[ritchiebaby]

As SCO rightly says in the previous thread, Hibs have had a good kick up the backside last night from Livingston, with the visitors almost restricting Hibs to a single point. There is no such thing as an easy game at this stage of the season. Every team is fighting for points for one reason or another.

Cowdenbeath have lost 66 goals in their 26 games so far, mainly due to Hearts (17 in 3 games) which would suggest a poor team, but they have already beaten QOS twice, drawn with Rangers and restricted Hibs to two single goal wins earlier in the season. It's totally dependent on which Cowdenbeath team turns up. They are currently just above the Championship danger zone and with their next 3 games to come against QOS, Falkirk and Rangers, points will be hard to come by.

Therefore it's up to Hibs to make sure that we don't provide them with a boost to their confidence. Another strong team is required for this match, again not all first choices, but certainly good enough to win this. I'd have the following starting line-up:-

Oxley,
Gray, Hanlon, Fontaine, Stevenson,
Handling, Fyvie, Craig, Allan,
Cummings, Malonga.

Subs - Watson, McGeouch, Dja Djedje.

[St Charles Owl]

Must win game, but as you say if you take the Hearts results out as they do seem to be a cut above the rest of the division, then it becomes a bit harder than it looks on paper. Rangers proved last week that they will not lie down and let you tickle them, so its needs to be a clinical and professional performance!!

[ritchiebaby]

Cowdenbeath 0 Hibs 2

It seems to have been a comfortable enough win with two first half goals from Fraser Fyvie and Jason Cummings. We are now 7 points ahead of Rangers, who still have 2 games in hand.

That's 7 wins on the bounce now and 15 unbeaten since the beginning of December. We still can't take anything for granted, but we've made our move and have to continue to work hard and be clinical with and without the ball in the coming games.

[St Charles Owl]

Well after a great long run of results you are now masters of your own destiny for the first time this season!! Up to you to keep it going while McCall tries to sort Rangers out!! Well done today!!

[Fredstersafool]

Hibs have been great Ritchie no slip ups now,be a great achievement for both Edinburgh clubs to straight back up even better leaving Sevco behind

[ritchiebaby]

That's the plan, fred.

[St Charles Owl]

Hibs have been great Ritchie no slip ups now,be a great achievement for both Edinburgh clubs to straight back up even better leaving Sevco behind

It would be great for the city to see both get promoted!!  Its interesting that Hearts have been so good right from the start while its taken Hibs a while to hit their stride but seem to be there now.  Rangers started well but have dropped off badly in terms of performances.  For me thats all a product of last season, Heart knew for ages they were down and were able to at least preppare better for this season, Hibs came down at the last minute and  their relegation was a bit of a shock that crpet up on everyone,  Rangers though have essentially come up with huge expectations but with players who did well in the league below but have been found wanting in this one, plus the off field stuff has to take its toll on the players with it going on all year!!!

Question for you guys, Hearts will get promoted, lets say Hibs finish second with Rangers third, how exactly do the playoffs work these days??

[ritchiebaby]

SCO - you're spot on with your resume of the various teams' state of minds at the start of this season. Hibs had a long slide down the table with a resulting loss of confidence, which took a long time to get re-generated, with new players and a new manager.

Re the play-offs, this is how it works:-
4th plays 3rd in two-legged play-off,
then winner of that plays 2nd in two-legged play-off,
then winner of that plays 2nd bottom of the Premiership in yet another two-legged play-off.
The winner of that tie is then allowed into the Premiership alongwith Hearts (Championship winners).

[St Charles Owl]

So the winner could play a 6, and at least 4, further games at the end of the season!! Boy, you really want to go into that run of games as the form team. I remember when the FL first brought in playoffs it included 3 theams from the lower league and one from the one above, I never liked it then and still tyhink in this case 2 should be relegated and two new teams should come up!! The system they run in England now feels better than this set up to me.

[turkeydinner]

Hows Fyvie doing? I notice he`s playing all of the games and even scored but whats his form like?

Well done its nice to see Hibs fans smiling after tough couple of years