Less is more for Hibs as tighter squad pour more misery on Accies

Published on Sunday 14 December 2008 22:54

THE sense of togetherness among the players at Easter Road has become more evident since Mixu Paatelainen, the Hibernian manager, trimmed the first-team squad, according to Ian Murray, whose disinclination to play left-back didn't stop him turning in a first-rate performance against Hamilton.

"We had a few problems during pre-season," Murray

acknowledged. "Perhaps we had too many players from different places. We've got rid of a few players – don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it was their fault – and the first-team squad is now more together. Our confidence was dented pre-season and maybe it wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been. Over the last two months we've worked very hard together with the gaffer. We've also had a couple of nights out together and the dressing room is bubbly and lively."

Unbeaten in their last five matches, Hibs weren't at either their most fluent or energised on Saturday but still managed to grind out a victory. This was largely because their defence has cut out the hurtful mistakes which cost the team so dearly during an earlier stage of the campaign.

"There's a solidity and a consistency about the defence which comes from having the same back four," Murray observed. "The gaffer knows left-back isn't my favourite position, but it's been a problem area for the team. As long as we're winning and keeping clean sheets, I don't think he'll change it. And I'd rather play at left-back than not play somewhere else – especially when we're winning."

Well organised and hard working but lacking a cutting edge – the explanation why they've only scored 15 goals in 18 games and won just four league matches – Hamilton caused Hibs a few problems in midfield where both James McCarthy and James McArthur played well. But their defence was easily breached on the counter-attack and no side can afford to miss the kind of gilt-edged chance which fell to Simon Mensing in the first half.

The loss of Steven Fletcher in the first half with a shin injury after a mistimed tackle – the early verdict was that the knock would not keep the centre-forward out of Saturday's match against Rangers – meant Hibs had to summon Derek Riordan from the bench. Thanks to a dashing run to the line from Murray and a shrewd cut-back, Riordan poked Hibs in front from close range.

"We knew this game was a banana skin for us after Hamilton lost 7-1 the previous week," Murray added. "You could see they'd practised all week on their defensive shape. On the other hand, we'd just beaten Celtic and our fans were expecting us to steamroller Hamilton, who are at the bottom of the league and fighting for their lives.

"The first goal calmed us down, though Hamilton would feel they deserved something for their second-half performance. There's already competition for places here – when a quality player of the calibre of Steven Fletcher went off, we were able to bring on Derek Riordan – and that will only increase when Jonatan Johansson comes here."

Although Hamilton played with plenty of spirit after the interval and Richard Offiong's long-range shot confused Yves Makalambay before thudding against the woodwork, Hibs always looked more threatening on the break. But for the fact Riordan still seems to be half a yard short of full match fitness – he was unable to take advantage of more than one counter in the second half – Hibs might have put the outcome to bed earlier than the 87th minute when Rob Jones scored the clinching goal with a header.

While this was another welcome victory for Paatelainen, the manager knows there are a number of areas, in an ideal world, he would like to strengthen during the transfer window in January. Makalambay kept a clean sheet but there's the rawness of youth about much of his work and one would imagine an experienced goalkeeper figures high on the manager's wish list.

It was also evident against Accies that Hibs are short of a naturally creative central midfield player. Both Steven Thicot and Sol Bamba are better equipped to frustrate opponents than dictate play themselves. On the other hand, there were excellent performances at the back from Murray and Jones.

As for Hamilton, Billy Reid described his side as "a team of fighters" who won't shirk the challenge of battling relegation. "The players are giving me everything, and if it ends up not good enough, I'll live with that," he said.