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I thought Hearts got their tactics spot on yesterday. Our players have a mindset for all SPL games which is all about how they are going to break teams down, but Hearts seemed to surprise us by pressing us all over the pitch. They fought for every inch of the field and we didn't seem to be able to cope. I think I'm correct in saying that the only team all season to do this against us was Porto away. We looked lost and our consistent performers were not able to respond. In particular, Davis, Jack, Kamara, Aribo and Defoe all looked shocked. Even Goldson (who I thought defended well) was just kicking the ball forward in the hope that it would stick somewhere. It didn't because as we know Defoe is not that type of player. I posted after the Aberdeen game that I had concerns about the mentality of the team, in particular when something needs to be worked out on the pitch. It was obvious that Hearts surprised us and therefore we needed to work out a way to handle this. In these moments (as at Aberdeen when they started to come back into the game) we need real leaders and I don't see any. Players like Davis, Goldson and Defoe tend to lead by example, rather than being so vocal with their team mates, but when they're struggling themselves, they seem to be ineffective at rallying the troops around them. I felt that Kamara, Aribo and Jack were negatively affected when they saw Davis panic in the early stages of the game. I can understand that but in these moments we need the player who will take control of the players. Sometimes that means a call for some extra determination, a crunching tackle, a change of width or higher pressing. Sometimes it's an individual kick up the backside. Having spotted this flaw in the Aberdeen game I was particularly conscious of it yesterday and watched with real interest to see what the players were saying or gesticulating to each other. The answer was very little. It seemed that each player was trying to work out what they individually needed to do rather than communicating or even getting help from their team mates. Our style of play this season has been excellent. It's clear that this has been drilled so often into the players that it's become second nature for them. It's the same with the Man City team under Guardiola and I've seen it for years in the Arsenal team. When it works it's just a joy to watch, and it works most of the time. It works because at training the players are continually operating under these conditions and know what they are expected to do without even thinking about it. The problem comes when we do have to think about it, because at Hearts yesterday (and at Aberdeen), we needed to think about how we could get some width in the team, as well as how we could shore up the middle of the pitch when Boyce dropped deeper. It took until the 35th minute before I felt Goldson, Katic and Davis had worked out between them who would pick him up. Equally, it took until half time (when the manager hooked Flanagan) before anyone (on the field) recognised that we needed width on the right. Flanagan was being pinned back and Aribo was reluctant to go out wide, preferring his inside forward position instead. Why are the players not working this out for themselves? Can they see this? Are they empowered to make changes on the field? This concerned me. I hope we pick ourselves up and go on another run but even if we do, this frailty in the team still exists. I'm sure Gerrard (as a strong on field leader) can see this, but what can he do this season? I suspect not a lot. It does however suggest that in the summer we have some work to do to either make someone into a leader/organiser or buy someone who is.

Kent's price tag is always going to draw him more attention than others but he scored yesterday, should have had one more and created a chance that Aribo should have finished as well. As such, I'd suggest Kent is the last person we should be focusing. Yes, of course he flits in and out of games so it's up to the manager to get more out of him and, if he's not doing the business, ensure we have people on the bench that are capable of stepping in. Arguably we don't have that and it's that depth that concerns me more than the bulk of our first XI who, more often than not, don't let us down.

Put me in the 'we really missed Morelos' camp. I don't think Defoe is physically capable of playing 3 full matches in 8 days and his lack of pace was really shown today, twice caught when put through by a defender a good 3 or 4 feet behind him initially. As an option coming off the bench he's perfect, his touch and speed of thought in the final 20 minutes of a match when defenders are tiring remain an asset. You have to wonder about the wisdom of releasing Hardie and Rudden. Neither seem like they had long term futures at the club, but holding onto Rudden in particular until the summer at least offers us some cover up front. While the midfield was poor yesterday Morelos ability to hold the ball up, make runs that create space for others and come deep to link was sorely missed yesterday, that kind of ability helps midfielders, it allows them to play it early if needed knowing Morelos can chase it down, hold it up or draw a foul. Morelos missing doesn't excuse us throwing away a lead or some of the puzzling decisions (Ojo coming on??) made, but for me it further underlines his huge importance to our side.

