Last week, we debated in a Hearts group chat whether the meek 3-0 defeat in Thun was among Hearts' worst performances this century. By half-time on Sunday, at 4-0 down, the Falkirk game had taken that unwanted crown for me.

I cannot remember three consecutive displays getting progressively worse: humbled by Hibs at Hampden, thumped by Thun, then filleted by Falkirk.

Every Jambo feels obliged to mention the injury crisis. It is a factor, but it cannot excuse what we watched over those 90 minutes.

At 5-0, I genuinely feared another couple. Thankfully for Wouter Vrancken, Hearts scored the two consolation goals. Fine margins? Had those late goals gone Falkirk's way, I suspect his position would have been untenable.

The players deserve criticism for the alarming lack of fight and leadership. Some may never play for Hearts again. But the questions cannot stop with them. Vrancken needs to answer a few himself.

He called the performance a "disgrace", yet he chose to set us up so expansively once again. Stuart Findlay's mistake for the opener is easy to highlight, but it came from trying to play out rather than doing what comes naturally: clearing the ball into row Z.

His treatment of Findlay troubles me too. Hooked after 30 minutes at Kilmarnock, then effectively told he could not play the required style, he has been reluctantly restored because of injuries.

This is the same Findlay who played in one of the league's best defences last season, for a side that spent more than six months top of the Premiership. He has not suddenly become a dud.

And while Jambos look forward to Craig Halkett returning, where does he fit in? If Findlay is exposed by these tactics, how can Halkett, with his lack of pace, be expected to defend so far from goal after a long-term injury?

Vrancken has to adapt. He cannot keep asking players to do things that do not suit them.

With Hearts' accounts showing almost £8m invested in an already sizeable squad, the answer is not six January signings. It is making better use of what we have.

Yes, Hearts have 12 first-team players injured. But Hibees tell me they have at least eight out too, forcing their boss to adapt his tactics. Why can't ours?

Vrancken has blooded teenagers Matty Gillies and Leart Kabashi, and fans expect both to feature after the international break. More academy players may be needed while injured team-mates regain fitness and match sharpness.

His choice is clear. Adapt to the players available or trust youngsters in his preferred system. They can hardly do worse than the so-called experienced pros.