Rival boss spots something unique about Hibs as Marink Reedijk approach sparks intrigue
Hibs are back in action this weekend for Marink Reedijk’s first home game.
John McGlynn says he was left fascinated by how Hibs approached their first match under Marink Reedijk - as he prepares Falkirk for Easter Road.
A huge match awaits in Leith this weekend with the Dutch manager facing his first home game in charge of the club. Hibs enter the game 10th and McGlynn’s Bairns are just a place beneath them after a tough start to the term, following a major turnover in players. The Falkirk boss has watched Hibs’ 1-0 defeat to Dundee United last week and was left fascinated.
Reedijk’s team, through his viewing, transitioned into an ultra-attacking 3-1-6 formation, something he’s tried to get across to his players. The Falkirk manager said: “The new manager has had another week to work with them.
Falkirk on clash vs Hibs
“I'm sure he learned so much from the Dundee United game. He would see positives but he probably sees situations he would look to do better in. We've only got one game to look at. It was a different formation. It might look 4-2-3-1 on paper but it became almost a 3-1-6. It was very interesting to look over and to try to put it across to our players."
McGlynn is keen to see late goals conceded cut out of his Falkirk ranks after another had them go down 2-1 at home to Dundee last time out. He added: "We've gone over it at the end of every training session this week. If we're an hour and 20 minutes into a session, that's the same as ten minutes to go in a game. We've set up a free-kick and we've put the team into that situation. The ball is coming in and we need to defend it.
“It's about trying to put them in the kind of position that could crop up on a Saturday. All these situations are hypothetical because there's no crowd and no atmosphere but that's all we can do. It's the same as penalty shootouts. Do you practise penalties? Of course we do. But it's not the same as when you've been through 90 minutes and if you get a penalty or you're in a cup competition and it's a shootout that's going to get you through.
“We're also getting the players to be demanding of each other to go and head the ball and clear it properly rather than what we've done at times that has cost us points. It's been very fine margins. When I was watching Sportscene last Saturday, the stat that caught my eye was the fact our expected goals was 1.9 and Dundee's was 1.4.
"The Dundee goalkeeper being in the team of the week would suggest he has done well in the game too. We just have to turn these margins in our favour."