Five Key Underperforming Positions Hearts Must improve To Get Season On Track
Hearts Of Oak appeared to be going strong this season after Kosta Papic assumed office as the manager of the club replacing Edward Odoom.
The Serbian has managed to restore the hope of many a Phobian with some impressive performances and results on the pitch. The Phobians had gone four games with defeat, winning two and drawing two.
Then, there was the Mantse derby with Accra Great Olympics. Hearts appeared on course to beat their city rivals considering the form of both clubs heading into the game. But, THAT night at the Accra Sports stadium happened, forcing the Phobians to head back to the drawing board after a 2-0 loss.
With Ghana’s second transfer window opening in a few days, we take a look at the key positions that Papic will need to strengthen if his side is to be victorious on all fronts.
Goalkeeper
While Richmond Ayi remains the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, the former WAFA star has played with diffidence in his recent outings for the Phobians. Poor aerial prowess and inability to organise his defence are just a few of Ayi’s shortfalls.
Richard Atta, the current number two was pretty abysmal in the games he started for the Phobians at the start of the season losing his position to Ayi in the process.
Hearts must go into the market and scour for a goalkeeper with the potential to oust both Ayi and Attah or give them the competition they so much deserve.
Right-back
Hearts need to bring in someone to provide competition Fatawu Mohammed at right-back. The skipper has been a wonderful servant to the club but, seeing as he is entering his 30’s, it would be the ideal time to bring in someone who can compete with him and perhaps also learn from the full-back. Larry Ibrahim Sumaila is an understudy of Mohammed but isn’t one the Phobians can rely on the right flank. Ashanti Gold’s Kwadwo Amoako and Olympics’ Phillip Sackey are good options should Hearts decide to go for a right-back.
Centre-back
If you asked 100 ​Hearts fans to rank the club’s four centre-backs – Nuru Sulley, Mohammed Alhassan, Robert Addo, and James Sewornu – you’d likely get 100 different answers. Nobody knows who’s good and nobody knows who’s bad.
Irrespective of the defensive pair, the Phobians have shipped in silly goals. Positioning and decision making have both been poor, and the Phobians have been leaking goals.
Striker
Victor Aidoo is Hearts’ preferred striker of the future, and the 22-year-old has earned that confidence by firing 4 goals in his first season so far.
However, behind him, things look very uncertain. Abednego Tetteh contract could be terminated as reports in the Ghanaian media suggests, and there are doubts over his ability as a goalscorer anyway, while the polarising Daniel Afriyie is still yet to convince many of his quality.
Not only do they need a prolific, efficient finisher, but a forward who’s able to combine effectively with those around him. An intelligent number nine, who’s always able to anticipate his teammates’ next move and create space for themselves as the lone forward is sort of profile the Phobians should be targeting.
Winger
Looking at the Hearts squad for next season, as long as there is no surprise departure, they have three wingers (Razak, Sarpong, Dizan and on some occasions Afriyie). If they want to assert dominance again this season and to challenge for the title, the last gap necessary to plug would be a winger.
Luckily for the Phobians, Elmina Sharks’ Benjamin Tweneboah and Techiman XI Wonders star Salifu Ibrahim are available on the market. We know both are more than capable of producing game-changing moments week in, week out for his side. Tweneboah has hit a bit of rough patch this season, expect him to come backfiring if the Phobians will grant him the opportunity to join them.
Credit: phobia.com
