Despite the optimism among fans at the appointment of Jim Jefferies as manager, it was case of “more of the same” at Perth yesterday as Hearts were outplayed for most of the game, which ended in a 1-0 win for St.Johnstone.
Poor passing, lack of movement, lack of goal threat ?. it was no surprise that the usual failings were still there. Although we were missing several key players – Goncalves, Thomson, Wallace, Robinson and Palazuelos – the lack of any automatic “new manager bounce factor” suggests that the players have been very steeped in Csaba Laszlo`s unimaginative football style, and simply knew no other way to play.
A slight improvement in the last 15 minutes saw Hearts produce a few decent chances – with the best coming deep in injury-time, when substitute Gordon Smith saw a shot cleared off the line by a defender.
Unfortunately, Marius Zaliukas had to come off at half-time with an injury, making him doubtful for Tuesday`s League Cup semi-final at Fir Park.
Of course, no-one will blame JJ for this performance, given that he was only appointed less than 24 hours earlier. He even admitted to not knowing anything about some of the newer players like Cinikas or Visconte.
Billy Brown and Gary Locke were in the dug-out yesterday, despite not having been officially appointed. Let`s hope JJ received at least verbal approval from someone in the regime to allow this – it would be awful to think that the new manager could fall foul of the owner on day one for publicly revealing his new backroom team without permission !!
Jefferies comments after the game give us some cause for optimism, I think. Among them, he said – “Today was all about finding out who does what, and who looks the part. I have to start getting them into the team I want, playing the way I want. That can`t be done unless we`re all working together, and that`s when you can make decisions about people and whether they are in your plans or not. That’s something I`m looking forward to, and can`t wait to get started on.”
He also said in a radio interview that he felt Hearts have lacked a midfield player who can get into forward positions quickly. This is a view that I have had for a while too – someone like Hartley or Cameron who were full of energy running on to loose balls and knock-downs near the box, as well as being able to chase back when we lost possession. Last season`s 3rd place finish was helped significantly by Bruno Aguiar`s contribution along these lines – and in some respects I think the team needs someone like this more than it needs a new striker.
In the weeks ahead, it will be interesting to see which players respond positively to new tactics and styles introduced by JJ. Can Nade finally show us he can score goals if he gets better service ? What effect will the new manager have on Michael Stewart and Gary Glen ? Can we become more dangerous at corners and free-kicks ? And what will JJ make of Suso, Kucharski and Witteveen?
Results may not pick up for a while, but I think the football side of the club has been passed on to better hands now, and the future can start to look bright once more.
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Well its obvious JJ didnt have enough time with the team or he would have seen that Kucharski was utter rubbish.
Also ive always thought Witteveen was a threat of scoring goals.
I just hope we can get a striker before the transfer window closes.
I’d have loved to see a striker in, I fancy theres a chance Kevin Kyle might follow JJ by the summer… Anyway, remember Izale McLoed that we all wanted (or at least Csaba) well hes has already fallen out with the Peterborough team who have tried and failed to return him to Charlton!!! Looks like we escaped a real akward character there!
Good spot there, ptown_jambo, about McLeod. Looks like a lucky escape there indeed, although I don’t believe it was really down to “not being good enough” that Vlad vetoed the idea – more a punishment to Csaba for talking out of turn…. plus Vlad would have already planned his exit and would only sanction someone (like Barr) if Metlitski agreed.
I’m happy that we’ve signed Ryan Stevenson though. He looks like a decent player (if his youtube videos are anything to go by) with his best years ahead of him. We’ve missed a box-to-box attacking midfielder and I think with him in the team we might see our strikers scoring more goals.
…slowly finding out Peterborough are about as bad as Hearts… Theyve only gone and sacked a manager only to replace him hours later! and whats worse – appointed Jim Gannon!! Sometimes even being a hearts fan makes me smile ;o)
Yes – lets hope Stevenson makes the step up ok, and gives us a new dimension – which could help our strikers actually.
So whats the betting that Gannon jettisons McLeod in the summer ?
I’d be more inclined to bet that Gannon won’t make the summer…