Relegation candidates

[Taffin]

We're absolutely in the mix unfortunately.

 

I've really grown to like Critchley after being unsure at first but it feels a bit of a Stendel-esque appointment again. In danger of being relegated and appointing a Head Coach of plays in a way that the current players can't play (too slow, too unfit, too lazy etc).

 

Yeh great to have a long term style etc; mid-season whilst facing the drop? Hmm, not sure.

Edited October 31, 2024 by Taffin

[gregzy2k7]

At this moment in time unfortunately for us it is a real possibility 😕 

 

Do our players have enough bottle to get themselves out of this mess?

 

Not saying we will go down but if we were to suffer a third relegation in the space of 12 years, It would be soul destroying and utterly disastrous for the club.

 

Serious questions would need to be asked of our board if that were to happen.

[Bozi]

 it was a Naismith type performance, lots of the ball but absolutely no direction, nobody willing to take a man on or take a chance. Apart from the goal we hugged and puffed and passed sideways and backwards, it was painful.

 

This was why I was so pissed off with Boateng last night, everything was the safe option, hiding behind players etc and yes he wasn't the only only one

 

All season we have had lots of "touches" in and around the box, in fact I think Rangers and Celtic are the only teams with more. But we have the fewest Xg because we are all fart and no shite, last night was exactly that

[GinRummy]

Just get through this season still in the league and then rip the squad to bits. 
 

Too many times we’ve added bodies rather than increased the quality of the starting 11. Our first 11 is no stronger than it was when we beat Celtic 2-1 the season after we were promoted.  

Edited October 31, 2024 by GinRummy

[Yoda]

10 hours ago, indianajones said:

 

I can guarantee you that Barrie McKay cares about nothing other than Barrie McKay. 

You can add Boyce, Grant and quite a few others to that list.  Clear out required in the summer.

[Australis]

Thought the first 50 minutes we played good quick sharp football against Killie.

 

I hope we can stay close with the rest so we don't have to bring players in this January, I would rather it was the summer.

 

Vargas looks lost, McKay and Boyce on the bench is shambolic and gutting.

 

Looking very fragile up front and we could do without picking up more injuries, and getting Hoff and Beni back.

 

None of our players are capable of getting to the by line and putting in crosses.

 

All our crosses come from easy to defend positions.

 

Pace and wingers please in the summer and more height in the side.

 

 

 

 

[GinRummy]

Just now, Yoda said:

You can add Boyce, Grant and quite a few others to that list.  Clear out required in the summer.

Would really like to see a few of these guys drop out the squad. 

[Hømme]

As it stands we are absolutely in the discussion. No two ways about it.

 

On paper we have more about us than the other teams around us so we just need to keep plugging away and hope the 'we are too good to be relegated' chat becomes true 

 

A striker or two is an absolute must in January.

 

My biggest fear is that the games continue to come thick and fast and our fitness is atrocious. As well as this, it doesn't allow Critchley to implement his ideas in training as it's all about recovery sessions and setting up for the next game around the corner 

[Shaggy2]

53 minutes ago, Gundermann said:

 

That's it in a nutshell. Work hard, apply yourself and reap the benefits. Some of our lot look like born losers.

They’ve got a captain who is one of them and an absolute wank but he’s driving them forward. Contrast that to us. Having a captain who has no love for our club and is absolutely knackered from 2 years of constant football (giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming he just “looks” disinterested). 

[sim]

I'm not in this boat. We have a good team and performances are improving. Yesterday against Killie, we were well on top for the first 50 mins in a way I havent seen us for the past couple of months in the league. We're also creating more chances.

The gap even to the top 6 is not enormous and a few wins would see us move us quickly. 

I can easily see us being in the top 6 come the new year. There is little to suggest that we will continue to fail to get points the coming time. 

 

[soonbe110]

5 minutes ago, Taffin said:

We're absolutely in the mix unfortunately.

 

I've really grown to like Critchley after being unsure at first but it feels a bit of a Stendel-esque appointment again. In danger of being relegated and appointing a Head Coach of plays in a way that the current players can't play (too slow, too unfit, too lazy etc).

 

Yeh great to have a long term style etc; mid-season whilst facing the drop? Hmm, not sure.

Critchley has more time and more money to fix the issues before the end of the season than Stendel had. Have no doubts he will. 

