Hendricks Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 (edited) One of our better, not that it is saying much, performances away from home last season was in Perth between Christmas and New Year. If we play like we did that night we will win this comfortably but of course that is a huge IF, as we can rarely be relied upon on the road. With over 4200 tickets sold already there is going to be an expectation of 3pts and I think we will have enough as long as we start the game on the front foot. Scoring first in this will be all important. Saints could collapse if we get at them early. Hopefully we throw Tagawa straight in, unknown quantity but we desperately need his supposed pace. I'm hoping for something along the following lines: Clark Atkinson Kent Rowles Kingsley Haring Beningame Nieuwenhof Oda Shankland Tagawa Bench: McGovern, Sibbick, Neilson, Devlin, Smith, Halliday, Grant, Forrest, Boyce. Edited August 1, 2023 by Hendricks 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenrothes 1884 saint Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 1 hour ago, Radford said: To achieve anything, you need to first and foremost be hard to beat. Would playing a back three help us in that regard? We'd have had an extra man in the box for the Stirling opener and, surely, wouldn't have parted like the Red Sea for the second. So there is a case there, especially regards the first goal. The second was just so bad that it's hard to even analyse. But we didn't give much away against Ayr or Stenhousemuir despite the defeats and it doesn't matter what system you play if you can't defend set pieces or do the basics like closing down and passing the ball. The Stenhousemuir goal and the first two on Saturday, despite what was said above, come from just giving the ball away in terrible areas. Whatever shape we play, it's not going to make a blind bit of difference if we don't get the fundamentals right. We know from Davidson's time in charge that having that extra defender blunts you going forward if none of the centre backs are prepared to step out but Hearts are a good team and we won't be expected to have a lot of possession anyway. Can we transition quickly when we do win the ball with the players we have? Possibly I guess. So, despite being sick of the sight of a back three, I'd relent and accept it could be our best option for this weekend, although worry where Carey fits in. Because even if the prospect of a back three isn't terrifying, that fucking 5-2-3 abomination is. Mitov McClelland - Gordon - Considine Wright - McGowan - Phillips - Gallacher Carey Jephcott - May I’d put Max in for Carey,as he’s got more energy,but agree back 3 makes sense for this game,although whispers of other signing/s before it 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree house tam Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 17 minutes ago, glenrothes 1884 saint said: I’d put Max in for Carey,as he’s got more energy,but agree back 3 makes sense for this game,although whispers of other signing/s before it If the clearance arrives and they are even half fit I'd have them in before any of the youngsters. They really haven't shown up well in the cup friendlies. Also, before anyone says it, 10 minute flashes of talent doesn't mean you should be playing against Hearts. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieThomas Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 1-1. Saints take the lead after about 8 minutes after some comical Hearts defending, then Hearts spend the next 80 odd passing between the centre halves and full backs before Shankland equalises in the 93rd. Is what I'd be saying if wee mumbles Neilson was still in charge. 9 nil Gorgie. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenrothes 1884 saint Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 44 minutes ago, tree house tam said: If the clearance arrives and they are even half fit I'd have them in before any of the youngsters. They really haven't shown up well in the cup friendlies. Also, before anyone says it, 10 minute flashes of talent doesn't mean you should be playing against Hearts. I agree Tam,but Max has the energy and puts in more defensive work than Carey imo 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realmadrid Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 6 hours ago, Center half said: We are having a closed door game today on the Astro turf (9.30-10.30) to try and gain some confidence i believe. Gordon especially needs to feel he can dominate in a game and be a bit faster than the opposition. How many did Theo get...oh wait that was last season. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC92 Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Clark Atkinson Kent Rowles Kingsley Oda Haring Devlin Forrest Shankland Boyce No Cochrane and probably no McKay. Nieuwenhof and Tagawa (if available) likely short of match fitness. I'd also be cautious and utilise Baningime from the bench if we can. Ideally we'd do the same with Boyce, but we aren't awash with other options and if St Johnstone are going to be defending deep it might be a good time to use him and Shankland together. Hopefully Forrest is nowhere near these by the end of August. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendricks Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 34 minutes ago, DC92 said: Clark Atkinson Kent Rowles Kingsley Oda Haring Devlin Forrest Shankland Boyce No Cochrane and probably no McKay. Nieuwenhof and Tagawa (if available) likely short of match fitness. I'd also be cautious and utilise Baningime from the bench if we can. Ideally we'd do the same with Boyce, but we aren't awash with other options and if St Johnstone are going to be defending deep it might be a good time to use him and Shankland together. Hopefully Forrest is nowhere near these by the end of August. Given Nieuwenhof started on Sunday I think he'll be in the team. Get what you are saying about Tagawa, guess that depends on how he looks immediately in training. Be surprised if Forrest starts ahead of Grant but he did play well at Perth back in December. