Five things that must happen for Hibs to escape Premiership basement permanently as Reedijk eyes golden recipe
Hibs have hit the bottom of the Premiership - so how do they ensure their stay there is short?
Hibs have hit the bottom of the Premiership and there’s two ways of looking at it.
Option one, hit the panic button, probably not the wisest move in mid-October. There’s rightful concern after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Falkirk that made it six months and counting without a home league win at Easter Road, as new manager Marink Reedijk’s era starts with zero points from six available, following an opening loss at Dundee United.
There is option two though, the glass half-full approach, seeking ways to ensure their stay in the top flight basement position is a short one. Celtic come to Leith this Sunday and, yes, a win would have the potential to move them off this spot. But more than just one solitary win will be needed to make sure 12th is not somewhere Hibs occupy for an extended stretch. Here are five things that must happen to ensure that.
The golden formula
It’s not surprising that, after two games, Reedijk is still seeking what his best Hibs team is. What’s more interesting is that he appears to be tinkering with his options in real time. Ante Suto’s shock start up front at Tannadice was followed by an even greater surprise at the weekend when Azeem Abdulai came from HTC’s equivalent of Siberia to start in midfield. Then there’s been Thibault Klidje and Owen Elding played out wide rather than in their natural striker roles, albeit the latter was back through the middle versus Falkirk.
Those sorts of bold moves must work to stop fans from questioning team selections early doors. There have been mixed results, Abdulai far from the worst performer at the weekend, but Suto was dropped and only handed the last 15 minutes. Getting an XI he’s happy with in the short-term would go a long way to embedding consistency.
Sticking to beliefs
Reedijk has set out clearly that he wants his team to be attack-minded, and Falkirk boss John McGlynn’s tactical post-match analysis was intriguing, as he viewed Hibs in a 3-6-1 going forward. A number nine, three number 10s and two wingers, it certainly leaves them open on transitions when rivals pinch possession.
Falkirk exposed that to great effect with Jacob Murrell’s opener on the counter but going forward there were some impressive moves put together by Hibs. A cardinal sin for coaches is moving away from their principles, and while that doesn’t mean they should continue defending with abandon, maintaining Reedijk’s overall message will bring confidence to players that this is the right way forward long-term.
Injury clear-up
Not something Reedijk can do an awful lot about but he desperately needs some bodies back to give him added options, both from the start, and off the bench. Defensive stars like Rocky Bushiri, Jordan Obita and Kanayo Megwa all remain out while Manchester United loanee Jacob Devaney was spotted in the stands wearing a moonboot last Saturday. Callum Wright and Nathan Lowe are new additions to a growing injury list, but Jamie McGrath’s positive sub appearance upon his return from niggling concerns shows the boost that can come with a return to fitness.
Avoiding routs
The schedule is not softening up for Hibs. Celtic come to Easter Road off the back of hitting Hearts for seven at Parkhead and then it’s a crunch away clash at out of form St Mirren. November’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final with Hearts is growing in daunting stature with each passing game, and finally they face Aberdeen at Pittodrie, pre-international break. Amid the inconsistencies of others, Hibs are not yet in must-win territory for their league position, but performances certainly have to show signs of life. Taking a pasting, particularly in the Hearts game, would be a huge setback. They’ve avoided that so far even with defensive problems but a gauntlet of sorts now awaits them. A proper baptism of fire.
Unity
Perhaps most importantly, harmony has to return. Block Seven’s absence amid their three-game ban was noticeable against the Bairns, but the ultras and club appear locked in a stand-off, a war of words helping nobody. It’s certainly not the type of atmosphere Reedijk would choose to inherit at a time where both he and his team need everyone pulling in one direction. Each side will argue the merits of their own stance, but without getting into a who’s right and wrong debate, one thing is clear. Hibs are stronger when everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet and a return to that is needed ASAP. Then full focus can go into backing a team already under intense pressure.