Steven Naismith denied suggestions Heart of Midlothian are in a "crisis" after Sunday's 3-1 loss to Motherwell ensured they remained without a victory this season.
Although the Hearts gaffer conceded that his side must stop the rot by cutting out costly mistakes and getting back to winning ways. Particularly because they amidst a gruelling schedule where they are balancing both domestic and European competitions.
"I'm not sure," the Hearts head coach stated when probed whether failing to win any of their opening five games was a real cause for concern.
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"I think in games I've been content with some bits of it. I think the Rangers performance was really good and the only thing lacking was a goal. Dundee was poor defensively, second half we created a bit more but we lost that momentum, Falkirk in the cup we could've been 4-0 up and the first 20/25 minutes we play really well, and then even today getting into the final third was good at times but it was just that last moment.
"I think it's small details that are costing us, but until that changes we are going to need to suffer on. The players want to improve it, but there's only one way to do it and that'e keeping your head down and working hard. We need to have full focus individually when you are on the pitch."
Conceding soft goals has been a common theme for Hearts this season and it's an area that their manager finds extremely frustrating.
Speaking to BBC Scotland after the full-time whistle, Naismith admitted: "I just think as a team defensively, whether that be set-plays or an individual error, that's what is costing us and it's clear to see. It's decision making on the pitch.
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"It's really frustrating. The players are frustrated, we're frustrated, we work hard at trying to identify strengths and weaknesses, and what needs to happen in certain situations but you do lose a bit of control when the players are on the pitch and as a collective group we need to be switched on much better. We have to deal with the defensive side of it much better."
Naismith pivoted between a back three, four and five throughout the game, something that the former Scotland striker believes worked last season when his side went on to finish third in the league.
Asked if the lack of formation consistency was affecting his players, Naismith replied: "No, I don't think so. I think last season we done the same and our defensive record, especially from set-plays, was really good. The other night (against Viktoria Plzen), we defended all the set-plays really well in a five. Today we started with a five and set-plays we didn't defend really well.
"So, it's small details in a game that have a big impact and I think players within this squad need to realise how big of an impact them small margins have. They might think it's just one step too early, one step too late, a decision to jump out of position and it's not that big of deal, but it's costly. It's costing us in most of the games that we are playing at the minute. "
Many would assume Hearts will be busy between now and Friday's transfer deadline day. However, Naismith is certain that the players he's already got at his disposal are good enough.
“We'll continue to look about to see what options are there but I feel we have recruited well," he explained.
"The results have not reflected that but when new players come to the club they very rarely come to the club and have a full expectation of what the demand is and what is expected.”
