Wednesday 27 January 2016

Be The Boss - Ian Burnett

In the third of a new semi-regular feature on KillieFC.com, we throw someone in at the deep end and ask them who they'd pick in their first XI for that weekend's game. This week we asked  to pick his XI for Saturday's game against Hamilton Academical and give his reasons...



Tactics

After last week's debacle at Tannadice we have possibly an even more important game on Saturday against Hamilton. I felt last week that the tone for the match was set by Gary Locke's decision to play 2 holding midfielders.

It sent out a message of caution which handed the initiative to Dundee United so this week with 3 points being vital I am going for a more offensive line-up. A 4-3-1-2 formation with Magennis in partnership with Boyd up front. Josh running the channels and holding the ball up allowing Kris to do what he does best in the box.



GK: Jamie MacDonald

Not much else to add that's not been said already. I remember being surprised by one journalist in per-season picking out Jamie as the best signing of the summer. Doubt if any other player as been as important to their club as he has.

RB: David Syme

Not done much wrong since coming into the side. Looks a good defender but right-back is a problem we haven't solved for many a year. Deserves a chance at it, although I hope fans remember he is a centre-half and ultimately is judged long-term in his normal position. Will need a bit of protection if Dougie Imrie plays down that side.

CB: Conrad Balatoni

Good steady player most of the time for us but I'm still not sure who his best partner is. A fully-fit Mark Connolly would always be in my team but time will tell if they work as a pair.

CB: Stuart Findlay

Tough one this. He was at fault for a few of the goals last week but was out of position. Ashcroft can be great or dreadful so I've went with Stuart to give a bit of balance on the left of central defence.

LB: Kevin McHattie 

Wasn't too keen on him at Hearts but has done alright for us so far. Will be looking for decent service from him into the front 2 but he must remember he is a defender first and foremost.

CM: Craig Slater

One of the first names on the team-sheet for me at the moment. I would give him the freedom to take the game to Accies or sit a bit more depending how things are going. Would love to see this boy in a good Killie midfield.

LM: Steven Smith

If fit after coming off early last week, if not it'll have to be Jamie Hamill. How we've arrived at this point in Gary's reign where the only genuine contenders for this position are 2 full-backs who couldn't get a game in the Championship last season is beyond me.

RM: Greg Kiltie

The wee man is playing well now that his contract is sorted. Maybe would have to play slightly deeper than normal to offer a bit of protection to Syme but he's fit and mobile enough to get up the park and supply the front 2 as well as providing his own goal threat.

CAM: Adam Frizzell 

Looks a great prospect and would play him in the hole just behind the front 2. Very important role but I reckon he could play there. Thought about playing Higgy there but he seems to be a bit hit or miss at the moment. Could take over if the wee man is struggling.

CF: Josh Magennis

The improvement in Josh this season has to partly be down to working with Boyd. Therefore they should have a fair enough understanding of each other's game to make the partnership work on the park.

CF: Kris Boyd

I did swither over playing Kris but I would rather start with a positive attitude than him coming on if we're struggling which usually results in punts up the park. Let Josh do his work out the box because there's still nobody more likely to take any chances going than him.

By the way I would have had Boydie starting with the U20s every week if he's not starting first-team games. He needs to play to keep his sharpness up.

Plenty of options to change that team if it's not going well (4-2-3-1 etc) but if we get enough of the ball I reckon that this team has more of a goal threat.

What do you think? Let us know on Twitter: @KillieFC

Or have your say on the Killie Kickback forum: Here

Tuesday 26 January 2016

KFC Burns' Supper


The football club held their first ever official (Rabbie, not Tommy) Burns' Supper last Friday night in the Park Suite.
Gordon 'Casper' Smith was the host and accompanying piper McCallum's Andy Broadley and the haggis in was none other than legendary stopper Big D McDicken...watched closely by Scottish Cup winning captain Monty.
What we wouldn't give to have players of their calibre back in our defence!
Here are Sandy Ferguson's photograph's of the evening...


Monday 25 January 2016

Season Diary - Week 26

And so to Dundee, city of discovery, sadly we didn’t discover anything that we hadn’t figured out already. In forty-five minutes of abject misery we watched a team with no heart, no ambition and no game plan…and Killie were down four nil to them! We seem devoid of leadership on and off the park at the moment, which has been the case for a while of course, but you live in hope.


That hope was well and truly shattered on Saturday and almost half a decent travelling support were back in the pub by ten minutes to four…and I don’t blame them. Gary Locke is a nice guy, but surely even he must be thinking that he has bitten off more than he can chew at the Theatre of Pies? We seem to get the odd moment of lucidity but there are far too many downs and not enough ups which has only served to dent the faith of both the fans and the players, something’s got to change.

Thursday 21 January 2016

Be The Boss - David Moran

In the second of a new semi-regular feature on KillieFC.com, we throw someone in at the deep end and ask them who they'd pick in their first XI for that weekend's game. This week we asked former club director David Moran to pick his XI for Saturday's game against Dundee United and give his reasons...


