Hearts started the season on fire as the form from last season and the dominant Scottish Championship winning campaign was taken into the Premiership with win after win coming and the Jambos setting the early season pace.
Since then, and when the first defeat was suffered, Hearts couldn’t ‘buy a win’ but the victory last time round, with a cleansheet, is one that it’s hoped, if not expected, can be the springboard to further success!
Blazej Augustyn, among one of many players troubled by injury this season, has said he’s certain when all players are fit and firing Hearts can ’cause a surprise’ this season, telling the Edinburgh News.
‘When everyone is fresh again, I think we can cause a surprise this season. I am pretty sure this team is only going to get better once everyone is fit because we have quality players who know how to play football.
‘We just need to have more belief. I hope after winning on Sunday we just get better now.
‘We had a nice time in the first five games, then we had a bad time and now we just need to use our experience from the good run and the bad run and become consistent.’
Key players like Jamie Walker, Alim Ozturk and Miguel Pallardo have all been troubled by injury this season and any side would miss players like them, so Hearts are no different.
Defensive solidarity is the basis to success, only one goal has been conceded in the last three-matches in the Premiership, which is something to build on as was the cleansheet in the one-nil win against Dundee United on Sunday.
Scoring goals has become a problem of late though!
Augustyn will always be more concerned by the defensive aspect though with him targeting more shutouts as the backline gets used to some continuity in the selection, adding.
‘It’s important to keep another clean sheet because we have worked so hard on defence in training over the last few weeks. As defenders, we are starting to form a good bond now.
‘We cover each other and help each other out, which is good. We change often, but it’s important that, when a guy comes in off the bench, he is fit and ready to come in and help us.’
The Pole might be a mainstay in the side, if he’s not sidelined by injury, but one who has struggled over the past 16-months during his time with Hearts so far is striker Soufian El Hassnaoui.
Almost half way through the three-year deal he signed in 2014 injuries have frustrated him but he’s closing in on a return to full fitness after three-months out with knee ligament damage with him certain he’s still got a role to play at Tynecastle.
The 25-year-old, also speaking to the Edinburgh News, said.
‘I still haven’t shown yet the player I used to be before I came to Hearts. It’s hard, but it will come. I just have to keep working hard and my time at Hearts will come. I know that for sure.
‘It’s probably three years ago since I was at my peak and playing regularly. That was with De Graafschap and I was very fit. I will definitely get back to that level. I have been working so hard on getting back to that.
‘I am very optimistic.’
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