Hearts 4 vs. Rangers 2 Sept 15th 2007

HEARTS BYPASS


And it wasn’t just a triple one either! What seemed like a little bit of cosmetic surgery by Smith turned out to look like a full scale operation by the time the final whistle was blown.
Several questions have been raised after the tinkering today, none more so than, is the “strength” in depth, really that strong, or deep? The decision to rest Barry was a big one and proved to be a wrong one as our midfield was posted missing for most of the first half.
Along with Barry, McCulloch was also given the break as Amdy Faye was given his debut. We were out paced and on the back foot for most of the game and even the change in personnel for the second half never really changed the pattern of play.
People talk about getting brought back down to earth, well hopefully this was the bump we needed, especially just before the Champions League kick off come Wednesday!!


Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Produced some good saves and caught well from crosses to take some pressure off the defence in the first half. Let himself down with a shot that squirmed under him for the Hearts fourth.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hutton: - Has had plenty of games in the last wee while and with his confidence sky high it was definitely a fall from grace today. Clumsy tackle gave away the penalty that sealed our fate.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Cuellar: - Like Hutton his standards were well below par today and he gave away possession too frequently, non-more so than for the first goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Weir: - Was given a bit of a run around by the pacey Hearts thrusts. Was given the Captains armband and won’t be best pleased with the outcome.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Papac: - For the first time this season, was probably the pick of the defenders although unfortunately that really isn’t saying too much.
Rmed Verdict: - 6


Whitaker: - Was sloppy in possession and never really gave us any width down the right hand side. Did come into the game a bit more in the second half and offered a bit of directness from midfield.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Faye: - Not a debut to remember for the on loan Charlton man. Couldn’t get into the game at all as the balls were flying high from back to front. Was hooked at half time to allow Barry to take the field.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Thommo: - He became a victim of his own team’s tactics as he became more and more frustrated without getting much of the ball. The tackles started flying and I thought we might lose him through the temper at some point of the game.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Beasley: - non-existent in the first half but got himself on the ball in the second and caused Hearts some problems. Scored with a sweet left foot strike but it was only a consolation.
Rmed Verdict: - 6 (MOTM caused problems that no one else managed)

Cousin: - Got himself onto the ball well but all too often he lost possession through looking for too many touches. Scored with a penalty to give us a chink of light.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Boyd: - Won his fair share of headers and linked on to a few through balls but all too often it came to nothing. Never made the second half after a clash of heads with Neilson.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Bazza (On for Faye): - Instilled a bit of urgency for the fist 15 minutes before the game went back to its normal course.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

JCD (On for Boyd): - Will he get the starting berth? Proved a handful for the whole time he was on.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Novo (On for Cousin)): - Couldn’t work any magic to turn the game around.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Smith: - For the first time this season his tactics and choices have come under a bit of scrutiny. Not a good day at the office.
Rmed Verdict: - 5


With Stuttgart on the horizon the last thing we needed was a dent in confidence with a bad defeat, or maybe, just maybe it is exactly what we needed. Lets hope it turns out to be the latter.


WATP

Baz.