'Frustrated' Hearts players stand behind Steven Naismith as Blair Spittal adamant boss CAN end horror run

Boos ringing round the ground. Supporters unloading their fury towards the manager. Not being able to buy a win.

Blair Spittal has been in this movie before and he knows there’s only two ways it can end - with a change in results or a change in the man at the helm. Hearts fans ramped up the pressure on boss Steven Naismith after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Dundee United at Tynecastle made it six losses in a row and left the Jambos without a win from seven games all season.

Spittal - signed in the summer from Motherwell - only has to cast his mind back to December when the Steelmen went 15 games without tasting victory. Back then the Fir Park board stood by Stuart Kettlewell and he repaid the faith by dragging Well out of their slumber. Spittal is in no doubt Naismith will do the same with Hearts. But results need to turn soon and with a trip to face Celtic up next after the international break things don’t get any easier. Nonetheless, the midfielder insists the Jambos squad is firmly behind the manager.

Spittal said: "One hundred per cent. We, as players, take responsibility for things on the pitch. I thought in the first half on Sunday we worked the ball into some decent areas, it's just that final bit just now that's it's not clicking for us. Whether that's down lack of confidence or what, it's been a difficult spell for us, difficult results that we've picked up.

"I think the fans’ reaction is justified. The expectation at this club is to win games and we've not done that so far. The fans are within their rights to show their frustrations. We get that as players. We take responsibility for that but it's only us that can turn this around

"I've been in that position before where you get yourselves out of the rut, and the