Hibernian boss Pat Fenlon remains defiant: I won't quit after derby defeat

David McCarthy

12 Aug 2013 07:24

THE pressure is building on the Easter Road boss after a terrible start to the season was compounded by yesterday's defeat to administration-hit Hearts at Tynecastle.
Pat Fenlon: "I’ve no problem with people looking at my position, no problem at all." Pat Fenlon: "I’ve no problem with people looking at my position, no problem at all."

PAT FENLON last night insisted he will not quit Hibs despite a derby-day defeat at Tynecastle heaping more pressure on him.

The Easter Road boss saw his team lose 1-0 for the second week running as Hearts – docked 15 points at the start of the season – reduced the deficit to 12.

Furious Hibs fans want Fenlon out but he won’t resign. Fenlon said: “We didn’t deserve to lose the game.

“At the time when they scored I thought we were probably in the ascendancy and had created a couple of chances. So I’m obviously disappointed. I’ve no problem with people looking at my position, no problem at all.

“How do I feel about my position? I’m the manager of the club and I’ll continue to do that. We’ve lost two games in the league. I know Europe was very disappointing but in the league games there’s been very little in them.

“I don’t think we’re too far away from getting a result.

“Results are what we need. One result. Footballers live on confidence and if you can get just one result on the board then that helps breed confidence.

“There’s been little in both of the league games we’ve played. A break of the ball in either one and we could have got something from them.”

Hibs midfielder Kevin Thomson called on the players to take responsibility for the run of results that has placed Fenlon in danger of being sacked.

And Thommo made an impassioned defence of the beleaguered Irishman in the wake of yesterday’s Edinburgh derby defeat that leaves them with no points and no goals from the first two league matches.

Hibs have now played four competitive matches this term – they were humiliated in Europe before the SPFL season started – without scoring. But Thomson insists his boss is the right man to lead them to recovery.

He added: “The manager is quite happy to carry the can but for me it is down to the 11 boys he picks.

“We have to take a bit of responsibility. The manager is a good man and he has brought in some good players.

“We could have been sitting here with a good start to the season but unfortunately we’re not.

“He’s a good manager and his appointment of Jimmy Nicholl is fantastic. He’s been a breath of fresh air since he came in.

“But it’s a results business and as players we have to stick together and get the results.

“Hopefully the manager will see the rewards of bringing in some good football players.

“The fans pay their money and are entitled to their opinion – some of them think I’m a good player and some think I’m rubbish.

“That’s the industry we are in and some people will like the manager and some people won’t.

“He is big enough and brave enough to take it on the chin.

“But we will go in tomorrow, work hard and try to get three points next week.”

Taken from the Daily Record