Neilson must deliver next season

[ecjambo]

I love how you're not allowed to criticize RN on here.

 

Fact is he is a major reason the vermin won yesterday with his awful tactics and tinkering.

 

Any feel good factor at the club is now destroyed and they better realize this and make amends quick sharp.

Are the 11 Hearts players who played a bigger part than Neilson in throwing away a 2 goal lead not more of a reason why Hibs won?

 

I still feel very good about the club. So do the other 5,000 fans who renewed their season tickets in the first week.

 

Nothing to make amends for. Hibs had to win the Cup at somepoint and their performance yesterday deserved it. Not being able to take it is just childish.

Edited May 22, 2016 by ecjambo

[Bowmans_Boot]

Other than a few minutes here and there we haven't played well against Hibs since Gary Locke was in charge. Kind of galling!

 

Exactly. And I am no Gary Locke fan, I accepted that he had to move on, although I do respect him, especially for his ability to get the team up for the derbies. In the Relegation Derby, had Neilson been in charge, I think we would have drawn, at best. 

[Texia]

When did we play well against them? If we draw them in the cup next season will you be confident? If you will be, why?

We don't need to play well in derbies it's about getting results and the majority of the time we have done that.

 

Yes it's Hearts V Hibs of course I'll be ****ing confident.

 

Really ****s with my head thinking where this weird inferiority complex towards Hibs has developed over the last few months. We lost one tie against them in the middle of one of our three slumps, it wasn't put finest hour but we can't win every game against them.

[Bowmans_Boot]

Do the 11 Hearts players who played a bigger part than Neilson in throwing away a 2 goal lead not have a bigger part to play?

 

I still feel very good about the club. So do the other 5,000 fans who renewed their season tickets in the first week.

 

Nothing to make amends for. Hibs had to win the Cup at somepoint and their performance yesterday deserved it. Not being able to take it is just childish.

 

It is possible to feel very good/amazing feelings about the club and have questions about Robbie. This is the kind of attitude I dislike.  And I would say that he does still have to make amends for the cup games against Hibs, and if he doesn't also feel that then he doesn't get Hearts or our supporters (other than you, clearly). 

[socrates82]

We aren't mid table this season, given how we have performed since January I am not overly confident about next and would predict upper-mid table.

 

Given the resources that Celtic have, and Rangers probably will have, barring a Leicester-like performance then I don't expect us to win the league, and I don't think we will while the OF are in Scotland. The cups? With the proper management, focus, drive and desire then one every three or four years should be achievable. I wouldn't give that 3/4 years as a benchmark of success/failure, though, just a guide.

 

Of course it's achievable. We have only won 8 in 140 odd years though so that would be some going. My beef is with people expecting we should win the cup every 3 or 4 years when football doesn't work that way. Cups are a different beast - form goes out the window and almost anyone can win it in any year.

[Bowmans_Boot]

We don't need to play well in derbies it's about getting results and the majority of the time we have done that.

 

Yes it's Hearts V Hibs of course I'll be ******* confident.

 

Really ****s with my head thinking where this weird inferiority complex towards Hibs has developed over the last few months. We lost one tie against them in the middle of one of our three slumps, it wasn't put finest hour but we can't win every game against them.

 

 

Our recent record certainly backs that up.

[Lee_Mellon]

Whatever his team talk is before derbies it doesn't work and he needs to get a new one.

I agree that his pre-match / half time team talk in the replay didn't cut it. However, I thought that in the Tynecastle game he had their number, and it was only injuries that allowed them back in the game.

 

It has to be said though, that in the Championship Neilson got everything right in the games that mattered.

[Bowmans_Boot]

Of course it's achievable. We have only won 8 in 140 odd years though so that would be some going. My beef is with people expecting we should win the cup every 3 or 4 years when football doesn't work that way. Cups are a different beast - form goes out the window and almost anyone can win it in any year.

 

One of the two cups every 3 or 4 years, on average, I believe is very much achievable. 

[socrates82]

We don't need to play well in derbies it's about getting results and the majority of the time we have done that.

 

Yes it's Hearts V Hibs of course I'll be ******* confident.

