Hibs (h)

[weegiearab]

I would still like to see us get someone in to support the frontline with some pace...but that being said, Glenn Middleton may well be the player that we are looking for! I would have happily seen him leave at the start of the season but his recent displays have definitely began to sway my opinion of him. Hopefully he can build on what he has shown this season and kick on and show us that he can do it consistently. I think we could still do with someone else in...but it might not be as big as a priority.

[shedka]

I've always rated Middleton but he was a fall guy and target for many, he was even good last season for most of it and was decent at times in the relegation season, would have been an error to get rid so he could go shine elsewhere

He's still at a good age and just needs game time now, inconsistent but loads are, he is great at getting crosses into box, it can't be easy being targeted by the GF moaners

He wants to be part of it, look at his reaction at goals, I'm happy for him and it just adds to our squad strength

[bannon_ftd_83]

Jim Goodwin deserves a lot of credit for transforming Middleton's career. Initially, Middleton saw himself as an inside forward, mostly cutting in on his left foot and oassing the ball back. When he first joined, he struggled to beat defenders, often appeared unmotivated, and seemed out of shape. Goodwin has since developed him into an effective left winger with the ability to take on players and deliver dangerous crosses. I also think the addition of Trapanovski has pushed Middleton on, an assist for both of them at the weekend was great to see.

[weegiearab]

Yip...competition for places has made a helluva difference! Not one guaranteed starter in our squad.

[Arabdownsouth]

I'd also like to say that despite Meshack having a few poor touches when he came on whilst also being the ultimate hero, he was also instrumental in the build up to our equaliser. He tracked back,won first the ball and then the free kick which helped is get straight back up the park to score.

[LSArab]

In Dalbys interview on dutv he said it was Goodwin urging them from the touchline to keep going and they'll get a goal, then after the equaliser he was urging them to get the winner

New contract please for JG is what I am hoping for now soon, I am sick of changing managers and I genuinely would not swap him now for McInnes,Robinson or Tony Doc the Messiah etc

I agree get JG signed ✍️

[bannon_ftd_83]

I'm a big fan of Goodwin... he clearly has a genuine passion for what he does, while also staying level-headed most of the time. He’s shown resilience and a willingness to learn from his experience at Aberdeen. Whether it was his time there that shaped him or not, there's no trace of ego in the way he conducts himself... hes all about the team and mentions the fans in a positive light almost every game.

Jim Goodwin the player was a ****ing prick though!

[arab777]

I'm a big fan of Goodwin... he clearly has a genuine passion for what he does, while also staying level-headed most of the time. He’s shown resilience and a willingness to learn from his experience at Aberdeen. Whether it was his time there that shaped him or not, there's no trace of ego in the way he conducts himself... hes all about the team and mentions the fans in a positive light almost every game.

Jim Goodwin the player was a ****ing prick though!

If you look at his career in management, apart from a mad period in 23 it has been pretty good.

Alloa - excellent

St Mirren - excellent

Aberdeen - Pre World Cup break - Very good, scoring goals , exciting football.

Everything began to fall apart after the World Cup break. His first 2 games were Celtic and Rangers at home, tough fixtures for any team in Scotland. They held Celtic until the last couple of minutes losing narrowly 1-0. Against Rangers they were leading going in to injury time then lost 2 quick fire goals. Played well against Rangers in the League Cup semi heading for extra time until Stewart (JG biggest mistake) got his self stupidly sent off. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of them. After that we got the strong Jack Ross at United vibe where thing just fell apart in a mad January.

United - Got us out of relegation zone going in to split. What happened the last 5 games to this day I will never understand how it transpired.

Last season - won the title (and despite a lot gnashing of teeth through the season) with one of the highest points totals in recent seasons where he deliberately built a squad for The Championship.

This season - has us 4th, recruiting well with a promised rebuild to make us competitive in Premiership.

The mad January at Aberdeen and the post split collapse months later at United aside his managerial record has been pretty decent.

[weegiearab]

Last season , I felt we played with the handbrake on at times. JG this season appears to be a bit braver and seems to be getting his message across to the players better. He inherited a few bad eggs but has now managed to get all his own players in, who appear to be buying into his vision. You can't deny that the team spirit is much better, which he has to get credit for. He and the team are still a work in progress...but we have every right to be optimistic about things. It's still very early days though!

[DUFCstokie]

Last season , I felt we played with the handbrake on at times. JG this season appears to be a bit braver and seems to be getting his message across to the players better. He inherited a few bad eggs but has now managed to get all his own players in, who appear to be buying into his vision. You can't deny that the team spirit is much better, which he has to get credit for. He and the team are still a work in progress...but we have every right to be optimistic about things. It's still very early days though!

I agree with you - he was quite ruthless in getting players out as well. At the time, I was worried he was going too far breaking up the Championship winning side, but he knows what he is doing. Tony Watt gave the impression that he had his feet firmly under the table but JG soon dispelled that myth - just wonder if Watt's character in the dressing room was leading to JG feeling undermined? No room for clowns.