Joe Newell is not about to go into denial about the situation Hibs find themselves in.
Still rooted to the bottom of the table after a 4-1 thumping by Dundee left them eight games without a win, Hibees fans are left scratching their heads about where the next points are coming from.
Up next is high-flying Aberdeen at home tomorrow night before a precarious trip to Fir Park to take on Motherwell on Saturday.
Two wins could obviously propel the Easter Road men up the table and lift the mood but two defeats would leave things looking even gloomier.
Newell admits Hibs are in relegation trouble
Hibs find themselves rock bottom of the Premiership with a third of the games played.
Into the second round of fixtures, it’s looking less and less likely they’ll get that bounce up the table a run of results would bring.
So they may have to strap themselves in and brace for a relegation fight.
Club captain Joe Newell is under no illusions about the situation they find themselves in.
Asked if they were in a fight against he drop, he admitted: “Well, we’re a third of the way through the season now, 13 games played.
“So, yeah, I’m not going to lie to you, we obviously are.
“Things can change very quickly, is what I would say. If you win Tuesday night and win on Saturday, you don’t know where that puts you in the league.
“And then you know what a little run can do for you in this league. We personally won’t be looking at it like that, obviously, because there’s still a long way to go. But you can’t deny where we are in the league.”
Angry Hibs dressing room scenes
Hibs hero Marvin Bartley was on punditry duty for Premier Sports at Dens Park and was furious after the match as he claimed the players didn’t care enough about their plight.
But further comments from Newell would suggest otherwise.
The skipper insists there was an inquest in the dressing room post-match in which sparks flew.
He added: “There’s obviously emotions and tempers and a lot going on. Again, it’s very hard to speak straight after the game.
“It’s more emotion rather than anything sensible. That comes in the meetings tomorrow and the day after, when you can kind of analyse it with a bit more of a clear head.
“I’ve not looked at anything back, so my initial feeling is just gutted, angry, embarrassed. It’s just Groundhog Day, here we are again.
“It’s not the first time it’s happened this season and it’s just so far away from where we should be. It’s just unacceptable, indefensible, whatever word you want to use.”