2012: The Year of Tony Hibbert

Brownie · January 1, 2012

chicoazul said:
Do you approve of Tone BRowNZ?

Unfortunately not, he's nowhere near, you have to say.

chicoazul · January 2, 2012

Brownie said:
Unfortunately not, he's nowhere near, you have to say.

I'd lump Coleman in at the right back there mate, lump, get in there.

chriswho · January 2, 2012

Brownie said:
He must work hard in training to be fair to Tony. About 5 years ago he'd struggle to make a 10 yard pass along the ground, now he's got a nice little technique for that and can sometimes cross as well, nice one Tone.

I've been thinking the same thing. For years now, Hibbo has been like an inside joke, we love the guy, but many cringe seeing he's been picked for the team. It is time that we blues give our cult hero a fair shake as he has REALLY picked up his game this season, to the point that he has managed to keep Moyes' all time favorite (Neville) off the pitch most games.

We've always known that he could put in a good shift defending, but this season he has done a VERY good job of running up the flank, keeping some width to the game, and has made some great passes AND most importantly has actually hit a number of quality crosses from the right, something he never seemed able to do before now.

I'm not saying let's put him in the england squad or anything, but let's start giving the man his credit. He has obviously worked very hard on his game and it shows. I'm not even saying that he's a long term solution there, but I know this season, he has been heads and tails more consistant AND simply better than Coleman. I think he's overacheiving and Coleman is just having a rough run of form, but let's give credit where it is due.

Hibbo, Good on ya. Thanks for being an unexpected bright spot this season. Hoping for that goal to top things off for you.

Hibbosculturedrightboot · January 2, 2012

chriswho said:
I've been thinking the same thing. For years now, Hibbo has been like an inside joke, we love the guy, but many cringe seeing he's been picked for the team. It is time that we blues give our cult hero a fair shake as he has REALLY picked up his game this season, to the point that he has managed to keep Moyes' all time favorite (Neville) off the pitch most games.

We've always known that he could put in a good shift defending, but this season he has done a VERY good job of running up the flank, keeping some width to the game, and has made some great passes AND most importantly has actually hit a number of quality crosses from the right, something he never seemed able to do before now.

I'm not saying let's put him in the england squad or anything, but let's start giving the man his credit. He has obviously worked very hard on his game and it shows. I'm not even saying that he's a long term solution there, but I know this season, he has been heads and tails more consistant AND simply better than Coleman. I think he's overacheiving and Coleman is just having a rough run of form, but let's give credit where it is due.

Hibbo, Good on ya. Thanks for being an unexpected bright spot this season. Hoping for that goal to top things off for you.

I believe what you are trying to say is that his right foot has become more cultured... Well, when he avoids the suicide last minute pass to the opposition (aka his best Neville impression)

Summerskin · January 2, 2012

Last minute pass aside which I forgot about, I thought Hibbo was great yesterday and has been in a good run of form for 3-4 weeks now, the guy is a working class local lad like all of us living the dream and credit is due when it's due.

Now just score ffs.

The Esk · January 2, 2012

There was a point in yesterday's game, in the first half when there was a cross in from the left by Baines and Hibbert was completely un-marked deep on the right of the area. I was praying the cross would have been deep enough for him to try a header or volley, he was in a great position.

Sadly it did not reach him - would have been a wonderful moment, enough for him to become BBC Sports Personality of the Year, despite what happens in this years Olympics

Gwladys St. Glory · January 2, 2012

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. Say what you want but there have been more gifted footballers that haven't had a third of the career he's had...them's the facts.

chriswho · January 2, 2012

Gwladys St. Glory said:
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. Say what you want but there have been more gifted footballers that haven't had a third of the career he's had...them's the facts.

Well said. Now if only "hard work" would finally score, then we riot.

GrandOldTeam · January 2, 2012

Probably the only footballer to have never been linked with a move elsewhere.

Hibbosculturedrightboot · January 2, 2012

GrandOldTeam said:
Probably the only footballer to have never been linked with a move elsewhere.

That we know of. He's not really high profile enough for most of the media to bother with, don't get the feeling he'd employ the sort of agent who'd agitate for a move to help negotiations etc, if you see what I mean?

ijjysmith · January 2, 2012

GrandOldTeam said:
Probably the only footballer to have never been linked with a move elsewhere.

But always the player I sacrifice first on any football computer game!! And he nearly always goes to Birmingham! Except once when on FIFA Valencia went mad and snapped him off me!

Tubey · January 2, 2012

[video=youtube;R0B9F6FlryM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=R0B9F6FlryM[/video]

Any opportunity...

Love the guy. So average but so great

ijjysmith · January 2, 2012

Tubey said:
[video=youtube;R0B9F6FlryM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=R0B9F6FlryM[/video]

Any opportunity...

Love the guy. So average but so great

Haha!! How have I never seen that before!! Amazeballs.

bourneblue · January 2, 2012

He's been playing well lately,even getting forward and putting in some good crosses,for our forwards to watch from outside the box.
This is his best season i can remember.