January transfer window ( Now closed )

[Ccjambo1874]

2 minutes ago, jambonian said:

 

It's an issue. We should maybe be looking at two new defenders for next season. I think back to Levein after being out for very long periods of time. Hopefully Souttar can kick on but if he's injured again then it could well be all over for him.

I imagine one CB will be signed. Berra will no doubt move on.

Popescu will be back up to Halkett and Soapy. Haring will be able to cover if stretched with injuries. I would only see us bringing 2 in if Popescu/Haring were to leave as well.

[Stu_HMFC]

8 minutes ago, jr ewing said:

I would always have a place in my team for Haring. 

 

Smith 

Haring 

Souttar 

Kingsley 

 

Could maybe have Halkett playing more in midfield as a DM ?  

[Ronald Villiers]

9 minutes ago, Stu_HMFC said:

 

Smith 

Haring 

Souttar 

Kingsley 

 

Could maybe have Halkett playing more in midfield as a DM ?  

Spot on Stu.  I was just about to post the same myself.  Halkett isn't the most mobile but he's a goal threat.  I wonder what is the best way to accommodate him.

[wavydavy]

1 hour ago, tian447 said:

 

Can't win with these situations.

 

We give a player an 18 month deal, and everyone says it should have been longer.  We give a player a 3 or 4 year deal and they go mental, especially if something goes wrong like a long term injury.

 

18 months is a perfect amount of time, and hopefully will see him complete a season back in the Scottish Premiership before deciding what to do next.

 

I think the difference here is that we have seen firsthand what both Smith and Kingsley can do unlike when we give out four year deals to the likes of Damour.

[wavydavy]

31 minutes ago, jr ewing said:

I would always have a place in my team for Haring. 

 

A fully fit one.

[Jambof3tornado]

1 hour ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

Yup, McInnes says he is hopeful he will sign, but we could offer a better chance for him. Though it would mean if Aberdeen have offered a deal that there is now compensation due if he moves.

Is this the only reason they made him an offer,knowing he'd get better offers but sheep still get something?

[Boof]

15 hours ago, ToqueJambo said:

Then there are ones who started terrible and were actually terrible. Stockton, Grzlek, Sowah, Vanacek.. 🤣

 

Guess the game...

 

1 McLaughlin

30 Brandon

2 Smith

6 Berra

16 Randall

8 Buaben Substituted for McDonald at 67'minutes

47 Cochrane

15 Cowie Booked at 34mins

20 Callachan Substituted for Grzelak at 85'minutes

11 Milinkovic

9 Lafferty Booked at 45mins Substituted for Stockton at 72'

 

Not disputing their shiteness, just reflecting upon a team that, on paper, doesn't look all that great  

[Uncle Buck]

My player of the year so far. Great news.

[wentworth jambo]

13 hours ago, davemclaren said:

McQuade scored a cracker at Easter Road. 

I'm sure I still have the Gilzean badge somewhere proclaiming "McQuade's chips are better than Brattisani's!"

[A_A wehatethehibs]

14 minutes ago, Stu_HMFC said:

 

Smith 

Haring 

Souttar 

Kingsley 

 

Could maybe have Halkett playing more in midfield as a DM ?  

Swap out Souttar and Haring for 2x new top class physical fitness machines of center halves and you’ve got a back 4 with a chance of being competitive. 

 

Berra, Popescu, Haring, Halkett and Souttar. The sad truth is there is not one player there that can be depended on to be the rock at central defence for the Premiership and have the spine of the team built round him.
 

But my fear is that Neilson will think Souttar-Halkett is the plan and won’t make CB enough of a priority.

[Morgaro Gomis]

5 minutes ago, Boof said:

 

Guess the game...

 

1 McLaughlin

30 Brandon

2 Smith

6 Berra

16 Randall

8 Buaben Substituted for McDonald at 67'minutes

47 Cochrane

15 Cowie Booked at 34mins

20 Callachan Substituted for Grzelak at 85'minutes

11 Milinkovic

9 Lafferty Booked at 45mins Substituted for Stockton at 72'

 

Not disputing their shiteness, just reflecting upon a team that, on paper, doesn't look all that great  

 

Would that be Hearts 4-0 Celtic by any chance?

[adambraejambo]

44 minutes ago, ericb said:

Smith and Kingsley great business, but is it nor correct that these deals can be done at any time, and not only in a window?

