Hearts transfers (Cochrane goes on loan to Montrose)

[gashauskis9]

5 minutes ago, Special Officer Doofy said:

Frightening the number of central midfielders we failed to get a tune out of the last two seasons. Many of them guys who have a decent pedigree and/or who have shown they’ve got what it takes, in the past.

 

By god, we miss Peter Haring.

Haring and Lee with Naismith in front of them was a huge contributor to us being top of the league.  Couple of nifty wingers to support Boyce up front and you’ve got a top 4 Prem team playing in the championship.

 

Just need to sort that ****ing defence out now.

[Beast Boy]

8 minutes ago, gashauskis9 said:

Haring and Lee with Naismith in front of them was a huge contributor to us being top of the league.  Couple of nifty wingers to support Boyce up front and you’ve got a top 4 Prem team playing in the championship.

 

Just need to sort that ****ing defence out now.

Hoping that Haring and Gordon will make the defence better.

[Batistuta87]

22 minutes ago, gashauskis9 said:

Great to see that Olly is in Robbie’s plans.  We missed his corners and set pieces last season.  

 

My wee boy had some "best of the season" videos up on YouTube last night from 16/17, 17/18 and 18/19 and genuinely, the two of them were outstanding. Lee's passing, corners and free kicks and Haring's ability to press, win the ball and create, and his aerial ability were hugely missed last season. 

 

Getting them back in the squad will be like two new signings. I can't wait to see them in the team again. 

 

[TommyC]

39 minutes ago, gashauskis9 said:

Great to see that Olly is in Robbie’s plans.  We missed his corners and set pieces last season.  

And his ability to pass forward and get himself forward and in the box. One of the main reasons our good strikers didn't score last season is because of the lack of connection between midfield and attack.

[Newton51]

40 minutes ago, gashauskis9 said:

Great to see that Olly is in Robbie’s plans.  We missed his corners and set pieces last season.  

 

 

[Holyrood_Hearts]

14 hours ago, ToqueJambo said:

 

Exactly. This rush to write off Halkett is weird. He's only what 23/24 - no age for a central defender. He had a very good season with Livi before joining us and started well with us before losing his way in Stendel's system.

Totally agree. Whoever it was trying to compare him v Berra is weird. I’m a big fan of CB but he wouldn’t be playing for me next season

[Taffin]

11 minutes ago, Newton51 said:

 

 

 

 

If we somehow end up getting reinstated to the Premiership we're going to be in serious trouble. I get that the club can't plan for that but it's a worrying thought.

[OTT]

Can we transfer out whoever okay'd that new away top?

 

****ing horrendous effort. Teamware meets training top. boak. 

[Ainsley Harriott]

14 minutes ago, Taffin said:

 

 

If we somehow end up getting reinstated to the Premiership we're going to be in serious trouble. I get that the club can't plan for that but it's a worrying thought.

Have we even done a preseason? I'm pretty sure we haven't 

[StirlingJambo]

15 minutes ago, Taffin said:

 

 

If we somehow end up getting reinstated to the Premiership we're going to be in serious trouble. I get that the club can't plan for that but it's a worrying thought.

And why is that? Don’t get the why folk slate Lee. He’s a good player and when paired with Haring it worked well for us. Had a no bad assist and goal return in his first season with us as well. 

[Newton51]

2 minutes ago, Ainsley Harriott said:

Have we even done a preseason? I'm pretty sure we haven't 

 

Still on furlough so only players training individually on their own

[Ainsley Harriott]

Just now, Newton51 said:

 

Still on furlough so only players training individually on their own

That would definitely be a worry then

[Bazzas right boot]

1 hour ago, gashauskis9 said:

Great to see that Olly is in Robbie’s plans.  We missed his corners and set pieces last season.  

 

He got his head up and looked for a pass as well, also liked a shot. 

 

We went backwards in that dept last season IMO. 

Lee adds more than Bozanic, whelan and Damour IMO. 

Does need a Haring type tho alongside, as he's a bit lightweight. 

 

Seemed to have a wee understanding with Nsismith as well. 

Edited July 25, 2020 by Smith's right boot

[1971fozzy]

19 minutes ago, Taffin said:

 

 

If we somehow end up getting reinstated to the Premiership we're going to be in serious trouble. I get that the club can't plan for that but it's a worrying thought.

hardly.  Lee was very good for us before Levein fell out with him. Another player he damn near ruined. 

[Taffin]

11 minutes ago, Ainsley Harriott said:

Have we even done a preseason? I'm pretty sure we haven't 

 

No, that's of course an issue too. I just meant more that we had a squad who were bottom of the table before the season ended and so far we haven't strengthened at all other than at goalkeeper. Olly Lee certainly doesn't help that situation imo. Fine if we're in the Championship, an issue if we're not.

