More attacking options to come at Hearts – Sander Kartum’s role in the team explained
In the last third, Neil Critchley has options.
Hearts’ top end is starting to take shape under head coach Neil Critchley, who now has a variety of attacking alternatives at his disposal. Along with the brains and enthusiasm of youthful James Wilson, a healthy Lawrence Shankland, and other forwards like Alan Forrest, Kenneth Vargas, and Musa Drammeh, Elton Kabangu’s loan arrival from Union Saint-Gilloise is already paying off.
Following a shortage in that department before to Christmas, Critchley is happy with the variety. A struggling Hearts forward line that now appears rejuvenated was summed up by depending on 17-year-old Wilson to spearhead the attack. The intervention of Kabangu is largely responsible for that. Along with Drammeh’s speed and industry on the right, Wilson’s increasing maturity is also beneficial. Seeing Yutaro Oda and Barrie McKay out of favor is hardly shocking.
Here, we need to add another name to the mix. Last week, Sander Kartum joined Tynecastle Park from the Norwegian team SK Brann. He is a left-footed, cultured midfielder who can have an impact on the last third of the field. Once Kartum’s sharpness is up to speed, Critchley’s 4-4-2 formation will probably include him on the right with permission to move inside and advance. Drammeh and Jorge Grant have been playing that position lately, although neither of them has been very reliable.
Kartum’s versatility and experience allow him to play both in the conventional No. 10 position and as an orthodox center midfielder. Hearts believes that he can compose and score from sophisticated genres to enhance the work of Wilson, Kabangu, and other artists. Thanks to a forward line that appeared significantly more dynamic than it had previously in the season, the Edinburgh club defeated Kilmarnock 3-2 at Tynecastle on Saturday, moving them out of the relegation zone.
To be honest with you, Critchley told the Edinburgh News, “I think it’s a work in progress.” Even if they posed a threat, it’s the first time that Elton and James have performed together, and there’s still time to
as you can see, they haven’t performed together. Sander’s ingenuity in the latter third will help with that, and his left foot will balance the top end of the field. We have some competition up there, and it’s good to have Shanks back. That could be useful going ahead.
It does provide us with a variety of choices, which is what you desire. To give the opposition something to think about, you want a slight variation in the player’s profile. Certain players might be selected for specific games or game occasions. We believed that Musa, who started on the weekend, might extend the game and take advantage of the large areas on the field.
To be honest with you, Critchley told the Edinburgh News, “I think it’s a work in progress.” This is the first time that Elton and James have performed together, and despite their threat, you can still tell that they haven’t done so in the past. Sander will assist with that; his left-footedness will balance the top end of the pitch and provide inventiveness in the last third. Shanks’ return is also welcome, so there is some rivalry up there. It could be useful going future.
“It does give us different options and that’s what you want. You want a little bit of difference of profile of player to give the opposition different things to think about. You can pick certain players for certain games or certain moments in games. With Musa coming on at the weekend, we thought he could stretch the game and when the big spaces are on the pitch, he would capitalise on that. He nearly did with two goals.
Shanks came on and helped us keep the ball and gave us a presence. Importantly, he assisted us in getting up the pitch and keeping the ball up at the top end. Every one of them is somewhat different. Now, all that needs to be done is make sure they receive training, collaborate, identify each other’s talents, and then choose the best ones.
On the other side of the field, participants must put together a comparable weekly puzzle. Due to Kye Rowles’ move to DC United and the injuries to Frankie Kent and Stephen Kingsley, Critchley is having serious defensive issues. Due to a possible hamstring injury, center-back Craig Halkett was substituted out early in
The game on Saturday will make the problem worse. Jamie McCart has been instrumental since joining from Rotherham United, Lewis Neilson filled in, and Michael Steinwender, a recent addition, is working with Kartum to improve his sharpness.
“Frankie and Kye were a really good partnership when I came to the club,” Critchley said. “They were our primary center-backs, and we ended Saturday with Jamie and Lewis, who haven’t even played together yet. We gave up two bad goals, but that had nothing to do with those individuals.
Lewis came in and that was his opportunity, so fair play to him. However, Halks and Jamie had formed a really strong relationship very fast, and it was unfortunate to see Halks leave early in the game as it likely caused some disruption.
