Coventry Saint

Does make you realise how much slack Jim was being cut just because of his links to the club. We have rarely been convincing on the field, since we got promoted. A few stellar performances dotted in and amongst a lot of dross. I'm not buying the whole 'he needs to assemble his own squad' thing, because our squad is decent. However, I also think there was every chance Jim could also be the one experiencing this shite run, because he oversaw plenty of shite runs and performances himself. The Ross County game - and his subsequent comments - remain the things that annoy/concern me. If he wants to play 4-3-3, then we have the players to do that, no bother. So I guess maybe now's the time for him to change to his system before he runs out of excuses.

Top six was a tap-in and we've shat the bed. Simple as that.

Love to know why he's listed as a forward, though.

The very real prospect of losing to Hearts five times in a single season means I can very much live without making the top six.

I'd probably let him go, tbh. Can't remember his contract situation - I think there's an option for a second year but can't remember whose option that is, his or ours - but the only thing nagging away at me is how scarce left backs are. We obviously signed him with the 3-5-2 in mind, but with that in the sea where it belongs, he doesn't have a natural home. TBH, I'd sooner play him in the wide left forward position (ie as an alternative to Jones) than at LB. His (and Dunne's) ball watching for that first goal was criminal.

I know that's bait, but when you see the view behind the goal you can see he's looking at exactly the point the ball's heading.

We're going to miss Conor Ronan way more than we're missing Jamie McGrath. Great game, no real complaints from me about the result. Subs were weird, and defending was appalling, but I hope we can take some positives into the crucial next two league games. Sims and Boyce are fantastic players, but Hearts have quality throughout.

That'd been coming. Shame after we got back into it. What do you call it when you completely shit the bed, work hard to get the sheets all clean, then promptly shit the bed again?

Bad challenge from Henderson there, tbf.

Yeah, totally agree. Kiltie has been decent if not spectacular. Gogic was fairly majestic at times. Certainly putting himself about.

Aye, Jack Ross was at it. No clue what he's talking about. Time for a sub now, I reckon.

Fucking shiiiiiiiite

I just don't get why his head is so perfectly spherical. It gives me the creeps.

Ronan did him a huge favour by being three full seconds ahead of him.

Tait's cross in. It was an excellent ball.

I just wish we played more intelligently. Case in point at the end there: throw in about 30 yards into their half. Two backwards passes to Alnwick who then puts it into touch where the throw was taken from. Fucking irritates the hell out of me.

That right back Atkinson is a dirty c**t. Should have been sent off in the league game and Jones has him on toast.

Good goal but we're shite. Mind, the rule where you're allowed to tackle someone as late as you want in the box as long as they've already got their shot away is some laugh. ^^^ verge of tears, etc.

Fuxake. We've started fucking terribly. Why was everyone stood watching Alnwick flailing there? Hopeless.

Feared the worst when Jones went down before - absolutely looked like his shoulder had slipped out. Seems ok now.

That's the best line-up and system we can muster. No complaints here. Down to the players now. Hoping Brophy will have a touch more sharpness and Kiltie/Jones can find their range again. Head: 2-1 Hearts. Heart says we can sneak a nervy 1-0.

Jim: "Come and sign for Aberdeen, Jak. It'd be good for your career." Jak: "Is that what you told Jamie McGrath?" Jim: "Erm..."

Fraser was, by some distance, the main beneficiary of the 3-5-2. He played the right-sided CH role very well. Goodwin only knows why he was then played on the left side, which did him no favours, and if Robinson prefers Tait as a fullback in a 4-4-2 then fair enough: the margins are too fine to get wound up about.

After repeated failures to beat a Jack Ross side, it'd be quite nice to put one over a Jim Goodwin one.

...and then you went down?