Ekpiteta

[McGruber]

In effort to drum up positivity thought I'd start a thread for big Marv. Thought he was solid in the Dundee game and feel that's been a bit lost with the frustration of the concession of late goal and result.

He's had a well documented rough start but hopefully that is more like it from him going forward and he can build on it. Clearly never going to be a ball playing centre half but is dominant in the air.

Hopefully him and O'Hora (was poor that time out) settle into it, willing to give them a bit of time.

[JasonC1875]

Kept things simple, he’s a no nonsense defender and will be a decent player for us as long as he’s not asked to do too much on the ball.

[BILLYHIBS]

His heading is good

[Fergus52]

Their first goal came from him losing the ball with a pretty poor under hit pass into the midfield.

He looks good in the air and solid in the tackle but Gray will need to change how we try and build out from the back if he's going to be playing every week.

[Unseen work]

I genuinely think he’s a good defender.

On quite a few occasions he’s defending 1v1’s well, is good in a tackle and really good in the air.

If it wasn’t for his slack back passes I think people would be viewing him differently. I’m hoping he irons this out and it’s just down to concentration.

I know he got a bit of stick for the fist goal again Celtic in the first game as he “allowed” Kyogo to shoot. I think in that scenario if you get back goalside and force Kyogo to shoot from 20+ yards you’re doing pretty well. Kyogo would leave a lot for dead in that position which would result in him scoring or the defender getting a red. We’ve all heard managers etc say to force opposition into shots from outside the area

I think he and O’Hora will come good

Also happy birthday big man!

[Houston7]

Their first goal came from him losing the ball with a pretty poor under hit pass into the midfield.

He looks good in the air and solid in the tackle but Gray will need to change how we try and build out from the back if he's going to be playing every week.

From highlights, I thought it was Obita’s poor clearance?

[Gloucester Hibs]

Their first goal came from him losing the ball with a pretty poor under hit pass into the midfield.

He looks good in the air and solid in the tackle but Gray will need to change how we try and build out from the back if he's going to be playing every week.

The major error was from Obita with a dreadful attempt at a clearance but yeah there was a poor pass from Marv in the build-up prior to that. Thought he was decent overall though.

[McGruber]

Their first goal came from him losing the ball with a pretty poor under hit pass into the midfield.

He looks good in the air and solid in the tackle but Gray will need to change how we try and build out from the back if he's going to be playing every week.

He did have an under hit pass before the 1st goal and agree we need to limit going through him to play out.

There was plenty play after the pass though, it never cost us the goal. Was poor from Newell, O'Hora and particularly Obita's woeful clearance.

[Unseen work]

Not sure all blame for the pass can be on Ekpiteta for the first goal

He passes it into Myko’s feet who imo should either get his body infront or be a bit sharper/on his toes to go and meet it

The Dundee player does really well to read and intercept it

[A Hi-Bee]

I am still reminded of just how hopeless Rob Jones was in his first few games for Hibs, looked like he had never played the game before, but he turned out alright.
:thumbsup:

[Callum_62]

Not sure all blame for the pass can be on Ekpiteta for the first goal

He passes it into Myko’s feet who imo should either get his body infront or be a bit sharper/on his toes to go and meet it

The Dundee player does really well to read and intercept itThought the same

Myko was poor there and poor at his attempted tackle in the corner just afterwards

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[ekhibee]

I think the jury's out on Ekpiteta tbh. At times he looks quite a commanding centre half, but he does sometimes make really basic mistakes, which tempers my enthusiasm.

[ancient hibee]

Not sure all blame for the pass can be on Ekpiteta for the first goal

He passes it into Myko’s feet who imo should either get his body infront or be a bit sharper/on his toes to go and meet it

The Dundee player does really well to read and intercept it


Exactly right. Too many of our players in the first half were waiting on the ball coming to them instead of moving to take it in.

[HendoDelivered]

Play him in a back three and just let him head it and kick it/tackle and he will be more than fine. Ask him to start spraying passes etc and it’s just not gonna happen.

[matty_f]

I genuinely think he’s a good defender.

