Source: Team_Talk
Hughes hopes new boys will shine
Manager John Hughes believes his Hibernian side are ready to return to winning ways when they resume SPL action against Inverness on Saturday.[LNB] Francis Dickoh, Jonathan Grounds and Darryl Duffy could all make their debuts at Easter Road, having signed after the 1-0 loss at St Mirren in Hibs' last SPL fixture.[LNB]Hibs beat Motherwell in their first game of the season before losing to Rangers and St Mirren, but Hughes anticipates the new signings will give his side added impetus following the international break.[LNB]"They're itching to go," said Hughes, who guided Hibs to fourth place last season.[LNB]"There's a real edge to the training and I can't ask for any more than what they've given us.[LNB]"Hopefully we can start turning that into performances consistently.[LNB]"If we can play like we did for an hour against Rangers, second half against Motherwell and put that together for 90 minutes, that's when we're at our best.[LNB]"If we can do that on Saturday and get it consistently throughout the season, then who knows?[LNB]"We could repeat the success we had last year."[LNB]Dickoh, who signed from FC Utrecht, Grounds and Duffy, who are on loan from Middlesbrough and Bristol Rovers, respectively, joined three other new signings at Hibs.[LNB]Midfielder Edwin de Graaf has been an ever present this season, while Michael Hart has made two starts and David Stephens made his debut off the bench at Motherwell.[LNB]Hughes said his new recruits have integrated themselves well.[LNB]He added: "We've been doing a lot of 11 versus 11 on the training pitch to just get them used to it, playing all different systems and they've really settled in."[LNB]And Hibs have no fitness concerns after goalkeeper Graham Stack recovered from a back injury.[LNB]Inverness, like Hibs, have a win and two defeats from their first three matches this season.[LNB]However, Terry Butcher's side beat Dundee United 4-0 in their last away fixture.[LNB]Hughes is aware his side will need to perform well to triumph.[LNB]"For any team to go to Tannadice and win 4-0, it shows you how difficult a game it's going to be," he said.[LNB]"We're going to have to be at our best to try to match that.[LNB]"We're at home, we want to get back to winning ways.[LNB]"It's all about us.[LNB]"It's just a matter of getting it right and making sure that Inverness know they're in a game."[LNB]Hibs are without a win at home since March 6 - six matches.[LNB]However, Hughes is unconcerned by his side's Easter Road record and believes a win is close.[LNB]"It will happen - you just go and play football," he said.[LNB]"You make sure you're spirited, hard working and you go and play football and it will turn - you'll get a win.[LNB]"You get nothing out of football, no matter who you play, if you're not prepared to put the shift in.[LNB]"If we work at it, there's every chance the three points will stay at Easter Road."
