Steven Naismith defends Hearts playing style as boss blames opposition 'happy with a draw' approach

Fans had branded the jambos' style 'horrific' but Naismith has laid out the reasons for the lack of attacking football.

Steven Naismith has defended Hearts' style of play under him after fans branded it "horrific."

CEO Andrew McKinlay was grilled at the club's AGM this week, with fans unhappy at how the Jambos are playing, despite Naismith promising them attacking football after being appointed as Robbie Neilson's successor on a permanent basis in the summer. The Tynecastle team are averaging less than a goal a game in the Premiership this season, with just 15 scored in their 16 fixtures so far.

McKinlay backed his manager, insisting that he and the board had confidence the rookie boss would get it right. And now Naismith has offered up an explanation as to the lack of goals and front foot football in Gorgie. “I think the club has moved its position from previous years in that teams are coming to Tynecastle happy for a draw, which means they sit deeper in the pitch,” he said.

"Using the examples of the last two home games (1-0 wins over Livingston and St Johnstone), with the percentage of where the game’s played, it’s very difficult to be expansive and open and very attacking-minded when you’re coming up against 10 players behind the ball.

“You need to win the game in a different manner. That can take time within the game. It takes moving players about and tiring them out before you get the opportunities and I think that’s what our last couple of home games have been like.

“Earlier in the season, if you look at the Aberdeen and Hibs games, our performances in them were good. They were attacking, we created chances and we took the lead in both games.

“We didn’t manage the game well enough in the derby but I would argue that they were entertaining games. I think it’s a mixture of things, personnel and what options we’ve had available has dictated the formation set-up.

“As a player I was an attacker and I want to play attacking football that’s entertaining. But other teams are there to make that more difficult for you.”

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