15th February 2020 Hearts v Hamilton 2-2

This is possibly the most important match of the season for Hearts. The mid-week defeat by Celtic left Hearts one point behind Hamilton at the foot of the table and a win today is essential to all them to move up the league. Next Friday Hearts are away to third from bottom St. Mirren and again a victory is essential to allay relegation fears. I had been out all morning helping at a rubbish clearance but got home around 12.00. Had lunch and then left home to go for a walk around 13.30. I walked along the canal towpath and then back towards Tynecastle arriving around 14.15 just as the rain began to get heavy. I looked in on my Groundhopper app to find that today was my 1700th Hearts match. After going through the turnstiles I headed to get a coffee to warm me up before taking my seat in the main stand. Eric arrived shortly after and we had a chat before the match started. We have differing opinions on the merits of Sean Clare as I think he is a good player while Eric remains to be convinced. 

Following the defeat at Parkhead Daniel Stendel finally made a change in goal. Manchester United loanee, Joel Pereira, is an excellent modern 'sweeper keeper' who is good with the ball at his feet and will rush from his goal at every opportunity to clear danger. Unfortunately he is not a great shot-stopper and has lost several 'dodgy' goals recently. He was replaced today by "Bobby" Zlamal. Zlamal started the season as first choice keeper but is not as good with hs feet as Pereira however he is better at making saves. He is also prone to  'hairy' moments and it will be interesting to see the effect of the change. Aaron Hickey made his comeback after injury and Uche Ikpeazu returned up front as Hearts went with a 3-5-2 starting formation. Michael Smith, John Souttar and Craig Halkett started as a back three with Clare and Hickey as wing-backs. Hamilton who are generally fighting, successfully, against relegation from the SPL field a number of loanees in a side missing an number of experienced players. 

Hearts started on the front foot with Hickey combining well with Jamie Walker on the left before Hamilton went ahead in their first attack. Scott Martin found space in behind the Hearts defence on the left and sent the ball low across goal. The ball came to Marios Ogkmpoe about twelve yards out having come from a suspiciously offside position and the striker shot low past Zlamal. Things got wore after sixteen minutes when John Souttar failed to deal with a pass from Zlalmal. The ball was fed back into the Hearts penalty area and Clare fouled Ogkmpoe before he could get a shot away. Ogkmpoe took the kick himself and slotted the ball to Zlamal’s left as the keeper dived to the right. The turning point of the match came after twenty-one minutes. Liam Boyce chased a long through ball from Craig Halkett and Jamie Hamilton used his hand as he attempted to clear the ball in the swirling wind. Hearts were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty box and Hamilton was showing a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. I felt the red card was a harsh decision given Hamilton was in front of Boyce when the offence occurred. Andy Irving’s attempt from the free-kick flew over the bar but Hearts now had a lifeline. Hearts switched to a 4-4-2 line-up with Smith moving to right-back and Clare into midfield in an effort to breach the Hamilton defence. They dominated the remainder of the half but other than a shot over the bar by the falling Ikpeazu after Luke Southwood in the Hamilton goal had save his initial header from a Hickey cross they did not create many chances. Clare did have an opportunity just before half-time when he ran onto a long through ball but was fouled just outside the penalty area. The referee played advantage and Walker had a shot blocked before Ikpeazu’s follow-up attempt was deflected away for a corner. 

Hearts brought on recent signing Donis Avdijaj for Ikpeazu at halftime in an effort to get back into the match and pulled a goal back three minutes into the second half. Hickey broke down the left from his own half and was fouled as he cut inside and passed to Steven Naismith, twenty-five yards from goal. The referee allowed play to continue and Naismith knock the ball forward for Walker. From about fifteen yards he shot low past Southwood. The weather was now getting worse and even eighteen rows up in the main stand the rain was blown in with the gusting wind. Hamilton were defending well now although Avdijaj just failed to connect with a ball across goal from Walker as he slid in at the far post. Walker was Hearts danger man and Southwood did well to keep out his attempt from a Smith cross before Boyce headed the rebound over the bar. Hearts finally drew level wth three minutes to go when Halkett, now playing upfront, headed home substitute Conor Washington’s cross from about ten yards. Hearts were now pressing for a winner but despite three minutes of injury time being added they were unable to create another clear chance before the final whistle blew. 

As I walked home in the rain which was now a persistent drizzle I did not really know what to think about today's match. At halftime I would have been happy to take a draw but the draw still leaves Hearts at the foot of the table. I think the new manager has certainly improved the style of football with the side now set up to go out and win a game rather than pack the defence and hang on for a draw or a victory with a snatched goal. However the defence, which was previously the strongest part of the side, seems to have fallen to pieces particularly in the central defence. Souttar and Halkett would have been rated among the top centre-halves in Scotland at the start of the season but they are now playing as if they are unsure of their roles. Souttar, since he came back from his latest injury, seems to have lost the passing ability he was previously renowned for while Halkett looks more comfortable as an emergency striker than a defender. I think they are both uncomfortable playing in higher line and need to understand when to go forward and when to remain in a defensive position. The change of style means more responsibilities on defenders to react quickly and I think that there is a requirement for the central defenders to fully understand what is expected of them. I am also uncertain as to the merits of the signings in the transfer window. Boyce started well but to me looks to be carrying an injury while Toby Sibbick has only played two games before contracting a mysterious illness. Marcel Langer had not played first team football before joining Hearts and while he looked competent in the two games I have seen him play he was sent off against Celtic in midweek. Today was the first time I had seen Avdijaj in action.The conditions were not conducive for good football but I cannot say I was too impressed with his performance. Despite my concerns I do believe that Stendel is the answer especially when you consider the younger players he has now brought into the squad like Hickey, Irving, Lewis Moore and Euan Henderson. With players like Harry Cochrane, Connor Smith and Anthony McDonald also available the future looks bright. By the time I got home around 17.10 I was feeling a bit more positive and think Hearts will still avoid relegation but it may be a struggle.

Teams

Hearts: Zlamal, Clare, Hickey, Souttar, Smith, Halkett, Walker, Irving, Ikpeazu, Boyce, Naismith.

Subs: Avdijaj, Washington, Garuccio.

Hamilton: Southwood, McGowan, Want, Hamilton, McMann, Gogic, Collar, Hunt, Martin, Moyo, Ogkmpoe.

Subs: Alston, Templeton, Davies.