How ready are we?

**Ozyhibby** · 21-07-2015 10:59 PM

Now that pre season is done and we are about to start competitive games, how ready do people think we are?
The business we have done so far
In
Keatings
Carmichael
Ruegero
Bartley

Out
Craig
Robertson
Mcgeogh
Cerny
Dje Dje
Watson

From that I think we are weaker than we finished last season, especially given that none of the new signings are fit to play.
We will start almost the same team on sat as finished last season against Rangers with Stanton replacing Mcgeogh and probably Forster replacing Craig.
We really need these injuries to clear up or we could end up making another slow start.

**Sir David Gray** · 21-07-2015 11:05 PM

We certainly require at least another two signings to come in, possibly three.

Certainly not worrying about that at the moment though, considering the league season doesn't start for another two and a half weeks.

**GreenCastle** · 21-07-2015 11:07 PM

I'm hoping we can just get through Saturday with a win then it gives us some more time to get others back.

I would say we have 13 fit 1st team players (The 11 who played against Dunfermline plus Harris and our sub GK Ruegero) - the rest are youngsters - the games and experience has been good for them pre-season but we can't expect too much too soon.

The rest as we know are either injured, recovering from injury or not match fit (Bartley).

I have confidence in our starting 11 - but it's the plan B and impact from the bench that concerns me.

Would have been good to have kept hold of Robertson and Dylan out of those who have departed and would have felt much more prepared for Saturday.

We needed 1 or 2 before Danny got injured - with him being out till Xmas at earliest we need a minimum 2.

**Ozyhibby** · 21-07-2015 11:09 PM

I'm assuming we are still keen on Mcgeogh but I don't think we can wait too long. We can't take the risk that it does not happen and we end up with nobody.

**NadeAteMyLunch!** · 21-07-2015 11:10 PM

Looking at that, I would say we are far from ready. Very unlucky with these injuries

**B.H.F.C** · 21-07-2015 11:13 PM

Work to do. Not panicking yet as the transfer window is open for a month and a bit. I think we have a strong 11 in this league, but we need a stronger squad. Yes we have injuries but that will happen along with suspensions during the season.

Worried how often we will see Farid with the injury problems he has.

***lord bunberry*** · 21-07-2015 11:38 PM

We're more ready than we were last season. I don't think we're weaker than we finished last season, the only regular starters we've lost is Robertson and McGeough. Hopefully the new signings will be fit by the time the league season starts in a couple of weeks.

***Brightside*** · 21-07-2015 11:38 PM

So we got rid of the "dead weights" that most of the board slagged off the last two years. We have kept the players we need and want, and added. Also our young players are a year older. If you like it or not those players need to step up this year ( as and when required). If you look at the squad fully fit its very good for the league we are in. Or another 1000 could buy season tickets and we could buy other player or two?

To say we are weaker is daft.

***Jim44*** · 21-07-2015 11:44 PM

We're probably ready to win quite a few games in the Championship, but I think we're probably vulnerable enough to lose matches we're expected to win. Do we have the strength in depth to put up a sustained challenge against a Sevco team which won't be as poor as some think they will be? In my opinion the answer's no. We could do with a few more signings, which may very well be on the cards.

***greenlex*** · 22-07-2015 02:15 AM

We're not. Injuries have hampered pre season for the new guys. So they will be weeks behind the rest. The youngsters are not ready to step up bar maybe Crane, Martin and possibly Lewis Allan into the squad. Only saving grace I think our main rials are just as bad. I'm not fussed about the Petrofeck cup but a win against them would be nice. League cup at home we should have enough but we really need to be at it the first league game.right now we are not ready.

**Forza Fred** · 22-07-2015 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by NadeAteMyLunch!

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Looking at that, I would say we are far from ready. Very unlucky with these injuries

Unlucky we may be, but it seems almost traditional now that we start the season with several players injured.

May be luck, or do we need to look closer at the whole preparation/signing thing?

Seems to happen very year.

***3pm*** · 22-07-2015 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by underscore

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To say we are weaker is daft.

