THE MISSING

For all Vladimir Romanov’s assiduity in grading players, the deficiencies of his squad and lack of midfield bite are plain to see. An early Champions League exit may, therefore, be a blessing in disguise, writes Alan Campbell

AMONG the many insights into the life and times of Vladimir Romanov revealed by a recent television documentary, was his subscription to a database of professional footballers around the world. The Hearts owner had graded the players, and it was just one fascinating facet of a man who, by all accounts, leaves nothing to chance in his business dealings.

It is all the more perplexing, then, that Romanov’s eye for detail does not stretch to a balanced Hearts squad. Bulging with defenders, wide midfielders and strikers, the engine of the side has been neglected, as was painfully obvious in Wednesday night’s defeat by AEK Athens.

Being simultaneously denied the services of central midfielders Paul Hartley and Julien Brellier has been unfortunate, but hardly an unforeseeable possibility at a football club. Twice in crucial Champions League qualifying matches at Murrayfield Valdas Ivanauskas has felt obliged to deploy defenders out of position in midfield.

Hearts got away with it against Siroki Brijeg, but although Ibrahim Tall was directly responsible for two of the three goals the experiment was not an overall success, even against such modest opposition. On Wednesday night newly signed Greek central defender Christos Karipidis was sent into the holding midfield breach. The outcome was predictable.

To be fair to Karipidis, Hearts played so lethargically from the moment the otherwise excellent Craig Gordon was far too casual in dealing with a Bruno Aguiar pass-back in the opening moments that even Claude Makelele would have been hard-pressed to make a difference. But that’s not the point, and the central issue was emphasised when Edgaras Jankauskas and Lee Wallace were later asked to fill the midfield void.

Ironically, at the same time as Ivanauskas was struggling to complete his jigsaw with the wrong pieces, the player many regarded as the obvious replacement for Hartley was settling into a new career at Bristol City. Lee Johnson, one of a full side of players brought to Tynecastle in January, was allowed only five games for the club despite proving himself to be one of the best of a bad bunch.

If that is not saying much, the tiny Johnson’s industry and passing were at least reminiscent of Hartley. His size would not have helped a midfield overwhelmed by the physical and techical superiority of AEK’s, but his tireless darting running and shooting might have caused a few problems.

Johnson, who cost £60,000 from Yeovil, was dispatched back to England last week for the crime of having been purchased by Graham Rix. He will be treated with more consideration at Ashton Gate, and not just because the manager there is his father, Gary.

The group of players Johnson arrived with in January will go down in infamy as perhaps the least successful to have been assembled at Hearts. Not that they all got a game. The 19-year-old goalkeeper, Rais M’Bolhi, came and left without getting his gloves dirty at Tynecastle, while other members of the January X1 who didn’t get the opportunity to hang around for the Edinburgh Festival include Slovakian international defender Martin Petras, Czech Republic midfielder/forward Ludek Strakeny and English winger Chris Hackett. The latter has moved on to Millwall and, along with Johnson and Neil McCann, was one of three Rix-inspired signings.

The other eight arrived at Tynecastle at the behest of Romanov, just as Tall and Samuel Camazzola had a few months earlier. Their performances so far do not inspire confidence in the owner’s grading system, and perhaps the only one who is widely regarded as an improvement on the players available last August is the injured Jose Goncalves.

Aguiar has his moments, and fortunately for Hearts there were many of them in the win against Celtic last Sunday, and if Nerijus Barasa can get fully fit he may be another asset. The Finnish striker Juho Makela remains unproven after nearly seven months, but the most disappointing of last January’s imports is Mirsad Beslija, who cost Hearts a record £850,000 from Racing Genk.

The Bosnian internationalist sat on the bench on Wednesday night, watching forlornly as Saulius Mikoliunas, despite his goal, and Neil McCann submitted ineffectual performances against AEK. But even with the in-form Deividas Cesnauskas unavailable, there was no substitute appearance for Beslija who, it is understood, Romanov now bitterly regrets purchasing.

Hearts will travel to Athens next week praying that Hartley will be fit to partner Brellier or Aguiar but retrieving the tie looks too much of an ask. For all that it’s probably true Ivanauskas’s side would have hung on for a 1-0 win if they’d finished the game with eleven men, the two late goals were no more than were due to a much superior side.

Losing up to £7m, as now seems likely, for Champions League qualification will be a major financial setback for Romanov, but what was clearer than ever from Wednesday night’s performance is that Hearts, who are also about to lose Andy Webster to Wigan, don’t have a squad fit to fight on two fronts.

In the longer term picture, beating Celtic and losing to AEK is a much better outcome for Hearts than the other way round. The current squad would struggle to compete in the Champions League, and given the considerable distraction, could be out of the league race long before Christmas.

The priority for Romanov, in the 18 days before the transfer window shuts, must be to return to his database and find adequate central midfield cover. Brellier, with his fondness for yellow cards, is going to have enforced absences, while even if Hartley’s groin allows him to return quickly he will have to tread carefully.

Marius Zaliukas, from FBK Kaunas, is expected to sign with Hearts this week, having played a trial for the club in the pre-season friendly against Osasuna. Only time will tell whether he is the solution to the lack of creativity in central midfield, but the initial suspicion is that a less obvious replacement is required.

Goalkeeper Gordon is aware of the need for specialist midfielders. “It was a wee bit of makeshift midfield at times against AEK, with strikers dropping back in to play the role,” he acknowledged. “I know how good a player Julien is, and how important he is to the team. I can see his work, what he manages to do in front of our back four and I know our defence appreciate it as much as I do.”

Steven Pressley believes that probably only the brilliance of Hartley can save Hearts in Athens.

“It could take two inspirational set plays to turn the tie on its head, so with him back he’s very capable of that,” said the captain. “He’s a key player for ourselves and although we have made a terrific start to the season, his influence in the middle of the park is always missed.”

Taken from the Sunday Herald