Souttar: Chances of Getting Back to his Best?

[Deodato]

Watched Cove Rangers game and there was a special reminder of Souttar's skills. 

 

He got up the park, made space and laid a forward pass with enough pace to get beyond the defence yet still came to a dead stop, ideal for the forward player to latch onto and create a chance. A glimpse of his vision and a reminder of his class. Injuries, sure he's had 'em - but how good can he get this season?

 

A nice reminder of the early signals he was special below, from the Tangerine Dream. Love love this clip. 

 

Deodato 

 

 

 

Edited July 17, 2021 by Deodato

[kila]

Every time he’s out injured for a prolonged period he just strolls his first game back and looks like he’s never been away. 
 

Hopefully he can stay fit as he’s a cracking player.

[Mars plastic]

9 minutes ago, Deodato said:

Watched Cove Rangers game and there was a special reminder of Souttar's skills. 

 

He got up the park, made space and laid a forward pass with enough pace to get beyond the defence yet still came to a dead stop, ideal for the forward player to latch onto and create a chance. A glimpse of his vision and a reminder of his class. Injuries, sure he's had 'em - but how good can he get this season?

 

A nice reminder of the early signals he was special below, from the Tangerine Dream. Love love this clip. 

 

Deodato 

 

 

 

Why do you put your name at the end of your posts?

[Robbo-Jambo]

18 minutes ago, Mars plastic said:

Why do you put your name at the end of your posts?

😄 Bit strange tbh.

[Debut 4]

Got everything going for him but I think he still needs to refine some

things and balance his game out. 
 

Hopefully with a prolonged spell staying fit it will allow him to.  Good to have someone comfy on the ball and equally good defensively. But his eagerness to start attacks and push up sometimes leaves him

out of position. 
 

Don’t get me wrong, I like a Davie MacPherson style CH who likes to break forward but it’s about picking the time.  
 

Also, and it’s nit picky, he needs to drop clearing headers more often into the direction of a maroon jersey.  I just feel he always goes to header it like he’s kicking it up the park, and when under no pressure.  
 

Good to see him back.  The team certainly looks more at ease when playing out of defence. 👍🏻

[MTS1874]

He’s come back from a serious hip injury and 3 snapped Achilles. I cringe every time he goes into a 50/50 tackle. If he can keep injury free I’m sure he’ll get back to his best.

[Robbo-Jambo]

5 minutes ago, MTS1874 said:

He’s come back from a serious hip injury and 3 snapped Achilles. I cringe every time he goes into a 50/50 tackle. If he can keep injury free I’m sure he’ll get back to his best.

Agree.

 

It's great seeing him back but you are kind of holding your breath when he goes into tackles.

[Cruyff]

6 minutes ago, MTS1874 said:

He’s come back from a serious hip injury and 3 snapped Achilles. I cringe every time he goes into a 50/50 tackle. If he can keep injury free I’m sure he’ll get back to his best.

He's had brutal luck. Lesser folk would have crumbled. John just comes back better and stronger each time, playing every game like it's his last. 

 

Personally think he should just stay at Hearts for good. 🤞

[The Treasurer]

50 minutes ago, Robbo-Jambo said:

Agree.

 

It's great seeing him back but you are kind of holding your breath when he goes into tackles.

His injuries tend to be when he lands awkwardly or catches his studs when turning rather than crunching tackles 

[scott herbertson]

1 hour ago, Mars plastic said:

Why do you put your name at the end of your posts?

 

 

I'm always grateful to deodata for his name checking, personally

 

By one of those obscure pieces of serendipity his name reminded me that I heard a record way back in 1975, and tried to find it in the shops. the record I thought was Africa - Indian Summer and the only suggestion the people in the shops(pre-internet) would give me was deodata doing Indian Summer, but it wasn't the track i had heard

 

Anyway come the internet and kickback and Deodata's name, I did another check and found the earworm buzz from all those years ago

 

A piece of very very cheesy lounge music, but I will always be grateful to the poster deodata for inadvertently reuniting me with an old friend

 

 

 

Edited July 17, 2021 by scott herbertson

[Robbo-Jambo]

26 minutes ago, The Treasurer said:

His injuries tend to be when he lands awkwardly or catches his studs when turning rather than crunching tackles 

Aye that's true right enough.

[tynietigers]

I believe he will be first pick for the Scotland squad by this time next year 👍🏻

[Dusk_Till_Dawn]

2 hours ago, Deodato said:

Watched Cove Rangers game and there was a special reminder of Souttar's skills. 

 

He got up the park, made space and laid a forward pass with enough pace to get beyond the defence yet still came to a dead stop, ideal for the forward player to latch onto and create a chance. A glimpse of his vision and a reminder of his class. Injuries, sure he's had 'em - but how good can he get this season?

 

A nice reminder of the early signals he was special below, from the Tangerine Dream. Love love this clip. 

 

Deodato 

 

 

 

It’s entirely dependent on his fitness. Many more periods of absence and he’ll be done but he’s got time on his side if his body holds up.

