** Hearts - January Transfer Window 2022 ** Toby Sibbick signs 3.5 year deal

[Bazzas right boot]

10 minutes ago, GinRummy said:

Really odd how he done so well at Motherwell, at least initially. There was a thing in the press at the time saying he was struggling to adapt, away from his family and unable to socialise with team mates (or anyone else) because of Covid rules. I streamed a Motherwell game near when he first signed for them and he maybe played a bit higher up the pitch but more or less the same position.

 

Doesn't really matter now as the quality of the squad is so much better.

 

 

 

Any player can have a purple patch Tbh. 

 

[Bazzas right boot]

7 minutes ago, Chimp said:

If Souttar leaves we have an ideal replacement for him in Taylor Moore

 

Yip, and Smith can replace him as we have a new rwb. 

 

No panic. 

[Mister Dee]

Interesting to see how Halkett develops once Soapy is away. 
He’s done well alongside him this season, but next season he’ll be the senior defender. 

[A_A wehatethehibs]

1 minute ago, Smith's right boot said:

 

Yip, and Smith can replace him as we have a new rwb. 

 

No panic. 

No immediate panic but we do need to plan for the longer term though. Because Moore is gone at the end of the season and Smith is 35 

All about the right player. It is a very very important signing. Interesting to see the news that Hearts may share my doubts that Findlay might not be the man, although no idea the reputation of “football Scotland - Edinburgh” whoever the **** that is

[Pans Jambo]

2 minutes ago, Mister Dee said:

Interesting to see how Halkett develops once Soapy is away. 
He’s done well alongside him this season, but next season he’ll be the senior defender. 

Will be but Halkett has played loads of games for Hearts when Soapy was on the treatment table so I’m sure he will be OK. I think Morre is a solid replacement for Soapy in any case. 

[Costanza]

3 hours ago, Cruyff said:

Worst strikers I've ever seen for Hearts are in no particular order,

 

Beckford, McCallum, Ngoo, Mole, Beniusis, Klimek, Tullberg, Witteveen, Nade, Sammon.

 

Gnando not quite making the shit list. 

I don't think I've ever gotten over him starting up front as a lone striker in Athens.

[Bazzas right boot]

5 minutes ago, A_A wehatethehibs said:

No immediate panic but we do need to plan for the longer term though. Because Moore is gone at the end of the season and Smith is 35 

All about the right player. It is a very very important signing. Interesting to see the news that Hearts may share my doubts that Findlay might not be the man, although no idea the reputation of “football Scotland - Edinburgh” whoever the **** that is

 

We'll need players in the summer. 100%.

 

Hopefully with European group football in the bag our kitty and lure along with the choice of player will be improved. 

 

 

[Busby8]

2 hours ago, Hood09 said:

Semi final

2 hours ago, Hood09 said:

Semi final goal against hibs surely excused him 

 

 

 

Not for me, especially after him bottling his penalty in the final.

Too chicken hearted to be a striker.

Now can't even get a start for a team sitting at the bottom of the championship and crying out for a goalscorer.

 

And to think who our alternative signing was reported to be when our then manager plumped for Wighton...... Jeez.

 

 

 

.

[Berra than you]

12 minutes ago, Mister Dee said:

Interesting to see how Halkett develops once Soapy is away. 
He’s done well alongside him this season, but next season he’ll be the senior defender. 

The games we have played without souttar this season he's been exceptional. When halkett has been out we have struggled. Not saying he's a better player, but arguably more important to our system 

[AllyjamboDerbyshire]

54 minutes ago, The Treasurer said:

Players never "sign" a new deal according to the media, they always "pen" a contract 

And so comforting that he's on the 'brink' of signing and not just ready to, or about to, sign a new contract.

 

I suppose it is important for us to know, though, that players are still signing contracts using a pen and not just contactlessly with his mobile phone.

[TheBigO]

14 minutes ago, Berra than you said:

The games we have played without souttar this season he's been exceptional. When halkett has been out we have struggled. Not saying he's a better player, but arguably more important to our system 

In a way, he is, yep.

 

Soapy is the better player, you'd have to say that - he's more in his locker than Halks and could, you'd think play in a number of systems and styles and at a higher level than Craig too.

 

But Halkett is very important to what we do.  We just don't have another player like him.  Smith or Moore at RCB aren't as good as Soapy obviously, but they don't harm our team as much as it would if they had to play centrally imo.  Haring could do it too.

 

There are different ways of setting up a 3, with your central guy being either your ball attacker or more of a ball player, we need him to be an aggressor and a bully and Halkett is superb at it.

 

I argued yesterday that if Natty Akka comes in and is really good as an attacking RWB, even if we lose Soapy and don't sign anyone else, we're a better team come February and I'd stand by that.  We'd obv be even better if Soapy stays and plays at his best though!!!!!

