New Manager - Critchley confirmed

[Opinionated Jambo]

I don't think Neil Critchley or many of our fans could have imagined a better start to his managerial reign so far. 2 wins at home, 2 clean sheets aswell, nothing more you can ask for. The biggest test of all is now on Sunday for me. If we can get a win at Easter Road, I dont think anyone would've imagined how quick things could've turned around for us. I'm more confident now than I have been at any point in the season for Sundays game.

[hereford_hearts]

8 hours ago, Selkirkhmfc1874 said:

'This is our pitch. This is our rules. You play our game, and we're coming after you. 

That's a ready made TIFO for the ultras! 

[Zen Jambo]

[Jambo-Fox]

What a thread 889,400 views!

 

14,700 posts ….. 

 

This is big club stuff …

 

♥️♥️♥️♥️

[RENE]

On 25/10/2024 at 06:31, hereford_hearts said:

'This is our pitch. This is our rules. You play our game, and we're coming after you. 

That's a ready made TIFO for the ultras! 

👍👍

[Armageddon]

Atomic Kitten, Whole Again

“Tony Bloom is how we first met,

His laptop said Neil Critchley is who we should get,

Hearts have been transformed,

The Gorgie sing this song,

Critchley has Hearts going again”

[jamboozy]

44 minutes ago, Armageddon said:

Atomic Kitten, Whole Again

“Tony Bloom is how we first met,

His laptop said Neil Critchley is who we should get,

Hearts have been transformed,

The Gorgie sing this song,

Critchley has Hearts going again”

This is very good, well done sir 👏

[LuxJambo]

Have to say, so far the appointment of Critchley looks good.

 

Maybe the Board got it right this time?

 

Time will tell, but two wins on the trot and an away derby draw is certainly a big step up.

[whodanny]

Still unbeaten in three, good start.

[Scott980612]

3 games - makes his subs at about the 60 mins mark. 
 
Subs paid off today. 
 
all in all - a very very good week 👍🏻

[Agentjambo]

Very brave substitutions paid off

[Hømme]

No complaints today. Set us up very well as you could see from the first 20 minutes.

 

Hibs dragged us down to their level, get a flukey, scrappy goal v our tired legs. He makes offensive changes and we take something from the game.

 

8.5/10 for the first week in charge!

 

[Kinghorn Hearts]

Well done to the manager with the substitutions to keep his unbeaten run going.Going to be an ongoing process to coach the iPad trio out of the team.He will have noticed the team sloping back to old habits a few times today but I  trust in him to sort it

[Chaps]

[Bad Religion]

11 minutes ago, Agentjambo said:

Very brave substitutions paid off

100% 

 

No way would the previous managers have made those changes. 

[Chairman of the Bored]

Has never beaten Hibs. Critchley out.

[ScandinavianJambo]

11 minutes ago, Bad Religion said:

100% 

 

No way would the previous managers have made those changes. 

It is not just about the subs. It was how we played the last 15 with us pushing forward..wished it would have been earlier though... 

[AndrewB]

As someone posted elsewhere,  he’ll have learnt a lot today.  I know derbies are a bit different to most games, but the lack of actual football played could also apply to most games involving St Mirren, Killie or Dundee Utd, so good lessons can be learned.

[BackOfTheNet]

My only question would be why that game was so different from the last two in terms of approach and harrying etc. Think someone mentioned something about his two spells at Blackpool and his away record not being great. Not sure if anyone has the stats on his away games record.

[tiger Rudi]

24 minutes ago, Agentjambo said:

Very brave substitutions paid off

Can't argue with that. Ended up with just Grant sitting, we dug a draw out of nothing tbh because we never really looked like scoring until Forrest and Wilson came on.

Spittal looked jaded after his recent exploits. Expected way more from Dhanda. 

 

Our marking at crosses was poor and but for Gordon and woeful Hibs finishing we'd have lost that today. 

Much work for Critchley to do in January and in his first full transfer window this summer.

 

 

[TOJ 13]

16 minutes ago, Chaps said:

 

[Graham Thomson]

4 minutes ago, BackOfTheNet said:

My only question would be why that game was so different from the last two in terms of approach and harrying etc. Think someone mentioned something about his two spells at Blackpool and his away record not being great. Not sure if anyone has the stats on his away games record.

We had a European game on Thursday night 🤷 I think NC has been a breath of fresh air 👏👏👏👏

[tiger Rudi]

Just now, BackOfTheNet said:

My only question would be why that game was so different from the last two in terms of approach and harrying etc. Think someone mentioned something about his two spells at Blackpool and his away record not being great. Not sure if anyone has the stats on his away games record.

Just tiredness, we've put a lot of effort in against St Mirren and Omonia. High press today was nowhere near good enough in comparison to Thursday. Fitness levels not at the level needed. A poor pre-season still haunting us.

Nobody really available to offer different options to Shanks and Vargas. 

Look at Spittal as an example, has been outstanding then a bit meh today. 

