Official: Heart of Midlothian v Aberdeen match thread

[PapaShango]

6 hours ago, Smithian said:

Happy Matchday All!

 

I’m hoping for 

 

Oyegoke - Kent - Rowles - Kingsley

Forrest - Beni - Boateng/Devlin - Spittal

Musa - Wilson

 

Play deep and don’t ask the young strikers to do much more than run on the break 

 

Bring Shankland in second half with fresh legs 

 

2-1 Hearts. Forrest gets a rebound or otherwise messy goal earlier and Shankland gets a game winning goal late 

 

 

No way we can go with Musa and Wilson both far too lightweight to hold it in. I’m no fan of Shanks at the moment but he will play, other options will get over powered by their defence. We need one off them playing with Shankland though and I think Musa should get the nod he has pace, height and coming off the back of a goal last week.

[Tenor]

We've scored a grand total of 1 goal in the last 4 games - and it came from Musa. Please, Neil, at least give him a start and see if he can add to that total, because nobody else seems capable right now!

[alicante jambo]

I wouldnt play wilson from the start no way. They are a bunch of thugs big strong physical team and will target wilson. The back 4 gives me the shitters. Kent and rowles look like laurel and hardie half the time , kingsley his last outing against the sheep was a disaster giving away a goal and then having to go off. Forrest is just not very good. We must take the armband off shankland but i would play him and musa burn the sheep defenders out then if things arent happening last half hour bring wilson on. We have a lot of players not doing it and thats no including the clowns on the bench. Going 2-0 hearts.

[joondalupjambo]

13 minutes ago, PapaShango said:

You not remember his penalty in the cup final?

Aye but also remember his other set piece hits🤣. If not Kingsley, should not be Shankland then who?  Spittal?

[selkirkhmfc1874]

59 minutes ago, Wee Mikey said:

 

Beat me to it!

 

@Selkirkhmfc1874 will be ragin', I tell ye.

 

🤣

 

🐑🐑🐑's to the slaughter.

 

❤️❤️G❤️

🤣🤣🤣

[selkirkhmfc1874]

20 minutes ago, Tenor said:

We've scored a grand total of 1 goal in the last 4 games - and it came from Musa. Please, Neil, at least give him a start and see if he can add to that total, because nobody else seems capable right now!

Nothing to lose playing the last because nobody else scoring 

[alicante jambo]

2 minutes ago, Selkirkhmfc1874 said:

Nothing to lose playing the last because nobody else scoring 

You going the day mate? Gorgie Fish Bar?

[selkirkhmfc1874]

25 minutes ago, alicante jambo said:

You going the day mate? Gorgie Fish Bar?

Yes to both mate 🤣

[alicante jambo]

Just now, Selkirkhmfc1874 said:

Yes to both mate 🤣

Sound. Mon the jambos. Its happening the day mate.

[selkirkhmfc1874]

Just now, alicante jambo said:

Sound. Mon the jambos. Its happening the day mate.

Hope you're right mate , surely gotta turn at some point! Disgrace where we sitting in the table with our resources 

[alicante jambo]

1 minute ago, Selkirkhmfc1874 said:

Hope you're right mate , surely gotta turn at some point! Disgrace where we sitting in the table with our resources 

Agree 100%. 

[selkirkhmfc1874]

2 minutes ago, alicante jambo said:

Agree 100%. 

Time for the highly paid underachievers to stand up mate but honestly not got much faith some of these players got it in them 

[Robbo-Jambo]

Gordon 

 

Oyegoke

Kent

Rowles

Kingsley 

 

Devlin

Beni

Boateng 

Spittal 

 

Shankland 

Musa

[skinnybob72]

I would keep the Shankland / Vargas pairing together, albeit working in one of the food kiosks rather than anywhere near the pitch. 

[The Treasurer]

9 minutes ago, Robbo-Jambo said:

Gordon 

 

Oyegoke

Kent

Rowles

Kingsley 

 

Devlin

Beni

Boateng 

Spittal 

 

Shankland 

Musa

Not sure that playing three defensive minded midfielders at home sends the right message.

[Smithian]

1 hour ago, PapaShango said:

No way we can go with Musa and Wilson both far too lightweight to hold it in. I’m no fan of Shanks at the moment but he will play, other options will get over powered by their defence. We need one off them playing with Shankland though and I think Musa should get the nod he has pace, height and coming off the back of a goal last week.

I don’t disagree with your reasoning. I’m just in panic mode. 
 

Should Shankland or Vargas start, I hope someone has the foresight to saddle up next to Critchley and implore him not to switch them 1-for-1 in a sub because we don’t need that social experiment taking place today in Tynecastle.

