Bzzt

The Role of the SFA

What role do the SFA play in encouraging youngsters to not only play but watch football in Scotland?

I see that the Serbia and Macedonia tickets have gone on sale to the general public after the period available for Tartan Army Members has finished. What caught my eye though was the price of one ticket for either of these games.

Ticket Prices:
South Stand Lower: £35     South Stand Upper: £32
North Stand: FULL              West Stand: £25
East Stand: £25                  East Stand Family: £25/£10

For me, looking at these numbers it raises the question; Since when was it the SFAs job to maximise its profit to the point that many families will no longer consider going to Hampden as a viable option?

As a former Tartan Army member, I consider the Scotland games to have been massively important in me catching the bug to attend live football matches and the main reason behind getting my season ticket at Hibernian.

Growing up in Scotland, our SPL and SFL stadiums are never full every week. Unless your a Rangers or Celtic fan the chance to go to a game with a big crowd and a big atmosphere is very rare. My first away game to see Hibs was at St Johnstone and the attendance was only a handful of thousands.  At a young age, the football alone isn’t enough to keep someone interested for 90 minutes.  I still remember coming out onto the concourse against Germany in 2003 to a Hampden that was rocking and that made an impression on me, but how many youngsters now will get that chance? 

Buying a ticket for Scotland friendly 10 years ago it could cost as little as £7 for an adult and £3 for a child. Dad and son all in for a tenner. For the recent friendly match it was costing £23 for both and that was Australia, not at Hampden and with a weak side. 

I know football needs money and home games will be one of the best sources of income for the Scottish Football Association. I totally get that.  Tickets for the North stand have sold out which is superb. But how many people standing in the North for these games as a youngster went to football when it was cheap and got a ‘lift over’ for free? 

With so many other distractions now compared to yesteryear (Was Paintballing even a word back then?) its key to get youngsters hooked for seeing live football with an atmosphere and someone like your St Mirrens and Kilmarnocks cant guarantee that but at a Scotland game you can.

Once the are hooked though, the atmosphere becomes less important and regularity takes precedence. Thats what a league team can offer; before it may not have been seen as that desirable place but is now somewhere they want to visit. 

I just don’t think its the SFAs job to put off families and parents with kids that want to go to watch football.  Clubs have their own pricing structure but the national association should aim to encourage and involve as many as possible and this should be their number one aim. The SFA will probably argue the price is in line with similar past times and other football matches but thats not the point. I don’t consider that their role.

Make the whole East stand a family stand. Pack them in for cheap prices and watch them in 10 years, all grown up pay £40 for a ticket in the North stand.

Its like an investment in their purchasing habits. Shorter term financial reduction for long term interest and gain.

Final Game - No Pressure

Hibernians final game of what has been a roller coaster season comes to an end at the Caledonian Stadium.

I think one statistic that puts our season into perspective is that if Hibs win today they will have won more games in Inverness than they have in Edinburgh this season.

That stat and that stat alone shows why Hibs have had such a poor season. Home wins were very few and very far between.

Another fact is that Hibernian did not manage one weekend home win all season.

The two home games we did manage to win though proved vital to our SPL survival. The second was of course our must win game on Monday night against Dunfermline.  The game was built up as a must win for Hibs and in the first 15 minutes the team responded like winners.  Before Fat Jim could finish his pre-match pie, Hibs were flying and 3 goals clear. The goals settled down the team and a bumper crowd at Easter Road really got behind the team and what could have been a nervy 90 minutes turned in a very comfortable victory.  With nothing much happening on the pitch, much of the Hibernian fans singing was aimed towards the away dug out with Jeffries on the receiving end of the abuse.

The 3 points gained not only ensured SPL safety for Hibs but also condemned Dunfermline to the 1st Division. This now means, 7 days before the Scottish Cup Final, manager Pat Fenlon can put out a team and play a game with no pressure.  Key personnel can be rested and fringe players given a chance.

The performance and result does not matter today.  The most important thing is that come Monday before the team fly to Dublin we have a fully fit squad.

A final fact is that for all the season has been poor, it could still be the best season for many many years, arguably EVER. 1 game can change that and we are only a week away from it.

Biggest Win of the Season

Wednesdays game in Aberdeen was what I consider to be the most important win of this whole entire season.  Never has 3 points meant so much.

The team travelled to Pitroddie in desperate need of a win.  With only 3 games to go and only 3 points ahead of Dunfermline a win was vital.

Before the game there was mixed team news with McPake dropping out with a groin injury but O’Connor coming in to the team.  Sean O’Hanlon came in and played superbly even getting himself an important goal.

