The last two seasons have started with major injury problems. Last year, Andy Dorman, Steven Robb and Craig Dargo all missed the opening games, while in 2007 it was Dargo as he began a six month spell on the sidelines. Things don't seem too bad this time around. Sure, we have to make do without Hugh Murray - a big loss - but the absence of Chris Smith has been more than made up with by the acquisition of Paul Gallacher, who looks like being a fine signing. Fellow summer signing Chris Innes is struggling, but probably wouldn't have started anyway, while Mo Camara could also be missing. But that's it. We have players who are just as good, if not better, than the ones they are replacing (apart from Shuggy) and it gives us the ideal chance to hit the ground running over the next few weeks.
The main area of contention in the team is the midfield, partly because we have so many midfielders. Goalie is easy and three quarters of the defence picks itself (it would be the whole lot if not for Camara's injury). Dorman will be one of the midfield four and it's likely Robb will be another, unless he's put in at leftback and Tom Brighton plays on the wing. It's anyone's guess who the other two will be, but I'd go for Steven Thomson and Stephen O'Donnell. The latter has had a great pre-season and will be a fine player for us if he can keep himself fit. Up front, Billy Mehmet will start - he did bag five against East Stirling after all - and it'll be either Michael Higdon or Craig Dargo who joins him. I'd go for the latter - we have to take advantage of him when he's fit and his pace and skill causes problems for opposition defenders in any team. That's my team, but manager Gus MacPherson will probably go with something different. Will the world explode if Robb, Dargo, Brighton and O'Donnell are all fit enough to be on the pitch together?
This is a big game for Hibs, and not just because it's the first game of the season. It's the first proper game in charge for John Hughes, who is now manager of the club he used to play for. Hughes always seemed to have a reputation for attractive football at Falkirk, which should put him in good shape for the job at Easter Road. However, the last time I saw the Bairns in Paisley their approach seemed to be to kick anything that moved - and we all know who played the better football last time we were at Westfield. Still, he's got a funny voice and says some interesting things, so that's enough for the media to keep hyping up the myth.
Hughes isn't the only Hibs player returning to Edinburgh this season as they also welcome back Merouane Zemmama. The Moroccan was loaned out last season due to personal issues but will be a key part of the Hibees team this year as he was usually a handful for opposition defences. Whether he can make up for the goals lost with Steven Fletcher's departure remains to be seen. With Rob Jones also leaving, Hibs have lost a couple of big players - literally in the case of Jones - since last season and it'll be interesting to see how they get on.