 

I doubt we’ll ever get to see what could have been though 

[Jamhammer]

3 hours ago, tynietigers said:

I believe he will be first pick for the Scotland squad by this time next year 👍🏻

Is he moving to Rangers? 😀

If he can stay fit it’ll make a huge difference to our season. Same with Gino

[Lfhearts]

3 hours ago, tynietigers said:

I believe he will be first pick for the Scotland squad by this time next year 👍🏻

Hardly rocket science looking at current occupants in central defence.

[tynietigers]

1 hour ago, Lfhearts said:

Hardly rocket science looking at current occupants in central defence.

So that is two entirely different questions I have been given to my answer 👍🏻 and yes it’s not rocker science but I was answering people who thought he wouldn’t last through injury 👍🏻 I think that is past him, but I could be wrong🤔

Edited July 17, 2021 by tynietigers

[Unknown user]

We'll see, my complaint with John has been that while he has the ability to make a lovely pass, he seems to be too ambitious too often for me and gives away possession too often.

If he improves that he'll really be something else.

[WoolfordsHearts]

Souttar's class,but for his injuries he'd have been long gone a while ago.

Let's enjoy him while he's here. 

[Guest ToqueJambo]

He needs a bruiser alongside him. Basically the Berra of old. The two of them were brilliant together before they both got injured.

[Ibrahim Tall]

Getting back to ‘his best’ isn’t really so much a question on ability as it is fitness. When Souttar plays he’s generally great, I’ve got no really worry if he’s on the pitch he’ll ever really perform his usual standard. My main concern is whether he’ll ever play 25+ games a season let alone 35+.

[A_A wehatethehibs]

Jury is out as to whether he gets to any level above Hearts now. He would be well advised to sign a long term deal here now if he is offered one. Though his agent will no doubt stall things, to try to force a sale in January if he's playing reasonably well. Celtic / Rangers will be his agents primary objective. Difficult to see any English teams parting with the big bucks for him now. 

 

Wish we could turn back the clock and get that 2009-10 Christophe Berra as that is the ideal partner for Soapy, big, dominant, left sided bruiser with good pace and good leadership/communication. Saddens me that that's the last respectable CB to come through our academy. Where are the center halves lads. Berra made his debut 17 ****ing years ago. Best we've done has been Brad McKay. Shambles. 

 

But anyway for us Soapy is a really good player and could play a part in a great Hearts back 4 if we replace Halkett with a good solid partner. 

 

[rudi must stay]

Souttar will always give you a good game. He can play the continental pass (a long pass) too which is nice 

[Jambof3tornado]

22 hours ago, Smithee said:

We'll see, my complaint with John has been that while he has the ability to make a lovely pass, he seems to be too ambitious too often for me and gives away possession too often.

If he improves that he'll really be something else.

I think he can be a bit casual/slsck headed at times. Given his lack of game time for the last while its something that will get better.

 

I do close my eyes at times watching him fearing another breakdown. If he can get to xmas injury free no reason to think he isnt back to his best.

[Unknown user]

2 hours ago, rudi must stay said:

Souttar will always give you a good game. He can play the continental pass (a long pass) too which is nice 

Someone described him as playing quarter back against cove rangers, a great description I thought, and it's a role he's perfectly suited to. If we play 3 at the back and turn to 4 when he brings the ball out, it means he can be brave, move freely for a killer pass. We may see even more from him if we use him wisely

[Rods]

Hopefully this break has given him a chance to get fully fit. 

[Deodato]

On 17/07/2021 at 12:27, scott herbertson said:

 

 

I'm always grateful to deodata for his name checking, personally

 

By one of those obscure pieces of serendipity his name reminded me that I heard a record way back in 1975, and tried to find it in the shops. the record I thought was Africa - Indian Summer and the only suggestion the people in the shops(pre-internet) would give me was deodata doing Indian Summer, but it wasn't the track i had heard

 

Anyway come the internet and kickback and Deodata's name, I did another check and found the earworm buzz from all those years ago

 

A piece of very very cheesy lounge music, but I will always be grateful to the poster deodata for inadvertently reuniting me with an old friend

 

 

 

 

Not a bad choice, but Deodato appears on over 500 albums as an arranger (the intro to Celebration by Kool and the Gang pays for most of his divorces when I do his royalties). 

 

This is the pick of the pack, Barbara & Ernie is a lost classic but the way Play with Fire is arranged by Deodato is so engaging. The album is rare but reissued - strongly recommend you get a copy. 

 

 

[Deodato]

8 hours ago, A_A wehatethehibs said:

Best we've done has been Brad McKay. Shambles. 

I thought I'd managed to wipe any memory of him out of my system - shame to get this reminder. 

 

He was god awful. 

[Bongo 1874]

If Souttar plays a full season without getting injured, I guarantee he won't be with us next season, sky is the limit for this guy, just hope he can stay fit and injury free. 

[Deodato]

On 17/07/2021 at 10:31, Mars plastic said:

Why do you put your name at the end of your posts?

 

Inertia. Always done it since 2005, back when Buffalo Bill ruled these boards with 'rep'. 