Edited July 25, 2020 by Taffin

[Taffin]

6 minutes ago, StirlingJambo said:

And why is that? Don’t get the why folk slate Lee. He’s a good player and when paired with Haring it worked well for us. Had a no bad assist and goal return in his first season with us as well. 

 

Why's that? Simply because I have a different opinion to you, I don't think he's a good player. I think he's slow physically and mentally with and without the ball. He wasn't good enough before, and he isn't now. You're perfectly entitled to disagree though 👍

[GinRummy]

Just about every player who’s helped us sink to a ridiculously low level is being defended somewhere on this forum. It’s almost as if people have forgotten how utterly shite we were before Covid and the spfl cheats. 

[GinRummy]

8 minutes ago, 1971fozzy said:

hardly.  Lee was very good for us before Levein fell out with him. Another player he damn near ruined. 

And another player, like Uche and others, who simply downed tools when things weren’t going his way. The minimum you expect from a player at our club is maximum effort. Anybody who hasn’t given 100 percent should be emptied, otherwise what happens if they don’t get along, or disagree, with robbie. 

[Ainsley Harriott]

9 minutes ago, Taffin said:

 

No, that's of course an issue too. I just meant more that we had a squad who were bottom of the table before the season ended and so far we haven't strengthened at all other than at goalkeeper. Olly Lee certainly doesn't help that situation imo. Fine if we're in the Championship, an issue if we're not.

Yeah I'm not enthused by keeping players like Olly was hoping we would have more of  clear out than that.

[Mr Rabbit]

2 minutes ago, GinRummy said:

Just about every player who’s helped us sink to a ridiculously low level is being defended somewhere on this forum. It’s almost as if people have forgotten how utterly shite we were before Covid and the spfl cheats. 

I think a lot of people both rightly and wrongly IMO believe a lot of the individual and team performances were down to poor management.

 

With regards to Lee I always felt he had the ability to play a killer pass or produce a bit of magic however he seldom did. Also for a midfielder he let a lot of games pass him by and wasn’t anywhere as near influential as you need someone in that position to be. 

[GinRummy]

Just now, Mr Rabbit said:

I think a lot of people both rightly and wrongly IMO believe a lot of the individual and team performances were down to poor management.

 

With regards to Lee I always felt he had the ability to play a killer pass or produce a bit of magic however he seldom did. Also for a midfielder he let a lot of games pass him by and wasn’t anywhere as near influential as you need someone in that position to be. 

I agree fully. However, I also think that guys like Smith and Naismith, who had bad games like everyone, put in the effort every game. The players who obviously didn’t should be shown the door or frozen out. 

[Taffin]

1 minute ago, Mr Rabbit said:

I think a lot of people both rightly and wrongly IMO believe a lot of the individual and team performances were down to poor management.

 

With regards to Lee I always felt he had the ability to play a killer pass or produce a bit of magic however he seldom did. Also for a midfielder he let a lot of games pass him by and wasn’t anywhere as near influential as you need someone in that position to be. 

 

There's definitely merit to that; I think Levein ruined a lot of good players he signed and he also didn't help a lot of poor players he signed too.

 

For some Lee will be in the first category, for me he's in the second. As you say, games just passed him by. He's definitely got ability in terms of passing and shooting but he was often well off the pace and looked to have well below par fitness. In a time where we need to clear deadwood, and retain those who are up for the battle, he'd certainly be in my discard pile.

[rmreido]

1 minute ago, Taffin said:

 

There's definitely merit to that; I think Levein ruined a lot of good players he signed and he also didn't help a lot of poor players he signed too.

 

For some Lee will be in the first category, for me he's in the second. As you say, games just passed him by. He's definitely got ability in terms of passing and shooting but he was often well off the pace and looked to have well below par fitness. In a time where we need to clear deadwood, and retain those who are up for the battle, he'd certainly be in my discard pile.

Yeah but, that goal at fester rd, thanks for that Olly.

[bazman]

5 minutes ago, Taffin said:

 

There's definitely merit to that; I think Levein ruined a lot of good players he signed and he also didn't help a lot of poor players he signed too.

 

For some Lee will be in the first category, for me he's in the second. As you say, games just passed him by. He's definitely got ability in terms of passing and shooting but he was often well off the pace and looked to have well below par fitness. In a time where we need to clear deadwood, and retain those who are up for the battle, he'd certainly be in my discard pile.

I've said it all along Lee was a much better player with Haring in the team to do that side of the game. As soon as Haring was out Lee got worse

[Baxfee]

Robbie’s playing this well. When they return for training he’ll immediately see who’s been focussed on their fitness and who hasn’t been arsed. Might see a few told to bolt at that point. 

