***Official Heart of Midlothian v Dundee United Match Thread***

[daavojaay]

8 hours ago, damo said:

Yep.

 

I think he deserves to start again. You would be mightily hacked off if you don't retain your spot from that showing.  What an absolute luxury its going to be being able to rotate the 3 of them though.  

If we can keep kabore he's our shankland replacement 

[Bernard Sumner]

              Schwolow

 

Steinwender Halkett Findlay

 

Mcentee  Devlin Baningime Kyziridis

 

                Shankland

       Kabore                Braga

 

Lets go for goals

 

3-2-5 when attacking

5-2-3 when defending

 

Steady and solid back 3 - Steinwender comfortable on the right and has a bit pace, Halkett solid and won't take any nonsense, Findlay quick and can play on left of back 3

Mcentee can give plenty cover if required for Steinwender but can also be very useful going forward, Kyzi showed last week that he can back track if required, Beni and Cammy can do what Beni and Cammy do every other game but with perhaps more out balls with Mcentee and Kyzi closer to them

Shankland in the 10 leaving Kabore and Braga to run riot either side of him.

 

 

Obviously never going to happen but there's a lot of goals there and it would keep Utd on the back foot and my arse of my seat.

 

Pick my team and we win 5-0 

 

Anything else 3-0 

 

'mon the Hearts

[Exile fae Main Street]

            Schwolow 

 

Borch/Steinwender  Halkett Findlay Milne 

 

  Devlin McIntee/Ageu Beni

 

  Kyzirdis Shankland Braga

[tartofmidlothian]

4 hours ago, Exile fae Main Street said:

            Schwolow 

 

Borch/Steinwender  Halkett Findlay Milne 

 

  Devlin McIntee/Ageu Beni

 

  Kyzirdis Shankland Braga

 

That's actually quite an attractive option, as long as Kyzi and Braga are in for doing a lot of work out wide and then moving inside. It would be McEntee not Ageu.

[nick_3892]

21 hours ago, Jambo dans les Pyrenees said:

With the depth of the squad discussed extensively and positively on other threads, the DU match represents the start of the second round of fixtures.  We are now 29% through the 25/26 league fixtures.

 

Others have said - which I agree with - that the fact we play each other so many times means team might start to figure us out a bit better.  Anyone think DM will change things a little bit from a formation / game plan perspective as well as increasingly utilise the squad when needed?

 

For example - swapping of the wingers (Kyziridis/Spittal on Sat worked well and it paves the way a bit more for Kerjota and then of course Chesney to make an impact), moving to a 3 at the back to allow 5 in midfield and a place for Ageu, only playing 1 of Beni/Devlin when at home etc.

 

I’m not sure he will do much, but perhaps elements of some of those as we go into the second round of fixtures, we are going to have to evolve a bit to stay ahead.

We will but we will also figure out other teams so they will have to evolve. We run opponents through Jamestown as well so I trust we will do our prep for this. 👍

[Pingu]

Schwolow

Borch Halkett Findlay Kingsley

Milne Beni Devlin Kyzi

Shankland Braga

 

I don't love Milne at RW, but I'd like to see Borch start, and much prefer Kyzi on the left, so Milne could be good for a bit of solidity on that side. Ageu and Kabore to come off the bench.

 

[upgotheheads]

 Last Saturday, the question was: can we beat the weaker teams that come to defend without any drama? This Sunday it's can we beat the better teams that would often drop points to, and do it convincingly? Dundee United are likely to be one of the teams challenging for third or fourth place, they're a good team and will fancy their chances.

[King prawn]

Same line up again but start Kyziridis on the left and Spittal on the right 

[Rudi5kaceldream1ng]

12 minutes ago, upgotheheads said:

 Last Saturday, the question was: can we beat the weaker teams that come to defend without any drama? This Sunday it's can we beat the better teams that would often drop points to, and do it convincingly? Dundee United are likely to be one of the teams challenging for third or fourth place, they're a good team and will fancy their chances.

It's a tough game. Goodwin will attempt to course correct with his tactics and see what they can do differently to nullify us. 

 

This league of teams and managers in particular have a strange way of getting totally skudded by groups of new payers at first then course correcting in the next round of fixtures like they did with aberdeen....they seemed to work aberdeen out. 

 

This is a danger and clear risk for us. 

