JOE NEWELL insists he understands the current grumbles of the Hibernian support but has issued a ‘stay with us’ plea.

Just three days after last week’s meek display in defeat at Celtic, the Easter Road faithful grew increasingly impatient with the team during Thursday’s Scottish Cup victory over Cove Rangers. With extra-time required to see off the League One leaders, there were boos at full-time and during the game as backwards and sideways passing led to disgruntlement.

However, as Hibs aim to leapfrog Motherwell into fourth spot with a win at Fir Park this evening, Newell hopes fans will accept that manager Shaun Maloney will be unable to implement his new style overnight and that an overhaul of personnel as well as philosophy needs time.

“Listen, I'm a football fan as well and if I’m watching my team I’m the same, I’m shouting ‘score!' or 'just shoot',” said the former Peterborough and Rotherham player. “So, I get it, I get what the fans are thinking and how they are feeling.

“But, in all honesty, it can be annoying when you hear it and you’re trying your best.

“I think everyone has to understand that we are going through a bit of a transition as a club and as a team. We are playing a completely new style and it would be a miracle if we were to go out and win every game and immediately produce a really good style of play on a consistent basis. It’s just not going to be like that. 

“You can hear the fans and I get what they are thinking but they have to realise that it is going to take time. The gaffer has only just come in and we're adapting to him and trying to learn how he wants to do it.

“That might take a while but hopefully the outcome will be good, attractive football with good results.

“We are trying to change the way we play and it’s not going to happen overnight. Hopefully they will stay with us and hopefully we will get there.”

Martin Boyle was one player whose absence was keenly felt in the struggles to see off Cove. The winger’s pace and direct running, not to mention his bubbly dressing-room personality, will be difficult for Hibs to replace after he completed a lucrative switch to Al-Faisaly in Saudi Arabia.

However, Newell insists no-one at Easter Road could begrudge the Australia internationalist what has been described as a ‘life-changing’ transfer that has been rumoured to be worth £1 million per year in wages.

“Everyone is asking him to send us money over,” joked the midfielder. "He fully deserves it. He’s been unbelievable since I’ve come here.

“He’s not been gone too long so we’ve not had much chance to notice it too much yet but I’m sure it will be quiet on some days. He was a massive part of the club’s recent history and he had an amazing seven years here. He fully deserves everything coming his way and hopefully he does well over there.”