Source: Team_Talk
Jefferies states case for defence
Hearts host Motherwell on Saturday with manager Jim Jefferies aware his depleted defence must perform at Tynecastle.[LNB] Hearts are one point clear of Motherwell and Aberdeen in third place in the SPL after five matches this season.[LNB]Well, like Hearts, have ambitions of Europa League qualification and Jefferies is determined to triumph, while accentuating the positive of a forward line in a rich vein of form.[LNB]"We're lying in a tight league in third position," said Jefferies. "The only way you're guaranteed to stay there is by winning matches.[LNB]"We're up against a very good team who are just behind us and we'll need to defend a lot better.[LNB]"But they've got to worry about the way we score goals.[LNB]"They're going to be one of the teams contesting at the right end of the table, I don't think there's any doubt about that.[LNB]"We know it's going to take a good performance to beat them.[LNB]"We're expecting a very tough match and we'll make sure we give Motherwell a tough match as well."[LNB]Hearts have netted six times in two games, albeit they ended up losing 4-3 at Falkirk in the Co-operative Insurance Cup on Tuesday night.[LNB]Kevin Kyle has been in impressive form leading the line, while he could be joined by fellow new signing Stephen Elliott against Motherwell with the striker recovered from a hamstring injury.[LNB]"We look a real threat going forward and we've got people who can score goals," said Jefferies.[LNB]"The attack's been great. The forwards are doing their bit. But at the back we've been short."[LNB]Jefferies was aghast at some of the defending he witnessed at Falkirk Stadium.[LNB]"There's no defence for the defence - some of the goals we lost were quite unbelievable," said the manager.[LNB]"It's just basic stuff.[LNB]"We know where the problems are and that's what we need to resolve.[LNB]"There are not a lot of options there - we're playing players out of position and they're trying their best.[LNB]"We've just got to try to do the best we can."[LNB]Jefferies' defensive options were weakened after Craig Thomson's dismissal at Falkirk.[LNB]The 19-year-old will be suspended against Motherwell and will watch on from the stands like Lee Wallace (knee) and Marius Zaliukas, who is subject of a contract dispute, but now back in training following a knee problem.[LNB]Jefferies too will be banned tomorrow, forced out of the dugout and into the stand after being disciplined at Celtic earlier this month.[LNB]"My preference is to be down there (in the dugout), but it's sometimes not a bad thing because you see the game differently from up there (the stand)," added Jefferies.[LNB]While Elliott may come in - "I'd imagine he'll be busting to get back," said Jefferies - the manager praised the contribution of Calum Elliot.[LNB]Rudi Skacel could also come into contention, but may not be risked as he is short of fitness.[LNB]Dawid Kucharski (calf strain) and Andrew Driver (knee) remain absent.
