Neil Critchley

[chaswasjambotillend]

To be fair to critchley bar refs var decisions and ref watch stopping v county and halkett and gordon cock ups we would have had another 2 points and maybe even more. Only thing that worries me is just as we are getting a settled team and results, the amount of players being linked to leave cant be good in dressing room, and are not ones most folk want rid off, it could be mistake no matter what blooms app says. Its all very well bringing in new signings in jan but what if they are worse, and how brave are they when getting kicked up in air and barged about, we tried new players in 19/20 and got worse.

[We_are_the_Hearts]

7 hours ago, colinmorewasgash said:

To be fair to critchley bar refs var decisions and ref watch stopping v county and halkett and gordon cock ups we would have had another 2 points and maybe even more. Only thing that worries me is just as we are getting a settled team and results, the amount of players being linked to leave cant be good in dressing room, and are not ones most folk want rid off, it could be mistake no matter what blooms app says. Its all very well bringing in new signings in jan but what if they are worse, and how brave are they when getting kicked up in air and barged about, we tried new players in 19/20 and got worse.

So are you saying ignore JTA and stick with the players that have us 11th? The mind boggles

[chrisyboy7]

The club are doing the right thing in slowly replacing the entire team are they gave been well below what's expected. There will perhaps be a good few leaving next week.

[Gmcjambo]

This almost feels like the start of the Critchley era.   He inherited a shit show, and he must have desperately wanted to fast forward to the 1st transfer window.    Reckon he will have a real spring in his step now.   The four new signings on paper at least, look like they will end up being 1st 11 players.   Will take a bit of time for some of the new and injured players to get match fit but feeling very positive that we’ll kick on now.  Will be a very different team in the coming weeks.  

[mr fox]

The signings look great and he is sorting out what we all see is missing 

 

A midfielder that can link the forward line 

A fast forward who looks a natural goal scorer and looking for a fast wide man

 

We have all been saying this all year and  Critchley is delivering 

 

Very positive I think this Norwegian looks the business. 

[pettigrewsstylist]

RW and CF before window SLAMS shut pse 🤞

Hopefully means a couple more sent on their way with best wishes.

[Ricardo Quaresma]

3 hours ago, chrisyboy7 said:

The club are doing the right thing in slowly replacing the entire team are they gave been well below what's expected. There will perhaps be a good few leaving next week.

 

I think a good few players knew Naismith was going to replace them too, reckon it added to the problem

[pettigrewsstylist]

Mcinnes 2 Critchley 0.

Game on. 

[GC81]

Always thought it was unfair to judge him before now. I still don't think he should be properly judged until next season (unless it really becomes a calamity).

 

Going in the right direction but let's not now expect a smooth run of results. 

[AC Mallin_51]

Turning this shambles of a season round. Guy dealt a crap hand and I’m really excited to see how we do when we’ve our new players in. Well done Neil 

[Ex member of the SaS]

Not on the Critchley band wagon yet, his subs are still strange to say the least at times, obviously want him to do well but I still feel he is not commanding enough to be manager. Someone with a strong will and commanding voice to make the players sit up and take notice.

[Gregorski]

The subs were positive enough.

[mr fox]

Look forward to seeing his team on the pitch. 
That team today there will be 4 players not in the first 11

[Valois No1]

He’s adding more and more points to his tally and doing it quietly. I’m still a little apprehensive on him but he’s winning me over. He’s doing just fine. 

[Gerry1874]

Well done Neil you've really turned round a shambles that you inherited. The sceptics would be creaming their panties if you had a fancy foreign name and accent.

[feej]

good post match interview, said we weren't on it today which was an accurate assessment.

He's striving for better which is great - hopefully we're looking to get in a centre mid cos that area is weak.

Edited January 25 by feej

[OmiyaHearts]

Six unbeaten. He's doing well.

[Deodato]

1 hour ago, mr fox said:

Look forward to seeing his team on the pitch. 
That team today there will be 4 players not in the first 11

This is relevant

[Phil D. Corners]

Do we have an updated Critchley table? 

[rory78]

Still think he sounds a bit weak but if he continues to get results who cares - if it wasn't for injury time at RC and Jorge Grant missing the pen at Aberdeen it would be 4 more points 

[the posh bit]

He's had an excellent January, it has to be said. 

[RudiSkacelsLeftPeg]

Just need to look at the difference when we played Killie last at Tynecastle. When they went 1-1 we crumbled. Today we went on and won. Massive shift in belief and mentality and when the new signings bed in we will be even stronger. 
 

What a club 🇱🇻🇱🇻

[JamboGee92]

1 hour ago, feej said:

good post match interview, said we weren't on it today which was an accurate assessment.

He's striving for better which is great - hopefully we're looking to get in a centre mid cos that area is weak.

 

I think Boateng would have helped if subbed on earlier. We looked like a team of midgets in the centre of midfield and for me Beni has been off it for a few games now. We lost nearly every ball in the air in the middle of midfield. 

Edited January 25 by Arthur Morgan

[periodictabledancer]

I was delighted at his appointment and even more delighted at how well he's emptied the team and moulded it into a great attacking outfit. This team will get even better very quickly. 