 

The benefit we have of course is there are still a lot of unknown quantity players we have at our disposal and more to come. 

 

Either way this is a great litmus test on Sunday to prove we're not this seasons aberdeen. 

 

 

Edited November 4, 2025 by Rudi5kaceldream1ng

[151]

7 minutes ago, Rudi5kaceldream1ng said:

It's a tough game. Goodwin will attempt to course correct with his tactics and see what they can do differently to nullify us. 

 

This league of teams and managers in particular have a strange way of getting totally skudded by groups of new payers at first then course correcting in the next round of fixtures like they did with aberdeen....they seemed to work aberdeen out. 

 

This is a danger and clear risk for us. 

 

The benefit we have of course is there are still a lot of unknown quantity players we have at our disposal and more to come. 

 

Either way this is a great litmus test on Sunday to prove we're not this seasons aberdeen. 

 

 

 

The last couple of times they have come to Tynecastle they have wasted time from as early as the 5th minute and sat in the whole game, nicked a goal and took 3 points. I expect it will be no different this weekend. We are scoring goals for fun at the moment so hopefully an early one to open the game as I think if it opens up we hammer them.

[ramrod]

 Beaton the ref, was he not in  the middle when we dropped ponits v Motherwell ? 

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

9 minutes ago, ramrod said:

 Beaton the ref, was he not in  the middle when we dropped ponits v Motherwell ? 

Nothing to do with him that day if we are being honest

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

Be back to our standard bar Milne staying at LB, who the man for Kingsley is, could be Ageu

[Halliphax]

51 minutes ago, 151 said:

 

The last couple of times they have come to Tynecastle they have wasted time from as early as the 5th minute and sat in the whole game, nicked a goal and took 3 points. I expect it will be no different this weekend. We are scoring goals for fun at the moment so hopefully an early one to open the game as I think if it opens up we hammer them.

If they do that again, we’ll overwhelm them. I think our team and tactics are well-suited for any team that simply sits back and invites us to attack.

 

It feels strange to say that out loud. In the past, we’ve always had issues with teams doing this, but we’re no longer reliant on shelling balls up to one person (like Shanks). It feels like a problem we can ‘skill’ our way out of now. 

[Uncle Buck]

Think he’ll go…

 

                       Schwolow

Steinwender Halkett Findlay Milne

        Spittal Devlin Beni Kyziridis

                 Shankland Braga

 

I reckon a comfortable 2-0 win and Braga to get back on the scoresheet.

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

7 minutes ago, Uncle Buck said:

Think he’ll go…

 

                       Schwolow

Steinwender Halkett Findlay Milne

        Spittal Devlin Beni Kyziridis

                 Shankland Braga

 

I reckon a comfortable 2-0 win and Braga to get back on the scoresheet.

Be amazed if he didnt pick McEntee

[151]

1 hour ago, Halliphax said:

If they do that again, we’ll overwhelm them. I think our team and tactics are well-suited for any team that simply sits back and invites us to attack.

 

It feels strange to say that out loud. In the past, we’ve always had issues with teams doing this, but we’re no longer reliant on shelling balls up to one person (like Shanks). It feels like a problem we can ‘skill’ our way out of now. 

 

Agreed, and hopefully it all goes to plan. I do think we will beat them as I just can't see anyone holding on against us - like you say we carry so much threat and we go til 90+ with attacks. 

 

Teams need to score 3 or more to get anything out of us it seems.

[Rudy T]

6 minutes ago, Lord Beni of Gorgie said:

Be amazed if he didnt pick McEntee

Agreed. Hes a big lad and Utd aren’t a small side. This will be a battle so imo McEntee and Milne will be the full backs.

 

Wide Right, centre half and Shanklands partner up front are probably the only 3 positions up for debate. 

[JimmyCant]

21 minutes ago, 151 said:

 

Agreed, and hopefully it all goes to plan. I do think we will beat them as I just can't see anyone holding on against us - like you say we carry so much threat and we go til 90+ with attacks. 

 

Teams need to score 3 or more to get anything out of us it seems.

Yeh we’re scoring at well over 2 a game. Even the team that DID score 3 against us only got a point and should have actually lost.

