Hibs boss wants teams to fear Easter Road
Pat Fenlon
Pat FENLON today revealed his desire to return the fear factor to Easter Road, insisting opposition teams no longer regard a visit to the home of Hibs with a sense of trepidation.
The Edinburgh outfit have managed to win just one SPL match on their own turf all season, the 3-2 victory over St Johnstone in September their only such triumph since Inverness Caley were defeated in Leith almost a year ago.
It is a miserable statistic and one which goes a long way to explaining why Hibs currently languish near the foot of the SPL table just a point ahead of basement outfit Dunfermline.
But now Fenlon is looking for his side to build on a William Hill Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock and a draw against Aberdeen, both results achieved with a clean sheet, although he admitted the visit of league leaders Celtic on Sunday represents a “big ask”.
Neil Lennon and his players will pitch up at Easter Road knowing the title is almost certainly theirs, the ten-point deduction imposed on arch-rivals Rangers as they plunged into administration this week leaving the Hoops 14 points clear at the top with only 12 matches remaining.
Nevertheless, Fenlon has recognised the importance of ensuring visiting teams once again regard a trip to Leith as one of the most problematic on their fixture list.
He said: “I know from years previously that the likes of Celtic and Rangers did not like coming to Easter Road and that’s something we have to get back to, that when they look at the calendar they say: ‘That’s a difficult fixture.’
“I think over the last couple of years they have probably looked at it and said it’s not that difficult a fixture so we have to get back to making it just that.”
While admitting he was disappointed not to have beaten Aberdeen – arguing his players had created enough chances to do so – Fenlon believes he detected a different atmosphere around Easter Road.
He said: “Previously dropping points at home, as people would have seen it, to Aberdeen and in the position we are in it would have been negative.
“But the players got a good ovation coming off and I think the supporters looked at it, a 0-0 draw, and recognised we had a right good go at winning it.
“We said to the players that the fans watch every week and that if they are working as hard as they can to get a result they can sometimes live with it when it doesn’t go your way.”
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Comments
There are 47 comments to this article
Page 1 of 4
MrHibs07-1973
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 10:54 PMComment removed by moderator
Baldrick
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 10:21 PM44* For once we are in some accord although I wouldn't express my view with that degree of colour. I think the English authorities would deeply regret allowing that pair to compete in their tournaments. I have always favoured a British Cup to replace the League Cups but after the Manchester experience the English would be foolish to consider that also.
MrHibs07-1973
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:43 PMComment removed by moderator
MrHibs07-1973
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:41 PMComment removed by moderator
MrHibs07-1973
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:37 PMComment removed by moderator
Vietnam Veteran
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:34 PMHi lads me again! - Rangers n' Celtic hahaha - lets go to England they said - England told em straight - you aint good nuff........
Vietnam Veteran
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:30 PMHi lads me again! - what aboot the weegie - hahaha - in yir glesgy slums - you find a deed rat an you think its a treat - erra macaroon bars " a tanner "
Vietnam Veteran
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:26 PMHi lads me again! - Aye mrhibs id settle for a draw at this moment in time - strongly fancy motherwell to pound the yamsters looks a banker - i love bernian fc and salute everytime i pass the ground - with a tear in my eye - come oot.
SonsofUlster
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:25 PMGot fed up with the record stories on Craigie Boy so i thought i would look in on what happening in the East. I think Pats on drugs. Even the Huns wouldn't be worried about at Shyster Rd. Nice one Pat....I hope you get relegated. Hail,hail
MrHibs07-1973
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:24 PMComment removed by moderator
Dragonlord
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:21 PM36# Oh my god not that stupid line again. You trying to claim you are never on Hearts threads?
MrHibs07-1973
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 08:51 PMComment removed by moderator
Dragonlord
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 08:38 PM34# If that's your criteria for making a fool of yourself why are you still here?
MrHibs07-1973
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 07:07 PMComment removed by moderator
Dragonlord
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 07:05 PM32# So Hibs new loan player is called Clarice? You could have a point there. He would fit in well.
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