This game marks the beginning of the second round of SPL fixtures. We've had a pretty good opening round of games - especially when you compare it to last season - but that has often never been a problem for us. Under Gus MacPherson, picking up a haul of 12 or 13 points in from our first 11 matches wasn't unusual. The trouble has come in continuing that momentum over the next phases of fixtures. We've never been able to do that - often going months without a win - and that is something that has to be avoided if we're to make the top six or, at the very least, avoid another relegation scrap.
We really couldn't have a better platform on which to build from as we head into the second phase of the season. Last week's point at Ibrox has given everyone a real lift, partly because of the way it was achieved. However, there is no point in doing well against one of the Old Firm if you can't then sustain the momentum in your next game. Fortunately, both goal hero Steven Thompson and manager Danny Lennon have publicly acknowledged that, so hopefully we'll avoid tripping ourselves up.
If we are serious about making the top six this season then Hibs are a team we should be looking to beat at home. We've already done it to them away and they are struggling this season, so there's no reason why we can't pile on the misery in Paisley. We are both likely to be battling it out for the top six (although the way things are going we could both be battling it out at the bottom too) and if we're to make it into the top half then we really have to be beating the teams round about us.
It's hard to think of too many obvious changes to the side that did so well last week - especially as I was on holiday and don't really know who performed and who didn't. Gary Teale was dropped but came on at half-time for Nigel Hasselbaink and it wouldn't be a surprise to see that change made to the starting line-up for tomorrow's game. Teale had made way for Kenny McLean and the youngster did well so should keep his place. The same goes for Marc McAusland, who seems to have improved after being dropped for new signing Illias Haddad.
It was good to see Steven Thompson back on the score sheet last week - regardless of the circumstances - as a case could have been made for him being dropped as his performances had dipped. Hopefully the goal against his former employers will see him go on a run that he will continue tomorrow. Thompson and Steven Thomson both scored when we played against the Hibees in the capital thanks to great play from Jeroen Tesselaar. The Dutchman was at fault for last week's goal but will hopefully have put that behind him, while fingers crossed Craig Samson puts in another good display in goals. Darren McGregor, Aaron Mooy and Hugh Murray are all still missing, although the latter is expected to return to training soon.
Colin Calderwood does not seem to me the most inspiring chap in the world. Every time I hear him on the radio he sounds as if he would rather be anywhere else - which may be true. There are suspicions that attitude may extend to Hibs as well as he was linked with both the Nottingham Forest and Birmingham assistant managers jobs over the summer, but ended up staying put. That may have been a good move considering both sides are at the wrong end of the Championship, but since Calderwood took over last year Hibs have struggled and their fans were no doubt relishing the chance to pocket some cash as well as get rid of their manager. A stunning 3-0 win at Ibrox last November aside (and ignoring the two wins they've had against us), the last year or so has been pretty forgettable for Hibees.
Hibs seemed to have developed a knack in recent years of taking in waifs and strays, polishing them up and reminding the world that they are actually decent footballers. They did it with Derek Riordan and Liam Miller, who then made odd career choices by moving on to China and Australia respectively. They also did it with Anthony Stokes and banked a fair bit of cash when he went to Celtic. Now they're doing the same with Garry O'Connor. After punting him for loads of cash in 2006, they have taken the striker back following a troubled spell in England. O'Connor is now repaying the favour with a superb tally of 10 goals this season. Why he was overlooked for the recent Scotland squad (aside from the obvious fact he doesn't play for Dundee United) is a mystery as that strike rate is phenomenal. Hibs will be hoping to repeat getting players' lives back on track with Ivan Sproule, who also had a disappointing spell down south after leaving Hibs. He claims to still have the pace he had when he destroyed Rangers at Ibrox years ago and will be a real handful.
Hibs had seemed to solve their perennial goalkeeper problems when they brought in Mark Brown to provide competition to Graham Stack. This season, Stack seems to be the favoured goalie and made a shocking error on the opening day against Celtic. Since then he seems to have done OK and was even man of the match last week when Hibs lost to Motherwell. Their defence should be reasonably solid, with the experience of Murray, Michael hart and centre half Sean O'Hanlon combined with the youthfulness of Callum "Baby Bale" Booth and Paul Hanlon, but it doesn't seem to work out like that - hence them being joint second bottom of the table. Victor Palsson seems to like kicking folk in midfield and should enjoy sparring with Jim Goodwin once again.
Hibs also seem to have problems at the other end of the park, despite O'Connor banging them in for fun. It's something his fellow strikers haven't really been able to do and, going by Soccerbase, the rest of the Hibees forwards have managed just two goals between them this season. Leigh Griffiths hasn't got any of them but should still prove a sound acquisition after signing on loan from Wolves, while I'm surprised Akpo Sodje has struggled after looking good towards the end of last season. Junior Agogo hasn't had much chance to impress yet, although has looked good at times.
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