[Hashimoto]

1 minute ago, sim said:

I'm not in this boat. We have a good team and performances are improving. Yesterday against Killie, we were well on top for the first 50 mins in a way I havent seen us for the past couple of months in the league. We're also creating more chances.

The gap even to the top 6 is not enormous and a few wins would see us move us quickly. 

I can easily see us being in the top 6 come the new year. There is little to suggest that we will continue to fail to get points the coming time. 

 

Eh! what game were you watching mate?

Improved?????? we reverted very quickly back to the style that got our previous two managers the sack

[soonbe110]

3 minutes ago, Australis said:

Thought the first 50 minutes we played good quick sharp football against Killie.

 

I hope we can stay close with the rest so we don't have to bring players in this January, I would rather it was the summer.

 

Vargas looks lost, McKay and Boyce on the bench is shambolic and gutting.

 

Looking very fragile up front and we could do without picking up more injuries, and getting Hoff and Beni back.

 

None of our players are capable of getting to the by line and putting in crosses.

 

All our crosses come from easy to defend positions.

 

Pace and wingers please in the summer and more height in the side.

 

 

 

 

Even if Vargas and Forrest get to the byline our striker is too slow to be in the middle waiting for a cross. We need a couple of wingers and a a couple of strikers.   Having said that we have McKay, Forrest, Vargas, Dhanda who are all supposed to be wingers. 

[soonbe110]

4 minutes ago, sim said:

I'm not in this boat. We have a good team and performances are improving. Yesterday against Killie, we were well on top for the first 50 mins in a way I havent seen us for the past couple of months in the league. We're also creating more chances.

The gap even to the top 6 is not enormous and a few wins would see us move us quickly. 

I can easily see us being in the top 6 come the new year. There is little to suggest that we will continue to fail to get points the coming time. 

 

Perth, Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee, Killie next six games.  Only Dundee at home looks a banker for at least a point. 

[Rudy T]

11 hours ago, indianajones said:

 

I can guarantee you that Barrie McKay cares about nothing other than Barrie McKay. 

I’d be happy if last night was the last time I ever see him in a Hearts shirt. I’ve defended him in the past but that was a half arsed lazy couldn’t give a shit performance. Get him out the squad.

[Gizmo]

 

7 minutes ago, Taffin said:

We're absolutely in the mix unfortunately.

 

I've really grown to like Critchley after being unsure at first but it feels a bit of a Stendel-esque appointment again. In danger of being relegated and appointing a Head Coach of plays in a way that the current players can't play (too slow, too unfit, too lazy etc).

 

Yeh great to have a long term style etc; mid-season whilst facing the drop? Hmm, not sure.

He's hardly made a radical change to our style, just simplified things in a 4-4-2 (or similar) and got us moving quicker. I'm not overly concerned that this is gonna be a Stendel-esq rigid adherence to a style that is alien to us. 

Without Europe we'd probably be ok, but that and this underlying softness is a killer and it's lurked in several squads now, for some reason. 

As much as I detest Killie, we could really do with signing a right big ******* of a no-nonsense defender that puts the shits up the opposition and maybe even our own players. Anyone know if there's a Pasquale Bruno-esq type signing available? 

[soonbe110]

4 minutes ago, Hashimoto said:

Eh! what game were you watching mate?

Improved?????? we reverted very quickly back to the style that got our previous two managers the sack

Agreed, but Critchley needs time on the training ground to fix that.  He gets a couple of weeks in November so hopefully we see improvement. For once I’m delighted there’s an international break 

[Valois No1]

1 minute ago, soonbe110 said:

Perth, Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee, Killie next six games.  Only Dundee at home looks a banker for at least a point. 

I think we could be on for a record lowest points gathered after they fixtures. 

[copa-mundial]

Season is becoming all to mirror like to 19/20. 

Hibs aside, the teams above us are starting to get back to back wins. That 6 points lifts you a good few places up the table. 

This was our downfall in the 19/20 season, we just couldn't muster it. 

I hate to say it. 11 games in. Same thing is happening. 

 

Yes there's still a long way to go, and yes it can't be turned around. But on current form, relegation or being in the mix is a high risk right now. 

 

Part of me is saying our euro exploits need chucked in the bin to fully concentrate on the league. Then the other part says that's where the money is. 

