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NEIL Lennon insists he will make no excuses for demanding high standards from Hibs this season.
The Easter Road manager was critical of the performance of top scorer Jason Cummings in the goalless draw with Queen of the South that kept the Doonhamers top of the Championship on Saturday.
Lennon felt Cummings should have broken the deadlock at Palmerston Park and insisted ‘if he isn’t scoring goals, then he isn’t bringing much to the team at the minute. He needs to do better’.
However, the former Celtic boss did not reserve his frustration for Cummings and is adamant he will not stop being a hard taskmaster as he bids to take the Scottish Cup winners back to the Premiership.
He said: “I’m not happy about our final ball and I’m not happy about the amount of set-plays we’ve had and not worked the goalkeeper enough.
“We had umpteen corners in the second-half. Either get the delivery right or the timing of the runs better.
“I’ve got enough guys in the team who can head the ball – Brian Graham, Darren McGregor, Paul Hanlon – and I need them to get on the end of something for us.
“And then Jason has had that one on his right foot and he should really score
HARD
“Now, I might sound like I’m being hard on them but this is life at the top. You’ve got to do better at times.
“I’m really pleased with the players, I’m pleased with the start we’ve made, but I just think we can be better in some aspects of our game.”
After winning their opening five league games, Hibs have since lost and drawn, allowing Queens to take top spot and the likes of Falkirk and Dundee United to close the gap below.
They have conceded just one goal in their last six games – their last five in the league – and, although Lennon is content with that, it is a record that highlights shortcomings at the other end of the pitch.
He added to Hibs TV: “That’s four clean sheets in five games and I’m pleased with that. Now we need to keep that momentum going from back to front.
“We need to start creating more chances with the possession we have and certainly putting more chances away.”
