Longbangers

In a week that shook the foundations of Hibernian football, Matty and Colin dive deep into the shocking sacking of manager David Gray. Discover why this decision was both anticipated and heartbreaking for fans and players alike. If you’re a Hibs supporter or simply passionate about football management, this episode is a must-listen.Matty shares his candid thoughts on the recent performance that led to Gray's departure, reflecting on the deteriorating atmosphere at games and the critical moments that sparked fan frustrations. Colin chimes in with insights on the recruitment strategy and how it might have undermined Gray's vision. You’ll hear them dissect the club’s recent history, the players’ performances, and the broader implications of this managerial change.You'll discover: - The exact turning points that led to the decision to part ways with Gray. - Matty's perspective on player accountability and the lack of belief in the team’s direction. - A discussion on potential managerial candidates and what qualities Hibs need in their next leader.- Insights on how the board's decisions impact club culture and fan engagement.Why does this matter? The stakes couldn't be higher for Hibs as they search for a new head coach to restore hope and direction. Fans are eager for a leader who can ignite passion and bring tactical clarity to the team. This episode is your front-row seat to a pivotal moment in Hibernian's journey.Perfect for die-hard Hibs fans and anyone interested in the intricacies of football management, this episode promises to leave you informed and engaged. Don’t miss out on this critical discussion that could shape the future of the club.

David Gray’s Hibs era ends in bruising fashion, and the real question is no longer whether the decision was right—it’s what on earth comes next. This phone-in hears from fans who are relieved, gutted, angry, and already turning their attention to the bigger problem: a club that still looks unsure of its football identity.Jeff, Ian Mackay, Andrew, HibeeFanIain, and Other John each bring a different angle on Gray’s sacking, the collapse of performances, and the recruitment mess that many believe set him up to fail. One side argues the club had no choice after a miserable run and a toxic atmosphere at Easter Road. The other says removing the head coach without fixing the structure underneath is just treating the symptom, not the disease.You’ll hear sharp debate on:whether Gray was a stabiliser who eventually hit his ceilingwhy the board, recruitment, and Malky Mackay are under fire toothe tactical issues fans say killed Hibs’ attacking playwhy corners, passing patterns, and player responsibility became flashpointswhat kind of manager Hibs actually need next, from Steve Clarke to John Dal Thomason and beyondThe conversation doesn’t stop at Gray. It digs into the bigger pattern—failed appointments, weak recruitment, mixed messaging from the club, and the fear that Hibs keep repeating the same mistakes while expecting a different result. If you care about where the club goes from here, this is the debate that matters right now.Essential listening if you want the raw fan reaction, the arguments for and against the sacking, and a clear picture of why this decision has left Hibs supporters asking even more questions than before.

This latest episode of Longbangers dives deep into the performances that could make or break their season. Matty and Colin dissect the 3-0 victory over Ross County, but is it enough to silence the critics? Tune in as they analyze what went right, what went wrong, and the looming challenges ahead against Kilmarnock and Hearts.In this episode, you'll discover how early goals transformed the momentum of the match and why a professional performance was crucial for Hibs. Matty and Colin break down key player performances, including a standout display from Klidje, and discuss the tactical decisions made by manager David Gray that could influence the team's future. From assessing the squad rotation to pondering the implications of not utilizing certain players, the duo leaves no stone unturned.But it’s not just about the wins; the stakes are high. The boys highlight the emotional rollercoaster of fan reactions as they navigate through the highs of a convincing win contrasted with the lows of previous performances. What does this mean for the team’s confidence and momentum as they approach tougher opponents? Join the conversation that matters to every Hibs supporter.They then turn their attention to a mouth-watering Edinburgh Derby in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, as both sides face off at Hampden looking to make it to the final.Perfect for avid fans and casual listeners alike, this episode is essential listening for anyone invested in Hibernian's journey this season. Get ready for insights, analysis, and a candid look at what lies ahead for the team. Don’t miss out—hit play and be part of the discussion!

