James McPake backs Hibs boss’ patient approach

Hibs skipper James McPake today backed boss Pat Fenlon’s patient approach as sets about the challenging task of rebuilding his Easter Road squad.

While ten players – a combination of those out of contract 
and the clutch of loan 
signings made by Fenlon in January – have left the Capital club, following the departure of five others in that month, thus far only three signings have been made, including the former Coventry City defender.

Fenlon himself has asked supporters for patience while well aware they are desperate to see the arrival of further new faces, but has refused to simply make signings for the sake of it, insisting acquiring the sort of quality and characteristics he is seeking can take a bit longer.

Hibs fans had to wait until nearly the end of June before Fenlon made his first capture of the summer, snapping up Motherwell stopper Tim Clancy on a two-year deal, but almost a fortnight passed before McPake and then Partick Thistle midfielder Paul Cairney agreed similar contracts.

Like the supporters, McPake fully anticipates further arrivals before the new SPL season kicks off in four weeks’ time and is just as curious to discover just who Fenlon will be bringing in next.

But he has complete faith the way in which Fenlon is working, Hibs having been one of the more active outfits in the transfer market to date. He said: “Up to last week Hibs had only signed Tim Clancy. Paul Cairney and I have now joined and the manager will obviously have some targets. He has been taking his time and, I think, he has been quite wise in what he is doing.

“He could go out and sign four, five or six players, no problem. But he is picking and choosing the right ones which is the right way in my opinion and I hope that works out for us in the end.”