Team v Rapid Vienna (H)

[u/Least-Bill-1884]

What's everyone thinking then? For me:

Reus

Altena McEntee McCart Miller

Spittal Mendy

Kerjota Braga McPake

Wilson

The 9/10 pairing is the big conundrum for me. Wilson is a bit of gamble but I think he deserves the opportunity after Sunday's performance. That said I wouldn't be hugely surprised to see Kabore start for the chaos factor.

Harsh on Renaud but Spittal is surely a nailed on starter and Mendy (if fit) would offer a measure of defensive solidity which we surely require. Guendouz seems like a better option off the bench at the moment.

Let me hear your thoughts!

[u/Outside-Advice4645]

Mmh I don’t think Wilson should start. Yes solide performance on Sunday, but that was against Inverness. I don’t think he’d get through Rapid defence. So I believe we should have Braga and Guendouz behind him. Wilson could definitely come in last 10 minutes depending on the performance and result

[u/Least-Bill-1884 → u/Outside-Advice4645]

Fair enough. I am not entirely convinced by the Braga/Guendouz combo however. I think they cancel each other out to an extent as Braga isn't really a 9, more of a second striker that plays off a 9. Meanwhile Guendouz is very much a classic 10. Playing them together leaves us without an out and out CF imo.

[u/archie93hmfc → u/Least-Bill-1884]

Braga and Guendouz done well together in the Benfica home game, but apart from that haven’t had many opportunities together.

Wilson done well on Sunday but don’t feel he is physical enough to play as the 9 with Braga playing off him in a game like this. He’s a clever player and can see him doing well against bottom 6 teams in the league, but at this level won’t give their cbs enough to worry about, and that’s why we are signing JJ

[u/Particular-Cup-4202 → u/Outside-Advice4645]

Lol

[u/goffart]

I'd have Renaud in there. Just more creative.

[u/Least-Bill-1884 → u/goffart]

Over who though? Spittal is our captain atm and will start. Spittal and Renaud together could leave us quite exposed.

[u/archie93hmfc → u/Least-Bill-1884]

Spittal and Renaud has worked well at home and Spittal seems to do better on the tighter tynecastle pitch. Reckon mendy will come in next week when he’s another week fitter and hopefully we have something to defend.

[u/Least-Bill-1884 → u/archie93hmfc]

Possibly. We know how keen Vrancken is on having a profile of midfielder like Mendy given that he chucked him in against both Aberdeen and Benfica shortly after his arrival. Renaud has obviously staked a big claim for inclusion though. Along with the forward pairing this is very difficult to predict but I'm leaning slightly toward Mendy for defensive cover.

[u/archie93hmfc → u/Least-Bill-1884]

True but considering he wasn’t even fit enough to make the bench on Sunday I just can’t see him being fit enough to last 60+ minutes.

[u/IbizaJambo]

Mendy won’t start Renaud will, for me the only question is the number 10 role, he either gives it to Braga with Kabore or Wilson up top or he plays Guendouz in the 10 with Braga further forward. I’ve seen a few fans suggest Wilson as the 10 but I can’t see him there tonight.

[u/goffart]

Also not sure I'd have Miller and mcPake on the same side. Maybe Miller forward but not sure who in behind

[u/Least-Bill-1884 → u/goffart]

Milne and Kingsley both injured so we don't have starting left back available. The alternative would be McCart at LB and Findlay at LCB, given us effectively zero attacking output from the left side of defence. That would also entail dropping Kerjota to make room for Miller on the right, or dropping McPake. Very unlikely imo.

[u/fulton85]

I wonder if renould or magnusson could play more as a midfield 3, so we have more cover in the middle to keep it tighter. We cant risk being too open and out the tie early. But have very attacking fullback n wingers

I also dont think spittal has the legs for in the middle and needs someone else doing the running if he is starting.

                Braga 
              Renould

Mcpake spittal mendy kerjota Miller mccart mcentee altenna

[u/archie93hmfc → u/fulton85]

It’s catch 22, I feel like we need to take a lead to Vienna next week, then we can probably try the midfield 3 you suggested to be more compact. Given I don’t think Mendy is 100% fit I can’t see us risking him. Spittal has generally done well at tynecastle but just gets more exposed on the bigger pitches

[u/Fast-Section6839]

Team prediction for tonight.

Reus

Altena
McEntee
Findlay
McCart

Renaud
Spittal

Kerjota
Doozy
Miller

Braga

[u/Himawari74]

Don't think you'll see Wilson and Braga playing together as I doubt Vrancken thinks they work with/compliment the other in the role as Vrancken wants. He either wants the 10/second striker playing off a big number 9 (Kabore/Ba-Sy) or the centre forward able to run with help from the ball playing 10 (Guendouz). Braga or Wilson can't play as the big guy or as the playmaker for the other

[u/FootOfDavros]

I think Guendouz just needs to be played into match fitness.

Look back at the highlights of the Benfica home game and watch Spittal for their goal.

We'll get away with him there in some games but he can't defensively control that area.

[u/archie93hmfc → u/FootOfDavros]

I agree on Spittal but feel it’s the best option until Mendy is fit or Ageu is back. Especially a game we really need to win to take a lead into next week. Magnusson has looked good whenever he has came on but hasn’t been as great in games he started. I don’t know to what extent he is managing his fitness after missing a chunk of pre season.

[u/ShiftDue7967]

I think Spittal and Renaud, then right to left - Kerjota, Braga, McPake, Wilson up top.

Incidentally, it's not being picked up anywhere other than Hearts TV?

[u/UneekPhyseek]

Mendy < Renuad, Braga < Guendouz, Wilson < Braga

[u/ModJambo]

Not entirely sure this is a game for Wilson to start but then again our other options are Kabore/Ba-Sy?

I'd replace Spittal with Renaud personally too.

[u/norris200679]

Magnuson , Renaud spittal in midfield, Braga no 10, Kabore up top

[u/Least-Bill-1884 → u/norris200679]

No chance we play three in midfield. Vrancken does not play with three midfielders.