:shitwine: Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 After putting some videos up, it makes me remember how good Craig Levein's side was during his spell as manager. https://youtu.be/ujxm-YjvuSQ That was some game against Dunfermline. Cameron, Adam and Ulster Andy getting doubles, and probably every outfield player having a shot on goal - could easily have won that one about 12-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomaso Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 There were some DIRE defensive performances also! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
:shitwine: Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 it took him a while to get the defensive partnership he wanted, since Jefferies left him with a lot of dross. A lot of dead weight and veteren strikers in the side he took over as well. Ulster Andy and Wales were great, while Adam was crocked and he never seemed to like McSwegan at all. Bringing in MDV with Kirk and Wales was a masterstroke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debut 4 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Tightened up the defence first and foremost, eventually moulded a very handy side come start of the De Vries Derby season. The teams he built played with real resilience and I always felt there was an under current of belief amongst the support we could come back in most games if we fell behind. Consecutive 3rd spots was a decent achievement back then given the spending power and standard of player the OF could attract then. I think one of those seasons league records was as good as 05-06 or thereabouts. I do remember some turgid, drawn out affairs near the end of his reign but there's no doubt Craig Levein was good and very important for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maple Leaf Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Want to make a Mike & The Mechanics joke here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveofthegame Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Will never forget that game, first (and only) time I'd seen us score 7 (I was on holiday for Cowdenbeath... I'll never live it down....). Tomahawk was class that day. Actually easy to forget that we held on to Mickey and Adam for so long post 1998 (especially Cameron who was in his prime). These days we'd lose him within 6months of that cup win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Want to make a Mike & The Mechanics joke here. Think that will woosh over many peoples head. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
And he's not praying Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Want to make a Mike & The Mechanics joke here. Say it loud, say it clear.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardiac Rucksack Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I was convinced Ulster Andy and Gary fecking Wales were going to push us on a level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalstonjambo Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I was convinced Ulster Andy and Gary fecking Wales were going to push us on a level. Wales especially was brilliant until he was on the wrong end of a horror tackle against Rangers from memory? Was never the same again. Probably got booked for diving for the incident as well.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
:shitwine: Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 I was convinced Ulster Andy and Gary fecking Wales were going to push us on a level. I think Wales would have been an international player if he hadn't got his injury. Ulster Andy got a fair few goals, and could link up with any type of striker. Ulster Andy and MDV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Womble Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Want to make a Mike & The Mechanics joke here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 4 4 2 he liked a big striker moving McKenna there if needed. Shame JLV could not keep his form he showed at the start of his Hearts career. Stampy was great before becoming injury prone. Hartley and Wyness getting signed and shown to the crowd at halftime,with Wyness being the favourite. Neil MacFarlane a great signing as well. Was it a game Aberdeen away that made him.Got rid of a lot of big earners for not trying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martoon Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 CL's time was a good one for me. Succesive third place finishes, 5-1 v. H1b5, unbeaten at home domestically (outwith OF) in his last 2 years, good results in Europe and made an ar5e of Mowbray before he left. True, sometimes we weren't pretty to watch and our Cup record was poor, but overall I think he did very well. As an aside, CL almost knocked me down days after he was appointed. Cycled down McLeod St. and he came out of the car park without looking right. He raised a hand to apologise and I accepted. Bet Graeme Hogg wished he'd done the same. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvery_Moon Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 The cups were the only disappointment during that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RudiHMFC Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I remember as a wee boy thinking we were turgid launching route 1 balls up to De Vries and Mckenna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zico Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 For a 'boring' team, we scored a shitload of goals. Many of them late in the game as we were a fit team who never gave up (sound familiar?). Made Tynecastle a fortress as well; as it should be. Had some great days then and the first 5-1 and Bordeaux away would both be in my top ten Hearts games of all time. As posted above, the only disappointments were the cups. And the 0-0 with Motherwell on Boxing Day which remains the worst game of football I've attended (although it looked like all the players were hungover and came to a gentleman's agreement not to bother their arse). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTBCAL Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I remember dreading away games tbh..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glottis Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I very rarely felt like I disagreed with CLs decision making. Giving Kenny Milne a new contract though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pants Shaton Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Only a moron would regard Levein's spell as manager as anything other than a huge success. Plenty of them about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roscogt1 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Loads of empty sections in the hearts stands. What was that all about?