Are Hearts really favourites to win at ‘Well?

By: Graham | January 22nd, 2008

One win in their last five against unbeaten in three games. Those are the sort of numbers that would make the latter team appear to be favourites for tonight’s Cup replay at Fir Park between Motherwell and Hearts. But that would make Hearts favourites and that just won’t do at all. Expecting Hearts to win a match against any SPL opponent at the moment is a bit like expecting them to keep a clean sheet: it happens but it’s usually a surprise when it does.

Both teams go into the match with management issues: Motherwell expecting to lose one; Hearts hoping to find one. It has not been a good couple of months for ‘Well but if they had to choose a team against which they could start to make a recovery in both footballing and off-pitch terms, they could probably do a lot worse than Hearts. They made a solid start in the first game when they came back from two goals down. I suspect a lot of Hearts players - and some fans - think that the victory over a sorry Hibs on Saturday marked some sort of turning point. A cold night on a heavy pitch in front of a hostile crowd may turn complacency into indifference. I’m sorry, but some of these guys still need to prove the shirt means something to them.

So, I’m expecting a Motherwell win. And hoping to be completely wrong. A hat trick for Velicka would be nice.

Category: Hearts

Tags: Hearts, Motherwell

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• Colin Hamilton |  January 22nd, 2008 at 7:46 am

  
  
  

  The Hearts v Hibs game was the first Hearts game I have watched for some time and I can say that I could see some positives. They did sit back when they should have pressed after the goal but they were linking well and Stewart was a class act (despite the dodgy stomach). If he plays I think we could be in with a shout of causing the upset.

  Posted from Switzerland

  

• Graham |  January 23rd, 2008 at 12:41 am

  
  
  

  I still feel that Stewart has a tendency to fade out of a game too easily if things don’t go his way. He’s a player who relishes sunshine and a good surface and sometimes I think he still believes he should be playing for a bigger and better side. He wears the expression of a man disappointed with the cards fate has dealt him. On the other hand, I could be reading too much into things!

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Graham |  January 23rd, 2008 at 12:42 am

  
  
  

  As it was, Stewart played against Motherwell and didn’t play very well. Loose passes and a lot of niggle. No sunshine, of course, and not a great pitch.

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

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