The Hearts AGM is sure to be a lively event this year.
This things are rarely quiet affairs when shareholders are given a platform and a club’s board put themselves up to be shot at.
But with the Tynecastle men sitting rock bottom of the Premiership after an abysmal start which has seen them win just two games, this could get heated.
It is clearly far from good enough and not where the club aims to be and shareholders will be able to scrutinise club chiefs and get things off their chest.
There are plenty of other things going on at Hearts right now, including potential investment from Brighton owner Tony Bloom.
So there will be lots on the agenda tomorrow morning and here Not the Old Firm takes a look at some of the main talking points.
Tony Bloom investment in Hearts
Hearts recently announced a partnership with the data analytics firm founded by Brighton owner Tony Bloom, Jamestown Analytics. This will allow them to use their data algorithm in opposition analysis and more importantly in recruitment. At the same time, the club confirmed they are in talks with Bloom over potential investment in the club. Shareholders and fans will want an update on this. There is an ongoing Foundation of Hearts ballot where members will vote on whether or not to reduce the threshold required for a vote on selling shares to an outside party, which could obviously directly impact the Bloom deal.
January transfer plans
Hearts are not in a good place on in the table even though performances have improved under Neil Critchley. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that they need help in the attacking areas of the pitch and it has already been confirmed Hearts are looking for a striker in January. CEO Andrew McKinlay had already told how the club were looking ‘very closely’ at one player. The data analytics will be used in this and there is almost always questions at the AGM about plans in the market.
On-pitch performance – relegation?
Hearts are currently bottom of the top flight and in danger of being cut adrift if they can’t sort out their form soon. Clearly that is far from the standard the club expects and a big issue. Do the board have any contingency plans, for example in the budget, for potentially being relegated?
Finances
Hearts have generally posted good financial results in recent years but this time round their accounts showed losses. It is unlikely to be a concern thanks to a return to European group stage football this season. The loss was attributed to missing out on that last year and also rising staff costs. Some shareholders may still seek assurances.
Lawrence Shankland contract
This would have been a bigger issue had the striker carried his rich vein of form from the previous two seasons into this campaign. As is it, some may be hoping the club DON’T return to the table with a bank-breaking offer given Shankland’s poor form. Either way, it is an issue that is causing a fair but of uncertainty right now and could do with being cleared up.
The Hearts academy
To be fair, this has improved a bit with Adam Forrester and James Wilson featuring for the first-team and Macualay Tait in around the squad. But the lack of players progressing from academy to first-team is a continual bug bear of Hearts fans.