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martoon Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 The original 5-1. I was going to ask how long we were undefeated at home bar the OF, was a terrific run. Brilliant going to the games knowing that you'd get a result. Add the off field distractions at the time and his budget being cut every Summer, CL did a remarkable job, imo. He made mistakes as Scotland boss, no doubt, but the weegia were gunning for him from day one. Not playing for, or having any association with, the OF made him an easy target for the Charlie Nicholas type phuds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randle P McMurphy Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Jimmy nicholl must love lining up against Hearts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Merse Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 The original 5-1. I was going to ask how long we were undefeated at home bar the OF, was a terrific run. Brilliant going to the games knowing that you'd get a result. Fairly standard for those days. It's a fairly recent thing that we've been selling Tynecastle out regularly - only really since the VR era started. I'm sure we didn't even sell out the first home game of the season against Rangers after the 98 cup win FFS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazzas right boot Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Generally consist ant. However, over thought a match sometimes especially away games, I reckon with a little more confidence we would have racked up more points. Sometimes too defensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Hans Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Wales especially was brilliant until he was on the wrong end of a horror tackle against Rangers from memory? Was never the same again. Probably got booked for diving for the incident as well.. Artur Numan I think it was. Never got sent off that's sure. Really enjoyed Levein's time in charge especially the two third place seasons. Think it was pretty much bang on two years that we were unbeaten at home outwith the Old Firm. That was some achievement which made up for our sketchy away form. Our cup form was quite hideous though apart from a League Cup Semi-final. The best performance I recall was Kilmarnock away early 2003/04. Think you had to be there to believe it that day. A stunning 0-2 win playing total football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Buck Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 That night in Bordeaux. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Templeton Peck Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I remember the tactical masterstroke of playing McKenna wide left, hoping he was going to come in at the back post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debut 4 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy T Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 The only thing that ever irked me about Levein then was when he said that getting a point away from home in the Spl shoud always be considered a good thing. Other than that it was not in the slightest bit turgid as some Urban mythers suggest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Albert Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 OK I've been accused of being bitter before, but I'll say it again; his departure was shameful. When the Europa Cup group draw was made Hearts had hit the big time. L'Equipe described our group as more like a Champions League group than an a Europa League group ... not because of us obviously but because of the other teams involved. At Murrayfield we were pulling in crowds as big as English Europa Cup contenders did, with amazing away support. But Levein walked out and left a totally unprepared John Robertson to manage the team. A huge missed opportunity. Yes, Craig achieved a great deal as player and manager, but I think that his record is not unblemished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Albert Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 The only thing that ever irked me about Levein then was when he said that getting a point away from home in the Spl shoud always be considered a good thing. Other than that it was not in the slightest bit turgid as some Urban mythers suggest And that's a pretty big "other than"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bill Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 The two back to back third place finishes were the only time we've done that since 1960, the second of which was a very consistent season racking up 68 points. But the season before (2002/03) was more entertaining, with JLV in his early season pomp, and great wins over Hibs (MDV, Stampy), the famous 4-4 and Austin McCann's late winner v Celtic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy T Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 And that's a pretty big "other than"! I'm not so sure that equated to all our away games being 0-0 affairs FA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bill Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 OK I've been accused of being bitter before, but I'll say it again; his departure was shameful. When the Europa Cup group draw was made Hearts had hit the big time. L'Equipe described our group as more like a Champions League group than an a Europa League group ... not because of us obviously but because of the other teams involved. At Murrayfield we were pulling in crowds as big as English Europa Cup contenders did, with amazing away suport. But Levein walked out and left a totally unprepared John Robertson to manage the team. A huge missed opportunity. Yes, Craig achieved a great deal as player and manager, but I think that his record is not unblemished. Perhaps you should put emotionally-charged language like "shameful" to one side and look at the decision from a career perspective. Levein had an opportunity to manage down in England which was an ambition of his, understandable considering he was denied a move there as a player due to injury. Plus, I'm sure his wages would've rocketed too. Fans don't see it that way but that's the reality of the situation. He was in fact the manager for the first group game in Rotterdam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego10 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Did a good job, wasn't upset when he left. Think he's doing a job he's perfect for now but was too cautious as a manager too