Jefferies wants Jambos to prove worth

28 August 2010 15:05
Hearts manager Jim Jefferies sees Sunday's visit of Dundee United as a chance for his side to prove they mean business in their top-three bid.[LNB] After last season's sixth-place disappointment, Jefferies is targeting a return to European football this time around.[LNB]The early signs are promising for the Gorgie outfit after a draw against St Johnstone and last week's 4-0 thrashing of Hamilton at New Douglas Park.[LNB]However, Jefferies knows United pose their first serious test of their European aspirations with the Tannadice outfit finishing third last term.[LNB]Jefferies said: "I would love to go into the international break after winning the game.[LNB]"Then you could say that there is now a base to kick on and do what we set out to do, and that's to be at the right end of the table competing.[LNB]"People have been saying it's a different Hearts side this year and that we're going to be a difficult team to overcome, that's a positive sign for us.[LNB]"The performance, attitude and application have been terrific and if we show that consistently you have more chance of getting results.[LNB]"This is probably a test the fact that everyone will be looking at Dundee United being away and this might be a chance.[LNB]"They were not third for nothing, they're a decent side."[LNB]Jefferies is set to welcome back Eggert Jonsson for his first league game after the Icelandic internationalist missed the opening two encounters through suspension.[LNB]Jonsson played as a centre-half in Tuesday's Co-operative Insurance Cup win over Elgin City and Jefferies admits his versatility is giving him a headache.[LNB]He said: "Finding out his best positionis a problem. On the plus side he can play anywhere and I don't think he minds that because at least he knows that if a place comes up in the team he's in with a chance of playing there."[LNB]United are still looking for their first win of the season but improved considerably following their 4-0 home defeat by Inverness as they drew 1-1 against AEK Athens on Thursday while exiting the Europa League.[LNB]Left-back Paul Dixon said: "Hearts isn't an easy one. They've had a good result against Elgin in midweek and will be full of confidence.[LNB]"But we need to go there and give it 100%, work hard and hopefully get the result we need.[LNB]"We were embarrassed by the 4-0 defeat to Inverness, no matter who you lose to any 4-0 defeat is an embarrassing defeat especially at home in front of your own crowd.[LNB]"We'll be looking to rectify that. We've not won yet but will just focus on what's to come and won't worry about what's in the past." Meanwhile, United will seek an explanation from UEFA over the debacle surrounding their second leg in Athens.[LNB]AEK's Olympic Stadium pitch was deemed unplayable on Monday and the replacement venue was vandalised before the Greek side secured a deal to play in Olympiakos's stadium about 24 hours before kick-off.[LNB]A United statement read: "While Dundee United has at all times behaved with integrity this week to make sure that our Europa League play off tie against AEK Athens went ahead, we have also felt duty bound to make various enquiries to ensure the club's position was not compromised and that, for the sake of the competition, such events do not occur again. Our supporters are also due a full explanation, particularly in view of the circumstances they were faced with.[LNB]"We would like to make it clear that there are no grounds for an official protest. This was never considered as a serious option by Dundee United and this has been subsequently confirmed by legal advice and advice from the authorities.[LNB]"However, at the request of the SFA, we will be preparing a full report on the situation and difficulties presented to the club this week and this will be forwarded by them to UEFA for a detailed response."

Source: Team_Talk