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoingThe42 Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Not really sure what I think of Hearts just now. I'd fancy an away win for sure if Halkett and Baningime were back up to speed and in the side, but that's still a bit away. Hearts are flimsy without those two, as has shown for pretty much a year now. I'd fancy maybe a narrow Hearts win. For all their struggles, St Johnstone are four games in and will surely see a reaction to the League Cup, so they should improve on last week. Hearts are away from home and still a bit weak down the spine, but you need to be aiming to beat a team just cuffed 4-0 by Stirling Albion. Won't be easy though. Big game for Hearts. It's a favourable early run on paper, and three points here sets it up nicely. 2-1 Saints then. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widge Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Another game in Max and Ferguson maybe isn’t the worst thing, get Saturday out their system and give them another focus. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stylish Kid Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 2 hours ago, DC92 said: Clark Atkinson Kent Rowles Kingsley Oda Haring Devlin Forrest Shankland Boyce No Cochrane and probably no McKay. Nieuwenhof and Tagawa (if available) likely short of match fitness. I'd also be cautious and utilise Baningime from the bench if we can. Ideally we'd do the same with Boyce, but we aren't awash with other options and if St Johnstone are going to be defending deep it might be a good time to use him and Shankland together. Hopefully Forrest is nowhere near these by the end of August. This feels most likely. That said you could easily switch any of Sibbick/Kent, Cochrane/Kingsley, Forrest/McKay 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC92 Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 26 minutes ago, Stylish Kid said: This feels most likely. That said you could easily switch any of Sibbick/Kent, Cochrane/Kingsley, Forrest/McKay McKay and Cochrane are definitely better than Forrest and Kingsley imo, but one hasn't featured in pre-season due to injury and the other is suspended. No idea about Kent, but hopefully he proves he and Sibbick are not interchangeable. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentino Bolognese Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Hearts shook off the Curse Of McDairmid last season and the spell is broken. It holds no more power. Also, we're absolutely rank. Still, it's football after all. St Johnstone 1 - 0 Hearts (Doak, 93) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewh Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 As long as we don’t field the three weakest midfielders in the league all at the same time like we did v Hearts at home last season. Went 2 down, made a change, got back to 2-2 and lost 3-2. Manager said he didn’t understand why we started so badly, despite it being his selection that handed the initiative to Hearts in the first half hour. Still raging 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendricks Posted August 2, 2023 Share Posted August 2, 2023 5 hours ago, Stylish Kid said: This feels most likely. That said you could easily switch any of Sibbick/Kent, Cochrane/Kingsley, Forrest/McKay Cochrane is suspended so that ain't a possibility! McKay is also not likely to be available until Dundee away. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aylo vanal Posted August 2, 2023 Share Posted August 2, 2023 Having watched Hearts in pre season at Dunfermline and v Leeds I'm still none the wiser how Naismith wants to play apart from the fb tucking into midfield in possession. We haven't looked like creating a great deal in those games either. I predict a sluggish start and a shite 1-1 draw. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorgie greatness Posted August 2, 2023 Share Posted August 2, 2023 On 01/08/2023 at 08:44, shibbydoo said: Huge win for Hearts. I've put the largest bet I've ever staked in a Hearts win. If Saints are going down then I'm taking the money from the misery. When will you learn…..it’s hearts dafty 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree house tam Posted August 2, 2023 Share Posted August 2, 2023 Saints have half a team with a few youngsters(who are nowhere ready)thrown in. Hearts fans have no idea how bad it really is atm. You'll soon find out this weekend though and put every penny you have on a Hearts win. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insert Amusing Pseudonym Posted August 2, 2023 Share Posted August 2, 2023 2 hours ago, tree house tam said: Saints have half a team with a few youngsters(who are nowhere ready)thrown in. Hearts fans have no idea how bad it really is atm. You'll soon find out this weekend though and put every penny you have on a Hearts win. We should win clearly, but we've lost to far worse in recent memory 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thenorthernlight Posted August 2, 2023 Share Posted August 2, 2023 An easy Hearts win 2-0. Saints look relegation material to me, play-offs spot at best 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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