The next two games offer us a real chance to push on with our challenge for the top six - or at least ensure we won't spend another season battling relegation. A game against Hearts is never easy but we have to take something from it, while we have to be looking to win our next game against Dunfermline. Wins - or even four points - from those two matches would have us in great shape ahead of a tricky trip to Parkhead.
Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves though. For now, the focus has to be on tomorrow's game against Hearts. We have done quite well against them since we were promoted in 2006, only suffering two home defeats. However, under Danny Lennon our form against them has dipped and we have now notched up four successive defeats with just two goals to show for our efforts. Even more frustratingly, those came in a game in March when we led twice at Tynecastle but still managed to lose. We have to make amends for that tomorrow.
I'll come on to the fun and games off the park at Tynecastle this week a little later. However, how often have we seen a side - not just in Scotland - suffer a difficult week for non-footballing reasons and then put in a stunning performance as they try to put their troubles behind them. It would not be a huge surprise if the Jambos did that tomorrow, so while I've been having a wee giggle at their problems, they've also been causing me some concern.
Last week ended on a positive note for ourselves when we took a fine win over St Johnstone. We had a different system and seemed to be a bit more direct - the winner coming from a knock down - so hopefully that will continue tomorrow. I have nothing against passing football but, as I have said, there is a time and a place for that. We are far too predictable at times, we need to be willing to mix things up from time to time and fire the odd ball into the box. Last week showed it can make a difference.
We had Kenny McLean to thank for last week’s win and the youngster could have had a hat-trick on another day as he proved to be our main goal threat. Arguably, the teenager could have had no complaints if he was dropped, but Lennon kept faith in him and was rewarded. He'll unquestionably have taken a confidence boost from McDiarmid Park and it would be great to think it will see him bag a few more goals in the next few weeks, or at least turn in some dazzling displays. It was at Tynecastle last year that he made his first Saints start, so hopefully he'll continue his good form with his first home goal tomorrow.
Last week also saw Steven Thomson and Gary Teale dropped to the bench and neither can really complain if they are still on the bench tomorrow. The pair have been poor recently - Thomson often first to be subbed when we need to mix things up - and perhaps need some down time to recharge the batteries and realise they can't take their places for granted. Graham Carey and Jon McShane were the duo who came in for them last week - the latter making his first SPL start - so should keep their places, although McShane may be injured going by his Twitter posts. Carey hasn't really set the heather alight since his return, although he hasn't had a chance. He scored a screamer of a free-kick against Hearts last year so another one of them would be fine. On the injury front we're still without Hugh Murray, Aaron Mooy and Darren McGregor.
By Hearts' standards, last year was pretty sane. There were no managerial changes and the fact they took third is surely no coincidence. However, they have more than made up for that in the last seven days - and when you consider they changed managers after two games,bringing in Paolo Sergio, and caused controversy with their treatment of convicted sex pest (copyright every Scottish tabloid) Craig Thomson, that's some going. Players being sent off and then banned, wages going unpaid (again), winding up orders at court (again) and players being told they can leave for a decent sum to reduce said unpaid wage bill. The latter one seems strange - most clubs would sell a player if they got a decent offer. Despite all their problems, they'll be up for this one tomorrow in a bid to show there isn't really a crisis.
Appointing Sergio was a bit of a coup for Hearts, given he'd done a reasonable job at Sporting Lisbon. However, the time of appointing him was stupid as he was left with the squad that Jim Jefferies built before he got the boot. Some of his summer signings, like Jamie Hamill and Danny Grainger (suspended tomorrow), have been a key part of the Hearts side, but the same can't be said for former Saint John Sutton. Despite scoring loads for Motherwell last year and starting off in decent form, Sutton has been benched for most of Sergio's time in charge. It's a bizarre move as Hearts could really do with a prolific striker leading the attack. If Hearts still don't want Sutton in January I'd be more than happy to welcome him back to Paisley.
It's another Jefferies signing that has been doing the business in the goal stakes for Hearts this season. Ryan Stevenson - who we tried to sign before he chose the Jambos - has started the season well and looks like fulfilling the promise that saw him signed by Chelsea as a youngster. However, he's probably still got a fair way to go before he has more goals than tattoos! Rudi Skacel - who scored a hat-trick against us last season - has also chipped in with a few goals and, along with David Templeton, poses a threat from midfield.
Another Hearts midfielder seems to like kicking folk, but we don't need to worry about Ian Black tomorrow as he got sent off last week - for kicking someone. Still, it'll be pretty hard to break down Hearts tomorrow, especially if we continue with the passing nonsense. Arvydas Novikovas can do the holding role, Alan Webster and Marius Zaliukas are no nonsense centre halfs and whichever of Jamie MacDonald and Marian Kello Vlad decides can get a game will do a fine job in goals.
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