Marius Zaliukas

[Jammy T]

The reality appears to remain that Berra would benefit from a better partner at centre half.

 

Of our 3 centre backs Berra is the best suited for the SPL. I believe that Karipidis is the better partner at the club, and whilst not perfect and a little "soft" does not have the "scatty" moments that Zaliukas has.

 

Having watched both Motherwell goals on TV, I can see that there were imperfections from a number of players with both goals, although Zali as the primary centre back defending both situations was most culpable.

 

Whilst he probably couldnt have tackled Hughes for the first he should at least have been tracking the run along the edge of the box making it difficult for Hughes and trying to prevent the cross.

 

For the second he was a little unlucky with the ricochet but put in a pretty limp wristed attempt to block the shot (how Berra can be blaimed for the deflection which re-routed the ball to goal I dont know). I'd want my CB to do more than a wee skip towards the player shooting from the edge of the box.

 

I do think Zali adds an element of "football" to the back line though. He is better in the air than Kari, and is generally stronger. He just has more "blonde" moments....

 

The bottom line is Saturday's result doesnt really change our signing requirements for a real challenge at an average old firm.

 

Looked like Tynecastle was enjoyable again though. So far so good on the Csana reign. Lets just hope there were no "if Miko had been playing it would have been 4-1" comments!

[Ron Burgundy]

Zaliukas had a better game than Berra on Saturday IMO.

[Guest casper]

By costing us goals whenever he plays?

 

I don't think Zal had that great a game but I would put most of the blame for their first goal on Kingston. He started tracking the runner and then stopped. If Kingston had kept going Zaliukas would not have had to come across so far and get caught in no-mans land.

[Guest JamboRobbo]

I don't think Zal had that great a game but I would put most of the blame for their first goal on Kingston. He started tracking the runner and then stopped. If Kingston had kept going Zaliukas would not have had to come across so far and get caught in no-mans land.

 

Agree Kingston could've done better. Not ideal, but defending is not really Kingstons game, we all know that. He is on the park because he has other attributes. Not to say he shouldn't defend, or that he wasn't poor, just that it's a weakness in his game which we know about annd either accept or don't.

 

For Zaliukas, defending is supposed to be his game. It's all he's got - he's the man who should be covering up for defensive deficincies of the likes of Kingston. Not adding to the problems by makings mistakes of his own. All IMO of course.

[Guest JamboRobbo]

Zaliukas had a better game than Berra on Saturday IMO.

 

For me, defending is all about not making mistakes and not conceding goals. On that basis, I'd disagree.

[heartsfc_fan]

I have to say, Zaliukas won every header on Saturday, but he needs to improve his awareness on the ground.

[givememychoice]

watch the full passage of play. Thomson makes the tackle to put it out for a throw in. Kingston is tracking the run of Clarkson (?), so Thomson makes sure he doesnt stray too far away from the throw in taker. He was slightly out of position due to having to make the tackle in the first place. Kingston then stops tracking clarkson, And yeah, Zaliukas is caught out, but only after Kingston had made the serious mistake.

And with regards the points from jamborobbo. Given that Zaliukas is about 1 yard away for the second goal, he does quite well to block it. Berra had more distance in which to avoid the ball or deal with it, but he put it in the back of the net. How on earth does he escape criticism when you blame zaliukas?

Makela was to blame for that goal.

 

I also found it interesting as to how people react. When Larry burst forward yesterday then blasted it over from outside the box when he had a few passes on, he gets a song. If that had been a lith, he would have got pelters. Then he let his man go for the first goal. Where are the pelters?

Nowhere, just get people trying to blame zaliukas.

[Jammy T]

Zaliukas had a better game than Berra on Saturday IMO.

 

Yes, Berra's game deteriorated last season when those 2 played together as well, and improved when Kari was beside him.

 

Backs up the argument that he would be better with a more experienced CB partner.

[Guest JamboRobbo]

Berra had more distance in which to avoid the ball or deal with it, but he put it in the back of the net. How on earth does he escape criticism when you blame zaliukas?

Makela was to blame for that goal.

 

Agree, Makela primarily to blame. Zaliukas could've defended it better was my point. Both the original ball that hit him, and trying to block the shot rather than standing flat footed and letting the guy just shoot. Berra is not to blame, cause it wasn't his guy shooting, and the shot just hit him as a deflection. Had it been Berra's guy getting a shot away that easily, he'd have come in for stick also.

 

I also found it interesting as to how people react. When Larry burst forward yesterday then blasted it over from outside the box when he had a few passes on, he gets a song. If that had been a lith, he would have got pelters. Then he let his man go for the first goal. Where are the pelters?