 

Keep Halks, keep Kingsley, Natty already on board, already kept Gordon.  Even if Soapy goes, even if we don't sign a CF, that isn't a bad Jan imo.

[OTT]

If we get Findlay in, there is a part of me greedily saying make Souttar see out his contract and go for the Scottish cup. Unless what’s offered is seven figures.

 

Genuinely don’t think either of the OF are anything special. Good teams yes, but beatable on our day IMO. 
 

Gordon

Souttar Halkett Findlay

Atkinson Devlin Beni Kingsley

McKay Boyce GMS

 

Thats a bloody good team. We need wingers that score goals, but who knows what McKay might be able to do with a proper wingback behind him? 

[Maroonblood22]

1 hour ago, The Treasurer said:

Players never "sign" a new deal according to the media, they always "pen" a contract 

 

And the transfer window's never just end, they SLAM SHUT!!!

[Ari Gold]

28 minutes ago, Costanza said:

I don't think I've ever gotten over him starting up front as a lone striker in Athens.

Pinilla, Jankauskas and even Elliot on the bench. Good times. 

[MattyK82]

 

 

[TheBigO]

Just now, OTT said:

If we get Findlay in, there is a part of me greedily saying make Souttar see out his contract and go for the Scottish cup. Unless what’s offered is seven figures.

 

Genuinely don’t think either of the OF are anything special. Good teams yes, but beatable on our day IMO. 
 

Gordon

Souttar Halkett Findlay

Atkinson Devlin Beni Kingsley

McKay Boyce GMS

 

Thats a bloody good team. We need wingers that score goals, but who knows what McKay might be able to do with a proper wingback behind him? 

Bit off topic here and perhaps a thread of "what's our best line up come Feb" but I do wonder what the plan is with the team - and too right there will be a plan, Robbie is a methodical guy!

 

If we sign a new CF as seems the plan, is it to be up with Boyce, giving us a bit of a 352/3412, or is it to be an option so we have the choice of him and Boyce?

 

With a more attacking RWB and Cochrane on the other side with plenty energy and a good final ball and finish too, perhaps we don't need those wingers is my thoughts.. and especially if the new CF is a runner,

 

Gordon

Moore Halkett Kingsley

NattyDred Dev Beni Cochrane

McKay

Boyce NewAsianSupastar

 

V harsh on big Pete is my first thought but he, Smith, McEneff, Gino, GMS and Woodburn will all have big parts to play.

 

Even without the new CF, put Woodburn or Gino in that role.

[StirlingJambo]

40 minutes ago, Smith's right boot said:

 

Yip, and Smith can replace him as we have a new rwb. 

 

No panic. 

You seem to be dead certain both can replace Souttar. Out of curiosity, how many games has Moore played at CB for us? I can only remember 2 maybe 3 in that position at a push. That’s not enough games to know he can replace Souttar.

 

As for Smith he can cover there but wouldn’t fancy playing him there rest of season.

 

[Bazzas right boot]

5 minutes ago, StirlingJambo said:

You seem to be dead certain both can replace Souttar. Out of curiosity, how many games has Moore played at CB for us? I can only remember 2 maybe 3 in that position at a push. That’s not enough games to know he can replace Souttar.

 

As for Smith he can cover there but wouldn’t fancy playing him there rest of season.

 

 

He's a CB. 

 

Anyone we sign will come with uncertainty, really unsure of your point. 

[heisenberg86]

really good article about Natty…think he’s gonna rip it up here 

[BackOfTheNet]

16 minutes ago, MattyK82 said:

 

 

Good

[Chimp]

8 minutes ago, StirlingJambo said:

You seem to be dead certain both can replace Souttar. Out of curiosity, how many games has Moore played at CB for us? I can only remember 2 maybe 3 in that position at a push. That’s not enough games to know he can replace Souttar.

 

As for Smith he can cover there but wouldn’t fancy playing him there rest of season.

 

that makes zero sense, seeing him play for us 2 or 3 games there is more than some random new player we sign. And in the games he’s played he’s been solid and composed on the ball. Also young with plenty potential 

[StirlingJambo]

Just now, Smith's right boot said:

 

He's a CB. 

 

Anyone we sign will come with uncertainty, really unsure of your point. 

We don’t actually know how good a CB he is though. He will probably slot in and do the job for 6 months. You said no panic however if an injury happens a lot of people will start to panic.

 

3rd is a must this season and to get that I think we’ll need another CB in this month 

[Bazzas right boot]

Just now, Chimp said:

that makes zero sense, seeing him play for us 2 or 3 games there is more than some random new player we sign. And in the games he’s played he’s been solid and composed on the ball. Also young with plenty potential 

 

Yip, should we never sign a centre half  again? 

