The Impressive Josh Campbell
Josh Campbell has featured in every league game he’s been available for since the appointment of Lee Johnson and has certainly proved he’s someone the manager can trust!
His all-action style of play is exactly what Johnson wants from his players, with front-foot pressing and aggression key elements of his style.
The midfielder won four of the seven duels he was involved in, a high for a Hibs player against Rangers on Saturday, and made 10 recoveries - second to Rocky Bushiri.
Not only this, but Campbell is also adding goals to his game. He popped up with the late winner on the opening day of the season against St Johnstone, and showed real composure and quality to fire home the equaliser last weekend.
The 22-year-old’s versatility will also be a big plus point for Johnson. Starting against Rangers as a left-wing-back, he moved into the middle of midfield, and even pushed on into the 10 role at times supporting Christian Doidge. He can also play at right-wing-back if needed.
One of Josh’s biggest strengths is his fitness, he’s as “fit as a fiddle” said Johnson post-match and is certainly someone who will always fight for the Club.
Boyle x Youan Partnership
One of the things for Hibernian FC supporters to be excited about at the minute is the developing partnership between Elie Youan and Martin Boyle.
Why? Well firstly, both players have pace to burn! They’re quick on the counter, good with their feet, and have a keen eye for goal.
In two out of the three games where the pair have featured together, they’ve created a goal – both times Youan putting the ball on a plate for Boyle to finish.
You can see on the pitch that their relationship is growing, they’re gaining a stronger understanding of each other’s runs, and that’s a connection that’s sure to blossom over the coming season.
Team Spirit Growing
Hibs have shown early on that they have a “never-say-die” attitude scoring late in three of the opening four cinch Premiership fixtures to get points.
There’s a steeliness, togetherness, and real fight that the team is showing, and you can see that on the pitch; they press in groups, back each other up, and celebrate as one.
Not only this, but they’re also there for each other. It was widely documented that Marijan Čabraja had a family bereavement ahead of this fixture. He spent the week in Croatia, his homeland, with his family. Following the funeral, he was determined to come back in time to help his teammates against Rangers.
At full-time, the emotion hit Marijan who was in tears on the pitch and in the dressing room. The Croatian was immediately embraced by his teammates – like Jair Tavares – and coaching staff. It was special for everyone to see.
Marijan showed incredible character to play on Saturday, and the team showed the true meaning of the Hibernian FC family to help and support him.
Johnson Not Afraid To Make Early Changes
It took Lee Johnson just 28 minutes into the match on Saturday to make a double substitution.
He brought on Marijan Čabraja and Christian Doidge for Paul Hanlon and Ewan Henderson to change his system because he felt the 5-3-2 shape he set up in didn’t “lay a glove” on the opposition.
Making those changes, bringing off those players, and changing the shape so early on aren’t easy calls to make, but ones that paid off as the Hibees grew into the match.
Creative Down The Flanks
Finally, Hibs’ strongest attacking threats came from the wide areas, which again highlights that the change of system to a 4-3-3 was beneficial.
Our attack-minded full-backs, the aforementioned Čabraja and Chris Cadden made the pitch as wide as possible and due to their positioning, it allowed the forwards (in Youan and Boyle) to get closer to Christian Doidge.
We created 13 attacks from each flank and had our highest expected goals from the left-hand-side. For example, Joe Newell attempted five passes towards Marijan Čabraja. They were involved in the most passes to the final third.
