Fast-flowing football the aim of Collins
A DELIGHTED John Collins today demanded "more of the same" after watching his new-look Hibs side demolish English Premiership outfit Bolton Wanderers.
Collins believes last night's performance will go a long way to easing the worries of Easter Road supporters in the wake of the departure of a string of high-profile players over the past few months.
He said: "It's understandable that the fans have been a bit anxious but they have to trust us and get behind the players we have. Their response last night was fantastic but we have to continue to produce the goods and ensure they continue to back us.
"The supporters are a big part of it, they know the way we want to play - fast-flowing football and scoring goals.
"That's what we are after and what we work to try to achieve Monday to Friday and then taking it on to the match. Free-flowing football is what we all want to watch and the style Hibs fans certainly want to watch.
"We scored three goals against a very good Premiership side and we could have scored more as we created six or seven other chances. I'd have been delighted with our performance against any team but Bolton give the Manchester Uniteds, the Chelseas, the Arsenals and Liverpools difficult games, no-one likes playing against them."
And, for Collins, Hibs' second goal epitomised the style of football he wants to see, full-backs David Murphy and Kevin McCann combining on the edge of the Bolton penalty area for the former Middlesbrough player to score.
He said: "I think that said everything about the way we want to play football. I don't want players classified as defenders, midfielders and strikers but as football players, all comfortable on the ball and capable of interchanging positions. "We had a terrific pass from Lewis Stevenson for Steven Fletcher to score the first goal, a wonderfully disguised pass from Kevin to David for the second and a typical piece of magic from Benji for the third."
Bolton manager Sammy Lee was making no excuses, instead praising the performance of Collins' side, revealing he knew exactly what to expect having come across the Hibs boss during a coaching course.
He said: "It was a great test for us but that's what these games are for.
"We came up against a very well-organised and disciplined Hibs side, an excellent team with great movement all over the park and some outstanding individual performances.
"I'm not one who slates the Scottish game, I have far too much respect for the people up here to generalise in that manner.
"I always knew we'd face a tough test because I know John Collins very well.
"I'd overseen a Pro-Licence course he was on and I knew he would have his team organised."
HIBS reserves will face Gala Fairydean at Netherdale tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).
A DELIGHTED John Collins today demanded "more of the same" after watching his new-look Hibs side demolish English Premiership outfit Bolton Wanderers.
Collins believes last night's performance will go a long way to easing the worries of Easter Road supporters in the wake of the departure of a string of high-profile players over the past few months.
He said: "It's understandable that the fans have been a bit anxious but they have to trust us and get behind the players we have. Their response last night was fantastic but we have to continue to produce the goods and ensure they continue to back us.
"The supporters are a big part of it, they know the way we want to play - fast-flowing football and scoring goals.
"That's what we are after and what we work to try to achieve Monday to Friday and then taking it on to the match. Free-flowing football is what we all want to watch and the style Hibs fans certainly want to watch.
"We scored three goals against a very good Premiership side and we could have scored more as we created six or seven other chances. I'd have been delighted with our performance against any team but Bolton give the Manchester Uniteds, the Chelseas, the Arsenals and Liverpools difficult games, no-one likes playing against them."
And, for Collins, Hibs' second goal epitomised the style of football he wants to see, full-backs David Murphy and Kevin McCann combining on the edge of the Bolton penalty area for the former Middlesbrough player to score.
He said: "I think that said everything about the way we want to play football. I don't want players classified as defenders, midfielders and strikers but as football players, all comfortable on the ball and capable of interchanging positions. "We had a terrific pass from Lewis Stevenson for Steven Fletcher to score the first goal, a wonderfully disguised pass from Kevin to David for the second and a typical piece of magic from Benji for the third."
Bolton manager Sammy Lee was making no excuses, instead praising the performance of Collins' side, revealing he knew exactly what to expect having come across the Hibs boss during a coaching course.
He said: "It was a great test for us but that's what these games are for.
"We came up against a very well-organised and disciplined Hibs side, an excellent team with great movement all over the park and some outstanding individual performances.
"I'm not one who slates the Scottish game, I have far too much respect for the people up here to generalise in that manner.
"I always knew we'd face a tough test because I know John Collins very well.
"I'd overseen a Pro-Licence course he was on and I knew he would have his team organised."
HIBS reserves will face Gala Fairydean at Netherdale tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).