Match Thread (Scottish Cup) Hearts V Aberdeen (1 - 0)

[northernlights]

Disappointing result that had looked almost inevitable after our poor start.

 

We were not sharp enough in the opening exchanges and seemed bereft of a clear attacking strategy. Willie Miller talked about the need for 'progressive' passing football from us but too often we passed back and regressed to a speculative long-ball game. Our defending improved as the game went-on and I thought Logan, Reynolds and particularly Taylor all did well.

 

In McGinn, McLean, Hayes and Shinnie we have four very good play-makers but they did not combine effectively. Losing Flood was unfortunate. Our shortcomings were exposed tonight as our lone Striker isn't an effective target man. When our best passing players don't perform we lack potency.

 

Our one tactical substitution didn't change the game for us. Hearts as an improving side were physically and tactically superior tonight. They were more determined and performed better generally than we did.

 

We must surely look more eager in these games to assert our style of play and to have a decisive alternative if it fails. We are lacking genuine options outwith a formidable yet rigid line-up.

 

Had we performed at our best we would have taken something from the game though and we must demand more than we have seen in our recent cup-campaigns.

 

In terms of personnel it is obvious where we could improve. Fresh impetus would be welcome and offset our current stagnation.

 

COYR!

[Geoff_Tipps]

I don't mind getting beat. But to get beat without fighting?!?

 

Not good.

[rossafc92]

It seems that as the quality of the squad goes up, what McInnes can actually get out of them goes down. A worrying trend.

 

That 90 mins should put the Ryan Jack argument from throughout the week to bed. Missed him badly.

[The Lighthouse]

It seems that as the quality of the squad goes up, what McInnes can actually get out of them goes down. A worrying trend.

 

That 90 mins should put the Ryan Jack argument from throughout the week to bed. Missed him more than the McCanns miss Maddie.

No need for that comment - fuck off.

[Guest milne_afc]

If you're upset, have some red wine - like me.

[Reed or deed]

Disappointing result that had looked almost inevitable after our poor start.

 

We were not sharp enough in the opening exchanges and seemed bereft of a clear attacking strategy. Willie Miller talked about the need for 'progressive' passing football from us but too often we passed back and regressed to a speculative long-ball game. Our defending improved as the game went-on and I thought Logan, Reynolds and particularly Taylor all did well.

 

In McGinn, McLean, Hayes and Shinnie we have four very good play-makers but they did not combine effectively. Losing Flood was unfortunate. Our shortcomings were exposed tonight as our lone Striker isn't an effective target man. When our best passing players don't perform we lack potency.

 

Our one tactical substitution didn't change the game for us. Hearts as an improving side were physically and tactically superior tonight. They were more determined and performed better generally than we did.

 

We must surely look more eager in these games to assert our style of play and to have a decisive alternative if it fails. We are lacking genuine options outwith a formidable yet rigid line-up.

 

Had we performed at our best we would have taken something from the game though and we must demand more than we have seen in our recent cup-campaigns.

 

In terms of personnel it is obvious where we could improve. Fresh impetus would be welcome and offset our current stagnation.

 

COYR!

Good post there.

I think you are over complimentary though.

Half our players couldn't make a simple pass tonight and no one showed the desire that was so badly lacking.

[Ke1t]

Entire team was shocking. Rooney may as well not have been on the field, the Jambo defence made him their bitch today.

 

We were getting fuck all through open play, so that game was screaming for Goodwillie to maximise what few chances for a set piece we had.

 

Jesus, but Rooney looked lightweight.

[Stoneybloke]

A repeating pattern of play seems to be emerging - we bring the ball out of defence, string a few passes together, mostly across the field, get past midfield, it comes to halt, gets passed back to Ash Taylor, he boots it up the field, the opposition pick it up, they attack again.

 

Anyone else recognise it? Not exactly brilliant, is it?

[DelMonte]

Entire team was shocking. Rooney may as well not have been on the field, the Jambo defence made him their bitch today.

