Fenlon quick to identify Hibs’ areas of weakness

Published on Thursday 8 December 2011 12:27

HIBERNIAN manager Pat Fenlon admits he has already identified areas of the Easter Road team which he hopes to strengthen when the January transfer window opens, despite having only seen his charges in action for 45 minutes.

With the Edinburgh club toiling in tenth place in the SPL, just one point above the bottom, the new manager has wasted no time in assessing his options, earmarking aspects of the playing staff which desperately need strengthened.

Junior Agogo and Matt Thornhill have reportedly already been told they can leave the club, potentially freeing up a portion of the budget for Fenlon’s own targets. And while the former Bohemians manager – who has been linked to the Kuban Krasnodar midfielder Mindaugas Kalonas recently – insists he hasn’t pinpointed any individuals to approach, he has left little doubt that he is keen to do business in less than a month’s time.

He said: “We’ve identified a few areas where we are maybe a little short. We have looked at areas rather than individuals.

“That’s what we are looking at for the moment. Obviously we can’t bring anyone in straight away, so we will assess things later this month. If we need to bring in any players in January then we will do that.”

The 42-year-old may already be casting interested glances elsewhere, however he has re-enforced the message that the current members of the squad will be given time to prove themselves.

Hibs’ much-maligned players demonstrated a vast improvement on recent displays in their postponed outing against Motherwell last week, leading 1-0 at the break before an electrical fire called halt to proceedings.

That has enthused the new man at the helm, and Fenlon is keen to see what improvement he can eke out of a group of players which has consistently underachieved for some time.

He continued: “They’re playing for their future – we’re all playing for our futures.

“We’ve already spoken to one of two players who will probably leave the club, but the majority of players have been given an opportunity to go and express themselves and show me what they can do.

“I’ve said before, I want to see the players and try and get some more out of them, that perhaps they haven’t produced over a number of months.

“We’ve got a lot of players whose contracts expire in the summer, and it is up to them to prove that the want to be at a big club like Hibs. If they want to stay here and use our great facilities then they have to work hard and prove that.”

The first chance for the players to illustrate the necessary desire and work ethic will come in the form of a visit from Rangers this Saturday.

Comments

There are 17 comments to this article

Order by:

• Newest first
• |
• Oldest first

Page 1 of 2

• 1
• 2
• Next >
• Show all

17

Burno

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 02:05 PM

I have never known a thread to be so sane and sensible :-) Long may it continue.

• Report Unsuitable

16

boozy

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 01:28 PM

I have said before that Johnsson is a player I would like to see at ER. The fact he can play in numerous positions will lead as Tott states likely to get interest from down South.

• Report Unsuitable

15

Burno

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 01:03 PM

ToTT, it is something I had heard too but I for the life of me, I can't understand why anybody would take a chance on signing or re-signing for Hearts under present conditions. I think the lad would be wise to see what else is out there before putting pen to paper on anything and if he is genuinely keen to stay at Tynie, he has 6 months to see of the current predicament is resolved.

• Report Unsuitable

14

connermcleod

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 11:07 AM

#3 If I was you I'd be worring whats going on at the PBS, tick tock....tick tock............

• Report Unsuitable

13

Talking Sense

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 11:04 AM

The 41 years old Bristol City keeper is David James.

• Report Unsuitable

12

Hen Broon

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 10:57 AM

#Talking sense....to be fair I know he is settled here . TBH i think there is more chance of him agreeing to a new deal with Hearts than moving to Hibs. His agent said last week that despite the problems he was in discussions with hearts & his preference was to stay. VLAD ,despite the current situation will be well aware if he gets him to sign a new deal his potential value will go up considerably.

• Report Unsuitable

11

Sir Brian Hine QC

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 10:19 AM

4 TS - what do you think Eggert is worth, or rather what hearts can realistically expect for him, as opposed to what the madman will ask for him? always liked him

• Report Unsuitable

10

booker_top_tips

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 09:38 AM

we offer you our top analyzed daily football tips.join now and start making profit. bookers-top-tips.blogspot.com

• Report Unsuitable

9

Baron von Hibee

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 09:31 AM

Must admit I was disappointed when Fenlon was appointed. However I'm starting to like the sound of him. Any coach who thought Thornhill should have been in the team ahead of Stevenson shouldn't have been allowed near Hibernian FC. Time for you to make changes in January Pat! Also I see 'The Clown' is now working his magic in Birmingham. Three matches as assistant and three losses. Petrie what were you thinking, or as the ubiquitous Tommy-Tommy would say PWWYT! Still think we should look over at Tynie to see what bargains to be had.

• Report Unsuitable

8

Talking Sense

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 09:22 AM

#6 talk o' the toun. Maybe Eggert Johnsson has an Edinburgh girlfriend and wants to stay in the city. After all, any Norwegian would! I read that Bristol City are paying their 41 year old keeper 15k per week and that Derek McInnes is anxious to move him on and save the wage to bring in a number of players. That was in today's English Daily Mail. A wee challenge for you now, who is that keeper? No, its not Budgie as he must be pushing 60 by now!

• Report Unsuitable

7

Hen Broon

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 09:05 AM

#4 JASON T is a decent player and certainly better than Towell.....great attitude & frankly every bit as goood as Hamil who was brought in as he was shipped out.

• Report Unsuitable

6

Hen Broon

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 09:03 AM

i think eggert will go but not to Hibs..... more likely Bristol Cityor another lower Championship club.......they will offer nearer £5k a week previously outwith the OF the only club that would match it would be Hearts....no more....i like Eggy but he is a £2k basic wage player and frankly thats all Hearts should be paying anyone. Wee Pat would need to be blind or not be able to read a goals against column not to understand where Hibs weaknesses are........a half decent manager and two or three additions and Hibs will climb the league......it will be interesting to wtch the 90 mins v Rangers & see if there are any obvious improvements.

• Report Unsuitable

5

Talking Sense

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 09:01 AM

#3 Hammy 1874. I see that you are still incapable of having an objective discussion here. Focus on the word 'interesting' here and try to write something intelligent that we might find remotely interesting.

• Report Unsuitable

4

Talking Sense

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 08:58 AM

#2 Interested_party 1874. I have usually been impressed by Jason Thomson the few times I have seen him and he is reported to be 'surplus to requirements'. if you are a Hearts fan who goes to the matches, do you think Billy Brown would recommend him to Hibernian? I am not sure that Eggart Johnsson should be on a surplus list, rather they would be looking for a fee for him. On a different subject, I suspect the opportunity to sell injury prone Andy Driver has passed. What do you think?

• Report Unsuitable

3

Hammy1874

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 08:50 AM

I heard Eggert Johnsson was interesting Hibs too.... only thing was though, Eggert wasn't remotely interested in them. ................................................ Good to see Fenlon has identified the weak spots in the Hibs team.... universally accepted as numbers one through to eleven.

• Report Unsuitable

Order by:

• Newest first
• |
• Oldest first

Page 1 of 2

• 1
• 2
• Next >
• Show all

Logged in as:

Comment here. Start typing your comment here:

Post comment

Please adhere to our Community guidelines

Your view

Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.