Motherwell boss reveals tactic that targeted Hibs star in Fir Park win as he sets out plan to thwart Hearts
The Motherwell boss has talked over his Hibs tactics and a clash with Hearts
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has revealed the tactical shake-up he deployed to target a Hibs star - as he looks ahead to a clash with Hearts.
The Steelmen downed David Gray’s side 2-0 in the Premiership on Tuesday thanks to a Tawanda Maswanhise penalty and Elijah Just strike in the first half. Grant Hanley was deemed to have handled the ball inside the penalty box by VAR before the tech provided replays to see the Scotland international handed his marching orders before a calamitous first 45 minutes ended.
Askou has admitted that he tinkered with the Motherwell team and game plan to put more emphasis on Hanley playing with the ball at his feet. It was in an effort to cut out an effective Hibs midfield and the Dane was left impressed with how his team carried out the instruction.
What tactics did Motherwell deploy vs Hibs?
He told Sportsound: "We were able to change up a bit in the line-up, get in some fresh players with different qualities. It was needed to execute the game plan, to take out their access to their front players. We cut out the supply from their midfielder, leaving Hanley to bring the ball forward. It set up the running duel with Maswanhise and Hanley up top when we had the ball.
"I have to praise the players for coming in, not being able to train it too much, run through it in the meeting, and then execute it this well. Big credit to them to make sure it was spot on. The first 20-30 minutes was outstanding to watch. After the red card, it became a matter of finding the right balance in and out of possession, keeping control, and we did that well."
Attentions now turn to Hearts, who Motherwell were 3-0 up on at Tynecastle in August, before the Jambos dragged it back to 3-3. Askou has hailed Derek McInnes’ table toppers as the best side in Scotland but plans will be worked to thwart them, in front of what is set to be a packed Fir Park.
Motherwell verdict on facing Hearts
He added to club media: “The idea is that we have a squad, not just a starting lineup, but a squad of very good players and talented players. Some are a little bit further ahead in their career than others, but we need everyone to make sure that we reach our goals and our ambitions this season, and some of them have not played as much as the others. We're in a tight schedule now but it doesn't mean that they haven't grown and developed and looked really, really good.
“We need them, and especially against a team that's very much based on intensity and speed, then we needed players who could match that from the beginning. That's exactly why we played some of the players, because we needed them, and because they're good players and they were excellent in terms of executing that.
“We have grown, we have added more layers to what we do which means that some of the small details that are decisive, they are going our way because we are more sharp in these moments. That is really good to see. Now we need to keep that up and keep being hungry for more because we know the game on Saturday is going to be an extremely difficult game against the best team in the league now. Last time we did really, really well for a long time, but it was also demonstrated to us why they are top of the league, so we need to be there.”