This word seems to be the buzzword currently amongst the Hibs support - online at least. I can't pretend I'm not a little concerned and disappointed about current form but surely some of the comment around is a little hysterical? It's hard to imagine that some of those complainers have supported Hibs for very long if they view this state of affairs as a crisis.

It's been a fabulous season so far and the young team and management have performed wonders on a shoestring. People have reportedly been very entertained and there is a good feeling about supporting this club again after some pretty dire times in the past couple of years or so. I don't need to point out that we have a real shout at another Scottish Cup Final and a crack at third place and European football next season.

It's a contextual thing perhaps. Hibs had some poor results that have come together at the same time rather than being spread out. I do believe that most Hibbies accept this but some just can't rid themselves of the bitter taste of a defeat or two and move on. I think they’d better get used to the concept as that trait is definitely required when settling down to a lifetime of supporting our dear old club.

The Tony Mowbray factor

What is my basis for confidence you may ask? Let me first talk to you about the current incumbent of the managerial hot seat at Easter Road, Tony Mowbray. Many thousands of words have been spoken and typed about this man since his entrance down the Heavenly Boulevard for the first time – quite rightly so perhaps. I think many of us were aware very rapidly that Tony Mowbray has unusually good communication and motivational skills from listening to his initial thoughts upon his announcement. From low expectations after a relatively low-key appointment the support quickly came to see his worth. Those aforementioned skills are but two in the armoury of this remarkable man.

There has appeared something of a hero-worship relationship with Tony Mowbray and his assistant Mark Venus over the past few months. Obviously that’s driven by the success the club are having. Whilst being a huge fan of the job that Tony and Mark are doing at the club I have to ask is that sentiment a healthy one? By the very nature of the job, being the manger of Hibernian FC is a risky business – a quixotic affair. Currently I’ve a tendency to view those that have offered the loudest plaudits and adulation towards Tony Mowbray might well be the same individuals that are shaken the most now that he and Hibernian face a tough challenge to right the ship. Whilst always reserving the right of people to say their piece I can’t say that I’m not a little disappointed in the defeatist attitude of some.

‘Being Hibs’

I’m not clear as to whether anybody views this subject the same way as I do but supporting this club is a unique affair, though to be objective I know that the supporters of most football clubs believe the same also. There is something about the history of this institution called Hibernian FC that draws on a narrative of stoicism and fighting against greater odds. Hibernian always had to achieve things the difficult way due to various factors and I believe it bred certainly qualities in the men and women that followed and nurtured the ‘Green Jerseys’. If this club still retains a culture then I do feel that the former is the embodiment of that along with the charitable work that we can still proudly look back on.

How many are true to those values in modern day? It’s a question I’ve asked myself. I’m not convinced I believe in the ‘Hibee family’ and ‘good Hibby’ notion but there is/was an underlying culture surrounding this fine old club. I’d dearly love to see more evidence of it currently though.

We have the Psychology – we can rebuild it

To return to the qualities of the Hibernian manager and the reason for my confidence I must relate the quality that I have been most impressed with in viewing ‘Tony’ over the past few months. Some decry the requirement of a psychological outlook in the game – I’m not one of them. Football is a different game these days, every factor needs to be considered in gaining the edge on an opponent whether that be physically or mentally. We have all witnessed a player display the body language of defeatism and here’s the rub for me. I feel that the intelligence awareness and shrewdness in handling other human beings is the greatest asset that Mr. Mowbray has. I might point to GOC as an illustration of that. Mowbray demonstrated that he believed in Gary from the beginning. One might point to the ability the manager had in spotting that our excellent striker was playing in an unsuitable role formerly but for me that is but part of the story. Tony is’ ‘looking into the eyes’ of these young men and urging them on to better things than would have been thought previously possible.

Now that the Hibs are on the ropes we shall see our man’s true colours. These are young players in the main and might stand to leap into freefall under the tutorship of a lesser manager – I however believe that Tony Mowbray will understand the doubts that are in his young charges and will work on allaying those fears. That’s why I am confident about this ‘younger team’.

Cast ye doubts

To conclude, may I just add on a personal note how I wished I could be at Easter Road more often this season. To see my team reverting back to a swashbuckling and entertaining style is all I really ever asked for. I don’t demand trophies though obviously that would be nice! I do however make the modest request that my team will pass the football around a little, that’s one of the many reasons I came to love the Hibees all those years back.

I dearly wish that I could swap place with one or two of the dissenters and those odd individuals that shout abuse at the boys on a Saturday afternoon at every opportunity. They do say you never appreciate what you have until it’s gone...

To those people I’ll use a favoured phrase of mine...KEEP THE FAITH.

Stuart Frew