New Manager - Critchley confirmed

[PapaShango]

If we lose tonight then you don't mind if the players have burst a gut and had a real go and left it all out there. Sometimes the opposition quality just takes over. What I don't want to see is how Neilson set up against Istanbul and Fiorentina where we sat off them and let them treat it like a training match. Crowd didn't get involved once as we were camped in our own half the entire game. 

Edited November 7, 2024 by PapaShango

[joondalupjambo]

NC/Fox to 1st January.

Thereafter NC's team.

Judge him in May after seeing how he handles any new players being inserted into the team,how we fare in the cup(s) and where we end up in the League.

Those six months will tell us a huge amount.

[Kinghorn Hearts]

Thought the managers tactics were good tonight.Nothing he could have done to make us better .We just ran out of steam .Remember we were playing a team from the top league in German football

[Ricardo Quaresma]

2 minutes ago, Kinghorn Hearts said:

Thought the managers tactics were good tonight.Nothing he could have done to make us better .We just ran out of steam .Remember we were playing a team from the top league in German football

 

We could've brought Vargas on after 20 - 30 minutes and maybe scored first

[colinzeal]

1 minute ago, Kinghorn Hearts said:

Thought the managers tactics were good tonight.Nothing he could have done to make us better .We just ran out of steam .Remember we were playing a team from the top league in German football

Agreed, we also have very little quality on the bench. So as we ran out of steam, the result  was inevitable, no game changers to come on and make an impact. 

[Italian Lambretta]

We struggle to play with 10 men for longer than 60 minutes as shown against Killie.

The opposition manager would have seen that.

[Cruyff]

Massive evidence of improvement. We're miles better than what we have been but we're about 50% there.

 

We're unbalanced and we lack certain attributes and sufficient quality in a few areas. We have got absolutely nothing attacking wise e.g. wingers and strikers although Forrest has been really good under NC. 

 

I think you've got to give NC a couple transfer windows before we can really see a real good side come together. 

 

I don't get any criticism levelled at NC right now. 

[Debut 4]

3 minutes ago, Cruyff said:

Massive evidence of improvement. We're miles better than what we have been but we're about 50% there.

 

We're unbalanced and we lack certain attributes and sufficient quality in a few areas. We have got absolutely nothing attacking wise e.g. wingers and strikers although Forrest has been really good under NC. 

 

I think you've got to give NC a couple transfer windows before we can really see a real good side come together. 

 

I don't get any criticism levelled at NC right now. 

Totally agree.  His determination to play more positively and be braver is exposing the cracks in the squad because we’ve not got the quality reinforcements to call on when we need to freshen up.  
 

He’s pretty much decided what his best 11 is allowing for rotation of 2 or 3, but beyond that i think he doesn’t have confidence in others.  

 

He’s going about it the right way and not just accommodating players.  

[frasermck11]

Just now, Debut 4 said:

Totally agree.  His determination to play more positively and be braver is exposing the cracks in the squad because we’ve not got the quality reinforcements to call on when we need to freshen up.  
 

He’s pretty much decided what his best 11 is allowing for rotation of 2 or 3, but beyond that i think he doesn’t have confidence in others.  

 

He’s going about it the right way and not just accommodating players.  

Yeah I thought this. Think the starting 11 tonight plus Vargas, Grant & Oyegoke are the only ones he trusts. Wilson’s time will come. The rest of that bench could be emptied in January with 3 maybe 4 quality replacements and I don’t think we’d be any worse off. 

[gorgieshuffle]

I don’t know what the accounts mean for us in terms of a budget but January should be expensive for us. We need players in and we should be offering deals to pay players up and get them out the door. Or they go out on loan so we can create space in the squad. You look at the bench and we’re just carrying dead weight. 

[gwd1957]

5 minutes ago, Cruyff said:

Massive evidence of improvement. We're miles better than what we have been but we're about 50% there.