It’s a big match this week, 17 points clear is safe of automatic relegation but 11 is only four wins for them - and that's squeaky bum stuff. A draw is no use to United, so expect them to come at us with everything they can muster. We've had three solid results, our best run in 12 months but we need to be wary of being predictable in our team selection. Other teams have often been better prepared for how we line up than we have this season.



Tactics

I’m sticking with the 4-2-3-1 that so many favour now. I’m not a huge fan so I'm picking a team that allows us to flex it to 4-4-2 when required during the game. I want to attack them wide and get service into the box. Keep a tight line of 4 across the back with 2 in the middle capable of playing box to box.

The wide players need to be ready to receive the ball and prepared to run at the full backs. We have depth on the bench so if its not working we can change the personnel without changing the tactics. That will be important. If we can keep our shape and burst their confidence then we can get a big result.

GK: Jamie MacDonald

When he signed there were a few who wondered if that mistake in the cup semi would define him. It hasn’t, he has been the stand out performer this season making some unforgettable saves in games that we all wish we could forget. He has been the difference in the current 14 point gap to Utd. I trust him to do his part in making it at least 15.

RB: David Syme

I’ve been impressed with David every time I’ve seen him play. He has taken his chance in our ‘problem position’ in the past few games and has the opportunity to make it his own even if it is not his favoured position. Some of the best centre backs in history played full back for years before transitioning in their twenties. If he can demonstrate the discipline and concentration required for full back it will stand him in good stead for the future.

LB: Kevin McHattie

Back from suspension I have preferred him to Findlay. A repeat of that winner at Tannadice earlier in the season would be brilliant but his priority will be keeping it a tight line across the back four and not letting United get any return down the flanks. I’m hoping we can get some joy attacking the United full backs but Kevin will need to protect his winger when they break.

CB: Lee Ashcroft & Conrad Balatoni

This was tough but I had to stick with the pairing that has played the last three games. Getting consistency and confidence in your defensive triangle is critical and MacDonald, Ashcroft and Balatoni are the bedrock of our mini run. Confidence is the key for Lee. When he has it he is fantastic and there is no reason why he can’t feed off Conrad and Jamie who clearly have bags of it at the moment.

CM: Craig Slater & Steven Smith


This is where we need to continue to mix it up. We need to ‘keep the heid’ on Saturday because it will get heated. Jamie Hamill was great last week but this is not the game for him. I love Craig Slater and think he can be a great box to box midfielder for Killie for a good few years. Last week’s goal was terrific and his supporting runs are invaluable when we are attacking. I worry though about his concentration levels defensively though.

Too often he forgets to track the runner at the edge of the box getting stuck in no mans' land. That’s where Stevie Smith has been really good. Bringing the discipline from full back he reads the game well and has the ability to make us solid in front of the back four. He too though can have a confidence crisis in games so that’s where Jig needs to earn his wages preparing them both for Saturday. Both of them are very capable of punishing the opposition with a dead ball so they'll need to be all over any opportunities we get.

CAM: Greg Kiltie

His favourite position. This is a boy with confidence and the energy to support both wingers inside while also supporting his striker in behind. He will do a lot of running and won’t last the whole match but Adam Frizzell is an able replacement and will be ready to keep the pressure and intensity on United for the last 20 minutes.

LW: Tope Obadeyi

Yes, I know, you'll all think I'm mad. He is the most frustrating player at Rugby Park. When we were signing him I called an old Killie player who coached him in England. He told me that Tope was the fastest player he had ever seen with the ball at his feet and had the hardest shot in his team: the problem was getting him to do both on the same day!

Tope has had some of his best days in a Killie shirt against the Arabs so I’ll give him a start with a couple of boys on the bench itching to replace him if he doesn’t take the chance.

RW: Josh Magennis

“What?!” I hear you shout. Josh is a menace but I don’t want the lone striker to be a runner and a target this week. I want to run at them down the flanks and get quality balls into the box. Josh is a fearsome sight when he is running at you and receiving the ball at the back post I know he can grab a goal.

ST: Kris Boyd

My tactics this week are all about getting the ball in the penalty box. Anyone using Kris as a target through the middle will be shot. Tope and Josh will be creating chances and there has been no better penalty box striker at Rugby Park in my lifetime than Boydy. It's been a crap season for Kris but he has the ability to double his season's tally in this match.

What do you think? Let us know on Twitter: @KillieFC

Tuesday 19 January 2016

Season Diary - Week 25

With Josh, McHattie and Smith all ruled out by suspension on Saturday it looked like a tough ask to get anything from a physical Inverness side, but for the second week in a row Killie walked away winners. I did not think the weather would affect our game what with the artificial pitch, but no heating below the surface meant snow would start lying and we faced a break in both halves to clear the lines with a comedy tractor show at half time into the bargain.



Kiltie celebrated his new contract and his birthday this week with a well taken goal; but we let in a sloppy equaliser and our heads went visibly down until the break. The second half was a different story with the players and the fans well up for a fight and a rocket volley from Slates was enough to give us the points and puts us 14 points ahead of the Arabs and back fighting to get out of the play off spot. A draw or better at Tannadice will suit me fine.

