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Benji slams Hibs tactics

3rd December 2008

Hibernian striker Abdessalam Benjelloun has risked the wrath of manager Mixu Paatelainen by branding his tactics 40 years out of date.

Benjelloun, who is on loan at Belgian club Charleroi until the end of the year, reckons Paatelainen relies too much on an "English" style long-ball game.

"Mixu Paatelainen is a Finn who plays football in the style of the English game in the 1960s," said the 23-year-old Moroccan.

"He very much favours a long-ball game. And with this style of play, technically-skilled players like myself don't have too much of a chance.

"The Scottish league is another world. The game is quick, tough and physical and is on a different planet to Belgian football.

"The Belgian league is skilful and strong, with a high standard. It's different to Scotland where they play at 100mph. Here the game is slower and more thoughtful."

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