Hearts 14 [FOURTEEN] clear: Formation, Shankland head, Oda

Steven Naismith's men are now unbeaten in 12, winning 11 of those matches. They go into a run of matches against Rangers, Hibs and Celtic in a very strong position. 

Joel Sked and James Cairney provide their thoughts on the game in Gorgie.

READ MORE: Assessing the Hearts squad: Depth, development and transfer potential

Frustrating first half

You get TV shows where nothing substantial, meaningful or noteworthy happens, yet it can still be engrossing viewing. Nothing substantial, meaningful or noteworthy happened in the first half at Tynecastle Park. Only, it was the complete opposite of engrossing viewing. It was also a first half Hearts fans have endured a few times this season. So much possession but so little in the way of clear-cut chances.

Steven Naismith switched back to the three-man back line with Kye Rowles coming in for his first start since returning from the Asian Cup. It meant Hearts had plenty of control with the three defenders with Beni Baningime in front and the two wing-backs. But too often it was a case of horseshoe play, moving the ball from one side to the other via the defensive trio and Beni. Scott Fraser and Calen Nieuwenhof were switched near the interval with the pair, as well as the front two of Lawrence Shankland and Alan Forrest on the periphery. Rarely did you see any player get the ball and go direct by dribbling at and committing opponents. 

The intensity and tempo of the game picked up slightly towards the end of the half but there was a clear game plan from Motherwell to get men behind the ball and then spring forward when they won it. They were essentially a 5-4-1 with Jack Vale and former Hearts youngster Harry Paton playing in wider roles that would change depending on the situation.

It all contributed to the home side struggling to play their way through Motherwell and get the ball into the box. Very little came centrally with the team relying on the two wing-backs to cross the ball into the area. Six shots with zero on target was no surprise. The team remain without a first-half league goal since before Christmas.

Familiar feeling

But...

Premiership matches involving Hearts have tended to follow a familiar pattern lately: the men in maroon are slow out of the traps and struggle to threaten the opposition goal; Naismith tinkers with the team’s tactics at the break; Hearts improve; Shankland breaks the deadlock; Hearts don’t look back.

It’s a script that supporters are getting very accustomed to, but also a movie that doesn’t lose its lustre on repeat viewings. All that matters is that same old ending – Hearts walking away with another three points in tow.

As is so often the case, a goal out of nothing from their talismanic No.9 provides Hearts with what they seek. Alan Forrest teased an excellent free-kick from deep into the path of Shankland, who finished expertly to hand Hearts the lead on 67 minutes.

It relieved the anxiety that had been building in the stands, and the effect was felt down on the park. Now that they had the advantage, Hearts were playing with confidence and pace. A Motherwell comeback seemed remote indeed. The result never looked in doubt – Hearts rarely give up winning positions these days – and with Kenneth Vargas's stoppage-time strike, the win was secured as they picked up another three points in their quest for European football next season.

The gap between Hearts and Kilmarnock now stands at 14 points. It’s time supporters started looking out their passports.

READ MORE: Frankie Kent Q&A: Hearts cup aim, fan interaction and missing just one game

The back four excitement

In the coming hours and days following this win Hearts fans will discuss and debate the merits of the back four against the back three. This game provides the perfect opportunity to do so with the back three in the first 45 and back four in the second 45.

The likelihood is that the majority of fans will agree: The back four is the way forward, especially for games at Tynecastle Park.

Hearts looked a much more threatening side when they have Alan Forrest and either Kenneth Vargas or Yutaro Oda alongside Shankland. On this occasion, all three supported the No.9 in attack. Shankland came alive with the trio running off him. It allowed him to drop into spaces, link and play passes in behind for one of them to chase.

Now, let's not forget. Hearts didn't start looking their best until they were ahead and the game state is different. It will be fascinating to see this attacking line-up from the start against team who sit in and whether it is as effective as it was in the final third of the match.

But there is no doubt that, while it may lose some control, the 4-3-3 is more exciting for the supporter.

READ MORE: The Hearts feel-good factor, Naismith song and the trend they will want to buck

Oda makes his mark

A quick word on Yutaro Oda, too. Hearts were struggling to break Motherwell down for large spells of the game before the winger was brought on for Alex Cochrane on the hour mark, and a big part of that was down to the players’ reluctance to take on their man. The Steelmen were wary of committing to tackles, relying on their shape to keep Hearts at bay, and the home side were equally reluctant to take men on in 1v1 situations.

If you can beat one man in such circumstances, then all sorts of opportunities can open up. And that’s exactly what we saw once Oda was introduced. The Japanese delights and frustrates in equal measure, but is undoubtedly at his best when driving directly at an opponent.

That’s exactly what he did as soon as he came on. For the 30 minutes he was on the park, Oda had one thought in his mind: get forward at every available opportunity. He may not have had a direct role in either goal, but he did help to up Hearts’ tempo and heap pressure on top of Motherwell.

Oda’s introduction had another side-effect too. With Oda on the wing, Vargas was moved infield where he has excelled recently. The Costa Rican took his second goal superbly, wrapping up the win in style for Naismith’s men.

Beni Baningime

Beni Baningime has been a key figure for Hearts and their surge up the table with a run that has included just three defeats in 19 in all competitions. He has started 16 of those 19 matches and made the No.6 position his own. What Steven Naismith wants in that role suits the midfielder's skillset. An ability to take the ball under pressure, protect it and pass it. In turn, he very rarely loses it. Without it, he is adept at intercepting and stealing the ball away, especially if the other team counters.

That was on show in the first half against Motherwell. Yet, it should be noted there were expressions of frustration from both the crowd and Naismith with some of the decision making in possession, favouring a safer pass when Hearts really needed a bit more verticality against a Motherwell side camped in. On the flipside, he produced a number of key defensive interventions, snuffing out a few counters.

Then, towards the end of the half, he went down feeling his left hamstring and replaced at the interval. We will wait to see the severity of it but if he is out for a sustained period it would be a blow. No one quite has his experience, know how and understanding of the role. For the player, he is someone that needs to play regular first-team football. At 25, he's still not played 75 first-team games.

Shankland's aerial threat

We've said it time and time and time again. Lawrence Shankland is inevitable. And also the fact we are running out of things to say about him.

His goal against Motherwell was his fifth with his head in the Premiership this season. Unsurprisingly, the most in the league. Interestingly, three more than he managed in the entire league campaign last season.