davieB

If it stays like this we'll be just 1 point behind Aberdeen. Wonder if all the pundits will be creaming themselves over us doing so well like they have been over them??

Any links to the game?

I was at that 4-1 game at Tynecastle. Had no idea who Pinilla was, but mind thinking he was rubbish. Certainly has improved since, as he looked a decent player in the WC.

A variation on the nationalities thread... Watching the Chile/Australia game last night got me thinking of how many players who've played at a WC finals have played at TCS. Noticed Pinilla coming on for Chile but don't think he ever played here for Hearts, so to start us off.... Ryan McGowan (Hearts/Australia)

To be fair to Hughes I can see what he's trying to achieve...with a bit more 'education' I can see Draper being the natural successor to Xavi when he finally decides to hang up his boots.

I've stayed out of this til now but I personally think the board really have to cut their losses now. I never wanted Hughes in the first place, but was prepared to give him a chance. Since he's arrived we've taken a huge step backwards. The players obviously aren't buying into his 'philosophy', and don't seem to have a clue what he's wanting from them. We were already pretty much guaranteed top 6 when he arrived, and just had the worst team in the league to beat to get to our first cup final. What's disappointed me the most is our performance in that final. Aberdeen were there for the taking but we were so negative we could still be playing today and not have scored. There seems to be an attitude amongst some that we should be grateful for where we are. Sorry, I don't agree with that...we have a squad full of very decent players who are more than capable of achieving top 6 every year. Before Hughes came we had IMO one of the best central defensive units in the league, but now they look like Sunday park players making the most basic mistakes which teams are punishing us for. The likes of Warren and Meekings don't become bad players overnight so their dip in form has to be down to whatever the manager is instructing them to do. Similarly McKay was on fire before Hughes came...now he just looks shot of confidence. I'm all for watching great passing football, and there's nothing better than watching the likes of Barca, Bayern or Arsenal when they're on form. Trouble is we're ICT, and if we had players who were capable of playing in that way, the way Hughes likes, they'd be playing at a far higher level than they are now. I used to get excited about going to games, now it's hard to muster up the enthusiasm to even attend.

When it says 'in adavance' does that mean you can buy a discounted ticket at 2.30 on Sat? Or do you have to buy it before Sat.

Still can't think of the last time we scored direct from a FK. Anyone?

I certainly wouldn't criticise the tactics, we made Aberdeen look very ordinary I think. After initially being on top they simply ran out of ideas. What I think has changed though, and I'm not sure why, is we've sat in and invited teams onto us plenty of times over the years, but we've always used it is a tactic to counter attack at speed and, often, to great effect. Yesterday we only did the first part and seemed content to just hoof it up to Billy, who stood no chance as he was so isolated. There was one occasion in the second half when we did break up one of their attacks at the edge of our box and we did move the ball forward a bit quicker. Can't mind who had the ball but we had 3 players free on their left and just a decent quick ball out to any of those would've seen us with a 4 against 2 in a flash. Instead the ball got slowed up, passed 5 yards sideways and the chance was lost. There was so much space in the middle at times it just demanded someone to drive into it, but we never did. That's the part of our game that's disappeared. We were so slow coming forward we simply allowed Aberdeen time to reorganize. As disappointed as I am at losing I'm more disappointed in the fact we could've easily won that game if we'd just been a little bit braver.

Agree. But it was heart in mouth time when we conceded those free kicks on the edge of the area as you know the likes of Robson are normally very capable of punishing teams. When we get free kicks in dangerous areas it doesnt even raise any expectation levels in me.

When was the last time we scored direct from a free kick? I can't remember. The standard of our free kicks are awful...not just yesterday, but always. If we get a one around the edge of the area you just know there's two likely scenarios...it either hits the wall or ends up in row z. Obviously the players must practice them, and I'm sure they work well on the training ground, but how come they never work when it matters.

Draper was awful I thought. The number of times he misplaced passes was embarrassing.

The game was there for the taking, Aberdeen were clueless. Unfortunately, Billy was too isolated up front and we didn't get any support up with him. First half we stood off them to much, but second half was much better but we didn't create anything. To many misplaced passes, poor crosses...And when was the last time we took a decent free kick?? I thought Devine and Meekings were outstanding, and having seen the replay of the foul on Foran in the box we were cheated out of a penalty!!

I can't believe folk are finding any positives, or excuses for that today. These are professionals footballers and if they're that distracted by a cup final next week that it turns in tbat performance then they really shouldn't being paid by the club. That was quite simply shocking, the worst ICT performance I've ever seen. Hughes simply isn't up for the job. He hasn't a clue about tactics. Why didnt he shove Devine on when the game was lost? Or hook McKay and keep him fresh for next week? Sorry but my patience has run out.

10 goals conceded in 150 minutes. Totally embarrassing.

I fear for us next Sunday unfortunately.

Had enough of this already. Dire stuff.

He's improved hugely since his first spell here. Midfield is an area we have so many positive options now.

Highlight of the match was the comedy dive performed by whoever their player was (no 8??).

That was as good a performance I've seen from us in a long time. We were superb from back to front. It should've been even more than 3, we were that dominant. Hard to single anyone out but Foran was outstanding. It's no coincidence our poor run of results happened when he was out injured. Have to say that County were completely rank and never came close to scoring. Great night.

Well, nothing much to add really. I'm pretty much still up in the clouds after that!! Hard as it is to single out anyone, they were all brilliant but I must say that Watkins was outstanding imo. A real gem of a find and hopefully he'll be here for a good few years yet. Both sending's off were ridiculous. As Yogi said, if Josh's was a red then the Hearts boy that flew into Billy in the first few minutes was also a definite red. Oh, and why were some worried about Stevenson's availability?? Couldn't quite work out why anyone was bothered about him playing anyway, but I'm so glad they did what they could to get him available. It was his incompetence at the corner, when all they had to do was keep it there, that led to us getting back up the park and equalising. Nice one Ryan!

I seem to remember Thierry Gathuessi(?) never finishing a match for us. Did he not last just a few minutes at Tynecastle then never played again?

Thought he was ok today actually. Draper was mince though.

We were *****, County deserved their win. They pressed us all over the park, closed us down quickly, and we struggled to put two passes together. Really dreadful stuff.

Can't think of many games I've watched where I've been so convinced from the kick off we were going to win. It was more a question of by how many. All a bit sad to see how far Hearts have fallen to be honest, Tynecastle is my favourite away trip by far.