 

The current squad of players needs examined. I've no doubt after last night Critchley will know far more about them, but they're his players now. He has to work with them, trust them and get the best out of them until January at the earliest. 

 

It could get a lot worse before it gets better. 

[rory78]

All the tippy tappy passing it about back for ages before going forward only enables the opposition to get set back up and then gives us no bloody options which in turn then gives the ball back to them,so annoying and get Shankland away from the team the fact he's the captain and couldn't give a toss is hardly setting a good example to the rest of the squad 🙄

[Carter]

2 hours ago, Geoff Kilpatrick said:

Do you think if Budge stepped down from the board tomorrow that that would solve the problem? That's just nonsense.

No, I don't. But she has far too much influence at the club. 

[GBJambo]

8 minutes ago, soonbe110 said:

Perth, Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee, Killie next six games.  Only Dundee at home looks a banker for at least a point. 

To be honest we will struggle to even get a point from those 6 

[GBJambo]

7 minutes ago, copa-mundial said:

Season is becoming all to mirror like to 19/20. 

Hibs aside, the teams above us are starting to get back to back wins. That 6 points lifts you a good few places up the table. 

This was our downfall in the 19/20 season, we just couldn't muster it. 

I hate to say it. 11 games in. Same thing is happening. 

 

Yes there's still a long way to go, and yes it can't be turned around. But on current form, relegation or being in the mix is a high risk right now. 

 

Part of me is saying our euro exploits need chucked in the bin to fully concentrate on the league. Then the other part says that's where the money is. 

 

The current squad of players needs examined. I've no doubt after last night Critchley will know far more about them, but they're his players now. He has to work with them, trust them and get the best out of them until January at the earliest. 

 

It could get a lot worse before it gets better. 

What’s the point in getting that money from Europe when our board are so tight that it doesn’t get invested in the team. 

[Go for it 1308]

11 hours ago, Lambert Simnel said:

We're too good to go down.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

Someone had to say it...

 

Are you having a f##ck##g laugh?

[upgotheheads]

11 hours ago, indianajones said:

I think we will avoid it based on a very expensive January window. 

 

This is looking like our best/only hope. We need some muscle up front.

[Sarah O]

Could have left last night when Barrie MacKay came on. 

 

Alarming that he's still getting game time. 

 

Is it also a pre requisite of a Hearts manager to never leave an out ball when defending corners? 

[Go for it 1308]

2 minutes ago, GBJambo said:

What’s the point in getting that money from Europe when our board are so tight that it doesn’t get invested in the team. 

There  no way that I believe that Naismith didn't want another striker....what manager  wouldn't??? I honestly think Naismith had a 'quiet word' in his ear from the board, saying  "that enough for that transfer window "

A bunch of penny pinching  shite bags

[Taffin]

20 minutes ago, soonbe110 said:

Critchley has more time and more money to fix the issues before the end of the season than Stendel had. Have no doubts he will. 

 

Absolutely and good to hear there's more money available, we're going to need it!

 

13 minutes ago, Gizmo said:

 

He's hardly made a radical change to our style, just simplified things in a 4-4-2 (or similar) and got us moving quicker. I'm not overly concerned that this is gonna be a Stendel-esq rigid adherence to a style that is alien to us. 

 

 

I think that's due to the players though. He clearly wants to play a much more aggressive press, and move the ball quicker. Which in totally in favour of, but it seems like for a variety of reasons our squad can't do it. He either needs to get players in who can do it (like Stendel needed for his approach); get the players up to speed sharpish; or find something else that fits this lot.

 

13 minutes ago, Gizmo said:

Without Europe we'd probably be ok, but that and this underlying softness is a killer and it's lurked in several squads now, for some reason. 

As much as I detest Killie, we could really do with signing a right big ******* of a no-nonsense defender that puts the shits up the opposition and maybe even our own players. Anyone know if there's a Pasquale Bruno-esq type signing available? 

 

I really hope we get through it as I've really taken to Critchley, as I did actually with Stendel too. I just can't shake the right guy, wrong time feeling.

[GBJambo]

26 minutes ago, soonbe110 said:

Critchley has more time and more money to fix the issues before the end of the season than Stendel had. Have no doubts he will. 

Where has it been reported that he will have money to spend in January? 