 

We're unbalanced and we lack certain attributes and sufficient quality in a few areas. We have got absolutely nothing attacking wise e.g. wingers and strikers although Forrest has been really good under NC. 

 

I think you've got to give NC a couple transfer windows before we can really see a real good side come together. 

 

I don't get any criticism levelled at NC right now. 

Quite clearly the manager has got a game plan , he knows how to set up a team and play's to the teams limited strengths ,give NC time he will make Hearts a very good team in the future ,glad he's here the football tonight was very good on the eye first half ,quite a few lost their legs in the second half  but that comes down to pre-season and lack of fitness program ,out on the drink with the fans  ,instead of getting in shape for the new season , that won't happen again , NC  has very high standards he wouldn't have survived at Liverpool if he didn't , progress will come with this man in charge .

[Drylaw Hearts]

17 minutes ago, Cruyff said:

Massive evidence of improvement. We're miles better than what we have been but we're about 50% there.

 

We're unbalanced and we lack certain attributes and sufficient quality in a few areas. We have got absolutely nothing attacking wise e.g. wingers and strikers although Forrest has been really good under NC. 

 

I think you've got to give NC a couple transfer windows before we can really see a real good side come together. 

 

I don't get any criticism levelled at NC right now. 

Absolutely bang on.

 

 

[Section Q]

48 minutes ago, Ricardo Quaresma said:

 

We could've brought Vargas on after 20 - 30 minutes and maybe scored first

Vargas added very little to what we managed in the first half.

[MrBones]

Critchly is doing what he can with what he has, and i prefer watching his teams actually trying than Naismiths. Unfortunately he's not got much to work with

[Hogan3012]

Wasn’t sure when he got hired but the whole shape of the team and positivity compared to the last two managers we have had is night and day. Can see hearts actually have a plan of how to play and attack something you never felt Robbie or Naismith really had and when he gets some of his/starlizard players in think it will be a good watch.

[pettigrewsstylist]

Does he have a budget at all for January to change anything? I lookat recent accts wage bill. I look at Tagawa not being replaced and I wonder if he actually has any spending lolly. 

[hearts00]

Really enjoyed watching us tonight. The shape, the intention, the interplay. Miles better to watch and you can see a game plan. 
 

You have to take your chances though. Simple as that. We are alos getting no luck this season. No breaks at all.  

[1971fozzy]

I’m very positive about him. Exciting times ahead I feel. He’s had zero time on the training pitch etc as we’ve played so many games. The only negative for me tonight was we needed subs on earlier but that’s just my opinion.

Edited November 7, 2024 by 1971fozzy

[Ricardo Quaresma]

1 hour ago, colinzeal said:

Agreed, we also have very little quality on the bench. So as we ran out of steam, the result  was inevitable, no game changers to come on and make an impact. 

 

We should have been easily more than 1 ahead at HT

[boag1874]

There’s no doubt we’re better to watch than we have been in quite some time

[copa-mundial]

I feel for him with the squad he's inherited. 

Its very easy to see that he only trusts 14 or 15 of them. 

 

There was players on their feet tonight, Alan Forrest being a prime example. Critchley could have still made 2 substitutions, but decided not to. 

 

It's going to be very tough trying to make it to January with 14 or 15 that he trusts, more so with playing 2 games a week. 

 

Also as we all know. The current teams levels of fitness is very poor. Some individuals have it in abundance, but 1 or 2 can't carry a team. 

 

I'm fully supportive of NC. I think he will be a very good head coach for us. 

[Bongo 1874]

In the summer i tried to point out where Naismith needed to strengthen,Halkett, Boyce, Grant,Mckay, Forrest.

 

Since Critchley has came in he has won me over, and I didn't want him, I'll repeat that I didn't want him, but he is the man for this job I've seen more than enough now,I'm sick of players genuinely taking the piss out this club and fans.

 

Make it 7 Grant, Forrest,Halkett,Mckay,Boyce,Shankland Clark.

 

Four off that seven are currently overweight according to my source.