Nowhere, just get people trying to blame zaliukas.

 

thats what we get with Larry. He does it every week. We either accept it, or drop him, or move him on. But Larry isn't a defender. Zaliukas is supposed to be a defender.

 

If Zaliukas was up front blasting a shot over the bar, he wouldn't get as much stick as a striker, cause shooting isn't his primary job. The same applies here with Larry - defending is not his primary job.

[Drylaw Hearts]

watch the full passage of play. Thomson makes the tackle to put it out for a throw in. Kingston is tracking the run of Clarkson (?), so Thomson makes sure he doesnt stray too far away from the throw in taker. He was slightly out of position due to having to make the tackle in the first place. Kingston then stops tracking clarkson, And yeah, Zaliukas is caught out, but only after Kingston had made the serious mistake.

And with regards the points from jamborobbo. Given that Zaliukas is about 1 yard away for the second goal, he does quite well to block it. Berra had more distance in which to avoid the ball or deal with it, but he put it in the back of the net. How on earth does he escape criticism when you blame zaliukas?

Makela was to blame for that goal.

 

I also found it interesting as to how people react. When Larry burst forward yesterday then blasted it over from outside the box when he had a few passes on, he gets a song. If that had been a lith, he would have got pelters. Then he let his man go for the first goal. Where are the pelters?

Nowhere, just get people trying to blame zaliukas.

 

The ball was travelling at a far greater pace towards Berra than it was when Zaliukas initially blocked it.

[Gambo]

Yes, Berra's game deteriorated last season when those 2 played together as well, and improved when Kari was beside him.

 

Backs up the argument that he would be better with a more experienced CB partner.

 

Backs up the arguement imo that any of the 3 off them would be better off with an experienced centre half alongside them.

[JamboBen]

Disagree entirely with most of the comments. Sold the first goal, and was a liability throughout IMO. As always. Need to sign a centre half ASAP, and today emphasised that again.

 

 

Agreed. He was awful... Again. The 1st goal is a school boy error. Sold for a dummy.

[cosanostra]

He was ok but was unfortunate to be at fault for both goals.

 

Was quite strong in the air and he has a rugged, aggressive quality about him. He just needs to stop making the individual errors that were so costly last season.

[Gigolo-Aunt]

Agree Kingston could've done better. Not ideal, but defending is not really Kingstons game, we all know that. He is on the park because he has other attributes. Not to say he shouldn't defend, or that he wasn't poor, just that it's a weakness in his game which we know about annd either accept or don't.

 

 

Kingston was being lazy.

 

Its not about aceepting it or not - he cheated his team mates on Saturday by not tracking a run.

 

More criminal than Zali.

[Guest JamboRobbo]

Kingston was being lazy.

 

Its not about aceepting it or not - he cheated his team mates on Saturday by not tracking a run.

 

More criminal than Zali.

 

Agree to an extent. Larry was lazy. The good news is Csaba could see that Kingston wasn't working hard enough, and took him off, which will hopefully be the kick up the backside Kingston needs to know he can't just stroll about being the star each week....he has to work as part of the team like all the rest, or he'll be subbed.

 

With Zaliuaks, the problems are down to lack of basic ability, and often reading of the game.

 

Being lazy is more criminal than lack of ability, but it's also more easily fixed.

[Gigolo-Aunt]

Agree to an extent. Larry was lazy. The good news is Csaba could see that Kingston wasn't working hard enough, and took him off, which will hopefully be the kick up the backside Kingston needs to know he can't just stroll about being the star each week....he has to work as part of the team like all the rest, or he'll be subbed.

 

With Zaliuaks, the problems are down to lack of basic ability, and often reading of the game.

 

Being lazy is more criminal than lack of ability, but it's also more easily fixed.

 

Its not really to an extent, he cheated his team mates by pulling out of a run he should be matching.

 

Hopefully it can be easily fixed with Kinsgton. He was at it again as the second half wore on and offered Thompson very little help as Motherwell pushed on the break to get a second. Csaba noticed this and hooked him.

 

As for the goal...

 

Kingston should have done better

Thompson never looked clever

Zali never looked clever

The defending in the middle Im sure Csaba would not be happy about.

 

 

Not sure Zali can only be pin pointed on this one.

[Commander Harris]

Its not really to an extent, he cheated his team mates by pulling out of a run he should be matching.

 

Hopefully it can be easily fixed with Kinsgton. He was at it again as the second half wore on and offered Thompson very little help as Motherwell pushed on the break to get a second. Csaba noticed this and hooked him.

