Every year I claim not to be the biggest fan of pre-season friendlies, however, every year I seem to cave in and end up buying a ticket for whatever games have been lined up at Tynecastle. My Dad sees them as pretty pointless (at least from a fan’s perspective) and I concur to a certain degree but it’s the extraordinary nature of them that I find attractive. I enjoy seeing Hearts playing against (usually) English opposition as these occasions are one of the few yardsticks available by which to measure Hearts against fair to middling EPL teams. Also being as fascinated as I am by the fan culture associated with football, I enjoy seeing different travelling supports, looking at their flags and listening to their songs. I’m also normally chomping at the bit to watch some live football after a summer trying and failing to care about Cricket or Tennis.
So ultimately there was never any doubt that I’d leave work at 5pm and head along to The Diggers to meet Pete. Pete, having got there before me had secured us a prime spot at the bar and ordered me an IPA. The Diggers was much quieter than it normally is during the league season so we were able to stand at the bar, enjoy our pints and savour one of their excellent steak pies without having to perform the usual precarious balancing act (think mid-winter in a crammed bar trying to juggle a heavy coat, scarf, pint and pie on a paper plate without spilling your drink, anyone else’s drink or just losing your balance and falling on your arse like a complete tit – believe me it’s harder than it sounds). Most of the time I don’t bother with food before or during matches, but on this occasion, coming straight from work without time for dinner gave me the only excuse I needed.
After a couple of beers and a catch up we made the short walk down Henderson Terrace and along Gorgie Road towards Tynecastle. There appeared to be a reasonable number of fans around including a healthy smattering of Wolves supporters. As we reached McLeod Street I noticed a couple of guys selling pin badges and ventured over with the intention of adding to my collection, it turned out they were a couple of Wolves lads (if the vast selection of Wolves badges on display hadn’t identified them then their strong Black Country accents certainly did) so I managed to pick up a badge featuring both teams’ crests and the date of the fixture, not a bad addition at all.
The Wolves support and their flags
We made our way to our usual seats shortly before kick-off and watched as the game commenced. The match itself was a bit of a non-event from a Hearts point of view and it’s quite difficult to see what Jim Jeffries could have taken from it, other than reinforcing the notion that we require a couple more squad strengthening signings. Wolves took the lead after four minutes from a Greg Halford free kick which was appallingly defended by Hearts. Stephen Ward then added a second goal with his head, connecting with a throw in into the box after leaping above the static Hearts defence. Hearts got the opportunity to build match fitness and give some younger, fringe players experience against well drilled opposition, but to be honest, Wolves won at a canter. Despite Hearts ludicrous image amongst the Scottish football public as a ‘big physical team’ the difference in physique between the two sides was massive. Hearts looked incredibly lightweight, particularly in midfield, and Wolves were able to knock players like Templeton and Black off the ball at will. Ryan Stevenson drilled a shot towards Marcus Hahnemann's goal near the end of the first half and Callum Elliot managed to head into the head of the Wolves keeper after being nicely played in by Suso, but as far as goal mouth action for the Jambos went, that was very much that.
Mick orchestrates from the touchline
Wolves continued to boss events and should have added to their two goal tally on a few occasions. Essentially they were playing on a different level to the one which Hearts currently reside.
Templeton showed some nice touches but was bossed out of the game, Suso wasn’t bad, Elliot was whilst trying hard was as ineffective as ever and one has to think this season in finally his last chance. Lee Wallace was the only Hearts player who really looked at home at this level and one has to wonder how long it’ll be before he tests himself there on a regular basis. The Hearts back four looked steady whilst unspectacular, Barr and Kello didn't impress, still, friendlies are about testing yourselves and preparing for the forthcoming season and so in that regard it was probably mission accomplished.
Temps and Wallace make their way inside
The only other point of note was that the pantomime villain role was ably filled by ex Hibs player Steven Fletcher. He didn't make it onto the pitch but he seemed to enjoy the good natured abuse he received whilst warming up alongside the main stand, and I got a photo with Mick McCarthy, that was nice.
It was an interesting exercise (although that’s all it was) and it was good to see Wolverhampton Wanderers and their fans visit Edinburgh and give us a change from the norm.
Russ and Mick McCarthy
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