The Capital visit - part 1 // Motherwell vs Hibernian preview

Game 2 of 3 in a week. Under the lights again. I vaguely remember us hyping up the night under the lights when we faced Dundee United. I don't think you can beat the late kick offs to be honest. Even in the winter. A pie before the game, a busier Fir Park as more can attend, even better when the visitors are close by. It, of course, is an even better atmosphere when the teams involved are performing well, and that certainly appears to be the case for Tuesday Nights late kick off, as The Well welcome Hibernian to Fir Park.

This will be the first of the capital teams visits this week, as Hearts come to town Saturday. It is also the first time JBA's Motherwell juggernaut face off against David Gray's Hibees.

Hibs form, H2H and what it means

Hibs come into this game unbeaten in their last 3, with convincing victories against St Mirren and Dundee, and a draw against against Livi thrown in for good measure. The last defeat the Cabbage suffered being at home to Rangers in October.

Hibs have had a solid start to the campaign, currently joint 3rd with Rangers (ahead on GD) on 21 points. The Hibees have proven themselves to be a fromidable opponent, having only lost 2 of their 13 matches so far this season (against Hearts and Rangers). Indeed, Hibs issue this season has been somewhat similar to us in Lanarkshire; solid performances, but lots of draws, A positive result for the Hibees can see them close the gap on Celtic to 2 points (with 2 more games played) and the gap towards top of table Hearts down to 6 (with one extra game played).

The Well, in contrast, have been unbeaten in their last 4 in the league, with 3 wins and a draw. Our latest victory saw us dismantle Killie away from home, bringing us into this fixture with confidence. If the Well can get all 3 points, the Well could sit joint with Hibs and Rangers (but ultimately sit 4th on GD, with one game more played than Rangers, but a game in hand on Hibs).

JBA celebrates our 3-1 victory at Kilmarnock

The last time we faced off against each other was at Easter Road in January, and saw the Hibees come out 3-1 winners. Martin Boyle opened the scoring, before loanee Nectarios Triantis added a second. Callum Slattery pulled one back, before a Boyle penalty 5 minutes later sealed the 3 points for the Capital side. Jack Vale saw himself sent off late on to compound the misery for the Well faithful, and make the journey back over the M8 an agonising one. This was a horrid month for us in Claret in Amber, which ultimately saw the resignation of He Who We All Must Laugh At, but a light at the end of the tunnel; we saw Callum Slattery return from injury and back into form.

The last few encounters between the 2 sides do not make for pleasant reading for the Fir Park faithful. Hibs have won 3 of the last 5 encounters, scoring 3 in 3 games (11 in the 5 games) and keeping 2 clean sheets. The Well have won 1 and drawn 1, scoring 4 in the 5 games. There has also been 2 red cards in the last 5, with one a piece to either side. If the history books are anything to go by, we are in for a game with goals, action, and drama. Something to warm the football soul on a cold Tuesday night in Motherwell.

The Line-ups

Hibernian have played some variation of a 3-5-2 formation in recent weeks. Against Livi and St Mirren it appeared to be more of a 3-1-4-2, while against Dundee appeared to sit in a 3-4-1-2.

Raphael Sallinger has started in-between the sticks, with Rocky Bushiri, Jack Iredale and Grant Hanley in front of him for the last 3. In the last 2 matches for Hibs, their midfield shape has changed, however the personnel has not. With the defensive midfielder against St Mirren being Daniel Barlaser, the midfield saw Jamie McGrath and Josh Mulligan central, with the Cadden brothers Nicky and Chris out wide. Against Dundee, with an attacking midfielder instead of a defensive, McGrath moved into the AM role with Barlaser moving into CM. In the last 2, up top saw Hibs remain unchanged, with Kieran Bowie and Martin Boyle up top.

Bar any injuries, or any fitness/fatigue issues, one would imagine Hibs could remain unchanged. One thing is for sure, Hibs have a very good squad, with very good depth. Against Dundee they utilised this by using all 5 subs and brining on; Jordan Obita; Thibault Klidje; Dylan Levitt; Elie Youan and Kanayochukwu Megwa. Unused subs? Warren O'Hora, Joe Newell, Jordan Smith (GK) and Junior Hoilett. A very good squad, where any changes made won't impact the quality on the pitch.

For the Well? We have remained largely unchanged in recent weeks, with the changes only coming if forced (SOD being out injured). Indeed, the only changes we saw at Killie was Said and Hendry coming in for Just and Stamatelopolous. That being said, I can see the line-up changing, with potential for AP to start in Hendry's place.

If any changes are implemented, it would potentially just to keep the side looking fresh, and distributing minutes equally throughout to keep everyone ready for a busy period. In this time, i feel it is imperative for us to monitor Emmanuel Longelo closely. With SOD out, and limited numbers at Fullback, we need to be careful with his use and game management will be crucial.

Askou previews the Hibernian clash

Firstly, Askou reflects on the confidence the players must have going into this game, having responded well to the disappointment of the League Cup Semi Final defeat to St Mirren. In fact, JBA likes to push that the positive results following the match at Hampden isn't a response, but is the players "trying to develop and grow as a team and a club". There's also reference by the gaffer on general improvement from the players "on and off the ball", and in the smaller details getting more focus, which can only make us more "competitive". Askou saying how a lot of us feel i imagine. Lots of growth, lots of improvement, but not the finished article, and their will be mistakes and bumps in the road (the Semi final defeat), but riding them out and continuing onward is crucial (coming back to get a point against Aberdeen and dominating Killie).

Askou also gives an update on SOD, and while he (and we) were all hopeful SOD would be fit for Killie, Askou says "it was a little bit too early" for him, and with that in mind, tonight's fixture is still a bit too soon for him. There is hope he can return to face Hearts on Saturday however.

Jens heaps praise on tonight's visitors, saying they have a lot of "quality, and a lot of firepower" and a "lot of experience". A team who has grown together, can play forward quickly and "has caused most teams big problems". Askou also highlights we will have to be at the top of our game tonight, but that he is excited to face them, which you don't hear to often from gaffers. More refreshing words from JBA.

Jens also analyses the teams performance in his tenure at the club so far, further reiterating that there is a lot to be happy about, but "there are still a lot of things we can do better". Jens further hammers home the fact that improvement overall is very good, including with some players who face "critique" at the start of the season. JBA believes this comes from "support from their teammates and the staff". He also later says he is direct and honest. Hearing the unity in the club is fantastic, but being able to see results from it is even better, and seeing this in player improvement is the proof. "More sharpness from the attacking players", "more defensive stability in open play...and more phases of the game" are also highlight as improvements from the gaffer. The gaffer is also excited to see how we can cope as we come into the busy spell of the season, with players with "different and individual quality" and "confidence". I for one agree, seeing the boys perform the way they are and seeing the confidence flow throughout games. Seeing players like Watt backheeling the ball and flick it round the corner first time makes the game more exciting and enjoyable to watch, which ultimately, is the point of us going to games is it not?