 

It was a, really bizarre post. 

 

 

[Rogue Daddy]

1 minute ago, BackOfTheNet said:

Good

You know what... I don't know that much about him, but from what I've read - he didn't seem overly enthusiastic about playing in Scotland - or for us, for that matter. Meh 🤷‍♂️

[StirlingJambo]

1 minute ago, Chimp said:

that makes zero sense, seeing him play for us 2 or 3 games there is more than some random new player we sign. And in the games he’s played he’s been solid and composed on the ball. Also young with plenty potential 

If we were bringing in another CB it’s not going to be random is it. That’s what savage and his team are for.

 

I’m not saying Moore is no good I just think we’ll need another CB in if Souttar does go.

[Rogue Daddy]

3 minutes ago, Chimp said:

that makes zero sense, seeing him play for us 2 or 3 games there is more than some random new player we sign. And in the games he’s played he’s been solid and composed on the ball. Also young with plenty potential 

Yes he has, and that alone speaks volumes. I think he would be an able replacement for Soapy and he looks a bit of a bigger unit, to boot... hopefully we can keep him after his loan is up. I've been impressed with him so far.

[Bazzas right boot]

Just now, StirlingJambo said:

We don’t actually know how good a CB he is though. He will probably slot in and do the job for 6 months. You said no panic however if an injury happens a lot of people will start to panic.

 

3rd is a must this season and to get that I think we’ll need another CB in this month 

 

Yeah, we need a new CB. 

My point was we have one and no need to panic but if we can get another - great. 

 

Your point about being unsure about  Moore (and  Smith) - a player our coaching  team have seen play and train for 6 months ( Smith for 18 months) but signing a random is bizarre. 

How do you know a Random will be better? 

Very bizarrely worded posts. 

 

In summary you seem to be suggesting - Moore and Smith might not be good enough as we've not seen them at ch enough but a random who we've never seen for Hearts will be? 

 

 

[Tom Hardy’s Dug]

1 hour ago, Newton51 said:

 

Quelle surprise…

 

Never going to be true under the new recruitment regime.

[MattyK82]

9 minutes ago, BackOfTheNet said:

Good

As soon as he or any other player is ‘linked’ with us, I immediately disregard it as an agent drumming up interest in his client.

 

Savage really has got us acting like a professional outfit. 
 

[Tom Hardy’s Dug]

I am useless memory wise.

 

Was Neilson at the club when Kisnorbo was?

 

Also Natty Akka - inverted RWB will cause carnage IMO.

[JamboAl]

Just now, Tom Hardy’s Dug said:

I am useless memory wise.

 

Was Neilson at the club when Kisnorbo was?

 

Also Natty Akka - inverted RWB will cause carnage IMO.

What is an INVERTED RWB?

[Rogue Daddy]

1 hour ago, GinRummy said:

Really odd how he done so well at Motherwell, at least initially. There was a thing in the press at the time saying he was struggling to adapt, away from his family and unable to socialise with team mates (or anyone else) because of Covid rules. I streamed a Motherwell game near when he first signed for them and he maybe played a bit higher up the pitch but more or less the same position.

 

Doesn't really matter now as the quality of the squad is so much better.

 

 

...more good new from the Daily Rangers... although I do question the use of the word 'ace'.

Hearts ace wanted by Motherwell as clubs look for 'financial agreement'
The Hearts attacker is back at Tynecastle and Motherwell want him back.

[BackOfTheNet]

9 minutes ago, Rogue Daddy said:

You know what... I don't know that much about him, but from what I've read - he didn't seem overly enthusiastic about playing in Scotland - or for us, for that matter. Meh 🤷‍♂️

 

2 minutes ago, MattyK82 said:

As soon as he or any other player is ‘linked’ with us, I immediately disregard it as an agent drumming up interest in his client.

 

Savage really has got us acting like a professional outfit. 
 

Whether you’re like me who doesn’t think he’s good enough for us, or even like others who think he is good enough for us, I think we should all agree we should be overall aiming for better quality than he has/has had. I would hope Savage and co are looking at better, and it appears that this may be the case. (Although I suspect their main targets are summer ones when it comes to centre back)

[milky_26]

2 minutes ago, Tom Hardy’s Dug said:

I am useless memory wise.

 

Was Neilson at the club when Kisnorbo was?

 

Also Natty Akka - inverted RWB will cause carnage IMO.

Yes kisnorbo was with us 2003 to 2005

[BackOfTheNet]

Just now, JamboAl said:

What is an INVERTED RWB?