On quite a few occasions he’s defending 1v1’s well, is good in a tackle and really good in the air.

If it wasn’t for his slack back passes I think people would be viewing him differently. I’m hoping he irons this out and it’s just down to concentration.

I know he got a bit of stick for the fist goal again Celtic in the first game as he “allowed” Kyogo to shoot. I think in that scenario if you get back goalside and force Kyogo to shoot from 20+ yards you’re doing pretty well. Kyogo would leave a lot for dead in that position which would result in him scoring or the defender getting a red. We’ve all heard managers etc say to force opposition into shots from outside the area

I think he and O’Hora will come good

Also happy birthday big man!

Good post. I think he's been..not unlucky, as it's poor play that's caused it.. but unfortunate that when he has made the mistakes they've been punished.

Take the mistakes out and he's solid, makes good tackles, wins headers etc, just what you want from a defender.

He needs to iron out the mistakes though, as there's no point in doing all that just to chuck one in, but I don't the mistakes he's made are the sort that players at our level routinely make, they happen, but there's rare. He's just had a couple close together.

I think he'll be fine, as will O'Hora.

[Smartie]

I think the jury's out on Ekpiteta tbh. At times he looks quite a commanding centre half, but he does sometimes make really basic mistakes, which tempers my enthusiasm.

Goes for the whole back line imo.

Most of the time they look decent, then they make daft mistakes you can’t really legislate for.

It’s actually quite hard to know what to do about it, as I’m not convinced any of these players aren’t good enough, and I’m as sure as can be we don’t want to be sacking another head coach.

There’s actually something to be said for keeping picking them, keeping playing them and giving it time.

[sauzee1989]

He’s actually our best centre back right now which is saying something. I’m even more unconvinced O’Hora is going to be good enough either

[Lancs Harp]

Marv is a pretty good defender, good in the air, good at getting his body in the way and making challenges. Franz Beckenbauer with the ball at his feet he isnt. It might help if his team mates realised this and showed and offered him options instead of sometimes playing passes to him and immediately playing him into a bit of a tight spot.

He'll be ok for us.

[duffers]

He’s actually our best centre back right now which is saying something. I’m even more unconvinced O’Hora is going to be good enough either

Other than Saturdays lapse of concentration (which was shocking), I’ve really liked the look of O’Hora.

[Fergus52]

He did have an under hit pass before the 1st goal and agree we need to limit going through him to play out.

There was plenty play after the pass though, it never cost us the goal. Was poor from Newell, O'Hora and particularly Obita's woeful clearance.

What does Newell do wrong? He misses the header but the ball is well above him and Obita should still easily clear.

Miller and Kwon are much more at fault for both leaving Tiffoney and not sorting out who should pick him up.

[tamig]

He’s actually our best centre back right now which is saying something. I’m even more unconvinced O’Hora is going to be good enough either

I like Marv but O’Hora has been a much better looking signing to date imo. Appreciate he didn’t look too clever on Saturday.

[worcesterhibby]

Marv, looks like a solid defender in the mould of Big Daz. Good header of the ball, good tackler, decent positional sense and knows how to clear his lines. Once he and O’Hora play more together they will be solid. He’s not a ball playing Centre back and just needs to think safety first.

[WestStandWillie]

I am still reminded of just how hopeless Rob Jones was in his first few games for Hibs, looked like he had never played the game before, but he turned out alright.
:thumbsup:

Absolutely this.

[SickBoy32]

What does Newell do wrong? He misses the header but the ball is well above him and Obita should still easily clear.

Miller and Kwon are much more at fault for both leaving Tiffoney and not sorting out who should pick him up.

Why was he in a position to be attempting the header ?

Should’ve been tracking his runner (as O’Hora pointed at the time) instead of ball watching. His runner then went on to setup the goal.

[basehibby]

Agreed Marvin had a good game and I was relieved at that - not half as much as he would be himself mind you!

[McGruber]

What does Newell do wrong? He misses the header but the ball is well above him and Obita should still easily clear.

Miller and Kwon are much more at fault for both leaving Tiffoney and not sorting out who should pick him up.

