Romanov must carry can for derby debacle

Last updated : 09 August 2007 By Scott The Jambo


















Only one match into the 2007/08 season, Hearts are already in crisis.

An awful performance at home to Hibernian sent fans home scratching their heads wondering just what has happened to the Romanov Revolution.

A goal from debutant Mark Kerr was enough to seal victory for the hibees at what is traditionally a tough venue for the old enemy. This time was different however, as Hearts simply folded and gifted probably the easiest victory the men from Easter Road will have all season.

New goalkeeper Yves Makalambay was never troubled as Hearts laboured to create any clear cut chances.

I'm am not an unreasonable person.

A defeat at home CAN be acceptable, providing a) the players give 100% and
b) the management team have done everything they can to win the match.

Last night we saw a return to the "Vladimir Romanov tactic" of leaving the best players on the bench.

Not only that, but poor Ricardas Beniuses was hung out to dry by the Hearts management team and was left to furrow a lone striking role despite being completely out of his depth.

For me, Vladimir Romanov failed to do two simple things which would have meant Hearts having a successful season.

- The failure to appoint a proven manager

- The failure to invest properly in the playing staff

Even if he hadn't spent money on players, a proper manager would have moulded last night's hopeless bunch of individuals into something resembling a team.

What we saw last night was a result of mis management on a grand scale, and as a result, Hearts looked like, and I hate to say it, a pub team.

The Jambos must now lick their wounds as they prepare to travel to Aberdeen this weekend, but sadly, I will be amazed if they manage to emerge from Pittodrie with any kind of result.

And sadly, there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

The players seem demotivated, confused, and disorientated.

The once proud Scottish Backbone of Gordon, Pressley, Webster and Hartley is now nothing but a faded memory, as is the exciting Hearts team with the likes of Rudi Skacel and Julien Brellier tearing teams apart.

But what can we hope for? A change of management? And what will happen then? The next Yes man from Kaunas arrives on our doorstep and we start the whole thing all over again?

I have tried hard to support Vladimir Romanov however I am coming round to the idea that we are better off without him.

You can only thank someone so many times for slapping you in the face.

Romanov - get it sorted - or get out