 

As for the goal...

 

Kingston should have done better

Thompson never looked clever

Zali never looked clever

The defending in the middle Im sure Csaba would not be happy about.

 

 

Not sure Zali can only be pin pointed on this one.

agreed.

Kingston was lazy and didn't track the runner.

Thomson fell asleep which meant that Zal was drawn out to cover.

Zal was too easily beaten.

 

All three at fault but IMO Zal was least culpable.

 

oh, and that punter in lower T that through it straight back, he was at fault too!

[Dirk Diggler]

Zaliukas was caught between a rock and a hard place for the first goal because others before him failed to do their jobs.

 

He either let Hughes go past him or he conceded a certain penalty.

 

For the second, he could have done better when the ball fell at his feet but again, was let down by another team mate (Makela) before that.

[Commander Harris]

Zaliukas was caught between a rock and a hard place for the first goal because others before him failed to do their jobs.

 

He either let Hughes go past him or he conceded a certain penalty.

 

For the second, he could have done better when the ball fell at his feet but again, was let down by another team mate (Makela) before that.

definitely agree with that.

[Guest JamboRobbo]

Its not really to an extent, he cheated his team mates by pulling out of a run he should be matching.

 

Hopefully it can be easily fixed with Kinsgton. He was at it again as the second half wore on and offered Thompson very little help as Motherwell pushed on the break to get a second. Csaba noticed this and hooked him.

 

Agree. As I said, I think this is easily fixed, and I'm glad Csaba noticed it.

 

I think lack of basic football ability or reading of the game is a lot harder to fix than lack of effort though.

 

As for the goal...

 

Kingston should have done better

Thompson never looked clever

Zali never looked clever

The defending in the middle Im sure Csaba would not be happy about.

 

Not sure Zali can only be pin pointed on this one.

 

Agreed, but I'm not particularly trying to pin-point him.

 

My point really, was that this very thread, congratulating Zaliukas on how well he played, seems a bit OTT given he's a centre half, who's job is to defend, and given that he could have done better at both the goals we conceded.....

[Do you know where hell is]

Its just the start of the season, we will see how many mistakes zali makes. I dont pretend for one second he will be the only one but if people are making ridiculous statements like he is "immense" then i feel reality must be maintained.

 

In my opinion he is mediocre at best, good in the air i will admit but when the ball is on the deck his positioning and ability to track are nowhere to be seen. He does seem to be decent with his back to goal and dealing with balls that are coming on top, but other than that he is a liability imo.

[davieholt]

I have watched these goals countless times now.

 

My opinion is that Zal was unlucky. He (and the team) were let down by Larry and by Makela. Perhaps he could have read the situation better but remember, he didn't have time to weigh up the options !

 

Csaba's mantra is that this is a TEAM game - together and all that - so in the spirit of this I can't blame Zal for either goal. A few players should have done better than they did and hopefully Csaba will make this abundantly clear in training.

[Jammy T]

Backs up the arguement imo that any of the 3 off them would be better off with an experienced centre half alongside them.

 

Not an argument that had been made before

 

I agree

 

But Berra is the most equipped CB for the SPL IMO, and would be the player to benefit most, and be most of an asset for us with that player beside him.

 

Which is why I concluded that Saturday changes nothing as regards the players we need to properly challenge a very challengeable old firm. We always needed at least one better e CB - which we still do, we need better full backs, a striker etc etc

 

Still good to be debating about football

[Do you know where hell is]

I have watched these goals countless times now.

 

My opinion is that Zal was unlucky. He (and the team) were let down by Larry and by Makela. Perhaps he could have read the situation better but remember, he didn't have time to weigh up the options !

 

Csaba's mantra is that this is a TEAM game - together and all that - so in the spirit of this I can't blame Zal for either goal. A few players should have done better than they did and hopefully Csaba will make this abundantly clear in training.

 

That doesnt make much sense pal, you say that you can blame zali in the spirt of togetherness, yet, you still blame larry and makela?

[PTBCAL]

Zal reacted too slowly for the 1st goal - yes Hughes got past 2 on the touchline but Zal should have been quicker to force him towards the byeline.

 

I thought he had a decent game and kept Porter fairly quiet.

 

Still would prefer another CH though.

[Guest JamboRobbo]

Nuts to all those who are rubbishing Zali today, the boy was immense, got to virtually everything first, great distribution and a few sublime defence splitting passes.

 

Top marks.

 

Some folk wouldn't know a great performance if it hit them.

