Hearts (H)

[Chick A Saw]

Move Liam Smith back to RB and put Freeman in front of him?
Also Harkes' absence should be convincing his doubters that he's a better player than he's given credit for.
And if Butcher ever makes it off the Naughty Step I'd have him in at the back instead of Ross Graham for the last 4 games.
Lastly, Charlie Mulgrew has been an excellent addition to this squad & not knocking him but yesterday was a reminder that he's 36 & not 26.

Graham has made one big mistake and i think its rather harsh to drop him just because of that. I look back not so long ago and see our best 3 at the back containing Edwards(Neilson), Butcher and Graham, and while i dont think Mulgrew was that bad yesterday, i would rather have Butcher in there again, but alas the later has done something the club find unacceptable and i doubt will play for us again!

[tHeArAb]

Move Liam Smith back to RB and put Freeman in front of him?
Also Harkes' absence should be convincing his doubters that he's a better player than he's given credit for.
And if Butcher ever makes it off the Naughty Step I'd have him in at the back instead of Ross Graham for the last 4 games.
Lastly, Charlie Mulgrew has been an excellent addition to this squad & not knocking him but yesterday was a reminder that he's 36 & not 26.

Can't see how Butcher ever gets back in this team tbh. Even then, we're settled with three at the back. I think we proved that when we switched to a back four a few weeks ago and were awful, so that's not the issue for me. The issue is them being exposed by our non existent midfield.

[TerryTheTerror]

plenty of times we have been just as bad with Butcher and Harkes in midfield

While this is true I can't remember any opposition player getting the space and time Mackay got yesterday. I mean you have to give him some credit for finding it but, seriously, it's an utter embarrassment the space and time he was afforded. ☹️

[ARAbCHNID]

Ach we're still 4th anyway. Can't see us catching the Hearts now tho, that was a real 6-pointer yesterday!

[shedka]

We are severely weakened just now with those guys out, early season we had this two plus an on form Fuchs, now we just have Levitt, that's not his style

Yesterday also reminded me why I didn't miss Mulgrew when the back three was Butcher Edwards Graham

We also have to accept not only are Hearts better than us this season but they have our number aswell

Just look at aggregate goals for and against for us vs each team so far, obviously Hearts only team we have played 4 times but even before yesterday they'd scored most against us,we've scored more vs them any other opponent so far aswell weirdly

Hearts 6-12 (-6) 0-1-3
Celtic 1-5 (-4) 0-1-2
Livingston 2-4 (-2) 0-1-2
Aberdeen 2-3 (-1) 1-1-1
St Mirren 3-3 (0) 1-1-1
The Rangers 2-2 (0) 1-1-1
St Johnstone 1-1 (0) 1-1-1
Hibernian 5-4 (+1) 1-1-1
Dundee 3-2 (+1) 1-2-0
Motherwell 4-2 (+2) 2-0-1
Ross County 4-2 (+2) 2-1-0

[Arabdownsouth]

We are severely weakened just now with those guys out, early season we had this two plus an on form Fuchs, now we just have Levitt, that's not his style

Yesterday also reminded me why I didn't miss Mulgrew when the back three was Butcher Edwards Graham

We also have to accept not only are Hearts better than us this season but they have our number aswell

Just look at aggregate goals for and against for us vs each team so far, obviously Hearts only team we have played 4 times but even before yesterday they'd scored most against us,we've scored more vs them any other opponent so far aswell weirdly

Hearts 6-12 (-6) 0-1-3
Celtic 1-5 (-4) 0-1-2
Livingston 2-4 (-2) 0-1-2
Aberdeen 2-3 (-1) 1-1-1
St Mirren 3-3 (0) 1-1-1
The Rangers 2-2 (0) 1-1-1
St Johnstone 1-1 (0) 1-1-1
Hibernian 5-4 (+1) 1-1-1
Dundee 3-2 (+1) 1-2-0
Motherwell 4-2 (+2) 2-0-1
Ross County 4-2 (+2) 2-1-0

Interesting that the two teams we have the best record against the two teams we really need to beat. Let's hope we can maintain our good record against them. Beat them both and 4th is ours I reckon

[shedka]

Interesting that the two teams we have the best record against the two teams we really need to beat. Let's hope we can maintain our good record against them. Beat them both and 4th is ours I reckon

True, doesn't always work like that but I reckon it's gonna be very tight and there won't be many wins for any of the three

Crazy the we've only conceded 7 in 6 games vs the uglies, some teams have taken 6/7 in one game

I reckon 5th/6th for us due to the weakened midfield options just now

Would be delighted if we had 4th to play for come Dingwall

Also we have started scoring more goals recently but the only win one of the games we've scored 2 goals in, defence and Benji letting us down, but I thin the midfield weakness missing Harkes energy and Butchers presence is key to that

[Arabdownsouth]

True, doesn't always work like that but I reckon it's gonna be very tight and there won't be many wins for any of the three

Crazy the we've only conceded 7 in 6 games vs the uglies, some teams have taken 6/7 in one game

I reckon 5th/6th for us due to the weakened midfield options just now

Would be delighted if we had 4th to play for come Dingwall

Also we have started scoring more goals recently but the only win one of the games we've scored 2 goals in, defence and Benji letting us down, but I thin the midfield weakness missing Harkes energy and Butchers presence is key to that

If results go our way on Saturday we could be 4 points ahead of both Motherwell and County with a decent goal difference advantage too. I'd say that would put us in the box seat as they would both have to play each other still plus away to each half of the old firm. Very strong chance that the game against County will be a 4th place play off in my opinion. Despite my disappointment yesterday I still think 4th is very achievable, but we do need more steel in the middle of the park definitely

[arab1970]

True, doesn't always work like that but I reckon it's gonna be very tight and there won't be many wins for any of the three

Crazy the we've only conceded 7 in 6 games vs the uglies, some teams have taken 6/7 in one game

I reckon 5th/6th for us due to the weakened midfield options just now

Would be delighted if we had 4th to play for come Dingwall

Also we have started scoring more goals recently but the only win one of the games we've scored 2 goals in, defence and Benji letting us down, but I thin the midfield weakness missing Harkes energy and Butchers presence is key to that

No mention of their actually football ability

[shedka]

Harkes probably been our best player this season or close to it, has plenty ability, look at the goals, the technique, on top of the energy and pace, Butcher had been in excellent form both when covering CB or CM, he really drove us on a ltllin Paisley 2nd half

Ability wise both top six players and the kind you want in your squad at worst and add better players beside them

Our bench right now has nothing on it, when you take those out, plus McDonald not being available, Fuchs from early season, we are left with one good midfielder in Levitt, who is good on the ball but isn't getting round the park all day, it's not his style, you need the others

Would be difficult for any team to win games with what we have available just now, nevermind expecting wins over a better side with a big squad while the goalie and Mulgrew half an off day