Switching to a back three could be the answer to Hibs’ midfield dilemma

Tactical switch would allow Christian Doidge and Kevin Nisbet to stay up top
Kevin Nisbet, usually a central striker, was pushed out wide in Hibs' draw with Motherwell. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS GroupKevin Nisbet, usually a central striker, was pushed out wide in Hibs' draw with Motherwell. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS Group
Kevin Nisbet, usually a central striker, was pushed out wide in Hibs' draw with Motherwell. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS Group

Hibs have made a great start to the season with 13 points from their five games.

The only points dropped came in the goalless draw with Motherwell. Watching that match it struck me that manager Jack Ross, right, has some important decisions to make.

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He has decided to play with Christian Doidge and new signing Kevin Nisbet as two out and out central strikers who stay in advanced areas and seldom drop back to help out in midfield.

This is positive and attack minded and has meant the team adopting a 4-4-2 system. So far it has worked out well but against Motherwell there were signs that he might have to make some modifications to the system.

The problem was that Hibs’ two central midfielders were opposed to three from Motherwell and, not surprisingly, they came off second best, with the Well dominating midfield and possession of the ball.

Ross identified the problem and changed things at half-time.

His diagnosis was correct but the prescription he wrote was the wrong one.

Hibs went to a 4-3-3 system, with the promising Nisbet being moved out of the centre to a wide right position.

The young lad looked lost and looked even more lost when, late in the game, he was moved to a wide left berth.

There is real merit in having 
Doidge and Nisbet as out and out central strikers but Ross must find a system that, not only keeps Nisbet 
in a central position, but that also gives them numerical equality in midfield.

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My answer would be to play 3-5-2 
with Paul McGinn joining Ryan Porteous and Paul Hanlon in a back three. I will be interested to see 
what the Hibs manager comes up with.

Oh, and by the way, it is so much easier being an armchair critic than a manager.

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