Hearts v St Mirren preview

Hearts v St Mirren preview

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At most clubs the position of goalkeeper tends to be the most settled. While there is often competition for the keepers jersey, a number one is established and those kept in reserve must wait for injury, suspension, or a lack of form, to get their chance. Not at Hearts.Since Craig Gordon was made , between the sticks has caused much debate amongst the Hearts support. Steve Banks has always been seen as a reliable pair of hands but the Gorgie faithful have had to put up with a certain element of rotation and some cringe worthy performances from the likes of Anthony Ba so and Eduardas Kurskis.After this seasons opening day win against Motherwell, Banks found himself to be the only change in the starting XI to face Rangers the following week. The arrival of Marian Kello from Kaunas meant, according to the club, that Banks was now to . Scotland under-21 goalkeeper Jamie McDonald made his debut in place of Banks at Ibrox but now the noises coming out of Tynecastle suggest that yet Kyrie Irving Jersey another goalkeeping change is to be made to the line up this week, with Kello set for a debut.The only chances I have had to see the Slovakian play was in his former clubs two-legged tie against Rangers in the Champions League qualifiers. He didnt have too much to do but made one or two good saves. One of note came towards the end of the 0-0 draw at Ibrox from a Kenny Miler shot. I hope the Hearts support gets behind him tomorrow and doesnt boo him just because of his Kaunas connection. If he is poor, then he is poor and we will soon find out but it would be unfair to criticise him before he has even touched the ball.Fellow new signing David Obua is fit and ready to make his debut. Whether he starts or not is unsure. Able to play left back, in midfield and behind the striker, if he is as good as Csaba Laszlo rates him to be then he should have no problem establishing himself as a first team regular. Lee Wallace has had a poor start to the season, while Ksanavicius has had his good performance for the season. An alternative option would be to drop Kingston, who has been at fault for two goals in as many weeks, move Driver to the Right of midfield and play Obua on the left. With our lack of a goal threat I would prefer him behind Mole in attack, although I admit I have never seen him play.Neilson, Beslija and Aguiar are all on the road to recovery but this match will come too soon for all of them. Most of these players have been out long-term and are probably still weeks away from first team action. Mike Tullberg, who signed last week and although not fully fit, may find himself on the bench.As for the visitors, their poor form towards the end of last season has continued into this campaign. They have now gone five matches without a win and have not scored in any of these. Their away form makes for even more worrying reading for their support as they have failed to win away from Love Street in eleven matches. Coincidentally their last away win was a victory at Tynecastle in December of last year, when Stephen McGinn scored the only goal of the game.The Paisley side will be buoyed by their impre sive record against Hearts, especially Andre Roberson Jersey at Tynecastle, since their promotion two years ago; managing two wins and a draw over this period.St Mirren welcome back defender Will Haining from suspension after his against Celtic on the opening weekend of the season. However, he may have a tough time regaining his place in the side due to Scott Cuthberts man of the match performance in his absence during the 0-0 draw at home to Kilmarnock last week. Franco Miranda, one of St Mirrens better performers last season, picked up a knock in the same match but should recover in time. Craig Dargo has begun training again but looks set to mi s out.The only other injury worry for St Mirren is goalkeeper Chris Smith, although Mark Howard made some excellent saves and kept a clean sheet last week, therefore Smith will not be mi sed too much.Against Celtic, St Mirren played a 4-5-1 with Billy Mehmet up top but they reverted to a 4-4-2 in the following Kilmarnock clash. Although they probably wont show Hearts the same respect as they did Celtic, 4-5-1 will likely be Gus MacPhersons preferred formation as he attempts to frustrate the home side. He will know that the longer the game stays goalle s the more the match could swing in his sides favour. He has quite a few strikers to choose from but Jim Hamiltons lack of mobility will probably work against him. Mehmet has similar strength to Hamilton and is usually the managers choice when playing a single striker; MacPherson also has new signings Dennis Wyne s and Tom Brighton as options.Despite who leads the line the main threat comes from midfield. Andy Dorman has the ability, and the willingne s Jeff Green Jersey , to get beyond the forwards and managed five goals for St Mirren between January and the end of last season. A lot of positive things have been said about new signing, and fellow midfielder, Tonet, although he may take time to adapt to the Scottish game.This should, I stre s should, be a home victory on Saturday, despite St Mirrens record at Tynecastle in recent years. The Paisley club have not made a terrible start to the season they hit the post against Celtic before conceding a dodgy penalty but the longer they go without scoring this season, the more the pre sure will mount.One thing lacking at Hearts in recent seasons is a good home record. During the 2005/06 season, and few years previous to that, Hearts had an excellent record at Tynecastle, especially against teams outside the Old Firm. Re-establishing an impre sive home record is something I see as a priority for this season after watching many terrible draws and defeats against teams such as Inverne s, Falkirk, Kilmarnock and St Mirren.For me, the first match of the season doesnt really say too much about where a team is in terms of form, anything can happen. Tomorrow will be the first real test of whether Tynecastle has been restored to the fortre s it once was. mon the Hearts!!Po sible line-upsHearts:KelloThomson Zaliukas Berra WallaceKingston Stewart Palazuelos DriverObuaMoleSt Mirren:HowardRo s Cuthbert Porter MirandaMcGinn Brady Murray Dorman ODonnellMehmet
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