Michael Stewart addresses Hibs concerns after slow start to new era as one game proves telling
New gaffer Marink Reedijk has lost his first three matches in charge
Pundit Michael Stewart reckons the fixture schedule hasn’t been kind to new Hibs boss Marink Reedijk - but the real ‘kicker’ to his slow start was the defeat to Falkirk at home.
Since the Dutchman took over from David Gray, Hibs have lost three on the bounce and currently sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership table. Reedijk’s first outing was a tough trip to in-form Dundee United where Hibs lost 1-0 but didn’t disgrace themselves. The same applied to their 2-1 defeat to champions Celtic on Sunday at Easter Road.
However, Reedijk’s first home clash on October 17 against Falkirk concerned Stewart. In front of their own fans, the Hibees were undone by a first half double from Bairns striker Jacob Murrell and lost the game 2-1. With a League Cup semi-final against Hearts approaching, as well as a tough trip to St Mirren on Wednesday night, the Hibs boss needs a result sooner rather than later.
Why was Hibs’ defeat to Falkirk concerning?
Speaking alongside fellow pundit Alan Hutton on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club podcast, Stewart explained: “Unfortunately for Hibs (in their new managerial era), the first game at Tannadice wasn’t an easy game and they were okay. That game at home against Falkirk for me is the real kicker.
“Falkirk were good, but they were very good at sussing out what Hibs were trying to do - and that was only after one game of Marink Reedijk being in charge. They were able to figure out what Hibs were going to do and they countered perfectly. Then you've got Celtic at home, another tough game - but they lost. Now we're talking like it’s a mini-crisis kicking in. That's where the major concern comes. So Falkirk at home, they were out-thought, out-played, and they deserved to lose.”
How may Reedijk have caused a ‘problem’ from the get-go?
Hutton can’t put a finger on any notable changes Reedijk has made tactically, however one big alteration was appointing defender Felix Passlack as club captain and in turn, stripping Joe Newell and Martin Boyle of the title. The former Rangers and Aston Villa defender thinks this was a risky move which could easily have backfired. He added: “Genuinely, the new guy has come in, but I'm watching the games, three losses. I'm saying, right, what's he changed? What's he doing different? I don't really see it.
“I don't like the change in the captaincy, personally. I think it causes a problem. I just feel like a new manager coming in and he's switched the captaincy, for what reason? Technically you could lose a player by doing that I'm not saying that he has - I'm just saying it could happen. So I don't really understand why he would do that. But generally, when I’m watching Hibs at the minute, I don't really get a feel of what they're trying to do.”
(The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly)