Yan Dhanda completely understands why Hearts fans blew a gasket throughout the desperately disappointing Petrocub clash.
But he is pleading with the Tynecastle support to show their support for the team on Sunday against fellow Premiership strugglers St Johnstone.
Boos rang around Tynecastle on Thursday evening as Neil Critchley’s side failed to overcome Moldovan minnows Petrocub and thus missing out on Europa Conference League progression.
The atmosphere was toxic and Hearts fans are well-renowned for letting their team know when the product on the park is completely unacceptable.
But attacking midfielder Dhanda wants a shift in emotions from the stands against the Perth Saints with Hearts desperately needing three points to get off the bottom of the table before Christmas.
Hearts fans help when they support us says Yan Dhanda
Reflecting firstly on the Petrocub disaster, Dhanda said: “I think it’s just disappointing. We wanted to qualify, we go 2-1 up and I thought we had. Obviously, it’s just not our luck with the late penalty. The game goes away from us and we don’t qualify.
“But there’s no time to dwell on it now. We’ve just got to look forward to Sunday and put it right in the league after last week.
I think on Thursday we stuck to it. We had to keep shifting the ball. We had to be patient. We go 2-1 up and obviously it’s another disappointing night.
“But we stick together, we’re a strong team and we have to be there for each other. We know it’s not going to be easy but it’s a big game on Sunday. It’s a chance to bounce back after a difficult result last week.
“We need the fans to be with us. They help us when they’re with us. Obviously it’s disappointing but, if they’re frustrated, then they’re going to show it.
“Like I said, we have to stick together like we do as a team. We have a gameplan. We have to work on what we’ve worked on all week for the game. So we did.
“Sunday is very important because we had a disappointing result last week but we’ll have a game plan for St Johnstone and we’ve got to stick to it.
“We’ve got to stick with each other because you have difficult periods in football. This is one of them but a couple of wins and everything changes.
“So we’ve just got to focus on the next game and beating St Johnstone.”
Dhanda adapting to new Hearts role
“Yes, I’ve tried to be as positive as I could”, Dhanda continued.
“It’s a fairly new position for me so I’m just learning each time. I know when I’m on the pitch I’ll give everything and try and go forward as much as possible.
“It’s just keep learning and keep getting better and learning the new role the manager wants me to play.”