 

Really ****s with my head thinking where this weird inferiority complex towards Hibs has developed over the last few months. We lost one tie against them in the middle of one of our three slumps, it wasn't put finest hour but we can't win every game against them.

 

Me too. Having lived through the 22 in a row undefeated I'm still genuinely surprised when Hibs beat us and expect to win every derby. When we do lose I expect it to be a blip and it always has been apart from the odd season when they come out on top.

[Bowmans_Boot]

I agree that his pre-match / half time team talk in the replay didn't cut it. However, I thought that in the Tynecastle game he had their number, and it was only injuries that allowed them back in the game.

 

It has to be said though, that in the Championship Neilson got everything right in the games that mattered.

 

Or the first cup game. We were utterly GASH in the first half and were extremely lucky to be 2-0 up.

[socrates82]

One of the two cups every 3 or 4 years, on average, I believe is very much achievable. 

 

I agree. But do you expect that?

[socrates82]

Or the first cup game. We were utterly GASH in the first half and were extremely lucky to be 2-0 up.

 

Not how I remember it. Neither team was great but we scored two good goals. By the way, folk are forgetting we lost our best player and goalscorer before that game. We struggled to be as good up front after Sow left and it's tricky to find good players in the January window. That's not Robbie's fault. Personally I don't think we would have lost that cup tie with Sow in our team.

Edited May 22, 2016 by socrates82

[ecjambo]

It is possible to feel very good/amazing feelings about the club and have questions about Robbie. This is the kind of attitude I dislike. And I would say that he does still have to make amends for the cup games against Hibs, and if he doesn't also feel that then he doesn't get Hearts or our supporters (other than you, clearly).

Personally, for a manager who only has two years experience (both of them being at a club which expects a lot), Neilson has done a fantastic job. One cup result aside, he has done more than asked of him. Next season will undoubtedly be his most difficult, but I'm confident he can deliver another good season and again make progress for Hearts.

 

Do you want him to make amends against Hibs (difficult giving they're in the Championship) or make amends by wining the Scottish Cup? Again difficult as the draw could prove tricky.

[Texia]

Our recent record certainly backs that up.

The only 'recent' games we have are the cup games and really that's the only reason anyone cares. So **** we lost and they won it, we went in with 2 postponed games and a draw with Hamilton in the back of our minds I rally couldn't blame the players for being unfocused, also wejust lost our best striker. They've been a specialist cup team over the past couple of seasons.

 

They turned up and our team was falling apart so what move on focusing on those games will do nothing for our future.

[Bowmans_Boot]

Not how I remember it. Neither team was great but we scored two good goals. By the way, folk are forgetting we lost our best player and goalscorer before that game. We struggled to be as good up front after Sow left and it's tricky to find good players in the January window. That's not Robbie's fault. Personally I don't think we would have lost that cup tie with Sow in our team.

 

Robbie did say that Dauda was our primary target, that we had been after him for a while and were surprised to get him. That would be Robbie's/Levein's fault. 

[Bowmans_Boot]

Personally, for a manager who only has two years experience (both of them being at a club which expects a lot), Neilson has done a fantastic job. One cup result aside, he has done more than asked of him. Next season will undoubtedly be his most difficult, but I'm confident he can deliver another good season and again make progress for Hearts.

 

Do you want him to make amends against Hibs (difficult giving they're in the Championship) or make amends by wining the Scottish Cup? Again difficult as the draw could prove tricky.

 

For me, making amends would be winning either the Scottish Cup or League Cup next season and, if we draw Hibs in either, completely attacking them and playing our most positive game against them. And thinking about results, about the fans, rather than about money.

[C67]

As long as we get top 6 i'm not bothered about any cup runs or that, more than happy with top 6 so anything else is a bonus, steady building up to winning the title in 25 years.

so if we finish 6th no European football plus no cup runs then you would be happy with that i find that a very strange thing to say, would that be progress in your opinion ?

[socrates82]

Robbie did say that Dauda was our primary target, that we had been after him for a while and were surprised to get him. That would be Robbie's/Levein's fault. 

 

Not as a replacement for Sow. Didn't we want him instead of Juanma?

