Source: Team_Talk
Hughes looks for finishing touches
Hibernian boss John Hughes has called on his side to be more clinical in the final third of the pitch as they seek to end a miserable home run.[LNB] Hibs are without a win at Easter Road since March 6 - a run of seven matches - after spurning the opportunity to defeat Inverness last weekend.[LNB]Hughes, though, believes if Hibs show the same characteristics as they did last week in Saturday's SPL clash with Hamilton, only with more cutting edge, his side should prevail.[LNB]"I feel that if we do what we did last week it could be good enough to win the football match," said Hughes.[LNB]"We played some wonderful stuff, created chances, but there's still a bit of work to be done. We need to start playing football higher up the park.[LNB]"The way we pass the ball and our ball retention is very good, we just need to take it further up the park, take it in the last quarter and be clinical when the chances come our way.[LNB]"We have to be more hard-working in terms of trying to create chances and hopefully we can go and take them."[LNB]Hibs have twice lost to Rangers, as well as losing to Hearts, Celtic and Dundee United on their barren run, with draws against Ross County in the Scottish Cup and against Caley Thistle.[LNB]Despite the poor home run towards the end of last season, Hibs finished fourth, a position Hughes is keen to build on this term.[LNB]"What we need to do is get back to winning ways and get a wee run going if we want to emulate what we did last year," he added.[LNB]"I'm not going to be too critical of the boys.[LNB]"There has been bits of stuff that I've seen that have been very, very good.[LNB]"Even the game last Saturday, we had enough chances to win the game.[LNB]"But we should've seen that game out and picked up the three points.[LNB]"If we match them for work ethic, the football nine times out of 10 takes care of itself.[LNB]"When we go out and expect to play football and teams get stuck in around us, we usually come unstuck.[LNB]"First and foremost we have to make sure we go and compete and the rest will take care of itself."[LNB]Derek Riordan scored an eighth-minute opener last weekend, but missed a second-half penalty.[LNB]However, Hughes has backed the Scotland international to step up should Hibs win a penalty this weekend.[LNB]"I'm quite sure he will if he feels confident," said Hughes.[LNB]"He practices free-kicks and penalties. It was just unfortunate.[LNB]"His goal last week was sublime - a real touch of class in the box, working in a tight area, clever enough to get a great wee nutmeg and the finish was fantastic."[LNB]The departure of last season's top scorer Anthony Stokes, who joined Celtic on transfer deadline day, coupled with a metatarsal injury for on-loan Bristol Rovers striker Darryl Duffy leaves Hibs lacking firepower up front.[LNB]Lithuania international forward Valdas Trakys, who signed this week, is likely to start tomorrow's match on the bench as he is lacking match sharpness.[LNB]Hughes believes Trakys can provide the cutting edge he desires.[LNB]"I'm quite sure he can score goals for us," added the manager.[LNB]"He could do with a few games under his belt, but we'll keep working him hard."[LNB]Hamilton's solitary victory this season came at Inverness and Hughes anticipates a difficult contest against Billy Reid's side.[LNB]"Hamilton are a good side," he added.[LNB]"Billy's always got his team well organised. He's done a remarkable job, especially with the young kids as well.[LNB]"With (James) McCarthy and (James) McArthur down at Wigan it shows you the quality he had at his club.[LNB]"They had a bad start, but they're always hard to beat. They've got a siege mentality; they always play like the underdog.[LNB]"I think that's fantastic and it's something I'm trying to instil at this club."
