Steven Naismith’s tenure as the head coach of Heart of Midlothian has come to an abrupt end, following a dismal run of nine matches without a win in all competitions and eight successive defeats. The 38-year-old former Scotland striker was appointed as the head coach in April 2023, but his performance was not up to the expectations of the fans and the management.
The recent away defeat to St Mirren on Saturday was the final straw that broke the camel’s back. The fans in the away end made their feelings very clear, calling for Naismith to leave the club immediately. When a fan base turns against the coach, there is usually no coming back, and that proved to be the case for Naismith as he was given his marching orders on Sunday.
So, where did it all go wrong for Naismith? The statistics are not very flattering for the former Scotland striker. Hearts have had 159 touches in the opposition box across their six league games, but they have created just five big chances and scored only three goals. That is the joint-fewest in the division, and represents a shot conversion rate of 4.17%. Their 72 shots have resulted in a cumulative xG value of 5.14 – the second lowest in the league – which suggests they have been shooting from non-threatening areas.
The Recruitment Conundrum and Tactics
The recruitment business of Hearts over the summer has also been a subject of debate among the fans and experts. Left-back James Penrice and midfield duo Blair Spittal and Yan Dhanda arrived on free transfers from fellow Premiership clubs, but they have been unable to replicate their previous form. Musa Drammeh was signed from Sevilla’s reserves, but the striker has only made one brief appearance off the bench and has not been selected in their Conference League squad.
Loan signings Andres Salazar and Gerald Taylor have both played international football, for Colombia and Costa Rica respectively, but they have made costly mistakes at the back since arriving in Gorgie. There appears to be a lack of balance to the squad, and the recruitment has been criticized by many.
Former Hearts defender Allan Preston was critical of the recruitment, saying, “The recruitment has been dreadful. They have got nine central midfield players and one right-back. That’s not good enough.”
The tactics employed by Naismith have also been questioned by many. There has never appeared to be a settled back-line, with Naismith switching between a back four and a back five almost on a weekly basis. He made 17 changes to his starting XI in total, hardly the sign of a coach confident in his players.
Naismith’s Tactical Approach
Naismith’s tactical approach has been a subject of debate among the fans and experts. The former Scotland striker seemed to be experimenting with different formations and players, but it never seemed to work out. He was criticized for not knowing his best XI or his best formation.
The lack of a settled back-line and the constant changes to the starting XI seemed to unsettle the players, and it reflected in their performance on the pitch. The defenders seemed to be off-balance, and the midfielders were not able to create enough chances for the strikers.
A Look at the Statistics
Statistics can often provide a clearer picture of a team’s performance. The statistics for Hearts are not very flattering. They have had 159 touches in the opposition box across their six league games, but they have created just five big chances and scored only three goals.
Their 72 shots have resulted in a cumulative xG value of 5.14 – the second lowest in the league. The xG value is a measure of the quality of chances created by a team. A lower xG value indicates that a team is not creating enough good chances to score goals.
What Next for Hearts?
So, what next for Hearts? The club is currently in talks with Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom about potentially using the entrepreneur’s analytical company for player recruitment in the future. This could be a step in the right direction for the club, as they look to address their recruitment issues.
The club will also be looking to appoint a new head coach, and there are several candidates who have been linked to the job. Former Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson believes that the club should look to appoint a coach who can bring stability and consistency to the team.
“I think Hearts need a coach who can bring stability and consistency to the team,” Stevenson said. “Someone who can make the right decisions and get the best out of the players. I think that would be a good starting point for the club.”
A New Coach and a New Era
The appointment of a new head coach will mark the beginning of a new era for Hearts. The club has a rich history, and the fans will be hoping that the new coach can bring back the glory days.
The new coach will have a tough job on his hands, but with the right support and resources, anything is possible. The club has a talented squad, and with the right coaching and guidance, they can achieve great things.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Hearts, but one thing is certain – the fans will be behind the team every step of the way. The club has a loyal fan base, and they will be hoping that the new coach can bring them the success they crave.
Conclusion
Steven Naismith’s tenure as the head coach of Heart of Midlothian has come to an end, but the club will be hoping that the new coach can bring a fresh start and a new era of success. The fans will be behind the team every step of the way, and with the right support and resources, anything is possible.
Hearts have the potential to be a top-three club in Scotland, and the fans will be hoping that the new coach can bring them to the top. The club has a rich history, and the fans will be hoping that the new coach can bring back the glory days.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Hearts, but one thing is certain – the fans will be behind the team every step of the way.