Hibs slumped to another poor result in the Premiership, drawing 2-2 with St Johnstone, much to the dismay of Hibees fans everywhere.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side weren’t on top form against the Perthshire side, but were leading 2-1 with 90 minutes on the clock. A last minute Jason Kerr header meant that Hibs would only walk away from the clash with one point.
Heckingbottom watched his side drop points at home. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It leaves Heckingbottom with four points from his opening three games. Whilst that isn’t terrible, Hibs have turned in some pretty disappointing performances over that period of time.
Now some Hibs fans are calling for Heckingbottom to be sacked after their Easter Road draw.
what are you playing at #heckingbottom??? your literally dragging the team down! either improve or just bloody resign u twat
— HibeeForLife (@ForHibee) August 24, 2019
I’d happily see the back of Heckingbottom he plays players out of position, pace of play to slow and to defensive. Players brought in not good enough Jackson especially, worst centre back we have had in years. This season could be tough to watch. #GGTTH
— Rod (@rod1875) August 24, 2019
My name is Paul Heckingbottom and I’m a professional con artist!
— Dom 🇨🇬 (@PostMalonga) August 24, 2019
Am done until heckingbottom is gone
— Leishy (@R11Loading) August 24, 2019
Heckingbottom needs to go, blames the fans for draw, poor tactics, poor subs, poor signings, poor talk, might sound decent but yet to show it! GET OUT MY CLUB! Hecky crashed at the wheel and ill tell you how it feels, not good ! Simple as.
— Scott Mitchell (@scottm_27) August 24, 2019
Hanlon and Gray are finished. Mallan hopeless, not got a clue where Vela should be playing. Heckingbottom is done, lost the support. Game over.
— EdinburghFM (@EdinburghFm) August 24, 2019
Heckingbottom has three games or Hibs fans will fully turn on him
Heckingbottom is rapidly losing any good will he has left with Hibs fans. His post-match comments in the wake of this recent mishap have angered some passionate supporters.
A poor statement. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
He put some of the blame on the supporters, saying that ‘anxious’ fans played a part in costing Hibs all three points against St Johnstone (Daily Record).
One thing you can’t do as a football manager of any club is blame the fans. Surely Heckingbottom must see that he is to blame for some of the tactical decisions in the previous few matches?
Hibs didn’t really go for it at home to St Johnstone. Tommy Wright’s side had more possession and more shots on target, with Hibs also committing more fouls than their opponents (BBC).
Didn’t pile the pressure on St Johnstone. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The decision to play Scott Allan on the right was baffling too. Heckingbottom hooked Allan after 61 minutes in this position following a pretty poor performance. If the ex-Leeds boss had utilised his best player correctly, he’d have been able to work his magic.
Heckingbottom’s relationship with Hibs fans will vanish if they don’t perform positively in the next three league games. Points away to Motherwell and Kilmarnock will perhaps win some of the support over.
His defining clash will be the Edinburgh derby at Easter Road on September 22. Failure to win that and it could be lights out for Heckingbottom.
The clock is ticking. (Photo by Callum Landells/Getty Images)
It looks set to be a big few weeks for the under pressure Hibs boss.