Michael Stewart made a point of it on the Sportscene analysis and I agreed with what he said. He didn't need to be where he was, he should have been out higher picking up at the edge of the box and left the defenders in there to deal with it. Whether it unsighted Obita or not though - shocking attempt at a clearance.

[McD]

Michael Stewart made a point of it on the Sportscene analysis and I agreed with what he said. He didn't need to be where he was, he should have been out higher picking up at the edge of the box and left the defenders in there to deal with it. Whether it unsighted Obita or not though - shocking attempt at a clearance.



Yep, Newell is 10 years deeper than he should be, standing between the centre halfs.


That said, as a regular critic of Newell, his is not the only error in that goal. Obita should have had a better clearance, cadden and others don’t do anything to stop Cameron having all the time to pick out tiffoney

[BILLYHIBS]

Anyone else think Tiffoney hit the ball straight at the keeper ?

At least that is how it looked from the West South

Might be harsh

[CentreForward]

Other than Saturdays lapse of concentration (which was shocking), I’ve really liked the look of O’Hora.

If you’re talking about Dundee’s first goal then I’d blame Obita much more than O’Hora for that one.

[HIBS NUTS]

If you’re talking about Dundee’s first goal then I’d blame Obita much more than O’Hora for that one.
No O,HORA lost his man at the second goal, he got the wrong side of Simon Murray.
I thought Marvin had a decent game on Saturday

[CentreLine]

I think what our defenders are missing is an experienced, good keeper behind them. A good keeper will direct defenders and keep them on their toes. I just don’t think Josif Bursik has that kind of presence. He needs to be in control of what is going on infront of him.

[LaMotta]

I am still reminded of just how hopeless Rob Jones was in his first few games for Hibs, looked like he had never played the game before, but he turned out alright.
:thumbsup:

Thought Jones was good from the moment he arrived.

[LaMotta]

I like Marv but O’Hora has been a much better looking signing to date imo. Appreciate he didn’t look too clever on Saturday.

I would agree. The second on Saturday was absolutely criminal from O'Hora, but overall I think he has been decent.

TBH it has worried me how much Marvin Bartley has called out new Marv for some of the goals conceded so far. He has absolutely slated him for his positioning for at least 2 of the goals v Celtic. And that's without even mentioning his distribution. Hopefully things improve for him.

[LaMotta]

What does Newell do wrong? He misses the header but the ball is well above him and Obita should still easily clear.

Miller and Kwon are much more at fault for both leaving Tiffoney and not sorting out who should pick him up.


Agree Newell doesnt do anything wrong.

Would say Marv ropey pass to Myko, but then Myko should do better also. Myko does well to get back and try and help but then should do better once he gets there. Obita schoolboy clearance, then I think Marv stands off the Dundee 10 Cameron, could be pressuring him more before the pass. Then Kwon has no idea Tiffoney is behind him.

****show all round really.

[CapitalGreen]

Agree Newell doesnt do anything wrong.

Would say Marv ropey pass to Myko, but then Myko should do better also. Myko does well to get back and try and help but then should do better once he gets there. Obita schoolboy clearance, then I think Marv stands off the Dundee 10 Cameron, could be pressuring him more before the pass. Then Kwon has no idea Tiffoney is behind him.

****show all round really.

Apart from ball watching, inexplicably becoming one of our deepest players and losing his man who eventually sets up the goal.

As Simon Murray picks up the ball, he is already so deep and O’Hora is signalling that Cameron needs to be picked up.

28122

For the next few seconds, he stays watching the ball and Cameron peels off to the edge of the box. Instead of followin him as instructed, Newell remains in the back line. As the cross comes in he’s deeper than our centre back, why!?

28123

A futile attempt at a header follows before Obita’s mi**** clearance. By this point Newell is about 14 yards away from Cameron who he should be responsible for.

28124

What’s the point in playing a pair of midfielders sitting in front of the back 4 for protection and then having one standing behind our back line offering zero protection. He didn’t make an error in the same way Obita did but his positioning or lack thereof contributed to the goal being scored.

[LaMotta]

Apart from ball watching, inexplicably becoming one of our deepest players and losing his man who eventually sets up the goal.

