Worldly web wants net gain

HEARTS were roundly applauded for the style of football which saw them take the SPL by storm earlier this season - and defender Andy Webster insisted today it's high time the team recaptured such form.

The Jambos' swashbuckling displays brought rave reviews and saw them hit headlines throughout Europe as their title challenge gripped the imagination. Those heady days now seem a distant memory, however, as the new boss Graham Rix battles to steady a ship still apparently reeling from the effects of the sudden loss of George Burley.

It's almost two months since the acrimonious split with Vladimir Romanov which saw the highly-rated Scot leave the club in such controversial fashion but Rix has had a tough task rebuilding the team spirit which has taken such a hammering.

He is the first to admit that the Jambos have failed to fire on all cylinders since his arrival in the hot seat, Saturday's defeat to Rangers the latest in a line of poor performances which have seen the Gorgie outfit slip four points behind Celtic at the top of the table.

Given it is the same personnel which performed so admirably under the former regime, the reason behind the alarming dip in form is a question which has stumped Rix to date.

He gathered his squad after training at their Riccarton academy yesterday to go over a video analysis of the Ibrox loss, something which would not have made comfortable viewing for the players, given the home side's domination of the 90 minutes.

The under-fire head coach is playing his cards close to his chest as he seeks to reverse his side's form but, whatever the problem behind the slump, Webster is in no doubt the second-placed Jambos have to start playing like a team with aspirations of Champions League football.

"There's no getting away from the fact that we were poor against Rangers. We never looked like scoring a goal and they created more than we did so they deserved to win, which was disappointing," he said.

"What was also disappointing for us was that we never gave ourselves an opportunity to win the match and that's something we've been trying to rectify this week in training.

"The basis of any team's success has to be based on hard work and while we have a talented side, we have to earn the right to play. We are more than capable of winning most games we play but the work ethic is something we have to concentrate on and that's what we have been focusing on.

"We are a good side and while teams do go through sticky patches, it's hard for us to put our finger on exactly what the problem has been.

"But it has to be remembered that we are still sitting near the top of the league just behind Celtic and there is good reason for that.

"We now have to start showing that more often by winning games." As Hearts prepare to enter a crucial Festive period with home games against Falkirk on Boxing Day and the eagerly-awaited New Year's Day showdown with Celtic, Scotland star Webster, right, believes it will take just one good result to set the bandwagon rolling again.

The Gorgie side saw their proud 100 per cent record at Tynecastle this season brought to a shuddering halt with a fortuitous 0-0 draw against Inverness Caley Thistle and the centre-half is determined to start another impressive run of results with the visit of the Bairns.

"I think all it will take will be one good win to get us going again. Winning football matches breeds confidence and that's the be-all and end-all in this game," he said. "Inverness was another disappointing game for us. No disrespect to them but these are the kind of teams we have to beat at home if we want to achieve anything this season.

"Nobody really performed to their usual standard in that game and that is something which we have to rectify on Monday.

"We have already proved earlier this season that we are capable of stringing together a number of good results and we have to get back to that and ensure everyone is focused on what we want to achieve."

Acknowledging the next week or so could play a pivotal part in his club's campaign, the 23-year-old added: "This coming week is a vital period for us, particularly with two home games coming up. It won't be easy to win them both but we have to be looking at six points from the next two games.

"Inverness could have beaten Celtic on Sunday and, when Celtic come to Tynecastle next weekend, they know they are in for a difficult game.

"First and foremost, though, we have to concentrate on Falkirk."

John Hughes' side cannot buy a win in front of their own fans but, like Inverness, have proved to be more than handful on the road.

They have already taken a point at Ibrox and defeated Hibs at Easter Road in recent weeks and will make the short journey to the Capital with confidence having pushed their hosts to the wire the last time the teams met in early October.

Inspired by man-of-the-match Russel Latapy, John Hughes' side looked on course for glory that day after romping into a two-goal lead against ten-man Hearts following Craig Gordon's first-half dismissal. However, a brave fightback saw Steven Pressley smash a late double to rescue an unlikely point for his team.

That fright was warning enough for Hearts, however, and Webster is in no doubt what to expect on Monday afternoon. With that in mind, he insisted Hearts cannot afford to be as slow out of the blocks as in previous games.

"Falkirk are a very good side who pass the ball well," he said.

"We know what we'll be up against on Monday and it's important we impose ourselves on the game. "Because we have done so well at home recently people will go away from Tynecastle happy with a point so we have to be ready for teams to come here with that attitude.

"But they are probably one of the best passing sides in the league and the onus is definitely on us to take the game to them.

"Russell Latapy is a very good individual player and, while we'll go into the match confident of taking the points, they'll have very different ideas.

"Personal pride is at stake for us though and that should be enough to ensure we get back to winning ways, provide we go about our job properly."

Taken from the Scotsman