JJ - "better squad than '98"

[Victorian]

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/Jim-Jefferies-Hearts-squad-is.6676244.jp

 

JIM JEFFERIES believes Hearts are better equipped to challenge the Old Firm this season than in 1998 because the squad currently at his disposal is significantly stronger.

The manager presided over one of Tynecastle's most memorable campaigns over 12 years ago, when he guided the team to Scottish Cup success and finished just seven points behind league champions Celtic.

 

However, ahead of tomorrow's New Year Edinburgh

derby with Hibernian, he said this season's squad is stronger in depth. Players like Andy Driver, Lee Wallace and Suso Santana have missed large portions of the season but Hearts are sitting only six points off the top of the SPL.

 

Jefferies will consider any worthwhile addition to his squad during the January transfer window but knows those already in place have genuine potential to upset Celtic and Rangers.

 

"We keep harping back to the spirit and everything we had in 1998. I think we have a stronger squad than we did then," he said. "It was a good squad but maybe the strength in depth is better today.

 

"Andy Driver did some work with us at St Mirren on Wednesday night. That was the first time he's seen grass since he came back. We're expecting him back in full training next week. Lee Wallace was back on the bench as well, so we have a really strong squad.

 

"There are always players you want, sometimes you can't get them. January is never a great month because clubs don't want to let their players go. The summer is always a better time to go and get someone. If there is someone we want to strengthen us in a certain area, I'm sure we'll speak to the owners to see if it's possible." Hibs cross the city tomorrow having not won in five matches, but Jefferies rejected any notion that they could become embroiled in relegation trouble under Colin Calderwood.

 

"Hibs have had a change in manager who has had to work with the players he has. He can make his mark if he's allowed to go and do something in January. But it won't be easy for him either. I'd imagine he can't wait till it comes round. I'm sure he'll try to bring in two or three players to strengthen. I don't see them being in great trouble come the end of the season."

 

so, better squad than '98?

 

rousset, weir, ritchie, naismith, cameron, fulton, salvatori, flogel, adam, mccann, robertson, and the rest.

 

 

kello, zaliukas, bouzid, wallace, jonsson, skacel, mrowiec, templeton, kyle, elliott, and the rest.

 

 

you could try to match up player-by-player and i suppose there would be ones from each squad who would make it into an amalgamated group of best players. maybe he means as one collective unit.

 

rousset < kello

ritchie < zaliukas

weir > bouzid

naismith < wallace

adam > kyle

mccann < templeton

 

any more for any more?

[ToadKiller Dog]

To early in the season to judge player v player merits .

 

Agree with JJ that the current squad had a deeper talent pool but its up to them to see if they can better the 98 squad .

[CF11JamTart]

I can't decide how our squad compares with 98. It feels like we have more strength-in-depth this time around, whereas the first XI is maybe not as strong this time around. It felt like we were down to the bare-bones at times in the run-in in 98. Mind you, having said that, we've played a chunk of games without specialist full-backs.

 

The main difference is that the OF seem weaker than they did back then.

[Jambo Ell]

You could compare the depths of the squad by comparing players who wouldnt be considered to be in eithers strongest first 11 or who arent in the starting 11 at present.

 

McManus - Barr

Quitongo - Suso

Makel - Stevenson

Pointon - Ruben?! (A tad harsh as he has been playing exceptionally well of late!)

 

Trying to remember others from the squad of 98 that haven't been mentioned already. If you consider we also have Driver, Glen, Obua, Jason and Craig Thomson and Novikovas then I can see JJ's point.

[Jambo Ell]

To early in the season to judge player v player merits .

 

Agree with JJ that the current squad had a deeper talent pool but its up to them to see if they can better the 98 squad .

Yeah I agree with this too.

[Radge21]

Considering we have been playing so long without proper full backs I think we can build on what we have.

Suso, Driver and Lee Wallace to come back in when fit.

Hopefully Jim allowed to strengthen during the January window.

What a difference Zaliukas has made since signing his new contract.

[CF11JamTart]

You could compare the depths of the squad by comparing players who wouldnt be considered to be in eithers strongest first 11 or who arent in the starting 11 at present.

 

McManus - Barr

Quitongo - Suso

Makel - Stevenson

Pointon - Ruben?! (A tad harsh as he has been playing exceptionally well of late!)

 

Trying to remember others from the squad of 98 that haven't been mentioned already. If you consider we also have Driver, Glen, Obua, Jason and Craig Thomson and Novikovas then I can see JJ's point.

 

Jim Hamilton is the only other one I can think of from 1998 who had much experience who could easily slot in to the team. Grant Murray and David Murie were involved in squads, but this time around it feels like there are more players who are genuine contenders to be in the team.

