Hibs hasn’t signed a single player halfway through a January transfer window that is already extremely busy, according to Scottish standards. Not precisely as intended. But according to gaffer David Grey, there’s no reason to panic.
Grey is cautious about making an impulsive purchase that could, as he notes, sabotage the momentum gained during the Hibees’ incredible 10-game comeback run. The Hibees already have a squad that is leaning towards the bloated end of overcrowded, having acquired an entire starting XI (plus a spare or two) during the summer window. He is also not certain that every acquisition made by Scottish Premiership opponents will result in the improvement required in the ten games leading up to the seasonal break.
When asked if he is even a little irritated by his own recruitment department’s lack of activity because of the frequent bulletins from other top-flight clubs about new recruits with good pedigrees or proven track records, Grey said, “No.” You can never be reacting like that, in my opinion. I believe that you should always consider what actually improves us and how we are doing right now.
It just depends on their situation; they might be bringing people in right now, knowing they’re going to lose people off the back of it or whatever. When the windows are open everyone looks to try and evolve their squads and their shape and where they are.
“I’m probably slightly different because of the number of bodies we’ve got but also the number of bodies coming back from injury. And I’m conscious of what we’re building at the moment as well.
Therefore, it’s not necessary to start over at the end of the season. You can’t do everything at once since we have 15 people out of contract next year, including young boys.
“It is definitely a continuous process.” Since there was such a turnover in the summer, we must ensure that there will be another one, but we must take our time hiring new employees. They must be both the proper characters and the ones we believe will improve us.
With new head of recruitment Garvan Stewart in the building and a Black Knight scouting database available to Hibs, it’s inconceivable that they won’t make at least one eye-catching signing before the window closes on February 3. Given the politics involved, the pressure is on billionaire investor Bill Foley and his representatives on earth to deliver a couple of ‘X Factor’ players capable of propelling Hibs into the battle for European places.
Settled squad with strong culture
Wary of ending up with recruits who might actually have the opposite effect, Gray said: “I think everyone who ever signs a player will do it because they believe it’s going to be the right thing. It doesn’t always work like that because sometimes they don’t hit the ground running, they pick up an injury or there’s a clash of personalities or whatever it might be.
Sometimes it’s best to stick with what you have when you have a well-balanced squad, unless you’re certain that it will help you. especially if it’s functioning in the atmosphere and culture, and the training and dressing room are the proper places for it.
“The goal is to be proactive and see where we go, not to remain silent. That’s what I always said.
“Kieron Bowie and Myko Kuharevich are two centre forwards who return right away and give the forward positions strength and depth when you talk about the players returning or already returning. Elie Youan isn’t quite ready yet, but when he returns, along with Joe Newell and Marvin Ekpiteta,
“If you think about the size of the squad we’ve been carrying all season, we have always said that we have got a lot of players. It’s a transitional sort of season. But if something comes up that we think can make us better and it can be done, and the club have been very supportive of it, we’ll look to try and do it.
“Because right now we’re in a good moment.” However, you don’t want to assume that everything is well. You constantly want to continue making as much progress as you can. If there is something we can do, we will endeavour to do it.
Leave a Reply