 

So, have you watched the game yet in order to revise your opinion?

[davieholt]

That doesnt make much sense pal, you say that you can blame zali in the spirt of togetherness, yet, you still blame larry and makela?

 

No, what I'm saying is it took a number of faults from a number of players to create a situation where Motherwell could (and did) score. These errors can be coached out of the team and I hope Csaba is doing that as I type.

 

Just blaming it all on Zal is much too simplistic.

[Horse]

At fault for 1st goal and never covered himself in much glory for the 2nd one.

 

Bottom line...not good enough.

[ruuudi]

Thought he hesitated for the first goal, looked his ball all the way. Kingston may have stopped to make himself available to start an attack. Hard for Berra and Wallace to defend in the middle after that

 

I was still staring in disbelief at Makela after the worse first touch I've ever seen at Tynie, but on TV looks like he stuck out a leg to block the first pass which was ok but a bit slow to close down the shot

 

Zal is good in the air and offers a bit more going forward, so would still give him another chance

[Thunderstruck]

I have to say, Zaliukas won every header on Saturday, but he needs to improve his awareness on the ground.

 

Agreed and he is still learning so lets give him some backing. Find me a player that doesn't make a mistake at some point in a match and I'll show you someone who isn't trying hard enough.

 

Another thing I noticed on Saturday is that he is very good in the air and most of his headed balls had power, distance and good direction, more often than not finding a man in a maroon shirt. Some of his colleagues are content just to get a head on the ball.

[IMA MAROON]

Nuts to all those who are rubbishing Zali today, the boy was immense, got to virtually everything first, great distribution and a few sublime defence splitting passes.

 

Top marks.

 

Some folk wouldn't know a great performance if it hit them.

 

His pass to Driver in the 2nd half was top drawer.

[chester copperpot]

People who said he could not do anything about the 1st goal, you having a laugh. Anyone who's played football would've read the players move and jockey'd them to the bye line, he stood like a plank and let him waltz past. I agree he shouldn't have tackled him, but if that'd been Berra, he'd have read it better (as Would've Karipidis).

 

2nd goal however I cannot blame the lad.

 

Just IMO though.

[chester copperpot]

His pass to Driver in the 2nd half was top drawer.

 

 

 

Best I've ever seen mate, but one swallow does not make a porn star.

[IMA MAROON]

Best I've ever seen mate, but one swallow does not make a porn star.

 

Yes, but he is not the only player we have that is not perfect. Driver should have squared to Mole and we might have had a goal. I don't think he deserves the abuse he has taken for his performance on Saturday.

[chester copperpot]

Yes, but he is not the only player we have that is not perfect. Driver should have squared to Mole and we might have had a goal. I don't think he deserves the abuse he has taken for his performance on Saturday.

 

 

 

I haven't actually abused him mate about Saturday, gave him a 5 for first half performance and a 9 for the second half, so it wiznae me.

[Drylaw Hearts]

I haven't actually abused him mate about Saturday, gave him a 5 for first half performance and a 9 for the second half, so it wiznae me.

 

I don't think anyone has 'abused' him CC.

 

It's just the typical over reaction when a Lithuanian is criticised for making an error.

 

And he did make an error.

[chester copperpot]

I don't think anyone has 'abused' him CC.

 

It's just the typical over reaction when a Lithuanian is criticised for making an error.

 

And he did make an error.

 

 

 

Having watched the game again last night on Setanta, he was pretty awful for the first goal IMO. Anyone from Junior level up would've anticipated that run and covered it out for a bye kick or at worst a corner.

 

This is not anti Lith, this is just a fact. Thought he was very poor first half on saturday. But he did come back superbly though. He frustrates me.

[magicTs]

From where I was sitting on Saturday I would actually say the worst 10 minutes BOTH our centre halfs had was the last 10. NEITHER of them took control and attacked the balls being launched into or around the edge of our box (unfortunately old habits die hard and we had retreated far too deep) and we could easily have been punished with a bad bounce of the ball.

 

I hope it's something Csaba picks up on because at least 3 if not more balls were allowed to bounce which caused chaos on more than one occasion. It is the biggest criticism I have for Berra (as captain) that he does not push the whole side up the park when we are hanging on and another reason I want a more imposing goalkeeper as Banks is quiet as a mouse in these instances.

[Dazo]

Having watched the game again last night on Setanta, he was pretty awful for the first goal IMO. Anyone from Junior level up would've anticipated that run and covered it out for a bye kick or at worst a corner.

 

This is not anti Lith, this is just a fact. Thought he was very poor first half on saturday. But he did come back superbly though. He frustrates me.

