Hibernian were given a massive boost recently when the news arrived that striker Kevin Nisbet is set to extend his contract with the club. Although he has been overshadowed by Hibernian’s current man in-form Martin Boyle this season, he has stated that he is content with contributing for his team in any way possible. Nisbet informed in a recent interview that he is not troubled by his goal drought and that overall, he remains satisfied with his contribution to his team’s play. He is confident and believes he is developing into a complete striker.
Last season he enjoyed a brilliant goal scoring run, scoring fourteen goals and adding further two assists in thirty-three games in the Scottish Premiership. This season he has only been able to score two in goals in six league games. He opened his account in the home game against Livingston and scored another in their away loss against the league leaders Rangers. His partnership with Boyle in the attack has been fruitful for Hibernian, although it is the Australian international Boyle who is enjoying the majority of the goal scoring exploits. Nisbet is more well-rounded than his attacking counterparts, Boyle and Doidge. He is more mobile and clinical than Doidge and better at hold-up play than Boyle. Nisbet is clinical in the opponent penalty area although he can improve his shooting from outside the opponent box.
Let’s take a deep dive into his stats to understand his strengths and areas where he can improve if he is to replicate his last season’s form in front of the goal.
Nisbet’s mobility and his high work rate is indicated in his previous season’s heat map. He has been most active in the opponent half in front of the opposition box. Nisbet is instrumental in the build-up phases for his team as he tends to drop deep in order to link up with his midfielders.
We can see that his heatmap is starting to evolve into a similar shape as last season. The red zone near the centre in the opponent half indicates that he is highly active in those areas. Nisbet’s mobility and work rate allow him to get into dangerous areas of the pitch where he can manipulate the ball to his team’s advantage.
Nisbet’s shot map from last season displays that he is clinical in front of the goal inside the opposition penalty area as he has scored most of his goals from inside the opposition box. He can improve his shooting accuracy from outside the box.
Nisbet’s shots from this season’s shot map indicate that he isn’t shy in taking his shots. Although he has found it difficult to put the ball in the back of the net. So far he has scored two goals in the league, both of them from inside the opposition box.
Nisbet’s attacking and creativity stats are impressive this season as indicated by the above stats. He surpasses league median value in the majority of the attacking and creativity metrics. In addition, he is a competent dribbler who can create goal-scoring chances for his teammates.
Kevin Nisbet still has ways to go if he is to transform into a complete forward. His stats suggest that he is more well rounded than his other attacking counterparts. He has already displayed an impressive goal output in the previous season and if he continues to improve his shooting accuracy from outside the opposition penalty area and his ability on the ball, he is sure to replicate his form from the previous season.
