- Joined
- Jun 27, 2002
"At times I almost dream
I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance
I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
An age ago; and in that act, a prayer
For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by Death,
That life was blotted out — not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain,
Dim memories; as now, when seems once more
The goal in sight again."
It's time to re acquaint ourselves with our cardigan wearing, Rover driving, bungalow dwelling, Billy Boys singing, Onion Jack waving, scarf birling fuds from Gorgie and surrounds. We've obviously already met them this season in a game that we were slow to get going, and then shot ourselves in the foot when we were in the ascendancy and looked to be getting back into the game. So there's an easy two things for Sunday - firstly don't start slowly and secondly no pointless indiscipline.
I know there is still a lot of hyperbole about how bad this Hibs team is; I don't have that view and I don't think it's borne out by stats. We may have been frustrated last night with the result, but I think there are large chunks of games we're performing well and our league position belies our quality. I do think though we struggle in some key aspects of games - particularly in the attacking final third and we don't score the goals we should - and I wouldn't disagree with anyone who says thats squarely down to bad recruitment. We need some rebalancing in January that should have been done in July, but we are where we are and it only takes a couple of big moments to go our way on Sunday for the result to follow on.
I'm sure we're all frustrated that there was no new manager bounce straight off in terms of results, but I think I can see a game by game improvement as the new manager starts to put his tactics and strategy in place. If I were him, I'd be working on the issues that have seen us concede two own goals in as many games. That needs fixed, but could be as simple as the team taking time to adapt to new instructions.
Our neighbours have benefitted from some fine sporting margins this season and are having to manage a European campaign as well as a league campaign. I think I read they've still to win a game in Europe this season. Scratch under the surface of their results and you find an interesting paradox: They are the top form team at home this season, but their away form is patchy and in fact worse than ours so far. Their win last weekend at Motherwell was their first victory outwith Edinburgh for several months. A team that is still working out how to play on the road?
They have a considerable injury list - much like ourselves - and some of those players will be a sore miss for them. Players to watch out for are top scores Calvin Miller and Claudia Braga while Jamie McCart is a cornerstone in their defence.
What of Hibs though, what can we expect? Well I think we can see the plan and the personnel
With that in mind, I think we might see this:
The manager has had the games now he has to come up with the plan. I think a lot will depend on who is fit, I've assumed Starman will make it, I think this is the type of game that will suit him down to the ground.
I think Cadden and Newell have played their way into the team, even if Cadden's crosses would be much more suited to a bigger centre forward. Elding is an easy pick at centre forward, and he should cause Hearts problems. I suspect Mulligan will play, but I also think he's the most likely to make way if we have a better option on the right. Klidge might have been an option there but I feel he's failed to impress the manager.
It's surprising that Hanley hasn't been more involved, it's not that long ago since he did a fine job at the biggest competition of them all.
I'm looking forward to Sunday, travelling there with my youngest two who are well up for it. I hope the team are as well.
So that's my view, I'm much more interested in hearing yours
Hibernian Forever
I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance
I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
An age ago; and in that act, a prayer
For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by Death,
That life was blotted out — not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain,
Dim memories; as now, when seems once more
The goal in sight again."
It's time to re acquaint ourselves with our cardigan wearing, Rover driving, bungalow dwelling, Billy Boys singing, Onion Jack waving, scarf birling fuds from Gorgie and surrounds. We've obviously already met them this season in a game that we were slow to get going, and then shot ourselves in the foot when we were in the ascendancy and looked to be getting back into the game. So there's an easy two things for Sunday - firstly don't start slowly and secondly no pointless indiscipline.
I know there is still a lot of hyperbole about how bad this Hibs team is; I don't have that view and I don't think it's borne out by stats. We may have been frustrated last night with the result, but I think there are large chunks of games we're performing well and our league position belies our quality. I do think though we struggle in some key aspects of games - particularly in the attacking final third and we don't score the goals we should - and I wouldn't disagree with anyone who says thats squarely down to bad recruitment. We need some rebalancing in January that should have been done in July, but we are where we are and it only takes a couple of big moments to go our way on Sunday for the result to follow on.
I'm sure we're all frustrated that there was no new manager bounce straight off in terms of results, but I think I can see a game by game improvement as the new manager starts to put his tactics and strategy in place. If I were him, I'd be working on the issues that have seen us concede two own goals in as many games. That needs fixed, but could be as simple as the team taking time to adapt to new instructions.
Our neighbours have benefitted from some fine sporting margins this season and are having to manage a European campaign as well as a league campaign. I think I read they've still to win a game in Europe this season. Scratch under the surface of their results and you find an interesting paradox: They are the top form team at home this season, but their away form is patchy and in fact worse than ours so far. Their win last weekend at Motherwell was their first victory outwith Edinburgh for several months. A team that is still working out how to play on the road?
They have a considerable injury list - much like ourselves - and some of those players will be a sore miss for them. Players to watch out for are top scores Calvin Miller and Claudia Braga while Jamie McCart is a cornerstone in their defence.
What of Hibs though, what can we expect? Well I think we can see the plan and the personnel
With that in mind, I think we might see this:
The manager has had the games now he has to come up with the plan. I think a lot will depend on who is fit, I've assumed Starman will make it, I think this is the type of game that will suit him down to the ground.
I think Cadden and Newell have played their way into the team, even if Cadden's crosses would be much more suited to a bigger centre forward. Elding is an easy pick at centre forward, and he should cause Hearts problems. I suspect Mulligan will play, but I also think he's the most likely to make way if we have a better option on the right. Klidge might have been an option there but I feel he's failed to impress the manager.
It's surprising that Hanley hasn't been more involved, it's not that long ago since he did a fine job at the biggest competition of them all.
I'm looking forward to Sunday, travelling there with my youngest two who are well up for it. I hope the team are as well.
So that's my view, I'm much more interested in hearing yours
Hibernian Forever
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