Hibs squad is no worse than Aberdeen but Dons are already out of reach because of key difference - Tam McManus

There's 16 points between the two clubs after Aberdeen's flying start and Tam says Hibs lowly position is unacceptable.

Aberdeen have a top three spot sewn up after just seven games and that is a sad indictment on Hibs and Hearts.

Especially when I believe that there is nothing at all between the quality in the Dons squad and that in the building at Easter Road. But last weekend just showed the big difference in mentality between the two sides. Aberdeen, not at their best and 2-1 down at home to Hearts, manage to find the steel and resolve to turn it round and fire their way to a 13th victory from 13 games this season.

Hibs fight back from 1-0 down at home to Motherwell and just as it looks like they’ll go on to win the game shoot themselves in the foot. Again. These are exactly the games you HAVE to win to finish third. Aberdeen are showing why right now by beating everyone without having yet played Celtic or Rangers.

It’s exactly what Jack Ross did with Hibs when they finished third a few years ago. Yet he was criticised for not winning a big game against the Old Firm. You don’t need to. Not to finish best of the rest.

As long as you are taking care of the other teams round about you and below then third is the reward. Grab that and the fans will be happy. Jimmy Thelin’s start at Pittodrie has been perfect. They have been fortunate with the fixtures there’s no doubt about that. They’ve yet to play either of the Old Firm and their win over Hearts at the weekend was the third time they’ve faced a side coming off a Thursday night European game. But you’ve still to win these games. The consistency they have shown sends a message out to Hibs and Hearts.

As I said, I firmly believe Hibs have got one of the best squads outside Celtic and Rangers. Look at the investment in the summer, the quality in the forward areas and midfield. But when you get off to a flier like Aberden did by winning every game in the League Cup it gives you the chance to build up a head of steam. The killer for Hibs was losing at Kelty Hearts. That was a real momentum stopper and led to them having to go to Celtic Park in the next round of the cup.

David Gray’s patience snapped last week when he slammed the defending as “unprofessional” and Nectar Triantis’ red card as a “lack of discipline”. He is clearly fed up playing well and not getting points. He has been at the club a long time and knows the pressure that comes with the job.

Hibs sitting in the bottom three is unacceptable. They’re not playing like a bottom three club but you can’t keep saying that every week. It looked like Hibs would go on to beat Motherwell after equalising then a stupid tackle from Triantis costs them. It is unprofessional. On a yellow card you can’t dive into tackles like that.

Motherwell then score from a long throw in - which David had previously gone on record as saying they’d have to be on their guard for. No wonder he was p****d off. Kwon switches off and Andy Halliday of all people nips in to score a winner. That it was the ex-Hearts man just put the tin lid on a brutal afternoon for the home fans.

It’s pretty grim looking at the table. The only saving grace is seeing Hearts rock bottom. Hibs have to be more ruthless in front of goal. There’s far too many good chances being wasted. Six goals in seven league games is nowhere near good enough and puts pressure on the defence.

They have to get their noses in front in games. When you lose the first goal at Easter Road it becomes difficult. I’ve been in that situation a few times as a player - the fans are on you right away.

It sounds simple but they have to keep working on finishing in training. Crack that and the run of games coming up after the break offers a real chance to build momentum including that mouth watering derby in Leith. Take a leaf out of Aberdeen’s book and win them all and then the top four will at least be a reality.

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