[tiger Rudi]

Not really getting what he was trying to do today. Two strikers, neither of them great in the air and we resorted to long high balls up to them for the most part. Better in 2nd half. 

Grant playing on the right didn't work.

Beni and Devlin sitting didn't work.

 

Kartum in Grants position, with Grant in beside Devlin might have a better balance. 

Still work to be done in that area if we want the strikers to get balls in to their feet. 

Right back position could become a worry again. Fingers crossed Taylor is ready to kick on. 

Hoping Steinwender and McCart are a steady partnership.

Still lots to do yet....... .good thing is, Critchley knows it..

[77Mackay77]

League table from his first game until now. Quite the contrast to the table before he joined! 

[JamboGee92]

23 minutes ago, 77Mackay77 said:

League table from his first game until now. Quite the contrast to the table before he joined! 

 

Not bad tbf. Not amazing, but not bad. Look at Aberdeen though, hohoho 😂

[Gordon_1874]

Said in an interview on sky post match that the squad is still miles away from what he wants. If we can get top 6 and a chance of European football next season that would be brilliant.

[kingantti1874]

Again credit where it’s dues. We were not the best today but job done 

[Penrices left boot]

NC Haas the Gorgie Juggernaut up and running.

 

Protesters- be gone with you.

 

[1874Jambo]

1 hour ago, periodictabledancer said:

I was delighted at his appointment and even more delighted at how well he's emptied the team and moulded it into a great attacking outfit. This team will get even better very quickly. 

A great attacking outfit? Are you watching the same side as me?

[periodictabledancer]

1 minute ago, 1874Jambo said:

A great attacking outfit? Are you watching the same side as me?

Yes. Terrific moments in the first half and that'll only  get better. 

[rocketman19]

2 hours ago, Phil D. Corners said:

Do we have an updated Critchley table? 

 

[jamborich]

4 hours ago, Ex member of the SaS said:

Not on the Critchley band wagon yet, his subs are still strange to say the least at times, obviously want him to do well but I still feel he is not commanding enough to be manager. Someone with a strong will and commanding voice to make the players sit up and take notice.

Do you go to our training sessions? You know for a fact he doesn’t put his voice across…wow

[GinRummy]

Had a tough gig and still does. Lots of that squad will have sussed they are done at Hearts. Not a great situation at all. 
 

Delighted the board are backing him with more signings than I’d expect in a January window. 

[InternationalJambo]

Needs to regain the points lost against Aberdeen and Ross county. Hoping to hit one of the OF with a sucker punch. 20/1 tonight from 33/1 yesterday (sky bet) to finish third this season. Our lowest price this season has been 18/1. 

 

To confirm I’m well aware there will be other betting company’s offering better odds (bet365). 
 

 

Edited January 25 by InternationalJambo

[Fozzyonthefence]

3 hours ago, periodictabledancer said:

I was delighted at his appointment and even more delighted at how well he's emptied the team and moulded it into a great attacking outfit. This team will get even better very quickly. 

Agree with the bit in bold but **** me, we’re not even close to being a great attacking outfit!  Just like last season we’re picking up wins but very unconvincing.  

[Waterboy]

2 hours ago, tiger Rudi said:

Not really getting what he was trying to do today. Two strikers, neither of them great in the air and we resorted to long high balls up to them for the most part. Better in 2nd half. 

Grant playing on the right didn't work.

Beni and Devlin sitting didn't work.

 

Pretty much my thoughts. Genuinely don't think Wilson or Kabangu made a genuine attempt to win a header the entire time they were on. Just jumps in the vicinity of the ball for show.  Don't get me wrong they obviously both have other qualities, but those two together, up against one of the most physical teams in the league, and playing long balls upto them, wasn't the cleverest play I've seen. Some of our former managers have been really bad for not seeing what everyone else in the stadium can see, hoping that's not going to be the case here again. That and Grant playing on the right, with young Forrester behind him...again not sure what we were expecting to see there. 

 

Results have been good, but I'm not fully convinced yet. That being said - 100x better than where we were, so has my full backing, especially with some hopefully better calibre players coming in!

[hearts00]

Like NC’s honesty. interviewer tried to make out all the positives about the squad coming together nicely. Before he’s even finished, NC said we’re miles away. And of course he is right. 
 

Excited to see where the squad might be come this point next season. 

[jamborich]

12 minutes ago, GinRummy said:

Had a tough gig and still does. Lots of that squad will have sussed they are done at Hearts. Not a great situation at all. 
 

Delighted the board are backing him with more signings than I’d expect in a January window. 

Spot on

[jamborich]

2 minutes ago, hearts00 said:

Like NC’s honesty. interviewer tried to make out all the positives about the squad coming together nicely. Before he’s even finished, NC said we’re miles away. And of course he is right. 
 

Excited to see where the squad might be come this point next season. 

Agree, think it’s pretty obvious he realised the squad he inherited is not good enough, tried to tinker with what he had.

