pretzel

It's been massively frustrating since returning from the Winter break, we managed to dig results out at the start of the season without playing well but as time progressed we actually started to play really well and it was particularly pleasing when we beat the likes of Dundee United, Hearts and St Johnstone without them getting as much as a sniff at goal, it seems like we have went right off the rails as defensively as we are giving away horrendous goals while at the same time we seem creatively bankrupt going forward. Its a real shame we have hit a bit of a rut as we had a real chance to go clear in fourth but instead its all became a bit more condensed, a few clubs have a game in hand and will be breathing right down our necks. I'm assuming Alexander has been changing the line up frequently due to the sheer volume of games as of late, I honestly can't wait to get February over with as it seems like it will be a tough few weeks.

I spotted this image on Twitter , it was a proposed new stand design for a potential ground based on Airbles Street. The plans were designed by architect James Bell and was dated 1890.

Van Veen, Tierney and Cornelius all on for Woolery, Roberts and Slattery.

1-0 Dundee United

Great chance early on off the bar.

Yeah you're correct, literally just seen Alan Burrows confirm this on twitter. Seems mad that we could potentially have 14 subs in a match now, highly unlikely I know.

You can make up to five subs now but you can only use three stoppages in play as was the case before, plus you can take advantage of the half time break. St Mirren made four separate subs which was weird, it would be strange to just give them an extra sub just because. I thought concussion subs were to be used strictly for that reason and they had two should they have needed it. I never saw what happened to Shaw but it appears he was suffering from blurred vision, I assume he took a head knock.

Well the games have been coming thick and fast since the return of the winter break. Back in action at Paisley tonight versus St Mirren, thankfully the chrome dome isn't on ref duties tonight to bail them out with a dodgy penalty. I think we'll come away with all three points in a 2-0 win, Van Veen x2.

It's been a while since we have had a quiet January transfer deadline day, since this was introduced I think the lowest number of signings was just the one under McGhee in 2016 which was Morgaro Gomis. I'm glad that Alexander got most of his transfer business done early, can't help but feel a forward to play through the middle would have been the final piece of the puzzle.

Someone suggested the return of Jamie Murphy earlier in the thread, sounds like he's heading to Mansfield Town on loan.

I assume we will be holding out for a nominal fee for Lamie. Quite a few clubs in the league have lost players to rivals via PCA's this month only for them to be sold a short time later. Good luck to Ricki it'll be nice not to wake up in a cold sweat on match day now.

That's the biggest bugbear for me regarding Scottish referees, I've accepted they're pish but it's the consistency that I find frustrating, even with the same refs in the same games it seems they just make it up as they go. Kelly throws it a short distance away on Saturday and gets a yellow minutes into the match, on Sunday Allan McGregor goes out his way to pick the ball up and punts it well down the pitch to waste time and not a word is spoken.

Frustrating day tbh, first half I felt we were the better side, Van Veen had two great chances, the header should have been buried. It's just annoying that we handed them those three points gift wrapped. Well games are coming thick and fast, St Midden on Tuesday night followed by Celtic on Saturday. We could really do with the three points midweek, thankfully Bobby Madden isn't the ref so no dodgy decisions.

Amaluzor on for Goss

Shields on for Roberts

Awful freekick by Roberts.

2-0 Hearts

I can't say I'm too disheartened at the loss of Lamie, the guy had left me with lasting anxiety issues from the 2019/20 season without having actually seen him in the flesh that season. He obviously improved massively under Alexander, he done a job and scored a handful of nice headers. Good luck to him at Dundee, I think he'll be away asap as they need defensive reinforcements post haste.

1-0 Hearts, the wee neddy guy. Self inflicted sadly.

Maguire off injured. Goss on.

What is the deal on the pass back rule, I get that you can't pick up a direct pass back from your own player but he takes like three touches before he picks it up. I assume thats still a no. I don't know if the wind is causing an issue but Van Veen and Roberts are struggling to control the ball up top, implementing the Ryan Bowman first touch.

Great chance by Van Veen.

Kelly getting a yellow for apparently handling outside the box.

Match day stream http://www.hesgoal.com/news/Hearts_vs_Motherwell.html

I had actually forgot about it at the time but Maguire put in an epic challenge near the end of the game on Wednesday night. Demetri Mitchell was showing how fast he was as he tore up the wing past Slattery, but just before he nipped by someone else Barry came roaring in with a lovely robust challenge and Mitchell felt some flying that he wouldn't have experienced before. Perfectly fair challenge, I'll give credit to the Hibs guy for getting straight back up as his team mates Macey and Bushiri were quite cringeworthy with their antics.