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We only looked better in certain stages of the 2nd half because Hearts were 1-0 up and they dropped off a bit because they were winning, was always going to happen. Them dropping deeper gave us a chance to put pressure on them and that's what happened, just a pity we couldn't as the home team put them under pressure from KO. Sadly we just don't have the personnel to do that just now.Quote:
Originally Posted by tHeArAb
Change in shape second half made a big difference. Took control of the midfield with our 3 in there. Thought Watson was a real positive too. So passive in first half, regardless of shape.
Such a strange game. Overall we were not good enough. Hearts seemed largely in control. They only had 3 shots on target, 2 for the first goal and one fir the second. Gordon makes 4 top saves.
Overall really strange game. We were poor but on another day could have nicked 3 points. A point wouldn't have flattered us. This season we will likely play worse and win and play better and lose.
Did Hearts drop off because they were winning or did our personnel & formation change change the game. I'll go with the latter. The second half started exactly as the first finished. If it wasn't for the experience of Butcher replacing Levitt and the extra man in midfield due to the change of shape, I don't think we'd have seen any difference whatsoever.Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitfieldarab
I never thought I'd say this but Butcher and Harkes improved us but that was because we were so poor before. They both had a shot at goal saved by Gordon.Quote:
Originally Posted by tHeArAb
But looking at the big picture, what did we create for our two strikers over 90 minutes ?
As far as I can recall nothing.
We are still short on midfield quality and missing a decent striker. Unless we sign one I just don't see where goals are going to come from.
However Hearts Hibs and Aberdeen have spent massively on player wages. We are playing catch up.
Yip. We were so disappointing that first half. To let them dominate possession so much was criminal. Okay, they had very little in the way of chances but you can't let a team have over 70% possession and not expect them to break through at some point.Quote:
Originally Posted by stokearab
No signings expected according to Courts so looks like we're going with what we have which is disappointing.
For me the initial team selection midfield wise was the issue. Mochrie is a midfielder (not a wide player) and at the moment shld be used from the bench. Levitt is needing time to adjust to the Scottish game and looks of the pace. For those reasons I wld’t have started either of them today.
The subs made the difference and improved us. I don’t think our improvement was down to hearts dropping off but more down to the fact that we were more competitive in the middle of the park and winning balls. Also Watson direct running gave them a problem out wide that they seemed to struggle with. On another day we cld easily have hit a draw out of that game.
I’m still hoping that we are going to bring in another striker but it is looking unlikely.
Levitt was excellent last week so I had no issues with him starting. Was more surprised at Butcher not starting given he was fit. Hearts are a big strong team and we needed a battler in there from the first minute.
Playing the so called lesser teams our high tempo game will see us get points. They will make mistakes and offer up space. Against the better teams if we can't keep the ball better we are going to lose more than we win.
We need to find a settled midfield and ask them to work on passing, passing passing. Passing and moving. Keeping the ball for as long as possible and look for a cutting forward pass when we've moved the opposition around and we can get the ball in to McNulty or Clark to feet. I know that's not easy but as someone above said, you keep giving teams like Hearts all the possession they will eventually hurt you with it.
A revi talised Pawlett may now be first on that midfield team sheet but the rest, well Tam these are the answers you're paid to find.
I thought levitt struggled a bit last week too mate. Not a criticism because I think with a few more games under his belt he will do a job for us. I just wld not have started him with mochrie in the middle, because as you say hearts are a strong team. But agree was surprised by butchers exclusionQuote:
Originally Posted by tHeArAb
I liked the lineup when I saw it before the game but in hindsight asking Levitt Mochrie and Sporle to dominate the game was over optimistic.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arabknight
Sevco Celtic Hearts Hibs and Aberdeen have better players than us overall, so to beat them you need a few things to happen that work in your favour. We did those things well v Sevco and St Johnstone, maybe no coincidence that they were in back to back European competition. Without adding some quality it's not going to be easy. Saying that, on another day we get a point and would gave considered it decent.
I feel we're progressing but I think the decision not to replace Shankland will kill our top 6 hopes.
Maybe this Finnish lad will add a threat we've been lacking.