Disappointed with Dhanda, should have been fresh but didn't influence the game at all. 

[bringonthesevco]

Naismith     Played 9 Won 0 Drew 1 Lost 8 

Fox              Played 3 Won 1 Drew 1 Lost 1

The Boss    Played 3 Won 2 Drew 1

 

Things are looking much more positive .....

Edited October 27, 2024 by bringonthesevco

[Lone Striker]

2 minutes ago, tiger Rudi said:

Just tiredness, we've put a lot of effort in against St Mirren and Omonia. High press today was nowhere near good enough in comparison to Thursday. Fitness levels not at the level needed. A poor pre-season still haunting us.

 

Likely to be one of the main reasons, imo. 👍  Hopefully Critchley sorts that out so that next pre-season is more worthwhile and  beneficial for the players.

 

 

[Ferryjambo99]

11 minutes ago, BackOfTheNet said:

My only question would be why that game was so different from the last two in terms of approach and harrying etc. Think someone mentioned something about his two spells at Blackpool and his away record not being great. Not sure if anyone has the stats on his away games record.

 

Worth remembering we've had 3 games in a week. Only 3 days between Omonoia and today. A certain degree of flatness is to be expected. 

 

Hopefully if we can get more squad depth in certain areas we can improve that

[Gordon_1874]

Difficult one for Neil today especially coming off the back of Thursday. A point is fine today all things considered. Onwards to Wednesday.

[Sasha Shulgin]

I think he’s made a solid start and I think he ‘gets it’. Always disappointed not beating that gang but some context is required.

 

3 points on Wednesday would be big.

[RustyRightPeg]

Thought he got his changes right again today. Some might not agree with the Grant for Boateng change, but it didn’t harm us. 
 

Still nothing to moan about. Not losing there is always the main thing, if you play shite, just don’t lose. We dug in again. 

[Nerja Jambo]

9 minutes ago, Lone Striker said:

Likely to be one of the main reasons, imo. 👍  Hopefully Critchley sorts that out so that next pre-season is more worthwhile and  beneficial for the players.

 

 

Pre season was a shocker. How SN with his experience could possibly think things were fine is beyond me. It'll take a few more games allied with training to improve fitness to the level it should be. Hopefully the new guy coming in in November will also help. 

[jambopilms]

The challenge was always going to be against teams who get behind the ball. I can't believe that was Hibs plan whist at home, pathetic.

[boag1874]

I think he got that right today tbh, he can't account for players having an off day & making poor choices but particularly the first 30 minutes we had the better shape & looked to be the better prepared side to deal with the derby. We could & should have went in at half time ahead even with the ****ing donkey in the middle impeding our midfielder in a defensive situation 

[hearts00]

Not brilliant today but I enjoyed us having a shape and playing pretty well for long spells. You can see what we are trying to do and getting Spittal and Dhanda in the areas they are playing will yield results. 
 

I actually thought we showed some great flashed of creativity but just as it was about to be swept in Hibs made some good defensive blocks. 
 

Hibs were terrible and yet created quite a few chances. 

[boag1874]

2 minutes ago, hearts00 said:

Not brilliant today but I enjoyed us having a shape and playing pretty well for long spells. You can see what we are trying to do and getting Spittal and Dhanda in the areas they are playing will yield results. 
 

I actually thought we showed some great flashed of creativity but just as it was about to be swept in Hibs made some good defensive blocks. 
 

Hibs were terrible and yet created quite a few chances. 

I actually thought their CBs were decent defensively until they went to a 3 & started to step off us more, they had clearly done their homework on us, they got really tight to Shankland & made it hard for him to link the play but they also tracked Vargas' runs off the ball really well & made it hard for him to use his pace in behind.

 

Miller was their weak link as usual & we got most of our joy down his flank. I can't believe they're still playing him he's never, ever an SPFL standard fullback.

[Cade]

Considering how unfit the players looked when he was appointed and that he's not had long to whip them into shape and the fact that we played a very important Europe game just three days ago, I think we did alright against the vermin.

P3 W2 D1 L0.

A solid start.

European win and a Derby draw in those three games.

 

[tiger Rudi]

19 minutes ago, RustyRightPeg said:

Thought he got his changes right again today. Some might not agree with the Grant for Boateng change, but it didn’t harm us. 
 

Still nothing to moan about. Not losing there is always the main thing, if you play shite, just don’t lose. We dug in again. 

I was of the same opinion at the time but on reflection we were throwing everybody forward leaving 1 guy sitting. Grants fresh legs sitting maybe better than a tired Boateng. Both Forrest and McKay were committing themselves up the pitch, having fresh legs in the holding role was justified.