 

If so, I'm still hopeful that new players will be coming in, and maybe effort should be on these before extensions? 

Whilst extensions can be signed at anytime would you have been happy to ask  Kingsley to wait till after the window closes .  What if  Aberdeen then  declare a interest. They or anyone could have got him on a pre contract and prob cost us more money to keep him. I'm sure Savage and his team are able to multi task and look for new players whilst also negotiate with current ones . 

Edited January 21, 2021 by adambraejambo

[LarrysRightFoot]

24 minutes ago, Ronald Villiers said:

Spot on Stu.  I was just about to post the same myself.  Halkett isn't the most mobile but he's a goal threat.  I wonder what is the best way to accommodate him.

Play him as the target man if we don’t sign one. 
 

Tongue in check but he did used to be a striker. Might be worth the odd 20 mins upfront to see how he does. 

[The Old Tolbooth]

1 hour ago, Morgaro Gomis said:

I don’t think Popescu is anywhere near good enough, I also think he was correctly dropped after looking dodgy in a few games before his horrendous performance against Dunfermline.

 

However, I think he has made fewer mistakes leading to goals than Berra this season and we were far quicker to drop him than we are with Berra - who should also be now dropped after recent showings.

 

Like choosing between a rock and a hard place, neither are good enough. I’d be tempted to give Popescu another shot though, as I feel Berra needs dropped. 

 

Careful mate, you'll be accused of being part of the "baying mob" with posts like that

[Boof]

4 minutes ago, Morgaro Gomis said:

 

Would that be Hearts 4-0 Celtic by any chance?

 

Top of the class for you, Mr Gomis.

 

Had no idea Stockton was even involved but just chanced upon the Hearts 'Poznan' on YouTube and spotted his shirt!   

[Thommo414]

1 hour ago, Hackney Hearts said:

 

I agree - although that was from the Hearts official website! 

"Fellow full-back" would have been fine.

 

 

BTW - was that an ironically misplaced apostrophe in 'journalist's grammar' ?!

That’s disappointing, I thought we were better than that.

 

As to your question, that’ll be quite enough of that, thank you. I’ve had a shocker 🤦‍♂️😂

[OTT]

2 hours ago, tian447 said:

 

Can't win with these situations.

 

We give a player an 18 month deal, and everyone says it should have been longer.  We give a player a 3 or 4 year deal and they go mental, especially if something goes wrong like a long term injury.

 

18 months is a perfect amount of time, and hopefully will see him complete a season back in the Scottish Premiership before deciding what to do next.

 

I think its about common sense. Kingsley knows Scottish football, he's at a good age and has done well. We want to see players like that given long term deals not punts like Osh, Martin or Damour. Where we've given long term deals to players that know the league we've not been disappointed. Kinda feels like putting your hand on a hot stove.  We keep getting our fingers burned bringing unfamiliar players into the league, where as when we go tried and tested we're usually okay. Its probably time to learn and be less cautious about Scottish based players and more cautious with players unfamiliar with Scottish football. 

 

I think the 18 month deal is probably what Kingsley wanted though. Suspect Robbie and Joe would have been happy giving him a 3/4 year deal since the lad is real quality but he wants to put himself in the shop window and not be hamstrung by us wanting good money for him (because he's got time on his deal). 

[Gav M]

4 minutes ago, Boof said:

 

Top of the class for you, Mr Gomis.

 

Had no idea Stockton was even involved but just chanced upon the Hearts 'Poznan' on YouTube and spotted his shirt!   

pretty sure it was stockton who held the ball up and played it on for callachan to go on and win the penalty

[BigAlim]

14 minutes ago, A_A wehatethehibs said:

 

But my fear is that Neilson will think Souttar-Halkett is the plan and won’t make CB enough of a priority.

 

I'm a bit worried about this myself, I don't think halkett or Souttar would be willing to sit on the bench and I think they both have some really good attributes but they don't compliment each other at all as we saw last season 

[davemclaren]

18 minutes ago, wentworth jambo said:

I'm sure I still have the Gilzean badge somewhere proclaiming "McQuade's chips are better than Brattisani's!"

Brilliant. 👍

[fabienleclerq]

1 hour ago, Ari Gold said:

Not for me. I think he struggled there in the limited games he played after signing before moving into midfield. Thats what I remember anyway.