[socrates82]

For me, making amends would be winning either the Scottish Cup or League Cup next season and, if we draw Hibs in either, completely attacking them and playing our most positive game against them. And thinking about results, about the fans, rather than about money.

 

You don't think that's an unreasonable expectation for a manager in his third season, given how few Hearts managers have won either cup in our history?

[Bowmans_Boot]

You don't think that's an unreasonable expectation for a manager in his third season, given how few Hearts managers have won either cup in our history?

 

No. I don't think Robbie and Craig Levein should approach cup matches with the attitude that we don't normally win them, so in all likelihood we wont this one, either. We should go in focussed and absolutely 100% determined to win, no matter what.  If we had the attitude that we had in the Aberdeen match in every cup game then we would probably win every single cup!!  The team talk Robbie gave that night must have been amazing and that is what I want more of.

[Bowmans_Boot]

Not as a replacement for Sow. Didn't we want him instead of Juanma?

 

Maybe I am wrong, but that wasn't my take on it.

[Jambotommy]

so if we finish 6th no European football plus no cup runs then you would be happy with that i find that a very strange thing to say, would that be progress in your opinion ?

Pretty sure he was being sarcastic mate...

[Bring Back Paulo Sergio]

I'm a little worried about next season tbh, it has to be a marked improvement that's for sure.

Marked improvement from 3rd?

 

Cup final minimum

 

Must beat Hibs

 

If he doesn't achieve the above= sacked

 

[davie1980]

Neilson delivered last season

Neilson delivered this season

Now he's facing ultimatums?

 

**** off lads, eh!

[Joe Hearts]

Nelson will be like any other manager and will be under pressure to win next season. We started this one still with the feel good factor and hit the ground running, however dispite making Europe with our 3rd place finish I feel that feeling has gone. 10 games in and not pushing for a top 3 place and Robbie's collar could be getting felt.

[gashauskis9]

Hibs finally winning the cup but staying in the championship has zero impact on our expectations for next season.

This in spades.

[Beats]

Just another clueless comment from someone who knows nothing about football.

I don't know if you are a new poster or what but calm down mate, we all have different opinions on kickback.

 

I'm seething with the boring shite that is being produced week after week and it all comes from whoever is picking the team and how we are being set up.

 

We were immense against Aberdeen in the cup, played at a high intensity from the word go. Playing with pace and power and could easily have been out of sight by half timee. Week after the same we smash Motherwell. The players have it in them but for some reason Neilson or whoever is holding them back and I know for a fact it's pissing off quite a few of the players.

 

This season was a huge chance missed in both the league and the cup. I agree with the poster who says the feel good factor is gone or at least it's not what it should be.

 

Neilson has to hit the ground running next season, a poor start and the fans will start to turn against him.

 

Levein storming into the dressing room at half time certainly doesn't help and that needs to stop and if he is meddling in team matters he needs to butt out.

 

Cheers.

[underwaterwoodwelder]

Shite negative thread already and the season isn't even started.

To many wife beaters on hear was with small man syndrome.

 

Give Robbie a break its a building process and we have progressed over the last two years.

[st1874]

It's sad how people are happy at finishing above St Johnstone and Ross County. Seriously? That's a fantastic job? God help us.

 

Aw wait, we won the Championship, the second tier mind, now 2 seasons past you say? Which had several part time teams? AMAZING.

 

Listen, if you were at the games, particularly against better opposition in those 2 seasons, bar 2 Aberdeen games and the Championship opener at Ibrox and you think the level of performance is acceptable at this club then I despair.

 

Robbie needs to realise that the honeymoon period is over, no need to call for his head yet but we need tangible improvements. Haven't even laid a glove on Celtic in a single game, other than the last at Parkhead imo, and they are going to be very much better next season. Against Hibs, never have a Hearts team be so lukewarm in a derby, he played in big derbies, surely he remembers what's required?

[Spellczech]

I was happy for Neilson to ignore the cups when we were in the Championship. Stubbs and McCoist didn't so McCoist is gone and Stubbs is still in the Championship 2 years on...the cup win is going to feel like a long time ago when Hibs are visiting Cappielow next winter...