Although we played poorly I think some credit has to be given to how Hearts played. Unlike most teams we come against they did not use a defensive block. Against these sorts of teams we can dictate the tempo, establish some rhythm and have the bulk of possession. Hearts did not do that but instead they hassled our midfield and ensured they had little time on the ball. We thus got sucked into a scrappy game with the ball in the air a lot which does not suit our style. In addition, they had Clare playing down the wing which restricted Barisic (an exception was our goal) thus negating one of our strengths. On the other side Flanagan is not noted for his offensive qualities and thus the combination of these meant we were forced into a more restricted game. Upfront we missed Morelos who can occupy the centre backs much more than Defoe who doesn't have the same physicality and who is now lacking a bit of pace and therefore is not able to outrun defenders. As others have also noted hitting long balls into the box is not playing to Defoe's strength which is being a penalty box predator. Picking up on a point may much earlier by Rousseau our lack of movement at throw-ins is dire making it difficult for players to have the time to make a telling pass and spread the play. Instead, we tend to become hemmed into a small area and it needs some bit of skill or ingenuity to make something happen.

Accepted

You would think not. But social media, particularly Twitter, is a weird and not-so-wonderful place.

Said that on the Match thread Billy. Polster showed more urgency, looked stronger to me, was happy to get up and down that right touchline, had good touches and his crosses were actually, on the whole, very good - the one to Kent where he played it in from halfway inside the Hearts half (which only just overran Kent) was sublime. He also was more than happy to make vertical passes which Flanagan rarely did in the first 45 mins. I thought Polster looked very assured - indeed, IMHO, with that performance he leapt over Flanagan as the back-up to Tav - think he also jumped over Patterson too because Hearts offered much more resistance than Stranraer and the defensive side was called into question more often. For just a 45 minute cameo, I have to say I was very impressed with him and feel that, rather than letting him leave, we should just let Flanagan's contract run out and retain Polster.

Kent didn't pick the team or formation yesterday, I think the result had probably more to do with the fact our manager is still a relative rookie who is learning his trade than Kent's performance.

I would actually go as far as saying I would prefer Katic to Helander anyway. Katic is more physical than either Helander or Goldson and is an actual threat at attacking set plays as well. But I definitely agree, that replacement makes little difference because Katic has done well since coming back in. Morelos is clearly the big miss. But perhaps now the Tav "haters" will also see just how unbalanced we are as an attacking threat when he isn't available. Hearts closed down Barisic and barely made the effort to do the same to Flanagan because he offers so little going forward.

Because of the result and overall performance Kent's goal yesterday is being overlooked a bit, which is a shame as it was a cracker. Great surging run from Kent, nice lay off to the impressive overlap from Barasic and a clever cross/pass from him, Kent didn't stop but continued his run right into the box and gets on the end of Aribo's lay off. It was a nice finish too. I was critical of Kent after the last Aberdeen match, felt both him and Aribo needed to do more from a creative perspective. To be fair Kent has since then, he's chipped in with goals and assists, generally works hard and creates something in every match. Time will tell if we paid too much for him, I don't think he's storming the league but he's scored 5 from 11 appearances which is a decent return and he is still better than Ojo, Barker or Jones I'd say. He also has the happy knack of scoring against Celtic, something to endear him to us. I suspect we'd recoup most of our fee for him still, Leeds were willing to pay it in the summer, I suspect there are other clubs like them who would see that as a decent investment. I think he'll prove to be an astute signing as long as he can steer clear of injuries.

Something I will never, ever understand. I took my kid to Liverpool game v Brighton in late November at Anfield. Had to be up at 4am for a flight but never got home till gone midnight. I understand blueflag's pain because the next day is absolutely brutal. But was I missing the end of the game ? Nope. It is a little different for me though as I don't get to as many games as I would like to in a season so I sit till the bitter end - even when watching us under Pedro, which was usually brutal viewing after the 1st 10 minutes But when people would rather be in the pub with a pint in hand than actually supporting their team I just can't understand it, no matter how poor the performance is. It's the reason for being there in the first place.

Line up looks ok apart from Ojo. I honestly cannot see what he brings to the team/squad full stop.

We aren’t looking at that type of player We need and want an attacking midfielder but people need to be realistic We have a £10m shortfall which the board are covering this year, we aren’t spending what we don’t have We will get one in but I expect a loan or small deal unless the board self fund & that’s a huge ask & goes against previous statements of ‘ad hoc cheque writing’ is over We will move this week (an informed opinion) but I am realistic in our possibilities

I read that Liverpool's throw-in coach has implemented a 5 second policy (they have to take the throw-in within 5 seconds of getting it, so opponents don't have a chance to set up). I noted yesterday we had players standing with the ball in their hands for ages waiting for something to happen. Hearts were set.