Tuesday 12 January 2016

Season Diary - Week 24

The happy new year carried on into the Scottish Cup as the Mighty surprised everyone with a victory in Perth over in-form St Johnstone. A stunning free kick by Slates in the first five minutes proved to be the difference between the two sides and it took some resolute defending to keep things that way. Jamie McDonald also proved yet again what a top signing he has been with an unbelievable triple save as the match drew to a close.


The support were also in fine fettle and now have a trip to a lower league team from Glasgow to look forward to in the next round. Another fantastic piece of news was Greg Kiltie signing a contract extension, that’s a fine piece of business by the club although they did leave it a bit long for my liking…if we can get Rory and Slater to follow suit then it will at least provide us with some stability.

Season Diary - Week 23

Happy new year to all Killie fans and the good news is that we are unbeaten in 2016! Hearts came first footing at Rugby Park and a share of the points was just about right at the end of a fiercely contested battle. The manager had shuffled the pack again with Ashcroft and Syme being introduced into our leaky defence and both acquitted themselves well on the day.


Balatoni gave us a lead just before half time but unfortunately the visitors equalized just as the half time tea was being poured. The signs were ominous when the Jambos got their noses in front but we showed some battling qualities that have been missing in recent weeks and fully deserved our equaliser courtesy of the hard working Magennis. It’s cup duties at Perth this weekend which will hopefully serve as a welcome distraction from the tough league campaign that lies ahead.

Monday 11 January 2016

Football Night @ Mauchline Club



Charity Nil by Mouth will be hosting a special Football night at Mauchline Killie Supporters Club on Wednesday 3rd February from 7pm.



The event features author and TV presenter Daniel Gray who wrote the cult football book ‘Stramash: Tackling Scotland’s Towns and Teams’ and a special football quiz with prizes and will include rounds on Ayrshire football.

A buffet is being provided and the event is free of charge thanks to funding from the Scottish Government. Fans from all Ayrshire clubs are welcome and Killie Pies are on the menu!

The event is being held as part of the charity’s ‘Kiss Bigotry Goodbye’ project which seeks to focus on the positive impact football has in towns across Scotland.

For more information contact Dave Scott at david.scott@nilbymouth.org and more information on Daniel Gray can be found at his website.

Thursday 7 January 2016

Subsidised Cup Travel



Kilmarnock fans from all over Ayrshire are mobilising in droves, heading to Perth to support the team  in the Scottish cup tie against St. Johnstone on Saturday. The Howard Arms bus is already overloaded and some clubs are now taking bookings for their second coach


The Supporters Association, the Killie Trust and Billy Bowie Special Projects are helping to subsidise the cost to help encourage fans to attend the game and cheer the boys on to victory. You can expect to pay around £10 for your place and concessionary prices are available too.

Places on the buses are going fast so don't delay, get in touch with the bus organiser which best suits you and let's get right behind the team on Saturday!

SALTCOATS, ARDROSSAN & DISTRICTS

Leaves Victoria Bar; Raise street, Saltcoats at 11.45
Pick up at the Abbey, Kilwinning at 11.55
Pick up at the Bourtreehill at 12.05 
Turf Hotel; Eglinton Street, Irvine at 12.15
Contact: Liz Milligan 07765 534076


IRVINE VALLEY

Leaves Darvel at 12 noon
Pick up at Newmilns at 12.10
Pick up at Galston at 12.15
Contact: Irene Brown 07436 007941


THE KILLIE CLUB

Leaves Rugby Park (Players Bar) at 11.30am
Contact: Jim Wilson 07796 424111


BURNS INN

Leaves Burns Inn; Low Glencairn Street, Kilmarnock at 11am
Pick up at Tesco/Southcraig at 11.10am
Pick up at Bon Accord; North Street, Glasgow (just of M8 at Charing Cross) at 11.35am
Contact: Stuart Little 07792 856171


TRAVEL CLUB

Leaves Pyramid Snooker Club; West Langlands Street, Kilmarnock at 12 noon
Contact: John Dearie 01563 532619

Sunday 3 January 2016

Frizzell Bags Winner For KFCSA


Killie youngster Adam Frizzell stepped off the Rugby Park pitch following a battling 2-2 draw with Hearts yesterday to pick the KFCSA Festive Draw winners out of the bag.

The winners were...
Bottle of Champagne - Geoff Gunn 
Richard Gordon’s Book “Tales from the Dug Out” - Kenny Picken
£25 Killie shop voucher - H McAvoy 
£50 - Ronnie Yorston
Mark O’Hara signed shirt - Doreen Sherry
Lunch for two with the Killie team - G Stanley 

Thanks to all who contributed.

(Adam Frizzell pictured with Sharon Caldwell, KFCSA Treasurer)

Friday 1 January 2016

Happy New Year!

All the best for 2016 to the Killie team, the Killie staff....but most of all the Killie foot soldiers!