[Bob Loblaw]

Is Oda going to be fit for the bench? He was meant to be involved last week. Would be good to have a bit pace available off the bench.

[Scott980612]

We played pretty well vs Aberdeen at Pittodrie ,missed chances again costing us , Vargas 1 vs 1 and putting it over the bar …

 no idea what was up with Shankland that day but he was fortunate to stay on the park the way he was carrying on. 
If he has issues with the Aberdeen ( and now possibly hearts ) supporters , surely best way to make a statement is by putting in a performance today and grabbing a few goals!  
 
 Was all for dropping Shankland but go with 2 up top him and Musa.  ( Don’t think Wilson & Musa or Boyce starting is an option ) … it’s so grim 🙈
 
Players need to leave everything on that park today. 
 
Big day for Critchley , can just about feel a wave of negativity coming if we lose today, which we cannot have. 
 
We’ve had Heidenheim, Rangers , Celtic , and Cercle Brugge … decent performances /certainly decent chances in amongst all those games with absolutely nothing to show for it. 
 
Tough fixture again but Hearts are more than capable off getting a result today , then we’ve got more favourable run off fixtures coming up , compared to the run we’ve just had.  
  
Come on Hearts … 3 points stay in gorgie. 🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻
 

[Fozzyonthefence]

19 minutes ago, The Treasurer said:

Not sure that playing three defensive minded midfielders at home sends the right message.

It was fine against Celtic but for other games I agree with you.  Not a single goal between these 3 this season iirc?

[alicante jambo]

13 minutes ago, Scott980612 said:

We played pretty well vs Aberdeen at Pittodrie ,missed chances again costing us , Vargas 1 vs 1 and putting it over the bar …

 no idea what was up with Shankland that day but he was fortunate to stay on the park the way he was carrying on. 
If he has issues with the Aberdeen ( and now possibly hearts ) supporters , surely best way to make a statement is by putting in a performance today and grabbing a few goals!  
 
 Was all for dropping Shankland but go with 2 up top him and Musa.  ( Don’t think Wilson & Musa or Boyce starting is an option ) … it’s so grim 🙈
 
Players need to leave everything on that park today. 
 
Big day for Critchley , can just about feel a wave of negativity coming if we lose today, which we cannot have. 
 
We’ve had Heidenheim, Rangers , Celtic , and Cercle Brugge … decent performances /certainly decent chances in amongst all those games with absolutely nothing to show for it. 
 
Tough fixture again but Hearts are more than capable off getting a result today , then we’ve got more favourable run off fixtures coming up , compared to the run we’ve just had.  
  
Come on Hearts … 3 points stay in gorgie. 🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻
 

Loads went against us at pittodrie. Vargas taps ball to shakland tap in,  grant getting sent off, kingsley making an arse of himself for one of their goals, oyegoke having to go off putting forrester on who got ripped to pieces by their winger. They have carried luck all season and the last 2 games it looks to have ran out. Hopefully it continues today.

[Turkishcap]

Fingers crossed

 

[suds66]

I do not care how we get the 3 points today, just do it Hearts.

[MTS1874]

I expect a hard fought battle and I think we’ll win 2-1. We just need a bit luck at both ends of the park.

 

[chrystaf]

49 minutes ago, The Treasurer said:

Not sure that playing three defensive minded midfielders at home sends the right message.

But we don't have any attacking minded midfielders.

[Gorgie_Rules]

Feels a like a pivotal game in our season today. Obviously been a very poor season but a win today and there will be signs of optimism.

 

Decent fixture list up to early January with alot of home games. Would be another home win for NC to go along with St Mirren and Omonia, and based upon spells against harder opposition recently there can at least be some optimism that what he is trying to do is working.

 

On the contrary, I fear being 3 points adrift will contribute to further doom and gloom and will be tricky for us to get out of it.

 

Huge game. I think we’ll see a decent performance and may nick it, ideally with a goal from Shankland to get his season up and running.

[Bill Sikes]

Another day, another defeat.

[GBJambo]

We will see if this team has the character and bottle for a relegation battle . 
 

Hibs have shown last 2 games that they have.  Over to you Hearts 

[Debut 4]

4 minutes ago, chrystaf said:

But we don't have any attacking minded midfielders.

He’s struggled but do you think we’ve been playing Dhanda wrong?  If there’s anyone that can maybe play more centrally and find passes it’s him.  
 

This playing on the left isn’t working and needs nipped in the bud.  He looks uneasy there and too often turns back with the ball and takes the momentum out our attempts to work up the park.  You’re almost watching him take the ball from halfway back into the left back area.  
 

However, when he got switched he looked far more comfortable taking the ball on his natural side and came alive much quicker.  

