After the loss to St Mirren two weeks ago extended the winless streak to seven games, the Hibs board gave Grey a vote of confidence.
David Grey maintains that the Hibs board has not issued him a short-term ultimatum. However, he is still aware that the vote of confidence last week served as a message that things need to change fast.
With just one victory and eight points from 12 league games, the Easter Road team is currently ranked last in the Premiership standings. After the loss to St Mirren two weeks ago extended the winless streak to seven games, the Hibs board gave Grey a vote of confidence. Following a Tuesday night match against Aberdeen in Leith and an away game against Motherwell the following Saturday, the team will travel to play Dundee.
Grey, a Hibs hero who was only hired in June, has had in-depth conversations with the leadership. However, he has not been given a point target. “No, no kind of ultimatum,” he added. I found it to be rather self-explanatory: you must begin winning right now; I am fully aware of this.
“How many points it could be over the course of one game, two games, or three games is not the issue. We have a chance to try and improve our current situation as a football team this weekend, but we need to make the adjustment as soon as possible.
“That can change again very fast because if we win this weekend, we’ll fall one point behind Dundee, who are presently seventh in the league. As I mentioned, I am aware of the thin margins we are now working with, therefore I am not focussing on anything else.
Following the loss to St Mirren, Hibs supporters threw their anger at Grey, his players, sporting director Malky Mackay, and chief executive Ben Kensell. However, in a statement issued 48 hours later, the board endorsed the 36-year-old after firing four managers in less than three years.
“Listen, the communication from myself and the club has been very consistent ever since I took over, to be honest,” said Grey, who this weekend welcomes Mykola Kuharevich back from suspension. Because of our current situation, our league standing, the form, the reasons behind the queries, and the club’s statement, I can understand.
Because of the talks I’ve already been having, I wasn’t surprised at all. We are aware that the position is inadequate, but it didn’t surprise me that they came out and offered me their continued support because of the communication and the circumstances I inherited, which stated that the manager would be given time to try to improve things, which we think we will.
“I’m always giving explanations for our choices and actions. Since we are aware of the predicament we are in, I believe that everyone—including myself, Malky, Ben, and Ian—is always attempting to get better through frequent communication. The league position and form aren’t where we should be at all, but we know that things can change rapidly, so it’s important to keep together and have faith in our work.
When asked if he was concerned that their choice may be reversed following the Buddies’ loss, Grey responded, “No, I don’t think so.” I was questioned about my fear of losing my job even before the St. Mirren game. Fear, in my opinion, is not the appropriate term.
“I am completely aware that my performance is inadequate, and given the quantity of games I have played, I am accountable for the outcomes. I therefore completely see why people would pose the question and why there would be noise, as I stated after the game and continue to do so. I completely accept that.
However, even after spending the previous two weeks on the pitch with the players, I still feel that I can turn things around because they have shown me how rapidly things can change. However, I am also aware that you are not given an infinite amount of time. The statement also made it apparent that although the manager supports them, things still need to get better.
“I specifically need a response to the performance we had against St. Mirren in the first half. Although we didn’t score to tie the score at two, the players’ response was evident, and those who entered the game made a difference. Some of the guys who entered the game hadn’t been playing, but they were still very much a part of it.
There is still a genuine sense of unity here, as evidenced by the manner they performed. I still feel it constantly, and they do that every day during practice. I know that many of the players have expressed their opinions and feelings about it, but it also gives me comfort to know that there is still a genuine sense of unity there and that they want to change it, and I think we will.