 

Don't blame Critchley he's doing a good job see it for what it is,and those players in particular get in the gym and lose those pounds, you lazy feckers!!!!

[bigdav]

4 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

In the summer i tried to point out where Naismith needed to strengthen,Halkett, Boyce, Grant,Mckay, Forrest.

 

Since Critchley has came in he has won me over, and I didn't want him, I'll repeat that I didn't want him, but he is the man for this job I've seen more than enough now,I'm sick of players genuinely taking the piss out this club and fans.

 

Make it 7 Grant, Forrest,Halkett,Mckay,Boyce,Shankland Clark.

 

Four off that seven are currently overweight according to my source.

 

Don't blame Critchley he's doing a good job see it for what it is,and those players in particular get in the gym and lose those pounds, you lazy feckers!!!!

Bit unfair on Forrest,he worked his socks off tonight.

[Rods]

Thought he got the second half wrong tonight but we should have been leading 2-0 so not going to get on his back.

 

Got to hope he realises what is needed in January and is backed accordingly. 

[tartofmidlothian]

9 minutes ago, bigdav said:

Bit unfair on Forrest,he worked his socks off tonight.

 

Forrest has been excellent since Critchley came in, two goals in six is decent for a midfielder and he's been a non-stop attacking threat. Not bad considering he looked a shell of the player he can be just two months ago.

[MoncurMacdonaldMercer]

30 minutes ago, pettigrewsstylist said:

Does he have a budget at all for January to change anything? I lookat recent accts wage bill. I look at Tagawa not being replaced and I wonder if he actually has any spending lolly. 

some of the experts on the agm thread were saying that it’s actually really good to be in debt and that our debt is almost like it’s part of a plan - let’s hope these experts are spot on and we spend about a million pounds in January on 2 or 3 bloom-inspired players and we could see a big difference 

 

 

[Bongo 1874]

1 hour ago, bigdav said:

Bit unfair on Forrest,he worked his socks off tonight.

That's the minimum that is required as a footballer when you step onto the pitch, well for me it is anyway,they are paid a wage why shouldn't they work hard? They have a rather privileged life,I don't expect them to be robots but feck me.

 

He's simply not good enough, nothing against him but it's true.

 

 

[Lone Striker]

1 hour ago, tartofmidlothian said:

 

Forrest has been excellent since Critchley came in, two goals in six is decent for a midfielder and he's been a non-stop attacking threat. Not bad considering he looked a shell of the player he can be just two months ago.

Correct.  I felt it was a mistake taking Forrest off against Killie when we were trying to find an equaliser.  He was very good tonight, shows good energy, speed  and ball control, just needs to learn to keep his shots below the crossbar (like all our players tbf)

 

 

[Lone Striker]

40 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

 

He's simply not good enough, nothing against him but it's true.

 

 

   You don't think he's improved significantly under Critchley then ?    There's quite a list of  players who aren't good enough (Grant being top of the list), but Forrest isn't one of them.  

[Watt-Zeefuik]

2 hours ago, MrBones said:

Critchly is doing what he can with what he has, and i prefer watching his teams actually trying than Naismiths. Unfortunately he's not got much to work with

 

He's got most of a squad that won third last season with a manager who, in retrospect, was over his head and with limited ideas?

[Bongo 1874]

7 minutes ago, Lone Striker said:

   You don't think he's improved significantly under Critchley then ?    There's quite a list of  players who aren't good enough (Grant being top of the list), but Forrest isn't one of them.  

please watch our first goal,and tell me it isn’t forrest fault we lose it, his effort to get back in isn't good enough either.

 

He has improved under Critchley, but he's doing the exact same as he did under Neilson and Naismith.

 

[Pauli Sergio 51]

11 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

please watch our first goal,and tell me it isn’t forrest fault we lose it, his effort to get back in isn't good enough either.

 

He has improved under Critchley, but he's doing the exact same as he did under Neilson and Naismith.

