Mike Smith

SPL, Saturday 25 October 2008 - Tynecastle

Billed as: The battle of the 'third forces' with both Hearts and Aberdeen looking to improve on non-too convincing starts to the season.

Reality: Driving rain and gale force winds contrived to make it a difficult afternoon for both sides although Hearts should have had a penalty at the end - only for referee Steve Conroy to change his mind.

The good: The ten minute appearance of Cesnauskis who came on as a late substitute. Welcome back Chesny!

The bad: Another questionable performance by a Scottish referee. When will it all end?

Reaction: Another two points dropped by Hearts who seem to have lost the art of winning games. Having said that, it's Celtic next up at Tynecastle next Sunday. I wouldn't say no to a point there.

Hearts: Balogh, Jonsson, Berra, Zaliukas, Lee Wallace, Mikoliunas (Cesnauskis 79), Aguiar (Ksanavicius 86), Stewart, Karipidis, Palazuelos, Nade (Mole 76).

Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Makela, Thomson, Rapnik.

Booked: Mikoliunas.

Goals: Lee Wallace 21.

Att: 14,265

Ref: Steve Conroy

Top man: Bruno Aguiar

SPL, Sunday 19 October 2008 - Leith Maracana

Billed as: The first Edinburgh derby of the season (copyright all newspapers) with Hibs looking to continue a fine recent run - and Hearts looking to end a dismal spell.

Reality: One of the best derbies of recent times. End to end football, chances galore, controversial refereeing decisions - and the spoils shared at the end of the day. Fletcher gave the wee team an early lead before Aguiar equalised before the break.

The good: Having Bruno Aguiar back is like signing a new player. The Portugese was at the heart of everything Hearts did and his goal from a free-kick just before half-time was superb.

The bad: Defensively, Hearts yet again looked shambolic. Lee Wallace let Fletcher get in front of him for Hibs goal in the second minute and looked uncomfortable throughout.

Reaction: A good point for Hearts and honours even at the end of the game was about right. Christian Nade had a goal disallowed in the second half for an alleged foul on Hibs goalkeeper while Derek Riordan should have had a penalty in the first half. But a draw was fair enough. At least Hearts showed more passion in the east end of Edinburgh than they did against Kilmarnock a fortnight ago.

They said it: "At this moment I would like to ask the referee about his secret, why he didn't give the goal (when Nade was fouled)" - You and me both Csaba Laszlo. 

Hearts: Kello (Balogh 46), Jonsson, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Aguiar, Stewart, Karipidis, Driver, Kingston (Thomson 90), Nade (Mole 90). Subs Not Used: Palazuelos, Mikoliunas, Makela, Ksanavicius.

Booked: Berra, Aguiar.

Goals: Aguiar 42.

Att: 17,223

Ref: Eddie Smith 

Top Man: Bruno Aguiar - welcome back Bruno!

SPL, Saturday 4 October 2008 - Tynecastle

Billed as: Hearts out to maintain their 100% home record, hoping to make amends for last week's reversal at Dundee United. But up against a team they had not beaten for 18 months...

Reality: The early season optimism has evapourated as Hearts produced a woeful performance on a dreadful afternoon. Killie coped with difficult conditions far better than the hosts and were well worth their win.

The good: Hard pushed to think of anything positive from this afternoon.

The bad: The inability to string two passes together, the lack of fight, the abysmal finishing....I could go on.

Reaction: A return to the sometimes shocking performances of last season. Hearts seem to rely on Michael Stewart far too much - when he has an off day as he had today there is no one else to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Hearts also lack leadership - dare I say it but a Hearts side with Steven Pressley in it would never have surrendered as easily as they did today.

They said it: "It was not the best of games but sometimes you have to grind it out" Killie manager Jim Jefferies. I wonder what he thought of his former club today...

Hearts: Kello, Thomson, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Kingston, Stewart, Karipidis, Mikoliunas (Makela 88), Tullberg (Nade 63), Mole (Ksanavicius 55). Subs Not Used: Balogh, Palazuelos, Aguiar, Rapnik.

Booked: Mole.

