We need new players...NOW

Last updated : 12 August 2002 By
I hope that Bobby Williamson wasn't taking training today.

Sure, he'll have the players working hard after that nightmare in gorgie, but I hope he has left it to his coaches to deal out the punishment to that lot. I hope Boaby had a meeting with Rod Petrie first thing this morning and demanded transfer cash.

Robbie Winters
Robbie could get goals for us
BW must have some players in mind. He must know who he wants, an idea of who he needs to take the team forward. RP must have said that he would have money to strengthen the side when he took the job. I just can't imagine the following scenario at Bobby's interview.

RP: "So Bobby, what do you think?"
BW: "I like the setup here Mr Petrie, good bunch of players you have"
RP: "I'm glad to hear that Bobby. So, are you interested in taking the job?"
BW: "Very interested. Of course, I'll need to bring in some players of my own. What kind of transfer kitty would I get?"
RP: "Transfer Kitty? No, no, no Bobby, you wouldn't get any money to spend"
BW: "I see. Just Bosman free's then. No matter. I'm sure I cou..."
RP: "Nope. No Bosman free transfers either I'm afraid"
BW: "Oh. I see. Well, it's a strong squad. And good youngsters. Keep this group together and I reckon we'll be ok"
RP: "Ah. You see. I lot of players will not be here next season Bobby. Some will be released and some will be sold"
BW: "I'll be in touch"

OK, I very much doubt it happened like that at all, but that's the way it's looking right now. We sell and release, but don't buy new players. Oh, we re-sign players, yes - but not new ones. Better the devil you know eh?

I know that the collapse of SPL TV and a decent Sky deal had a major effect on
Dennis Wise
Would do a job
the fianances at ER, but a hell of a lot of money has been brought in through sales and a new TV deal. Around £4m if I'm correct.

I'm not saying that BW should get all the money to spend, or even half of it. But some of it. Some chunk of money has to be made available to improve our team. On Sunday we were a shambles in defence. Poor Ian Murray was running himself into the ground trying to make up for the ineptness of his defensive team-mates, and Caig couldn't be faulted for the goals.

We don't have a commanding defender. Is Kevin McGowan still at Killie? Or did he sign for Dundee United? I don't know, but we need to get someone in to organise that defence. I heard someone say that Gary Smith is a good defender if he has a leader beside him, and this is true. Get some decent in beside him.

He doesn't even have to spend much on fees. There is a world of players who have been released who could do a job for us. Stefan Effenberg still doesn't have a club(All right, I know we couldn't afford his wages, but he might take a massive pay cut to play for us!), Dennis Wise, even David Hopkin, who we were said to be interested in last season is on a free. As is Robbie Winters. All these players would be good additions to the team, but nothing as yet. We just don't know if moves are being made.

And this is where Hibernian Football Club PR lets the fans down BADLY. Is Bobby gonna get any money to spend? How much is he gonna get? If he's not getting any, why not? Are moves being made to sign new players? Who is he looking at? What positions is he looking at? These are all things fans want to know but the club bury their heads in the sand and don't want to know.

The first news we heard of Laursen heading to Celtic was from Celtic. That's not good enough. The fans are the lifeblood of the club, and the board are alienating us fast. Let the fans know what's happening. Tell us moves are being made to make sure Sunday's performance doesn't happen again. Keep in constant interaction with us so we feel part of our club. As that's what it is, ours.

Couple all those things with signing Ronaldo, Viera, and Sol Campbell, and we may just start enjoying our football again!