The Beat Goes On.......

Well, that was great telly. Looked doon and oot and struggling to find any form then bang, bang back in the game. For a moment I thought the boy Nixon was going to win the darts after being 6-0 doon but it was a bridge too far and the bad guy won. Unlike at the castle of swine where the guid guys won after looking doon and oot.

We actually had a where were you moment yesterday. No, it wasn’t Elvis- more of him latter- being the capitaino of the hoops and creating history being the 1st ex-r*nger to have that honour, maybe it should have been Arfur right enough? but 5 minutes in Jaro made and won a tackle. It was against Hartley too, which made it all the better as since we now have Elvis Hartley is ma least favourite Hearts player.

I like Craig Gordon and he seems to like us. I mean how many howlers is he going to have against us? Scotland’s numero uno likes a flap against us and yesterday was no different. I just hope no Arsenal scouts were watching as the game yesterday probably saw their two targets to replace the nutty German against each other.

Unfortunately for us the Pole in the goal came oot of it wie more credit than Gordon. Arfurs double save just before half time kept us in the game in spite of the Telfmiesters best efforts. His mis-hit clearance wie his left foot then had to attempt a Brazilian like overheid, bicycle volley scissor kick to clear the baw.

Amazingly he did it.

2-0 doon at half time would have been curtains. It also would have been an undeserved margin as the 1st half was terrible for both teams wie the jambos only slightly better after some wee Lithuanian puppet hit an arsehole winder that ended up in the back of the net.

Then, unsure what happened at half time, we started the 2nd half all the better. Then came the beats. Straight away he began to stretch the creaking jambos backline with his canny ability to find space in the channels and directness compared to Magics nambie pambie fumblings.

The midfield had an oot ball instead of, like the majority of the 1st half, having no options, which ended up us losing possession and bring the maroon hoards back on top of us. Sno began to look like player, a slight resemblance to Regi Blinker, right enough, if Regi had been in a grow bag, with his promptings, turns, flicks and creative output probably made him have his most productive game in the hoops.

He still loses the ball in bad areas- is there any guid place to lose the baw right enough- and the Hearts goal came from him marauding doon the wing and losing possession trying a ronaldinho esq stepover. At 19 he gave a 2nd half performance of someone older than his years. Stood up and was counted.

In the 2nd half Even the frustrating ogre from Madrid stopped committing fouls and decided to pass to guys in the black and green stripes. Tommy G ran aboot without much purpose or end product but again I think his presence in a place where we get bullied canny be underestimated.

GS went for a physical and imposing looking side. Elvis, O’Dea, Tommy G, Jaro, Sno and JVOH are all big players. This tactic for me ensured that we didnae get bullied by the team that loves to bully. When we went in front Elvis and O’Dea made sure that every heider, cross baw or shot they were going to get in the way of it.

At the final whistle Elvis, mouthing f**kin brilliant and hugging all his new teammates, turned round to the hoppy support and gave a clenched fist salute. How times have changed. He got a nice reception from the nastiest support in Scotland but they soon reverted to type by booing his every touch.

Must say, his performance was one of a leader, a man on a mission and judging by the players comments he is well respected in the changing room. He has his limitations and is not a forward thinking, long term signing but so far he is proving to be able cover in area where we are weak squad wise.

Yesterday’s result was obtained with oor creative force having a quiet game and without the services of Maloney, McGeady and Riordon. GS got his sub right when he looked at the young bench- oldest was 26- and choose Beats over McGeady or Riordon.

The fact that Beats was chosen over King Kenny shows how far doon the pecking order Kenny has fallen. The remit GS gave Beattie was right up Kenny’s street but his goal drought and lack of finishing prowess made Beattie a better option. Yesterday an article stated that Kenny has had a 20% accuracy rate this season. Coo with a banjo springs to mind.

Jaro as a left winger was a strange one. But a role he did look comfortable, even if I’m not comfortable with it being a regular occurrence. His goal was one of sheer individual skill and ability that we all know he possesses. That’s what makes his performances so frustrating. One game in five from him is not a guid return for the money we splashed. But that’s, for me, two good games in the last two league outings.

But I’m sure the fact both have been when he has been playing in his favoured midfield area has nothing to do with it eh Gordon?

A victory and a performance against a team that were on a no bad run of form. A comfortable performance and victory in the end at a place where we usually don’t do well. Our talent shone in the 2nd half and it was aboot time.

That’s us done the double dunter in the league. Home and away unbeaten against everyone. Very O’Neill esq in the 2003/04 season. Not bad for what for some are calling a poor side eh?

FORZA THE HOOPS