In every squad, there are certain players appointed as the 'fronters up'. The guys who are adept and comfortable speaking to the press after a bad result, a poor performance. It is their job to offer a reasoned assessment, speak to any fan angst and steer the focus towards bouncing back in the following game.

At Heart of Midlothian Lawrence Shankland is chief fronter up. Wearing the captain's armband brings with it that responsibility. It also helps that he is always an honest observer. He is closely followed by Frankie Kent. Another of the team's leading figures. Another who is happy to be open and honest.

When he sat down in the media room of Dens Park it took just 22 seconds for him to cut straight to the point: "Crap first half".

It was an assessment of the 3-1 defeat to Dundee that was both honest and correct.

"I agree it wasn't like us," he said. "That hasn't been like us probably since the start of last season. I don't know why it was. It's probably too early to try and explain it. We probably have to watch it back and see.

"Crap first half, we obviously did a bit better in the second half but they changed how they played. It wasn't good."

Trying to explain why it was quite so bad is more difficult for a player to do within 30 minutes of full-time. Even more so for Kent when he hadn't "seen that from us in a long time", referring to the "20-minute spell in the second part of the first half" that was so "disappointing".

One of the key talking points amongst supporters surrounded the formation and the decision from Steven Naismith to change from the back four against Rangers to the back three. Dundee boss Tony Docherty admitted his surprise.

Kent, who scored the Hearts goal, pointed out the team changed between the systems last season to good effect.

"We thought we played here last year in similar games and played in a way we thought could hurt Dundee," he said of the shape. "That was the reasoning for it. It looked like it didn't work obviously because of the scoreline.

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"We would play really well one week in a [back] four, then change to a three and play well again and get another good result. We would win games doing it. I think we changed a lot last season and that was probably a big strength of ours.

"There's no explanation for it for me at the minute. I can't put my finger on it as to what it was and why it was. It just wasn't good enough."

Hearts had three of the summer signings in the starting XI with a further three coming off the bench. Kent rejected the view that it was a "wake-up call", suggesting it was more of "a good learning curve for them".

The centre-back has been in that position. He reflected on his own introduction to Scottish football and the demands that come with wearing the maroon and white.

"Early doors, they get to see what's demanded and what's needed from us when you go to places like Dens Park," he explained. 

"You see how Dundee celebrated at the end, there is a big expectation on us now to get wins because we did that last season. That's on us, there's no excuse. We need to put it right.

Frankie Kent scores Hearts goalFrankie Kent scores Hearts goal (Image: Mark Scates - SNS Group)

"Of course, it's for everyone in the team. I learned quickly last season, with the slow start we had, what was expected and needed from us. These boys, no excuse, but they are young. They are fresh to it and new to it. Maybe it's a bit of a blessing in disguise, really, that it's come. We don't want to lose games and we definitely weren't good enough on Saturday."

One of the few positives that came out of Saturday was the fact it was just the second game of the season. There is plenty time to put it right, there are plenty of big games on the horizon. Before Hearts enter European competition they head to Falkirk in the League Cup.

After the Dundee defeat, there will be those on the outside looking at it as a possible upset. It's now on the management team and players to ensure they are right at it against a very good Championship side.

"Obviously there needs to be a reaction next time we play," Kent said. "I think I said last season that, with the start we had, it was a long season - which it is. Everything can turn round but we need to get it right and I'm sure we'll be working to do that.