Clydesdale Bank SPL- Saturday 29 October 2011, Tynecastle
Almost a year to the day since Kilmarnock coasted to a 3-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle, the Ayrshire men were at it again on Saturday as they took all three points against an aimless home team. Hearts weren't helped by the foolish sending off of tempestuous midfielder Ian Black after just 15 minutes. The former Caley Thistle man lunged in on former Hibby Dean Shiels, leaving referee Alan Muir little choice but to flash a red card. Being a man short for 75 minutes would always mean an uphill task for the home team to take anything from the game but, curiously, they continued to dominate the first half. Skacel and Stevenson both had chances before a decent shout for a penalty when the ball hit the arm of Pursehouse was ignored by referee Muir, some of whose decisions were, shall we say, questionable to say the least.
Unsurprisingly, given their numerical advantage, Killie came more into the game in the second half and scored the game's only goal after 55 minutes, when Hefferman ran through on goal only to be fouled by Marius Zaliukas. From my vantage point in the Wheatfield Stand, I thought the foul was committed outside the penalty box. Referee Muir consulted with his assistant before awarding a penalty kick to Killie - Dean Shiels duly converted. For reasons known only to himself, referee Muir showed only a yellow card to Zaliukas for his indiscretion when it seemed to me he clearly denied the Killie man a goalscoring opportunity. But then, the referee had a bizarre afternoon, something Hearts manager Paulo Sergio seemed to agree with when he was sent to the stand by the official in the second half.
For the second game in succession, Hearts have been left empty-handed from a game they deserved to take something. Black's dismissal didn't help and the home players visibly tired towards the end of the game. However, it's perhaps time for changes to be made to this Hearts team. Ian Black is a talented player but he is fast becoming a liability. Quite what he was thinking of when he lunged in on Shiels, one can only guess. At the back, Zaliukas is another who can hardly be described as dependable - how many times has the Lithuanian cost Hearts dear? Again, Hearts began the game with no recognised strikers although I thought Sergio had taken a nose bleed when he brought on both Stephen Elliott and Gordon Smith late in the game in an effort to salvage a point.
It would be nice to think this might change at St. Mirren next week. Black will be suspended so there should be a welcome return for the gifted Mehdi Taouil. A front two of Elliott and Smith with, perhaps Darren Barr in defence? Probably not...
Top man: David Templeton - looking back to his best before he tired in the second half
In today's game Black gave an appalling ref no option but to offer a red card, however having (sadly) watched over and over the tackle even on slo-mo it was nowhere near as bad as it looked nor in the picture that was doing the rounds on the internet. Black didn't go in 2 footed on a straight leg, no excuse but he did slip and neither of Blacks feet clipped Shiels' ankles (though Shiels will say he jumped the tackle so why write on the ground?), it was his body following through that brought Shiels down.
ReplyDeletePart of me wonders if someone like Temps had made that tackle would he have got a red? BUT the fact is, Black made the ref make a decision.
The leg breaker tackle on Eggert however merited nothing more than a chat with the ref? You could hear the clatter on Eggert on the opposite side of the field.
Only Sergio knows why he persists on not playing Sutton and not even a recognised striker. And as for this persistent 4-5-1? Give me a break. I thought Csaba had left?
Zali I thought was unfortunate to give away a very soft penalty but again like Black he made the appalling ref make a decision... well actually he didn't as the ref waved play on only to let his assistant over-rule him a-la-Brines style.
Did I mention that the Ref was appalling...?
Welcome back Vickster!
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