Gio needs to make decisions on his best long terms players and pick them consistently. We’ve had some injuries, but players are not performing at their best and I think that’s part down to lack of sharpness caused by constant wholesale changing of personnel and the system game to game.
For example:
Morelos is clearly our best striker. Colak can be a useful asset as a poacher when we need a goal on the last 30 mins, or if Alfie is injured / suspended, but Morelos needs to be picked consistently to lead the line.
Tillman is a huge talent, with great potential, but is a bit raw. Play him for 5/6 matches centrally behind the striker. Let’s see how good he is after that!
James Sands has been miles better than Goldson this season. He’s young and with games only gets better. I know a lot of folk have it in for him, but completely unjustified relative to what he’s produced on the park.
Yilmaz is the next one. If he’s not a standout in terms of talent vs Barisic then that’s been shocking recruitment. He has great predigree and should be given a run in the team to settle. I know Borna has performed better this season, but he is one dimensional, Yilmaz is surely worth persisting with.
Our manager has been too risk averse and is selecting guys he knows for sure what he’ll get from, even if he knows that’s not that great! He’d be better risking some players with potential to be better and sticking by them.
So in my view it’s time to take risks, get some fresh blood into the side and stick with them.
Long term I see our best 11 as:
New GK
Tav
Sands
Davies (not seen enough) / King
Yilmaz
Lundstram
Kamara (the real one) / new player
Kent
Tillman
Lawrence
Morelos
I know people will disagree with a couple in there, but point is Gio needs to form his long term view and stick to it.
He might think Hearts away isn’t the time to do that, however it’s not working so far and if he doesn’t just get on with it, it will be too late.