The 5 things Nick Montgomery has already changed at Hibs

OK, maybe it doesn't, but there's no denying things are a lot different at Hibs since the last time Scottish football put itself on pause for a fortnight. The arrival of Nick Montgomery has heralded the return of optismism to Easter Road, and the temporary cessation of domestic duties is instead met with frustration from supporters, as opposed to the welcome relief that it brought when Lee Johnson's tenure began to fully unravel.

Thus far, the headline outcomes speak for themselves with Montgomery: he is unbeaten, plays entertaining football, and has ensured Hibs have a real chance at winning the Viaplay Cup. Not a bad start, yet there is plenty of work still to do.

Here, the Hibs Observer looks at five key areas of change since the new manager started work.

Shift in key statistics

As ever when a new manager arrives, there have been changes in the headline figures which summarise how Hibs are faring.

As the overview below shows, they have performed impressively in several attacking metrics in their four Premiership matches under Montgomery, especially when compared to the last four of Johnson's reign. Hibs have a higher expected goals (xG), are taking more shots (and from better areas), and have created more chances from set-pieces. The graphics below show Hibs' attacking metrics against the league average from the first four league matches of the season, and then the four in which Montgomery has led the team.

Defensively, xG conceded has decreased very slightly but the overall difference is not so stark as at the other end of the pitch. Interestingly, Hibs are conceding more shots, albeit Hearts’ 22 in the weekend derby will have skewed what is a small sample size.

With only four games either side of the managerial change, all the numbers here must be taken with a pinch of salt. But that several have moved in the right direction can be taken as a source of early encouragement.

Formation change

The change most obvious to the naked eye has been how Hibs line-up. In the defeat to Livingston towards the end of his tenure, Johnson deployed a 4-3-3 with Allan Delferriere in midfield alongside Joe Newell and Jimmy Jeggo, with the shape at times shifting to a 4-2-3-1, as demonstrated below.

Hibs’ performances around this time were characterised by a lack of incisiveness and a tendency to give away sloppy goals, suggesting the formation was not working in or out of possession.

A look at Hibs’ passing network from the opening day  defeat to St Mirren compared to their last home match against Dundee gives a clear indication of the differences in shape. The graphics below shows players' average position when receiving the ball. In general, the team is playing higher up the pitch, particularly the full-backs and forward line.

Montgomery, of course, has switched to a 4-4-2 which essentially becomes 4-2-4 in possession. The double pivot, which has almost exclusively remained Newell and Jeggo, will drop to receive, but if they find themselves marked there is an expectation for centre-backs to move forward with the ball to try and draw opposition players out of shape.

The first example below captures  the initial setup from goal kicks, and the second - from later in the game - shows Bushiri driving forward into space. Note the numbers Hibs have in the final third, with all of the front four pushing high, and left-back Jordan Obita advancing on the left.

Note below the numbers Hibs have in the final third, with all of the front four pushing high, and left-back Jordan Obita advancing on the left. As Obita moves forward, right-back Lewis Miller can be seen tucking in on the other side to provide added security if the ball turns over quickly.

When Hibs progress into the final third, there is clearly an emphasis on getting bodies into the box. But the front four are also required to aid in the build-up. Where Hibs have encountered problems in possession under Montgomery has been when there is no link between midfield and attack. Below is a typical example of how it can work, though, with Christian Doidge dropping off the front to receive from Lewis Stevenson. Dylan Vente stays high, with Martin Boyle and Elie Youan hugging the touchline on either flank.

Stylistic changes

The change in shape has also been borne out in a number of stylistic alterations. Hibs’ passing statistics point to a side putting increased emphasis on retaining possession and building up from the back. The number of successful passes per game is up, and the length of passes made by the goalkeeper is down, showing how David Marshall is becoming increasingly involved in build-up.

In attack, Hibs are less reliant on crosses in their build-up play. The percentages of passes into the box which are crosses is down to 24 per cent from 36 per cent. The total amount of passes being played into the box is roughly the same, but the success rate has increased, pointing to a side with a clearer idea of how it wants to attack, and being more efficient in its execution.

Above all, though, it's clearly just a more fun brand of football. With such a wealth of options in the forward areas, there was no need for Montgomery to reinvent the wheel with his approach, rather it has been about building a platform for these players to go and express themselves.

A hint of resilience?

If the numbers leave you feeling a bit cold, it can be argued Montgomery has also made a swift impact on the more intangible qualities good teams must possess. Recovering from two goals down amid the hostility of Tynecastle is a promising sign that this Hibs team has, for the lack of a more scientific phrase, ‘a bit more about it’ these days.

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Not for three years and seven months had any Hibs side recovered from two goals down in a match, a step forward in itself, but to do it on a venue they have struggled badly in recent years speaks to a hardened mental fortitude. Going 2-0 down to Hearts could’ve proven disastrous, especially with the galling manner in which the second was conceded, but Montgomery’s kept their cool and, by full-time, their unbeaten record under his guidance.

With matches against Celtic and Rangers to come, plus a Viaplay Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden, we’ll know a lot more about this side’s resilience in a month or so.

Fans back onside

The first thing Montgomery had to, one way or another, was lift morale around Easter Road. A couple of vibrant European evenings aside, it had been a thoroughly miserable start to a new campaign.

There was considerable disillusion with the management by the time a change was made, which may have helped Montgomery to an extent by placing the bar for improvement so low. However, it cannot be denied that supporters immediately took to the former Central Coast Mariners boss.

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Straight-talking and down to earth, he was antithetic to the more flamboyant and outspoken Johnson, which for most supporters was a welcome change of tact. But still, he needed to deliver improvements quickly, and has done so.

Montgomery is yet to taste defeat in his new role, has improved the style of play, produced an unlikely Tynecastle comeback and has booked fans an always-welcome trip to Hampden next month. Several players seem rejuvenated by his arrival, and there is palpable optimism over where it might lead next.