Fenlon relieved that winger’s ban upheld

HIBERNIAN will hope it is a sign of how their fortunes have turned. Having pinpointed Sone Aluko as one of the men who could pose them the greatest problems when they face Rangers tomorrow, Easter Road manager Pat Fenlon was relieved to hear that the player’s ban for a dive against Dunfermline last weekend had been upheld by the SFA Judicial Panel.

“It’s good news, from our point of view,” said Fenlon. “Billy Brown went to Ibrox on Saturday and said that Aluko did really well for them. Anything we can get at the moment is a help!”

Admitting that it will probably impact on how his side are set out against the league leaders he said that while he was happy to accept the boost the disciplinary proceedings had given his team, he did feel sympathy for Dunfermline, who despite being the side originally sinned against, would not benefit from the ruling.

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Instead the touchline ban imposed on manager Jim McIntyre for decrying the referee’s error will be upheld and they could see one of their nearest rivals in the SPL cash in, with Hibs currently neck and neck with the Fife side on points.

“I sympathise with all managers,” said Fenlon. “But, look, that’s not something that really concerns us. It’s between the teams involved and the powers that be.

“This is not something that we have at home, this system, so it’s all new to me. I wasn’t too sure how it would work. But obviously the rules are there and we abide by them. I think the only problem with the system, as I see it, is that the team offended against doesn’t get any real benefit in the long run. As a manager of the team that has been offended against, that would be difficult to take.”

But Fenlon has enough problems of his own to contend with. His first game at the helm was abandoned last Friday due to floodlight failure at Fir Park and although his men were leading Motherwell 1-0 at the time, he knows the task facing them at home tomorrow will be more onerous. Physically, everyone is fit, but psychologically he knows he still has a job to do.

Stating that Hibs can have no complaints about their current position in the league he does believe they have the ability to climb the table. Provided they show the desired work ethic. “We do have good players, there is no doubt about that. But you have to perform,” he added. “At the end of every season, you end up where you should be. It works out over the course of a campaign, whether you win it, are relegated or finish third – you end up where your performances have led you. So, while we have got good players, we have to work a bit harder than we have been doing. Friday was a good start.”

Fenlon has spent his introductory period studying the players and identifying a need to return to basics. He is demanding greater intensity, a higher work-rate, better shape and more focus but accepts that one of the key issues is currently a lack of confidence.

“When you don’t win matches, that affects any player,” he said. “The first thing you do, as a new manager, is get to know everybody – and try to find out what makes them tick. Some players need an arm around them, some players need a kick up the whatever. It’s about getting the best out of players and that is something I’ve been good at, man management. ”

Hosting an Old Firm side is not always the easiest platform on which to nurture self-belief. But Fenlon is unperturbed. “It’s a big game but I’ve been involved in big games before – bigger games even, in the Champions League. This is a great game for everybody at the club, a great game for the players to look forward to. They should embrace the fact that we’re playing the champions at home. They should enjoy that and use it to reach the levels they are capable of.”

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Talk of a January clearout is exaggerated but the new man does hanker after improvements to the squad and would like to bring in some of his own men.

While negotiations are all but complete tying on-loan Wolves striker Leigh Griffiths to the club until the end of the season, and Sligo Rovers’ 25-year-old left-back Larfhlaith Davoren is currently on trial, Fenlon has not yet broached the matter of spending resources with Rod Petrie ahead of the transfer window.

“I haven’t spoken to the chairman about money for January,” said Fenlon. “I’ve been focused on getting to know the players here and working with what I’ve got. But I think every manager would love to have extra money and you always want to strengthen the squad.”

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