Clydesdale Bank SPL, Sunday 7 March 2010 - Tannadice
Like Hearts last fixture, away at Aberdeen eight days ago, I didn't attend this game in person. I chose to watch it on ESPN even though this meant having to endure the 'expert analysis' - and I use this term loosely - of Craig Burley. He is the nephew of George Burley who was sacked as Hearts manager by Vladimir Romanov in 2005 - not that Craig lets that affect his judgement as far as Hearts are concerned. Oh, no....
Hearts had so many players missing through injury and suspension it was difficult to try and figure out what starting eleven manager Jim Jefferies would put out. Things got worse before the game even kicked off when skipper Michael Stewart had to withdraw minutes before the game was due to begin following a calf injury. Things were so bad that defender Jose Goncalves was brought in from the cold, so to speak, and it was hard to see how such a patched up Hearts team would take anything from the game.
It was all the more surprising then, that Hearts should start the game so brightly and for the opening twenty minutes they were well on top. The best chance fell to youngster Paul Mulrooney who intercepted a loose pass and fired in an effort that went just wide. However, for all their dominance Hearts had no cutting edge - where have we heard this before?
At the start of the second half Christian Nade replaced the ineffective Jamie Mole for Hearts but made little difference. United dominated the second period and deservedly took the lead when a shot from Gomis deflected off Hearts Lee Wallace past Balogh for the game's only goal.
Given Hearts injury crisis, the team in blue did well under the circumstances. Hopefully a few more familiar faces will return for Hearts next game at Motherwell.
Only saw the second half but thought the fight was there, but could not expect much skill. Not a bad effort all told. But how bad are United?
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