 

We were getting fuck all through open play, so that game was screaming for Goodwillie to maximise what few chances for a set piece we had.

 

Jesus, but Rooney looked lightweight.

He's been absolutely pish all season but people on here point to his goal tally. He scores penalties. We need another striker desperately but people will still say we are okay cause we have Rooney.

[Reed or deed]

Entire team was shocking. Rooney may as well not have been on the field, the Jambo defence made him their bitch today.

We were getting fuck all through open play, so that game was screaming for Goodwillie to maximise what few chances for a set piece we had.

Jesus, but Rooney looked lightweight.

That game was screaming out for Considine to maximise what chance we had.

Oh wait.......

[Reed or deed]

He's been absolutely pish all season but people on here point to his goal tally. He scores penalties. We need another striker desperately but people will still say we are okay cause we have Rooney.

We possibly do need another decent striker for a plan b.

However a functioning midfield would be useful as well ..

[The Lighthouse]

Entire team was shocking. Rooney may as well not have been on the field, the Jambo defence made him their bitch today.

 

We were getting fuck all through open play, so that game was screaming for Goodwillie to maximise what few chances for a set piece we had.

 

Jesus, but Rooney looked lightweight.

What the fuck is wrong with you? Jeezo to keep going on AND ON about about our possible front formations...???

 

Do you really think that was where are weakness was truly exposed?

 

Get a fucking grip. We lost because we had no midfield, no presence in defence and piss poor decision making throughout the team. But to try and focus on our front players... fuck me I give up.

[newcastlered]

One problem is there's never anyone near Rooney if he wins a flick on. That said he's not actually that good but scores goals more often than not.

[Reed or deed]

Sack the board.........

[fifered]

What the fuck is wrong with you? Jeezo to keep going on AND ON about about our possible front formations...???

 

Do you really think that was where are weakness was truly exposed?

 

Get a fucking grip. We lost because we had no midfield, no presence in defence and piss poor decision making throughout the team. But to try and focus on our front players... fuck me I give up.

youre having a melt down everytime someone mentions rooney.

 

thats three different people youve jumped on and you've got the wrong end of the stick at least twice. nobody is saying tonight was all rooney's fault but he was fucking stinking the whole game. he was completely anonymous. yes the problems were far greater than him but he was also part of the problem.

[Tommy]

Another let down for the fans.

Gutted, a question has to be asked of players

and management.

Do you give a fuck?

[mutant]

Reynolds lost every single header he went for , horrendous performance from one of the most experienced players , and another by Considine , he looked hungover . Awfull from both .

This season was out chance to really challenge for both the leauge and the cups , next season we will not have a keeper like Danny Ward and that is very worrying . The return of Rangers and Hibs will make the league even harder .

We have to strengthen , the midfield were second to every ball , slow and lacking ideas .

Rooney up top on his own with no pace and not really a great footballing ability ( apart from what he does best in the box ) dose not work against physical teams.

Now with flood and Jack injured and McInnes not willing to use Robson we have to take in a central midfielder , and we need another option up top cos Goodwillie is no goal threat at all and constantly gives away possession .

[Dusk( 2 Stars )Don]

just took a cobra beer out the fridge opened it ....nice still fucked off ...aaahhhhhhhhhhhh

[Dusk( 2 Stars )Don]

Entire team was shocking. Rooney may as well not have been on the field, the Jambo defence made him their bitch today.

 

We were getting fuck all through open play, so that game was screaming for Goodwillie to maximise what few chances for a set piece we had.

 

Jesus, but Rooney looked lightweight.

You watched Ash v Evil

[newcastlered]

Reynolds lost every single header he went for , horrendous performance from one of the most experienced players , and another by Considine , he looked hungover . Awfull from both .

This season was out chance to really challenge for both the leauge and the cups , next season we will not have a keeper like Danny Ward and that is very worrying . The return of Rangers and Hibs will make the league even harder .

