There’s no sugarcoating it: yesterday felt like a reality check. The so-called lesser team at Bathgate put in the graft from minute one to the final whistle and left us looking like visitors in our own stadium. Attitude matters. Workrate matters. We had neither for long spells, and it showed.

Workrate beat arrogance

To be fair, nothing grates more than turning up with the air of ‘we’ll nick it’ and then getting steamrollered by intensity. The away side shut us down, harried every touch and chased every second ball. We, on the other hand, funnelled back too often, ballwatched and gave them space to thrive. Fair play to them — they stuck to basics and worked their socks off. The rest of us were left wondering what went wrong.

Defence: a couple of bright spots, lots of questions

From our back four only Manny comes out with any real credit, and the call for Rommens to return has some merit given how things looked. Butland didn’t have one of his better days, if that’s how you saw it. When Tav came on there was a touch more balance, which tells you something about personnel and shape. The deeper problem, though, isn’t a single bad pass or clearance; it’s the absence of an organiser on the pitch. We’ve been crying out for a leader and captain who marshals things — someone who won’t let the team drift into a shell when the heat is on.

What needs to change

Truth is, this isn’t just about individual names. It’s about mentality, structure and urgency. We need grafters who will press, win second balls and give the more skilful lads platform to do their stuff. Dr, the message has to be clear: bring in players who hurt for the shirt and find a captain on the park who talks and organises from minute one. Hearts will come at us and they won’t be gentle — if we don’t sort this, we’ll be made to look small again.

Small tweaks won’t cut it. Time for a reset in attitude and a proper leader at the back. Otherwise we’ll keep getting what we deserve.

Written by Blue-Floyd3: 23 June 2026

Tags: spfl tactics