Manager Post Hearts

27/07/10 JM:- " I can only really speak for our boys. I thought we played with a real tempo and passed it very well. We closed Hearts down and I am especially pleased for the young lads.

 Jim McInytre was pleased with the way his side passed the ball in the match against Hearts. After the match he said:-

"Obviously it is only Hearts first game and they are still feeling their way in in their pre season preparations.  I can only really speak for our boys.  I thought we played with a real tempo and passed it very well. We closed Hearts down and I am especially pleased for the young lads.  Willis was excellent again, Thomson did really well and nice to see Nicky Phinn put away a chance because he has had a few in pre season. 

"It was good to get minutes into Steven McDougall because he is a bit behind the rest because of his operation. It was pleasing all round."

The defence were also subject of praise with Neil McGregor commented upon:-

"I would prefer him to stay on his feet a wee bit more, rather than on his back side but he got a lot of them right tonight which is the important thing."

The second half was played with four central defenders on the park:-

"It was just to give the boys game time. Some had not had as much as the rest and that`s the way we looked at that tonight. It worked out well because they showed a real hunger and desire - those who haven`t played as much as the rest ."

Praise too for two goal hero Joe Cardle:-

"I thought he was sensational. What we are trying to improve with Joe is his final product and make sure when he attracts two or three players to him that he slips it and plays a team mate in. We need him to mix his crosses up - when he first came he used to always just whip the ball but now he is floating a few and picking people out.  Tonight he was practically unplayable."

This was a different team and match from Saturday`s Alba Challenge Cup game, the Manager concluded:-

"They were set up to be hard to beat so it takes a bit of patience and you have to keep using the ball. We moved the ball sharper tonight but there was also more space tonight because Hearts were coming here to have a go. Rightly so, and that suited us a wee bit more."