeed but 200% confirms Monty was way out his depth and we have a man who knows what it takes to at least impliment some tactics which may do some damage to opponents.Scottish football doesn’t require a lot to be the best of the rest.Our pals over the road for example, Shankland scored a barrow load and they’re third by a mile.Maybe a Kevin Nisbet loan in this team might help push for Europe.Excited for the season and I wasn’t thinking that 6 weeks ago.

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Totally agree. Some managers, like Maloney and Montgomery think that is how football is played and to be fair to them a lot of it is. Look at the EPL and some of the games of chess you see. Some of the games in the Euros were the same including the first half of the final which was played at the pace of a pre season friendly. Scottish football is different. It just is. It's blood and thunder and fast. A bit of quality in the right areas, especially up front can make all the difference.

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Originally Posted by Nicho87

Lovell called it bang on during commentry on Tuesday

The difference was the tempo from the first whistle

Monty was punted cause he took a leaf out Maloneys lethargic, slow brand of boring the opponent into submission

Scottish football is not there and probably never will be.

Hibs should always look to be attacking from the off in most games, best form of defence

If gray has - can tighten up the back we may just have a chance to do something this season

Early days indeed but 200% confirms Monty was way out his depth and we have a man who knows what it takes to at least impliment some tactics which may do some damage to opponents.

Scottish football doesn’t require a lot to be the best of the rest.

Our pals over the road for example, Shankland scored a barrow load and they’re third by a mile.

Maybe a Kevin Nisbet loan in this team might help push for Europe.

Excited for the season and I wasn’t thinking that 6 weeks ago.

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I was speaking to a player yesterday, they said much the same as you here, it's not rocket science how to do well in this league, effort, pace and getting forward quickly are key. I said it looked like we were playing with the shackles off and he agreed, he said last season the players were like robots, particularly when attacking and there was too much thought on exactly how they should pass and move rather than just letting footballers play football.

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Originally Posted by matty_f

I was speaking to a player yesterday, they said much the same as you here, it's not rocket science how to do well in this league, effort, pace and getting forward quickly are key. I said it looked like we were playing with the shackles off and he agreed, he said last season the players were like robots, particularly when attacking and there was too much thought on exactly how they should pass and move rather than just letting footballers play football.

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TBF, it's wasn't just Monty who took the risk averse approach. I have felt for a good number of years that modern players are over coached and too often take the easy option of passing sideways or backwards. I appreciate the game now is more sophisticated than the one I grew up watching and played myself, but it's so much less of a spectacle to watch these days.

I like the feed back from your player contact. To my simple mind, most teams concede territory and possession v Hibs at ER. Breaking down a well organised defence is really difficult (hence why I like players like Elie Youan). If we are focused on moving the ball forward at pace, then it lets creative players express themselves more. We have assets in Boyle and Youan, both of whom are quick. They will thrive on more direct forward momentum.

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Originally Posted by matty_f

I was speaking to a player yesterday, they said much the same as you here, it's not rocket science how to do well in this league, effort, pace and getting forward quickly are key. I said it looked like we were playing with the shackles off and he agreed, he said last season the players were like robots, particularly when attacking and there was too much thought on exactly how they should pass and move rather than just letting footballers play football.

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When you look at the success so called “lesser” clubs have been able to achieve in the top flight in Scotland it’s more than simply adhering to overly technical tactics boards and statistic charts.

It certainly helps to have good quality technical players, but in Scotland, rolling the sleeves up and getting wired in is also an element that you want to see.