Source: Team_Talk
Mixu left guessing over Hibs side
Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen can only guess at how the managerless Hibernian players will perform in Saturday's SPL clash at Easter Road.[LNB] The Leith club are looking for a new boss after the departure of John Hughes with Under-19 coach Alistair Stevenson and first-team coach Gareth Evans taking the team for the visit of Killie.[LNB]Paatelainen, the former Hibs striker who was also boss of the club between 2008 and 2009, reckons it is difficult to assess the mind-set of the Hibees players as they await the appointment of a new manager.[LNB]"I'm sad that the club decided to change the manager but that's part and parcel of football, unfortunately," he said.[LNB]"How the players will react to that is the question.[LNB]"I feel some players will react positively and will be carefree, if you like.[LNB]"There will be a little uncertainty in the minds of some players and maybe they won't quite know what to expect.[LNB]"So it will be difficult to guess how they will react and go about it but one thing is for sure, Alistair Stevenson and Gareth Evans know their stuff, the know how to get the players ready and organised and it will be a difficult match for us."[LNB]Paatelainen is not so sure that scoring the first goal will necessarily increase the pressure on the Hibs players, who have not won at Easter Road since they beat Killie in March.[LNB]The Finn pointed back to their meeting in the Co-operative Insurance Cup in September when the Leith side took the lead at Rugby Park, only to lose 3-1.[LNB]"Hopefully we will get the first goal and put them under pressure but it doesn't always happen like that," he said.[LNB]"The recent Co-op cup game we played at Rugby Park last month is a good example.[LNB]"We wanted a good start but they started the game better and scored after eight minutes and we were on the receiving end for the first 20 minutes.[LNB]"We realise they have players that can do that but we bounced back to win as we have done a few times this season.[LNB]"Whatever happens we must be strong mentally and win the match."