 

In what way is that Forrest’s fault? It was a poor ball out of defence, he tries to win it then the ball is played 30 yards past him. Usain bolt wouldn’t of made it back in time to cut that out from his position ffs. He has improved massively under the new manager it’s quite clear to see 

Edited November 8, 2024 by Pauli Sergio 51

[Bongo 1874]

6 minutes ago, Pauli Sergio 51 said:

In what way is that Forrest’s fault? It was a poor ball out of defence, he tries to win it then the ball is played 30 yards past him. Usain bolt wouldn’t of made it back in time to cut that out from his position ffs. He has improved massively under the new manager it’s quite clear to see 

The touch is poor and the fact he doesn't even attempt to burst a gut and win it back is his fault,take responsibility,compare that to Boateng clearing one before it goes in.

 

He's not good enough.

 

And he's holding us back.

 

 

[Pauli Sergio 51]

3 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

The touch is poor and the fact he doesn't even attempt to burst a gut and win it back is his fault,take responsibility,compare that to Boateng clearing one before it goes in.

 

He's not good enough.

 

And he's holding us back.

 

 

The ball is fired at him chest height and he attempts to bring it down, not an easy thing to do when the ball is hit with pace. Beni and forrester are there challenging the player and he is 20+ yards behind play after two quick passes by the heidenheim players. Appreciate you don’t like Forrest but he is not the weak link, he has been one of our best players since critchley came in, the issue is we lack any physicality up top and don’t have another winger similar to forrest who actually can take a man on and get past the opposition 

[Bongo 1874]

1 minute ago, Pauli Sergio 51 said:

The ball is fired at him chest height and he attempts to bring it down, not an easy thing to do when the ball is hit with pace. Beni and forrester are there challenging the player and he is 20+ yards behind play after two quick passes by the heidenheim players. Appreciate you don’t like Forrest but he is not the weak link, he has been one of our best players since critchley came in, the issue is we lack any physicality up top and don’t have another winger similar to forrest who actually can take a man on and get past the opposition 

Nothing against Forrest, he doesn't do it enough being the problem, we need better.

 

As for physicality yes to a certain degree,but we knew how the Shankland situation would potentially play out.

 

We can get better than Forrest that I'm sure😀.

[Pauli Sergio 51]

Just now, Bongo 1874 said:

Nothing against Forrest, he doesn't do it enough being the problem, we need better.

 

As for physicality yes to a certain degree,but we knew how the Shankland situation would potentially play out.

 

We can get better than Forrest that I'm sure😀.

He has done it most games since new management came in, under naismith yes he was inconsistent but we played players out of position and it was far too slow and defensive. As soon as it has changed he has been one of the first names on the team sheet. Dhanda, grant, McKay, Vargas all offer less than forrest. Not sure who you think should start ahead of him but until we get at least a few options out wide and up front he is our best winger, as for the goal absolutely no way he is to blame. That’s all down to recruitment in summer how we went into the season with one established striker and an ageing boyce is beyond me 

[Bongo 1874]

1 minute ago, Pauli Sergio 51 said:

He has done it most games since new management came in, under naismith yes he was inconsistent but we played players out of position and it was far too slow and defensive. As soon as it has changed he has been one of the first names on the team sheet. Dhanda, grant, McKay, Vargas all offer less than forrest. Not sure who you think should start ahead of him but until we get at least a few options out wide and up front he is our best winger, as for the goal absolutely no way he is to blame. That’s all down to recruitment in summer how we went into the season with one established striker and an ageing boyce is beyond me 

Dhanda,Vargas offer more with and without the ball in my opinion.

 

And Oda I think given the chance coming back from injury will shine under Critchley.

[Pauli Sergio 51]

3 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

Dhanda,Vargas offer more with and without the ball in my opinion.

 

And Oda I think given the chance coming back from injury will shine under Critchley.

