Hibs: Alex Gogic, Melker Hallberg, and filling the "Marvin Bartley role"

This time last year, top of most Hibs supporters’ Christmas lists would have been a defensive midfielder in the mould of Marvin Bartley; a good, old-fashioned six capable of mopping up in front of the back four and launching both ball and unfortunate opponents out of the way when necessary.

Melker Hallberg, left, and Alex Gogic have both impressed in the Hibs midfield this season - is there room for both of them in the middle of the park?

The decision to let both Bartley and Mark Milligan leave in the summer seemed strange at the time and with hindsight, bordering on criminal. Combination after combination of midfielders was tried by both Paul Heckingbottom and successor Jack Ross but even towards the end of the truncated 2019/20 season it was glaringly obvious what the team needed.

So when Alex Gogic became the third summer signing in July, fans rejoiced. The Cypriot had been a key cog in a scrappy Hamilton team and having been converted from a central defender to a defensive midfielder, was well-suited to the “Bartley role”.

Cast your mind back to the beginning of the current campaign. Hibs went on a quite astonishing run in terms of goals against; with the defence finally conceding from open play for the first time eight games in, towards the end of September.

It had been assumed that Gogic was integral in this run. He had played nearly every game and his performances culminated in a first call-up to the Cyprus senior squad. Ross spoke in glowing terms about the new additions to his team, and the former Swansea youngster certainly brought something to the team that was conspicuous by its absence last season. Hibs probably missed him in the midfield when they lost 1-0 to Aberdeen at Easter Road when Gogic was self-isolating.

The only criticism of his game was the quality of his passing which sometimes put the team under pressure, but he isn’t in that role to spray balls around the pitch.

Elephant in the room

There is no doubting Gogic’s usefulness in certain games. When Ross tweaked his formation against Celtic at Easter Road last month he utilised Gogic as the anchor in a five-man midfield and had it not been for some slack defending, Hibs may have taken the three points. Undoubtedly there are games that suit his abilities.

The elephant in the room is that Hibs might actually be better off without him in certain matches now that teams are beginning to suss out the Capital club’s approach to games. Do Hibs really need Gogic for games against Hamilton, or Motherwell for that matter?

Melker Hallberg was instrumental in strong, back-to-back performances in Lanarkshire. His driving runs forward helped to create goals in both matches and he had half-chances on goal too. Gogic simply isn’t that type of player.

Hallberg deserves credit for getting his head down and consistently working hard in training, even when the culmination of his efforts was a couple of minutes here and there in the early part of the season.

Even when he got his first start against Aberdeen, he played just a single minute in Hibs’ next three matches and decent showings in the Betfred Cup weren’t enough to secure him a starting berth.

What the Swede brings to the team may not be immediately obvious but he had a hand in three of Hibs’ four goals at the Fountain of Youth Stadium.

His corner led to the penalty award; his driving run began the move leading to Christian Doidge's goal, and he played a key role in the build-up to Kevin Nisbet’s strike.

Room for everyone

What could work in Hallberg’s favour is his versatility. After his somewhat surprising substitute appearance as a centre-forward in Hibs’ 1-0 win at Kilmarnock in October, Hallberg has now played in every outfield position bar left-back during his career so far and he performed well during a couple of outings as an auxiliary right-back in the Betfred Cup group stages.

He has also filled a handful of midfield positions since arriving last year and while filling that jack-of-all-trades role perhaps hampered Vykintas Slivka’s progress at Easter Road it is one of Hallberg’s strengths.

He could comfortably operate as a six in a 4-2-3-1; as an eight in a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 or in any of the midfield roles in a 4-3-3 as central roles appear to be his forte.

Squad rotation

With Hibs hoping to go far in both cup competitions this year and maintain their impressive form in the league, squad rotation will likely be crucial. Now that Kyle Magennis has returned to action the Capital club now has a strong selection of options in midfield, allowing for different formations and tactical approaches.

As well as Newell, Gogic, and Hallberg Drey Wright is beginning to showcase his talents; Stevie Mallan is still there or thereabouts, and Stephen McGinn has developed a useful knack of coming on for the last ten or 15 minutes to keep Hibs on top in the middle of the park.

Stick or twist?

Ross has stated that there were too many similar players in his squad last year and the acquisitions of Gogic, Magennis, McGinn, and Wright have brought diversity to his midfield options.

It is no bad thing for there to be a wealth of options in the middle of the park, especially if the individuals in question are performing to a high level and forcing the coaching staff into some tough personnel decisions.

There is no point in changing a winning team unless injuries or suspensions necessitate it and Ross has always come back to the old adage of football being a results business.

With five games still to play this month – four in the league and the Betfred Cup clash at Alloa this week – some pick and mix may be required to keep key players fresh.

If Hibs can keep this momentum going, and Hallberg continues performing at a high standard, he may well end up joining Newell as one of the first names on the team-sheet each week.

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