 

 

 

Pernicative folks always take issue with it. 

[Deodato]

5 hours ago, Smithee said:

Someone described him as playing quarter back against cove rangers, a great description I thought, and it's a role he's perfectly suited to. If we play 3 at the back and turn to 4 when he brings the ball out, it means he can be brave, move freely for a killer pass. We may see even more from him if we use him wisely

 

7 hours ago, rudi must stay said:

Souttar will always give you a good game. He can play the continental pass (a long pass) too which is nice 

 

Both, this. 

 

And it means we can avoid reverting back to hoof ball tactics and grow a team that can play out from the back and keep it on the ground. If we're going to attract talent, we're going to need to demonstrate attractive football and Souttar is key to avoiding the dreaded combo of hoof ball and cheering on 'throw ins'. 

[Deodato]

On 17/07/2021 at 20:18, ToqueJambo said:

He needs a bruiser alongside him. Basically the Berra of old. The two of them were brilliant together before they both got injured.

Agree with this, and having a bruiser reduces the risk of further injuries too. 

[Bongo 1874]

3 minutes ago, Deodato said:

Agree with this, and having a bruiser reduces the risk of further injuries too. 

We have Halkett as the bruiser 😉, bring in someone that can play out from the back like Souttar, Robbie Deas or Jamie Mccart. 

 

And if you want a better bruiser than Halkett, bring in Liam Gordon from the Saints sorted. 

Edited July 18, 2021 by Bongo 1874

[Deodato]

5 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

We have Halkett as the bruiser 😉, bring in someone that can play out from the back like Souttar, Robbie Deas or Jamie Mccart. 

 

And if you want a better bruiser than Halkett, bring in Liam Gordon from the Saints sorted. 

Halkett does have a habit of sending opposition players through the advertising boards. 

 

Or, as Hearts TV commentary like to put it, "gieing the wee fella a gentle nudge"

 

 

[1971fozzy]

People saying we haven’t signed anyone and losing their shit. If we have Soapy, Gino and Haring fit then there’s 3 new players right there. 
If JS stays fit then he will excel and be a natural pick for Scotland. He’s a far better player than the likes of Porteus for example.

[1971fozzy]

8 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

We have Halkett as the bruiser 😉, bring in someone that can play out from the back like Souttar, Robbie Deas or Jamie Mccart. 

 

And if you want a better bruiser than Halkett, bring in Liam Gordon from the Saints sorted. 

i agree. Halkett gets an unfair amount of criticism on here from the usual. I think he’s a perfect foil for souttar. 

[Bongo 1874]

1 minute ago, Deodato said:

Halkett does have a habit of sending opposition players through the advertising boards. 

 

Or, as Hearts TV commentary like to put it, "gieing the wee fella a gentle nudge"

 

 

Halkett gets a lot of criticism and I've even criticised the guy myself, but since Souttar has came back in, he is trying to play it on the deck more. 

 

Always a great option to have if you are needing a goal to get a draw or win a game to chuck upfront. 

 

Some of his tackles last season were borderline animal stuff but, on the most part i don't think he goes out to hurt players, just frustration getting the better of him. 

 

He certainly is a better football player than that animal over the road Porto, lad wouldn't know how to spell football yet he has everyone and the media licking clean up his ring piece asking for a Scotland call up, mental man!!. 

[alwaysthereinspirit]

On 17/07/2021 at 11:51, Jamhammer said:

Is he moving to Rangers? 😀

If he can stay fit it’ll make a huge difference to our season. Same with Gino

My first thought too was “oh he must be leaving”

I’d love it to be but there’s little chance playing for Hearts and Scotland is a possibility right now for any home born Hearts player. We’re so far back in the dark ages when it comes to international football and risk taking. Still amazed the Chelsea kid started for us recently. We’d never have taken the chances England took with numerous youngsters no matter their talent level. We’ll probably not reach a big tournament again for another 20 odd years.  We’re so scared of failure when all we do is fail time after time. It’s time to change our player selection methods. If we can’t qualify  after x games then bring in the youngsters for the remaining games and let them sink or swim. Playing the same failed players does nothing for us. Sorry for the rant and going off topic a bit but it irks me no end how $#!te we are year after year. 

[jamboinglasgow]

Souttar if he can stay fit for the whole season, should be fighting as first choice centre back for Scotland and would deserve a big move. There is not a ball playing Scottish centre back that comes close to him.

 

He certainly deserves some good luck with injuries after awful time he has had with them over the years. Hopefully this year is the one where everything goes his way.

[Guest ToqueJambo]

15 hours ago, Deodato said:

Halkett does have a habit of sending opposition players through the advertising boards. 

 

Or, as Hearts TV commentary like to put it, "gieing the wee fella a gentle nudge"

 

 

 

Halkett is a hard defender but that should be par for the course for a CB. We need a Berra type to win everything in the air and not even try to play football, which Halkett does at times (but doesn't need to with Souttar which might be why he looks a bit better). Pre-injuries Halkett/Souttar and Berra/Souttar were very good partnerships, but Souttar/Berra edged it for me as complementary pairing.