Vargas and dhanda did absolutely nothing tonight. I was all for dhanda coming in during the summer but so far he has been a passenger in most games, tidy player but doesn’t beat a man, gets very few crosses in the box, doesn’t get many shots away and is weak off the ball and defensively. Vargas after last season I thought would improve but still goes missing in games, makes the wrong pass far too often and is bullied off the ball, think forrest offers more. Oda could be good but is another who goes missing in games and doesn’t do much with it in possession, we need much better than that to get to the next level but I’ll wait judging him until he gets a run of games in the new system, he’s another who was ruined by naismith picking defensive squads and playing players out of position 

[Watt-Zeefuik]

42 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

please watch our first goal,and tell me it isn’t forrest fault we lose it, his effort to get back in isn't good enough either.

 

He has improved under Critchley, but he's doing the exact same as he did under Neilson and Naismith.

 

 

You're blaming Forrest for that?!? Gets a cannon shot fired off his noggin and the ball flies up in the air. When it lands, there are 7 Hearts players behind the ball in decent defensive positions, including himself.

 

Heidenheim play 4 outstanding touch passes then put in an inch-perfect cross that the forward runs onto.

 

You've been calling for Forrest to get the sack for a year now. He had a fine game today.

[Bongo 1874]

9 minutes ago, Watt-Zeefuik said:

 

You're blaming Forrest for that?!? Gets a cannon shot fired off his noggin and the ball flies up in the air. When it lands, there are 7 Hearts players behind the ball in decent defensive positions, including himself.

 

Heidenheim play 4 outstanding touch passes then put in an inch-perfect cross that the forward runs onto.

 

You've been calling for Forrest to get the sack for a year now. He had a fine game today.

Forrest has played 14 games for us has 1 goal in the league, 1 in conference league.

 

Oda has played 5 games and 1 goal.

Vargas 15 games 2 goals 1 assist.

 

But take in consideration Vargas wants to play throw the centre not outwide.

 

Even Wilson has more goals that's 2.

 

I've nothing against him,we simply need better.

[Cruyff]

2 hours ago, Bongo 1874 said:

That's the minimum that is required as a footballer when you step onto the pitch, well for me it is anyway,they are paid a wage why shouldn't they work hard? They have a rather privileged life,I don't expect them to be robots but feck me.

 

He's simply not good enough, nothing against him but it's true.

 

 

Forrest has shown time and time again he's good enough. Maybe not a starter every week if we had a couple of stronger wingers but a very handy player who has won us quite a few games and is reaping the benefits of a more direct approach and faster tempo. His attitude and work rate is tremendous. No danger should he be put in the same category as the likes of McKay, Boyce, Grant etc... who have offered absolutely **** all for a long, long time. 

[1874robbo]

5 hours ago, Bongo 1874 said:

In the summer i tried to point out where Naismith needed to strengthen,Halkett, Boyce, Grant,Mckay, Forrest.

 

Since Critchley has came in he has won me over, and I didn't want him, I'll repeat that I didn't want him, but he is the man for this job I've seen more than enough now,I'm sick of players genuinely taking the piss out this club and fans.

 

Make it 7 Grant, Forrest,Halkett,Mckay,Boyce,Shankland Clark.

 

Four off that seven are currently overweight according to my source.

 

Don't blame Critchley he's doing a good job see it for what it is,and those players in particular get in the gym and lose those pounds, you lazy feckers!!!!

Your source? You mean your eyes ffs!

a blind man can see that shankland, Boyce, mckay and halkett are carrying extra pounds.

source my arse.

[colinmaroon]

3 hours ago, Cruyff said:

Forrest has shown time and time again he's good enough. Maybe not a starter every week if we had a couple of stronger wingers but a very handy player who has won us quite a few games and is reaping the benefits of a more direct approach and faster tempo. His attitude and work rate is tremendous. No danger should he be put in the same category as the likes of McKay, Boyce, Grant etc... who have offered absolutely **** all for a long, long time. 