[Jambomullins]

I can't decide how our squad compares with 98. It feels like we have more strength-in-depth this time around, whereas the first XI is maybe not as strong this time around. It felt like we were down to the bare-bones at times in the run-in in 98. Mind you, having said that, we've played a chunk of games without specialist full-backs.

 

The main difference is that the OF seem weaker than they did back then.

 

Agreed, the OF are mince in comparison when you consider that Gascoine, Laudrup, Larsson & Moravcik were our opponents back then. I do see JJ's point as we have been playing without having our arguably strongest pool to choose from. The telling factor will be when the prizes are up for grabs at the end of the season and whether this team has the bottle to keep going to the end.

[winston churchill]

suso

bouzid

barr

macdonald

the balogh

polish dave

pittenweem

elliot

mole

glen

the obua

[Stanley_]

Here's a list of the players from 97/98. I'd certainly say we have better backup/more options this season but whether our starting 11 is as strong as 97/98 is up for debate:

 

Steve Fulton 36

Davy Weir 35

Neil McCann 35

Paul Ritchie 34

Jim Hamilton 32

Gilles Rousset 32

Colin Cameron 31

Stefano Salvatori 32

Stephane Adam 30

Thomas Flogel 29

John Robertson 21

Gary Locke 21

Neil Pointon 20

Gary Naysmith 16

Jose Quitongo 17

Dave McPherson 13

Grant Murray 10

Alan McManus 12

Stephen Frail 11

Lee Makel 5

Roddy McKenzie 4

David Murie 1

Stuart Callaghan 1

Kevin Thomas 1

Derek Holmes 1

[Vic Vespa]

It's a close call for me re the squads.

 

Most telling thing for me is the OF are much worse, IMO Celtic are there for the taking and will get humped on Sunday and if Rangers were to lose Miller and to a lesser extent Naismith/Weir through injury or hip replacement then they don't have the squad depth to cover it.

[bighusref]

IF we win the cup, we can revisit this debate. Until then, '98 team wins.

[Hearts of Vladland]

suso

 

You know **** all about football.

[Jambomullins]

IF we win the cup, we can revisit this debate. Until then, '98 team wins.

 

Good point

[Beats]

IF we win the cup, we can revisit this debate. Until then, '98 team wins.

 

 

Nailed it here H

[Guest C00l K1d]

I can't decide how our squad compares with 98. It feels like we have more strength-in-depth this time around, whereas the first XI is maybe not as strong this time around. It felt like we were down to the bare-bones at times in the run-in in 98. Mind you, having said that, we've played a chunk of games without specialist full-backs.

The main difference is that the OF seem weaker than they did back then.

I agree. This season they seem to be dropping daft points where you would expect them to be taking full points.

 

We do have a strong team this year though and they seem to be gelling really well. We do have a serious chance of splitting the OF, still don't think we can take first, I'm normally pretty optimistic but I just can't see us doing it

[Guest Bilel Mohsni]

You know **** all about football.

 

 

A hundred times... THIS!

[colinmaroon]

IF we win the cup, we can revisit this debate. Until then, '98 team wins.

 

 

A perfect yardstick!

 

Although, it made me think about success in winning a trophy as they only yardstick.which team was better -'98 or '86?

 

 

However, I do think strength in depth is vital and there's no doubt that Cameron's injury problems made the difference in the last league games!

[CF11JamTart]

A perfect yardstick!

 

Although, it made me think about success in winning a trophy as they only yardstick.which team was better -'98 or '86?

 

 

However, I do think strength in depth is vital and there's no doubt that Cameron's injury problems made the difference in the last league games!

 

 

The league campaign kinda ran out of steam right at the end. Still, it was nice to win the cup.

 

Silverware is the thing that gets mentioned in the history books. So, at present, the 98 team has it. sincerely hope that we're re-examining this in the middle of May.

[Hearts Heritage]

IF we win the cup, we can revisit this debate. Until then, '98 team wins.

 

IF we win the SPL then no debate

[bighusref]

IF we win the SPL then no debate

 

IF we win the league, on day three or four of the drinking, I will come down to that pub (2YK, CKY or whatever it is) and buy you and GC many drinks, before liver failure kicks in and I die a happy chappy.

[Craigieboy]

JJ is loving his 2nd coming at Hearts. This much is clear.

 

And he is getting the absolute best out of the Hearts players.

 

I love him the guy. A proper Hearts man, leading out a proper Hearts side which is full of the spirit of Hearts.

 

Come what may, I'm loving being a Jambo just the now.

 

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