[OTT]

I think the team I'd like to see is:

 

Gordon

Oyegoke Kent Rowles Kingsley

Beni Boateng

Oda               Spittal

Musa Shankland

 

 

[Ricardo Quaresma]

4 minutes ago, Debut 4 said:

He’s struggled but do you think we’ve been playing Dhanda wrong?  If there’s anyone that can maybe play more centrally and find passes it’s him.  
 

This playing on the left isn’t working and needs nipped in the bud.  He looks uneasy there and too often turns back with the ball and takes the momentum out our attempts to work up the park.  You’re almost watching him take the ball from halfway back into the left back area.  
 

However, when he got switched he looked far more comfortable taking the ball on his natural side and came alive much quicker.  

 

I think Dhanda has had a lot to think about moving from RC, moving house etc, then there's Team playing style differences

 

 

But I bet he thought his days of bottom table scrapping were over; his confidence is genuinely a little rattled but he'll turn the corner and fit in to the Team if he keeps trying

 

He was not the only one that was nervous on Thursday, they knew that team they played were asking to get beat but this probably did nothing but stoke the pressure

 

The line-up was not sensible and the Players knew it too, no subs at HT too, that's a long term mentality when we have a desperate need to win, the building's on fire

[gwd1957]

10 minutes ago, Debut 4 said:

He’s struggled but do you think we’ve been playing Dhanda wrong?  If there’s anyone that can maybe play more centrally and find passes it’s him.  
 

This playing on the left isn’t working and needs nipped in the bud.  He looks uneasy there and too often turns back with the ball and takes the momentum out our attempts to work up the park.  You’re almost watching him take the ball from halfway back into the left back area.  
 

However, when he got switched he looked far more comfortable taking the ball on his natural side and came alive much quicker.  

Dhanda couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag, heart of a mouse , we are in a battle, Grant can put himself about and pass so can Tait , we need to win 50/50s all over the park .

[stuart500]

What we've been doing isn't working so why do the same again? Maybe go 3-5-2 with a bigger, stronger team.

 

                  Gordon

          Kent Halkett Kingsley 

Oyegoke Beni Spittal Boateng Salazar

             Shanks   Musa

 

 

[PapaShango]

59 minutes ago, Scott980612 said:

We played pretty well vs Aberdeen at Pittodrie ,missed chances again costing us , Vargas 1 vs 1 and putting it over the bar …

 no idea what was up with Shankland that day but he was fortunate to stay on the park the way he was carrying on. 
If he has issues with the Aberdeen ( and now possibly hearts ) supporters , surely best way to make a statement is by putting in a performance today and grabbing a few goals!  
 
 Was all for dropping Shankland but go with 2 up top him and Musa.  ( Don’t think Wilson & Musa or Boyce starting is an option ) … it’s so grim 🙈
 
Players need to leave everything on that park today. 
 
Big day for Critchley , can just about feel a wave of negativity coming if we lose today, which we cannot have. 
 
We’ve had Heidenheim, Rangers , Celtic , and Cercle Brugge … decent performances /certainly decent chances in amongst all those games with absolutely nothing to show for it. 
 
Tough fixture again but Hearts are more than capable off getting a result today , then we’ve got more favourable run off fixtures coming up , compared to the run we’ve just had.  
  
Come on Hearts … 3 points stay in gorgie. 🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻
 

Agree and I don’t think the frustration from the stands is aimed at the manager, I think it’s the players who will be left in no doubt how we feel. After the way we lost up there the players should have something about them to go out and stick one on Aberdeen today and show them we are in a false position. If we roll over weakly the fans will turn toxic. They have done well but no way we should ever fear playing them, we need to go out and lay into them and boss them around.

[euan 10]

Come on our season starts now who better than against the sheep 

[PapaShango]

1 minute ago, gwd1957 said:

Dhanda couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag, heart of a mouse , we are in a battle, Grant can put himself about and pass so can Tait , we need to win 50/50s all over the park .

He was awful on Thursday night, no heart not desire and awful on the ball. I liked him at Ross County as well but if he doesn’t start showing soon he’s not making it here.

[manaliveits105]

Mon Heart of Midlothian 

[jamboozy]

30 minutes ago, Bull's-eye said:

Another day, another defeat.

Building yourself up for the big booo ? 😄

[Turkishcap]

 https://www.sportsnewsnow.com.ng/2024/12/01/frankie-kent-makes-an-appeal-to-hearts-fans/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1EFR5MupyhEibUtW1kQ8PKMYkLxfxxODzYJ3vcpM0dnDiJsGWLbOxGiYU_aem_A0hXhY2XDhMNrdBfw6ymQw

[JudyJudyJudy]

I can see it ….. yes it’s becoming clearer….. yesss …. 2-0 Hearts 

[Diadora Van Basten]

I would like to see us play Devlin, Boateng and Beni together as it worked well against Celtic and they are all playing consistently well unlike some of the others. 
 

