After the controversy of JJ`s exit and immediate replacement by 43 year-old Portuguese Paulo Sergio on Monday, the week has taken a turn for the better when the team recorded a fine 4-1 win over Paksi to progress to the final play-off qualifying round of the Europa League (5-2 on aggregate).
I couldn’t make it along to the game, but the radio commentary suggested that Hearts should have scored more – although the Hungarian visitors forced a couple of great saves from Marian Kello. 2 goals from Ryan Stevenson (complete with stitched-up hand from the 1st leg) plus one each from Andrew Driver and substitute Rudi Skacel will have gladdened the spirits of the fans and the new management team. Vladimir Romanov watched from the stand, having earlier held a meeting with supporter representatives, and he will feel thoroughly satisfied that his actions this week will not be attracting any “we told you so” comments from the “monkeys” in the media.
I`ve been comforted and impressed with the reported comments from Vladimir this week. He has explained his reasons, which seem fairly logical, and has reminded the players that he is expecting a serious challenge to the Old Firm to last beyond January this time.
Paulo Sergio said after the match that he was happy with the result, but felt that there were things to be improved on – a good sign I think, since Vladimir seems to have instructed him to get the team playing better football. Paulo talks well in his interviews and seems to be a very likeable man. Let`s hope he can get the team flying, along the lines of last season`s October-to-December form when goals and attacking play were in plentiful supply.
Finally, it`s good to see that Rudi Skacel has signed a 6-month contract extension. It`s not clear if that`s all that Hearts offered him, or if that`s all he was willing to commit to – I suspect it may be the former, in which case I think it`s a smart move by the club. It will hopefully provide an incentive for Rudi to get into top gear quickly in order to earn another extension. Tonight`s goal is a good start.
Maybe Vladimir isn`t quite as mad as we think !!
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well i watched the game online and was largely impressed, though i cant honestly say there was anything ‘new’ about paulo’s hearts – ok so maybe driver starting was a shock; and actually he was one of the poorer performers, tho did get better as the game went on. I have tho been continuously impressed with the new gaffer and particularly how both he and vlad have praised JJ for being a good man etc etc Its actually been just about coherent in explaining the whys and the parting seems on pretty good terms… good luck paulo, please learn what ‘geez a wave’ means and then learn how to tell chick young to jog on!
Doesn’t count for squat though does it, you’re out next round. We’ll be playing a team of kids, good kids that want to play in the first team, so they’ll be well up for it. Unlucky Hearts. COYS!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice to have the first-ever Spurs fan post on our page. Indeed we probably are out next round … no-one would expect an SPL team to beat an EPL team. But when you say “doesn’t count for squat”, are you seriously suggesting that there’s no point in winning a Euro tie if you don’t end up winning the competition ? Seriously ?
I agree ptown_jambo ? this time around I think we have been given a fairly sound set of reasons as to why it was decided that we had to change management teams yet again. I think Romanov is showing ambition and desire for Hearts to succeed (not always evident in the past) and the respect shown to JJ has been admirable. The stuff in the press lately about aiming to win the league etc. is ambitious (naive you might say) but surely a good thing. We do lie down to the Glasgow domination in Scotland ? just accept it really and we shouldn?t do that. It doesn?t help that for all sorts of reasons the establishment do all they can to ensure this domination continues and of course Romanov despises this and sees it as corruption (hence the often incomprehensible rants about monkeys etc.). You can?t win if you don?t have the right mindset. Whether you put it down to punt up the park football or mentally settling for third place ? let?s be honest JJ was never going to win it. He?s too entrenched like the rest of us and a manager without the baggage (and who embraces a passing game) might well be the answer. Oh yes and we need to invest a bit on the playing side ? we don?t need to go mad but one or two real quality signings wouldn?t go amiss. Romanov needs to back up his ambition with a bit of cash ? we?ll see.
Really looking forward to the Europa tie lads. Think a lot of us Spurs fans will be underestimating you, but its by no means going to be a walk in the park.
As one living in Englandshire, and someone whos sunday league team has many spurs fans in, and indeed, i live with a spurs fan, i know its being shrugged off as a walk in the park. Now I’m both grown up and intelligent enough to know that it should be Spurs easing through, however my mate has (unlike most) seen plenty of hearts on TV and knows how good we can play and while confident is not totally unbareable. yet… We are capable, though will need some luck and need to be so so much better than the last two league games.