Who`d have thought that Hearts – with all their history, support and resources – would ever be outplayed, out-manoeuvered and outfought by the mighty Hamilton Academicals ? The loss of 2 goals in the first 20 minutes was bad enough. A lifeline goal scored by Eggert Jonsson before half-time didn`t seem to be enough to improve the ability of our players to string a few passes together and put the home side under significant pressure. Indeed the longer the game went on, it was the home side who created the best chances – although Hearts were denied a late penalty claim when Calum Elliot was fouled in the box from behind.
To add to the misery of a 2-1 defeat, Hearts had 2 men sent off – meaning that yet again, we will be short-handed going in to the next game (against Dundee Utd at Tynecastle). Michael Stewart was shown a straight red card when he reacted in his all-too-common manner to a foul tackle perpetrated on him from behind, although there was some doubt about whether he made any contact with this opponent when venting his anger. Then Ismael Bouzid picked up a second yellow card for tripping Wesolowski in the 2nd half. Goalkeeper Janos Balogh wasn’t able to play the second half due to a leg injury, so Jamie McDonald took over and made some good saves.
Manager Csaba Laszlo was angry enough at the early defensive lapses to remove Dawid Kucharski after the 2nd Hamilton goal, putting David Obua on. The big Ugandan seemed to have caused Hamilton a few problems, and it was his cross which resulted in Jonsson`s goal. Suso Santana made a return to the team today, but was substituted by Elliot with 15 minutes left.
An after-match fight in the tunnel involving players from both sides didn`t do our reputation any good either. Apparently Santana was a central protagonist in the scuffle, and it remains to be seen if he will suffer a retrospective punishment from the referee.
Although the early season view was that an experienced goalscorer would solve all our problems, it does seem as if there`s more to it than that. Our defence continues to lose 1 or 2 goals every game, and the midfield seems unable to exert continued pressure on other teams due to poor decision-making.
No doubt, Csaba will present his case for making January purchases to Vladimir soon. However it is quite possible that our owner will take a dim view of this request – pointing out that teams like Motherwell and Aberdeen are faring pretty well with a new batch of youngsters – while spending less on transfers and wages than Hearts are.
What are your views on today`s result ? and where we go from here ?
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The first 20 mins or so was an utter disgrace! Whichever way you look at it we should have better players than Hamilton (and other teams) but something is lacking – I’m not sure what. A combination of desire, fight, confidence ….. and the problem only seems to be getting worse. While we could certainly do with a striker, Laszlo is seemingly not capable at the moment of working with what he’s got. I can’t see a barrowload of cahs being released in January and the example of the teams you mention is hardly likely to make Vlad release the purse strings. I don’t necessarily think we need to sell (as such) before we maybe get other players. Please please please just release Kingston and use the money saved in wages to bring in a SPL calibre player – nothing fancy. I’d be tempted to do the same with Nade. I think I’d rather see Jose stay until the summer though as he does have a contribution to make. All very depressing stuff, made worse as I understand that Suso and Black both got red carded after the match along with a yellow for Eggert. Both us and Dundee Utd might find it hard to field recognisable teams next week!
Good comments there, inm. Yes – Suso and Black seem to have been red-carded too, along with our masseur !! Thats got to be a first – a pub quiz question of the future, without a doubt !! Oh well, we’d probably struggle to beat Utd even with all these guys, so what have we got to lose by chucking in the youngsters ?
The result was bad enough – particularly when we had a chance to cut the gap with the top 6 – and with 2 players sent off during the game plus the the bulls**t after the game (in the tunnel) – where are we headed. Reading the headlines in Oz things look very sad for us Jambos fans. Is our goal to reach the most red cards of any football side on the planet? 18 red cards (or so) in a season and a half is an absolute disgrace for any club – I’m ashamed that it is us that holds that record.
Thanks for that info, AJ – I hadn’t realised that its actually 18 reds since Csaba took over. Embarassing, as you say. Some other clubs must come close to that – Dundee Utd and Aberdeen perhaps ? What I’d like to know is how can Motherwell fare pretty well in the SPL with no money and poor support… and yet still be near the top of the fair play league ? Is it down to coaching ? Is it scouting better youngsters .. and not buying in so many outsiders ?
I’m losing faith with Csaba at the moment – he’s good when he has some talent to field as he did last season – but this season he is struggling – it appears he doesn’t have much faith with our young guns – and yet as Specs noted Aberdeen are doing well with theirs. If my memory serves me correctly Motherwell couldn’t even field a team at the start of the season – where are they sitting now? I reckon we’ve got some young talent but the current tactics of playing 1 or no forwards is not working – please, Csaba – play attacking football – hopefully we can get in front THEN defend it rather than what you’re doing now!
Good questions Specs – to me the best clubs to look at this season are Motherwell and (dare I say say this!!) Hibs! I have to admire Motherwell this season so far when you see how they started – do we need a total clean out too!! I believe we need to clean out the big wage bill (ie Kingston & especially Nade) and nurture our youngsters together with some experienced role models that’s what is now lacking, I believe. (see next post)
(continued) If Vlad had held onto Pressley and Hartley they would have been good role models – add Robbo as a striking coach – I reckon we’d be where Hibs are today – if not better. It still doesn’t answer the tactics problem I stated before – but at least I believe we’d be looking forward rather than struggling with relegation – on a positive note – isn’t it making for an exciting season!!!!!
Dundee Utd at home, Celtic at home, Falkirk away, Motherwell at home, Hibs away. I fear the worst. I’m sure the atmosphere at the game on Saturday will be amazing. This season is a right off. We need a complete gut out and I will go as far to say that the rott we have at the moment will affect us in to next season. Yes the glass is half empty but this is how bad it has got. We can only hope the rest of the SPL do us favours and drop points…
Well I certainly HOPE the atmosphere on Saturday is amazing, Dicksonium …. but I suspect it will be a let-down. Mr Levein knows better than most how the Tynecastle crowd react to seeing their team being outfought, and will probably set his team out to dominate right from the start. The crowd reaction will be silence, then frustration, then anger. Hope I’m wrong though !!