often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martoon Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 The two back to back third place finishes were the only time we've done that since 1960, the second of which was a very consistent season racking up 68 points. But the season before (2002/03) was more entertaining, with JLV in his early season pomp, and great wins over Hibs (MDV, Stampy), the famous 4-4 and Austin McCann's late winner v Celtic. Missed the Austin McCann game thru' illness (man flu) but kept up with last few mins on afternoon sportscene(?). I'll never forget the look on Murdo McLoed's face when he glanced toward a camera and said "goal at Tynecastle". He looked like his dug had been put doon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy T Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 OK I've been accused of being bitter before, but I'll say it again; his departure was shameful. When the Europa Cup group draw was made Hearts had hit the big time. L'Equipe described our group as more like a Champions League group than an a Europa League group ... not because of us obviously but because of the other teams involved. At Murrayfield we were pulling in crowds as big as English Europa Cup contenders did, with amazing away support. But Levein walked out and left a totally unprepared John Robertson to manage the team. A huge missed opportunity. Yes, Craig achieved a great deal as player and manager, but I think that his record is not unblemished.Let's look at it another way. We were only there because of him so can't he be excused for whatever he did from then on? That's the 'Romanov' type of argument isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Khali Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Mind when robbo kicked Csaba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Albert Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Perhaps you should put emotionally-charged language like "shameful" to one side and look at the decision from a career perspective. Levein had an opportunity to manage down in England which was an ambition of his, understandable considering he was denied a move there as a player due to injury. Plus, I'm sure his wages would've rocketed too. Fans don't see it that way but that's the reality of the situation. He was in fact the manager for the first group game in Rotterdam. I think there were other reasons he cut and run to Leicester. And if he'd had hung on he would not have destroyed his ambitions for a move to a bigger club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Albert Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Let's look at it another way. We were only there because of him so can't he be excused for whatever he did from then on? That's the 'Romanov' type of argument isn't it? He contributed to us getting there. He wasn't the only reason. Good to see your Romanov obsession isn't dead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bill Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I think there were other reasons he cut and run to Leicester. And if he'd had hung on he would not have destroyed his ambitions for a move to a bigger club. Indeed, there were personal reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Albert Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Indeed, there were personal reasons.So I don't have to look it at only from a "career perspective"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bill Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 So I don't have to look it at only from a "career perspective"? You can look at it in whatever way you like. I would suggest Levein's personal reasons/circumstances are inextricably fundamental to his career choices though. Language such as "shameful" is simply emotionally-charged football fan stuff, imo, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pans Jambo Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Want to make a Mike & The Mechanics joke here. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pans Jambo Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 One of my customers is a big Dundee Utd fan and he still harps on about Levein's days at United as being really excellent. He says we are very lucky to have him and he would take him back to Utd in a heartbeat. High praise. CL is a winner, if he didnt get his injury as a player he would have played at a much higher level than Hearts and would have been a Scotland captain and added many more caps to his tally. A legend even. He is good for our club and it's obvious that whatever magic him and RN have together it clearly works. I for one am glad he is here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Kilpatrick Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 One of my customers is a big Dundee Utd fan and he still harps on about Levein's days at United as being really excellent. He says we are very lucky to have him and he would take him back to Utd in a heartbeat. High praise. CL is a winner, if he didnt get his injury as a player he would have played at a much higher level than Hearts and would have been a Scotland captain and added many more caps to his tally. A legend even. He is good for our club and it's obvious that whatever magic him and RN have together it clearly works. I for one am glad he is here. This is correct. One of the other things I admire about him is his bloody-mindedness. Sure, he will never win a nice guy competition as a result but it doesn't faze him in the slightest. He will put his balls on the line for what he believes in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pans Jambo Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 This is correct. One of the other things I admire about him is his bloody-mindedness. Sure, he will never win a nice guy competition as a result but it doesn't faze him in the slightest. He will put his balls on the line for what he believes in. Yup. Agreed. If (when) we win the league I worry CL/RN & about 7-8 of our first team squad will be offski. Exciting times with big CL up the stairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pants Shaton Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 The same old shite trotted out about his departure. If he stayed would we have won the Europa league? I doubt we'd have got out the group. If he stayed would Romanov kept him as manager? Leicester was an opportunity that he had to take for a number of reasons. His subsequent role in our recent success has proven to almost all that he is one of the top PHM in history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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