 

It's that he's such a frustrating player and too greedy for glory.  Number of times he shoots when a pass is on.

 

Pool player.

[pettigrewsstylist]

4 hours ago, Pauli Sergio 51 said:

Vargas and dhanda did absolutely nothing tonight. I was all for dhanda coming in during the summer but so far he has been a passenger in most games, tidy player but doesn’t beat a man, gets very few crosses in the box, doesn’t get many shots away and is weak off the ball and defensively. Vargas after last season I thought would improve but still goes missing in games, makes the wrong pass far too often and is bullied off the ball, think forrest offers more. Oda could be good but is another who goes missing in games and doesn’t do much with it in possession, we need much better than that to get to the next level but I’ll wait judging him until he gets a run of games in the new system, he’s another who was ruined by naismith picking defensive squads and playing players out of position 

Agreed.

[i wish jj was my dad]

7 hours ago, Bongo 1874 said:

In the summer i tried to point out where Naismith needed to strengthen,Halkett, Boyce, Grant,Mckay, Forrest.

 

Since Critchley has came in he has won me over, and I didn't want him, I'll repeat that I didn't want him, but he is the man for this job I've seen more than enough now,I'm sick of players genuinely taking the piss out this club and fans.

 

Make it 7 Grant, Forrest,Halkett,Mckay,Boyce,Shankland Clark.

 

Four off that seven are currently overweight according to my source.

 

Don't blame Critchley he's doing a good job see it for what it is,and those players in particular get in the gym and lose those pounds, you lazy feckers!!!!

No idea what games you watch if you are having a pop at Forrest and in Halkett's one cameo this season he was probably our best player. We wouldn't be anywhere as vulnerable in the box with him playing either. 

I'm sure NC can rub along without your advice. 

[ducatiboy]

 I’m fairly impressed with Neil, breath of fresh air tbh. I look forward to the transfer window as I’m starting to think he knows what we need, and what we need rid off. All in all a very promising start to his tenure, that first half in particular was a tremendous watch. Keep it going Neil please….

Edited November 8, 2024 by ducatiboy

[gregzy2k7]

Got to say, I'm impressed with him.

 

I was unsure about this appointment and was admittedly a bit negative when it was initially announced.

 

However having watched that game back, I can see that we have a clear style of play, That we are an extremely hard working team and everyone works their bullocks off for the team, we press in packs and pressure the opposition into mistakes and try to capitalize on those mistakes, I thought we were outstanding in that first half in all honesty and if not for our poor finishing we would have been 2 or 3 nil up against what appears to be a decent Bundesliga team, the  difference between the intensity in our play now and that of under Steven Naismith is like night and day imo. 👍🏻 

 

Great start from him and hopefully it gets even better once we start using the bloom algo to find a striker in Jan who can start converting our chances.

[RustyRightPeg]

2 hours ago, 1874robbo said:

Your source? You mean your eyes ffs!

a blind man can see that shankland, Boyce, mckay and halkett are carrying extra pounds.

source my arse.

Was just about to say this, you beat me to it. 

[stirlo]

5 hours ago, Cruyff said:

Forrest has shown time and time again he's good enough. Maybe not a starter every week if we had a couple of stronger wingers but a very handy player who has won us quite a few games and is reaping the benefits of a more direct approach and faster tempo. His attitude and work rate is tremendous. No danger should he be put in the same category as the likes of McKay, Boyce, Grant etc... who have offered absolutely **** all for a long, long time. 

 

Forrest played well last night and he's one of the very few players in the current squad who is actually capable of scoring the odd goal. It's evident that he's not in the class of Neil McCann or John Colquhoun, but he's still a decent player.

[Nerja Jambo]

8 hours ago, Bongo 1874 said:

please watch our first goal,and tell me it isn’t forrest fault we lose it, his effort to get back in isn't good enough either.

 

He has improved under Critchley, but he's doing the exact same as he did under Neilson and Naismith.

 

Are you serious, Forrest?