Never mind the stats. People have short memories: McPake-and Clingan for that matter-were absolutely immense that season. McPake was earning rave reviews by pundits and former managers of the club and drawing comparisons with George Curtis. When he came back from injury that season-with no reserve games-he took the captains arm band and was immediately our most effective player. His positional play was, contrary to popular misconception, superb. He was great at anticipating danger and snuffing it out in a way that Cranie, Wood and Keogh can only dream of. In every game I saw the guy play he made at least half-a-dozen superb block tackles, usually involving him appearing as if from nowhere to block a threat that nobody else had seen coming. For my money, our best CB since the Premiership along with Dann.
But he was an utter shadow of that player in the past 18 months. His injuries are well documented, and constant set-backs last season meant he never got close to being fit enough to be a starting option. When he came on as sub, he was terrible: miles off the pace, and we looked like conceding any second when he was on the pitch. In his very last CCFC appearance as a substitute, there were suddenly just a couple of little glimpses of the old McPake: a few strong tackles, aggressive blocks and headed clearances. "Ey up!" me and my mates exclaimed, in shock, "McPake's looking back to his old self!". Obviously there was a Hibs scout watching who agreed, as he was gone. We know how he did at Hibs, becoming captain and earning a permanent move. I think it's a massive loss on our part as he seemed to be returning to his former form. Could he have reached the levels he reached under Coleman? Maybe not, but a season in L1 would be the perfect platform to build to it. But we know the guy was homesick, so what can you do? I just wish we'd have been able to hold out for a fee or at least an exchange player.
with cranie and mcpake going we are left with keogh,wood,cameron and willis....whislt im sure first 3 can do well in league one we really cant afford to sell another or lose them to injury, another cb may be required but i doubt it with sisu.
So many City fans judge players as though they're 100% fit and raring to go in every game they play. With players like McPake, that simply isn't a valid assumption and his displays when fully fit show that Hibs have a bargain on their hands if he returns to it.