First Bump on the Road: Hearts 1-0 Caley

By: Ian Rose | September 20th, 2008

When we started the season with an historic road win over Aberdeen (not yet knowing just fashionable winning away at Pittodrie would become this season), there was a lot to be hopeful about. When we went 2-0 on the road a few weeks later, we continued to be encouraged. But all the while, the home results were going against us. Now, the Caley have suffered their first road loss as well, and their second loss in as many weeks. Cautious optimism is turning more into pure caution.

There were a number of complaints to be made about this match. We were pretty awful throughout the first half, with one decent chance in the whole period. There was more to write home about after the interval, but still not enough to make up for the single goal from Hearts just eight minutes in. But the biggest complaint is one that I’ve had all through the young season – the lack of competent finishing. Where is the Andy Barrowman we saw in the preseason? Where is the striker I know Dougie Imrie can be? Where in the World is Adam Rooney?

I have to disagree with Craig Brewster’s assessment when he told the BBC after the match: “I think we were first-class and all over the park … We’ve done, I think, everything to try and score.”

Work rate is a big part of the game, and frankly, it’s one reason I love this club so much – the players truly sweat it out and work for the good of the side. But it’s not enough to work hard, not in the top flight. Among our trio of young strikers (Barrowman, Imrie, and Rooney), we need at least one man who can receive the ball at his feet in a scoring position and put it away. In the first six matches of the season, each of those three has scored only a single goal – and that one for Rooney was a penalty. Don Cowie is our leading scorer with two, and much as we love him, midfield goals are bonus – the best finishers on the team should be in the forward positions.

As you can see from the progress numbers, we are still in a much better position than this time last year. Without including the upcoming Sunday matches, we stand in seventh place today, down from sixth last week. But a look at the comparable fixtures paints a much scarier picture – we are losing matches we won last season, like the first game away at Hearts, which we took 3-2 last year. Hamilton isn’t exactly a fair switch-out for Gretna, but its a reality – the league is stronger this season, and if we’re going to stay up and succeed, we need to be better, particularly up front.

Season Progress:
At this point last season: 6 matches played, 0 points, 2 goals for, 16 goals against
This season: 6 matches played, 7 points, 6 goals for, 6 goals against

Comparable fixtures last season: 6 matches played, 12 points, 9 goals for, 4 goals against
Comparable fixtures this season: 6 matches played, 7 points, 6 goals for, 6 goals against