I have my doubts if he'll ever get back to the level to where he's seen as an important player but he deserves all the time he needs. Hopefully a proper preseason will do him the world of good. 

 

Really happy with the Kingsley news. 

 

I think he'd be better there than midfield now, I think his injury will prevent him turning etc as well as before. 

[haveyouheard1874]

Just now, davemclaren said:

Brilliant. 👍

I had one with ''Jesus saves but Busby nets the rebound''

[fabienleclerq]

1 hour ago, Stu_HMFC said:

 

Did he not come to Hearts as a CB ? I think he could play the position which would allow Halliday and Irivng to play CM .

That was my recollection aswell. He'd be a pretty decent player to have at CH if you want to play out from the back. 

[davemclaren]

3 minutes ago, haveyouheard1874 said:

I had one with ''Jesus saves but Busby nets the rebound''

 

[David Black]

3 minutes ago, fabienleclerq said:

That was my recollection aswell. He'd be a pretty decent player to have at CH if you want to play out from the back. 

If I recall correctly, Haring played midfield in Austria until about 2 years before we signed him. That club converted him into a CH which is what we signed.

[haveyouheard1874]

Just now, davemclaren said:

 

Superb,, i also had one with ''Jimmy Cant'' , ''Yes he can'' .. loved those as a nipper, great memories 

[BigAlim]

I honestly believe Haring and Smith are better defenders than any of our centre halves, would be interested in seeing them tried out as a pairing as they have all the attributes to be a good partnership 

[A_A wehatethehibs]

1 minute ago, BigAlim said:

 

I'm a bit worried about this myself, I don't think halkett or Souttar would be willing to sit on the bench and I think they both have some really good attributes but they don't compliment each other at all as we saw last season 

You never know with Souttar, with the trouble he’s had I imagine he might not be too fussed if he had more of a bit part role next season, utility man. I think he’ll just be happy to prove he can get back playing and stay fit, that’s all that really matters, that’s his goal as of right now. Even if he only gets 15-20 games. Certainly wouldn’t be building the team round him. We need a starting back 4 that is rock solid physically. There’s been so much chopping and changing there over the past few years and Souttar has been a big cause of that. We need a settled back 4. As for Halkett, I’ve just never seen enough from him. Feel he huffs and puffs and gets drawn into battles vs very average strikers, and at times is a risk of being dispossessed as he takes too many heavy touches when he comes forward.

[Fraggle]

Great news about Kingsley, really thought he was going to jump ship at the end of the season. Left side now looking much stronger, right side the same if Gino signs. Would like another CB but what we have will see us through until summer. An attacking central midfielder (not easy to come by these days, granted) and the forward Robbie is looking for, and we are bang on track. 

[JimmyCant]

22 minutes ago, BigAlim said:

 

I'm a bit worried about this myself, I don't think halkett or Souttar would be willing to sit on the bench and I think they both have some really good attributes but they don't compliment each other at all as we saw last season 

Halkett isn’t good enough in a pair for the top league. That’s already proven for me. Given that Berra is done and Souttar may not ever be fit for a lengthy period we need to sign 2 new centre halves as starters with Halkett as emergency cover or part of a 3. If we’re 100% certain Souttar is fully fixed then we only need one but I just can’t see the sense in marking Souttar down as your go to guy given his horrendous injury record. We’ve also got Popescu who hasn’t been great so far and Hamilton who must be approaching the now or never stage.

Edited January 21, 2021 by JimmyCant

[Ronald Villiers]

40 minutes ago, LarrysRightFoot said:

Play him as the target man if we don’t sign one. 
 

Tongue in check but he did used to be a striker. Might be worth the odd 20 mins upfront to see how he does. 

Totally mate, maybe an impact sub for the final 20 minutes of matches.  

[Pasquale for King]

21 minutes ago, A_A wehatethehibs said:

You never know with Souttar, with the trouble he’s had I imagine he might not be too fussed if he had more of a bit part role next season, utility man. I think he’ll just be happy to prove he can get back playing and stay fit, that’s all that really matters, that’s his goal as of right now. Even if he only gets 15-20 games. Certainly wouldn’t be building the team round him. We need a starting back 4 that is rock solid physically. There’s been so much chopping and changing there over the past few years and Souttar has been a big cause of that. We need a settled back 4. As for Halkett, I’ve just never seen enough from him. Feel he huffs and puffs and gets drawn into battles vs very average strikers, and at times is a risk of being dispossessed as he takes too many heavy touches when he comes forward.

