3 Games Unbeaten But Fenlon Must Go

By Hibs Admin
September 1 2013

Despite making a raft of, on paper, good summer signings Hibs are currently producing the type of football which would kill off most fans love of the beautiful game.

Indicative of the eye bleeding football on display from the Easter Road side is the statistic of only 1 home goal in 4 competitive league and cup matches thus far.

Statistics can be misleading however, but, in this case when you struggle to remember more than 1 effort on target or even at goal during the 360 minutes of play witnessed then there's certainly a deeper lying problem.

For the nature of the Scottish Premiership Hibs certainly, on paper, have a squad which should be more than capable of challenging for a top 6 spot.

Ben Williams is the best no.1 the club has had for years. The defence yesterday consisted of 2 former Scotland under 21 caps, a Northern Ireland international and a seasoned SPFL performer. In midfield we saw a former Chelsea trainee who cost the Stamford Bridge outfit a fair bit of cash as a youngster in Tom Taiwo, Welsh international Tudor Jones, Scotland under 20 cap Danny Handling alongside St Johnstone's star players from last season Liam Craig and Rowan Vine. James Collins, a summer signing with a big reputation from Swindon started up front.

Set up correctly and with the correct application and desire, that particular line up should be able to win matches at Easter Road without too many questions being asked of them at the back.

Even if a few weren't playing up to standard, the bench consisted of Scott Robertson (another international), three Scotland youth caps in Forster, Caldwell and Stanton alongside Paul Heffernan who signed for the club on Friday.

What was witnessed, not for the first time this season, was a display that reeked of negativity, players looking lost or forlorn, a lack of creativity, well just about a lack of everything.

There's little pace when moving the ball or player movement off it, zero players willing to take a chance and the midfield is so far off the frontman he's having to drop so deep as to nullify any goal threat and Hibs are then employing Craig Levein's much maligned 4-6-0 tactic.

Quite simply it's horrible to watch. An abomination of the beautiful game. The club is going nowhere and the board seem to think the fans will continue to turn up in numbers to watch the product on offer - well Mr Petrie, quite simply it's not going to happen.

If he was to consult fans forums he'd see the current manager is driving the support away with his "brand" of football.

People who have watched the club home and away for years are turning away from the club. They'll find something else to do on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and the longer Fenlon remains in a job, the harder it'll be to get them back.

The distinct apathy amongst the hard core support is as frightening as the football. There's barely a soul left who believes the Irishman can turn the club's fortunes around despite him bringing in the experienced Jimmy Nicholl as his no.2.

Rod Petrie and the board certainly can't be blamed for not backing their man. They've given him funds to bring in almost an entirely new squad during the summer but quite simply Fenlon isn't working.

Supporters of all clubs generally have something to take the positives from after games - yesterday there was nothing, a fact openly admitted by the manager himself.

Change is required despite our "unbeaten" run. A run which has saw five shots at goal in three matches. Hibs need a filip and the only way is to replace the manager. Keeping the status quo is no longer an option.

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