[Gizmo]

Just now, Taffin said:

 

Absolutely and good to hear there's more money available, we're going to need it!

 

 

I think that's due to the players though. He clearly wants to play a much more aggressive press, and move the ball quicker. Which in totally in favour of, but it seems like for a variety of reasons our squad can't do it. He either needs to get players in who can do it (like Stendel needed for his approach); get the players up to speed sharpish; or find something else that fits this lot.

 

 

I really hope we get through it as I've really taken to Critchley, as I did actually with Stendel too. I just can't shake the right guy, wrong time feeling.

So do I, Critchley clearly thinks about the game, is measured and fair and I think he has something about him. Last night felt like a major setback.

If things don't change quickish we will probably here more thoughts expressed of how McInnes would have been a safer choice. Frustratingly, whilst our ambitions should be much loftier, it might be hard to disagree that short-term it may have made sense. It would also have made our eyes bleed, tho. 

What a shit season, came into it so hopeful as well which is always the killer.

[Ribble]

11 hours ago, H2 said:

Not full of losers, some lack attitude. We definitely lack leaders.

 

Correct, almost every player out there to do their own job and not one of them trying to lead, encourage or fire up the rest of the team.

 

How on earth was Frankie Kent captain at his last club? Weak as you like for the goal then looked terrified to pass more than 2 yards for the rest of the game. 

[Ribble]

6 minutes ago, Gizmo said:

So do I, Critchley clearly thinks about the game, is measured and fair and I think he has something about him. Last night felt like a major setback.

If things don't change quickish we will probably here more thoughts expressed of how McInnes would have been a safer choice. Frustratingly, whilst our ambitions should be much loftier, it might be hard to disagree that short-term it may have made sense. It would also have made our eyes bleed, tho. 

What a shit season, came into it so hopeful as well which is always the killer.

 

It really wouldn't, we don't have 3 dominant, bully type centre backs and big lump up front to play the way McInnes would want, nor would we get away with the amount of fouls killie committed last night

[GBJambo]

If we do get relegated , this will be worse than the last 2 relegations.

 

The first  time we were coming out of admin with a sense of hope with a new start. Second time there was a sense of injustice with Covid and the vote which galvanised the support. 

 

This time round would be very different and we might not get that bounce back right away

[JimmyCant]

16 minutes ago, GBJambo said:

Where has it been reported that he will have money to spend in January? 

UEFA have already given us €3million plus. It’s already in our bank. If the majority of that money is not spent on fixing this mess of a squad, starting with a big chunk in January, the bird ought to resign en masse

[JimmyCant]

10 hours ago, Luckies1874 said:

 

Did she aye? I don't really care. If anyone would like to bet on Hearts to be relegated I will provide better odds than any bookmaker. Minimum bet £100. 

Correct. The bookies don’t think we’ll be anywhere near relegation. Neither do I

[soonbe110]

25 minutes ago, Go for it 1308 said:

There  no way that I believe that Naismith didn't want another striker....what manager  wouldn't??? I honestly think Naismith had a 'quiet word' in his ear from the board, saying  "that enough for that transfer window "

A bunch of penny pinching  shite bags

If that had been the case I think we would have heard about it by now.  It’s the reason three guys lost their jobs, one of them would have gone public by now. 

[The Real Maroonblood]

1 hour ago, Captain Lithuania said:

Correct. The Naismith effect will be felt for a good while yet. He really has left us in a mess.

The thank you Naismith thread is laughable.

[HopeDiouf]

Just now, JimmyCant said:

Correct. The bookies don’t think we’ll be anywhere near relegation. Neither do I

I don't think we will either.  But a football team that doesn't score many, and gifts soft goals at the other end does not win many football matches, so we are at risk of getting into a right mess IMO

[A_A wehatethehibs]

Just now, JimmyCant said:

Correct. The bookies don’t think we’ll be anywhere near relegation. Neither do I

What did they “think” in October 2019?

 

Not many gamblers will bet on Hearts to go down, that’s why the odds are what they are.

 

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible by any stretch. The longer we stay in this position the odds would shorten.

 

We need 3 points urgently especially from games like last night. That was a 6 pointer last night. 

[soonbe110]

24 minutes ago, GBJambo said:

Where has it been reported that he will have money to spend in January? 

