| Jim Jeffries is in the process of rebuilding his side that hopefully will be challenging for honours and not just making it into the top six at the last possible moment. The efforts shown to make up the difference and finish in the top six will have to be reproduced from the start of the season under JJ's eagle eye. With four big earners out of the picture, Jeffries is looking to add to his squad the right kind of versatile players who will be able to adjust to different styles of play. One player on his shopping list for sure is a tall, imposing new striker to lead the attack next season. This does not mean the main threat from Hearts will be route-one football. The gaps left in the goal scoring department by the departures has made strikers a priority. Jeffries wants to have somebody in the middle able to convert crosses. Jeffries said: "Most teams have a bit of strength up front but you have to get the balance right. We're not going to bring in a big man just to thump the ball up to him all the time. We're wanting to concentrate on getting the ball down, getting it wide and getting crosses in for big men to go and attack. That's something we're well aware we have to look at. We have one guy in David Obua but he's not a recognised finisher, we know that. He's only new to that position but we've got to strengthen." Jefferies is setting up his pre-season fixtures list and and has a couple already set up. Tuesday 27 July sees Hearts take on Dunfermline at East End Park with a kick off at 7.30pm. The following week Hearts welcome English Premier League side Wolves, with ex-Jambos skipper Christophe Berra in their side, to Tynecastle. Jefferies said: "The game against Dunfermline is just the kind of match we wanted at that time. It will be a decent game and is close to home so I'm sure we will take a few supporters over." Jeffries is also approaching English Championship teams about a game at Tynecastle the week before the start of the season. |