Goal: Kingston 34.

Att: 13,189

Ref: Craig Thompson

Top Man: Larry Kingston - the best of a bad bunch

SPL, Saturday 27 September 2008 - Tannadice

Billed as: Third top Hearts facing a tricky trip to third bottom Dundee United at a ground where the JTs have struggled in recent years.

Reality: Another dismal away day for Hearts. United, by all accounts, fully deserved their victory with Hearts having Eggert Jonsson sent off towards the end of the game.

The good: The first sighting of Mike Tullberg - and the appearance of Bruno Aguiar on the substitutes bench.

The bad: Hearts have been okay defensively so far this season - until today.

Reaction: I had thought about going to Dundee for today's game as it looked quite an attractive fixture. But then I found out our old friend Dougie MacDonald was the referee. My first reaction was that either United would be awarded a controversial penalty kick or Hearts would have a player sent off. True to form Mr MacDonald...

They said it: "In the first half, we played good football for 20 minutes and then I have to appreciate a fantastic free-kick" Csaba Laszlo - 20 minutes ain't enough, Shabba...

Hearts: Kello, Karipidis, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Mikoliunas, Jonsson, Stewart (Palazuelos 68), Ksanavicius (Nade 53), Kingston, Mole (Tullberg 59).
Subs Not Used: Balogh, Aguiar, Thomson, Rapnik.

Sent Off: Jonsson (74). Booked: Stewart, Jonsson, Nade.

Att: 8,004

Ref: Dougie McDonald

Top Man: Marian Kello (according to the Hearts website)

SPL, Saturday 20 September 2008 - a hushed Tynecastle

Billed as: Hearts looking to maintain their 100% winning record in the SPL this season at Tynecastle and try to make up for last week's disappointment at Falkirk.

Reality: A strange game. Hearts huffed and puffed for much of the ninety minutes and it was as well Saulius Mikoliunas scored the only goal of the game early on as Hearts rarely looked like scoring thereafter.

The good: Tynecastle appears to becoming a 'fortress' again - three league wins in Gorgie on the bounce and Hearts are tonight second top of the SPL.

The bad: At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, the lack of a goalscoring threat continues to be a concern. Jamie Mole toiled today while Ksanavicius is just clueless. A measure of how bad things were was when we were actually willing Christian Nade to come on...

Reaction: A poor Hearts performance but there were still three points at the end of it. The team of last season would have struggled for a draw today.

They said it: "You can't win every game 5-0 or 4-0, it is the most precious game if you win 1-0 and tactically it was very good." Csaba Laszlo. Right then, Shabba...

Hearts: Kello, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Mikoliunas (Palazuelos 77), Stewart (Mrowiec 86), Kingston, Karipidis, Ksanavicius (Nade 59), Mole. Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Thomson, Rapnik, Glen.

Booked: Ksanavicius, Stewart, Zaliukas.

Goals: Mikoliunas 8.

Att: 12,890

Ref: Willie Collum

Top Man: Michael Stewart was yet again a power of strength but I thought Marian Kello was quite superb with a couple of wonderful saves.

SPL, Saturday 13 September 2008 - New Falkirk Stadium

Billed as: Hearts looking to build on their last outing, a victory at Hamilton a fortnight ago. Although their record at Falkirk is hardly anything to write home about...

Reality:...and so it proved again as The Bairns scored a last minute winner to snatch a 2-1 victory. It was written in the script that Neil McCann would score against his former club and although Michael Stewart scored a fine equaliser, Scott Arfield scored the winner with seconds to go.

The good: Hearts still try to play decent football but the continuing lack of a cutting edge upfront undoes much of their good work.

The bad: See above. We can only hope Mike Tullberg is the answer to our problems in the final third of the field. Whenever he is fit that is...

Reaction: A hugely disapponting but, ultimately, not unexpected result given our record at the New Falkirk Stadium. At one point this afternoon, with Rangers struggling at home to Kilmarnock, there was hope of Hearts beating Falkirk and going top of the league. But we all know what happens when you dare to dream...