[AC Mallin_51]

Seen a few comments not impressed or cringing at the badge thumping at full time. I’m quite the opposite, I absolutely loved it because it doesn’t for one second look like it’s for show, the guy genuinely looks delighted to be here and I’m all for it. That’s the difference with the likes of a Hogmo appointment; yeah it looked good on paper but if he didn’t want to be here then it really wasn’t worth our time, in the short time he’s been here I feel like Critchely has really made an effort to connect with the fans and the club as a whole. I really like the guy, comes across very well

[Kalamazoo Jambo]

2 minutes ago, AC Mallin_51 said:

Seen a few comments not impressed or cringing at the badge thumping at full time. I’m quite the opposite, I absolutely loved it because it doesn’t for one second look like it’s for show, the guy genuinely looks delighted to be here and I’m all for it. That’s the difference with the likes of a Hogmo appointment; yeah it looked good on paper but if he didn’t want to be here then it really wasn’t worth our time, in the short time he’s been here I feel like Critchely has really made an effort to connect with the fans and the club as a whole. I really like the guy, comes across very well

Yep, I’m with you on that, it was genuine.

[DesertDawg]

 

[ItsDarrenBarr!]

12 minutes ago, DesertDawg said:

 

I genuinely think he gets us and is proud and happy to be our manager. Happy to have him.

[Rick Sanchez]

I think Critch will excel in identifying the type of players we need to be dominating in the correct areas, as he was talking about today.

[MoncurMacdonaldMercer]

33 minutes ago, Kalamazoo Jambo said:

Yep, I’m with you on that, it was genuine.

I think it’s genuine too but maybe a wee bit too early 🤷‍♂️ 
 

he’s doing really well and speaks really well - positive/risky substitutions etc today but paid off

 

todays result not the worst and in my opinion seemed like some were getting a wee bit carried away that he was some sort of genius so today maybe tempers expectations a little

 

 

 

 

[Valois No1]

I’ve seen Hearts being on top form and come a derby it’s a stuffy fight. Yes we looked tired or was it just a typical Edinburgh derby. Didn’t get beat but by Christ we need 3 points on Wednesday. 

[Baxfee]

The one thing he will have learned today is the European then league fatigue. Some players will need to be picked for one but not both. Think we saw spittal in particular being knackered today. 

[cazzyy]

54 minutes ago, AC Mallin_51 said:

Seen a few comments not impressed or cringing at the badge thumping at full time. I’m quite the opposite, I absolutely loved it because it doesn’t for one second look like it’s for show, the guy genuinely looks delighted to be here and I’m all for it. That’s the difference with the likes of a Hogmo appointment; yeah it looked good on paper but if he didn’t want to be here then it really wasn’t worth our time, in the short time he’s been here I feel like Critchely has really made an effort to connect with the fans and the club as a whole. I really like the guy, comes across very well

 

Spot on and it's why I posted in response to the guy complaining about the badge thumping. 

[Bainy]

The players looked tired today. Clearly unfit and not coached how naisy said they would be to cope with the demand of European football.  That said a decent strong finish in one of our hardest away games all season and reminding unbeaten under the new boss. You'd take that all day long! Well done Neil

[the posh bit]

2 minutes ago, Bainy said:

The players looked tired today. Clearly unfit and not coached how naisy said they would be to cope with the demand of European football.  That said a decent strong finish in one of our hardest away games all season and reminding unbeaten under the new boss. You'd take that all day long! Well done Neil

 

Not sure about unfit as they definitely finished all over that mob but it definitely looked like Thursday had taken its toll on some. 

[22games nro]

1 hour ago, DesertDawg said:

 

.

I'm not a happy clapper by any means,

but isn’t it refreshing to listen to his honest interviews after games,and each interview is a bit different, not a long list of repeated clichés/excuses /waffle that we hear from quite a few managers.

 I think he’s also the type of manager that the players will listen to and I think he speaks well and seems to be knowledgeable about the game,

[fabienleclerq]

9 hours ago, BackOfTheNet said:

My only question would be why that game was so different from the last two in terms of approach and harrying etc. Think someone mentioned something about his two spells at Blackpool and his away record not being great. Not sure if anyone has the stats on his away games record.

 

It was different opposition. Hibs wanted to play long balls in behind,  pressing them high gives them the space in behind to play that way.

 

I think our tactics here worked and they gave us the ball time and again. 

 

We need more quality in the final third and to release the ball quicker, lost count of the runs players made and the ball never came.

[Watt-Zeefuik]

10 hours ago, BackOfTheNet said:

My only question would be why that game was so different from the last two in terms of approach and harrying etc. Think someone mentioned something about his two spells at Blackpool and his away record not being great. Not sure if anyone has the stats on his away games record.

 

For much of the game Hibs succeeded at dragging the game down to their level. Derbies these days always seem to be ugly, scrappy affairs that aren't much for attractive football, no matter how either team is playing. That held true.

 

Gray let us have boatloads of possession and put everything into shutting down the balls to the forwards. Hibs clogged the middle and pressed the touchlines. It clearly gummed up Critchley's game plan.

 

That's not the first time a poor team has succeeded in doing that to us. What was the first time was pulling both holding mids and replacing them with forwards and basically having so much movement in the front 6 that a tiring Hibs team couldn't track us.