Malky McKay's transfer roundup raises bigger questions than the signings themselves. Matty and Colin break down why the club's latest window feels messy, old-school, and strangely at odds with the data-driven recruitment story supporters were told.They unpack the 9-minute video, the players named, the ones omitted, and the part of the message that really lands badly: this does not sound like a targeted plan, it sounds like scrambling for options after the fact. If you've been wondering why the squad feels overloaded in some places and undercooked in others, this conversation gets into the heart of it.You'll hear:Why the transfer strategy feels "disjointed" even if some signings are good playersHow the club's recruitment approach compares with a more deliberate model like HeartsWhy the balance between a manager's style, squad construction, and signings matters so muchWhat feels off about the logic of bringing in players "early" while still seeming to search for fit in the marketThey also look ahead to Ross County and make the case for one thing above all else: go strong, go direct, and do not overthink a game against League One opposition. With a cup tie that feels too important to slip up in, they discuss the lineup, the tactical shape, and why this is exactly the sort of match where confidence needs to show on the pitch.This one is essential listening if you care about the direction of the club, the logic behind the recruitment, and whether the team is ready to back up the talk with a proper performance. Honest, opinionated, and very much about more than just one transfer window.

David Gray under pressure, a broken transfer window, and the Ross County warningHibs fans are done making excuses. After back-to-back defeats, this episode goes straight at the biggest question around the club right now - is David Gray still the man to steady the ship, or have the transfer decisions, tactics, and results finally caught up with him?Matty is joined by Ian Mackay, Other John, Steven B, HibeeFanIain, and Marc for a brutally honest breakdown of where it’s all going wrong. From the frustration at McDiarmid Park to the chaos of the derby, the panel digs into why Hibs look disjointed, why the front line feels isolated, and why so many supporters are starting to fear Saturday’s trip to Ross County.You’ll hear hard-edged reactions to the summer window, including the exits of Warren O’Hora and Josh Campbell, the gamble on youth, and the growing sense that the squad has been left weaker rather than stronger. The lads also unpack the club’s recruitment process, who really has the final say, and why the current balance of the team looks so far off.We break down:why Hibs are creating chances but still missing the targetwhether Nathan Lowe is being set up to failthe lack of experience, depth, and natural creativity in midfieldwhy the team only seems to play with urgency when it’s already in troublehow much responsibility sits with Gray, the board, and the recruitment structureThere’s also a sharp debate about expectations, fan reaction, and whether criticism of the manager is fair or whether the club’s standards have simply collapsed. Ian, Stephen, John, Marc, and HibeeFanIain all bring a different angle, making this one of the most revealing and emotionally charged phone-ins yet.If you’re worried about where Hibs are headed, or you just want the most honest read on the club’s current mess, this is essential listening.

Hibs looked like two different teams in one match, and the result was a confused performance that left more questions than answers. Matty and Colin are joined by tactical analyst Craig to unpack why the press broke down, why the midfield never quite clicked, and why David Gray’s side seemed caught between a high-energy front-foot plan and a low-block counterattacking setup.Craig breaks down the St Johnstone game possession by possession, exposing the gaps that kept appearing between the back four, midfield, and attack. He explains how Hibs’ 4-3-3 morphed into a 4-1-4-1 and then into something even messier, why that shape made it easy for St Johnstone to play through the lines, and how the team’s own pressing triggers often dragged them out of position instead of winning the ball back.You'll discover:why the Lowe pressing pattern looked chaotic rather than effectivehow Devaney’s role was meant to unlock Hibs, and why it never happenedwhether Chaiwa and Mulligan are actually a strong midfield pair or just a narrow onewhy Hanley and Kerr’s build-up play kept stalling attacks before they startedhow one simple counterattack revealed the kind of threat Hibs should have been creating more oftenCraig also tackles the bigger picture: is this a coaching issue, a recruitment issue, or both? He makes the case that Hibs are trying to be too many things at once, with players asked to press like one system, build like another, and defend like something in between. That inconsistency is costing them control, confidence, and ultimately points.The episode also digs into the forward line, with discussion of Lowe’s limitations, Klidje’s underused energy, Suto’s role, and whether Hibs need a different attacking structure altogether. If you want a straight-talking, tactical explanation of why Hibs can look brilliant one week and lost the next, this one gets to the heart of it.Perfect for anyone trying to understand what David Gray is actually building at Hibs, and why the current version keeps slipping out of shape just when it looks ready to click.

