Killie FC players reflect on missed chances

Nov 13 2009 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard

WITH no SPL fixture this weekend because of Scotland’s friendly international in Wales, the Killie players have enjoyed a couple of days off.

And during their free time, they would no doubt be reflecting on the disappointment of last Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Dundee United.

It was a game they should have taken something from, but once again, a combination of bad luck and bad finishing left them empty handed.

With only eight goals scored in 11 league games, it isn’t hard to work out why Killie are currently sharing second bottom spot in the SPL with St Johnstone and Hamilton – all three teams on nine points, four ahead of basement club Falkirk.

Jim Jefferies’ side deserved at least a point from the United match, but if you don’t score goals, you don’t win matches.

It was a much better performance than that against St Johnstone a few weeks ago, no doubt about that, and yet they got nothing from the game.

Said the manager: “We played some decent stuff and I thought we started the game very well, as good as we’ve started at home this season. Their goalkeeper had a few good stops, some of it down to good goalkeeping and on other occasions being in the right place at the right time.

“You could argue that the penalty award for their first goal was a bit soft and for the second Ryan (O’Leary) misjudged the flight of the ball, but to be fair to United, they got the breaks and took advantage of them.”

Jefferies said that his players didn’t get what they deserved from the match for the effort they put in.

“In a few matches this season, things have been a bit frustrating for us, and that’s how we all felt last Saturday after the game,” he continued.

“If it had ended 2-2 it would have been a fairer result, but you have to take your chances when they come your way.”

It would be true to say that when Kevin Kyle is going through a barren spell, it’s difficult to see where Killie’s goals are going to come from.

The big striker, who is with the Scotland squad for this week’s friendly, was unlucky not to score against the Tannadice side, with keeper Nicky Weaver denying him in the first half from adding to his season’s tally.

Said Jefferies: “If Kevin doesn’t score, we’ve been having problems. We have been creating chances, but we’re just not putting them away.

“It’s a case of keeping your head down, working hard and hoping things turn your way.

“You can work well during the week and set up the team right on a Saturday,” he explained, “but if the ball doesn’t go into your opponent’s net then you don’t get the result you want.

“Maybe some of the players are trying too hard when a chance comes their way, and maybe they just need a bit of composure in front of goal when the chances fall to them.”

Kyle’s inclusion in the Scotland squad should give him and his team mates a boost, and Jefferies is delighted that the striker is getting the recognition his displays have warranted.

Said the gaffer: “We told him when we wanted to sign him that it was a chance for him to play and score regularly and get himself back in the spotlight, and that’s exactly what’s happened.

“He’s a different type of player to many of his fellow strikers, and other clubs respect and fear him in the box.

“He was as angry as anyone after the United match, and was blaming himself for missing a couple of chances.

“But when you’re at the wrong end of the league that’s what happens. However, it’s something that we’ll get sorted out.”

A closed doors match this Friday against Hearts will give Jefferies the opportunity to have a closer look at Mark Burchill, who made his Killie debut last Saturday when he came on for David Fernandez in the 75th minute.

The unfortunate Allan Russell, who broke his hand in training a few of weeks ago, is hoping to play in the game, and the availability of these two players will give the manager more forward options in the games ahead.

There are seven games between now and the end of the year, with Rangers next on the fixture list at Ibrox a week on Saturday.

Let’s hope that by the time we reach the end of 2009 there are a few more points between Killie and the bottom of the league.