[0762]

http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/7582

Hibs group comprises Ross County, Alloa Athletic, Montrose and Arbroath and the 1st fixture kicks off on 15 July. The Staggies are clearly the 'team to beat' and it will be a challenging early test as Hibs players gradually build up their fitness levels before the start of the Scottish Premiership campaign.

[hfc]

If we can't get out of this group then there is something wrong somewhere. I actually think this Cup might be our best chance of a Hampden return this coming season.

[0762]

I must say I wouldn't 'lose much sleep' if we didn't succeed hfc although the loss of revenue from a decent cup run would be the bigger annoyance for me. IMO one of the club's main targets is to maximise our revenue intake from the cup competitions and that means progressing to the latter stages and the prospect of playing high interest matches with high attendances.

[hibeejim21]

A 4 nil home win over montrose gets us started in the group. Our new striker hitting 2 of them.

Our young players fraser murray and porteous both had good games too and certainly repaid the managers faith.

Looks like graham hasn't been released after all either!

[0762]

http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/7682
Aye it's an appropriate fixture to give young lads like Fraser Murray and Porteous some recognition and experience v lesser opponents and both did very well with Fraser providing an impressive performance. Re Brian Graham I must say I'm a tad surprised he's still at the club TBF - didn't do enough last season on the few occasions he played in Hibs 1st team!

[0762]

The next Betfred Cup fixture away to Ross County on Friday night will be more challenging for Hibs and it will be curious to see how the guys approach this game and whether Lenny will give youth players another 'fling'. The result will no doubt be a factor in deciding who wins group D v a side that has shed it's top striker, Boyce, and may well be weakened by that loss of striking capability.

[0762]

FT and a 0-0 draw but Hibs lose a pk decider to gain the extra pt!. Lotsa scoring opps for Hibs and an indicator we're short on striking power. IMO Boyle a big offender in the dying mins during a frantic finish when McGregor hit the Staggies' post, Ambrose almost scored with a good header but saved and Boyle exquisitely passed through on Fox by young Shaw and has to score - fails miserably and gives the goalie another save!!! Crap and lacking the temperament and commitment to finish them off with hardly any time left on the clock!!!

[hibeejim21]

Hibs lose on penalties the night,but it was a solid performance none the less. Thought we played some nice stuff and should have won the game.

We clearly still are lacking in having that cutting edge up front but watch this space as the manager seems confident we are going to get that sorted shortly.

boyle,fraser murray and whittaker all played well.

[0762]

No goals lost so far and we look solid at the back and IMO a tad unlucky in that pk decider!

[hibeejim21]

Aye a couple of duff penalties.

End of the day we went away to a solid SPL side and dominated the game. I'm very encouraged and i think our pre-season and new squad is taking shape nicely!