We have to strengthen , the midfield were second to every ball , slow and lacking ideas .

Rooney up top on his own with no pace and not really a great footballing ability ( apart from what he does best in the box ) dose not work against physical teams.

Now with flood and Jack injured and McInnes not willing to use Robson we have to take in a central midfielder , and we need another option up top cos Goodwillie is no goal threat at all and constantly gives away possession .

 

Robson is 37 and his legs have completely gone. More likely to get sent off then contribute positively. No idea why he's still here but it's not to play. Would like to see what Storie or Smith can do from the start because we're so stagnant at the minute.

[RUL]

I can't believe someone thought goodwille made a difference... Atrocious. Whole team was shire

[Reed or deed]

Reynolds lost every single header he went for , horrendous performance from one of the most experienced players , and another by Considine , he looked hungover . Awfull from both .

This season was out chance to really challenge for both the leauge and the cups , next season we will not have a keeper like Danny Ward and that is very worrying . The return of Rangers and Hibs will make the league even harder .

We have to strengthen , the midfield were second to every ball , slow and lacking ideas .

Rooney up top on his own with no pace and not really a great footballing ability ( apart from what he does best in the box ) dose not work against physical teams.

Now with flood and Jack injured and McInnes not willing to use Robson we have to take in a central midfielder , and we need another option up top cos Goodwillie is no goal threat at all and constantly gives away possession .

Ward made a few defence splitting passes today, start him CM next week

I'd go with Poodlers suggestion. Can't be any worse than Mcinnes.

[The Lighthouse]

Ok fair enough I`m pissed off and half cut so not as reasonable as I would normally be... but to even try and apportion blame on our front players (whether Rooney or anyone else) is baffling to me.

 

Any successful team is built from the back - funny enough SAF also saw that - and we were diabolical from defence through midfield today. Rooney (or Goodie) didn`t have any opportunity to fuck up really. It was all about how pish we were further back.

[mutant]

 

Robson is 37 and his legs have completely gone. More likely to get sent off then contribute positively. No idea why he's still here but it's not to play. Would like to see what Storie or Smith can do from the start because we're so stagnant at the minute.

That's what I'm saying , waste of a wage and he can't be having that great an influence on the squad of the alky rumours are true . Release and use the wage elsewhere.

[Dusk( 2 Stars )Don]

Any way close the doors shut up shop put the out lights out .......you cant put northern lights OUT

[the sheep]

^{Not going to get involved in the Rooney debate other than to say that's the same performance I see from him week in week out other than he normally saves his own performance and us by scoring the all important goal. Rooney as the loan striker is not the answer if we are looking to compete.}

 

^{However, tonight's game was lost in midfield and a poor performance by Reynolds and Considine at the back.}

 

^{Willo Flood has a hamstring injury so looks as if he will be out for a while. With Ryan out surely Milne must allow funds that would have been available for next season to be spent on bring in the midfielder we require.}

[barassie_afc]

Have given up with mclean huge error of judgement from mcinnes , hopeless offers nothing

[The Lighthouse]

One problem is there's never anyone near Rooney if he wins a flick on. That said he's not actually that good but scores goals more often than not.

Aye - good point and well made. Fuck me.

[The Oxford Don]

Have we ever been knocked out of both cups without scoring a goal?

 

Serious question.

[The Lighthouse]

^{Not going to get involved in the Rooney debate other than to say that's the same performance I see from him week in week out other than he normally saves his own performance and us by scoring the all important goal. Rooney as the loan striker is not the answer if we are looking to compete.}

 

^{However, tonight's game was lost in midfield and a poor performance by Reynolds and Considine at the back.}

 

^{Willo Flood has a hamstring injury so looks as if he will be out for a while. With Ryan out surely Milne must allow funds that would have been available for next season to be spent on bring in the midfielder we require.}

At last - someone who recognises where and why we lost the game.

 

FFS - I thought I was living in a fucking twilight zone.