The Derek McInnes Judgement thread (merged )

[mr fox]

22 hours ago, Polonia Gorgie said:

4-4-2

Two strikers would be 9&10

11 would be left midfield 

7 right midfield, and 6&8 in the middle of the park!! Hartley and Cameron being 8s and Brellier and Salvatori being 6s. I agree with you! Hartley was a central midfielder that made runs!

He was and never played the “ number 10 role “ 

From 80s to current day I always think we have played best with 2 up front and wide players. 
Will be great to watch this style of football again.

 

[mr fox]

21 hours ago, Chuck Berry said:

 

That's exactly my point and was commonly referred to back in the day as a 10, not a striker but a CM who got up in support of the strikers.

 

McInnes doesn't seem to want one, at this point anyway.  Hoff, Spittal and Kartum probably the closest we have.

We don’t need it with 2 up front and 2 wingers plus we have goals all over this team.

Going to be an interesting season watching hearts.

 

[Chuck Berry]

40 minutes ago, mr fox said:

We don’t need it with 2 up front and 2 wingers plus we have goals all over this team.

Going to be an interesting season watching hearts.

 

 

I hope you're right.

[mr fox]

5 hours ago, mr fox said:

We don’t need it with 2 up front and 2 wingers plus we have goals all over this team.

Going to be an interesting season watching hearts.

 

 

Nobody would play 2 strikers and a number 10 behind 

Mcantee wi play as the main attacking midfielder but as a box to box.

This team has goals all over the pitch and on the bench.

 

[Smithian]

17 hours ago, mr fox said:

 

Nobody would play 2 strikers and a number 10 behind 

Mcantee wi play as the main attacking midfielder but as a box to box.

This team has goals all over the pitch and on the bench.

 

I'm rather scarred by the Hearts use of a Diamond formation

 

Just seeing a 3-4-1-2 with Braga behind two strikers gives me indigestion 

[davie1980]

So there's been a lot of positives that we perhaps can't put too much stock in, such as wins and scorelines.

 

We've got 5 wins and 19 goals but it's been lower league opposition and in a pre season friendly.

 

But there are some big plusses for me that we can take.

 

The way we played, today in particular. If he can get them fighting amd tackling and running like that for a friendly, we know that we'll have a team giving 100% in the league. McInnes has them right up for it.

 

Tactical flexibility - I hate a manager with a strict "philosophy".

Always wanted a manager that can play 442, 433, 352. Whatever is needed when it is needed.

So far we've shown to be effective in 442 with proper old school winger.

Tried 3 at the back, with a midfield 4 with wide midfielders and a front 3.

Today against a bigger club, we showed we can do it with 5 at the back and a solid 3 man midfield. And got a result getting in their faces and being clinical.

 

I think this bodes well for the big games that we have a really bad record of coming up short in in recent seasons.

[Pap]

Great start but its points he needs.

[iantjambo]

48 minutes ago, davie1980 said:

So there's been a lot of positives that we perhaps can't put too much stock in, such as wins and scorelines.

 

We've got 5 wins and 19 goals but it's been lower league opposition and in a pre season friendly.

 

But there are some big plusses for me that we can take.

 

The way we played, today in particular. If he can get them fighting amd tackling and running like that for a friendly, we know that we'll have a team giving 100% in the league. McInnes has them right up for it.

 

Tactical flexibility - I hate a manager with a strict "philosophy".

Always wanted a manager that can play 442, 433, 352. Whatever is needed when it is needed.

So far we've shown to be effective in 442 with proper old school winger.

Tried 3 at the back, with a midfield 4 with wide midfielders and a front 3.

Today against a bigger club, we showed we can do it with 5 at the back and a solid 3 man midfield. And got a result getting in their faces and being clinical.

 

I think this bodes well for the big games that we have a really bad record of coming up short in in recent seasons.

 

 If you're counting friendlies. Then it's 7 wins and 30 goals scored.

[tartofmidlothian]

2 minutes ago, iantjambo said:

 

 If you're counting friendlies. Then it's 7 wins and 30 goals scored.