Will now be judged on his signings hopefully start of a new era and fans enjoying their football again 

 

 

 

 

[FERRY HEARTS]

17 minutes ago, Waterboy said:

 

Pretty much my thoughts. Genuinely don't think Wilson or Kabangu made a genuine attempt to win a header the entire time they were on. Just jumps in the vicinity of the ball for show.  Don't get me wrong they obviously both have other qualities, but those two together, up against one of the most physical teams in the league, and playing long balls upto them, wasn't the cleverest play I've seen. Some of our former managers have been really bad for not seeing what everyone else in the stadium can see, hoping that's not going to be the case here again. That and Grant playing on the right, with young Forrester behind him...again not sure what we were expecting to see there. 

 

Results have been good, but I'm not fully convinced yet. That being said - 100x better than where we were, so has my full backing, especially with some hopefully better calibre players coming in!

Agree with your first paragraph about the high ball to Wilson and Elton , was the same for first 20 minutes at Brechin last week , but I suppose it makes us less predictable.Think teams had sussed how to play against us when were playing all the possession football from back .  I still can’t get my head around some of the changes , thought Grant played well enough today and worked hard to get on score sheet , then Critch replaced him with Danda , which didn’t bring much to the table and we ended up on back foot a few times in last 20 minutes with Killie putting us under some pressure, 

[Thomaso]

36 minutes ago, Fozzyonthefence said:

Agree with the bit in bold but **** me, we’re not even close to being a great attacking outfit!  Just like last season we’re picking up wins but very unconvincing.  

Scored 3 and Musa should have scored another 3! Dodgy defending was our issue today.

Edited January 25 by Thomaso

[Hashimoto]

39 minutes ago, GinRummy said:

Had a tough gig and still does. Lots of that squad will have sussed they are done at Hearts. Not a great situation at all. 
 

Delighted the board are backing him with more signings than I’d expect in a January window. 

This. and really apparent at times that some are just going through the motions. A lot of them will regret that they just didn't do enough.

Critchley's tenure starts in earnest in February  when we really get to see how he wants Hearts to play.

[Philfigo]

I am convinced the tactic was to play the ball long and let Killie win the headers but we then pounce on the 2nd ball. Was a strange way for us to play long balls up to Wilson and Kabangu who never won a single header in fact they almost let Killie win the header. I think this was on purpose so we were ready on the 2nd ball to go forwards with it. Hard to argue it didn't work as we created and missed enough chances to win 2 games.

[Pasquale for King]

2 minutes ago, Philfigo said:

I am convinced the tactic was to play the ball long and let Killie win the headers but we then pounce on the 2nd ball. Was a strange way for us to play long balls up to Wilson and Kabangu who never won a single header in fact they almost let Killie win the header. I think this was on purpose so we were ready on the 2nd ball to go forwards with it. Hard to argue it didn't work as we created and missed enough chances to win 2 games.

Definitely, Deas just headed it anywhere, liked the tactics from their dead balls with Elton breaking quickly. 
We stopped our fullbacks going forward 2nd half, subs made a difference, loved the multi ball system too, Shankland left Gordon with the armband also. 
A good day for him all things considered. 

[PTBCAL]

It’s a results business and he is turning things around 

 

But for me he still has a lot to do to get me onside with him . I sometimes wonder what he sees tactically and positionally.  
 

Some awful performances in many a year were under his tutelage. Next 2 games are huge. Absolutely huge

 

He comes across as a good guy and you can’t fail to like him but as a Manager I’m yet to be wholly convinced 
 

Edited January 25 by PTBCAL

[Aaron78]

1 hour ago, Waterboy said:

 

Pretty much my thoughts. Genuinely don't think Wilson or Kabangu made a genuine attempt to win a header the entire time they were on. Just jumps in the vicinity of the ball for show.  Don't get me wrong they obviously both have other qualities, but those two together, up against one of the most physical teams in the league, and playing long balls upto them, wasn't the cleverest play I've seen. Some of our former managers have been really bad for not seeing what everyone else in the stadium can see, hoping that's not going to be the case here again. That and Grant playing on the right, with young Forrester behind him...again not sure what we were expecting to see there. 

 

Results have been good, but I'm not fully convinced yet. That being said - 100x better than where we were, so has my full backing, especially with some hopefully better calibre players coming in!

We're picking up second balls deep in the Kilmarnock half plus also adding variety to our attacks. I like us going long. Better than being one dimensional like we were under naismith and neilson.

[Aaron78]

45 minutes ago, Philfigo said:

I am convinced the tactic was to play the ball long and let Killie win the headers but we then pounce on the 2nd ball. Was a strange way for us to play long balls up to Wilson and Kabangu who never won a single header in fact they almost let Killie win the header. I think this was on purpose so we were ready on the 2nd ball to go forwards with it. Hard to argue it didn't work as we created and missed enough chances to win 2 games.

Exactly 

[martoon]

I'm happy with Neil.

 

I was happy with him earlier in the thread and I'm chuffed he's getting the results now. 

 

The performances are a wee bit in and out but, all things considered, he's done well.

 

"I've Got a Feeling", as the Beatles said, that NC will be a great success at the Hearts.

 

FTHIBS