 

He frustrates you because he continually undoes his good work by making goal costing mistakes. He should be nothing more than a squad player IMO and until we get a new centre half it should be Berra/Karapidis in the middle.

[Drylaw Hearts]

Having watched the game again last night on Setanta, he was pretty awful for the first goal IMO. Anyone from Junior level up would've anticipated that run and covered it out for a bye kick or at worst a corner.

 

This is not anti Lith, this is just a fact. Thought he was very poor first half on saturday. But he did come back superbly though. He frustrates me.

 

Mistakes that leads to goals have become his trademark.

 

He made so many in the first half of last Season and in the first match of this Season he has defended poorly which has led to another goal.

 

He has to sharpen up and concentrate.

 

You could tell by his reaction straight after the goal that he knew himself he didn't do enough to win the ball.

[magicTs]

Having watched the game again last night on Setanta, he was pretty awful for the first goal IMO. Anyone from Junior level up would've anticipated that run and covered it out for a bye kick or at worst a corner.

 

This is not anti Lith, this is just a fact. Thought he was very poor first half on saturday. But he did come back superbly though. He frustrates me.

 

Several players should have done far better for that goal. Kingston was incredibly lazy in tracking the run, Thomson was sleeping and Zaliukas got his body in a terrible position whereby he would have conceded a penalty with any contact. A quality keeper may also have read the ball accross a bit better.

[Rods]

Several players should have done far better for that goal. Kingston was incredibly lazy in tracking the run, Thomson was sleeping and Zaliukas got his body in a terrible position whereby he would have conceded a penalty with any contact. A quality keeper may also have read the ball accross a bit better.

 

I agree with that kingston stopped and Thomson was terrible.

[JAYEL]

To blame Zaliukus solely for the 1st goal is a joke.

 

To blame Zaliukus for blocking an attempt at goal that led to the 2nd goal is a joke.

[Dazo]

To blame Zaliukus solely for the 1st goal is a joke.

 

To blame Zaliukus for blocking an attempt at goal that led to the 2nd goal is a joke.

 

To deny he made errors at both goals is a joke.

[Sub4TiddlerMurray]

So, have you watched the game yet in order to revise your opinion?

 

You put way too much effort into persuading posters about what you see as Zal's deficiencies. What's that all about? And, were you even at the game? Zal was easily in my top 3 performers, won everything in the air.

[Drylaw Hearts]

To blame Zaliukus solely for the 1st goal is a joke.

 

To blame Zaliukus for blocking an attempt at goal that led to the 2nd goal is a joke.

 

Do you think he could have been better at both goals ?

 

Are you happy that he did all that was possible ?

[IMA MAROON]

I haven't actually abused him mate about Saturday, gave him a 5 for first half performance and a 9 for the second half, so it wiznae me.

 

I was not pointing the finger.

 

I just think he has been singled out when there were mistakes made all over the park by every player. It was our 1st game and we did ok.

 

The only player that was not ok was Makela, he was terrible.

 

We would not have won 3-0 if it was not for Big Zal.

[Dazo]

You put way too much effort into persuading posters about what you see as Zal's deficiencies. What's that all about? And, were you even at the game? Zal was easily in my top 3 performers, won everything in the air.

 

 

As long as he wins everything in the air he can **** up all day with his feet ?

 

 

Why deny the guy was poor at both their goals.

[JAYEL]

Do you think he could have been better at both goals ?

 

Are you happy that he did all that was possible ?

 

 

He moved out of the middle to try and cover others mistakes and got caught.

 

If that was an error then fair enough.

 

But he had to make a quick decision.

 

 

2nd goal the ball was smacked straight at him.

 

He blocked the shot.

[chester copperpot]

I was not pointing the finger.

 

I just think he has been singled out when there were mistakes made all over the park by every player. It was our 1st game and we did ok.

 

The only player that was not ok was Makela, he was terrible.

 

We would not have won 3-0 if it was not for Big Zal.

 

 

 

I aint having a go at you, I just think that after last season, he should be nowhere near our first team.

 

As both myself and Drylaw Hearts have seen, we both seen him in the reserves last year, and he was as poor in those games as he was in the first team (I must admit though that Ivaskevicius was impressive in the reserve outings I saw).

 

He was the worst player (by a mile) on the park when I saw us beat St Mirren in the reserves at Forthbank by a country mile, I just dont see how he's near the first team when he hasn't merited it.

 

I'd love to be wrong though. And before anyone starts, I'm not your anti lith supporter, I'm just pro Hearts.