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Hearts v Motherwell 17/02/2024


SteelmaninOZ
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I wasn’t really expecting us to win today however I thought we played very well in the first half and managed to nullify them as an attacking force to the extent that they were forced into changing formation and shape for the second half.  However I felt we never offered very much ourselves as an attacking force and it looked as though Kettlewell had set his stall out for a draw.

They never managed to cut us open from open play and on the rare occasions when we got on the front foot their defence looked very ordinary but we lacked the quality and composure needed to take advantage. Sadly the two goals we lost were yet again quite soft from a defensive point of view.

However we are 7 points clear of Ross County and 10 clear of Livingston and if we can beat Livingston at the end of the month then I think we’ll be okay.

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10 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

Mugabi , should be one of a few shown the door in the summer. He's had tons chances to improve and he makes the same basic error now he did three years ago.

As others have said, I could just about live with him as back-up, but he can't be considered a starter. 

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2 minutes ago, bobbybingo said:

As others have said, I could just about live with him as back-up, but he can't be considered a starter. 

Apart from the goal - and I’m not defending him at that as I’ve still to see it properly - I thought he didn’t do too badly today. He cleared most of the crosses put into the box.
Most, if not all the guy’s we can afford will have faults. 

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33 minutes ago, wellsince75 said:

good summary as always . 

Re your who we solve the defence.  I thought Casey made a difference and would keep him in the team.  

The simple answer is drop Mugabi.   Neither Butcher or Mugabi would be in my first 11.   

Agreed.

Casey was back to last seasons level instead of the mistake ridden version of this season.

Much better player when he keeps it simple and just defends.

Was actually very unlucky with his speculative shot in the first half. Keeper did well as it was swerving all over the place!

Id have Mugabi as a back up but we cant keep him, Butcher, SOD and McGinn as they cant all play and we need some upgrades. Personally Id let him and Butcher go and keep SOD & McGinn as they can play more than one position.

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7 minutes ago, Stuwell2 said:

Apart from the goal - and I’m not defending him at that as I’ve still to see it properly - I thought he didn’t do too badly today. He cleared most of the crosses put into the box.
Most, if not all the guy’s we can afford will have faults. 

I know, and I don't expect perfection, or anywhere near it. I just think he looks unlikely to improve beyond where he is now and his wee errors have been costly too often, so we'd need to see if another guy would be more reliable. I like the guy, he's a trier and not the worst you'll see, but it might just be time for a change.

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9 minutes ago, texanwellfan said:

So with our current players what’s our starting back 3?  SOD  Casey  McGinn ??

Thats a tough call.

Mugabi is in for headers as Kelly wont come off his line.

But that didnt work out for us today.

Butcher looks broken, so I think reluctantly I would go

McGinn Casey Blaney or

SOD McGinn Casey

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6 minutes ago, wellsince75 said:

Personal view - we don’t have 3 good enough and would be tempted to go back to a flat back 4 

we went to a back 3 to solve a problem over a year ago - that problem may no longer exist as we have a much stronger midfield 

Though 2 wins in 21 also not great reading.  

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42 minutes ago, Stuwell2 said:

Apart from the goal - and I’m not defending him at that as I’ve still to see it properly - I thought he didn’t do too badly today. He cleared most of the crosses put into the box.
Most, if not all the guy’s we can afford will have faults. 

Every player we ever have will have faults , it's the consistency with which they display those faults that determine whether they are any good for us and for me Mugabi makes too many basic errors. He's not alone we have quite a few we should be looking to move on.

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Just now, grizzlyg said:

Yup 5 wins all season in league

Sorry it's five in 26. Yeah the draws are killing us but I honestly can't be bothered right now. I'm really sorry for the folk paying every week particularly away games to see us lose but if we need to stutter our way over the line so be it. And if we go down we go down. I hope we won't but I'll support the team no matter. It's out of my control. All I can do is back the team 

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2 minutes ago, wellgirl said:

Sorry it's five in 26. Yeah the draws are killing us but I honestly can't be bothered right now. I'm really sorry for the folk paying every week particularly away games to see us lose but if we need to stutter our way over the line so be it. And if we go down we go down. I hope we won't but I'll support the team no matter. It's out of my control. All I can do is back the team 

We will be fine this season, trust me 

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1 hour ago, numpty said:

Or perhaps he's the best striker in the league because he's good at losing his markers.

I'm far from convinced he's the best striker in the league, although he may be the top scorer. Would he score as many if he played with Livingston, Ross County or St Johnstone? 

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54 minutes ago, texanwellfan said:

So with our current players what’s our starting back 3?  SOD  Casey  McGinn ??

Our best back 3, as a unit, and I stress as a unit, is probably McGinn, Casey and Blaney. SOD and McGinn shouldn't be in the same back 3 except in a dire emergency. 

Now I'm not saying that it's a good back 3 but only that it's our best and that's a different thing. 

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If we offer Butcher and Obika any terms come end of the season then we have just threw the money down the drain.We will never ever get a full season out of them ever again.

 

Big Bev for all his faults is worth keeping aound easy target for alot of people but none of the backline can hold head up high this season but then maybe its poor denfence coaching thats to blame who knows.

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