No Hibs fan in the world is under any illusion regarding recent performances at the club – we all know they’ve been poor at best with the one glimmer of hope coming on the opening weekend of the season ultimately proving a false dawn.
The past weekend has saw the supporters turn on one of their own in Colin Nish, someone whom it seems will unlikely ever be forgiven for his outspoken criticism of the Easter Road faithful last season, and manager John Hughes sticking up for the player whilst also claiming the side may have ‘over-achieved’ in finishing fourth in the SPL last season although no mention was made of Cup exits at the hands of St Johnstone and First Division Ross County.
Manager Hughes has urged the fans to lay off the players and blame him for the recent performances despite the fact most Hibs supporters have been doing that since a dismal run of 4 wins in 22 SPL games began back in February.
It should also be noted during this sequence one victory was against a side which was ultimately relegated, one against a side which saved itself from relegation on the final day of the season and one other against a shadow Dundee United team resting their big guns for a Scottish Cup Final encounter against the Hibees conquerors, Ross County.
The only bright spot it a gloomy six month period was the opening day victory over Craig Brown’s Motherwell outfit who, let’s not forget, could have had the game out of sight prior to an Anthony Stokes leveller just prior to half time.
Unfortunately the confidence which should be taken from victory at Fir Park hasn’t been capitalised on and in the fixtures since only about an hour or so of the football against Rangers has been close to acceptable.
Granted, bad luck has played it’s part. Good luck was certainly evident at this time last season when Hibs were snatching victories late in games, and while Deeks free kick against Inverness last week and Nish’s ‘goal’ against Hamilton would have counted had the side had the rub of the green there’s still very little enthusiasm at large from supporters heading down Leith way every other Saturday.
Hughes’ somewhat misguided comments at the weekend smell of a lack of ambition from a side who should be aiming to build on last season’s fourth place although it seems the club are resting on it’s laurels.
The sale of our top goalscorer to Celtic, the contract situations of both Derek Riordan and Sol Bamba still unresolved, reported disharmony in the dressing room, club and vice captain dropped, woeful run of home form and now supporters, players and managers failing in all aspects to provide a united front – something’s badly wrong somewhere.
Hibs fans are admittedly quite an intolerant bunch, but Yogi needs to be careful as the siege mentality of which he talks has to transfer itself into winning performances on the park sooner rather than later or any goodwill the supporters have left will soon turn to ill feeling.
One feels with 5 matches away from home in the next 6 prior to an Edinburgh Derby against Hearts Hughes may have under a month to save the job he once described as ‘the best in Scotland.’
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