The form may have been patchy this season, but Hearts still sit four points clear in third.
The Jambos cruised to the best of the rest crown last term, securing guaranteed European group stage football in the process. After jaunts to Riga, Florence and Istanbul, fans are desperate to get the passports out again and the Tynecastle team are on track qualify for Europe, But it looks like being more of a sweat this time around, especially after the weekend defeat to Aberdeen.
Losing at Pittodrie is nothing new, just as the Dons’ Tynecastle record isn't one to shout about. But the manner of it was what caused most alarm, with Hearts 3-0 down before half-an-hour had been played and it was game over. Following back-to-back defeats against Celtic, not long after a home reverse to Rangers, those of a maroon persuasion are now looking over the shoulders when it seemed like they’d be able to coast once more just a few weeks ago.
Streaks have been a feature of the season, though. Things began well enough with wins over Ross County and Dundee United, either side of an Edinburgh derby draw that should really have been a victory. The European games then kicked in and the hectic schedule took its toll, as did injuries. Wins over RFS home and away provided some continental relief amid losses against Zurich home and away, as well as Fiorentina and Istanbul Basaksehir.
League form took a hit at that point too. A poor defeat at Livingston was hot on the heels of a League Cup exit at home to Kilmarnock. A 3-0 win at Motherwell was the outlier before Rangers won 4-0 in Gorgie. A last gasp leveller rescued a point at Kilmarnock inbetween the Fiorentina games, but a trip to Pittodrie ended in a 2-0 reverse. Celtic then won a 4-3 thriller at Tynecastle before a better run kicked in.
Hearts only needed ten men to beat Motherwell 3-2 at home and a narrow 1-0 loss at Ibrox wasn't the end of the world. A home draw with Livi was also secure with a man less prior to the World Cup break. Kilmarnock were beaten 3-1 on the return to action before another injury-plagued trip to Tannadice saw a stoppage time leveller.
The capital club finally won in Perth as the Saints were beaten 3-2, then the feelgood factor really ramped up as Hibs were dispatched 3-0. A draw at St Mirren was followed up with a win in the corresponding home meeting. Aberdeen were then filleted under the lights, with the hosts 4-0 up at half-time before adding another after the break.
Another 3-0 derby win ensured Scottish Cup progression, but since then the current sticky patch has seen their city rivals and Aberdeen cut the gap. But what do the numbers suggest?
Prior to the World Cup break, Hearts had won six league games out of 15. Not great. After the break, it was seven from 15. Better, but still not great. The difference? Fewer defeats.
Had you offered fans, or actually Neilson himself, their current position after that October defeat at Pittodrie, both would have likely snapped your hand off. His players have shown they are capable of stringing together a consistent run. What they need to do is time another for just about now to avoid a more nervous end to the season that anyone at Tynecastle would care for,
With two more Edinburgh derbies to come and Aberdeen due in the capital, then there would be no time like the home straight to start moving in the right direction again.
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