Inverted players mean they look to come inside rather than hug the lines. Happens more often with wingers these days (Salah can be seen to be an inverted winger for example) but sometimes tactical setups require the wingers to be wide (like McKay) so therefore the RB/RWB becomes inverted and instead of making outside runs when attacking they run more centrally. Smith has played better in this role rather than wide, for example.

[davemclaren]

4 minutes ago, BackOfTheNet said:

Inverted players mean they look to come inside rather than hug the lines. Happens more often with wingers these days (Salah can be seen to be an inverted winger for example) but sometimes tactical setups require the wingers to be wide (like McKay) so therefore the RB/RWB becomes inverted and instead of making outside runs when attacking they run more centrally. Smith has played better in this role rather than wide, for example.

I miss the days of Inside Rights. 

[bobskeldon]

2 minutes ago, davemclaren said:

I miss the days of Inside Rights. 

Absolutely Dave, if you wore the number 8 shirt, you ******* played as an 8!!!!!

[john thomas]

1 minute ago, davemclaren said:

I miss the days of Inside Rights. 

Yes and Right (and Left) Halfs etc 

Now we have 6s and 10s !

Game is ****ed

 

 

[BackOfTheNet]

4 minutes ago, davemclaren said:

I miss the days of Inside Rights. 

Indeed. Sometimes it feels like the game is just reinventing itself when in reality it just goes round the houses and ends up back where it was with a new name. Although I can see the distinction! 

[TheBigO]

49 minutes ago, StirlingJambo said:

You seem to be dead certain both can replace Souttar. Out of curiosity, how many games has Moore played at CB for us? I can only remember 2 maybe 3 in that position at a push. That’s not enough games to know he can replace Souttar.

 

As for Smith he can cover there but wouldn’t fancy playing him there rest of season.

 

It doesn't matter one jot what we think.  The coaches see him every day in training.  If they go with him to play there rest of season, it means they and our recruitment team think he's a better option than we can bring in.

 

That's the point.

 

Smith has only ever been very good playing at CB for us.  Only issue is our average height, if that makes sense.

[jambo-in-furness]

15 minutes ago, davemclaren said:

I miss the days of Inside Rights. 

Ah,  the days of no substitutes,  2-3-5 formation, fans swapping ends at half time and the referees as bent as they are now

[Horatio Caine]

15 minutes ago, john thomas said:

Yes and Right (and Left) Halfs etc 

Now we have 6s and 10s !

Game is ****ed

 

 

...and false number 9's.  WTF is all that about?

[BackOfTheNet]

3 minutes ago, Horatio Caine said:

...and false number 9's.  WTF is all that about?

Kinda like the old fashioned number 10, but with no one in front of them. Basically a grafter that makes space for previously mentioned inverted wingers (or inside forwards as they can be known as) and is a focal point of the attack but deeper in the pitch. Think Firmino at Liverpool or Jesus at Man City as high profile examples.

[JimmyCant]

36 minutes ago, JamboAl said:

What is an INVERTED RWB?

One who does not stick rigidly to wing play but who’s job is also to come inside (invert) to help midfield, either in attacking or defensive situations 

[King prawn]

Unpopular opinion... a false number 9 really isn't a difficult concept to grasp

[JimmyCant]

10 minutes ago, Horatio Caine said:

...and false number 9's.  WTF is all that about?

The sort of question Craig Levein would still ask

[pointon]

1 hour ago, MattyK82 said:

 

 

Happy days

[Gav M]

2 minutes ago, jonnothejambo said:

In the hole, up the arse, false number 9, wing back, inverted wing back, inverted comma, shot stopper, lying deep, up top, down below, diamond shape, hybrid pitches, hybrid cars, technical area, flip charts, demilitarised zones. 

 

Jesus wept. Have I missed anything ?

 

A simple game made far more complicated than it needs to be.

is that an updated version of billy Joel's "we didn't start the fire" ?

[AllyjamboDerbyshire]

Just now, King prawn said:

Unpopular opinion... a false number 9 really isn't a difficult concept to grasp

Yes. Usually seen when an (old fashioned) left half does a hand stand after scoring, or when a modern player who just happens to wear the number 6 on his shirt is a diving bassa

[Tasavallan]

4 minutes ago, jonnothejambo said:

In the hole, up the arse, false number 9, wing back, inverted wing back, inverted comma, shot stopper, lying deep, up top, down below, diamond shape, hybrid pitches, hybrid cars, technical area, flip charts, demilitarised zones. 

 

Jesus wept. Have I missed anything ?

 

A simple game made far more complicated than it needs to be.

Words made for pundits who appear increasingly to have not played in top level men's football.  God knows what will happen to MOTD when Lineker and Shearer leave.  And as for Sportscene...