Unwanted

Promised selection autonomy when it comes to match day line-ups, he was hoping for the authority to cull the ineffective players from the squad, backed by finances to replace them with some who epitomise the character and the calibre expected of a team footing the third highest wage bill in the league.

Last week he admitted there were "a few" who had failed to prove their worth mentally or technically, but said that he was powerless to make decisions on their future at the club. Speaking after his temporary promotion coincided with the opening of the transfer window, he now hopes he can have a greater say.

"I wouldn't like to call them deadwood but for one reason or another, some of the guys have not featured or played and if they need to move on for their sake then good and if it helps maybe free up places in the squad or extra money to bring in other players then that is fine by me.

"At the group meeting we had when Anatoly (Korobochka, Sport Director] announced the changes, I told them that if they want to come with me and do it for the club then fine, if they don't then I will leave them behind because we have got enough in there, with young lads who are good pros, to leave them and the time has come now when we can't carry people who might think it's pretty easy here to keep playing and picking up good money. If they want to think that then I will leave them because it's important that this club goes forward."

While Frail would not name names or even put a number on how many players he thinks should be shown the door, from a first team squad which tallies around 30, the consensus is that around a third of them could be cut from the payroll without diluting the quality or hindering team selection.

Players like Christos Karipidis, Tomas Kancelskis and Juho Makela have rarely featured, or, in the case of goalkeeper Eduardas Kurskis and striker Ricardas Beniusis, shown up once or twice and disappeared into the background or perhaps even therapy to get over the ineptitude of their displays. Others, such as Christian Nade, have been given the chance but have refused to ally their talent with application on the pitch and on the training ground and their lack of fitness is undermining those around them.

Of the remainder, there are some who are just too injury-prone and some who do have the heart but not the quality to justify a regular starting place in a side which should be challenging at the opposite end of the league table. They are the minority who might actually feel aggrieved.

If the majority cared about being offloaded, it would be the first time they seemed bothered about what was happening at the club. Which is why the support have been growing more and more agitated. Losing to better teams is one thing. Capitulating to those who are simply better competitors is infuriating.

Ten days ago Frail claimed that despite being unconvinced by some of the squad the club has been lumbered with, there were still enough good players to come through their rough run of results and mastermind an ascent up the league table. But, he said, it was all about attitude and, first and foremost, earning the right to play. Too many have failed to do that for too long and a spark is required.

Paying money for nothing, the last time Hearts were in such dire straits was in 1998/99. That season showed just how pivotal the right transfer dealings can be. When Darren Jackson signed towards the end of March, the Gorgie side were sitting tenth in a ten-team league, having gone 12 games without a win. In his debut they stopped the rot of six defeats on the trot and went on to lose only one of their final eight games of the season to haul themselves up to sixth place. He was the injection of pace, non-stop running and enthusiasm the squad needed. And it proved infectious.

Another similar signing would be welcome this month. In 1998/99 the side also benefited from the return of Colin Cameron and this term it is hoped that getting Bruno Aguiar and Neil McCann back over the next few weeks and months could offer the same attacking impetus.

Rumours are already rife that another couple of Lithuanian players are scheduled to join the ranks and according to Frail, "there are one or two others we have spoken about but whether or not they come in is a different thing". Until they do, Frail's selection choices may be all his own, but they remain limited.

"I have had some people say that I waited ten months to get the job (of picking the team] but then only made two changes but of the players we have here I think most people would have picked eight of the 11 to start. Of course there are areas of
the team that I would like to look at changing but it's going to be tough with the injuries we have. I can only work with the players I have."

"I know it sounds a bit silly to say but we are not actually doing that bad. For an hour against Dundee United, when we are supposed to have no confidence or be playing with any real style, it wasn't that bad. Some of the football and the one touch stuff was excellent for an hour. But the game lasts for 90 minutes. We now have a week where we have a wee bit more time to get out on the training pitch and do more stuff and discuss some things."

And the club has a month to get things right. It's time for some new faces and a new year of resolve.

Taken from the Scotsman