As Simon Murray picks up the ball, he is already so deep and O’Hora is signalling that Cameron needs to be picked up.

28122

For the next few seconds, he stays watching the ball and Cameron peels off to the edge of the box. Instead of followin him as instructed, Newell remains in the back line. As the cross comes in he’s deeper than our centre back, why!?

28123

A futile attempt at a header follows before Obita’s mi**** clearance. By this point Newell is about 14 yards away from Cameron who he should be responsible for.

28124

What’s the point in playing a pair of midfielders sitting in front of the back 4 for protection and then having one standing behind our back line offering zero protection. He didn’t make an error in the same way Obita did but his positioning or lack thereof contributed to the goal being scored.

Watched it again and I agree with you. O'Hora actually points at Newell to go out with Cameron.

[RIP]

Please watch the second goal again. Rocky has Main. Ekpetita has Murray.

Then Murray cleverly glides away from Marv over to O'Hora's blind side. Ekpetita fails to track Murray's run.

Zonal marking done badly

[JimBHibees]

Please watch the second goal again. Rocky has Main. Ekpetita has Murray.

Then Murray cleverly glides away from Marv over to O'Hora's blind side. Ekpetita fails to track Murray's run.

Zonal marking done badly

Second goal given the ball is out the left wing the centre backs in a three have got to moving over left to give Obita some cover. Seems quite basic positioning mistakesi would have thought. If we are going to play a three on occasions we need to be much better shape. Also caught out at Parkhead positioning wise

[Cooshed Kid]

I think what our defenders are missing is an experienced, good keeper behind them. A good keeper will direct defenders and keep them on their toes. I just don’t think Josif Bursik has that kind of presence. He needs to be in control of what is going on infront of him.

Agreed. Our entire defence is an experiment. It would certainly have made things better for O'Hora and Ektipeta if we had a commanding presence in goal. I wish Bursik well but I did wonder why we sought the loan of a young keeper who hasn't had a lot of playing time recently when there were free agents around like Mitov and, a dominant keeper well-known to us, Adam Bogdan. I thought we might even pay a transfer fee to get Ross Laidlaw back. He could have seen out his career with Hibs. There's a lack of confidence and consequently trust at the back just now and someone needs to step up and take command. I think O'Hora has been trying but then he made the latest error so how will that affect him?

There's still hope but I do wonder why MM led us to this position.

[oneone73]

Agreed. Our entire defence is an experiment. It would certainly have made things better for O'Hora and Ektipeta if we had a commanding presence in goal. I wish Bursik well but I did wonder why we sought the loan of a young keeper who hasn't had a lot of playing time recently when there were free agents around like Mitov and, a dominant keeper well-known to us, Adam Bogdan. I thought we might even pay a transfer fee to get Ross Laidlaw back. He could have seen out his career with Hibs. There's a lack of confidence and consequently trust at the back just now and someone needs to step up and take command. I think O'Hora has been trying but then he made the latest error so how will that affect him?

There's still hope but I do wonder why MM led us to this position.

Don't think Mitov was a free agent.

[LaMotta]

Second goal given the ball is out the left wing the centre backs in a three have got to moving over left to give Obita some cover. Seems quite basic positioning mistakesi would have thought. If we are going to play a three on occasions we need to be much better shape. Also caught out at Parkhead positioning wise

:agree:

[wookie70]

What does Newell do wrong? He misses the header but the ball is well above him and Obita should still easily clear.

Miller and Kwon are much more at fault for both leaving Tiffoney and not sorting out who should pick him up. Obita and Kwon were the two I would blame most. A goal that really could have been avoided very easily with a little awareness and concentration. We desperately need a win to get the players thinking in a more positive way imo

[Onceinawhile]

Agreed. Our entire defence is an experiment. It would certainly have made things better for O'Hora and Ektipeta if we had a commanding presence in goal. I wish Bursik well but I did wonder why we sought the loan of a young keeper who hasn't had a lot of playing time recently when there were free agents around like Mitov and, a dominant keeper well-known to us, Adam Bogdan. I thought we might even pay a transfer fee to get Ross Laidlaw back. He could have seen out his career with Hibs. There's a lack of confidence and consequently trust at the back just now and someone needs to step up and take command. I think O'Hora has been trying but then he made the latest error so how will that affect him?

