Nothing like blowing your own trumpet

[emmjayfox]

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scot...-big-Yogi.html

EDWIN DE GRAAF has admitted he feels GUILTY about John Hughes' sacking by Hibs - because he could have scored the goals to save him.

Yogi was axed by the Easter Road board following their nightmare start to SPL season.

But Dutch ace de Graaf, who signed for the Hibees last summer, insists his ex-gaffer did not deserve to be booted out.

The midfield powerhouse was guilty of two awful open-goal misses against Maribor and Rangers earlier in the season.

De Graaf said: "What happened is a pity because in my opinion the manager didn't make many mistakes.

"He was the victim of our failure and I told him that when he was clearing out his desk before he left. In a few matches I missed chances that cost us and led to defeats.

"But John Hughes didn't want to hear excuses and he said 'I'm a big fan of you and maybe we'll see each other again in a different place'.

"Hughes let Hibs play good football in the Dutch way while football played by Hamilton, St Mirren and Kilmarnock is always the same.

"They punt long balls up the park and battle it out physically.

"Under the boss we played in a 4-3-3 formation and tried to build up attacks from the back.

"Purely on quality, Hibs should be in the top four and I believe we'll be back in the top half soon, once we start scoring more."

Hibs go into tomorrow's crunch with Kilmarnock just one point off the bottom, but de Graaf doesn't expect them to be there for long.

He claims their performances against Rangers and Celtic this season have shown they have what it takes to challenge for Europe again.

But the Dutchman knows he has to raise his own game after admitting his displays this season have been disappointing.

He added: "Within the club, there isn't any panic as we're really three classes better than most opponents in this league.

"And in the matches against the top teams we weren't outplayed.

"Against Celtic we lost 2-1, but we were still the dominant team.

"At home to Rangers we lost 3-0 and that is a convincing defeat. But until late in the second half we had the best chances.

"In the 60th minute I missed a big chance.

"If we had scored then maybe the result would have been different.

"I hope in the coming weeks to get my old form back because up to now I've missed far too many chances.

"We'll need to see how things develop with a new manager, but I'm not afraid of losing my place.

"If I play to my normal level then I'm one of the better players here."

Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O'Neill, has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant post.

O'Neill said: "I can't help what people link me to.

"I came to Shamrock Rovers on a three-year contract and I envisage I'll be here for even longer than that.

"I think we've made a lot of progress in the time we've been here and there's still a long way to go in terms of the progress I believe we can make as a club."

[Leithenhibby]

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EDWIN DE GRAAF has admitted he feels GUILTY about John Hughes' sacking by Hibs - because he could have scored the goals to save him.

Yogi was axed by the Easter Road board following their nightmare start to SPL season.

But Dutch ace de Graaf, who signed for the Hibees last summer, insists his ex-gaffer did not deserve to be booted out.

The midfield powerhouse was guilty of two awful open-goal misses against Maribor and Rangers earlier in the season.

De Graaf said: "What happened is a pity because in my opinion the manager didn't make many mistakes.

"He was the victim of our failure and I told him that when he was clearing out his desk before he left. In a few matches I missed chances that cost us and led to defeats.

"But John Hughes didn't want to hear excuses and he said 'I'm a big fan of you and maybe we'll see each other again in a different place'.

"Hughes let Hibs play good football in the Dutch way while football played by Hamilton, St Mirren and Kilmarnock is always the same.

"They punt long balls up the park and battle it out physically.

"Under the boss we played in a 4-3-3 formation and tried to build up attacks from the back.

"Purely on quality, Hibs should be in the top four and I believe we'll be back in the top half soon, once we start scoring more."

Hibs go into tomorrow's crunch with Kilmarnock just one point off the bottom, but de Graaf doesn't expect them to be there for long.

He claims their performances against Rangers and Celtic this season have shown they have what it takes to challenge for Europe again.

But the Dutchman knows he has to raise his own game after admitting his displays this season have been disappointing.

He added: "Within the club, there isn't any panic as we're really three classes better than most opponents in this league.

"And in the matches against the top teams we weren't outplayed.

"Against Celtic we lost 2-1, but we were still the dominant team.

