Because Heart of Midlothian defeated a poor Motherwell side 2-1 at Fir Park on Saturday, does it mean everything is rosey in EH11? No.

"If you don't keep winning the pressure comes," Steven Naismith noted after the game. "In this job you are going to be under pressure from somebody. Even after today I'll be under pressure from somebody as well."

The Hearts head coach is very aware of fan expectation. He has been around the game long enough to know how important it is to back up the win over Motherwell with a win against St Johnstone then another win and another and so on. He spoke of the need for consistency in the build-up to the match.

Yet, it is important to look at the positives of what was a big win in the context of the season so far and a victory which should have been a big win in terms of the margin of success in North Lanarkshire. After all, there has been plenty of apathy, negativity and criticism of the team and Naismith this week and in previous weeks. This site has addressed plenty of those issues, from a lack of goals to a style of play that has not inspired the club's support.

So, with the international break on the horizon, let's look back at the club's third away league win and enjoy some much-needed positivity.

Team selection

It can be difficult predicting what line-up Steven Naismith is going to go with. After three games playing with a back three there was a view he would return to his preferred back four with calls for teenager Adam Forrester to start at right-back.

Yet, he stuck with the defensive trio but it was immediately more attacking than the team which started against Rangers in the Viaplay Cup semi-final. Alan Forrest was restored to wing-back with an attacking triumvirate of Alex Lowry, Liam Boyce and Lawrence Shankland. As will be explored, it worked. Hearts, especially in the first-half, pinned the opposition back with Alex Cochrane and Forrest playing a key role as wing-backs, pushing up the pitch and ensuring there was plenty of width, especially from the latter who was often used for a switch of play. There was a far better balance in terms of defence and attacking impetus.

Response in adversity

From the beginning and now to the end. When it looked like Hearts were cruising to victory, as they were against Hibs in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle Park earlier in the season, they conceded out of nowhere, Blair Spittal scoring from the spot after Alex Cochrane was penalised for a handball (by the letter of the law it was the correct decision but that is an issue with the nonsensical handball rule).

The team have been guilty of conceding goals in quick succession.

"When they scored we defended really well in those dying moments which has been questioned with losing some quick goals back-to-back in games, that was really pleasing," Naismith said.

The team made sure they were solid after the concession. And they were. Despite constant pressure and balls into the box, Motherwell had one shot after they had scored. A long range effort which went wide. There was never a concern that they would get the equaliser and it was far more enjoyable for the visiting support to see Shankland and Jorge Grant play keep ball, stress-free, in the corner for what seemed like the entirety of the additional time.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith on 'big' Hearts win, referee verdict, Forrest sub, Boyce - Full Q&A

Defence - individually and collectively

In general terms, Hearts defended very well. There were a couple of shakey moments in the first half, namely Frankie Kent trying to see the ball out for a goal kick, only to get it pinched off of him, but he was aided by a team-mate. Over the course of the game, however, there was little to worry about. Motherwell recorded an xG of 0.09 from open play. In Layman's terms, they created f--- all. 

Motherwell sought to try to put pressure on with an attacking trio but owing to aspects of how Hearts played they were left to feed off scraps. When they did get the ball into the final third the defensive trio of Stephen Kingsley, Kent and Kye Rowles snuffed out any danger. The latter is getting stronger and stronger as the season goes on. No player made more clearances, headed clearances or interceptions. Kent, who had little issue against Mika Biereth, the Steelmen's most dangerous attacking player, wasn't far behind and led in both aerial duels won and ball recoveries. 

Midfield platform

There will have been some more eyebrows raised at Cammy Devlin's absence from the starting line-up. Yet, Calem Nieuwenhof and Beni Baningime ensured there was little talk of the missing Aussie in the aftermath. The duo were aggressive, hard working and used the ball well. Baningime provided the cutting pass for Shankland's second goal, while Nieuwenhof gave a glimpse of some driving qualities from midfield in the second half. But largely they provided Hearts with a mobile, solid platform to dominate. They were a key reason why Motherwell struggled to get out of their half for large parts of the first 45 minutes.

Pressing and energy

In and out of possession, Hearts played with a better tempo and intensity. It was heartening to see the team push so high up the pitch in the first half. It put them in a great position that when the ball was lost they were ready to go hunting to win it back. That was led from the front, supported by the wing backs and then by the aforementioned midfield duo. It was the type of approach Hearts fans want to see. In possession, it was noticeable that there weren't as many passes which were superfluous. There was intent with the ball and passes which were beneficial in the build-up and actually took the team somewhere. That somewhere often being closer to the Motherwell goal.

