Hibernian Football Club News

• Nickname:The Hibees
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Mixu Paatelainen

• Ground:Easter Road
• Capacity:18,000

Bamba pleads for rethink

12 Nov 2008 - 15:28:15

Click To Enlarge

Ivory Coast international Souleymane Bamba has pleaded with Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen to change the team's formation and give him some more help in midfield.

Hibs' disappointing start to the campaign continued with a humbling 2-1 defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Easter Road when Samba played as one of only three midfield players.

Fellow midfielders Dean Shiels and Fabian Yantorno like to get forward and Bamba thinks there is too much pressure put on his shoulders.

He told the Edinburgh Evening News: "I said to the manager that it was too hard playing in midfield with two guys who like to attack.

"Dean and Fab have to attack because that's they type of players they are, but the midfielders also have to come back to give the team balance.

"I think 4-3-3 is a good system, especially with the forwards we have, but we need everyone to get back behind the ball quicker and defend as a team.

"If the midfield can't get back, then it's hard to stop counter-attacks. I think it would work better with more defensive people in the midfield."