Hearts of Oak coach David Duncan admits his team is struggling to score goals following the sale of Mahatma Otoo.
The Ghana striker was sold to Norwegian club Sogndal in the off-season after scoring 20 goals to become the top scorer in last season�s Ghana Premier League.
Hearts have however not been able to get close to last season�s scoring form despite bringing in attackers Selasie Adjei and Emmanuel Hayford.
Gilbert Fiamenyo is also yet to hit the strides that once made him one of the lethal finishers in the Ghanaian top flight.
And Duncan has been honest enough to admit the sale of his ex captain � Otoo � had played a major role in his team�s profligacy this term.
�In the striking department where you will recall that we have taken some steps back because Mahatma � who was delivering as far as that department is concerned � we aren�t replicating what Mahatma was doing,� he said.
�So what it means is that we have taken a couple of steps back or retrogressed.�
Hearts remain hot on the heels of rivals Asante Kotoko for the Premier League title.
The Phobians are currently third with 19 points � two adrift leaders Kotoko after nine rounds of matches in the Ghanaian top flight.
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