George Full Of Fight

13 January 2012 22:04
George Francomb willing to experience Scottish fight for survival in SPL

George Francomb knew "straight away" that he wanted to move on loan to Hibs despite where he could find them in the league table. Manager Pat Fenlon admitted earlier this week that that finding players who were willing to join the Easter Road's side's relegation fight is a challenge. However, Francomb was keen to experience life in the SPL, even at the wrong end of the table. Hibs will drop to the bottom of the SPL if they lose at Dunfermline tomorrow. Francomb could make his debut against the Pars and the club's struggles did not put off the Norwich right-back, who has been reunited with former Norwich youth-team colleague David Stephens Asked if he was worried about signing for a club in the middle of a crisis of confidence, Francomb said: "Not at all. The gaffer (Paul Lambert) rang me up on Tuesday and he said: 'Hibs want you on loan for the rest of the season'. Automatically I knew I wanted to come straight away. It's a massive club in Scotland and I knew the Scottish Premier League would be a great experience for me. There was never any doubts. I knew Dave Stephens from his time in the youth team in Norwich. I still speak to him a lot and he told me about the set-up. I knew that Hibs were one of bigger clubs in the SPL and I have watched a bit of Scottish football on telly and I knew it was going to be a good move for me. The gaffer (Lambert) has obviously played for Celtic and Scotland and he told me it would be a good standard. He also said it would be an unbelievable experience to play at Celtic Park or Ibrox. There were a couple of English clubs interested but this was definitely the best option for me. Hibs are a big club and I really wanted to come here. Paul Lambert said I needed to play games and this would be a good experience. I agreed and I couldn't wait to get up here. This is a great opportunity for me to get good first-team experience, especially in the SPL, and I want to help Hibs get up the league." Francomb, whose three first-team appearances for Norwich came two seasons ago, did admit to being "massively surprised" when he found out Hibs were second bottom. Francomb said: "When David first signed he was playing Europa League football so it's a big shock the position the club are in. But from training with them, the confidence of the lads doesn't seem to be down and I know we can get up the table."  Despite the prospect of falling to the bottom of the league, Fenlon claims Saturday's game is no more important than any other. However, he also admits winning is everything at East End Park. The Irishman said: "These games it's all about picking up the points and how you play is probably irrelevant if you can win the game. We need to try to put a performance in as well but we'll settle for anything as long as we can leave with three points. There is a big emphasis on the game but I don't think it's the be-all and end-all. We need to go there and win the game but it's no different from the next week."

Source: FOOTYMAD