Most significant new face?

[Hibbyradge]

I was involved in an interesting discussion after the game yesterday so I thought I'd open it out to the board for your thoughts.

It's clear that the players Colin Calderwood brought to Easter Road in January have made a hugely positive impact on our performances and results, but out of them all, which ONE new player has made the biggest difference?

The full backs have helped steady the defence and I think Callum Booth is a fantastic player. I also love what Palsson brings to the midfield so I was going to choose one of them, but my mate argued for Sodje.

He rightly makes the point that we're now able to play the ball to the front without immediately conceding possession and this allows our midfield to get on the front foot.

What do you guys think?

[BroxburnHibee]

I'd agree with that.....booths emergence is a real pleasure though.

[Hibstrooper]

Although not a new player I'd say the return of Stack has been the most significant.

[NorthNorfolkHFC]

Its tough because there is an argument for all of them...

Towell and Booth are happy to rampage down the flanks

Palsson offers the guile in midfield in combination with aggression

Sodje holds the ball well and from what i have read/heard he is a top lad in the changing room as well.

I'd go with Sodje purely because although he is good on the pitch every changing room needs a character with a bit 'banter'!!

[Leith_Hibee]

Jimmy Scott for me with his terrier like attitude, doesn't give the opposition a minutes peace. He also free's up Miller to concentrate his energy in creating opportunities.
I also think his enthusiasmn will rub off on others, we were a little bit stale and one dimensional prior to his (and Palsson) arrival.

[matty_f]

I'd say sodje. Biggest illustration to back that up was the 3-0 loss to dundee united. Midfield were good but we offered nothing going forward, in fact we had nish send a free header in front of goal backwards.
Next game, sodje came in (iirc) and all of a sudden the ball stayed in the opposition half long enough to get the midfield forward to support.
He's not a great finisher, but I don't think his overall contribution can be overstated.

[Riordans Boots]

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Jimmy Scott for me with his terrier like attitude, doesn't give the opposition a minutes peace. He also free's up Miller to concentrate his energy in creating opportunities.
I also think his enthusiasmn will rub off on others, we were a little bit stale and one dimensional prior to his (and Palsson) arrival.

I agree. And it's amazing the confindence on that pitch yesterday. Miller and Riordan both had a great game. Things are definately looking up

[degenerated]

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[/B]


I agree. And it's amazing the confindence on that pitch yesterday. Miller and Riordan both had a great game. Things are definately looking up

would agree with you about miller but riordan was average at best yesterday.

[Kaiser1962]

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I'd agree with that.....booths emergence is a real pleasure though.

And to think there were some people who thought we should have went for Steven Smith.

[Arch Stanton]

Over the four games our first goal was scored in 63, 52, 87 and 58 mins and I attribute this to the fact that the opposition was not able to stay with us.

For that reason I'd say it's between Scott and Sodje - yesterday they both put in a hell of a shift over the full 90, but over the piece I'd maybe give it to Sodje - however I'd love to see Scott getting more reward for those lung-bursting runs he makes into the box.

Now that we are pretty much clear of relegation worries my hope that we will relax a bit and become better at creating/taking goals - it all seems a bit too tense just now.

[BEEJ]

The immense contribution of 'Jimmy' Scott cannot be underestimated.

But personally I'm delighted that it's so hard to judge which one player has made the most difference. Each of the new faces has played a significant role in turning around the form of this team.

Keep it going for Tuesday night, lads.

[smurf]

Combination of all working together.

And IMHO the real credit for that must go to Colin Calderwood for putting almost a new side together in the January transfer window.

[Wembley67]

Threads like this is actually making this board a more enjoyable place to be again

[lucky]

Jimmy Scott is the new Pat McGinley, he is a prober box to box player (Yogi and De Graffe take note). I think its hard to single anyone out but Palsson has the most class but happy with all them

[Hibbyradge]

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Combination of all working together.

And IMHO the real credit for that must go to Colin Calderwood for putting almost a new side together in the January transfer window.

And Rod Petrie for sticking by him despite intense critisism and giving him the funds to bring in the new players.

[Hank Schrader]

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Combination of all working together.

And IMHO the real credit for that must go to Colin Calderwood for putting almost a new side together in the January transfer window.

I totally agree with that statement.

He signalled out the weakest areas of the team and strengthened them accordingly. Hibs are now a strong unit and are going to be a difficult team to beat under Calderwood. Fair enough there are still some stern tests to come but now that relegation no longer appears to be an issue I can see this team working hard, gaining in confidence and setting a solid foundation for itself.

CC's summer shopping list should include a goalscorer, playmaker and a couple of centre halfs. Possibly a right back if Towell goes back to Celtic which I assume he will.

And on the subject, of all the new signings, Palsson has made the biggest difference. The guy is a class act. Big mention to Scott too, the type of in your face, aggressive, box to box midfielder we have been missing for a long time.

[BroxburnHibee]

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And to think there were some people who thought we should have went for Steven Smith.

No me - been saying from the minute I first seen him he would be the next great player to come through.

Early days yet though - we have to nurture this laddies natural ability.

I think its the composure he always shows - his confidence spreads through the team.

[Hank Schrader]

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Jimmy Scott is the new Pat McGinley, he is a prober box to box player (Yogi and De Graffe take note). I think its hard to single anyone out but Palsson has the most class but happy with all them

Funnily enough I said the very same to a mate last week.

