SPL Report Card - Hibernian

Thank goodness for Leigh Griffiths

MARKS OUT OF 10: 5

LEAGUE: 7th, 51pts (2011-12 - 11th, 33pts)

SCOTTISH CUP: Runners up
LEAGUE CUP: Second round

MOST USED FIRST XI: Ben Williams, Alan Maybury, James McPake, Paul Hanlon, Ryan McGivern, David Wotherspoon, Tom Taiwo, Jorge Claros, Paul Cairney, Eoin Doyle, Leigh Griffiths

OVERVIEW: Comparing this year's SPL table with twelve months ago, Hibs seem to have made progress, but they actually topped the table in November before collapsing spectacularly in the second half of the season, picking up only 9 points from the 12 games before the split.  Their incredible comeback to beat Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi final seemed to spark a little life into their season, but defeat to Celtic in the final was the culmination of yet another season where, for long periods, the Hibees didn't look anywhere near the sum of their parts.

HIGH POINTS: There was at least a little bit of revenge for that 5-1 result as Hibs finished this season unbeaten in Edinburgh derbies, though all five clashes were so mind-numbingly dull that it hardly feels like something to be proud of.  A 4-0 thumping of Motherwell at Fir Park on live TV on a Friday night was their most impressive league result.

LOW POINTS: No home wins between a 29th December victory over Celtic and a final day win against Dundee is a pretty hideous record.  Their Scottish Cup success wasn't replicated in the League Cup, where they crashed out to second division Queen of the South.

STAR MAN: The cliché 'one man team' probably does apply in this case.  Leigh Griffiths was terrific pretty much all season long, and stood out even more in the second half of the campaign as his teammates floundered around him.  If there was a Most Valuable Player award like in American sports, Griffiths would have been a shoo in.  Not only did he score 28 goals, but he set up several for teammates as well.  It's a disaster for Hibs that Wolves want him back for their League One campaign next season.

ONE FOR THE FUTURE: Young winger Alex Harris announced himself by spearheading the Hampden comeback against Falkirk and was a regular for the rest of the season.  It was concerning to hear Pat Fenlon refer to him as a key part of the team though - he's only 18.

WASTE OF SPACE: A toss-up between Shefki Kuqi, who was signed to be an impact sub but made no impact at all (and who hasn't featured since the winter break), and Pa Kujabi, whose only appearance since his red card in the Scottish Cup final a year ago was in the League Cup.

THE BOSS: At 3-0 down to Falkirk, I thought Pat Fenlon was heading for the sack.  In the first few months of the season he seemed to have finally got Hibs moving in the right direction, but the drop in form in 2013 was frightening and the attitude of the players looked increasingly familiar to the fans at Easter Road who saw the latter days of John Hughes' reign and the whole of Colin Calderwood's tenure.  I'd say that the Irishman is very much on the hot seat.

PROSPECTS FOR NEXT SEASON: What Tom Petrie would give for a summer where he needed to bring in fewer than ten new players.  A lot of gaps need filled, particularly up frony where the loss of both Griffiths and Eoin Doyle leaves no-one in the squad who scored more than 4 goals this season.  Fenlon has to decide whether to try and keep Jorge Claros, Gary Deegan and Kevin Thomson, all of whom flattered to deceive, or to rebuild the midfield.  St. Johnstone's Liam Craig will add some dynamism.  The defence needs strengthening too - if Alan Maybury starts 28 games for you, you are struggling.

FIRST TEAMERS DEFINITELY LEAVING: Jorge Claros (end of loan), Matt Done (end of loan), Eoin Doyle (signed for Chesterfield), Leigh Griffiths (end of loan), Pa Kujabi, Shefki Kuqi, Ryan McGivern (end of loan)

NOT IN THE MANAGER'S PLANS: none
UNLIKELY TO SIGN NEW DEALS: Kevin Thomson
 

L.