Unbelievable run by the team, a huge resurgence after what has been viewed in the previous seasons. Huge thanks to Jimmy whose calm persona gives the players a chance to express their true skills,
Something i think is worth mentioning is. Our opening 7 fixtures this season, almost exactly mirror Hearts opening 7 fixtures last season. We've played the same teams (even down to playing eachother). Last season, Hearts won 3 of those games, lost 3, and drew 1. They then went on to draw with Hibs, lose to Celtic, then lose to Rangers, then beat Livingston. They picked up 10 points in their opening 7 games. They didn't reach 21 points (actually 23) until the beat Kilmarnock on 2nd December. Hearts were being dribbled over last season, as potentially splitting the Old Firm, on that kind of form. Don't get me wrong, i'm delighted, to an extent, that we're not being talked about, as it allows Jimmy to just do his thing with no added pressure. We just go along and take each game as it comes, but i think the comparison between us and Hearts last season is striking, and worth pointing out.
you have to hand it to the manager for his subs again and knowing what the problem is and fixing it. to bring on Duk after 2 games out of the squad Jimmy gives him his chance and the way he played was the big game changer along with Palaversa who took the chance Sokler couldn’t take. that’s 15 players with goals, Duk is back so I think the 16th will come soon enough if Duk keeps up that attitude and reminds us why he was our star player two seasons ago and did things on the ball that were stunning to watch and that’s the player that came off the bench and not the hot and cold player of last season, he was too hot for hearts to handle and made it a match to remember at a packed stadium.
100% agree with you about shankland!! I hope palversa starts against Celtic too. I’d drop clarkson, very skilful but a bit light weight against tougher opponents. Glad you didn’t join The Fizz as well!! 😂
I just have a concern about our 11 players in the box to defend corners or certain free kicks, if you look at the 2 hearts goals they scored it was when we had everyone in our box, 1st goal Shankland was free in or just outside the 6 yard area to pass the ball for the first and the second is similar in the way we had all players in the box leaving 2 or 3 hearts players free and Shinnie was left in two minds about which player to get close to and the boy that scored had so much time to pick his spot while shinnie was unsure who to go to because no one else was near them as they all are bunched up inside our box and it also leaves us with no out ball and that’s a concern if the same thing happens at Celtic.
Midfield triangle of Shinnie, Nielsen, Palaversa in front. Duk on left, Keskinen on right. 4-5-1 which can switch to a 4-2-1-3 in a counter attack. Clarkson and McGrath to come on as the boys tire. We've got Polvara to fit in this team come November.
It was a tough listen, could of easily been buried at half time. The grit shown when falling behind, shows the difference in character this season. It's early days , so far so good
Thought we were poor for much of Saturday. We keep sitting off teams once we take the lead, whereas the old firm press the advantage and kill games. Nisbet was coming too deep, which isnt his game, Mcgrath & Clarkson need a striker who can hold the ball up and link better so its Duk up top for me. Id play Nielson, Palaversa & Shinnie in midfield, with Mcgrath, Keskinen and Duk the forward 3 in a high press against Celtic. We arent strong enough to sit back and absorb wave after wave of attack. Play a high energy press with our strongest midfield 3 as a safety net behind.
Rarely can a team successfully bait and switch, by simply inviting a team to attack and hoping to counter. More often, the pressure becomes overbearing and the collapse inevitable. Last season we lost heavily in the same fixture setting up defiantly to frustrate. It rarely works. Besides, we are good enough to go and win the game on merit..
I think Palaversa has to start maybe Duk off the bench again as he needs minutes on the pitch to get through 90 minutes against Celtic. Nelson makes us tick. Simmy is a legend and it was great to watch him get his moment before kick off in front of a sell out stadium.
Shamklands attitude unreal was that exact attitude why our beloved club got rid . Fact he's a club captain and behaving like that boy defo belonges with THE rangers
I really like Thelins grasp of things and his ability to articulate in a second language. The Dundee and Hearts game have brought issues with certain players and our system into focus. All of us recognise a similar performance at Parkhead will result in a thrashing. But Pittodrie this season has been buzzing and full time on Sunday was very special. He was so right to say " So lets enjoy this." It suggests to me I already know the changes needed but lets enjoy the moment. Great psychology.
Shankland's career screams one season wonder. the guys career has nothing in it to suggest he was anything special until last season. a good SPl striker probably but to have an attitude like he does he needs to have done it more than that
He wasn't even special last season. His conversion rate was poor. On average he scored 1 goal, every 5 shots. That's not prolific. Last season, everything Hearts did was through him, he got the lions share of the chances. Their second highest scorer was Vargas, on 9 goals. It doesn't then take a genius to work out, if Shankland isn't scoring, then Hearts aren't winning, and that's been their problem this season. He's had more shots than any player in the Premier League, and i think he's scored 1 goal, and Hearts are still winless.
One other thing and I will stop the rant about defending, the first goal by hearts and the way the players defend all bunched up in the box also made the keeper and Devlin collide as there is not much room in a packed area in our box with all our players around the goal and leaving players free, we can’t defend like that at Celtic as they will take advantage of all that room in and around the box. I hope it’s just something the players are progressing at when defending and do it better in future.
Unbelievable run by the team, a huge resurgence after what has been viewed in the previous seasons. Huge thanks to Jimmy whose calm persona gives the players a chance to express their true skills,
Something i think is worth mentioning is. Our opening 7 fixtures this season, almost exactly mirror Hearts opening 7 fixtures last season.
