RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesIt seems hyperbolic to suggest Heart of Midlothian's home meeting with Dundee United, just two games into the league season, was a must-win for new head coach Wouter Vrancken.
But that's certainly how it felt in the build-up. Four outings had yielded four losses, the latest being a 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Benfica.
The knives weren't out, but they were being eyed up with unhappy fans and ragebaiting pundits keen for an early-season feeding frenzy.
However, after Sunday's 4-0 win at Tynecastle, those knives will remain firmly in the drawer for the time being.
Was this a surprise? Or has it been a long time coming for Vrancken's men?
Hearts fire four past Dundee United for first win under Vrancken
Stats support Vrancken ideology
First there was the 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz in Austria. It was called a freak result by some - and you can see why. Hearts were in the game at half-time, a single goal behind, before conceding three in the space of nine minutes to effectively end the tie.
They lost the second leg 2-0 before a 2-1 defeat by Aberdeen in which they were leading come the 89th minute. After that came the trip to Lisbon, where they were put to the sword by an outfit who regularly play in the Champions League.
Each game has a story, but in those first four defeats there was a "recurring theme", according to pundit Michael Stewart after the Aberdeen loss.
Hearts were creating plenty of chances but failing to score.
And one incredible stat shows Vrancken's side have been doing this all along.
In that 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz, they created a higher xG from open play than they did in the 4-0 win over United.
Similarly, they only had one more shot on target in the win over United than they did in the heavy loss in Austria. In the defeat by Benfica, they had 10 shots - their lowest tally in a game this season. In the win over United, they had 12.
All of this to say, there was a theme. Hearts had been wasteful, but they had been creating chances. There were signs of promise.
The difference was that, against United, it clicked. The decision-making was better, the execution markedly so.
Vrancken had pleaded patience already and those who waited to sling their rocks now look all the smarter for doing so.
"You look at the opposition they've been up against - Sturm Graz and Benfica - and they're a completely different league to Hearts," pundit Scott Allan suggested.
"Especially when Hearts are in transition, with a new manager and a completely new way of playing - and losing some of their best players from last season.
"It was always going to be a difficult start. The frustration came from the game at Pittodrie, where they were dominant for all of the game.
"I couldn't believe Aberdeen had come away with the three points, but that's football sometimes. They lost that control and concentration and they were punished.
"What a way to bounce back, against a United side who looked very bright against Rangers."
Will exit of winger Kyziridis be a blow?
After the game, Vrancken confirmed the rumours that winger Alexandros Kyziridis looks set to move to Turkey.
"The club accepted a bid," Vrancken said of 25-year-old Greek. "It's a good deal for the club, a good deal for him.
"He came in for nothing and goes out for a good deal. This is football, we focus on the players who are here."
The reality is, this is the club model now. Hearts brought Kyziridis in for a free from Slovakia and will make a reported seven figures on him.
In the league last season, he scored four goals and registered seven assists. Only one of those goals and one of those assists came after new year, when his form significantly dropped off from the start of the season.
Hearts have already brought in Sabri Guendouz, Josh McPake, and Calvin Miller alongside Rogers Mato, who joined permanently after a loan spell. Albanian super-sub Sabah Kerjota was already on the books.
Five options for two positions, with Guendouz and Miller also capable of playing in the 10 behind the striker.
While Kyziridis had become a fan favourite for his industry and flair, and unforgettable goal against Falkirk, his replacement is already somewhere in the building.
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