 

I do think expectations were set too low, at least publicly, this season. Robbie had virtually met his Top 6 target by Xmas...But Rangers are talking of challenging next year, which looks laughable at the moment TBH.

 

It is hard to set a target for cups as luck of the draw, and the nature of cup games is a leveller. Maybe we were lucky to draw Celtic when we were going for the Championship?

 

I want to see us strengthen this summer and then let's just be a bit coy about expectations. If something develops then great, we can jump on that train.

 

Leicester showed how to be a strong defending team. You need speed for the counter, not a big isolated No 9 holding the ball up while the rest try to get up the pitch. Currently we are not a dazzling attacking, or counter-attacking team. We are a bit stolid.

[ecjambo]

I don't know if you are a new poster or what but calm down mate, we all have different opinions on kickback.

 

I'm seething with the boring shite that is being produced week after week and it all comes from whoever is picking the team and how we are being set up.

 

We were immense against Aberdeen in the cup, played at a high intensity from the word go. Playing with pace and power and could easily have been out of sight by half timee. Week after the same we smash Motherwell. The players have it in them but for some reason Neilson or whoever is holding them back and I know for a fact it's pissing off quite a few of the players.

 

This season was a huge chance missed in both the league and the cup. I agree with the poster who says the feel good factor is gone or at least it's not what it should be.

 

Neilson has to hit the ground running next season, a poor start and the fans will start to turn against him.

 

Levein storming into the dressing room at half time certainly doesn't help and that needs to stop and if he is meddling in team matters he needs to butt out.

 

Cheers.

It's very difficult to play at that intensity week in week out and expect how we play to be the only factor in a game.

 

I'd take Liverpool/Klopp's style as an example of how you want us to play. Liverpool have worked on fitness levels, training etc to be a team that wants to play with a high intensity, constantly pressing teams when they don't have the ball and quickly breaking when they do. To be successful at it, you need to have every player on their game and playing the same way for the full match. Which is extremely difficult.

 

Take Liverpool's examples against Villarreal in semi final second leg where they performed that style to perfection for 90 minutes. Contrast it with their final performance against Sevilla, where it worked for 20minutes at the end of the first half, then look what happened in the second half. Players did not press as a group, Sevilla defenders had time to pick a man out in midfield and they were quickly on the attack.

 

Add into that, Liverpool's very inconsistent league form, where they simply cannot maintain that style of play in every match.

 

So, getting back to Hearts. With a team of less talented players, who simply do not have the fitness levels of EPL players, it's going to be difficult for Robbie to ask them to play at that intensity week in week out. We'd simply not be able to do it. Therefore he has to find alternatives to how we approach and try to win matches. Yes, that might be boring to some and may drive a handful away. However, I'm happy to take the progress we are making footballing and non-footballing wise, as I can see success coming our way soon.

 

With the addition of a few handy summer recruits, who can play the high intensity and pressing style, it may allow us to play that way more often, now we've established ourselves in the SPFL and know what we're up against.

 

That's just my opinion and views on it, in terms of the football we play. Unfortunately with moving down to Leeds last year, I obviously do not see us play as much as I use to. The way some post on here it would seem that's a blessing, but I'd love to see us play week in week out again.

[Bungalow Bill]

Levein storming into the dressing room at half time certainly doesn't help and that needs to stop and if he is meddling in team matters he needs to butt out.

And you have proof of this happening?

 

I know many Hearts fans, some who claim to be in the know and others not and this is the first I've heard of this.

[Section Q]

I love how you're not allowed to criticize RN on here.

Fact is he is a major reason the vermin won yesterday with his awful tactics and tinkering.

Any feel good factor at the club is now destroyed and they better realize this and make amends quick sharp.

I think he's had plenty of criticism on here to be fair.

[Kiwidoug]

I'm backing him 100%.  3rd season now and learning all the time.  Will be massively disappointed if he can't get his team to function on the park regardless of who is playing for us.

 

Good Cup run is very much overdue.

[Sydney]

Some of the football has been pretty boring, but apart from the Hibs defeat, we've done as well as we could have hoped this year.

