20-11-2014, 00:48
Last Saturday came and went and saw Hibs extend their unbeaten run to 7 games with yet another Easter Road draw, this time against Queen of the South. Plus a clean sheet for Kleton Pernetreau in his full debut. We need to start winning at home if we are serious about being genuine competitors in the title race. That's 4 home draws and 3 away wins in the recent run and the lack of goals has again taken the shine off our improved form.
Although we are well behind Hearts and Rangers, they play each other on Saturday in the lunchtime kick-off, so points will be dropped by one or both teams by the time our game against Dumbarton kicks off. Queens also have a tricky game against Raith Rovers. Can we take advantage of any slip-up? Recent results would suggest not, but we have got to start applying pressure on QOS and now is the best time to start.
Dumbarton manager Ian Murray will celebrate 2 years as their manager this weekend when Hibs come calling. Don't dare give him anything else to celebrate!!! Although The Sons are 7th in the table, their goals for are the worst in the Championship and their goals against are the second worst. There's certainly nothing to fear from them and our away record is pretty decent, so I feel that we should record another away victory IF we continue with our new found commitment and doggedness.
Oxley should be fit enough to return, but I'd have no qualms about putting young Pernetreau back in again. Robertson will probably be out with a broken hand, which might mean Craig is guaranteed a game by Stubbs. I still have my doubts that he is good enough, but our depleted midfield might ensure his continued selection. Saturday might see the return of Dominique Malonga from Africa Cup of Nations qualifying ties, although he will probably be unavailable from mid-January, as Congo qualified for the finals at the expense of holders Nigeria.
My team:-
Oxley,
Gray, Fontaine, Hanlon, Stevenson,
Sinclair, Kennedy, Handling, Scott Allan,
Cummings, Malonga.
Lewis Allan, Stanton - both scoring for fun in the Under-20s against Dundee - and Craig (if required) to come off the bench.
Although we are well behind Hearts and Rangers, they play each other on Saturday in the lunchtime kick-off, so points will be dropped by one or both teams by the time our game against Dumbarton kicks off. Queens also have a tricky game against Raith Rovers. Can we take advantage of any slip-up? Recent results would suggest not, but we have got to start applying pressure on QOS and now is the best time to start.
Dumbarton manager Ian Murray will celebrate 2 years as their manager this weekend when Hibs come calling. Don't dare give him anything else to celebrate!!! Although The Sons are 7th in the table, their goals for are the worst in the Championship and their goals against are the second worst. There's certainly nothing to fear from them and our away record is pretty decent, so I feel that we should record another away victory IF we continue with our new found commitment and doggedness.
Oxley should be fit enough to return, but I'd have no qualms about putting young Pernetreau back in again. Robertson will probably be out with a broken hand, which might mean Craig is guaranteed a game by Stubbs. I still have my doubts that he is good enough, but our depleted midfield might ensure his continued selection. Saturday might see the return of Dominique Malonga from Africa Cup of Nations qualifying ties, although he will probably be unavailable from mid-January, as Congo qualified for the finals at the expense of holders Nigeria.
My team:-
Oxley,
Gray, Fontaine, Hanlon, Stevenson,
Sinclair, Kennedy, Handling, Scott Allan,
Cummings, Malonga.
Lewis Allan, Stanton - both scoring for fun in the Under-20s against Dundee - and Craig (if required) to come off the bench.
Cabbage is still good for you