We should stop this topic right here

One the sole fault of Kamara and the other an unfortunate deflection.

Are there really any "Tav haters"? I've never come across one.

Great. Doesn't need to be a world beater but does need to offer something different.

No theyve not but Docherty going out on loan and being voted player of the season at Shrewsbury, the loan club, kind of reinforces the question what they have to do to get ahead of the pecking order when some are clearly underperforming. ? Im surpised at SG given his previous comments in interviews about getting the shirt and ensuring performances warrant a plyer holding onto it.

Would be great if people read what I actually said. I did not lambast Kent in fact I said he was a good player. Anyway on to Wednesday night.

You're probably right. I think Polster has played a lot in midfield before coming to us. I like the fact that he got his head up and was always trying to pass forward. For someone with so little game time, he could have easily opted for the safe options.

How can the manager be so "shocked" after the performances against Stranraer & St Mirren ? Kris Boyd touched on the problem post match which he mentioned SG's favoured 13/14 players - but what about when they are not cutting it ? Do they keep the jersey week after week despite poor perfomances ? What kind of motivation is that ? Jones & Docherty must be wondering what they have to do to get game when the failings from the game previously are ahead of them on the team sheet. Did anyone honestly expect Ojo to turn things around for us when he came on ? I know I didnt

There was so many off form today but Kent wouldn't be the first I would criticise. I think we paid slightly over the odds for him transfer wise but he does pop up with goals at vital times and took today's one well

Agreed, pathetic thread

Not an easy choice this one given the result and I'd say only three players did well enough to be considered: Polster deserves a special mention for doing well as a sub whilst Aribo was probably our most creative player which doesn't say too much but, for me anyway, Connor Goldson was the only player that really approached the game with confidence so he gets my vote.

I don't want to get along with people who turn a blind eye to child abuse, wave banners and scarves with anti-British slogans, wave Vatican flags, hang blow-up dolls off stands or who seem incable of maintaining basic hygiene standards.

Yes, yes there are.

Are there's such people as Tav haters? I know he got some stick earlier in the season for some very high profile mistakes but surely that doesn't even go close to cancelling out the good stuff he brings to the team?

Polster done more in 45 than the rest in 90, so he gets the nod and I hope he gets to keep the jersey until Tav is fit, and then is the clear second choice ahead of Flanagan who the more I see the more I wonder what the hell he is doing at our club, absolutely useless, cant defend, cant tackle (see yellow card yesterday), cant go forward, makes other players around him look very nervous.

I was quite vocal last season as not being Kent's biggest fan and I do think we overpaid in order to get a player who could hit the ground running, but he has done well this season and I think we should just forget about the fee.

We need a None of the Above selection; this is the third time this season that nobody deserves an award.

Reflecting on the extent of our midfield capitulation yesterday, the part of our team I thought was the strongest now worries me a lot. It doesn’t matter how capable they can be, if they effectively down-tools like that it suggests something fundamentally lacking. Take away Jack and we’re exposed as powderpuff in midfield. We need some Souness, Roberts, Hurlock mentality on board, fast.

I don't think Polster is great, but going from yesterday's performance, he's got a better all-round game than Flanagan. I'd still say Flanagan is the better defender, though.

It isn’t aimed at people like you.

Oh please. It’s all to do with football as to why they jumped in. They don’t see the benefit to lambasting one of our players. It’s nothing to do with what you think it is.

I'm not quite sure Bearger was openly stating he was a waste of money? Was he not just asking if we think he has delivered (based on the price tag and what we've seen so far). I think he was also implying that he would like to see more from him. I don't think he would be alone in that thinking tbh

Aye let’s stop anyone with a different opinion from posting, is this what Gersnet is becoming?

I tend to agree Bearger. He has shown some genuine touches of class but IMO he needs to work on his decision making and consistency. I suppose the litmus test for me would be how much would we get for him in the current transfer market? I doubt we would get much more than we paid for him. I know that's based on only half a season but in the same time Barasic's value has multiplied by 10. He is young though and hopefully he'll be a big player for us in 2020

Well, this also pisses me off to be honest. I sometimes have to leave 10 mins or so before the end... do i want to? Of course i bloody dont. The late evening games if i dont leave that 10 mins early it makes the differencr of about 1.5hours onto an already 4 hour journey home. So instead of getting home at say 2am i dont get home till way after 3am if i had stayed till final whistle. I pay the same price for my ticket as the locals who can stay and not worry about getting home at 3am, but hey, you keep mocking fellow fans for doing such things.