There's still hope but I do wonder why MM led us to this position.

Mitov cost Aberdeen in the region of 3-400k and bogdan is retired.

[Cooshed Kid]

Mitov cost Aberdeen in the region of 3-400k and bogdan is retired.

If I was wrong about Mitov, it's not my first mistake. But if Bogdan's retired it doesn't seem very official. He's listed on transfermarkt and wikipedia as currently without a club, not that it currently matters to Hibs as if we had been interested we could just have given him a call and we didn't. I don't understand, though, why we have a loanee as a keeper. It's worth paying to get the right man in the position for long-term stability and to make the defence robust. Laidlaw, for example. I don't imagine the future looks especially bright in Dingwall.

[Smartie]

If I was wrong about Mitov, it's not my first mistake. But if Bogdan's retired it doesn't seem very official. He's listed on transfermarkt and wikipedia as currently without a club, not that it currently matters to Hibs as if we had been interested we could just have given him a call and we didn't. I don't understand, though, why we have a loanee as a keeper. It's worth paying to get the right man in the position for long-term stability and to make the defence robust. Laidlaw, for example. I don't imagine the future looks especially bright in Dingwall.

I don’t have a problem with having a loan goalkeeper.

I do have a problem with having a pish one.

[JimBHibees]

If I was wrong about Mitov, it's not my first mistake. But if Bogdan's retired it doesn't seem very official. He's listed on transfermarkt and wikipedia as currently without a club, not that it currently matters to Hibs as if we had been interested we could just have given him a call and we didn't. I don't understand, though, why we have a loanee as a keeper. It's worth paying to get the right man in the position for long-term stability and to make the defence robust. Laidlaw, for example. I don't imagine the future looks especially bright in Dingwall.

Ross Laidlaw really

[Cooshed Kid]

Ross Laidlaw really

You don't rate him? I thought he was good with us and has performed well with County. Good shot-stopper IIRC.

[Gordy M]

I think the defence will be fine. Its just unfortunate that they have all had a bad game at some point when the others have done ok. Ekpieta was fine on Sat, then O Hora has switched off, lost a goal. O hora was pretty good in other games, Ekpieta makes a mistake lost a goal etc. If they didnt make the odd mistake they wouldnt be at Hibs, but i think they will fine in the grand scheme of things.

[Smartie]

You don't rate him? I thought he was good with us and has performed well with County. Good shot-stopper IIRC.

I've always quite liked him too.

[overdrive]

I've always quite liked him too.

Me too. To think we had him, Bogdan and Marciano at the same time briefly.

[JimBHibees]

You don't rate him? I thought he was good with us and has performed well with County. Good shot-stopper IIRC.

Not really

[sauzee1989]

Jesus has it really become that bad that people are touting Ross Laidlaw. He had about 2 good games for hibs and he’s so shaky with any cross balls.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

Closer to what we saw in pre season over the last couple of games

Keep it up big man

[B.H.F.C]

Keep the ball away from him in possession and he’ll be fine I think. Loses very little in the air.

[JohnM1875]

He's a good defender. Strong, relatively quick, good in the air and tackle.

Taken a bit of time to settle in but thought he had a good game today.

[steve75]

Solid 95% of the time, and a couple really good deep passes into the left wing.

But the dangerous short passes and clean air swipes can't be ignored. Real lack of quality at times.

Looks less suspect than before so hopefully continues on the trajectory.

[eastmainsmsh]

Was better today as was OHora

[Smartie]

Having a decent run of form.

Can still make pretty ugly mistakes but right now he’s getting away with them.

I like him as a player. Big, honest, good, physical centre half.

[Bostonhibby]

Having a decent run of form.

Can still make pretty ugly mistakes but right now he’s getting away with them.

I like him as a player. Big, honest, good, physical centre half.What I expected we were getting. Good performance today.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[SHODAN]

What I expected we were getting. Good performance today.