The team though as a whole stepped up and really showed the metal that Fenlon has instilled into them that when it matters it can be used.  We just got that bit of luck and took chances to win the game, that was the only difference in this match to the previous ones we had lost.

With Dunfermline drawing 0-0 it now means the gap has grown to 5 points with 2 games to play.  1 point from any of our last 2 fixtures will be enough but a win on Monday would relegate Dunfermline as well as embarrass Jim Jeffries. Double whammy if there ever was one.

Sorting out our SPL future on Monday would mean the game in Inverness is pointless and our key players can be rested. Thats the ideal situation so hopefully Fenlon gets his first win at Easter Road while relegating Dunfermline.

Chances Missed

You would have thought with a Scottish Cup Final coming up Easter Road would be buzzing with excitement.  Actually you would be very wrong.

For all that cup has been a welcome distraction from a poor season, we are still having that poor season and now find ourselves only 3 points above Dunfermline.

Results at the weekend did not go our way at all and now we find ourselves travelling up to Aberdeen tonight in desperate need of 3 points as we just don’t know what Dunfermline are capable of doing.

A loss for Hibs and a win for Dunfermline would, to put it mildly, be a disaster.

The thought of playing in the First Division with the number of fans and facilities Hibs has does not bear thinking about.

The performances the team have not been putting in have not been bad at all. The team has played some nice stuff but in our last few games partly bad luck and also missed chances have conspired against us.  For example against St Mirren at the weekend, if Doyle buries his chance from 6 yards out we go onto win that game. But we don’t.

That is where the quality from the likes of Griffths and O’Connor shows. They don’t need 2 chances, they need one and they stick it away. And that is why these 2 players will be massive in our next few games.

So forget about Hampden and forget about the cup final the most important thing for Hibernian this season is to remain in the SPL and any fan who thinks the cup is bigger is deluded. 

Hopefully tonight we can take our chances and get points on the board before our ‘unofficial’ cup final at Easter Road on Monday against Dunfermline.

Lets step up to the plate Hibs.

Scottish Cup Final 2012 In Numbers

Here is a quick look at the Scottish Cup Final in numbers.

1 - The number of teams that will leave Hampden as winners after the final

2 - The number of goals Hearts beat Hibs by the last time the two teams met

3 - The number of wins Hearts have had over Hibs this season

4 - The number of goals Hearts scored against Hibs the last time they met at Hampden

5 - The minimum number of games required for an SPL team to win the cup in 1 season

6 - The number of years since Hearts last won the Scottish Cup

7 - The record winning margin in a derby, Hibs beat Hearts 7-0

8 - The number of goals Hibs have scored so far in this years cup to reach the final

9 - The number of Scottish Cup Finals Hibernian have played in without winning

10 - The number of derbies Hibs have gone without a win

11 - The number of players on each team who could make history

12 - Hibs longest unbeaten steak against Hearts

13 - The number of Yellow Cards Ian Black has been shown in all competitions 

14 - The number of goals Skacel has scored this season (Club Top Scorer)

15 - The number of goals Garry O’Connor has scored this season (Club Top Scorer)

19 - The date in May which the Scottish Cup Final will be contested

21 - The number of players who have left Hibs since the summer

57 - The number of shots Leigh Griffths has had this season

63 - The number of Yellow Cards Hearts have been shown this season

110 - The number of years since Hibernian last won the Scottish Cup

20,000 - The number of tickets Hibernian and Hearts fans will receive each for Hampden Park

1 million+ - The number of people in 50 years time who were actually there that day

Who Would be A Referee…

Not many people leaving Easter Road on Sunday after the 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock would have given the referee a thumbs up.

Its hard, especially in Scotland, to talk about referees without being accused of being all Celtic or paranoid about it.  The reasons we have lost these games may not have been directly because of the referee but there is one current ‘UEFA Elite Referee’ who loves nothing more than making the game more about him than the football. His name is Craig Thomson and his most recent performance was verging on cheating more than incompetence.  

Not since the ‘Freeland-gate’ incident of 2006 has there been a worse performance at Easter Road from a referee.  The odd error or whatever is totally fine and understandable but things such as no consistency and allowing one team away with something but booking the opposition player when they do the same thing is really hard to understand.

In the last 6 games for Hibs when Thomson has been the referee we have not won any of them and scored none.  He booked Griffths for diving when he was clearly fouled, awarded Aberdeen a penalty when it wasn’t, booked several Hibs players for nothing while allowing opposition players away with it and not given what could have been 4 penalties.

