Hearts backed for League Cup semi as Hibs' summer window slated
The Football Show panel back Hearts to beat Hibs in the League Cup semi-final, with Hibs' summer recruitment called "one of the worst windows I've ever seen".
By PLZ Soccer,
Hibs face Hearts in the League Cup semi-final, and The Football Show panel expect Hearts to come through it. Peter Martin, Alan Rough, Gordon Parks and Tam McManus looked at Hibs' struggles under their new manager and agreed that Hearts are the side to back.
Hibs' problem in attack
The discussion began with whether Hibs can find a goal, and the line "70-odd minutes, not a shot on goal" set the tone for what followed. The panel credited Hibs with pressing high and winning the ball back, but the assessment of what comes next was blunt: "they have no creativity".
That gap between winning possession and doing something with it ran through the segment. For a side heading into a semi-final against their city rivals, it was presented as the central issue facing the new manager.
A window to forget
The sharpest criticism was saved for Hibs' summer business, described as "one of the worst windows I've ever seen". The prescription for the new manager was equally direct: "he needs to somehow scrape to January and then gut the place."
That leaves the manager working with a squad the panel clearly do not rate, at least until the next transfer window opens.
Hearts' attacking options
On the Hearts side, the panel turned to the front three of Calvin Miller, Josh McPake and Claudio Braga. The show also discussed Chris and Nicky Cadden, along with JJ Williams and Hans Eskilsson.
The episode closed with the panel's predictions for the tie, which came down in Hearts' favour, and a discussion involving Lynn Morris and the phrase "barred out of Tynecastle".