Hibs didn’t just lose to St Johnstone, they looked coached out of the game. Matty and Colin pick apart a flat, lifeless performance, the worrying lack of cohesion, and the bigger question now hanging over David Gray: is this a blip, or the start of the end?The mood is brutal because there are no easy excuses left. From the passive first half and the sloppy defending to the cheap penalty and the failure to react after the break, this is the kind of performance that turns frustration into real pressure. And when your own supporters are already debating whether the manager has run out of road, every mistake starts to feel bigger.You’ll hear them break down:Why the lineup looked reasonable on paper but never clicked on the pitchThe defensive mess that led to the opening goalLow’s bright moments, including a smart finish that briefly got Hibs back in itWhy the midfield shape, especially Chaiwa, McGrath, Mulligan and Devaney, still feels wrongThe growing concern that the problem is not just players having off days, but something deeper in the coaching and setupThey also dig into the wider stakes: the angry reaction from supporters, the recurring criticism that nothing has changed from last season, and the uncomfortable reality that Hibs now face a huge cup tie at Ross County with pressure rising fast. If you think the issue is only one bad result, this episode makes the case that the cracks go much deeper than that.Essential listening if you’re trying to make sense of a team that can look decent one week and completely lost the next, and if you want the raw, unfiltered fan reaction to a defeat that may have changed the conversation around David Gray for good.

Hibs fans are asking the same brutal question after another derby collapse: is David Gray out of his depth, or have Hibs finally hit the ceiling under his management? The first-half horror show, the tactical standstill, and three soft goals turn this into far more than a post-match rant.Matty and Colin pull no punches as they break down the disastrous Easter Road defeat, from the baffling refusal to change shape early enough to the way Hearts swarmed Hibs out of the game. They pick apart the first booking, the red card, the disallowed goal, and the defensive lapses that made the whole night feel like slow motion disaster.You’ll hear:why the opening 45 minutes had fans calling Gray tactically out of his depthhow Hearts targeted Hibs’ weak spots with pressure, width, and simple movementwhy Passlack, Hanley, and Iredale all come under scrutiny for the goals concededwhat Chaiwa changed when he came on, and why the second-half response still wasn’t enoughwhether Lowe is being unfairly blamed, or if Hibs’ loan-striker model is the real problemThe episode also tackles the bigger picture: a third full season under Gray, a transfer window that shuts without solving the striker issue, and a fanbase that is increasingly split between patience and resignation. With comments from listeners flooding in, the discussion gets into the future of the manager, the shape of the squad, and whether the club’s home form is damaging more than just results.If you want the raw, unfiltered post-derby reaction Hibs supporters are having right now, this is essential listening. Frustrated, honest, and full of proper analysis, it’s the conversation every fan is having after a night that felt all too familiar.

Hibs didn’t just beat Dundee 2-1 - they looked like a completely different team doing it. The real story is David Gray’s tactical reset: a more fluid midfield, a deeper-lying Devaney, and an attacking shape that created wave after wave of chances.Matty and Craig break down why this performance felt so different from the frustration of Thursday night, and why it may be the clearest sign yet that Gray is building something with real identity. If you’ve been waiting for Hibs to turn possession into purpose, this is the episode to hear.They get into:How Devaney transformed the team from the middle of the parkWhy McGrath, Boyle, Wright and Lowe caused Dundee constant problemsWhat Passlack’s higher role changed on the right sideHow Hibs shifted between a back three, a four, and even a diamond-like shapeWhy Sallinger's long kicking and Lowe’s role up top still raise big questionsThere’s also a deeper discussion on what this means for the squad as a whole. Can this fluid system still work with Mayor and Chaiwa in the mix? Does Lowe need more support? And if O’Hora moves on, where does recruitment become most urgent - centre-back or striker?With 26 shots, 61 percent possession, and a season-high 530 passes, this was more than just a win. It was a statement about how Hibs want to play, what Gray is trying to build, and why the next few weeks could define the season.Essential listening