Hibees early opportunity to build confidence

[SkyeHibs]

Writes Sauzeeking. Although taking a break from "full-time" writing, SK will be writing on an occasional basis. Today, SK gives her thoughts on tonights league cup fixture against Alloa.Hibernian, tonight, have the chance to put Saturday's defeat at Ibrox behind them by progressing in the CIS Cup at the expense of The Wasps, Alloa Athletic.
Last season's CIS Cup adventure saw the Hibees progress all the way to a Hampden final...the rest, of course, is history of Paula Radcliffe-esque proportions. However, the rounds of the competition that led us to that fateful Hampden Sunday in March,brought much delight to the Hibees faithful - and much entertainment in an otherwise dubious season.

9 goals against Montrose were watched by barely a few thousand of the 35,000 Hibees who eventually trekked to Mount Florida - but those nine strikes will be fondly remembered by those who braved the contest against lower league opposition this time last year.That gargantuan victory set the young Hibees off on a fine run of form in the competition - including securing back to back wins against both halves of the Old Firm. Tonight's match could be such a catalyst again.
More importantly, it is vital that our young squad get back to winning ways ahead of Saturday's visit by Dundee in the SPL.
Speculation has, sadly, been the main issue post-Ibrox...with more names in the ring marked "Moving On?" than Greek athletes failing dope tests.Brebner, McManus, Riordan, Smith and others have all been gossiped over. How much of the stories will bear any fruit - or even truth - remains to be seen...but the uncertainty surrounding the first team squad is not helpful. Hopefully, any probables, possibles and moveables will be resolved in quick time.

Tonight's opponents may not be overly familiar to most Hibbies - but many of their squad need no introduction (and, indeed, will be given a traditional "ER Welcome"). Scott Crabbe, Derek Ferguson and other SPL-stars-on-the-slide will be looking to come to Easter Road to put one over on former top-flight rivals Hibs. Crabbe, in particular, has long been an Easter Road "favourite". Meanwhile, manager Tom Hendrie may well be a Hibee himself - but he will be looking to the renewed acquaintances of Crabbe and Fergie with former foes to put one over on his boyhood heroes...

Realistically, should Tony Mowbray's side show anything of the confidence and swagger of last season's campaign, Hibernian should rack up a reasonable number of goals and run out victors this evening. Rioran,O'Connor, Morrow, Shiels and Brown should be too quick, too dynamic, for the Wasp's defence. In midfield Beuzelin will surely boss the ageing Ferguson. A repeat of the Montrose game is perhaps being too hopeful, and a tad disrespectful - however, an on-form, committed Hibees should be able to simply run over the top of their visitors.

Let us not contemplate any other scenario...

Bounce Predictions - Hibs to win by four goals with
O'Connor and Shiels to be in the mix.