"At home to Rangers we lost 3-0 and that is a convincing defeat. But until late in the second half we had the best chances.

"In the 60th minute I missed a big chance.

"If we had scored then maybe the result would have been different.

"I hope in the coming weeks to get my old form back because up to now I've missed far too many chances.

"We'll need to see how things develop with a new manager, but I'm not afraid of losing my place.

"If I play to my normal level then I'm one of the better players here."

Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O'Neill, has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant post.

O'Neill said: "I can't help what people link me to.

"I came to Shamrock Rovers on a three-year contract and I envisage I'll be here for even longer than that.

"I think we've made a lot of progress in the time we've been here and there's still a long way to go in terms of the progress I believe we can make as a club."

Lets be honest here, nobody on this board is blowing his trumpet for him and I'm sure nobody will until he gets it right. If he doesn't have faith in his own ability then who will........ I don't see anything wrong with his comment..

[greenlex]

The one thing he is correct in saying is that if he had tucked his chances away Hughes wouldstill be in the dugout. The rest is bollox.

[Cabbage East]

I'm glad he's got a bit of self-belief

[Septimus]

Arrogant twit.

[PaulSmith]

If I'd played for several years in the Dutch top league and captained a team there then I'd have the same confidence in my ability and he's right to think that he should be one of the better players.

For arrogant read confidence, same as any Dutch player

[Phil MaGlass]

Im all for confidence, thats great, but with a big game coming up does he really need to be saying

"Within the club, there isn't any panic as we're really three classes better than most opponents in this league.

Thats only asking for trouble. On the other hand, now he says it, lets hope he/they back/s it up against Killie.Lets see the three classes.

[Mikey]

Excellent. Something else we can slag him off about

Maybe we should give him an extra special boo tomorrow.

[matty_f]

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I'm glad he's got a bit of self-belief

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If I'd played for several years in the Dutch top league and captained a team there then I'd have the same confidence in my ability and he's right to think that he should be one of the better players.

For arrogant read confidence, same as any Dutch player

Agree with both of you here.

I actually think De Graaf has something about him, once he's up to speed with the Scottish game he'll be good.

He's missed some howlers, but he's been there in the first place which is more than can be said for the rest of the midfielders. He is/will be one of our better players and I actually think he's right in saying that we have a better standard of player than St Mirren etc.

I wish we, as a support, started looking for ways to stand up for our players, rather than going through articles/soundbites/matches looking for ways to hammer them.

[matty_f]

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Im all for confidence, thats great, but with a big game coming up does he really need to be saying

"Within the club, there isn't any panic as we're really three classes better than most opponents in this league.

Thats only asking for trouble. On the other hand, now he says it, lets hope he/they back/s it up against Killie.Lets see the three classes.

Spot on.

[hibbiedon]

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EDWIN DE GRAAF has admitted he feels GUILTY about John Hughes' sacking by Hibs - because he could have scored the goals to save him.

Yogi was axed by the Easter Road board following their nightmare start to SPL season.

But Dutch ace de Graaf, who signed for the Hibees last summer, insists his ex-gaffer did not deserve to be booted out.

The midfield powerhouse was guilty of two awful open-goal misses against Maribor and Rangers earlier in the season.

De Graaf said: "What happened is a pity because in my opinion the manager didn't make many mistakes.

"He was the victim of our failure and I told him that when he was clearing out his desk before he left. In a few matches I missed chances that cost us and led to defeats.

"But John Hughes didn't want to hear excuses and he said 'I'm a big fan of you and maybe we'll see each other again in a different place'.

"Hughes let Hibs play good football in the Dutch way while football played by Hamilton, St Mirren and Kilmarnock is always the same.

"They punt long balls up the park and battle it out physically.

"Under the boss we played in a 4-3-3 formation and tried to build up attacks from the back.

"Purely on quality, Hibs should be in the top four and I believe we'll be back in the top half soon, once we start scoring more."

Hibs go into tomorrow's crunch with Kilmarnock just one point off the bottom, but de Graaf doesn't expect them to be there for long.

He claims their performances against Rangers and Celtic this season have shown they have what it takes to challenge for Europe again.

But the Dutchman knows he has to raise his own game after admitting his displays this season have been disappointing.