[Taffin]

3 minutes ago, bazman said:

I've said it all along Lee was a much better player with Haring in the team to do that side of the game. As soon as Haring was out Lee got worse

 

That's because Haring is a really good player. Fingers crossed he's able to play this season as he'll make whoever plays with him seem better too 🤞🤞

[KyleLafferty]

Lee has been putting the effort in during lockdown. I like him, can’t defend however but I like guys who can assist and score bangers. There was zero link up play from midfield to strikers last season so hope he can capture early 18/19 season form.

[Famous 1874]

Neilson says Lee has “good energy and a great work ethic”. Worrying me even more now, Lee was lazy and slow. 

[Tennant's 6's]

51 minutes ago, 1971fozzy said:

hardly.  Lee was very good for us before Levein fell out with him. Another player he damn near ruined. 

Like Uche, I'd prefer it if they both left, but if they were to stay & maybe lost a few pounds,  esp Uche, to make them leaner & more mobile.

 

I think that Lee could be a good holding midfielder,  spraying passes to help setup counter attacks etc.

 

Robbie & his coaching staff do have one hell of a job with that squad that they've been left with though.. 

[Tennant's 6's]

2 minutes ago, Famous 1874 said:

Neilson says Lee has “good energy and a great work ethic”. Worrying me even more now, Lee was lazy and slow. 

Gordon also spoke of the two quality GK, I'm hoping that it was just the usual platitudes that football folk give to the media.. 

[Gulf Jambo]

2 minutes ago, Famous 1874 said:

Neilson says Lee has “good energy and a great work ethic”. Worrying me even more now, Lee was lazy and slow. 

 

Slow, but 6 goals & 12 assists in his first season

How much we could have used that last year. 

 

And especially if it's championship he will stroll it in CM. 

 

Him & Irving's passing ability in the middle would be great

 

Haring behind & Naismith in front in a diamond with some pact wingbacks. 

 

Starting to sound better 

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

I wasn't a big Lee fan,  probably because he was over hyped. 

 

Our midfield last season minus him Djoum and Haring is the reason we are in the predicament we are. 

 

Never replaced,  catastrophic change 

[Chaps]

7 minutes ago, Tennant's 6's said:

Gordon also spoke of the two quality GK, I'm hoping that it was just the usual platitudes that football folk give to the media.. 

 

Of course it is. He’s hardly going to come out and tell us how shite they are even though we already know it.

[Newton51]

Lee started well for us but his form dipped. The annoying thing was last summer when we signed Whelan and damour on big money to replace Olly but neither were an upgrade

[Gmcjambo]

42 minutes ago, Baxfee said:

Robbie’s playing this well. When they return for training he’ll immediately see who’s been focussed on their fitness and who hasn’t been arsed. Might see a few told to bolt at that point. 

Agree although I'm worried about our centre backs.   Hope I'm wrong but I expect Halkett to come back a few pounds heavier and out of shape,  Berra is squad player at best, Souttar and Haring both have question marks over them too.     MUCH better GK thankfully but defence is shaping up to be the weakest link IMO. 

[Harry Potter]

1 hour ago, rmreido said:

Yeah but, that goal at fester rd, thanks for that Olly.

[Debut 4]

23 minutes ago, Sir Gio said:

 

Our midfield last season minus him Djoum and Haring is the reason we are in the predicament we are. 

 

Never replaced,  catastrophic change 

Lee ended up a disappointment, latterly, but again I felt he wasn’t helped by the whole approach and mindset at the club.

 

You could argue he’s limited and it’s these kinds of players we need to improve on but we never set up to use the strengths of players. It was clear Lee could strike a ball very well. He was tidy enough on the ball if not spectacular. He wasn’t played advanced enough, imo.

 

He should’ve been played further forward , being able to play in that link role between midfield and attack. Picking up loose balls 25, 30 yards out. Over a season we may have seen a decent return on goals and influence. 
 

In times he got played in a more advanced role we saw intent to have a go at goal or get into the box. It was all too rare because the management didn’t play that way. 
 

Motherwell goal in the league cup and winner v Hibs only really spring to mind where we saw him in games popping up closer to the box or getting in it. 

Edited July 25, 2020 by Debut 4

[wavydavy]

12 minutes ago, Gmcjambo said:

Agree although I'm worried about our centre backs.   Hope I'm wrong but I expect Halkett to come back a few pounds heavier and out of shape,  Berra is squad player at best, Souttar and Haring both have question marks over them too.     MUCH better GK thankfully but defence is shaping up to be the weakest link IMO. 

 

The last time Robbie was with us as our Coach he worked very hard on the players fitness with double sessions etc.

 

I would imagine he will be having a long hard look at the condition of the players when they return for training and working them hard to be fully fit for the start of the campaign.