If we need it they will find it. €800k windfall from CL in last couple of weeks for a start.  Likely windfall from reaching CL play-off stage at least. We hardly spent a penny (nett)  in the summer, in fact probably took more in transfer fee wise than we spent. There should be plenty even without any Bloom investment. 

[soonbe110]

26 minutes ago, Gizmo said:

So do I, Critchley clearly thinks about the game, is measured and fair and I think he has something about him. Last night felt like a major setback.

If things don't change quickish we will probably here more thoughts expressed of how McInnes would have been a safer choice. Frustratingly, whilst our ambitions should be much loftier, it might be hard to disagree that short-term it may have made sense. It would also have made our eyes bleed, tho. 

What a shit season, came into it so hopeful as well which is always the killer.

The McInnes chat will intensify once he is at Ibrox and maybe starts to turn them around. 

[soonbe110]

11 minutes ago, JimmyCant said:

UEFA have already given us €3million plus. It’s already in our bank. If the majority of that money is not spent on fixing this mess of a squad, starting with a big chunk in January, the bird ought to resign en masse

Do you mean our chairperson? 

[JimmyCant]

2 minutes ago, HopeDiouf said:

I don't think we will either.  But a football team that doesn't score many, and gifts soft goals at the other end does not win many football matches, so we are at risk of getting into a right mess IMO

The problem for me is being soft at the back. Kent has gone backwards and Rowles has always had a question mark round his physicality. When you have that and your full backs are pushed so far forward your going to concede sloppy goals

 

I wouldn’t be surprised to see us switch to a back 3 to see if that might shore us up a bit

[JimmyCant]

1 minute ago, soonbe110 said:

Do you mean our chairperson? 

Spooky predictive text error. Should have said board obviously

[Carter]

Current PPG of 0.6. Puts us on course for 23 points after 38 games on current trend. 

 

Destination - Scottish Championship.

 

This could've happened last season in truth. They lucked out on a very dubious appointment of Steven Naismith and his merry men (I hear Joe's pal Frankie isn't the slightest missed at the club). It could've easily went as wring from the outset as it did ultimately. 

 

Well done Ann and Andrew. You're doing a great job 👏 

[lost in space]

35 minutes ago, Go for it 1308 said:

There  no way that I believe that Naismith didn't want another striker....what manager  wouldn't??? I honestly think Naismith had a 'quiet word' in his ear from the board, saying  "that enough for that transfer window "

A bunch of penny pinching  shite bags

McKinlay said in an interview (dont ask me when/ where but after SN was sacked) that Naismith was asked about another striker but said No, he wanted to give Wilson more time.  Would I believe everything that McKinlay said? - NO.   I dont think he would make up a story that could be easily contradicted though.

[RustyRightPeg]

Just now, lost in space said:

McKinlay said in an interview (dont ask me when/ where but after SN was sacked) that Naismith was asked about another striker but said No, he wanted to give Wilson more time.  Would I believe everything that McKinlay said? - NO.   I dont think he would make up a story that could be easily contradicted though.

He was on record saying we had Boycie and he didn’t want to stint Wilson’s growth. 

[Carter]

1 minute ago, RustyRightPeg said:

He was on record saying we had Boycie and he didn’t want to stint Wilson’s growth. 

The Boyce situation is quite inexplicable. Almost certainly one of the highest earners at the club and one of the most experienced. Yet he isn't even chucked on for last few minutes. If he's not able to contribute then surely he shouldn't be on the bench. It's all quite bizarre. That's before we consider Messrs Drammeh and Salazar.

 

Looks to be quite a lot going on within a group of players who are horrendously under performing. 

[OmiyaHearts]

18 minutes ago, JimmyCant said:

UEFA have already given us €3million plus. It’s already in our bank. If the majority of that money is not spent on fixing this mess of a squad, starting with a big chunk in January, the bird ought to resign en masse

My understanding is you don't get any payouts from UEFA until the tournament is finished.

[lost in space]

1 minute ago, RustyRightPeg said:

He was on record saying we had Boycie and he didn’t want to stint Wilson’s growth. 

Yes, thats correct - he did mention Boyce too.

I really liked Naismith until this season.  We all knew he was arrogant - but how could he turn into such an absolute arse.  Savage leaving didnt help and Naismith should have realised that his 2 coaches didnt have a clue.