Every week, Hibernian’s beleaguered manager David Gray must look out on to the pitch, then up to the heavens and ask himself what he has done to deserve a hand like this.
As if a hapless defence wasn’t bad enough in his first managerial post, Gray also has to deal with chronic indiscipline, the latest example of which was just 12 minutes into the 4-1 defeat by Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday evening.
His team were a goal ahead through Nicky Cadden when Jordan Obita’s reckless challenge on Mo Sylla was punished with a straight red. The next 78 minutes, plus stoppage-time, went exactly as Hibs’ long-suffering supporters have come to expect.
It was the fourth time this season that Hibs have had a man sent off. On three occasions, it has turned a winning position into defeat, the most notable being a late collapse after Joe Newell’s dismissal at Tannadice.
With his team bottom of the league, and his job hanging by a thread, Gray could be forgiven for arguing that no manager can legislate for the kind of individual brain freezes that are costing Hibs.
But he would be only partly justified in doing so. After all, his remit as a manager is to set the temperament as well as the tempo, the composure as well as the commitment, especially at a time when players are booked more frequently than ever.
Referees have issued an average of 4.74 cards in Premiership games this season. Last season, it was 3.88. When it comes to punishable offences, the bar is lower than it used to be.
That was the point Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes made after his team’s 1-0 defeat by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. Liam Donnelly’s second yellow card effectively ended any hope the visitors had of cancelling out Makenzie Kirk’s header.
Neither of Donnelly’s crimes was serious but, having picked up one yellow, he should have been experienced and streetwise enough not to risk another. Only last month, he was sent off for two bookable offences at Ross County before his team’s 1-0 lead turned into a 2-1 defeat.
Like Hibs, Kilmarnock have made life harder for themselves with unnecessary indiscipline. They have had five red cards in the Premiership this season, three of them for a second booking.
The Ayrshire side are third-bottom of the table after a run of three straight defeats. They would surely be in a more comfortable position were they not so regularly reduced to ten men. McInnes says his players need to be ‘squeaky clean’ if the rules are going to be so strictly applied.
Hibs, for their part, simply cannot afford another dismissal when Aberdeen visit Easter Road on Tuesday. If Gray cannot tease from his players a mature and more disciplined display than they have managed all season, he will be the one who is sent packing.
Fans don’t deserve cold shoulder
Somebody somewhere needs to take responsibility for the disrespect shown to supporters all over the country on Saturday.
Storm Bert caused so much disruption that police were closing roads and advising fans not to travel in the hazardous conditions.
And yet, Premiership clubs went suspiciously quiet on their social media channels and carried on regardless amid fears of fixture congestion.
On this occasion, the SPFL got away with it, thanks to delayed kick-offs and a minor thaw, but let’s not pretend they put supporters first.
Robinson rewarded for going back to basics
In the summer, St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson toyed with a new, more sophisticated playing style, one that would better equip his team for their European campaign.
But Europe didn’t last and three new signings had their contracts terminated. Now a return to basics has helped the Paisley side recover from a slow start.
By beating Aberdeen 2-1, they secured a third win in four and consolidated their place in the top six. This management lark isn’t always as difficult as some like to make it.
