Jim McIntyre Post Hearts

23/09/09: "The boys are adamant it's not a penalty ...

"The boys are adamant it's not a penalty," says McIntyre. "They're saying the big guy's played for it. I really would need to see it again. I didn't think it was a penalty, but I'd need to see if it was a blatant barge or
just a shoulder."

"But it was a poor option of a pass [McGregor] played that created it. Greg's made a great run for it, which we've done well all game with the fullbacks getting up and beyond. But I didn't think it was a penalty but sometimes in the heat of the moment you think it isn't because you're caught up with your own team."

"There was definitely contact," he continues, "but the big guy's looking for it. There's no doubt he's looking for the penalty. Whether you say that's clever play on his part or a bit of simulation, who knows? I'd need to see it again. It's not clear-cut."

There was also controversy at the first Hearts goal as Woods claimed to have been fouled and McIntyre had been trying to get a substitution made (for the aforementioned Woods who had to go off injured).

"Calum's adamant it was a foul, but I was unhappy because I was desperate to get the substitute on and the fourth official just took forever to do it. I was asking him as soon as it went out for the throw in and that's why I was so angry."

Despite the talking points, it was a much improved performance after Saturday's debacle.

"First half, I thought we were excellent. We got the tactics spot on and we moved the ball really well. We got up and supported Graham Bayne really well. I'd watched Hearts at the weekend against Celtic and they caused Celtic a few problems, so I thought that worked quite well.

"Second half, I thought they changed it a bit, they put the four up front at
times, and stopped our fullbacks getting forward. They had a lot of the play
second half, but I just felt we stopped passing the ball and started to
panic a wee bit. We were just kicking it anywhere at times.

"But I was proud of the players, the way they played - especially after the
last couple of league games. We've got to take that into the bread and
butter of the league now. It's all very well coming to Tynecastle and
putting on a good performance but we need to be getting ourselves up that
league because we're a better team than we're showing at the moment."
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