 

31 goals if you're counting the St Mirren draw too.

[iantjambo]

Just now, tartofmidlothian said:

 

31 goals if you're counting the St Mirren draw too.

 

Forgot about that one 

[Harry Potter]

Im very confident we will do very well with him in charge, super start, best for many a season.

[Morgan]

1 minute ago, Harry Potter said:

Im very confident we will do very well with him in charge, super start, best for many a season.

[martoon]

It should be the norm, of course, but having a manager/head coach who knows what he's doing is a joy.

 

Thank goodness for the long overdue epiphany that has happened at decision/boardroom level.

 

About bloody time.

 

Commiserations to those who, probably, still yearn for the days of Budge/Levein/Neilson.

 

You know who you are. 😁 

 

 

[Harry Potter]

15 hours ago, Morgan said:

Morning pal.

[Morgan]

35 minutes ago, Harry Potter said:

Morning pal.

Good morning, Harold.

 

[Paisley Jambo]

On 26/07/2025 at 23:15, martoon said:

It should be the norm, of course, but having a manager/head coach who knows what he's doing is a joy.

 

Thank goodness for the long overdue epiphany that has happened at decision/boardroom level.

 

About bloody time.

 

Commiserations to those who, probably, still yearn for the days of Budge/Levein/Neilson.

 

You know who you are. 😁 

 

 

Yes, good to have someone who knows what he’s doing.

 

He also needs time. Mess we were in isn’t a six month to a year fix.

 

We should judge him in season 3.

[jbee647]

A proper football manager who treats his players like adults, trusts them , no philosophy or complicated systems to confuse players, a man in the mould of a MacDonald, Jefferies and Burley.  
The soloution has been staring us in the face for years , but we chose coaches who thought they had a philosophy, talked a good game in interviews and baffled our non footballing directors 

I hope under JTA we continue this direction when it comes to selecting managers / coaches in future, a man players respect and dare I say have some fear of 

[LauderJambo]

Good start but the next 5 games will be more telling. 

[Neon]

On 21/07/2025 at 05:52, jamboinglasgow said:

 

While trophies need to be the ultimate goal, football has become more dominated that it silverware is harder to achieve and there is a range of success outside of trophies. To me Arteta has changed Arsenal to be what they used to be, though fighting clubs with bigger money. There is criticism of him which some can be justified about should he have had more success than he has had, but he has changed Arsenal for the better and as you say patience was needed.

 

Which brings onto McInnes. When his name was first touted, I was left feeling underwhelmed. A long ball physical football style from what seemed like a dinosaur of the  Scottish game. Going backwards when we are on the brink of something quite forward thinking.

 

But reading more about him and everything he has said since has changed my thinking. I dont think McInnes will ever be the most innovative tactical manager, but I do think what is underestimated about him is he is adaptive. He knows how to get the most out of what he has and I think thats what Hearts need at the moment. I think his role is a rebuild of the first team side over the next few seasons and get us in a great position, able for a better calibre of manager to take us on. Though I think it works two ways and he will go onto bigger things (I do think he will be Scotland manager after us.)

 

But thats jumping ahead, I do think patience is the watchword.

This was where my head was, read over the seasons from various clubs his negative play and boring football - but I think Hearts are a breath of fresh air for him and the fans, he has the tools to play a more aggressive stance and the backing of the support to accept failure as long as are on the front foot.

 

The second part is questionable but hopefully it all slots in nicely.

Edited July 28, 2025 by Neon

[MoncurMacdonaldMercer]

anyone concerned del will go into game management mode once the real games start eg go 1-0 up at tannadice and try to see out the second half / last half hour

 

seemed to bring on “dom ball” a lot at Aberdeen in those circumstances

 

not dissimilar to a manager a bit closer to home 🙉 

 

so afar so good and I’m not against managing a game to a certain extent but time will tell

 

 

[By The Light..]

4 hours ago, Paisley Jambo said:

Yes, good to have someone who knows what he’s doing.