We've played the same teams (even down to playing eachother). Last season, Hearts won 3 of those games, lost 3, and drew 1. They then went on to draw with Hibs, lose to Celtic, then lose to Rangers, then beat Livingston. They picked up 10 points in their opening 7 games. They didn't reach 21 points (actually 23) until the beat Kilmarnock on 2nd December.
Hearts were being dribbled over last season, as potentially splitting the Old Firm, on that kind of form.
Don't get me wrong, i'm delighted, to an extent, that we're not being talked about, as it allows Jimmy to just do his thing with no added pressure. We just go along and take each game as it comes, but i think the comparison between us and Hearts last season is striking, and worth pointing out.
3 call ups for Scotland squad too which shows how far we have come and people can’t ignore us and see the quality we have.
you have to hand it to the manager for his subs again and knowing what the problem is and fixing it. to bring on Duk after 2 games out of the squad Jimmy gives him his chance and the way he played was the big game changer along with Palaversa who took the chance Sokler couldn’t take. that’s 15 players with goals, Duk is back so I think the 16th will come soon enough if Duk keeps up that attitude and reminds us why he was our star player two seasons ago and did things on the ball that were stunning to watch and that’s the player that came off the bench and not the hot and cold player of last season, he was too hot for hearts to handle and made it a match to remember at a packed stadium.
100% agree with you about shankland!! I hope palversa starts against Celtic too. I’d drop clarkson, very skilful but a bit light weight against tougher opponents. Glad you didn’t join The Fizz as well!! 😂
I just have a concern about our 11 players in the box to defend corners or certain free kicks, if you look at the 2 hearts goals they scored it was when we had everyone in our box, 1st goal Shankland was free in or just outside the 6 yard area to pass the ball for the first and the second is similar in the way we had all players in the box leaving 2 or 3 hearts players free and Shinnie was left in two minds about which player to get close to and the boy that scored had so much time to pick his spot while shinnie was unsure who to go to because no one else was near them as they all are bunched up inside our box and it also leaves us with no out ball and that’s a concern if the same thing happens at Celtic.
Midfield triangle of Shinnie, Nielsen, Palaversa in front. Duk on left, Keskinen on right. 4-5-1 which can switch to a 4-2-1-3 in a counter attack. Clarkson and McGrath to come on as the boys tire. We've got Polvara to fit in this team come November.
It was a tough listen, could of easily been buried at half time.
The grit shown when falling behind, shows the difference in character this season.
It's early days , so far so good
Thought we were poor for much of Saturday. We keep sitting off teams once we take the lead, whereas the old firm press the advantage and kill games.
Nisbet was coming too deep, which isnt his game, Mcgrath & Clarkson need a striker who can hold the ball up and link better so its Duk up top for me.
Id play Nielson, Palaversa & Shinnie in midfield, with Mcgrath, Keskinen and Duk the forward 3 in a high press against Celtic.
We arent strong enough to sit back and absorb wave after wave of attack. Play a high energy press with our strongest midfield 3 as a safety net behind.
Rarely can a team successfully bait and switch, by simply inviting a team to attack and hoping to counter. More often, the pressure becomes overbearing and the collapse inevitable. Last season we lost heavily in the same fixture setting up defiantly to frustrate. It rarely works. Besides, we are good enough to go and win the game on merit..
Love to see the flick from MacKenzie that released Keskinen in 2nd half, piece of magic. ( think it was Keskinen)
Was it not McGrath?
@@scottw.3258 tbh I’ve no idea! Was in shock/awe of the flick!
Your spot on about shankland .
Morning allly
Good morning 🙂
I think Palaversa has to start maybe Duk off the bench again as he needs minutes on the pitch to get through 90 minutes against Celtic. Nelson makes us tick. Simmy is a legend and it was great to watch him get his moment before kick off in front of a sell out stadium.
Shamklands attitude unreal was that exact attitude why our beloved club got rid . Fact he's a club captain and behaving like that boy defo belonges with THE rangers
SKanklands yellow should have been his second. He was guilty of a nasty tackle earlier. Ref was too lenient there.
Need Nielsen, Shinnie & Palaversa in midfield against Celtic for at least the 1st half for McGrath or Clarkson. Front 2 of Nesbit & Keskinen
Shinnie wont drop out v Celtic, I think Clarkson will though, to make way for Palaversa
I really like Thelins grasp of things and his ability to articulate in a second language. The Dundee and Hearts game have brought issues with certain players and our system into focus. All of us recognise a similar performance at Parkhead will result in a thrashing. But Pittodrie this season has been buzzing and full time on Sunday was very special. He was so right to say " So lets enjoy this." It suggests to me I already know the changes needed but lets enjoy the moment. Great psychology.
Shankland's career screams one season wonder. the guys career has nothing in it to suggest he was anything special until last season. a good SPl striker probably but to have an attitude like he does he needs to have done it more than that
He wasn't even special last season. His conversion rate was poor. On average he scored 1 goal, every 5 shots. That's not prolific. Last season, everything Hearts did was through him, he got the lions share of the chances. Their second highest scorer was Vargas, on 9 goals. It doesn't then take a genius to work out, if Shankland isn't scoring, then Hearts aren't winning, and that's been their problem this season. He's had more shots than any player in the Premier League, and i think he's scored 1 goal, and Hearts are still winless.
One other thing and I will stop the rant about defending, the first goal by hearts and the way the players defend all bunched up in the box also made the keeper and Devlin collide as there is not much room in a packed area in our box with all our players around the goal and leaving players free, we can’t defend like that at Celtic as they will take advantage of all that room in and around the box. I hope it’s just something the players are progressing at when defending and do it better in future.