MKHIBEE
24-03-2022, 12:19 PM
Taken from The Athletic, will have to post in parts due to size
Inside Maloney’s Hibernian: ‘I have to pretty much give this club my life – I don’t ever want to take more than I give’
Gregg Evans (https://theathletic.com/author/gregg-evans/) Mar 24, 2022https://theathletic.com/app/themes/athletic/assets/img/[email protected] 21 https://theathletic.com/app/themes/athletic/assets/img/[email protected]
“Our focus area is the attacking third,” Shaun Maloney says as his forwards exchange passes and convert into an open net. “This is a drill we’re trying for the first time.”
It’s 11:30am on “matchday minus-four” at the Hibernian Training Centre and a dozen players are listening carefully to their manager’s message. Maloney wants slick, intricate movements followed by a finish. “We’ll make this pitch bigger as the week goes by,” he says, quickly flicking through his notes.
“Defensively we’ve been really good but we need to be more clinical. This drill will help.”
The idea is to work on transitions in a tight area — first one-vs-one and then two-vs-two. Maloney is three months into his first managerial job and he wants to transform Hibs into an exciting, attack-minded unit.
“Good, lads. I love it,” he shouts passionately as the build-up play from the back is crisp. When the ball reaches the halfway point, the attackers can shoot and then the defending team must immediately restart. It’s a purposeful activity and the perfect way to start off a busy week.
The sun beating down on a training ground typically used to wind and rain acts as a reminder that the spring is near. It means the business end of the season is upon this Edinburgh giant and the chase for fourth place and Scottish Cup success is very much alive.
Maloney knows his philosophy will take time to implement but the improvement he has seen over the last month in training has left him itching for more. He’s addicted to the development process and as curious as ever to learn more. Sir Alex Ferguson has offered up some encouraging words about the team’s performance and also some advice. So has ex-England manager Roy Hodgson.
“The last four or five weeks have been good,” he says, after one defeat in six games in all competitions following Saturday’s 3-1 setback at Aberdeen.
“Now we’re working on the way we attack to the box.
“Some of it has been understanding the players’ attributes in certain positions. We’re getting players into better positions and we’re constantly trying to improve on the actions when we get there. We just need to start taking our chances to really make a difference.”In training there’s a heavy focus on keeping possession. Hibs were beaten 2-0 at Celtic in January but still became the first Scottish team in six years to have more of the ball than the hosts at Celtic Park. Such statistics emphasise progress.
“One, two, three, four, five… and go again… get it right!” shouts assistant Gary Caldwell as six players stand on the edge of a hexagon-shaped pitch with four others in the middle.
A “goal” is awarded for eight consecutive passes and the plan is to protect the ball.Love it. I love it,” Maloney shouts when his troops find their rhythm. He’s an encouraging coach, and while he works both his players and staff extremely hard — and also loads them with plenty of information — he appears to have a softer, personal touch when required.
Inside Maloney’s Hibernian: ‘I have to pretty much give this club my life – I don’t ever want to take more than I give’
Gregg Evans (https://theathletic.com/author/gregg-evans/) Mar 24, 2022https://theathletic.com/app/themes/athletic/assets/img/[email protected] 21 https://theathletic.com/app/themes/athletic/assets/img/[email protected]
“Our focus area is the attacking third,” Shaun Maloney says as his forwards exchange passes and convert into an open net. “This is a drill we’re trying for the first time.”
It’s 11:30am on “matchday minus-four” at the Hibernian Training Centre and a dozen players are listening carefully to their manager’s message. Maloney wants slick, intricate movements followed by a finish. “We’ll make this pitch bigger as the week goes by,” he says, quickly flicking through his notes.
“Defensively we’ve been really good but we need to be more clinical. This drill will help.”
The idea is to work on transitions in a tight area — first one-vs-one and then two-vs-two. Maloney is three months into his first managerial job and he wants to transform Hibs into an exciting, attack-minded unit.
“Good, lads. I love it,” he shouts passionately as the build-up play from the back is crisp. When the ball reaches the halfway point, the attackers can shoot and then the defending team must immediately restart. It’s a purposeful activity and the perfect way to start off a busy week.
The sun beating down on a training ground typically used to wind and rain acts as a reminder that the spring is near. It means the business end of the season is upon this Edinburgh giant and the chase for fourth place and Scottish Cup success is very much alive.
Maloney knows his philosophy will take time to implement but the improvement he has seen over the last month in training has left him itching for more. He’s addicted to the development process and as curious as ever to learn more. Sir Alex Ferguson has offered up some encouraging words about the team’s performance and also some advice. So has ex-England manager Roy Hodgson.
“The last four or five weeks have been good,” he says, after one defeat in six games in all competitions following Saturday’s 3-1 setback at Aberdeen.
“Now we’re working on the way we attack to the box.
“Some of it has been understanding the players’ attributes in certain positions. We’re getting players into better positions and we’re constantly trying to improve on the actions when we get there. We just need to start taking our chances to really make a difference.”In training there’s a heavy focus on keeping possession. Hibs were beaten 2-0 at Celtic in January but still became the first Scottish team in six years to have more of the ball than the hosts at Celtic Park. Such statistics emphasise progress.
“One, two, three, four, five… and go again… get it right!” shouts assistant Gary Caldwell as six players stand on the edge of a hexagon-shaped pitch with four others in the middle.
A “goal” is awarded for eight consecutive passes and the plan is to protect the ball.Love it. I love it,” Maloney shouts when his troops find their rhythm. He’s an encouraging coach, and while he works both his players and staff extremely hard — and also loads them with plenty of information — he appears to have a softer, personal touch when required.