He added: "Within the club, there isn't any panic as we're really three classes better than most opponents in this league.

"And in the matches against the top teams we weren't outplayed.

"Against Celtic we lost 2-1, but we were still the dominant team.

"At home to Rangers we lost 3-0 and that is a convincing defeat. But until late in the second half we had the best chances.

"In the 60th minute I missed a big chance.

"If we had scored then maybe the result would have been different.

"I hope in the coming weeks to get my old form back because up to now I've missed far too many chances.

"We'll need to see how things develop with a new manager, but I'm not afraid of losing my place.

"If I play to my normal level then I'm one of the better players here."

Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O'Neill, has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant post.

O'Neill said: "I can't help what people link me to.

"I came to Shamrock Rovers on a three-year contract and I envisage I'll be here for even longer than that.

"I think we've made a lot of progress in the time we've been here and there's still a long way to go in terms of the progress I believe we can make as a club."

I agree with him, but i'm biased i'm a Hibs fan

[Pretty Boy]

I don't get the problem with the underlined part at all. Most Hibs fans have been commenting on how poor De Graaf has been since signing for us, all he's done here is acknowledge this and point out that if we was playing well he would be one of our better players. Given his previous experience i don't think this is a particualrly stupid statement.

The general tone of the article isn't to my liking particularly, but he does have a point, we are better than most other teams in the league if everyone pulls together, puts in a shift, raises their game and plays to their potential. I'd rather see something like this coming from a player than some of the uber negative nonsense on here.

[Speedway]

I posted on here after the Accies match that I felt EDG was a very clever player and this just reinforces that view.

When I hear of Evans being 'shocked' Hughes was going or Murray pointing out that the fans were unhappy with our home form 'for some reason' it makes me wonder how thick footballers are.

Why on earth would you be shocked to see a manager get the bullet when you've won 4 matches in 28, have the crowds falling and those that are left, booing every game?

*Real World Calling East Mains. Do You Copy?*

[SMAXXA]

Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O'Neill, has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant post.

O'Neill said: "I can't help what people link me to.

"I came to Shamrock Rovers on a three-year contract and I envisage I'll be here for even longer than that.

"I think we've made a lot of progress in the time we've been here and there's still a long way to go in terms of the progress I believe we can make as a club."[/QUOTE]

That because he has not been asked by any chance, funny how its taken him nearly 2 weeks to come out with that statement

[Andy74]

Even with his misses De Graaf still has a better scoring ratio than Pat McGinlay.

[Beefster]

So De Graaf's this year's scapegoat then, yeah?

[500miles]

The thing is, De Graff made a name for himself in the Eredivise scoring goals like the ones he missed this season. Usually he puts them away, and for some reason, it's not happened the last few times. If he put them away like he normally does, then he's a hero.

I'm glad he's got a belief in himself, because he'll need it at this club.

[cheltenhamhibee]

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Agree with both of you here.

I actually think De Graaf has something about him, once he's up to speed with the Scottish game he'll be good.

He's missed some howlers, but he's been there in the first place which is more than can be said for the rest of the midfielders. He is/will be one of our better players and I actually think he's right in saying that we have a better standard of player than St Mirren etc.

I wish we, as a support, started looking for ways to stand up for our players, rather than going through articles/soundbites/matches looking for ways to hammer them.

well said that man

[emmjayfox]

Im sure every player would say they were one of the better players when up to THEIR LEVEL so i probably shouldnt have picked up on it. As for he thought we were the dominant team v celtic

[calumb]

maybe this interview illustrates what is wrong at the moment if the players are all sitting in the dressing room thinking they are 3 classes above the opposition then its hardly suprising that a well organised team will give them a game. Hughes always said that hard work beats talent if talent doesnt work hard, maybe the next managers only job is to get the players to accept this.
It also shows that hughes was committed to 4-3-3 which every man and his dug could see we were not able to play.

[basehibby]

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Agree with both of you here.

I actually think De Graaf has something about him, once he's up to speed with the Scottish game he'll be good.

He's missed some howlers, but he's been there in the first place which is more than can be said for the rest of the midfielders. He is/will be one of our better players and I actually think he's right in saying that we have a better standard of player than St Mirren etc.

