Defenders are becoming adept at using “animal in the air” as a convenient escape
It was a cruel beginning. There’s really no other word for it. Yet, both separately and collectively, people are becoming more aware. The three players that comprise Hibernian’s “back three” appear to be much more sure of themselves and their footing when they play together.
Warren O’Hora, an Irishman who was part of the previous problem area along with fellow center-half Marvin Ekpiteta and goalie Josef Bursik, acknowledges that the league season had a really difficult start. “You can’t shy away from it, when you look at the goals we conceded at the start of the season,” he says.
Speaking of the three of us in the back, we have been training quite hard. Since the break following the previous victory, things have obviously been a little bit stop-start, so it was important for us to get things going. We were determined to maintain our momentum with spotless records.
“We’ve been putting a lot of effort into training the workers and working on small tasks to identify where we can improve. And even though we lost to the Rangers, I believe you could see that.
“Obviously, we had our first victory a few weeks ago, and it felt great to have our first clean sheet as well. Naturally, it would have been fantastic to expand on it at Ibrox. And when we lose, we’ll never be content. Still, we believe we are making progress.
It appeared for a while that at least one of O’Hora, Ekpiteta, and/or Bursik would succumb to a well-known curse that befalls many cross-border imports to Scottish football. Fans started to question whether the three, who were all seasoned players in the English league, had just been taken aback by the rugged and fast-paced style of Scotland’s top division after seeing them give up goals that they had caused themselves.
The largest adjustment, according to O’Hora, has been learning when to play through the lines and when to go long. In Sunday’s close 1-0 loss, the former MK Dons player spoke about his first time playing at Ibrox, saying, “Yeah, especially away from home.” You have to choose your playing times well in a venue like Ibrox, where the Rangers are playing for the first time in the league.
Personally, I believe we are capable of playing a little bit more. I believe we performed pretty well when we actually touched the ball and played. We did that a lot and got into some good places.
Yes, sometimes you have to go farther. Myko, who is also a huge boy, is up top, and we have Lewis Miller, who is on the right side of the pitch and looks like an animal in the air. We thus utilise our advantages, and that is where it is
Probably the most important thing I’ve learnt about this league thus far is finding the balance. We are currently working on it. And we’ll improve.
In lieu of the injured Joe Newell for the last two games, O’Hora, the club captain, said that the captain had been offering a lot of assistance and guidance from the sidelines. supporting the 25-year-old former Brighton prospect as he adjusts to the increased workload. And relish the encounter.
Before the St Johnstone match, he remarked, “I had a conversation with the gaffer and he just said, ‘Well, I can see you have that leadership in you.'” You don’t ever refuse it, do you?
“I have served as captain previously, but not for a team as large or significant as Hibs. It is a significant task for me, but I think I can get a little bit better at it.
“Leadership is provided by many other boys in that dressing room, don’t get me wrong. Boys who have spent a lot of time here.
Joe hasn’t played in the past few games. Additionally, he has been quite helpful to me, you know, texting me a few minutes before a game to get the guys pumped and to let me know what to anticipate.
However, the coach told me that since he thinks I have some leadership potential, maybe playing as captain for these games could give me an extra five or ten percent in my performances. I hope I’ve developed into that.
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