Alex Lowry

The on loan Rangers star attempted 26 passes. He was successful with 17. He didn't score and he didn't assist. He tried to slalom around two Motherwell players in the centre circle only to lose it much to the annoyance of Steven Naismith. He apologised a few times for decision making, including an attempted shot from his own half. But what an incredibly fun player to watch. And an important player as well. Lowry is a difference maker. There is no one else like him in the Hearts team. Naismith called on his players to take more risks. Lowry has no issue with that. Yes, he can make the wrong choice. Yes, he sometimes tries to put a bit of swazz on the ball when its not necessary. But that's who he is. He is off the cuff. At a time when football is far too robotic with patterns, shape and keeping the ball, he entertains and does so at his own pace. More of it, please.

READ MORE: Motherwell 1-2 Hearts instant analysis: Best player, away joys, set-piece threat

Liam Boyce

The Northern Irishman was more influential than he was in the recent win over Livingston. He could easily have opened the scoring, cutting onto his left but he dragged his shot agonisingly wide. It would have been a worthy goal for a hard-working outing. Boyce dropped off into positions to get on the ball and offer a key option in build up at times but he also ensured there was someone high up when Shankland wanted to go deeper. No Hearts player was fouled more and he was getting on the nerves of the home support which is always a good sign, especially after the interval where he was either drawing fouls or being brought down before he could hurt the home side. With the amount of time he was out injured there were always going to be bumps along the road in his return. Livingston was a bump, Motherwell was better.

Substitutions and Toby Sibbick

Motherwell's introduction of Brodie Spencer for Theo Bair at half-time had a positive impact for the Steelmen. They started to push more and put Hearts on the back foot. As the tide was beginning to turn in terms of dominance, Naismith looked to his bench and brought Toby Sibbick on for Forrest who was being taken back towards his goal by Spencer.

"We took off Alan Forrest just because they were being more aggressive and we needed more of a defensive-minded player there," explained.

Sibbick can be really pleased with his performance and gave a demonstration of what he can bring to the team. He is strong, powerful, quick and has a great size. He needs to be more aggressive with and without the ball on a more consistent basis. He is a handful when he's aggressive and forwards struggle to get the better of him.

Lawrence Shankland

Look back across the last 25 years. Stephane Adam and Edgaras Jankauskas, two Scottish Cup winners. A trio of target men in Mark de Vries, Lee Miller and Kevin Kyle. There was the unique skillset of Ricardo Fuller and the 'what if' scenario of Mauricio Pinilla. That's before you get to Roman Bednar, Andrius Velicka, Osman Sow, Genero Zeefuik and Kyle Lafferty.

Now, ensuring not to go down the route of Brian Clough and his infamous medals and caps and pots and pans speech to the bemused Leeds United players, forget about all those above. Lawrence Shankland is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best Hearts striker since John Robertson. And, providing he remains at Tynecastle for the foreseeable future, one of the best in the club's history.

He showed exactly why once more on Saturday. Was it his most rounded performance? Probably not. Was it one of his most important? Yeah. Two goals in a 2-1 win. Two brilliant goals in their own right. We could go on and on but there are going to be plenty - and I mean plenty - of words on Lawrence Shankland on Hearts Standard in the coming days...

The mood music and league table

The music surrounding Hearts for much of this season so far would fit into a thriller or horror. This win, coupled with the performance, if not changes the track certainly removes any suspenseful tones for the time being. The team, management, fans and club in general can go into the international break with a spring in their step. Such is the nature of the league this campaign - competitive or poor, depending on your view - a win was able to push Hearts into fourth spot and now breathing down the neck of third place St Mirren.

Visiting support

The away support was largely the diehards, those who follow the club around the country no matter what. There was a four-figure visiting crowd but not nearly as much as Hearts would bring if there was more confidence in the team. Let's face it, there is some apathy kicking around. But, as they have done throughout the season, they backed the team for 90 minutes and then some. They were supportive before, during and after, supporting the club's charity arm Big Hearts who were collecting outside the away end prior to the game, made sure the Well Bois were not heard and then stayed behind to salute the players. The visiting support has been the club's most consistent performer.