The dust has just about settled on a dramatic and traumatic weekend for Hibs fans. With seconds to go at Fir Park on Saturday, we had one foot in the top six until, that is, Hibs’ leaky defence struck again and for what feels like about the hundredth time this season, we succumbed to a late, late sucker punch.

The bottom six finish isn’t down to that late goal, however. Since the January window, when the transfer activity looked to have turned the season around, we’ve had top six in our own hands yet failed to capitalise when it really mattered.

We can look at the last-minute goal in Dingwall, the defeat to St Johnstone last week and then the draw at Fir Park as key games where we’ve failed to get the result that we needed, and barring a couple of occasions, that’s been the story of our season.

From losing in Andorra under Lee Johnson, and his disastrous start to the league campaign, to Nick Montgomery’s side capitulating to St Mirren and St Johnstone at home or throwing away a two-goal lead against Ross County at Easter Road, Hibs are entirely responsible for our own undoing. I would say that we’d shot ourselves in the foot, but I suspect we’d have missed.

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There has been bad luck – lots of it. Injuries and refereeing decisions, coupled with key players missing on international duty, have undoubtedly played a part. We should have had more than enough to compensate for that, though.

A bottom six finish naturally raises questions about the manager’s future. As arrogant as this might sound, a bottom six finish should never be acceptable for Hibs, yet this is our second in three seasons. Only results elsewhere when the league split last season under Johnson prevented the hat-trick. It’s far from good enough.

That suggests that there are deeper problems than simply the manager. Recruitment has been under the spotlight since Jack Ross’ time at the club. Brian McDermott was brought in to support the football operation yet we’re still to see the fruits of his work on the pitch.

No matter the other issues (perceived or actual) at the club, I am really struggling to make a case for giving Montgomery more time. Having arrived at the club four games into the season, I think there’s enough time with a good enough squad of players to have won more than eight league games. He has only had one transfer window, but to play devil’s advocate, Don Cowie at Ross County has had less time with his team, yet has managed wins against Hearts and Rangers (plus that draw against Hibs).

Craig Levein at St Johnstone took over in November, and has kept pace with Monty with the same transfer window and a fraction of the budget. Yes, managers need time, but that doesn’t mean that fans shouldn’t expect more than we have seen this season.

Hibs’ board of directors announced on Wednesday evening that a full review of football operations is being undertaken with Black Knight FC, and I think it’s much needed. The Gordon family undoubtedly have Hibs' best interests at heart, and the work they have done alongside Ben Kensell has transformed the club off the park. On the park, though – where it really matters – it’s been disappointment after disappointment since Jack Ross’s third place finish in the Covid season.

READ MORE: Hibs and Black Knights set to examine top-six failure

The Gordons need help, and they should be insisting that Black Knight leave no stone unturned in the review. Every aspect of the football structure needs to be interrogated to set us up for success in the short to medium term, as well as that longer-term strategy.

Hibs’ statement also offers Nick Montgomery a reprieve for now. This must be the turning point for the club – a line in the sand that catalyses bigger and better things.