[JimmyCant]

2 hours ago, Lord Beni of Gorgie said:

Nothing to do with him that day if we are being honest

Yes but the guy (Beaton) just can’t be trusted with a Hearts game IMO

[JimmyCant]

4 hours ago, Pingu said:

Schwolow

Borch Halkett Findlay Kingsley

Milne Beni Devlin Kyzi

Shankland Braga

 

I don't love Milne at RW, but I'd like to see Borch start, and much prefer Kyzi on the left, so Milne could be good for a bit of solidity on that side. Ageu and Kabore to come off the bench.

 

We don’t need to be playing double full backs at home to Dundee Utd surely.

 

Milne was really good against Dundee so keep him at left back

 

I reckon he’ll start Spittal again. He was also good against Dundee.

 

Ageu and Kabore to come on later. He’s got to start getting more game time into the fringe IMO

Edited November 4, 2025 by JimmyCant

[HeartsandonlyHearts]

I have a feeling we won’t see much of Ageu as a Hearts player any time soon. I hope I am 100% wrong but I don’t like these “he felt his hamstring” comments.

Is he one of those types. Has to be 100% to play. Does the tiniest twinge make him go straight to the physio? Please let me be wrong about it. I want to believe the manager that he’s a next level type player.

[casper]

12 minutes ago, HeartsandonlyHearts said:

I have a feeling we won’t see much of Ageu as a Hearts player any time soon. I hope I am 100% wrong but I don’t like these “he felt his hamstring” comments.

Is he one of those types. Has to be 100% to play. Does the tiniest twinge make him go straight to the physio? Please let me be wrong about it. I want to believe the manager that he’s a next level type player.

According to wiki he played 27 times last season. That doesn't suggest he's constantly injured. I hope not anyway.

[HeartsandonlyHearts]

5 minutes ago, casper said:

According to wiki he played 27 times last season. That doesn't suggest he's constantly injured. I hope not anyway.

I hope we see him 27 times.

27 x ? minutes would be nice to know.

[tartofmidlothian]

51 minutes ago, HeartsandonlyHearts said:

I have a feeling we won’t see much of Ageu as a Hearts player any time soon. I hope I am 100% wrong but I don’t like these “he felt his hamstring” comments.

Is he one of those types. Has to be 100% to play. Does the tiniest twinge make him go straight to the physio? Please let me be wrong about it. I want to believe the manager that he’s a next level type player.

 

If there's any doubt we won't see him on Sunday and he'll be kept back until after the internationals, but even if he comes on in the 90th minute that suggests it's not a big deal.

[The Treasurer]

8 minutes ago, tartofmidlothian said:

 

If there's any doubt we won't see him on Sunday and he'll be kept back until after the internationals, but even if he comes on in the 90th minute that suggests it's not a big deal.

Is there any update on his availability for Sunday 

[Pasquale for King]

I wouldn’t be starting Spittal again, unless theres quite a few injuries, he did extremely little against Dundee. 
Milne back at LB, Braga or Kabore coming in from the right with McEntee behind. 

[So Funkin Kyzi]

11 minutes ago, Pasquale for King said:

I wouldn’t be starting Spittal again, unless theres quite a few injuries, he did extremely little against Dundee. 
Milne back at LB, Braga or Kabore coming in from the right with McEntee behind. 

Not saying he should start but he hardly done extremely little against Dundee. He played the through ball to set Milne away leading to our 1st goal and he was denied a cracking goal by a fingertip save on to the woodwork which resulted in Kabore tapping in his 2nd of the game. He also worked his arse off.

[PapaShango]

23 minutes ago, The Treasurer said:

Is there any update on his availability for Sunday 

Not seen anything since the weekend but DM alluded to him being back for this game. 

[PapaShango]

9 minutes ago, Head The Brick said:

Not saying he should start but he hardly done extremely little against Dundee. He played the through ball to set Milne away leading to our 1st goal and he was denied a cracking goal by a fingertip save on to the woodwork which resulted in Kabore tapping in his 2nd of the game. He also worked his arse off.

Agree and that's coming from me who isn't his biggest fan. I would like to see alternatives in there though, however he has probably played himself into contention with his performance on Saturday post first 25 minutes. Got to hope that the competition and results drive player levels up the way and we squeeze everything out this group that we possibly can. 

[Sub4TiddlerMurray]

1 hour ago, HeartsandonlyHearts said:

I have a feeling we won’t see much of Ageu as a Hearts player any time soon. I hope I am 100% wrong but I don’t like these “he felt his hamstring” comments.