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:agree:

[Real Emerald]

Looks way better now. 🤞

[matty_f]

He was unfortunate that his mistakes in his first couple of games were punished because he actually defended fine in them, but for obvious reasons that’s forgotten when the mistakes cost us goals and points.
There was no way that those would continue though, you don’t have the career that he’s had if you’re chucking in goals every week so I expected that we’d get to this point with him where we can see he’s a very capable player at this level.

He will make mistakes again, as will all our players and as a defender it’s more likely his mistakes will cost goals than they would if he was a centre forward, but overall I think we’ve signed a good centre half who we will appreciate more as the season goes on.

[Heisenberg]

Still had a couple of very dodgy moments on the ball that thankfully didn’t cost us, those aside he was very solid and had their striker in his pocket all game. Think the way Marv played their striker led to the red card, he was clearly frustrated at getting absolutely nothing out of him.

[Cooshed Kid]

i think he is looking more secure, though some passes were risky, and I hope for the best. We can't ignore, however, that St J posed less of a goal threat than the other Premiership teams we have faced this season so the jury is still out on whether our defence is stabilising. Let's celebrate the 3 points, though, however they came. Well done, lads.

[HendoDelivered]

He’s very much a head it, kick it and tackle centre back. Let him do only this as much as possible and he will be very good for us. Spraying balls and playing quick, under pressure passes is not his game. The reason for the improvement is due to the fact we aren’t seeing this happen anywhere near as much as the first couple of games.

Marv will get better too.

[hibee-boys]

We’ve been needing a no nonsense centre half for long enough who’s strengths are in the air and clearing our lines. It’s the SPL we’re playing in not La Liga. Leave all the pretty stuff to the players ahead of him.

[Bobby's Cinema]

Thought he was really good yesterday. Both centre halves were dominant all game.
Hopefully gives him confidence, message still needs to be keep it simple as he did get away with a few moments.

[Hibbyradge]

His header for the assist was powerful and majestic. It left 2 Saints' players on the deck and put it on a plate for Myko.

Awesome.

[SHODAN]

Looked much more impressive yesterday. Coming on to a game.

[Unseen work]

https://x.com/hibernianfc/status/1836121735256584422?s=46&t=jmxs-mZWT_cnYbURW-GKJw

Impressive numbers from Saturday

[Northernhibee]

Think he’s finding his feet and can see him and O’Hora complimenting each other.

[flash]

Strolled through the game today. My man of the match.

[Keepthefaith]

He had an awful start but last few games had looked pretty solid. Was surprised rangers didn't press him more tbh.

Hope those who absolutely slated him can recognize they may have been both hasty and too damning in appraising him...

[Jdawg]

Vastly improved and rock solid at the back (especially balls into our box)

[SHODAN]

Like him a lot now.

[sleeping giant]

Solid.
Exactly what we needed.

[hibee-boys]

Fair play to the big guy, turning into the player we thought we’d signed.

[tamig]

Big man was superb today. One poor defensive header but otherwise a great performance. Good old fashioned stopper that we’ve missed for so long.

[JohnM1875]

Strolled through the game today. My man of the match.

Agree with that. He was excellent today.

[Moulin Yarns]

Driving up the m74 listening to the game on radio Scotland and my wife thought there was a player called....


Baked potato.😁

[B.H.F.C]

Leave him to defend and he’s good. Just don’t pass the ball to him unless you really need to.

[04Sauzee]

You can't get better than an Ekpiteta, he's the boy to trust 🎶

[McD]

You can't better than an Ekpiteta, he's the boy to trust 🎶



:faf:

[hibee-boys]

You can't get better than an Ekpiteta, he's the boy to trust 🎶

Great effort, unfortunately I’ve been unable to properly pronounce his surname since the day he arrived, can’t get my tongue around it all. Doesn’t sound as catchy with Big Marv🤷🏼

[Glory Lurker]

You can't get better than an Ekpiteta, he's the boy to trust 🎶

There won't be much better than this posted on dot net in all history.

