1. Footymad
  2. 'Well Mad
  3. 'Well Latest
  4. 'Well News

Preview: Hearts (h) R4 Cup Replay

Last updated : 21 January 2008 By Firparkcorner

And that would be slightly unfair. We all know why things are a little slow at the moment but it would be a terrible shame if we exited the cup not having given of our best. If we play like we did in the second half at Tynecastle and still lose we can only say well done to the opponents. It is Mark McGhee's job to lift us and ensure we have no repeat of the struggles of Saturday.

However, one of the many notable things about this season is that we have nearly always bounced back strongly from poor performances. We desperately want to get through to the next round as with a lower league team waiting to visit Fir Park we have a reasonable chance of making the quarter finals.

One major plus point is that Paterson is back, between league suspensions, and he will definitely replace Fitzpatrick in the defence. Ignoring the debate on whether Fitz is good enough to be in the squad, he simply isn't a left back and there is no point in blaming him for struggling when out of position. Paterson alone won't get us through though as too many others also had an off day on Saturday. In this replay we will need the likes of Craigan, Hughes, Porter and McCormack to be at their best.

Hearts are almost perfectly set up to cause us problems. They are likely to play a 4-5-1 with Stewart and Jonsson in the centre to ensure our midfield has no time on the ball. We must show our quality in this area. We also run into problems as they use their two out and out wingers to excellent effect and with only three from us in the central area we must develop some plan to limit the effect Driver and Cesnauskis have of running unopposed at our full backs.

We came back into this tie from nowhere in Edinburgh but there is still a lot of work to be done if we are to progress. This one looks too close to call and could go all the way after another 2-2 draw.

Remember the game at Tynecastle?

Live match day SMS updates and breaking 'Well news for free @ www.twitter.com/firparkcorner