2001-2002. This was the season we were gonna prove we were back, for good. The season where third was already ours, and we were gonna push Rangers and Celtic a wee bit harder this season. So where did it all go wrong?
If I, or anyone else knew that, we'd be very rich indeed, but there have to be pointers that next season will be better than the last.
We will have two very important players returning from injury. Ulrik Laursen's injury early on in the season was a real blow. He was my player of the year for the 2000-2001 season and losing big Ulrik was massive for us. He really will be like a new signing for us.
This is a huge season for Tam McManus. He has flitted in and out of the team for a couple of seasons, showing some good touches and important goals along the way. The emergence of Garry O'Connor will make it harder for Tam to get a decent run in the side, as I think Bobby will go for Garry and Paco Luna as his starting two up front - this is obviously just based on the players we have at Easter Road at the moment!
The goalkeeping position has to be sorted as well. Who is the number one choice at the moment? Nick Colgan has never let us down, but when he was suspended, Tony Caig came in and done a fabulous job. I think Tony will keep his place for the start of next term.
We're looking pretty good at the back. Gary Smith was probably our most consistent performer last year, and Bobby will look to the former Aberdeen man to organise the back line again this time. Ian Murray will be coming back from injury as well, and with Laursen, Alen Orman an improving Ulises de la Cruz to choose from, we look quite solid, and mobile on the back line.
Will Gary Caldwell sign a new contract with Newcastle though? It's thought that if he does, he will come back to Easter Road on a season long loan deal, pleasing everyone involved. Under Bobby we haven't lost many goals, and Caldwell has played a major part in keeping strikers at bay. To have him in a Hibs shirt next season would be a major boost. There is also Hilland and Dempsie pushing for games, as they both made decent breakthroughs into the first team in the final few games of last season.
I think the midfield is where we are strongest. Let's hope Matty Jack stays. He has been immense since he moved into midfield and must be one of the first names on the teamsheet. I reckon we'll see a better Jarkko Wiss, Bobby saying that he's not fully fit and I think he'll be an asset when he is. If Grant Brebner came continue his end of season form into the start of the next, he'll be pushing himself into Berti Vogts' plans - of that I'm quite sure.
What can you say about John O'Neil? A battler who always gives his all on the pitch and will again the main man in the middle of the park. I was surprised by Freddy Arpinon however. I thought he wasn't the best of signings, but under BW, he has flourished, scoring a cracker against Dundee United. Could be the man who replaces Russel Latapy, a void which we haven't really filled as yet.
Although Brewster's away, we still have a fair few options up front to go with. Garry O'Connor will have the expectations of many, many people on his shoulders, he's seen as the man to get around 20 goals a season for us, and it will be interesting to see how he gets on without Brewster alongside. I don't think it will be McManus like I said before, the experience of Paco Luna could be the perfect foil for big Garry, I reckon they'll be a potent forward line.
Theres also Derek Riordan looking to emulate his buddy O'Connor, so there's no shortage of striking options for us.
Last season was a disaster, no doubt about it, but things are looking up at Easter Road, and maybe a couple of signings could be just the thing thats needed to get us back up the right end of the table. But then again, maybe we already have the players to help us do that?
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If I, or anyone else knew that, we'd be very rich indeed, but there have to be pointers that next season will be better than the last.
We will have two very important players returning from injury. Ulrik Laursen's injury early on in the season was a real blow. He was my player of the year for the 2000-2001 season and losing big Ulrik was massive for us. He really will be like a new signing for us.
This is a huge season for Tam McManus. He has flitted in and out of the team for a couple of seasons, showing some good touches and important goals along the way. The emergence of Garry O'Connor will make it harder for Tam to get a decent run in the side, as I think Bobby will go for Garry and Paco Luna as his starting two up front - this is obviously just based on the players we have at Easter Road at the moment!
The goalkeeping position has to be sorted as well. Who is the number one choice at the moment? Nick Colgan has never let us down, but when he was suspended, Tony Caig came in and done a fabulous job. I think Tony will keep his place for the start of next term.
|
Will Gary Caldwell sign a new contract with Newcastle though? It's thought that if he does, he will come back to Easter Road on a season long loan deal, pleasing everyone involved. Under Bobby we haven't lost many goals, and Caldwell has played a major part in keeping strikers at bay. To have him in a Hibs shirt next season would be a major boost. There is also Hilland and Dempsie pushing for games, as they both made decent breakthroughs into the first team in the final few games of last season.
I think the midfield is where we are strongest. Let's hope Matty Jack stays. He has been immense since he moved into midfield and must be one of the first names on the teamsheet. I reckon we'll see a better Jarkko Wiss, Bobby saying that he's not fully fit and I think he'll be an asset when he is. If Grant Brebner came continue his end of season form into the start of the next, he'll be pushing himself into Berti Vogts' plans - of that I'm quite sure.
What can you say about John O'Neil? A battler who always gives his all on the pitch and will again the main man in the middle of the park. I was surprised by Freddy Arpinon however. I thought he wasn't the best of signings, but under BW, he has flourished, scoring a cracker against Dundee United. Could be the man who replaces Russel Latapy, a void which we haven't really filled as yet.
|
Although Brewster's away, we still have a fair few options up front to go with. Garry O'Connor will have the expectations of many, many people on his shoulders, he's seen as the man to get around 20 goals a season for us, and it will be interesting to see how he gets on without Brewster alongside. I don't think it will be McManus like I said before, the experience of Paco Luna could be the perfect foil for big Garry, I reckon they'll be a potent forward line.
Theres also Derek Riordan looking to emulate his buddy O'Connor, so there's no shortage of striking options for us.
Last season was a disaster, no doubt about it, but things are looking up at Easter Road, and maybe a couple of signings could be just the thing thats needed to get us back up the right end of the table. But then again, maybe we already have the players to help us do that?