 

He also needs time. Mess we were in isn’t a six month to a year fix.

 

We should judge him in season 3.

 

Really looking forward to this season, could be Burley like start that actually gets to run and run!

 

I hope we can get more than 1 season from Deek but Steve Clarke's time could be up 2026.

 

[heartsjosh]

Needs more recognition, in my opinion. Trying not to get carried away yet, but what a difference it makes having a proper football manager in the dugout. Didn't ever feel we were going to drop points today. Firmly on the McInnes train. Roll on Paisley 🇱🇻 

[Mikey1874]

He needs time to get his best team on park. 

 

Probably just establishing the basics just now.

[Mikey1874]

[Turkishcap]

We can and will play better.

Great result mind

 

[The Tackle]

6 minutes ago, Turkishcap said:

We can and will play better.

Great result mind

 

I underestimated how good/stuffy Utd would be. That was a good result today

[DxB Hearts]

12 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

Not bad. Not bad at all! 

 

Fair play to him, he noticed the back 3 wasn’t working so switched it early and those changes worked. 
 

Proper manager. Can’t wait until all the new boys are up to speed. 

[Uncle Buck]

He got it wrong to start with today, but subs made a difference again. I think once Kabore and Kerjota are up to speed, we’ll see less of the back three.

 

Nice to have a proper manager.

[tian447]

What is the longest run that a Hearts manager has had a 100% win record in? 

 

He must be getting close...

[Nucky Thompson]

Should change the title to The Derek McInnes Juggernaut thread 

[Bad Religion]

Get rid of the back 3. 

[EIEIO]

Didn't see the game but listened to his post match press conference. He knows what he's talking about soft goals to lose not just by Clark but the free kick leading up to one of them. Praised us keeping the faith and pressing for the winner. I wasn't over the moon when he was appointed but he's proving me wrong with every game.

[mr fox]

1 hour ago, DxB Hearts said:

Not bad. Not bad at all! 

 

Fair play to him, he noticed the back 3 wasn’t working so switched it early and those changes worked. 
 

Proper manager. Can’t wait until all the new boys are up to speed. 

And it wasn’t working last week either 

[mr fox]

38 minutes ago, Bad Religion said:

Get rid of the back 3. 

100% back 4 clear as day 

[DxB Hearts]

Just now, mr fox said:

And it wasn’t working last week either 

Worked well in the first half and we were one nil up so wasn’t exactly a disaster. 
 

Got to give credit where credit is due surely? Clean sweet so far…

[Morgan]

1 hour ago, DxB Hearts said:

Not bad. Not bad at all! 

 

Fair play to him, he noticed the back 3 wasn’t working so switched it early and those changes worked. 
 

Proper manager. Can’t wait until all the new boys are up to speed. 

I said on the match thread, before the game, that the back 3 was a bad idea.

 

I said it before the Aberdeen game too.

 

I don’t think it’s ’fair play’ to him that he changed it.

 

He shouldn’t have done it again in the first place.

 

 

[Morgan]

3 minutes ago, mr fox said:

100% back 4 clear as day 

[Bongo 1874]

9 minutes ago, Morgan said:

I said on the match thread, before the game, that the back 3 was a bad idea.

 

I said it before the Aberdeen game too.

 

I don’t think it’s ’fair play’ to him that he changed it.

 

He shouldn’t have done it again in the first place.

 

 

He's going to go with what he knows works for him mate,whether we agree with it or not,personally i feel he still needs to show if he is the proper man for the job,but 10 unbeaten you can't complain so far.

 

I like managers that play better football that's just my opinion,but currently Derek has us playing winning football long-term will that be the case?he certainly deserves the chance to prove he can.

 

 

[OTT]

Feels like the first proper manager we've hired in a long time. Gets what the fans want to see, gets the expectations of the club and seems to relish the challenge before him. 

[EH11 2NL]

Not sure where people are getting "he got it wrong" from. If it wasn't for Clark we'd of been leading at HT after totally dominating. The free kick should have been saved, and the second doesn't even need any words. The team done very well to turn that around, especially after United sat back after taking the lead. It was changed at HT because we were then chasing it. 

