hobo players meeting

[maroonlegions]

Hibs stars hold clear the air talks

CHRIS HOGG today admitted Hibs' miserable pre-season record had provoked much soul-searching among those occupying the Easter Road dressing room, culminating in a showdown meeting called by the players themselves.

But while he insisted what was said behind those closed-doors will remain private, Hogg insisted the up-shot of the no-punches pulled discussion was there for all to see despite the disappointment of defeat by Middlesbrough.

 

Although Hogg refused to divulge any details of what was said and by whom, the Evening News understands, from another source, that the meeting was called by skipper Rob Jones, dismayed by the team's performance against Clyde last Wednesday.

 

Jones witnessed the 3-0 defeat from the stand at Broadwood, the latest set-back for Mixu Paatelainen's players following an InterToto Cup exit at the hands of Swedish side IF Elfsborg, a no-scoring draw with Raith Rovers before going down to Third Division Cowdenbeath.

 

Confirming a squad meeting to discuss a run of results, which not only heaped pressure on Paatelainen and his players but increasingly-worried fans anxious about the prospects for the new season, had taken place, centre-half Hogg went on the defensive when asked what had been said.

 

He said: "I don't want to go in to it but every single player realised he needed to do more to step up our game. It came from a lot of individuals and I think we have all realised we were going nowhere if it carried on."

 

Paatelainen himself had insisted his side hadn't suddenly become a poor team overnight, an opinion shared by Hogg who said: "Most of the squad we have was top of the League last season but I don't think there has been any specific reason.

 

"Some players have left, others have seen a dip in their performances but we all know what is inside us and it is up to us to show the desire and passion to go out there, win our tackles and play the football we can."

 

With the air having been cleared, Hogg believes Paatelainen's men proved against the defender's hometown club that they are better prepared for the new season than many had believed, insisting a similar performance is now required in tonight's final friendly against Wigan Athletic before Hibs head for Kilmarnock on the opening day of the season.

 

He said: "We have had a few dodgy games but while we can learn from them we also have to forget them. While it was disappointing to lose against Middlesbrough, no-one likes losing any game, for me there were massive, massive positives to take from the match.

 

"We showed a lot of desire, played a lot better football and showed a togetherness we need to take into tonight, Saturday and the rest of the season.

 

"Middlesbrough and Wigan are two quality teams from the top League in the world and it is great to test yourself against them. We raised our game against Middlesbrough, which is no excuse for past matches, but we really focused on being together, showing the correct attitude and I think we showed everyone just how we can work together.

 

"If we continue to show that passion and desire we will, I believe, do okay. Saturday can be a start for us, defeats don't help confidence but there's no excuses, we knew we'd been poor.

 

"Hopefully the Middlesbrough game was a step forward and now we have to build on it.":eek::107years:

 

Having taken a two-goal lead thanks to a brace from Scotland striker Steven Fletcher, Hibs saw that advantage disappear in a devastating seven-minute blitz:107years: as Gareth Southgate's side hit back with Brazilian hitman Alfonso Alves claiming a double either side of David Wheater's header.

 

The fact Alves cost 'Boro ?12.5million from Dutch club Heerenveen also, according to Hogg, helped highlight the vast improvement in Hibs. He said: "Hibs will never be able to spend on that sort of front, the big clubs in England can afford to splash the cash and bring in real quality as Middlesbrough have done with Alves and a few others.

 

"But I feel we proved that as long as the mindset is right you can compete with anyone, we are all human beings no matter the price tag. I think the fans appreciated seeing a bunch of 11 guys working together, getting in about people and passing the ball well. Hopefully it has helped raise the supporters' spirits because they are so important for us but it is just as vital we keep putting in the performances to keep them with us.":107years:

 

"Now we have another big test in the shape of Wigan who have also been spending cash on quality players. Hopefully we can do just as well tonight:p and bring ourselves up to full speed just in time for Saturday.":107years:

 

 

 

 

well big jones organizes "why are we fecking s**** talks" with all the players, so were was tattie heid then when all this was going on.

[Gigolo-Aunt]

Sounds familiar.

 

They can take up our block booking for Bar Roma.

[boabster]

Hibs Players revolt - the sequel.

 

Looks VERY ominous for morale on the eve of the new season.

 

Mixup has lost the dressing room completely.

 

Tick , tock.....................:107years:

[Midloth_Iain]

Sounds familiar.

 

They can take up our block booking for Bar Roma.

 

Nah, has to be CC Blooms, if it is indeed a "meating" they have been arranging

 

apologies to the OP

[boabster]

The straw clutching is almost pitiable.

 

http://www.hibs.net/message/showthread.php?t=125235

 

So , the same players and captain who were , just last week being slated for not being " hibernian standard " are now to be applauded for going behind Fat Pat's back and arranging a meeting amongst themselves to find out why they are Tom Kite ?

 

And the deluded see this a a positive thing ?

 

Are these the same supporters whose website crashed less than a week ago due to the volume of disaffected dissenters wanting refunds on their season tickets etc. ?

 

So what's changed ?

 

They lost a game they should have won and their players had a wee tea party and didn't invite Mixup and all of a sudden the garden is rosy again ?

 

And they say that we are easily fooled..................

 

What a shower of deluded clowns.

[marshallschunkychicken]

The straw clutching is almost pitiable.

 

http://www.hibs.net/message/showthread.php?t=125235

 

So , the same players and captain who were , just last week being slated for not being " hibernian standard " are now to be applauded for going behind Fat Pat's back and arranging a meeting amongst themselves to find out why they are Tom Kite ?

 

And the deluded see this a a positive thing ?

 

Are these the same supporters whose website crashed less than a week ago due to the volume of disaffected dissenters wanting refunds on their season tickets etc. ?

 

So what's changed ?

 

They lost a game they should have won and their players had a wee tea party and didn't invite Mixup and all of a sudden the garden is rosy again ?

 

And they say that we are easily fooled..................

 

What a shower of deluded clowns.

 

 

Yes but what you have to realise is that the Hearts clear-the-air meetings of last season were evidence of a deep underlying malaise and clearly a sign to be greatly concerned.

 

THIS meeting however, was the battlecry of impoverished warrior poets, destined to triumph despite great adversity, in a real and pivotal moment within the history of 'the Hibernian way'.

 

Not some bald clogger telling them they're all s***e.

[FERRYABROAD]

"Paatelainen himself had insisted his side hadn't suddenly become a poor team overnight"

 

 

Agreed....

 

 

They've been *****e for a lot longer than that