[Hank Schrader]

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And Rod Petrie for sticking by him despite intense critisism and giving him the funds to bring in the new players.

[snooky]

While I agree that the new players have made a big difference, I think the main reason for the turnaround has been getting rid of the non-triers and the not-good-enoughs.

[TornadoHibby]

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I was involved in an interesting discussion after the game yesterday so I thought I'd open it out to the board for your thoughts.

It's clear that the players Colin Calderwood brought to Easter Road in January have made a hugely positive impact on our performances and results, but out of them all, which ONE new player has made the biggest difference?

The full backs have helped steady the defence and I think Callum Booth is a fantastic player. I also love what Palsson brings to the midfield so I was going to choose one of them, but my mate argued for Sodje.

He rightly makes the point that we're now able to play the ball to the front without immediately conceding possession and this allows our midfield to get on the front foot.

What do you guys think?

I think that the new players have all contributed hugely to the improvement in competitiveness that we now have making us a difficult team to beat but in Booth and Hanlon we have two exceptional young defenders who IMO will go on to be two of the best players ever to come through our youth system and also play for Scotland and in the EPL!

[The Falcon]

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I think that the new players have all contributed hugely to the improvement in competitiveness that we now have making us a difficult team to beat but in Booth and Hanlon we have two exceptional young defenders who IMO will go on to be two of the best players ever to come through our youth system and also play for Scotland and in the EPL!

Hanlon is the most natural centre half seen at ER in years and this has been mentioned many times by many people. You have to wonder why he was stuck at LB for so long which did the man's confidence no good at all. While the best LB was out on loan, along with (two years ago) the most promising RB.

The more this unfolds the worse it looks on Yogi's tenure.

[iwasthere1972]

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I'd say sodje. Biggest illustration to back that up was the 3-0 loss to dundee united. Midfield were good but we offered nothing going forward, in fact we had nish send a free header in front of goal backwards.
Next game, sodje came in (iirc) and all of a sudden the ball stayed in the opposition half long enough to get the midfield forward to support.
He's not a great finisher, but I don't think his overall contribution can be overstated.

That's on a par with saying that Messi is an average player.

Jimmy Scott gets the nod from me.

[mim]

An interesting and tricky question from the Radge.

Firstly, great credit goes to CC for turning things round with his signings and the way he has set the team out.

All of the new guys are contributing, as are Stack and Booth after their promotions to the first team.

Of the new signings, Palsson is clearly talented, Scott is more than a workhorse, Sodje is the target man that we haven't had since Mixu, Thornhill looks accomplished and Towell is a good young right back.

In truth, it's probably Sodje that has made most impact. He'll never be a striker, but, as a target man, I think he's a real asset.

With Hanlon and Dickoh at centre back, Hibs a real solid looking unit now.

Well done CC.

[sahib]

Sodjie for me, but really it is a combination of all of the changes. Scott looks alright but he wasn't playing in the first game against St Mirren and that was the one that got the run started. The whole squad had lost belief/form, whatevever, so that scale of the change was really the most significant thing.
I wouldn't be surprised if any of the squad that have been dropped came back in and looked quite good again, due to playing in a team with a bit of confidence.

[jane_says]

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Jimmy Scott for me with his terrier like attitude, doesn't give the opposition a minutes peace. He also free's up Miller to concentrate his energy in creating opportunities.
I also think his enthusiasmn will rub off on others, we were a little bit stale and one dimensional prior to his (and Palsson) arrival.

Agree wholeheartedly, maybe a little less technically gifted than Palsson, Miller etc but makes up for it no problem with energy and attitude.

I remember Jimmy getting booked at tannadice with 10 minutes to go, 3-0 down because a utd player wasn't giving the ball back, and he just wanted to get on with it and fight for the team. I immediately thought, 'that is a player i want in my team'

[PeterboroHibee]

Really cant single out an individual player, as I feel all the new boys have brought something to the team.

Sodje gives us relief up front, where he can win balls and either flick it on or hold it up himself. Okay he wont score many goals but if hes got others around him who will, hes an invaluable part of that system.

Palsson is a player we have clearly been lacking for quite a few seasons, someone who will sit in front of the back 4 and break up play (Bamba was there for a while but wanted to be in defence). Hes more than just that though, his quality shines through. Scott and Thornhill have both offered that extra bit of quality to our midfield.

Booth and Towell have both really impressed me, its refreshing to see us have two full backs who can actually defend and go forward with the ball. Good fullbacks are key for any decent team, been a while since we've have decent players in both positions!

[The Falcon]

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Agree wholeheartedly, maybe a little less technically gifted than Palsson, Miller etc but makes up for it no problem with energy and attitude.

I remember Jimmy getting booked at tannadice with 10 minutes to go, 3-0 down because a utd player wasn't giving the ball back, and he just wanted to get on with it and fight for the team. I immediately thought, 'that is a player i want in my team'

I remember that as well and though much the same thing. I though that was the guy that some of the others would be looking to when we were getting kicked off the park somewhere. A "team" is many personalities and types.

[hibiedude]

Since January Richie Towell has made a great difference to the team and he had a bad start with that pass back against Rangers.

but he has played out of his skin everytime iv'e seen him and gets top marks

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

If I had to pick out one, I would pick out The Back Four. Kinda funny that Booth has turned out to be the player that Grounds was meant to be.