‘Unacceptable’ mistakes but Hibs can work it out, says former QPR, Blackburn and Cardiff ace
Everything comes back to the training ground. The simple stuff. The basic defensive work. Even those dazzling skills that, for the very best, seem as natural as drawing breath. All are rooted in working hard, and working smart, when no-one else is watching.
Listening to Junior Hoilett discuss both the frustration and the joy of playing for this Hibs team, the Canadian international’s entire experience summed up by the “bittersweet” emotions of scoring his first goal for the club in Saturday’s dismal 2-1 home loss to Motherwell, the veteran’s professionalism and dedication shine through. His suggested solution for all that ails David Gray’s team at the moment, from infuriating defensive howlers to an inability to put the ball in the opposition net? Work it out. Then work it out some more.
“And, yeah, it’s bittersweet when you score and that shifts momentum to go and try to get the second one. Then it shifts back, and they get the win; it is bittersweet.
“But I think we just need to take the positives out of the game as much as we could, then rectify our mistakes throughout this break. And work hard on the training pitch to come out to get our next win against Dundee United.
“It starts on the training pitch. I think we have to keep focus and make sure we’re doing the small things correct and do our jobs. Right now it’s errors that can be rectified.
“It’s not major problems but it’s what’s hurting us at the minute so we have to start from the training pitch, and everybody needs to remain focused and switched on day in day out – and I’m sure that the results will turn.
“Since I made my debut, I’ve been enjoying every minute of it. I’m enjoying every day in training with the boys, it’s a good group here. I just need to get the results. I’m at a stage in my career where I just want to go out and enjoy football and be a part of the group and win games.”
While Gray accused his players of being “unprofessional” at key moments in Saturday’s self-destructive collapse, former Blackburn, Cardiff, QPR and Reading winger Hoilett admitted: “To make errors like that is unacceptable. So we just need to switch on and start from the training pitch. Everybody needs to be more disciplined to do their jobs on the pitch and I’m sure we’ll get the results needed.
