Hearts fans make feelings known - deja vu strikes as Aberdeen 8 clear

Steven Naismith's men came into the game after a spirited display but ultimately disappointing result in Czechia against Viktoria Plzen. But it took them over an hour until they got going. Only they were down 2-0 at that point, conceding both from set pieces with Paul McGinn and Stephen O'Donnell scoring. Yutaro Oda got them back into the game but the comeback was ended with a Tom Sparrow strike.

It was a result and performance that was greeted with ire from the large travelling contingent. More than 2,700 made the trip to North Lanarkshire on a wet and windy afternoon. They understandably booed the team off at half time and those who stayed for full time made their feelings clear.

Joel Sked looks back at another disappointing result and below-par performance.

Deja vu

The first-half performance could have been a re-run of many opening 45 minutes last season, especially in the first half of the campaign. Slow, sterile, predictable and lacking energy and excitement. Hearts dominated the ball but rarely looked like troubling the Motherwell defence. The same couldn't be said of Motherwell troubling the Hearts defence. After a strong defensive and largely comfortable display in Plzen, Hearts didn't look like either in the set up. After cantering to third place, the team appear to regressed to 12 months ago and not kicked on despite the transfer additions. It could be said that it will take time for the team to gel, plus the injuries to Beni Baningime and Calem Nieuwenhof. But every team in the Premiership is in the same boat. Take Motherwell for example. The Steelmen are missing a raft of players and have signed four more players than Hearts, not including Andy Halliday, the former Tynecastle midfielder had his loan deal turned permanent. It was Halliday who led the way for the home side in the first half with his pressing and intensity. And Motherwell's energy was excellent for large periods of the game, sensing a vulnerability within Hearts. 

Lack of reaction

Hearts were adept many times last season by following a slow or poor first half with a much improved second half. The reaction after the interval was as bad as the opening 45 minutes. The team didn't look like they realised they were behind until they fell behind further. Naismith made changes and switched to a back four. It then took the team time get comfortable with it as Stephen Kingsley went to right-back and Blair Spittal to left wing. Hearts didn't offer a response until the past the hour mark when Lawrence Shankland had a shot blocked. Before long Yutaro Oda had got the team back in it after a good move. For a period Hearts were on top and the home crowd grew frustrated as Cammy Devlin, Oda and Kenneth Vargas gave the team a spark. Any hope of a comeback, however, was ended when slack play at the back offered the Steelmen a 3-1 lead.

Chasing Aberdeen

The slow start to the season has not only led to Hearts fans asking questions but also seen the team slip eight points behind Aberdeen already. The Dons have taken advantage of a kind fixture list and Hearts' troubles to open a lead for that third place which could be the last time a Scottish team benefits from guaranteed Europa League or Conference League league phase football. Naismith spoke last season about not looking at the table until much later in the season. Fans don't have the same viewpoint and it seemed imperative that Hearts didn't allow teams to open large gaps while the schedule was not as demanding. Yet, at this moment in time, forget Aberdeen. It's pointless looking so far up the table when the team have been so far off it for large stages of games against Dundee, Falkirk and Motherwell.

Set pieces

There are different elements to Hearts' struggles right now. At Fir Park, defending set pieces could be added to the list. Motherwell's opening two goals came from set plays. And they could have had even more. Early on Hearts got away with one when Liam Gordon ran onto the ball unopposed but sent his header wide. The opening goal was an example in now how to hold a defensive line with Gerald Taylor at least a yard deeper than the rest of the team. There was a chance after 37 minutes from a similar cross that brought about the opening goal. Then the second was just straightforward bad defending. Add in the fact on two occasions Hearts had everyone back but allowed two short corners to be taken with little pressure. It was a mess and summed up Hearts' afternoon.

Collective failing

Much of the focus and questions from fans will land at Naismith's door. That's expected as the manager. As ever within the struggles there have been players who have been below their best. On this afternoon, Kye Rowles struggled throughout and again failed to win the duels a centre-back needs to in Scottish football. Blair Spittal and Yan Dhanda both struggled to make a consistent impact, especially in the final third where quality was lacking. Lawrence Shankland cut a frustrated figure and didn't provide the safe out ball he has done over his past two seasons. More could easily be named as Hearts failed to match the intensity of their opponents.