Is he one of those types. Has to be 100% to play. Does the tiniest twinge make him go straight to the physio? Please let me be wrong about it. I want to believe the manager that he’s a next level type player.

A twinge in a hamstring means a small tear. It can’t be run off like a bruise. Running with it will only make it worse and lead to more time out. Only option is rest and slow build up to recover.

[Mikey1874]

24 minutes ago, Pasquale for King said:

I wouldn’t be starting Spittal again, unless theres quite a few injuries, he did extremely little against Dundee. 
Milne back at LB, Braga or Kabore coming in from the right with McEntee behind. 

 

Creating 2 goals more than majority of football players ever do in a game.

[The Treasurer]

24 minutes ago, PapaShango said:

Not seen anything since the weekend but DM alluded to him being back for this game. 

Fingers crossed 

[Gershwin]

15 minutes ago, PapaShango said:

Agree and that's coming from me who isn't his biggest fan. I would like to see alternatives in there though, however he has probably played himself into contention with his performance on Saturday post first 25 minutes. Got to hope that the competition and results drive player levels up the way and we squeeze everything out this group that we possibly can. 

 

I'm not a huge Spittal fan either but his passing on Saturday was really effective. I preferred him on the right in the 'Milne' role as it allowed Kyzi to play in his most dangerous position.

[Ricardo Quaresma]

On 03/11/2025 at 06:08, tartofmidlothian said:

McInnes sounded even happier with Spittal going right and Kyri on his usual left, I could see that happening from the start.

On 03/11/2025 at 14:21, damo said:

Yep.

 

I think he deserves to start again. You would be mightily hacked off if you don't retain your spot from that showing.  What an absolute luxury its going to be being able to rotate the 3 of them though.  

 

I think he might start Kaboré and rest Kyzi, Braga's had his turn

 

On 03/11/2025 at 11:49, Pagey said:

Over from US for this game, can’t wait! 

 

Top Bombing mate, hope we smash them; if not then just beat them 

[Watt-Zeefuik]

On 03/11/2025 at 03:39, kingantti1874 said:

Kabore is a penalty box striker.  Hes no winger 

 

This is going to be my bit this season, I guess, but Kabore has played winger most of his career and it's what his agent lists as his natural position.

 

We will play him at striker but he's also perfectly capable and comfortable at winger.

[Pasquale for King]

1 hour ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

Creating 2 goals more than majority of football players ever do in a game.

He played a nice pass to Milne who passed to Shankland to hit s great shot.
Having a saved shot knocked in is not creating a goal.

He did absolutely ****all else in his time on the field. His time is nearly up.

[Pasquale for King]

1 hour ago, Head The Brick said:

Not saying he should start but he hardly done extremely little against Dundee. He played the through ball to set Milne away leading to our 1st goal and he was denied a cracking goal by a fingertip save on to the woodwork which resulted in Kabore tapping in his 2nd of the game. He also worked his arse off.

Thats it, to go where we want to go needs far more than hes capable of.

[Watt-Zeefuik]

18 hours ago, Brick Tamland said:

              Schwolow

 

Steinwender Halkett Findlay

 

Mcentee  Devlin Baningime Kyziridis

 

                Shankland

       Kabore                Braga

 

Lets go for goals

 

3-2-5 when attacking

5-2-3 when defending

 

Steady and solid back 3 - Steinwender comfortable on the right and has a bit pace, Halkett solid and won't take any nonsense, Findlay quick and can play on left of back 3

Mcentee can give plenty cover if required for Steinwender but can also be very useful going forward, Kyzi showed last week that he can back track if required, Beni and Cammy can do what Beni and Cammy do every other game but with perhaps more out balls with Mcentee and Kyzi closer to them

Shankland in the 10 leaving Kabore and Braga to run riot either side of him.

 

 

Obviously never going to happen but there's a lot of goals there and it would keep Utd on the back foot and my arse of my seat.

 

Pick my team and we win 5-0 

 

Anything else 3-0 

 

'mon the Hearts

 

I like the shape in theory but McEntee has been poor when played at WB. McInnes has said a couple of times that McEntee is good at RB so long as he has a winger in front of him. I would expect that to continue.

 

It's also a bit harsh leaving Milne out. And I think Kabore and Braga on the pitch at the same time is redundant, and that they'd get in each others way.

