If Saturday’s Fir Park defeat has shown Hibs anything, it’s that they need new signing Melker Hallberg to hit the ground running.
The midfielder signed for Paul Heckingbottom’s side recently, with previous clubs including Udinese, Kalmar FF and Velje Boldklub.
Hallberg is a Hibs player now. (Photo by Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images)
It was clear for all to see on Saturday that Hibs need an anchorman in midfield. They’ll be praying Hallberg is that man.
Hallberg could be a big player for Hibs
Since letting Mark Milligan and Marvin Bartley go, Hibs haven’t had a midfield enforcer. The likes of Stevie Mallan and Josh Vela have tried to play the role, but it hasn’t been effective.
Going to places like Fir Park, you need that bit of aggression and leadership in the middle. Like most games recently, it was non-existent and they paid the price because of it.
Needs an enforcer. (photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Mallan and Vykintas Slivka were tasked with doing the dirty work in Lanarkshire. They have had their moments in a Hibs shirt, but they can’t operate in a more defensive minded role.
They are box to box midfielders, not sitting players. Because of that, the Well piled pressure on them and won the midfield battle because of it.
Hallberg has to be that man to perform in the role now. One thing that may be of concern is that he has played far more games in the centre of midfield than in front of the back four (Transfermarkt).
Not a natural DM. (Photo by Jonas Gustafsson/Ombrello via Getty Images)
Hibs don’t need another box to box man. They need someone who is strong in the tackle and can bring authority to the centre of the park. A lot is riding on Hallberg to step up and do that job effectively.