It's not really IMO.

We are not as strong in midfield. You could also argue the same in defence.

Swapping Keatings for Dje Djede should make us stronger.

**~~The_Horde~~** · 22-07-2015 07:18 AM

After the rangers game we should be more ready, only worry I have is the new boys haven't had any game time.

**Thecat23** · 22-07-2015 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by underscore

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So we got rid of the "dead weights" that most of the board slagged off the last two years. We have kept the players we need and want, and added. Also our young players are a year older. If you like it or not those players need to step up this year ( as and when required). If you look at the squad fully fit its very good for the league we are in. Or another 1000 could buy season tickets and we could buy other player or two?

To say we are weaker is daft.

That's the big question, will the young lads step up? If they get Injured like Danny who is there to cover? We are weaker In midfield there is no question of that. I think we have a strong starting 11 when all are fit but if we get Injuries and suspensions I fear we may struggle. So In my opinion we are slightly weaker at this moment In time.

**Pretty Boy** · 22-07-2015 07:42 AM

The only one of our new signings, as in players who haven't played in a Hibs jersey before, that has had any game time is the one least likely to play regularly this season.

We have signed well, we are stronger than at this point last year and have kept important players. However we are vulnerable going into the new season. It's going to take a few weeks yet to get players up to speed and that's a worry. As a starting 11 we look decent but strength in depth is non existent as it stands.

***J-C*** · 22-07-2015 07:45 AM

I think compared to last season we are well ahead and almost ready, we kept all majority of the team, extended a few contracts and brought in players in areas we needed strengthened, unfortunately these new players have picked up injuries pre season.

My biggest worry is Farid, he seemed to struggle with injuries at Brentford and this has carried on here, will he ever get over these injuries and could they be serious enough to end his career, not the severity of them but the fact he never seems be able to get over them enough to be fit to play.

I'm a bit worried that Cummings and Malonga haven't scored a few goals pre season, these are the games to get your shooting boots on and we seem very lightweight up top with 2 strikers injured and a young untested development player as backup.

I'd also like to know did Keatings and Carmichael pass a fitness test when fully fit, or were they signed with the small injuries and the management team were happy these injuries were not serious and would heal fairly quickly?

Are we ready, well by the looks of the squad that is fit, NO but a look at the squad in general we are still 2 short of being ready.

**we are hibs** · 22-07-2015 07:47 AM

If all our injured players were fit then we would be. Right now for Saturday I'd say we aren't ready.

***andrew70*** · 22-07-2015 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by underscore

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So we got rid of the "dead weights" that most of the board slagged off the last two years. We have kept the players we need and want, and added. Also our young players are a year older. If you like it or not those players need to step up this year ( as and when required). If you look at the squad fully fit its very good for the league we are in. Or another 1000 could buy season tickets and we could buy other player or two?

To say we are weaker is daft.

This 100%

I would say we definitely need another two players. A centre mid - really wanted Holt but now hopefully the McGeouch rumours are true.

We need defensive cover. I really don't think Keith Watson is the answer tbh.

***Brightside*** · 22-07-2015 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Thecat23

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That's the big question, will the young lads step up? If they get Injured like Danny who is there to cover? We are weaker In midfield there is no question of that. I think we have a strong starting 11 when all are fit but if we get Injuries and suspensions I fear we may struggle. So In my opinion we are slightly weaker at this moment In time.

What I don't get is people saying we need another two midfielders. Were are these players going to play when we have a fully fit squad? In midfield we have a selection of about 7 to choose from and that's before we go down to development team.

**Blaster** · 22-07-2015 08:07 AM

As long as we are ready for 8 August that's the main thing. Hope we win on Saturday but if we lose won't be end of the world. We'll beat Montrose and then the real business starts

Another midfielder in before the Montrose game and Watson to sign and I would be happy with that

***J-C*** · 22-07-2015 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by underscore

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What I don't get is people saying we need another two midfielders. Were are these players going to play when we have a fully fit squad? In midfield we have a selection of about 7 to choose from and that's before we go down to development team.

