Kai Watson: Kilmarnock Are in BIG Trouble
Kilmarnock massively turned a corner until Neil McCann last season. At one point they looked doomed to finish bottom of the Scottish Premiership but they won eight of their last fifteen matches, having only won two in 23 prior to that! That led them to a 10th place finish, level with Aberdeen and only five points off of Dundee United in 7th.
They looked much more confident and threatening going forward under their new manager and if it wasn’t for the injury to John-Jules they may have won even more games. McCann really seemed to help develop the partnership between John-Jules and Hugill and they were one of the most dangerous duos towards the end of the season.
Hugill ended the season with seven goals in eight games (five in the last four) and scored on the opening day of this season.
However, before the opening day of the Premiership, Killie were already struggling in the League Cup. They drew with Raith Rovers 0-0 in the opening game then won on penalties followed by an unconvincing 1-0 win away at Elgin. Then it was a tight 1-0 home win vs Hamilton followed by another 0-0, this time away to Peterhead but, again, they emerged victorious from that one. Considering the quality of opposition and how they ended last season, Killie fans must have been disappointed in that Group Stage campaign.
Then the real football started and it was a trip to Perth on the opening day. They went 1-0 down pretty early on thanks to a Josh Fowler goal but Greg Kiltie equalised before half-time. It was a fast start to the second half as Diabate put the home side in the lead on the 47th minute only for a Hugill goal on the 49th and an OG on 53rd minute to put Killie in the lead.
Then they showed their weaknesses, an OG evened the game up before Kai Fotheringham scored the winner with a well worked goal but they were lucky not to concede more than four.
Then it was a tough match as Celtic headed to Rugby Park’s newly laid grass pitch, they were TERRIBLE defensively and kept taking unnecessary risks. They were 3-0 down at half-time and Celtic made it four just after the break, it finished 5-1 but Celtic had 33 shots at goal with an xG of 5.44 and missed SEVEN big chances.
It was kamikaze defending that just allowed the away side to keep coming back at them, seriously worrying for the fans.
Then it was another League Cup struggle at home against fierce rivals Ayr United, Ayr took the lead on five minutes before Hugill equalized just before half-time. Ayr then re-took the lead just before half-time but an equalisier on the 79th minute was followed by a Clescenco winner on the 89th.
They attempted to be aggressive in the press against a Dundee United side that was also struggling but it backfired and they ended up getting hammered 4-0. They conceded a goal and a penalty from corners, one Will Ferry screamer then a well worked goal from losing possession in the final third.
In three league games, they have conceded THIRTEEN goals, that isn’t sustainable, especially with zero Premiership wins so far!
Is Neil McCann in trouble? Can Killie turn it around?
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