04-03-2015, 00:43
Hibs home tie versus the conquerors of Spartans in the last round is being played on Sunday at 12.45pm, thanks to Sky Sports. Obviously Sky see this as a potential upset and I hope Hibs view it the same way.
The draw has been fairly kind to us so far, so let's have no slackness and complacency, and take advantage. Berwick are struggling a wee bit in the bottom half of League Two, having lost five of their last six games. Strangely enough, their only win was 3-1 against Arbroath a week after Hibs had beaten the Smokies by the same score. Darren Laverty is the Borderers top scorer and they have some familiar players, such as Colin Cameron and Craig Dargo, who are in the veteran class. Blair Henderson is one of the Berwick youngsters who would love to make a name for himself. Hibs must be alert and positive and snuff out any Berwick ambition right from the first whistle.
I was at the game against the Wee Gers, after they had eliminated the Big Gers, in 1967 and although Hibs were the better team it took a penalty to get past them into the next round. The last time Hibs faced Berwick in a Cup game at Easter Road, Hibs won 5-0. The same score should not be beyond us but any Hibs fan would take any win. The current Hibs team should have a fairly comfortable afternoon, but as we have found out often enough in the past, we cannot take any chances against so-called "lesser teams". El Alagui is apparently very close to making a return and could make the squad. I'd take this game very seriously and put out a strong team.
Oxley,
Gray, Fontaine, Hanlon, Stevenson,
Fyvie, McGeouch, Robertson, Allan,
Cummings, Malonga.
Subs - Watson, Handling, Stanton, Dja Djedje, Boyle.
If, and only if, things are going really well, I'd be inclined to take off Gray and Allan fairly early, as I feel they need a bit of TLC for the rest of the season. If things are going badly ......, well your guess is as good as mine, but there will be a shake-up.
The draw has been fairly kind to us so far, so let's have no slackness and complacency, and take advantage. Berwick are struggling a wee bit in the bottom half of League Two, having lost five of their last six games. Strangely enough, their only win was 3-1 against Arbroath a week after Hibs had beaten the Smokies by the same score. Darren Laverty is the Borderers top scorer and they have some familiar players, such as Colin Cameron and Craig Dargo, who are in the veteran class. Blair Henderson is one of the Berwick youngsters who would love to make a name for himself. Hibs must be alert and positive and snuff out any Berwick ambition right from the first whistle.
I was at the game against the Wee Gers, after they had eliminated the Big Gers, in 1967 and although Hibs were the better team it took a penalty to get past them into the next round. The last time Hibs faced Berwick in a Cup game at Easter Road, Hibs won 5-0. The same score should not be beyond us but any Hibs fan would take any win. The current Hibs team should have a fairly comfortable afternoon, but as we have found out often enough in the past, we cannot take any chances against so-called "lesser teams". El Alagui is apparently very close to making a return and could make the squad. I'd take this game very seriously and put out a strong team.
Oxley,
Gray, Fontaine, Hanlon, Stevenson,
Fyvie, McGeouch, Robertson, Allan,
Cummings, Malonga.
Subs - Watson, Handling, Stanton, Dja Djedje, Boyle.
If, and only if, things are going really well, I'd be inclined to take off Gray and Allan fairly early, as I feel they need a bit of TLC for the rest of the season. If things are going badly ......, well your guess is as good as mine, but there will be a shake-up.
Cabbage is still good for you
