In the second of our two-part feature on the season so far for Heart of Midlothian, writer Joel Sked looks at the noise around Steven Naismith's appointment, the biggest talking point of the campaign so far, as well as Lawrence Shankland's role in the team and his eight-game goal drought.
There is also a look at a couple of players who have impressed, plus what has been a missed opportunity for the team in the first eight games of the Premiership season.
READ MORE: James Cairney: Hearts season so far - Tactics, defensive numbers, lop-sided attack
The Naismith talking point
When the management team was confirmed in the first week of June, Hearts knew the set-up - Steven Naismith as technical director and Frankie McAvoy as head coach - opened the club and the decision-makers up to criticism if the season didn't start well. Which it didn't. Six wins from the first 14 with just one home league victory despite playing Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Aberdeen and Hibs. In turn, criticism has been, at times, voicerfous, whether it be internally from the fans or externally from pundits.
Supporters were split into three categories after Naismith's interim spell which followed Robbie Neilson's departure. There were those who were encouraged by the former Hearts forward's seven games in charge at the end of the season, even if the team missed out on third place. There were those who weren't completely sold on a permanent appointment but willing to support it. Then there were those who wanted an experienced manager, or someone who, as chief executive Andrew McKinlay put it, "has a proven track record as a winner".
But when the announcement arrived it raised plenty of eyebrows, McAvoy named head coach due to UEFA regulations around coaching qualifications because of the club's Conference League involvement. The optics weren't great and it looked clunky, messy even. The club sought dispensation for Naismith to be installed as head coach but that wasn't possible. However, it is understood that there was no confusion behind the scenes. All players, whether it be those already at the club or prospective signings, fully understood the set-up.
In this respect, Naismith deserves sympathy. He was in an awkward position from the start and with the nature of the set-up, the start to the season, doubts increased quicker than they perhaps would have in normal circumstances. You wouldn't need to look far, or even just listen to fans at games, to know there are supporters who would like a change of manager already. As with Neilson before him, there are those who have already made their mind up. It's an unfortunate position for any manager to be in. Let alone one who is 21 games into his managerial career.
Some may view it as impatience but the view point of some Hearts fans would be that previous managers have been afforded too much time. Yet, it is important that managers are at least afforded some time. And as for Naismith, it has been far from a disaster. The team are fourth and in a cup semi-final.
He wasn't appointed because he represented a cheap option. Nor was he viewed as a short-term appointment, but a longer term one who would put building blocks in place, both in terms of a style of play and for a pathway between academy and first-team. Both of which take time. Fans, especially those of a club who have underperformed, understandably just want to see a winning team on a Saturday, especially at home to Kilmarnock and Motherwell. It's a difficult balance. But it's one Naismith, more than anyone else, believes, even knows, he can achieve.
READ MORE: From Neilson to Naismith: How Hearts have changed under new management
Impressive individuals
There have been a few success stories on an individual level so far this campaign. As pointed out by James Cairney in Friday's article, Frankie Kent has been an excellent addition to the backline, stepping into the Craig Halkett hole which was evident during spells of last season.
Cammy Devlin has stepped up his game in midfield. The Australian was the focus of debate last season. An excellent ball winner but his passing was erratic. He has gone from the 46th percentile of midfielders to the 83rd in the Premiership with regards to his pass success rate (80 per cent last season to 86 per cent so far this campaign). That has been matched by his continued effectiveness off the ball. Against Hibs, he played an important dual role, helping build play in possession and pressing high up the pitch without the ball. His absence from the Socceroos' squad left Devlin "devastated". His performances have warranted better but it may act as a source of motivation not that he is the type which requires it.
READ MORE: Eduard Malofeev: The infamous interim spell - Chervenkov, discrimination, Soccer AM
Shankland role
Lawrence Shankland is the team's focal point, reference point, on-field leader, talisman. You name it and the striker is likely it for Hearts. However, he is currently on his longest run without a goal while wearing the maroon and white.
"Shanks is a proven goal scorer," Naismith said ahead of the Hibs game. "He has had these situations where he's maybe not scoring but for me he brings so much more. I think his all-round play as a forward since he came here has gone up. He's now looking like an experienced leader.
"Shanks is a goal scorer so if we are not providing opportunities for him he's going to suffer. I've got no concerns with him not scoring goals. I think by the end of the season he will have another good season of scoring goals."
There is no one single reason why the goals have dried up having started the campaign with five in his last six. There will be a number of factors, as explored in this analysis piece written prior to the Edinburgh derby. Another possible reason may well be his position within the team. There was plenty of debate last campaign as to Shankland's best position or role with fans wanting to see him as that No.9, central striker, in and around the box. That's exactly what he has been this campaign with Josh Ginnelly having left and no one yet stepping up to fill the Englishman's role.
Do you want Shankland to be constantly battling against centre-backs? Or would it be better for him to have greater freedom to move around in the final third? After all, Ginnelly often occupied the central striking role when they struck up an effective and productive partnership. Shankland should involved as much as possible. He is the team's best link player, arguably the best No.10 and No.9 and arriving in the box from deeper can allow him to pick better areas with more space. That may happen once Kyosuke Tagawa is back fit and up to speed with the Scottish game.
READ MORE: What next for Foundation of Hearts: Pledge target, board changes, fan opinion
Missed opportunity
As the team slumped off the Tynecastle Park pitch after seeing three points turn into one against Hibs, they entered the international break in fourth. One non-Hearts fan this writer spoke to assumed, on seeing the criticism, negativity and noise, that the team were sitting in eighth.
So, yes, not a terrible position to be in after eight games (add in a semi-final place). But it is also a frustrating position to be in. There has been a missed opportunity in the first couple of months of the season. The team were presented with a favourable start to the season. Four fixtures against teams in the bottom six last season, plus one at the league's newcomers Dundee, as well as home encounters against Aberdeen and Hibs, the two opponents, on paper, that would likely be in the mix for third spot. Both of whom have had a difficult start to the season. In addition, Rangers have been significantly below par, in terms of performances and results.
There was a prime opportunity to not only get an early, healthy lead on Aberdeen and Hibs but to be sitting second in the Premiership. When it comes to the league's natural order, there is a desire for Hearts to be looking above rather than below. That means being in a position to take advantage, wherever possible, of slip-ups from the Old Firm. An advantage that has so far been missed.
Now the team prepare themselves for back-to-back matches against Celtic then Rangers. If squeamish it is best to look away now. In the last 60 meetings against the Old Firm there have been 47 defeats - in 90 minutes. Just eight wins, six of which were against Rangers. A 13-per-cent win record. There is now an opportunity for Naismith to help change that. Results which can be opinion-changing and put the team in an even stronger position than fourth by the time of the next international break. And maybe into a cup final.
Read the rules here