Hibs boss Mixu is a real diamond geezer

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen has mounted a robust defence of his "diamond" midfield formation insisting it can be a gem of a system for the Easter Road outfit.

Paatelainen's preference for the line-up has been the source of much comment among fans who have questioned its effectiveness.

But while admitting he hasn't got the new system functioning to its maximum, Paatelainen believes it can prove a winner for his players.

He said: "Many people have asked me why we play the diamond shape but I started it because I feel it is a great system to pass the ball. The triangles are there naturally."

Paatelainen agreed, however, that his side need greater width when he deploys a 4-1-2-1-2 formation which sees a holding midfield player working in front of the back four and another more advanced playing behind two strikers.

He said: "I'd agree it sometimes looks a bit narrow, but we are working hard on our full backs and wide midfield players to give us width. I feel our full-backs should be overlapping more, they are a little bit timid for my liking.|

But they look dangerous when Paatelainen abandoned his favoured formation, replacing it with a 4-3-3 at Pittodrie as he started Derek Riordan, Steven Fletcher and Colin Nish together in a three-pronged attack at Pittodrie, the move earning Hibs a vital 2-1 win.

That, he insisted, was just one of many options now available to him. He said: "I feel those three have plenty of goals in them, it's a strikeforce which will give opponents headaches.

"However, while we have that option, it does not mean I will go with those three every week."

Meanwhile, Paatelainen has warned opposition defences that Riordan has still to hit peak fitness despite the fans' favourite scoring three goals since his return to Easter Road.

Although Riordan completed the 90 minutes against Aberdeen, Paatelainen believes he still isn't fit enough to give his all throughout a full match.

He said: "Derek still needs to work on his sharpness. I think he has been looking that bit sharper but I still believe his fitness is not up to 90 minutes but he is working towards that. Maybe with another couple of games we will see the sharp Derek Riordan."