I wish we, as a support, started looking for ways to stand up for our players, rather than going through articles/soundbites/matches looking for ways to hammer them.

[basehibby]

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I posted on here after the Accies match that I felt EDG was a very clever player and this just reinforces that view.

When I hear of Evans being 'shocked' Hughes was going or Murray pointing out that the fans were unhappy with our home form 'for some reason' it makes me wonder how thick footballers are.

Why on earth would you be shocked to see a manager get the bullet when you've won 4 matches in 28, have the crowds falling and those that are left, booing every game?

*Real World Calling East Mains. Do You Copy?*

Did you not think that Murray was indulging in a spot of irony here??? I thought that was pretty obvious - maybe just a case of WHOOSH for many.

[emmjayfox]

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I would hardly say i personally hammered him, but its surely all about opinions or have i lost touch with what forums are all about.

[BEEJ]

There are parts of this article which make me feel uneasy - but not the one highlighted in the OP. As a senior player he needs to step up to the mark and put in the performances of which he is capable.

The bits that concern me are

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De Graaf said: "Hughes let Hibs play good football in the Dutch way while football played by Hamilton, St Mirren and Kilmarnock is always the same.

"They punt long balls up the park and battle it out physically.

"Under the boss we played in a 4-3-3 formation and tried to build up attacks from the back.

"Purely on quality, Hibs should be in the top four and I believe we'll be back in the top half soon, once we start scoring more."

Hibs go into tomorrow's crunch with Kilmarnock just one point off the bottom, but de Graaf doesn't expect them to be there for long.

He added: "Within the club, there isn't any panic as we're really three classes better than most opponents in this league.

"And in the matches against the top teams we weren't outplayed."

So if the gaffer isn't to blame and we're such a classy side, why have we looked every bit like a team that's heading for a relegation struggle this season.

Very puzzling comments. Plus a ready-made incentive for Killie to prove him wrong tomorrow.

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The one thing he is correct in saying is that if he had tucked his chances away Hughes wouldstill be in the dugout. The rest is bollox.

Don't agree. It is a weak argument that but for a bit of better luck in the last few weeks, Yogi would not have been sacked.

There is no certainty that the outcome of those matches would have been any different had he scored those goals. As he says himself:

"If we had scored then maybe the result would have been different."

The Hibs of 2010 might have been prone to rolling over when they concede a goal; other teams have tended to have a different mentality of late.

[Diclonius]

I think de Graaf will become a very good player for us this season. He was immense against Maribor and just seems to have fallen away then - you have to take into account that the rest of the team has, too.

[Phil D. Rolls]

The midfield powerhouse was guilty of two awful open-goal misses against Maribor and Rangers earlier in the season.

Surely some mistake?

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If I'd played for several years in the Dutch top league and captained a team there then I'd have the same confidence in my ability and he's right to think that he should be one of the better players.

For arrogant read confidence, same as any Dutch player

Anyone who has steered a sub through the Baltic is.............

[Duffys13]

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So De Graaf's this year's scapegoat then, yeah?

Na it's clearly Nish, based on the way this board seems to feel about him

[Hibee Daz]

De Graff, coming out and stating that he would be one of our better players if he played to his usual standard doesn't have me up in arms, but I do think he's just heaped a whole lot more pressure on himself to perform!
I really do hope he comes good but I have my doubts as I think his legs are finished.

Time to walk the walk Eddie, but not at a snails pace!

[HibsMax]

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Im sure every player would say they were one of the better players when up to THEIR LEVEL so i probably shouldnt have picked up on it. As for he thought we were the dominant team v celtic

That comment was the one I would underline. I only watched the game on a blurry, 3" screen but from what I could see we could barely string two passes together.

[blackpoolhibs]

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I think de Graaf will become a very good player for us this season. He was immense against Maribor and just seems to have fallen away then - you have to take into account that the rest of the team has, too.

Was he? I must have missed that. Yes he scored twice that night, although i thought he was every bit as useless as the rest of them that night. And just as anonymous in the away leg too. In every game since he's shown nothing imho, to make ME think he will be a very good player for us this season.