 

Also battered Aberdeen first half. Not saying it wasn't correct to change it at the time in both games when he did. But saying he got it wrong to start the games, is a massive leap. 

[Bongo 1874]

2 minutes ago, OTT said:

Feels like the first proper manager we've hired in a long time. Gets what the fans want to see, gets the expectations of the club and seems to relish the challenge before him. 

There's only one way to prove it keep on winning shut people like me that have doubts up.

 

Very few Hearts fans can complain at the moment we are top of the league,keep calm because as good as Scottish Football seems just now to us anyway,we know it can all change with certain individuals and clubs need a helping hand not that I'm insinuating anything we have the best and fairest league in the world 😉😂.

[pettigrewsstylist]

"He has NEVER let us down" 😳🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[Bongo 1874]

13 minutes ago, EH11 2NL said:

Not sure where people are getting "he got it wrong" from. If it wasn't for Clark we'd of been leading at HT after totally dominating. The free kick should have been saved, and the second doesn't even need any words. The team done very well to turn that around, especially after United sat back after taking the lead. It was changed at HT because we were then chasing it. 

 

Also battered Aberdeen first half. Not saying it wasn't correct to change it at the time in both games when he did. But saying he got it wrong to start the games, is a massive leap. 

You could argue Forrest and Spittal shouldn't of started,I like Spittal but feel he hasn't earned the chance to start just yet,Forrest isn't any better than Kyziridis or Kerjota that was clear to see in second half 👍.

 

He's not to blame for Clarks performance and you could argue he did get formation wrong with him changing in second half,but he did change it which shows he can adapt and understand he got it wrong 👍 that's a trait i like it's a massive trait to have to be honest.

 

Past managers have been too stubborn and won't change because it's all they know,I don't think he's personally the man to win us the league due to format and corruption? But he's got us top of the league so there really isn't much fans can argue with.

 

I personally want to see if the same attitude applies when we play the old firm that will be the key,but I'm also not naive to think it's going to be a extremely hard task for him regarding those matches👍.

Edited August 10, 2025 by Bongo 1874

[mr fox]

31 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

Worked well in the first half and we were one nil up so wasn’t exactly a disaster. 
 

Got to give credit where credit is due surely? Clean sweet so far…

Yip great start but think we look better in a 4

The  shape is better 

[DxB Hearts]

38 minutes ago, Morgan said:

I said on the match thread, before the game, that the back 3 was a bad idea.

 

I said it before the Aberdeen game too.

 

I don’t think it’s ’fair play’ to him that he changed it.

 

He shouldn’t have done it again in the first place.

 

 

Come off it mate, we won both game having won every game in the league cup. 
 

How can you possibly be unhappy or think you know better than McInnes given the start we’ve had under him. 

[DxB Hearts]

10 minutes ago, mr fox said:

Yip great start but think we look better in a 4

The  shape is better 

I agree but also don’t think he trusts playing Steinwender as RB quite yet. Today may have changed that after Forrest, Spittal and Kent didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory. 
 

 

[db211833]

40 minutes ago, Morgan said:

I said on the match thread, before the game, that the back 3 was a bad idea.

 

I said it before the Aberdeen game too.

 

I don’t think it’s ’fair play’ to him that he changed it.

 

He shouldn’t have done it again in the first place.

 

 

Off the scale arrogance.  Who have you managed and what is your teams record? 

[Waterboy]

10 wins in a row, and playing like a Hearts team should with desire and aggression. Great start. 

 

If I was nitpicking, we've played two league games and none of our players have scored a goal from open play. 

[Craiglockhart No.9]

Was not keen on his appointment. But happy to be proven wrong.

 

Love having a proper manager, knows the game, knows the league, takes no poop and oozes charisma and badassery. 

 

The futures bright 😎 

[Craiglockhart No.9]

I thought he was a negative manager but has us playing high energy, direct and in the front foot. I love it