How this man is considered fit enough to go to Euro 2012 I really don’t understand.  Even the European games this season that he has been involved in he has made errors, massive ones.  While in charge of an FC Twente - Schalke 04 game, the Twente attacker runs into the box and falls over his own feet.  Referee Thomson heads straight over, penalty and red card for the defender.  Cue the players going mental and the fans going crazy.  Big Thommo strikes again.

Im not saying being a referee is easy as Im sure it is very difficult.  But fairness of decisions, an understanding from the stands of why that decision was made and obvious  fouls etc called surely are the fundamentals for a referee.

Worryingly it looks like the big man will be taking charge of the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden on the 19th of May.  Its already going to be a difficult task but add to the fact this clown is going to be in charge makes things even worse for Hibs!

I dont believe a game without a referee would work but you have to wonder, would the players self-refereeing really be any worse….

Scottish Cup Final Here We Come

Well I can’t believe it.  Hibernian have managed to get to the Scottish Cup Final.

After a terrible season, this could make it the most memorable in the clubs history.

Arriving at Hampden Park at 12pm the stadium was filling up nicely with both clubs taking around 14,000 each which was very impressive.

The game started brightly but before either team was allowed to settle Hibs were 1-0 up.

Hibs full back Pa Kujabi swung in a delightful ball to the near post which Garry O’Connor guided beautifully past the Dons keeper, Jason Brown.

After a balanced first half with both clubs jostling to take control the players went in with Hibs still 1-0 ahead.

Aberdeen came out at the beginning of the second half and had the best of the pressure without testing Stack once.  In fact it wasn’t until 59 minutes with Aberdeen’s first real shot on target they scored. A loose header from Matt Doherty allowed Fallon to control the ball on his chest and hit a ‘Crouch-esq’ shot into the top corner.  Nothing Stack could do about it and Aberdeen pulled the game back to 1-1.

As in standard Hibs fashion under Fenlon the players didn’t let the fact the other team had scored get them down.  In fact they upped their game and started creating much more with Griffths hitting the post and Osborne having a few shots blocked.  The game looked set to be heading for a draw until rock at the back and Man of the Match James McPake won a header just inside the Aberdeen half.  The header went to O’Connor who played a lovely ball over to Griffths who with his weaker foot slotted the ball across the keeper and into the bottom corner.  With only 6 minutes remaining, Hibs had a 2-1 lead.

5 minutes of added time was indicated and you could feel the excitement in the Hibernian end.  All Hibernian supporters to a man were standing, singing their hearts out to spur the players on.  After what felt more like 50 minutes than 5 minutes the full time whistle blew and we had done it.

All the Hibernian players came over to the Hibs fans to celebrate and you could see what it meant to the likes of Leigh Griffths and Garry O’Connor.  These guys live and breathe Hibs so they know what the final means.  Even players like McPake, who was outstanding, was pumped up and clapped the fans enthuastically.

90 minutes from becoming legends.

Hibs Are Off To Hampden

Would you believe it. After a 5 year wait and with a team that are second bottom of the league we have made it to Hampden Park for the Scottish Cup Semi-Final.

If you had asked me in January before the Cowdenbeath game if we would make it I would have been very doubtful but I think a lot of credit has to go to Pat Fenlon for getting us there.

The changes he made in January were vital but there was no panic buys, he has brought in quality players with the right mentality. The game on Saturday was not the best we have played in recent weeks but it was always going to be our attitude that would get us through. As long as we matched Ayr for work rate all over the pitch, the skill from the likes of Griffths and Osbourne would shine through, and it did. 

This has to have been my most enjoyable away day of the season. Arriving in Ayr late in the morning there were plenty green and white scarfs about already which made the place much more welcoming. In fact, 3,500 Hibs fans would make the journey, outnumbering the home support. From early afternoon we found a local pub for drinks before heading along to Somerset Park. 

To say the ground was basic would be an understatement. I don’t think it has changed since at least the 1950s. But for all the roof had a massive hole in it, the turnstiles were about to fall down and there was no actual toilets it was everything that I enjoy about a football match. Standing terracing with everyone packed in together. The atmosphere from start to finish from the Hibs fans was amazing which really spurred the players on and brought the stadium to life. A few flares from both ends helped add to the atmosphere and I now understand why the older generations don’t like the modern stadia. Give me 90 mins of standing on a bit of raised concrete over a modern stadium any day.