 

Souttar and Haring I would imagine will need a bit longer and more specialist work to get them up to match fitness.

[jamboinglasgow]

4 minutes ago, Debut 4 said:

Lee ended up a disappointment, latterly, but again I felt he wasn’t helped by the whole approach and mindset at the club.

 

You could argue he’s limited and it’s these kinds of players we need to improve on but we never set up to use the strengths of players. It was clear Lee could strike a ball very well. He was tidy enough on the ball if not spectacular. He wasn’t played advanced enough, imo.

 

He should’ve been played further forward , being able to play in that link role between midfield and attack. Picking up loose balls 25, 30 yards out. Over a season we may have seen a decent return on goals and influence. 
 

In times he got played in a more advanced role we saw intent to have a go at goal or get into the box. It was all too rare because the management didn’t play that way. 
 

Motherwell goal in the league cup and winner v Hibs only really spring to mind where we saw him in games popping up closer to the box or getting in it. 

 

I agree

 

I think some people dont realise how quite a few players need to be put certain position or style to do well. Some can play well no matter the style and where they are positioned. It often happens with strikers, a player scores 20 goals in a season at a club, is signed by another club and scores a handful. Its not that the player is suddenly a terrible player, its that one club knows how to get the most out of them. 

 

I agree, we need to play to players strengths. Though at the same time, if a player doesn't fit the way the team plays which brings out the strengths in other players, its pointless changing that to fit one player.

[Coco]

Very little chat about a striker.

 

Last year all the forward players wanted to come back towards the midfield.  We need someone with pace to stretch the game.

[And he’s not praying!]

1 minute ago, Coco said:

Very little chat about a striker.

 

Last year all the forward players wanted to come back towards the midfield.  We need someone with pace to stretch the game.

Washington, should be stay and remain fit, is that player.

[bazman]

2 minutes ago, Coco said:

Very little chat about a striker.

 

Last year all the forward players wanted to come back towards the midfield.  We need someone with pace to stretch the game.

Will come from the wide players not the strikers

[gashauskis9]

1 hour ago, GinRummy said:

Just about every player who’s helped us sink to a ridiculously low level is being defended somewhere on this forum. It’s almost as if people have forgotten how utterly shite we were before Covid and the spfl cheats. 

I was referring to Haring, Lee and Naismith.  The last time Haring and Lee kicked a ball for us we were a top 6 club, and Naismith missed half of last season.  

[gashauskis9]

5 minutes ago, Coco said:

Very little chat about a striker.

 

Last year all the forward players wanted to come back towards the midfield.  We need someone with pace to stretch the game.

If we strengthen midfield and wide areas, then essentially we’ve got four strikers (as it stands) who will play their natural positions rather than as attacking midfielders/wingers (Naismith, Boyce, Washington, Uche).  

[Pagey]

I'm hoping, with some of these articles and attributed Robbie comments, that he's saying what needs to be said to keep his options open with players and once the season path forward is clearer, he can generate some movement out for the deadwood created by Levein. With the transfer window being open into October, there'll be time to get things done. Surprised that Lee would stay tho, given he wanted to be back in South of England so maybe up to him to force the move. 

[3fingersreid]

He reminds me of Davie Kirkwood , great left peg and fine striker of the ball but it takes a few seconds for the message from the brain to reach his foot unfortunately .
 
Perhaps paired with the right player he can still be an asset to us , seems to have done well on loan . 

Edited July 25, 2020 by 3fingersreid

[Ainsley Harriott]

2 hours ago, GinRummy said:

Just about every player who’s helped us sink to a ridiculously low level is being defended somewhere on this forum. It’s almost as if people have forgotten how utterly shite we were before Covid and the spfl cheats. 

Correct suddenly Berra is going to be great to have around according to some on here.

[mitch41]

18 hours ago, Dr. Sheldon Cooper said:

 

Halkett is a good player. A good player who had a poor season. It happens and he will absolutely stroll through the majority of games next season.

 

Berra did well at Dundee during his time there. He isn't good enough to be a first pick for us now but again at that level he is a competent defender.

Has anyone come in for Berra ? I’d encourage the big man to move if he wants to play every week.

[kila]

If we can have Lee and Haring playing together again then great.

 

Some of the players get a second chance for me with Levein completely out the picture now. Lee is one of them.

 

[GinRummy]

48 minutes ago, gashauskis9 said:

I was referring to Haring, Lee and Naismith.  The last time Haring and Lee kicked a ball for us we were a top 6 club, and Naismith missed half of last season.  

My comments weren’t aimed at your post. Would love Haring back from injury and I’m sure Naismith will tear the championship up if he stays fit. Don’t want Lee back though.