 

6-0 vs Motherwell, 4-3 vs St Johnstone, the last minute equaliser against Celtic and the Aberdeen wins were highlights for me, but Robbie agreeing with Ann's decision to launch some of the idiotic young team and their tea towels was the best moment of the year.

 

I'd hope for some improvement next year, a longer run in the Cups would be welcome, and a good tilt at the Europa League Group would be hoped for.

 

Beat the OF a few times and finish ahead of Aberdeen, keeping the title race going until April.  That would be fine.

 

Hopefully the football will be more exciting too.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Sydney

[jambali]

I don't know if you are a new poster or what but calm down mate, we all have different opinions on kickback.

 

I'm seething with the boring shite that is being produced week after week and it all comes from whoever is picking the team and how we are being set up.

 

We were immense against Aberdeen in the cup, played at a high intensity from the word go. Playing with pace and power and could easily have been out of sight by half timee. Week after the same we smash Motherwell. The players have it in them but for some reason Neilson or whoever is holding them back and I know for a fact it's pissing off quite a few of the players.

 

This season was a huge chance missed in both the league and the cup. I agree with the poster who says the feel good factor is gone or at least it's not what it should be.

 

Neilson has to hit the ground running next season, a poor start and the fans will start to turn against him.

 

Levein storming into the dressing room at half time certainly doesn't help and that needs to stop and if he is meddling in team matters he needs to butt out.

 

Cheers.

You called it!

[BelgeJambo]

Difference in class between the Championship winning season and this season, I get, but I didn't see the same hunger from some of our players and it seemed that the shackles denied them the chance to really express and impose themselves on the opposition.  I don't see us in any danger of relegation, but surely Robbie has to let loose in some way.  Most of the football was dire to watch.  I want to see the 45 minutes we displayed against Kilmarnock and Dundee at home every week

[Thomaso]

Bottom line is that last season is one that I will NOT look fondly on.

[Lambo85]

I'm backing him 100%.  3rd season now and learning all the time.  Will be massively disappointed if he can't get his team to function on the park regardless of who is playing for us.

 

Good Cup run is very much overdue.

 

Is he learning though? There has been evidence this season of him making the same mistakes time and time again.

[Nookie Bear]

Whilst I disagree with sacking him 10 games in if we're not 2nd or higher, it's undeniable that the pressure is on for Neilson to deliver a trophy next year.

 

It's probably unfair to 'expect' a trophy because anything can happen in a one-off cup game. I want us to take both cups seriously and play to win every time we go onto the pitch - it may be that we get knocked out by a flukey goal up at Pittodrie, or we can blame a shocking referee or something, but I cannot be bothered with anymore of this softly-softly approach to big games.

[Joe Hearts]

I don't know if you are a new poster or what but calm down mate, we all have different opinions on kickback.

 

I'm seething with the boring shite that is being produced week after week and it all comes from whoever is picking the team and how we are being set up.

 

We were immense against Aberdeen in the cup, played at a high intensity from the word go. Playing with pace and power and could easily have been out of sight by half timee. Week after the same we smash Motherwell. The players have it in them but for some reason Neilson or whoever is holding them back and I know for a fact it's pissing off quite a few of the players.

 

This season was a huge chance missed in both the league and the cup. I agree with the poster who says the feel good factor is gone or at least it's not what it should be.

 

Neilson has to hit the ground running next season, a poor start and the fans will start to turn against him.

 

Levein storming into the dressing room at half time certainly doesn't help and that needs to stop and if he is meddling in team matters he needs to butt out.

 

Cheers.

 

 

Good post and to some other posters, who's to know if the same players were capable of playing at a high tempo all the time the team and formation keep getting changed.

[Lincon Premier]

Not sure who to blame for some of the insipid and boring games this season, However I do think that Levein has too much influence and is too defensive.

Right got that out of the way! This season has been a huge success, in that were would all have been happy with being top six, as per the 5 year plan. So for that reason alone I would give Robbie and co the benefit and give them another season. IF (  and I hope it doesn't happen ) but IF we have a poor season, then I would consider changing things bit not before.