                Gordon

 

Adeoke Kent Kingsley Penrice

 

                  Boateng

 

        Beni.                Devlin

 

Forrest.                            Spittal

 

                    Musa 

[Turkishcap]

Penrice suspended mate.

[JimmyCant]

3 hours ago, alicante jambo said:

I wouldnt play wilson from the start no way. They are a bunch of thugs big strong physical team and will target wilson. The back 4 gives me the shitters. Kent and rowles look like laurel and hardie half the time , kingsley his last outing against the sheep was a disaster giving away a goal and then having to go off. Forrest is just not very good. We must take the armband off shankland but i would play him and musa burn the sheep defenders out then if things arent happening last half hour bring wilson on. We have a lot of players not doing it and thats no including the clowns on the bench. Going 2-0 hearts.

See if we can’t compete and stand up to the numerous teams in this league who have physical presence (and that’s just about all of them) or we’re not prepared to go toe to toe with them, then we’re in real serious bother. It’s a basic requirement in this league

[wavydavy]

On 24/11/2024 at 16:38, Baxfee said:

Thread is a tad early, but it’s our next home game. We’ll soon find out what critchley’s thoughts are on salazar. With penrice ruled out, it’s a straight fight between salazar and Kingsley. Critchley has had the international break to assess - maybe not being on the bench against Celtic says it all! 

 

He may decide to play Kingsley at CB and Rowles at LB.

[wavydavy]

Just now, JimmyCant said:

See if we can’t compete and stand up to the numerous teams in this league who have physical presence (and that’s just about all of them) or we’re not prepared to go toe to toe with them, then we’re in real serious bother. It’s a basic requirement in this league

 

This is nothing new. We used to be referred to as a big physical team but that is certainly not the case now and hasn't been for a number of years.

 

We need to be getting back to that though and matching it with 100% effort from start to finish.

[Scott980612]

13 minutes ago, PapaShango said:

Agree and I don’t think the frustration from the stands is aimed at the manager, I think it’s the players who will be left in no doubt how we feel. After the way we lost up there the players should have something about them to go out and stick one on Aberdeen today and show them we are in a false position. If we roll over weakly the fans will turn toxic. They have done well but no way we should ever fear playing them, we need to go out and lay into them and boss them around.

Yeah fair comments there 👍🏻 

 

Players should be desperate to get out there today and get one over Aberdeen. 

[JimmyCant]

2 minutes ago, wavydavy said:

 

This is nothing new. We used to be referred to as a big physical team but that is certainly not the case now and hasn't been for a number of years.

 

We need to be getting back to that though and matching it with 100% effort from start to finish.

Aye and we used to take it as an insult.  

[Victorian]

Ideally Shankland would be rested but the shitshow has resulted in the situation of even a poor or disinterested Shankland probably being more likely to contribute than anything else we have.

 

In chess this is called Zugzwang.   A position that can only worsen with any of the available moves a player can make.

 

Shankland and maybe Vargas to start and hope for the best.  

[pheonix55]

We need to win by 3 clear goals to get off the bottom of the league...so 4-0 please so we have a bit of wriggle room😎

[Ricardo Quaresma]

Just now, Victorian said:

Ideally Shankland would be rested but the shitshow has resulted in the situation of even a poor or disinterested Shankland probably being more likely to contribute than anything else we have.

 

In chess this is called Zugzwang.   A position that can only worsen with any of the available moves a player can make.

 

Shankland and maybe Vargas to start and hope for the best.  

 

We've tried that 20 times already

 

It's logical to remove the problem and just pure fear trying the same and still sticking with it

 

It's like a battered housewife on a council estate, there she is, black eyes again

[vegas-voss]

41 minutes ago, Debut 4 said:

He’s struggled but do you think we’ve been playing Dhanda wrong?  If there’s anyone that can maybe play more centrally and find passes it’s him.  
 

This playing on the left isn’t working and needs nipped in the bud.  He looks uneasy there and too often turns back with the ball and takes the momentum out our attempts to work up the park.  You’re almost watching him take the ball from halfway back into the left back area.  
 

However, when he got switched he looked far more comfortable taking the ball on his natural side and came alive much quicker.  

I don't know about Dhanda doesn't matter where he is on the field he gets caught up by opposition.He also has that habit of move two feet then hold the ball and turn back the way and by the time he has done that there is two folk on him.