underboyleheating Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 A really tough match, Hearts are a big, strong side and we will need to match our Celtic Park performance to get anything from this game. I’m going for an optimistic 1-1 draw. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_P Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 I'm wondering, unless there is movement before Saturday, if it might be Lionel who would be the replacement for Grimshaw. Not that it was as a direct result of his involvement but we came from behind at Parkhead and won when Lionel replaced Grimshaw. There's an obvious concern going there with two wingers but we've also had decent recent results away from home at Pittodrie where we had both Johnson and Ainsworth on the wings and then the following Saturday at Killie (albeit it was a shit-fest smash and grab). It places quite a responsibility on both to track back and cover but it's not beyond either to do so when sufficiently cajoled/motivated. The central midfield switch is the most interesting decision for McGhee to make. We've heard him say how his focus since he came in has been about creating and taking chances. Now you obviously need a defensive platform to be able to go on the offensive without the worry that you're going to be ripped on the break every time but we've managed to find the net at least twice in each of our last six games, I would hope the decision McGhee makes is who is going to best allow us to continue to create those chances. When you've two bang on form strikers and a winger who is also beginning amongst the goals it would seem sensible to that you try to ensure you'll be involving them in as much of the game as possible rather than thinking about going there and trying do the backs-to-the-wall thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postiejim Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Motherwell win . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kmcalpin Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 We've got to stick with as much of the same formula as possible, since it's worked well recently. Keep our form players (Moult, McDonald, Johnson, Hall, Pearson) where they are, and make personnel changes to fill the gaps, rather than changing the whole team around. Any two from Laing, Leitch, Cadden (in that order) to replace Lasley and Grimshaw will do just fine. Craig Reid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burn_Broomfield Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Hearts are the most physical side in the league, but aren't a great footballing team, which is something I think we could exploit. With Grimshaw gone, I'm sure Neilsen will be relishing playing Nicholson on the left, which I'm sure McGhee already expects. I would, however, be happy to come away from Tynecastle with a point and extend our unbeaten run given our shortcomings in midfield for this match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelboy Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 I'll be surprised if Lionel doesn't start. He seems to have accepted the role McGhee has given him and knuckled down so it would be a bit of a slap in the face if Cadden or Reid got the nod in front of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelvinBragg Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Don't know why, but have a funny feeling we'll see Watt at right back, Law at right midfield and Laing replacing Lasley... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeyin Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 If Hearts play the same pressing game they played against Aberdeen, they are ripe for being picked off by our speed merchants. Would still be delighted with a point, though, given the personnel issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malky79 Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Ainsworth to come in surely seems a given, who anchors the midfield with Peason is a massive dilemma. I don't think there is anyone we'd have any strong feeling for, Leitch at a push seems the most likely fit but slightly out in the cold. McGhee did use Laing in midfield once before but hasn't been quick to repeat that experiment. I'd be prone to giving Leitch the nod rather than trying a square peg in a round hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daver Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Was Laing not used in addition to the midfield pairing. I could only see him playing if Ainsworth doesn't and we put in someone else like Leitch or Cadden who might be able to help with the ddefensive side more than Ainsworth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capt_oats Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Laing played as holding midfielder for the u20s during the week by the look of the highlights the club posted on YouTube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kmcalpin Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Ainsworth to come in surely seems a given, who anchors the midfield with Peason is a massive dilemma. I don't think there is anyone we'd have any strong feeling for, Leitch at a push seems the most likely fit but slightly out in the cold. McGhee did use Laing in midfield once before but hasn't been quick to repeat that experiment. I'd be prone to giving Leitch the nod rather than trying a square peg in a round hole. Given Mark McGhee's comments and team selections so far, I'd be very surprised if Jack Leitch started. I reckon he's the most unlikely of the the 4 options we seem to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capt_oats Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Just watched McGhee's press conference, sounds almost nailed on that Ainsworth will start on Saturday in place of Grimshaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ankles Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Laing gives me the fear. Get Ainsworth on and rip this mob on the counter attack while they surround the ref greetin about every decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeyin Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 For a one off, if we are looking for some hard men in the midfield, we have guys like Kennedy, Laing and even Fletcher who might be OK in there. I'm not sure this is the game for 2 wide men even if we had Pearson and Las available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faddythedaddy Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Fletcher???? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yassin Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Let's just put all our tall players in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Wispy Flossy Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Fuck it - play Alan Mcdonald in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeyin Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Fletcher???? He wouldn't be my first choice, but he might fare better than a lightweight Leitch in that role. And he's as much a midfielder as Laing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Pearo as holding midfielder and Clarky as a "number 10"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelboy Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Big Samson could maybe do a job in the middle of the park. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The African Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 As we look like fielding a makeshift midfield, I'd be happy to take anything from this fixture and keep the unbeaten run going. For once, in a three points for a win league, a draw would be a decent result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigWeegieDosser Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 2 interpretations of McGhee bumming up Ainsworth today - he's actually going to give him a start to see if he can operate defensively too Or - someone's sniffing round and he's trying to talk up his fee Think it's called managing, whatever next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faddythedaddy Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 He wouldn't be my first choice, but he might fare better than a lightweight Leitch in that role. And he's as much a midfielder as Laing. I take it you've not seen much of him then? It's ok to admit it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelvinBragg Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 2 interpretations of McGhee bumming up Ainsworth today - he's actually going to give him a start to see if he can operate defensively too Or - someone's sniffing round and he's trying to talk up his fee Think it's called managing, whatever next? Or he's trying to make Neilson think he's going to start Ainsworth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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