Hibernian V Partick at Easter Road Stadium : Match Preview

06 December 2013 17:31
Hibernian V Partick - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Butcher: We need more wins

Hibernian boss Terry Butcher plans to bring the crowds back to Easter Road - but admits the only thing that will lure fed-up supporters through the turnstiles is victories.


The Leith side have collected just two Scottish Premiership wins on home soil so far during 2013.


And that miserable run has had a predictable effect on the Hibee's home gates.


With an average crowd of 10,453 this season, the Edinburgh side have been playing in front of a half-empty 20,000 seater stadium for most of the campaign.


But Butcher says he has a simple master plan as he bids to pull in the punters.


The former England skipper - who is preparing for his first home match as Hibs boss as Partick visit on Saturday - said: "It's very simple, just win more games. It doesn't matter how, just get the three points and send everybody home with a smile on their face.


"I have spoken to a lot of fans and they all say they want to see the boys play for the jersey and to work very hard. If you saw the first two games under Maurice and myself, then you will have seen that the boys certainly did that.


"There is ability in this team but through hard work you will see even more of that. We will create more chances and score more goals.


"We want to have a good link with the fans but we have to give them something to cheer first."


Former Inverness boss Butcher replaced Pat Fenlon last month and his first two games in charge produced a draw with St Mirren in Paisley before he returned to the Highlands to beat Ross County.


He is encouraged by the early progress but admits giving the Leith support some home comfort will be a tougher task.


"The players are enjoying it," he said. "They know their roles, they know their jobs. Now it's about implementing that when we play at Easter Road.


"It's a place that hasn't held many good memories for Hibs players this year. But we want to change that."


Isaac Osbourne insists no-one at Partick is pushing the panic button just yet as they aim to end a run of five successive defeats.


The newly-promoted Glasgow outfit enjoyed a decent start to life back in the top-flight but have struggled in recent games.


Four losses in the Scottish Premiership, before last week's William Hill Scottish Cup exit to Aberdeen, have left Partick in ninth place in the table ahead of the weekend action.


But, as far as Osbourne is concerned, there is still plenty of time to transform their fortunes.


The midfielder said: "There's loads of time. If you look at our position in the table, it's not great but it's still a decent position.


"There are still a few teams behind us and the teams who are above us are within touching distance.


"It's early enough that we can do something about it so the boys are not worrying.


"We are just working our socks off on the training field and hopefully we can get a result."


Next up for Thistle is a Hibernian side who will have new boss Butcher at the helm for the first time in a home match.


Osbourne said: "It's not a concern but you know they are going to be up for it.


"There will be players there fighting for their position and the fans will take a big boost as well, especially the ones who wanted Pat Fenlon out.


"It's a different game to the one we would have faced if the old manager was still there.


"It's going to be a hard one but the boys are all looking forward to it."


Osbourne admits Partick will have to be out the traps much quicker at Easter Road.


He said: "I think the biggest problem has been getting the first goal, which is crucial in this league. The first goal matters.


"If you keep going a goal behind, especially so early in the game, it's an uphill task where the other team can just sit in.


"We need to try to get out there and get a goal early."


Source: PA