Paul Heckingbottom has sent a blunt message to his Hibs players, saying they will continue to get beat if they keep up their recent form.
Hibs have started the season pretty poorly, finding themselves in ninth after four games. Their most recent mishap, a 3-0 defeat to Motherwell, was not the ideal way to sign out before the international break.
Looking ahead to this week’s clash with Kilmarnock, Heckingbottom has warned his players that if they continue to perform like they are just now, they will continue to get swept aside with ease.
He told the Daily Record: “So with the Motherwell one, it’s no good just passing the ball and looking pretty with the ball but in real key moments not standing up, and being poor.
“The goals we conceded were really poor on our part. You can’t ignore that and that is the bit we’ll be working on to put right over the coming weeks.
“Because unless we put that right, we will be a team that’s playing well one week and poor the next. Or results will be like that, regardless of performance.”
Hibs need drastic defensive improvement
Going forward at least, Hibs aren’t doing too badly. There’s a bit of a reliance though on Florian Kamberi and Scott Allan to link up well, but so far they have performed well enough.
Combined, they have scored nine goals with three assists. It’s going back the way that Hibs need the most urgent improvement.
Heckingbottom has watched his side leak 14 goals in four games, conceding far too many silly strikes. For example, Motherwell winger Sherwin Seedorf’s goal against Hibs was preventable if Steven Whittaker simply moved two yards closer to him.
Thankfully for the Hibees, they face a Kilmarnock side not exactly in great goalscoring form. Whilst they haven’t conceded in three games, Killie have netted three times in six games.
That’ll be a confidence boost for the Hibs defence, but anyone will fancy their chances against them. Just a few weeks ago, Championship outfit Morton scored three against them, and it could’ve been more.
Saturday’s a big game for Heckingbottom. He needs his defence to show up and prove that they can still turn in solid performances.