IT is not getting any easier for Ian Cathro and Hearts. Three successive defeats have placed one of the most scrutinised managerial appointments further under the microscope, each setback bringing about a call for calm and patience. Cathro is unlikely to get either from a Hearts support becoming increasingly agitated by their team’s inconsistent and stuttering form. They were not slow to vent their frustration during Wednesday night’s home defeat to Ross County – a side who hadn’t won in the league since Hogmanay – and it was something the Hearts players picked up on as they shuttled back and force across the newly-laid Tynecastle pitch.
“Every team experiences ups and downs and that is why we must stay together,” said Arnaud Djoum, the Hearts midfielder. “That means the fans too because we need them through this battle more than ever. We must stay together as a club and keep working hard and then everything will get better.
“They are great fans and since I have been here they have always been great. They are some of the best fans I have ever had but know there is a frustration because the results are not coming. But we need them more than ever and I hope they will help us to get out of this situation, to move forward and to get better. In football it is up and down but the supporters want you to win games, especially at home, and we just have to stick together and we will be fine.”
While some have become increasingly sceptical about Cathro’s long-term plan, Djoum has been impressed with his manager’s input.
“He knows what he is doing and he is a really smart guy, added the Cameroonian. “It is small details that we focus on so I can say to the fans that he knows what he is doing with us. It is just that little details are working against us. I am with the manager because the way he speaks about football is good and he wants everybody to enjoy the game.
“Teams like Rangers and Celtic they play good football and they win games so it is not only about being physical. The coach wants to play this way and at the start of the season, some people said that we were too physical but now we are not physical enough.”
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