The challenges come thick and fast for Tony Mowbray. After taking over a young and talented, if under achieving, squad and changing them to an effective fluid and passing side, he has to face up to a facet of managerial skills that will mark him out as a contender or just another up and coming young manager. The challenge being: how to replace the leavers, and keep the side improving.

Back in June, or it may have been July, Tony Mowbray started work as Hibs boss and one of his first tasks was to find a competent goalkeeper to replace the two international ones that were leaving. His first strike was bold, and clinical: he brought in Simon Brown, a goalkeeper from the lower leagues in England. The Englishman may have taken a while to settle in, but now he seems to be less inclined to punch he looks a much more polished goalie who has settled in well. Inspirational leadership

Another big loss was Matty Doumbe, well that’s not strictly true: The Matty Doumbe prior to deciding he was leaving was a big loss. Gary Caldwell looked set to move on at this point - leaving us very short in the centre of defence. Surprisingly, Caldwell returned from a trial abroad and committed to the cause, so the season began with Caldwell partnering Norn Irish international Colin Murdock. This partnership was superseded when Ian Murray returned from injury. Rather than put him back into midfield or at full back (where David Murphy has improved game by game), Mowbray put him at centre back with Caldwell. The pair might lack aerial ability but they make for a generally solid pair of footballing centre backs. The results might not have been bad prior to Murray returning, but they certainly improved with the captain restored to the side.

One of the reasons why Murray is playing at the back is the form of the midfielders, and particularly central midfielders. Guilluame Beuzelin has been particularly impressive, and Craig Rocastle was coming onto a very good game when he surprisingly opted to go back to Chelski. Rocastle has looked very impressive in his later games in the SPL, although the suspicion remains that there are no midfield players in the SPL who would get into Chelsea’s squad, let alone team.  Stephen Glass has improved greatly on last season (just at the right time for contracts) and Kevin Thomson has yet to return from injury. Ian Murray to centre back possibly solved a lot of headaches.

This brings us back to the point of article, almost. Tony Mowbray has commented on how Ipswich would sell a couple of players every year and yet still improve as a side. He’s definitely improved the Hibs side on the rubbish that was evident for large parts of last season by changing from hoof ball to a more sneaky game of getting the players to pass to their team mates. The centre of midfield has been weakened once this season, by Grant Brebner being allowed to leave: now it has been weakened again with the departure of Craig Rocastle. On paper we still have strong options, but it’s not on paper football is played.

Mowbray however is not big on talk, but big on actions. He surprised many by bringing yet another two young strikers when Hibs seemed to be overflowing with them. On the evidence I’ve seen so far I believe that Dean Shiels & Sam Morrow have been fine additions, and Stephen Dobbie and Tom McManus will be allowed to leave. To free up more funds for Tony to strengthen other parts of the team, and he has gone quietly about his job, identifying weaknesses, and strengthening accordingly.

Bobby S

Mass Hibsteria has been quiet of late. That’s about to change, as we work towards masshibsteria.com v2.0. We, as always, welcome contributions for publication on the website, or in the paper version. The email address is .

Mass Hibsteria wishes all its readers a very happy new year.