[TimeForHeroes]

You can't get better than an Ekpiteta, he's the boy to trust 🎶

Usually just lurk, but had to post to say congratulations on this post! 👏👏👏

[e2los]

You can't get better than an Ekpiteta, he's the boy to trust 🎶
:top marks

[CMac1988]

You can't get better than an Ekpiteta, he's the boy to trust 🎶

That's... That's got legs that has! :D

https://youtu.be/_8TmVpEZq08?si=eBjK26x4FWNaYb1t

[Unseen work]

Hibs just posted some interesting stats on social media

Out of all centre backs in SPFL Marv is

3rd in ground duels won
2nd in aerial duels won
2nd in % of ground duels won
3rd defensive aerial duels won
3rd aerial duels won in own box

Confirms what I thought re how he performs defensively, very good centre back imo.

Just don’t ask him to be fancy or adventurous on the ball 🤣

[CMac1988]

Hibs just posted some interesting stats on social media

Out of all centre backs in SPFL Marv is

3rd in ground duels won
2nd in aerial duels won
2nd in % of ground duels won
3rd defensive aerial duels won
3rd aerial duels won in own box

Confirms what I thought re how he performs defensively, very good centre back imo.

Just don’t ask him to be fancy or adventurous on the ball 🤣

He's probably been MotM for the last 2 or 3 games. Has dealt with pretty much everything that's come his way. After a shaky start he's settled into the team and as long as you don't expect him to be spraying the ball about from the back then we should be good.

[B.H.F.C]

Hibs just posted some interesting stats on social media

Out of all centre backs in SPFL Marv is

3rd in ground duels won
2nd in aerial duels won
2nd in % of ground duels won
3rd defensive aerial duels won
3rd aerial duels won in own box

Confirms what I thought re how he performs defensively, very good centre back imo.

Just don’t ask him to be fancy or adventurous on the ball 🤣

He’s improved massively on what we saw at the start of the season.

The downside is that he spends so much time on the ball, you can see teams showing us that way. Defensively, there is a player in there though.

[MWHIBBIES]

Don't think he's dreadful on the ball. He's just not great. Probably better than McGregor was. Marv just doesn't have Efe or Hanlon to make up for it.

He's been very good defensively.

[Dmas]

He’s improved massively on what we saw at the start of the season.

The downside is that he spends so much time on the ball, you can see teams showing us that way. Defensively, there is a player in there though.

Movement ahead of him and the rest at the back for that matter is awful, especially when we have possession high up the pitch

[Jones28]

Hibs just posted some interesting stats on social media

Out of all centre backs in SPFL Marv is

3rd in ground duels won
2nd in aerial duels won
2nd in % of ground duels won
3rd defensive aerial duels won
3rd aerial duels won in own box

Confirms what I thought re how he performs defensively, very good centre back imo.

Just don’t ask him to be fancy or adventurous on the ball 🤣

He's getting deserved plaudits for his recent performances, and even on the ball I think he looks a lot more comfortable. It will be interesting to see how St Mirren approach this tomorrow.

[Hibs Go Bragh]

He's a very good defender and the stats back that up but the media/pundits will still hammer him and claim Hibs defense is the worst in the league blah blah blah

They are so useless and lazy that they just jump on a bandwagon and shout the loudest to try and sound clever (Stewart and Boyd I'm looking at you!) and we seem to be the easy target for them even though the stats show they haven't got a clue what they're talking about.

I'd love us to start winning and keep clean sheets to obviously climb the league but I'd love it even more just to ram it down the throats of these idiots!

[easty]

It just shows how quickly people are happy to write someone off. He was tatties after a few games apparently.

Triantis was the same now folk like him.

Myko was well rated last time he was here, and when he got his beautiful headed goal v Celtc folk were loving him, now he apparently cannae do anything.

[JimBHibees]

It just shows how quickly people are happy to write someone off. He was tatties after a few games apparently.

Triantis was the same now folk like him.

Myko was well rated last time he was here, and when he got his beautiful headed goal v Celtc folk were loving him, now he apparently cannae do anything.

Yes very bi polar

[eastmainsmsh]

He is settling in just fine wasn't sure at first but looks like he is coming good