Hibs have only lost just twice in the SPL this season and Abdessalam Benjelloun sees this as being down to them no longer being the "soft" touch they were once viewed as. Hibs sit in third place just two points leaders Celtic on the same total as Rangers, who have a game in hand. After being critical of the regime under Mixu Paatelainen Benjelloun feels manager John Hughes has instilled a steel hand within the silk glove that delivers the passing football Hibs are noted for. The Morocco international said: "It was the case in the past that any time a strong physical team played against us they felt confident, they felt we were soft. But this year we have shown that we can play good football but with a physical edge to our game. In every game we fight for every ball - we are physically stronger now that we were in the past. When our technique and passing game does not work then we have to fight for every ball, and if we do that not many teams will beat Hibernian this year."

Saturday sees Hibs take on a Motherwell side which is rather different than the one who Benji claims gave them their easiest game of the season. The Easter Road side enjoyed a 3-1 win at Fir Park in September after taking control early in the second half. Benjelloun said: "We played very well against Motherwell the last time - for me it was the easiest game this season. But they will come to us this week with a new mentality I feel. They know they have lost only once in the league this year and that was against us, they will remember that game and be much more determined this time. It is important for us that we win this game and keep our run going, and I hope also that the stadium will be full on Saturday. I really hope the fans come to watch, because before we would play good one game, bad the next and the stadium was full. We need the fans now to come and help us to win - especially at Easter Road."