[0762]

At the moment, IMO the Stokes signing was a total mistake and Malonga was a better option. However, Dom was not a prolific goal scorer either and we're forgetting what a lazy b#### he could be in certain matches. What puzzles me re the goalie situation is the fact that Virtanen can't be that bad a goalie, otherwise Stubbs would never have signed the big Finn! So it looks like Stubbs is 'taking a chance' and giving Oxley the 'benefit of the doubt' - mistaken loyalty? I wonder how many managers made that error in years gone by! But we've previously observed the worst side of Oxley and at this stage of the winter season as well. Personally I'd never play Oxley in the upcoming cup final at Hampden Park because he does not dominate his pen box and I have previous bad memories of a cup semi-final v Falkirk, a game that we dominated for about 75% of the match and lost to one breakaway attack that was dreadfully defended with Oxley doing exactly what he's good at - not reading and dealing with a cross ball and assassinating the opposition forward if necessary with the appropriate thumping challenge! He doesn't play this way and he'll never change being hesitant in such situations!
One last comment re the insinuation that Hibs are 'coasting along' - we can see that these players 'raise their game' in higher profile matches - that's absolutely clear and, as Ritchiebaby has commented in a previous thread, that is unacceptable in a situation when we still had an outside chance of winning the Championship but they definitely gave it up v Morton. The Dumbarton result just confirmed that mindset and certain players are indeed 'saving themselves' for 'other matches'. That attitude is not required and they can f### off as far as I'm concerned. I aint attending any cup final and I'm gonna convince my other accomplices not to bother travelling either if Hibs continue in this vein!