They'd be backup/rotation players, at the moment we have Stanton as the only one with experience and a youngster in Martin, it'll all depend on the system Stubbs plays, either 3 or 4 in the middle, right now I'd say a flat 4-4-2 would be our starting team shape with the players available.

Don't know where you're getting 7 midfielders, we have Allan, Fyvie, Stanton, Handing ( long term injury )Bartley and Martin. Carmichael, Boyle and Harris are all attacking wide men, that leaves us 5 midfielders to fill either 3 or 4 spaces plus cover, lets hope we don't get more injuries or suspensions.

**B.H.F.C** · 22-07-2015 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by underscore

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What I don't get is people saying we need another two midfielders. Were are these players going to play when we have a fully fit squad? In midfield we have a selection of about 7 to choose from and that's before we go down to development team.

Two is maybe pushing it but we certainly need at least one.

We know Allan and Fyvie can do a job and we know what we are getting from them. The new boy has a decent pedigree. But beyond that we don't know 100% that we have players capable of doing a job. We'd be more hoping they can step up.

Keep reading about how things will look when everybody is available. But how often will everybody be available is the question. We only have 4 or 5 missing at the moments and that has us down to the bare bones. Just look at the bench at Dunfermline on Saturday. Couple injuries with suspensions throughout the season and I can't imagine there will be too often where everyone is available.

***Brightside*** · 22-07-2015 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by J-C

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They'd be backup/rotation players, at the moment we have Stanton as the only one with experience and a youngster in Martin, it'll all depend on the system Stubbs plays, either 3 or 4 in the middle, right now I'd say a flat 4-4-2 would be our starting team shape with the players available.

Don't know where you're getting 7 midfielders, we have Allan, Fyvie, Stanton, Handing ( long term injury )Bartley and Martin. Carmichael, Boyle and Harris are all attacking wide men, that leaves us 5 midfielders to fill either 3 or 4 spaces plus cover, lets hope we don't get more injuries or suspensions.

Boyle, Harris, Carmichael ALL play in midfield (esp in a 442). I actually see Carmichael playing the no10 role for us rather than as a winger.

***J-C*** · 22-07-2015 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by underscore

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Boyle, Harris, Carmichael ALL play in midfield (esp in a 442). I actually see Carmichael playing the no10 role for us rather than as a winger.

They're wide men though, it's in the middle we are short. We have 5 players for 3 spaces, one a young laddie from development, that gives us 4 real players, if we have any more injuries etc we'll be in trouble cover wise, getting McGeouch would certainly help.

**Thecat23** · 22-07-2015 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by underscore

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What I don't get is people saying we need another two midfielders. Were are these players going to play when we have a fully fit squad? In midfield we have a selection of about 7 to choose from and that's before we go down to development team.

As I say bud our midfield is very inexperienced and Harris, Stanton and Handling haven't done it when giving their chance. So if they don't start well or get injured who comes in? We need experience in there and I'm not sure Stubbs is confident of putting in the young boys just yet.

In fact weren't they told they were free to go on loan or find a club? That to me says Stubbs doesn't think they are ready! One good thing is Harris seems to have played well in the pre season games so hopefully he kicks on from here. If not we are in trouble.

***Brightside*** · 22-07-2015 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by J-C

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They're wide men though, it's in the middle we are short. We have 5 players for 3 spaces, one a young laddie from development, that gives us 4 real players, if we have any more injuries etc we'll be in trouble cover wise, getting McGeouch would certainly help.

I agree on that. Stubbs still trying to get him. If it doesn't happen we will see a lot of game time for Martin this season.

***J-C*** · 22-07-2015 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by underscore

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I agree on that. Stubbs still trying to get him. If it doesn't happen we will see a lot of game time for Martin this season.

The midfield trio will be Allan, Fyvie and Bartley, with at the moment Stanton and Martin as backup, which shows we need another in, remember also that Stubbs told Stanton and Handling that they were free to go if they wished but could stay and fight if they wanted, that basically means they'll be purely backup and not considered main players, hence why we need another to give the other 3 competition.