Hibernian in crisis: David Gray and the unanswered questions

McDiarmid Park, Perth, a gloomy Sunday afternoon. In the stands, Hibernian supporters stood in silence watching their team leave the pitch with dejected faces. For the third time in ten days, they had to witness their side fall to a team they had underestimated. The 0-2 defeat to St Johnstone was not just a poor result, but a symbol of the helplessness that now reigns at Easter Road. I have followed Scottish football for over two decades, and I could immediately recognize that "soulless" look. Inaccurate passes, aimless runs, and a defense making repeated errors. This is not simply a tactical issue, but a mental one. Ten days ago, Hibernian were minutes away from history. They led Gent 2-1 in the second leg of the Conference League play-off round, and if they had held on, they would have become the first club side to reach the group stage of a European competition. But then, a shocking collapse: they conceded two goals in the final minutes and were eliminated 3-4 on aggregate. This is the second consecutive year they have fallen at the final hurdle of qualifying. A week later, they faced Hearts in the first Edinburgh derby of the season. The match took place at Easter Road, and only a win could soothe the European pain. But once again, they fell 1-2. The boos from the home stands were inevitable. The defeat to St Johnstone last weekend was the last straw. David Gray's team played lifelessly, created no clear chances, and conceded two goals from individual errors. The fans booed, criticized, and raised countless questions about the manager's future. My tactical analysis shows that Hibernian's problem is not just the defense. Statistics show they had only 45% possession against St Johnstone, but more worrying was the number of shots on target: just 2 in the entire match. They created no pressure on the opponent's goal. This reflects a deadlock in their attacking organization. A major issue is the lack of creativity in midfield. Joe Newell and Dylan Levitt, the two central midfielders, seemed isolated. They had no link with the attack, and when they had the ball, they often passed sideways or backwards. This makes Hibernian predictable and easy to read. In recent matches, I have not seen a single decisive pass that penetrated the opponent's defense. The defense also made many errors. Rocky Bushiri, a highly-rated center-back, had a terrible match. He lost his position for the first goal and made a silly foul for the second. But I don't think it was an individual fault, but rather a consequence of the team lacking protection from midfield. When midfielders don't help defend, the backline faces too many dangerous situations. Physically, Hibernian have played 3 matches in 10 days, and that affects their freshness. But that is not the main reason. I have seen many teams play with a denser schedule and still maintain focus. The problem lies in the team's spirit and confidence. Everyone is blaming David Gray, but I think the problem goes deeper. Look at the club's structure. Hibernian sold important players in the summer, like Will Fish and Lewis Miller, without adequate replacements. They also had issues with recruitment, with only a few loan signings that made little difference. The current squad lacks depth and experience. David Gray is a young manager with just over a year of experience. He did very well in the first half of last season, guiding the team to 5th place. But now, facing bigger challenges, he may be learning. Sacking him now would not solve the problem, only destroy stability. Scottish clubs often make the mistake of changing managers too quickly. I recall the story of another manager in Scotland who was heavily criticized but later built a strong team. Football needs patience, and sometimes, defeats are necessary lessons. David Gray needs time to rebuild the squad and implement his philosophy consistently. However, I also see worrying signs. In the match against St Johnstone, I saw players losing faith in the tactical system. They often passed back, not daring to take risks. This shows they lack confidence, which may come from a lack of clarity in the coaching staff's instructions. Another point is the absence of key players. Martin Boyle, the speedy winger, has not been in form. Elie Youan, the young striker, has not shown much either. The attack lacks a player who can create something unexpected, making Hibernian easy to defend against. Hibernian's next match will be a crucial test. They will face Livingston, a weaker opponent, but if they continue to play like this, they will struggle. I will watch closely to see if David Gray changes tactics, if he dares to use younger players, or not. One thing is certain: without improvement, pressure will increase, and questions about his future will become more intense. But I believe football always has comebacks. And for those of us who love football, we always wait for that moment. Hibernian have a long history, a loyal fanbase, and they deserve success. The issue is they need to overcome this difficult period wisely. I have seen many teams fall into similar crises, and some have risen strongly. The important thing is to maintain internal unity, and the board must make the right decisions. David Gray deserves more time, but he also needs to prove he can turn things around. Finally, I want to emphasize that football is not just about results, but also about how the team operates. Hibernian are having problems in all three departments, and this requires a comprehensive change. I will continue to follow and report on them, because I believe their story is not over. In a post-match interview, David Gray said: "I understand the fans' frustration. We need to improve a lot. I take responsibility for this result." These words show he still has determination, but words need to be turned into action on the pitch. I remember a football legend's saying: "Football is a game of mistakes." Hibernian are making too many mistakes, and they need to fix them quickly. Otherwise, they will pay with their league position. I will return to Easter Road this weekend to see if they can weather the storm. Football always holds surprises, and I hope to witness a better performance from Hibernian.