Spot on. 

[BelgeJambo]

Souttar and Haring fully match fit would be a decent CH pairing

[Pasquale for King]

19 minutes ago, JimmyCant said:

Halkett isn’t good enough in a pair for the top league. That’s already proven for me. Given that Berra is done and Souttar may not ever be fit for a lengthy period we need to sign 2 new centre halves as starters with Halkett as emergency cover or part of a 3. If we’re 100% certain Souttar is fully fixed then we only need one but I just can’t see the sense in marking Souttar down as your go to guy given his horrendous injury record. We’ve also got Popescu who hasn’t been great so far and Hamilton who must be approaching the now or never stage.

We need two, as you say Halkett has proved he’s not up to it. Berra will be gone. Nobody can guarantee Souttar wont break down again or how long he will take to get back, he’s only played a handful of games in two years. Popescu isn’t up to it and Hamilton will never make it as a CH, Neilson has already decided that. 

[Pasquale for King]

We’ve not seen enough of Haring at CH to make decision on whether he can play there for us, he was playing in the 2nd division in Austria at the position for a reason. 

[A_A wehatethehibs]

Just now, BigAlim said:

I honestly believe Haring and Smith are better defenders than any of our centre halves, would be interested in seeing them tried out as a pairing as they have all the attributes to be a good partnership 

Folk need to stop this “we should try midfielder A or full back B at Center half and move Halkett to midfield” it’s Xbox type guff. It is not going to take us to 3rd and would offer us absolutely no benefit this season. 
 

This is real football and the fact is, Halkett-Berra gets promotion this season without any changes, but to have a team that is going to challenge for 3rd next season, we need 2 new Center halves. 
 

CB is a specialist position and you can’t just chuck full backs in there as your plan just because Smith had a good game there on 1 occasion vs Celtic. There’s a reason he has spent his entire career, now age 32, at right back not Center back. Peter Haring has not played 1 game at CB for Hearts and I would definitely think there is a very big fundamental reason for that. CB in Scotland is a completely different animal from CB in the Austrian division 2. You don’t get to just jog forward into yards of space and have time on the ball. I reckon Haring would get absolutely bullied physically at CB and it has probably happened in training hence it’s never even been tried in a match. 
 

We need to be looking for Christophe Berra when he was age 23: quality + physicality. Or Andy Webster, Or even someone like Rossi who was generally very steady and composed for us. Even Ozturk even though he was suspect aerially, significantly better on the ball than the likes of Halkett so offered different contributions to a team that consistently won Premiership games. These type central defenders, all of them were specialists who are fully comfortable with the job role. That’s what we need. 
 

 

[AC Mallin_51]

I really do feel like for the first time in a while we are now genuinely only a couple of players away from being where we really need to be. A decent CB and midfielder and we are a well established side imo. Fingers crossed that’s something we can do 

[Guest ToqueJambo]

31 minutes ago, BigAlim said:

I honestly believe Haring and Smith are better defenders than any of our centre halves, would be interested in seeing them tried out as a pairing as they have all the attributes to be a good partnership 

 

Possibly but then we lose our best DM and best RB. Knowing they can play there does mean we don't need to worry about cover at CB though.

[Bunny Munro]

Haring should be played at CDM or not at all (unless he's covering for injury/suspension.

 

Saying that, I'm worried the player we had in 2019 no longer exists.

[JimmyCant]

1 minute ago, Pasquale for King said:

We need two, as you say Halkett has proved he’s not up to it. Berra will be gone. Nobody can guarantee Souttar wont break down again or how long he will take to get back, he’s only played a handful of games in two years. Popescu isn’t up to it and Hamilton will never make it as a CH, Neilson has already decided that. 