 

To get that shape, I'd do something like

 

                     Schwolow

  Steinwender Halkett Findlay

 Spittal   Devlin     Baningime Milne

          Braga Shankland Kyziridis

 

Then sub Kabore for Braga at 60'.

 

 

More realistically, the chances McInnes is going to totally change the defence that's allowed 3 goals in 7 games are pretty low.

 

If I were to shake it up, I'd try something like:

 

                    Schwolow

 McEntee  Halkett Findlay Milne

                       Devlin

        Spittal  Baningime  Kyziridis

                Braga Shankland

 

That looks like a goal hammer to me.  

    

[Watt-Zeefuik]

44 minutes ago, Ricardo Quaresma said:

 

I think he might start Kaboré and rest Kyzi, Braga's had his turn

 

I could see that.

[pettigrewsstylist]

1 hour ago, Head The Brick said:

Not saying he should start but he hardly done extremely little against Dundee. He played the through ball to set Milne away leading to our 1st goal and he was denied a cracking goal by a fingertip save on to the woodwork which resulted in Kabore tapping in his 2nd of the game. He also worked his arse off.

Whilst playing both sides of the pitch.👌

[So Funkin Kyzi]

9 minutes ago, pettigrewsstylist said:

Whilst playing both sides of the pitch.👌

Indeed

[Drylaw Hearts]

Strongest team possible……most of the players are going to have a decent break over the internationals week so no need to rest anyone unless they have an injury.

[Watt-Zeefuik]

20 minutes ago, Pasquale for King said:

He played a nice pass to Milne who passed to Shankland to hit s great shot.
Having a saved shot knocked in is not creating a goal.

He did absolutely ****all else in his time on the field. His time is nearly up.

 

Whenever folk say stuff like this I wonder if I've just remembered wrong, so I went back and watched just the Hearts TV highlight reel.

 

If I'm counting correctly there are 6 Hearts-positive plays included in their highlights which cover Spittal's time on the pitch. He has a key touch in four of them.

 

He's slow, yes. That much is evident. He's not going to make Kyzi's blazing runs down the left. But he's very capable with the ball at his feet and almost always plays intelligent passes and finds forward players very well.

Edited November 4, 2025 by Watt-Zeefuik

[tcjambo]

10 hours ago, Pingu said:

Schwolow

Borch Halkett Findlay Kingsley

Milne Beni Devlin Kyzi

Shankland Braga

 

I don't love Milne at RW, but I'd like to see Borch start, and much prefer Kyzi on the left, so Milne could be good for a bit of solidity on that side. Ageu and Kabore to come off the bench.

 

I like that team and your thinking. Might also be tempted of things are going well to switch things at 60 mins with McCart for Findlay, Kerjota for Kingsley with Milne to LB and Ageu for either Beni or Devlin. Possibly give Kabangu some time too.

[Maroon Sailor]

Brother Beaton

 

Must be holding Walsh back for Parkhead next month

[Geoff Kilpatrick]

3-1

 

Braga, Findlay, Kabore

[Pasquale for King]

2 hours ago, Watt-Zeefuik said:

 

Whenever folk say stuff like this I wonder if I've just remembered wrong, so I went back and watched just the Hearts TV highlight reel.

 

If I'm counting correctly there are 6 Hearts-positive plays included in their highlights which cover Spittal's time on the pitch. He has a key touch in four of them.

 

He's slow, yes. That much is evident. He's not going to make Kyzi's blazing runs down the left. But he's very capable with the ball at his feet and almost always plays intelligent passes and finds forward players very well.

You watch what you want, i was there and he did extremely little in the time he was on the pitch, playing Kizi on the right to accommodate him was a mistake that was rectified at HT. 

Two wingers against that dross wouldve produced a real doing much like the 0-6 at Dens in February, Kerjota would’ve been a better option than Spittal. 

[RealHearts]

6-0

 

Ageu, Kabore x2, Braga, Milne, and Shanks (with the GIRFUY celebration to the away fans)

 

Killie to do us a favour too

[tiger Rudi]

I thought Spittal played well against Dundee. The fact Dundee sat in, helped, and it probably was why McInnes started him. He does have an eye for a pass to unlock a defence. 

Utd will be a different game. They won't park the bus. I'd hope Magnusson is in line for a start. He looks a bit more mobile, has a bit of a presence about him, and I think runners will be needed on Sunday.