They said it: "I felt Hearts were the better football side but in terms of effort and commitment, you have to commend my boys." Falkirk manager John 'Yogi' Hughes. But the better football side didn't win...

Hearts: Kello, Karipidis (Palazuelos 88), Berra, Lee Wallace, Mikoliunas (Ksanavicius 51), Kingston, Stewart, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Mole (Nade 51), Mrowiec.
Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Makela, Thomson, Rapnik.

Booked: Mikoliunas.

Goals: Stewart 71.

Att: 5,960

Ref: Steve Conroy

Top Man: Michael Stewart (again)

SPL, Saturday 30 August 2008 - New Douglas Park

Billed as: Hearts first ever competitive visit to New Douglas Park and hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of Wednesday night's cup defeat to Accies Lanarkshire neighbours Airdrie United.

Reality: With only one change to the team that played 120 minutes on Wednesday, Hearts secured a fine result against a team unbeaten on their own patch since April 2007.

The good: Andrew Driver's re-introduction to the team worked a treat and his efforts were rewarded with a goal that proved to be the winner.

The bad: The loss of a late goal was typical Hearts - we never do things the easy way.

Reaction: The influence of Csaba Laszlo is there for all to see - Hearts would not have won a game like this last season. Accies late goal put the pressure on but Hearts held firm and now sit second in the SPL.

They said it: "Our fans must understand that we have a very young squad without experience, but it was a fantastic afternoon for us." Csaba Laszlo.

Hearts: Kello, Karipidis, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Kingston (Palazuelos 90), Jonsson, Stewart, Driver, Mole (Nade 73), Obua (Ksanavicius 77).
Subs Not Used: Balogh, Mikoliunas, Cesnauskis, Thomson.

Goals: Zaliukas 18, Driver 59.

Att: 4,210

Ref: Craig Thomson

Top Man: Andrew Driver

Co-op Insurance Cup Second Round, Wednesday 27 August 2008 - deserted Tynecastle

Billed as: Hearts opening tie in what used to be called the League Cup in the good old days.

Reality: Hearts inability to score cost them dear as First Division Airdrie United - and they're only in that division because of Gretna's demise - knock Csaba Laszlo's side out of the cup after a goalless 120 minutes and a penalty shoot-out.

The good: For the first time this season there wasn't any.

The bad: Clueless when it comes to the final third of the field, Hearts could have played until midnight without scoring. Which they very nearly did...

Reaction: A bad night for Hearts who followed Hibs lead by losing at home to First Division opposition (the wee team lost to Morton on Tuesday) Kenny Black, former Hearts favourite and now Airdrie United manager must have felt on top of the world.

They said it: 'Easy, easy, easy!' the vociferous Airdrie fans who gave their team tremendous backing from start to finish.

Hearts: Kello, Karipidis, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Mikoliunas (Cesnauskis 73), Stewart, Jonsson, Obua, Kingston (Ksanavicius 70), Mole (Nade 93).
Subs Not Used: Palazuelos, MacDonald.

Booked: Jonsson, Stewart, Ksanavicius.

Att: 6,844

Ref: Eddie Smith

Top Man: Saulius Mikoliunas

SPL, Saturday 23 August 2008 - Tynecastle

Billed as: A chance for Hearts to get back on the rails following last week's defeat in Glasgow and take further steps to return Tynecastle to the 'fortress' it was just a few years ago.

Reality: Hearts huffed and puffed against a defensive St. Mirren team who retreated even more into their shell when they had Tonet sent off for two bookable offences midway through the first half. Plenty of neat passing from the home team but looking decidely short of ideas when arriving at the opposition penalty box.

The good: Csaba Laszlo is getting there in having his players pass the ball. Lots of passing and neat shapes but there really does need to be an end product.

The bad: The goalkeeping situation. Three games in and that's now three different goalkeepers. The latest one - Kello - didn't inspire much confidence in me although in fairness he didn't have too much to do. Can we have Jamie MacDonald reinstated please?

They said it: "We played good football, we didn't kick and run, but we must work on the finishing and learn to score. That is my only worry." Spot on as usual, Csaba 'Shabba' Laszlo.

