https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/li...rs-preview
Another tricky match coming up on that dreaded artificial pitch in Livingston and a big expectant Hibs support definitely gonna show up in a game with weather conditions much like matches played in Spain every week (but without the artificial pitch!). Lee Johnson saying he's "excited" re Hibs progress and coming to Livingston's ground. I must say that this match has become very important for Hibs and I really wanna see the boys winning this game. IMO it is imperative to set up a strategy to overcome the various constraints on the pitch, and the Lions' players, to get a huge positive boost esp after that morale-boosting result last weekend v Hertz. IMO it means nowt if we can't push on and overcome the Lions. Johnson must set high targets and this one isn't close to our ultimate target, but the threat from them must be respected. As usual, goal scoring could be a nagging issue again. However, Boyly has returned full of vigour and enthusiasm. Lets keep him as an "impact sub" until his fitness is "up to scratch". It looks like Campbell will be sidelined, Paul Hanlon almost back to full fitness and Stevo similarly recovering from injury. Johnson still got decent options although admitting Hibs may enter the transfer market again even though they are slightly over-budget. C'mon Hibs! Don't falter on this crap artificial pitch again!!
GGTTH
Another tricky match coming up on that dreaded artificial pitch in Livingston and a big expectant Hibs support definitely gonna show up in a game with weather conditions much like matches played in Spain every week (but without the artificial pitch!). Lee Johnson saying he's "excited" re Hibs progress and coming to Livingston's ground. I must say that this match has become very important for Hibs and I really wanna see the boys winning this game. IMO it is imperative to set up a strategy to overcome the various constraints on the pitch, and the Lions' players, to get a huge positive boost esp after that morale-boosting result last weekend v Hertz. IMO it means nowt if we can't push on and overcome the Lions. Johnson must set high targets and this one isn't close to our ultimate target, but the threat from them must be respected. As usual, goal scoring could be a nagging issue again. However, Boyly has returned full of vigour and enthusiasm. Lets keep him as an "impact sub" until his fitness is "up to scratch". It looks like Campbell will be sidelined, Paul Hanlon almost back to full fitness and Stevo similarly recovering from injury. Johnson still got decent options although admitting Hibs may enter the transfer market again even though they are slightly over-budget. C'mon Hibs! Don't falter on this crap artificial pitch again!!
GGTTH
So to recap - Hibs already out of the Betfred Cup, no source of much needed revenue in this tourney. Now we lose to a team we hardly ever beat ever since Marvin Bartley moved to the Lions a few years ago and they are not that good - historical league positions confirm that fact!! They are normally stuffy, physical and make life difficult for their opponents!! Various Hibs managers have fallen to them and their style of play; the latest one appears to have not heeded the warning signals re, for starters, Hibs rotten record v them. In other words - Do your basic homework son and even defend comprehensively and "kill off the game" if that is the only way to get a result!!! In one of Johnson's early interviews, he expressed great surprise that the Scot Prem had artificial pitches that were permitted to be used in such a top league. He didn't think that was right (a sentiment I share wholeheartedly and have opposed the use of these pitches for years!) and relished the prospect of playing on them as a new challenge!!!? That end comment certainly concerned me re a manager who was actually unaware of such a situation in the Scot Prem. Therefore he has no managerial nous of the potential threat posed to Hibs on these particular pitches and how to best approach and tackle these fixtures effectively!!