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Sluggish Lawrence Shankland needs Hearts restart and simple advice that worked for Alan Shearer would help - Ryan Stevenson
Lawrence Shankland was Scotland’s sharpest operator in front of goal a few months ago. On Sunday I thought he looked sluggish. Like a man carrying the weight of responsibility for his team.
I’ve banged the Shankland drum for years but even I’ve got to admit the pressure now looks to be taking its toll on the Hearts skipper. I’d have taken him off against Rangers, I’ve got to be honest. We are all scratching our heads wondering what’s happened. I honestly think it’s due to Lawrence trying too hard every time he steps on the pitch. Running into areas he doesn’t need to go into like on Sunday when he kept dropping deep or even popping up way out on the right wing.
Yes, he linked play well and produced what should have been a wonderful assist for Kenny Vargas only for the Costa Rican to fluff his lines at the crucial moment. But in Lawrence’s own words last week it’s just not happening for him in front of goal right now.
And that’s his job first and foremost. To score goals. Sometimes when you’re not playing well you can find yourself going into positions you normally wouldn’t just to try and make things happen.
I always remember Alan Shearer saying when he was going through a hard time that Bobby Robson just told him to stay in between the sticks. That’s what Lawrence needs to do.
Put it this way, I bet he’s still the guy that opposition defences worry about most. Even though he’s scored just one in 18 games this season. If you’re the opposition centre half or goalkeeper and you see him away out wide then you’ll be delighted. They don’t want to see him in the box where at any stage there could be a ricochet that falls to him it will end up in the back of the net.
I’ll tell you what though - those critics suggesting he isn’t trying are miles off. I’ve heard folk say Lawrence has downed tools. Absolute nonsense. That would be career suicide at this stage as he enters the last six months of his contract.
If his form in front of goal stays the same then that amazing deal he had on the table from Hearts which he turned down in January might not resurface. Right now it’s off the table remember and there were no offers from others clubs that came in during the last window.
Lawrence is now entering a bit of deep water. I’ve been there myself in my career. Get to this stage of your contract and with your form maybe not what it was and it becomes horrible. This is your livelihood we’re talking about. So why on earth would anyone jeopardise that by downing tools?
Lawrence is in a horrible position if his form doesn’t pick up. I feel for him. But at the same time he is going to have to find his way out of it.
I argued throughout Steven Naismith’s spell in charge that he needed another striker beside him. He has that now with Neil Critchley playing 4/4/2. But I’d flip it so that Vargas or whoever is up beside him comes deep and Lawrence stays up top.
Maybe Lawrence doesn’t trust Vargas to hold the ball up as well as he can. The Costa Rican has the pace and it’s probably thought that it’s better for him to run in behind. But the brass tacks of it is that Lawrence is the goalscorer. Even if he’s struggling on that front right now.
So I’d have somebody round about him, get the ball wide, get the ball in the box and tell him to stay in between the sticks. I understand why some people think Lawrence would benefit from a spell in the bench.
But, despite all I’ve just said, he needs to start against Celtic when they return from the winter break. Why? Mainly because Hearts have nobody else. Which is an indictment on the summer recruitment. Against Celtic you need the experience and the intelligence he brings. Someone who can hold the ball up and understands the game playing against Carter-Vickers.
I’m like a broken record saying they need another striker or two to ease the burden. Hopefully Critchley can solve that in January with a couple of good signings. He knows the English market so he must have a few in mind already.
Vargas annoyed me a couple of weeks ago when he scored against St Mirren and did the ‘shoosh’ celebration. He has taken a bit of stick but that’s not how you respond.
The chance he missed just after half time at Ibrox was so costly. If he scores then Hearts win two or three one. The place would have turned toxic towards Rangers.
I thought Critchley’s summary afterwards was bang on, saying they played well but he’ll never settle for being a nearly team.
The fans have been fed buzzwords and bulls**t from previous managers who churn out excuses about implementing certain styles of play that will benefit them further down the line. At last we have a manager who tells it like it is rather than trying to deflect and fool the punters.