We need to improve in certain areas and I am sure we will, we have some top class players and if the new additions slot in we should ( and will ) be a force next season.

[Thomaso]

I don't know if you are a new poster or what but calm down mate, we all have different opinions on kickback.

 

I'm seething with the boring shite that is being produced week after week and it all comes from whoever is picking the team and how we are being set up.

 

We were immense against Aberdeen in the cup, played at a high intensity from the word go. Playing with pace and power and could easily have been out of sight by half timee. Week after the same we smash Motherwell. The players have it in them but for some reason Neilson or whoever is holding them back and I know for a fact it's pissing off quite a few of the players.

 

This season was a huge chance missed in both the league and the cup. I agree with the poster who says the feel good factor is gone or at least it's not what it should be.

 

Neilson has to hit the ground running next season, a poor start and the fans will start to turn against him.

 

Levein storming into the dressing room at half time certainly doesn't help and that needs to stop and if he is meddling in team matters he needs to butt out.

 

Cheers.

 

Beats you have absolutely nailed it here!

[Rudi's Left Peg]

I don't know if you are a new poster or what but calm down mate, we all have different opinions on kickback.

 

I'm seething with the boring shite that is being produced week after week and it all comes from whoever is picking the team and how we are being set up.

 

We were immense against Aberdeen in the cup, played at a high intensity from the word go. Playing with pace and power and could easily have been out of sight by half timee. Week after the same we smash Motherwell. The players have it in them but for some reason Neilson or whoever is holding them back and I know for a fact it's pissing off quite a few of the players.

 

This season was a huge chance missed in both the league and the cup. I agree with the poster who says the feel good factor is gone or at least it's not what it should be.

 

Neilson has to hit the ground running next season, a poor start and the fans will start to turn against him.

 

Levein storming into the dressing room at half time certainly doesn't help and that needs to stop and if he is meddling in team matters he needs to butt out.

 

Cheers.

 

I don't doubt your sources for a second, I'm sure there are players that are not happy with tactical decisions or "holding back" and I agree that a lot of the games this season have been chronic to watch.

However, i'd love to know what it is they are really angry about? Djoum, Kitchen, Ozturk, Rossi, Souttar, Prince and Juanma have all on several occaisons (some as recent as April) given extremely high praise on Neilson about his approach to games, coaching and mentality - so are we talking about the likes of Nicholson? Paterson?

Nobody can tell me Nicholson is being "held back" from attempting to beat a man, or that Paterson is told to scissor volley all his clearances to the middle of the park.

Neilson has to do better I agree and personally I think he will. I obviously cannot comment on what Levein does whether that be storming into the dressing room or jumping into the jacuzzi after games but if he and Neilson have some kind of working relationship....so what? The system helped us utterly shag the championship into submission, produce a very strong first half of the season in the SPFL- losing Sow for me started the he-man Neilson haters club form by the way.

After the first 10 games of the season if we are any lower than 3rd I'd ask questions after the benchmark we've set this year.

[i8hibsh]

Phoodle needs to claim back his 'Neilson' name as at this precise moment I can't even say 'Neil%8@'

[Morgan]

Less than you've been on Sam Fox? Lillian Gish? Oh man. Your own patter is brilliant. Any chance we can swap numbers? Can only imagine a night out with you in tow....Zzzz

I'm hitting refresh for more. Please. iDck

Lillian Gish. Just phoning my pals with that one. Hope they're up.

 

Were your pals up?

[Getintaethem]

Phoodle needs to claim back his 'Neilson' name as at this precise moment I can't even say 'Neil%8@'

 

Hold the door... Hold the door... Hold the door... Hold the door... Hodor... Hodor... Hodor...

[Darren]

Next season is an acid test for Neilson. He's more than earned the right to have a crack at it.

[Gambo]

Surely every Hearts Manager "must deliver" every season?

[i8hibsh]

Next season is an acid test for Neilson. He's more than earned the right to have a crack at it.

 

Without a doubt, he has to be given a chance to finish what he has started.  I am however half in the Phoodle camp after Saturday tho. Want to be right back in the Robbie camp asap.