I have heard some stupid reasons forwarded for lack of success but saying the opposition are setting up defences against his forwards is a real contender for the stupidest.

Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen is blaming the opposition for his sides lack of goals recently. He expects to be taken seriously when complaining that other teams are adopting a defensive formation to counteract his attacking formation. Hibs are now in the bottom six in the SPL thanks in part to after going five games without a victory. Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Falkirk was their second consecutive game without scoring - despite starting with a foursome of strikers in Steven Fletcher, Colin Nish, Derek Riordan and Jonatan Johansson. Paatelainen believes that this kind of formation means opponents are adopting a defensive strategy that is proving hard to overcome. I am sorry, but is that not what good teams are meant to be able to do - adapt to how the opposition is playing?

Hibs face in-form Hamilton at New Douglas Park on Wednesday night aiming to close the three-point gap on sixth-placed Motherwell. Paatelainen said: "Other teams know we have players who can score goals so they defend in numbers against us and that's why we have ended up with quite a few draws recently. We need the three points but when teams defend as they are against us it can be difficult. It was never going to be easy against Falkirk, they are a decent side with experienced players who know what they are doing and are well organised at the back. Even so, in the first half we could, and probably should, have scored and I was disappointed we didn't, given the personnel we fielded. I felt there was plenty of goals in the team but on another day we'll get two or three."

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