Hearts: Kello, Thomson, Berra, Zaliukas, Lee Wallace (Cesnauskis 49), Driver, Stewart, Karipidis, Obua, Kingston (Ksanavicius 84), Mole (Nade 71). Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Palazuelos, Rapnik, Glen.

Booked: Lee Wallace, Nade.

Goals: Mole 45, Stewart 75 pen.

Att: 13,357

Ref: Calum Murray 

Top Man: Michael Stewart - he is in a rich vein of form right now 

SPL, Saturday 16 August 2008 - Ibronx....

Billed as: A revitalised Hearts heading west to face a Rangers team supposedly in crisis -with the end of August still a fortnight away.

Reality: Looks like the SFA directive to referees to help Rangers in their time of need has been heeded. Certainly by Stuart Dougal who booked Mikoliunas for diving then sent him off minutes later for a challenge - a similar challenge by Rangers Miller moments later escaped punishment. Towards the end, Hearts were denied a penalty when Andrew Driver's shot struck a Rangers hand in the penalty area.

The good: As at Tynecastle last week, Hearts played with plenty of spirit and worked hard. As long as the effort goes in, defeat can be easier to take.

The bad: One of the referee's ten commandments - Thou shalt not give a penalty against Rangers at Ibronx...

They said it: 'Papac did appear to have his hand across Mikoliunas when he went down'  - Chick Young - if even this renowned bluenose is saying that, well....

Reaction: By all accounts Rangers deserved their victory. For the second week in a row, a Lithuanian Hearts player is booked for diving. This week's caution is highly contentious although Stuart Dougal merely did what 48,000 Rangers fans instructed.

Hearts: MacDonald, Thomson, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Kingston (Mikoliunas 65), Stewart, Karipidis, Driver, Mole (Cesnauskis 75), Ksanavicius (Nade 50).
Subs Not Used: Kello, Palazuelos, Makela, Jonsson.

Sent Off: Mikoliunas (74). Booked: Kingston, Mikoliunas.

Att: 48,191

Ref: Stuart Dougal

Top Man: According to Hearts website, Maruius Zaliukas

SPL, Saturday 9 August 2008 - Tynecastle

Billed as: The opening day of the new season and an early opportunity for new manager Csaba Laszlo to make an impression - although the tools he had to work with were those which let his predecessor Stevie Frail down so badly last term.

Reality: The passion, hard work and commitment that was sadly lacking from Hearts play for much of last season is - on the evidence of today's pulsating opening day victory - back in abundance. Hearts won a thrilling game of football with pace, grit and, at times, no little skill. Csaba Laszlo has made the world of difference and while there is undoubtedly much work to be done - the defence, for example, looked shaky today - there was much to be encouraged about by today's performance.

The good: Determination is back - Hearts won fifty-fifty balls aplenty. And Laszlo clearly wants his team to play a passing game rather than launch the ball forward in hope rather than expectation.

The bad: The aforementioned defence - particularly central defence. Although young full backs Wallace and Thomson played well at times, Zaliukas was at fault for Motherwell's opener while Christophe Berra looked uncertain on occasion.

They said it: "You must be strong and you must have discipline. I think today there was not only a game from the fighting and the spirit, we played very good football some of the time." Csaba 'Shabba' Laszlo

Reaction: A fine start to the season for Hearts. Beforehand I doubted where the goals would come from but there was a determination today that hasn't been apparent for some time. The game was reminiscent of George Burley's first competitive game in charge, a 4-2 win over Kilmarnock three years ago. The current Hearts team may not be of the standard of Rudi Skacel and co.but there is last cause to be optimistic for we long-suffering Jambos.

Hearts: Banks, Karipidis, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Thomson, Kingston (Mikoliunas 77), Stewart, Driver (Cesnauskis 69), Ksanavicius (Makela 72), Mole. Subs: MacDonald, Nade, Jonsson, Matej Rapnik.

Booked: Stewart, Ksanavicius, Banks

Referee: Iain Brines.

Att: 14,256

Top Man: Mikey Stewart was immense today - possibly his finest hour and a half in a maroon shirt