I actually think Souttar is over-rated anyway. Even fully fit he is nowhere near the class of Weir. Levein. Mcpherson Webster Berra in his day. Ritchie. Mcmanus and a few others. He'll still be a player with potential rather than the finished article he should be by now

[davemclaren]

6 minutes ago, JimmyCant said:

I actually think Souttar is over-rated anyway. Even fully fit he is nowhere near the class of Weir. Levein. Mcpherson Webster Berra in his day. Ritchie. Mcmanus and a few others. He'll still be a player with potential rather than the finished article he should be by now

McManus? 🥴

[A_A wehatethehibs]

3 minutes ago, JimmyCant said:

I actually think Souttar is over-rated anyway. Even fully fit he is nowhere near the class of Weir. Levein. Mcpherson Webster Berra in his day. Ritchie. Mcmanus and a few others. He'll still be a player with potential rather than the finished article he should be by now

He is very good on the ball, very comfortable and he can stand up for himself physically. He has all the quality you need but the bottom line is you need fitness. Just hope he can get back playing.

[HMFC1-5]

3 hours ago, jambonian said:

 

Only one person to replace him eventually....Steven O'Donnell for me. A pre-contract for summer would be ideal.

 

3 hours ago, Debut 4 said:

Would like to look for a better RB in an attacking sense. I think he’s better at CH.  

 

I don’t think it’ll happen in the next year. He’ll play next season, maybe a new RB thereafter.  

 

A good option for sure, tbh wherever you put him he’s dependable and adaptable but maybe we need to think to the future. 

[Section Q]

Elijah Adebayo.

 

Walsal average salaries for 20-21 season is about the lowest in the league so I don't think money will be an issue for the big guy.....!

 

https://www.footy.com/footballers-vs-the-fans/#premier-league

[Mikey1874]

2 minutes ago, Section Q said:

Elijah Adebayo.

 

Walsal average salaries for 20-21 season is about the lowest in the league so I don't think money will be an issue for the big guy.....!

 

https://www.footy.com/footballers-vs-the-fans/#premier-league

 

Local media say Walsall have rejected an offer from Hearts.

[BigAlim]

14 minutes ago, A_A wehatethehibs said:

Folk need to stop this “we should try midfielder A or full back B at Center half and move Halkett to midfield” it’s Xbox type guff. It is not going to take us to 3rd and would offer us absolutely no benefit this season. 
 

This is real football and the fact is, Halkett-Berra gets promotion this season without any changes, but to have a team that is going to challenge for 3rd next season, we need 2 new Center halves. 
 

CB is a specialist position and you can’t just chuck full backs in there as your plan just because Smith had a good game there on 1 occasion vs Celtic. There’s a reason he has spent his entire career, now age 32, at right back not Center back. Peter Haring has not played 1 game at CB for Hearts and I would definitely think there is a very big fundamental reason for that. CB in Scotland is a completely different animal from CB in the Austrian division 2. You don’t get to just jog forward into yards of space and have time on the ball. I reckon Haring would get absolutely bullied physically at CB and it has probably happened in training hence it’s never even been tried in a match. 
 

We need to be looking for Christophe Berra when he was age 23: quality + physicality. Or Andy Webster, Or even someone like Rossi who was generally very steady and composed for us. Even Ozturk even though he was suspect aerially, significantly better on the ball than the likes of Halkett so offered different contributions to a team that consistently won Premiership games. These type central defenders, all of them were specialists who are fully comfortable with the job role. That’s what we need. 
 

 

 

Take your point on Haring but have to agree to disagree on Smith, think he's a superb defender who'll be 33 next season and should think about a position change anyway. Think we could do with having a real live wire right back coming in.

 

I also take exception to the idea that players playing in different positions is in some way football manager stuff, if anything it's quite the opposite, folk who think a footballer can only play one position are thinking in those terms imo

[Section Q]

Just now, Mikey1874 said:

 

Local media say Walsall have rejected an offer from Hearts.

👍

[bazman]

2 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

Local media say Walsall have rejected an offer from Hearts.

If we can get him to agree to a pre contract I'd imagine Walsall will change their tune

[Deevers]

2 hours ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

Yup, McInnes says he is hopeful he will sign, but we could offer a better chance for him. Though it would mean if Aberdeen have offered a deal that there is now compensation due if he moves.

Spoke with my Dons mate this morning. Apparently sitting on the contract offer and has other options on the table. Obviously not going to be rushed. He reckons that McLennan is not used properly there and he might well opt to move elsewhere. I reckon he would be a good fit for us either as a winger or in the no 10 role. He is apparently pretty fast.

[Maroon 1874]

4 hours ago, indianajones said:

Best LB since Takis?

 

That's a very strong claim ... and one I totally agree with