Hibs started the game perfectly and the best way to describe the game would be straightforward. We came out the traps and scored 2 early goals and were never under any pressure. The first goal was a great flick header from O’Donovan which totally caught the Ayr defence out. The second was a penalty because of shirt pulling in the box which Griffths hit with such power and conviction that he actually broke the net.

The second half Ayr had more of a go and Stack had to make 1 double save but other than that there was no problems for our defence at all.  Overall Hibs could really have and should have scored a couple more but keeping a clean sheet was also very important. 

The semi final draw was also very kind to us. Being potentially the team that everyone else wanted it was good to avoid Hearts/St Mirren and Celtic to set up a semi-final against Aberdeen. 3 very close games this season with only a dodgy penalty giving Aberdeen a slight edge. We should have won the game at Easter Road a few weeks back so this game will be very close. Aberdeen have a couple of players suspended so that might favour us but either way the chance to reach a final and shatter the hoodoo that hangs above Hibs head is there. 

Still on for an Edinburgh Derby final as well. As they say if your going to win it, may as well win it with style. 

International Break - Slovenia vs Scotland

This week its international week as Scotland face Slovenia at the Bonifika Stadion. 

Sad as it may seem, I find it difficult to get excited about international games as I used to be because I am definitely now a club over country kind of person.

I think the main reason for my lack of interest in these fixtures is mainly down to current manager Craig Levein. The style of play, the squads he picks and the tactics he uses really does annoy and reduce my enthusiasm massively. Also the comments he comes out with which totally contradicts himself just make him look like an absolute embarrassment. 

During the Berti Vogts years I didn’t miss one home match. After him during Walter Smith and Alex Mcleish I only missed 1. Now under Levein I have not been to any. I am looking forward to the Hibernian vs St Mirren this weekend much more.

I will probably watch the game tonight although I believe it is on some weird pay per view channel. Another way to really allow viewers to watch the game. Not.

It should be a close game but with Levein very unlikely to play 2 up front (although 2 strikers have been named in the starting 11) it will be very stuffy and low scoring.

Im going to go for Scotland to avoid defeat and draw 1-1.

Scotland team to face Slovenia : McGregor, Martin, Mulgrew, Caldwell, Berra, McArthur, Adam, Morrison, Forrest, Mackie, Mackail-Smith.

Back to Fir Park….

Tomorrow night Hibernian travel to Motherwell for the second time this season to replay the postponed fixture from December. The original game was cancelled at half time due to a floodlight fire so lets hope everything is working correctly this time.

The game that night was Fenlons first in charge and was actually one of our best performances of the season. The players looked fired up and we took the lead so was a shame the game was cancelled.

This time round though, Motherwell are the form team who are chasing Rangers for second in the league. The last time we played them, Motherwell were winning away from home but not picking up many points at home. Unfortunately they have rectified that and are fresh off the back of a 4-0 victory against Hearts at Fir Park. This game won’t be easy for sure but as long as the Celtic game doesn’t have any effect on the players confidence we should be looking for a result.

I assume O’Connor and Griffths will start up front but other than that the rest of the team shouldn’t change to much from the weekend. Soares may have recovered from his hamstring injury but Fenlon has plenty options in midfield.

Its going to be a very difficult game with Youtube sensation Henrik Ojamaa on form and Jamie Murphy getting amongst the goals. The defence needs to be tight and if we can do that going forward we will create plenty opportunities.

Prediction: 2-1 Hibernian

Onwards and Upwards

The game on Sunday was definitely one to forget.

Days in Edinburgh when Celtic are in town are always horrible but to see your team get beat by that margin was not fun at all. In fact towards the end it was unbearable.

Let me start by saying 4 out of the 5 goals could easily have been prevented. Obviously looking at it from a Hibs point of view but I think it could be argued the players could have done something better to prevent each goal. 

Saying that, Celtic are far and away the best team in Scotland right now and I don’t see how anybody can catch them. They are quick, big and in key positions very skilful. Also with nearest rivals Rangers on their knees, it could be a while before they are caught.

The ‘atmosphere’ before the game with the plastic paddies in town was obviously filled with much glee about their ugly sister Rangers. Took just over 3 minutes though before a belting rendition of ‘Oh A Up the Ra’ was sung. (don’t get me started on Old Firm singing) This carried on for the whole afternoon with IRA songs being interspersed around songs about jelly and ice cream.

Looking back at the game now with a more measured view its hard to find any real positives other than we won’t face a team like that this season again. Sparky and Doyle worked hard and Claros is coming onto a game more and more now. Osbourne had a nightmare yesterday but has been an outstanding player recently so can’t be to hard on him. Just another example of a game where the players did not do themselves justice on the day.

