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Full Version: The issue re Paul Heckingbottom remaining at ER Stadium?
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As the debate intensifies among Hibs fans re the manager either being allowed to stay at Hibs or "send him on his way", one has to ask what are the main reasons why a huge percentage of said fans have seen enough and want him removed asap? I would argue that 1. He has violated the whole ethos of Hibs playing attacking footie with gusto and taking risks while entertaining the Cabbage fans in the stands - that's how we traditionally play our footie down at ER but at the moment Hibs are dull and boring! 2. He appears to be tactically inept and does not recognise the abilities of players who do not perform well when used in the wrong position on the field of play. 3. He seems incapable of identifying a balanced Hibs team esp after signing a good number of new players since last season. 4. It is fine being cautious but Heckingbottom "comes over" as a manager whose results stats will resemble WLDDLWDLW and he is happy with this kinda "middle of the road" form. 5. He has been involved in dismantling a good Hibs team in a matter of months and many regular Hibs fans have noticed how significantly different it is and it is not for the better.
What to do? For starters, I would like to see young Ryan Porteous returned to Hibs defence asap in order to "shore up" a defence that has been "leaking silly goals" for weeks. Also play David Gray or accept the guy is an injury crock, groom an alternative player and just keep him on the subs' bench and let him rest for a few months - fielding old defenders generally results in regular injuries and unnecessary defensive errors!!
In reality, Heckingbottom is on a 3 year deal and IMO Dempster will be loathe to "dump" him and admit to making a mistake re his appointment!! Therefore she and the Director of footie, George Craig, need to at least prompt him to sort out the "areas of concern" that are pissing off lotsa fans who have paid "good money" to support Hibs. Dempster professed at previous AGMs that she would not interfere in any Hibs manager's footie operations - fair enough, but I think there comes a point where the likes of George Craig can be prompted to set a progress initiative alongside Heckingbottom to give him every opportunity to improve this current Hibs side and how to do it. If that strategy fails, then I think Dempster must "bite the bullet" and sack him at a point of the season when Hibs could still regroup and recover rather than see through a totally wasted footie season with very little interest for Hibs fans - WE ARE BIGGER AND MORE AMBITIOUS THAN THAT!!
I hope he turns it around soon and we get some wins, but I just can't warm to him personally. I find his professional Yorkshireman attitude really nippy and that's 3 post match interviews now where he has said something incredibly stupid or arrogant. The one about Scott Allan actually took the biscuit, Terry butcher levels of self awareness.

The boos were pretty loud on Saturday, I think the fans are starting to get jittery because they don't have faith in him to do the right thing and make the right 'calls', plus the kind of football they are seeing is pretty negative and lacking in leadership.

I think you are right as well and Dempster won't sack him unless things get really bad. But the warning signs are staring us right in the face.