The problems with Hibs and goalkeepers still hangs there. The mistakes might not be as high profile but its easy to spot instances of ‘could do better.’

The game against Motherwell this week is very important although Dunfermline are playing Celtic at Celtic Park.

Lets hope their goal difference takes a bit of a bashing.

A Point Wasn’t Enough

Score: 0-0

Well for the first time in ages I left Easter Road thinking we should have won that game having controlled it and was disappointed with only the point.

The progress we have made in the recent weeks though is startling.

Amazing what a team can play like when it doesn’t think its going to concede goals every time the opposition attacks.

The team looked organised, passed the ball around and through Aberdeen and created chances. We had the majority of the possession and for the last 20 minutes had Aberdeen camped inside their own half with all 11 men behind the ball.

Matt Doherty and Sean O’Hanlon at centre half looked really solid with Francomb coming in at right back. I think Doherty and McPake could be a very solid defensive partnership.

Amid the high paced game, there was something that I had not seen at Easter Road for months if not years. A player in the middle of the park who was willing to put his foot on the ball. Jorge Claros made his debut and although the first half kind of went by him as it will take a bit of time of bed in he looks a very decent player. He always looked like he had a bit more time on the ball than other players so once he gets going I think we will have a superb player on our hands.

Not only was there a confidence on the pitch but also one in the stand. The fans really got behind the team because we have faith in what the players are doing. The lazy, slow days of Calderwood seemed to have gone and Fenlon has the team playing high tempo, working hard and passing and moving!

MOTM: For me it was Lewis Stevenson. The forgotten man at ER but under Fenlon has giving 100% every game and one of the names high up on the team sheet in my opinion.

Exciting days ahead for Hibs and its Celtic at ER this weekend.

GGTTH

Hibernian Mid-Week Preview

This weekend will be the second time this season Hibs host Aberdeen at Easter Road. 

The last game which was 0-0 was probably one of the worst games I have ever seen. Some 0-0s can be exciting and I have been at a few but in this game literally nothing happened. I felt sorry for the 2 American tourist sitting behind me, they were trying to get involved with their serious yet humorous “Go Greens” rally calls but there was literally nothing to cheer about.

So this weekend I am hoping not for a repeat of the performance or the result. Usually a draw against Aberdeen, who are well organised and have improved greatly since the start of the season would be okay but now being joint with Dunfermline at the foot of the table this game is a must win.

The biggest problem for us this weekend is the suspensions to 2 of our players, McPake and Hanlon, our centre halfs who played last weekend! Just when our defence starts to look solid we have 2 missing for a crucial game. This will cause problems for Fenlon who will have to bring in the likes of Stephens or O’Hanlon. I think the most likely thing he will do is move Doherty to centre back and bring in Norwich-loanee George Francomb at full back meaning only 1 centre half coming in.

There may also be a starting place for ‘The Pitbull’ Jorge Claros. The Hondurian who Hibernain snatched from Rangers could make his debut in midfield and from what I have heard about him he would bring so much to the table. Of all Fenlons January signings he is the one I’m most looking forward to seeing.

Sparky is still out so there will be no change in the attack which will cause Aberdeen problems.

A positive Hibernian support behind the team should mean a victory and I’m going for 2-1 to the Hibs.

GGTTH

The Fenlon Revolution

Now the transfer window has ‘slammed shut’ and Jim Whites taking a breather it seems a good time to reflect on the signings Fenlon made during the window.

A total of 8 new players were brought in with 6 players leaving.

Of the 8 brought in 2 were signed and the other 6 were loans with 5 til the end of the season and Claros until January next year.

Whats interesting to note is that of the 6 that left, 5 of them were signed by a Mr Colin Calderwood. I think that really shows how how much Fenlon rated the squad he inherited. 

There is a section of the support unhappy with the large number of loans. I on the other hand am very happy because it means we get a high quality player in with a point to prove to keep us in the SPL. We are not in a place financially to sign 8 players so getting a group with the right attitude to keep us going then allow Fenlon to build in the summer is a much better idea.

Players in
Matt Doherty - loan to June 2012
Roy O’Donovan - loan to June 2012
Jorge Claros - loan to January 2013 
Pa Saikou Kujabi - signed to June 2013
George Francomb - loan to June 2012 
Tom Soares - loan to June 2012
James McPake - loan to June 2012
Eoin Doyle - signed to June 2013 
Leigh Griffiths - loan extension to June 2012

Players out
Akpo Sodje
Michael Hart
Junior Agogo
Victor Palsson
Matthew Thornhill 
David Crawford