Good Run Ends

AFTER four straight wins in a row, high-flying Killie were brought down to earth with a crash at Easter Road on Saturday. Our patched up defence was no match for the on-fire Hibs front line and Derek Riordan systematically took us apart. Three of the best young strikers in Scotland were on display and there were a host of scouts there from top English Premiership clubs, but on this occasion Boomer Boyd had to play second fiddle to Riordan and O’Connor and it looks like Hibs hat-trick hero could be winging his way South pretty soon…which may not be a bad thing for us in this instance.

The January weather had brass monkeys running for cover, giving credence to those campaigning for summer football, but there was still a huge crowd at the game and a good travelling support from Killie. When the team lines were read out over the shockingly bad tannoy system, we knew that is was going to be a tough match with JJ having to shuffle the pack yet again. With Greer and Dindeleux out, and latterly Lilley coming off injured at half time, you have to feel sorry for the manager who has had to chop and change the defence on almost a weekly basis…with virtually no experienced cover to speak of.

Poor Jamie Fowler hadn’t played for months, with the reserve fixture list suspended for the winter, and had the thankless task of trying to mark seventeen-goal hit man Riordan who added two to his tally in the first half, however he did do better at centre half in the second half of the game. The defence were struggling so badly that the midfield spent the majority of their time dropping back to help which in turn meant little support for the front players, and little goalmouth action for the Killie fans to enjoy…although we still squeezed in a few chances.

Jefferies introduced Johnston at half-time and it must have been a pleasant surprise for him to be booed by the opposition fans, although despite putting in several good crosses, having a few decent shots and wasting a total of one pass in his forty five minute spell, some punters still hurled abuse at him. Would it be so hard to give the guy a chance? He is after all playing for our team and a bit of support might make all the difference to his game. Those who braved the elements to see us take on Inverness at Pittodrie will testify how his introduction swung the game in our favour and hopefully it won’t be the last time.

With the front line having less penetration than a Japanese politician with election problems, the midfield sorely missing Leven and the defence resembling an audition for Casualty this week, the manager has a tough task ahead of him. It is never easy taking on the shell suited hoards but it’s even harder when you have to do it with your best defenders consigned to the treatment table. With five players off the wage bill in the transfer window there may be some shekels to play with and it would be great if JJ could conjure up a top quality defender within his budget, but we won’t hold our breath. The Rumour Mill is quoting soon-to-be-released Phil McGuire from Aberdeen as the number one contender but if the sheep can’t afford to keep him then there is not much chance we can either…unless of course JJ can persuade him otherwise. Bring on the Celtic…

Trouble At Top

WE ARE not entirely sure how to take the latest news from our chairman as 'exclusively revealed' in the Standard last week. It is good that Jamie Moffat has saw fit to bring in some experienced local business people to help sort things out but we are disheartened by the fact that he is only staying because no one wants to buy the club and that he is still actively seeking a way out. We can't help but feel that if these 'experienced local business people' really had the club at heart then they would currently be fronting the Killie Trust.

The Trust board have been appealing for people like this to come forward from day one so that Killie can hopefully follow in the footstep of the likes of Exeter City and be run by the fans in the future...what chance do Colin and his board have if ideal candidates for key positions on the Trust Board are only interested in doing their bit if asked directly by the club? Please believe us when I say that we are in no way questioning the motives of the new management committee, just wondering why they never saw fit to help the club via the Trust when the opportunity was there. Maybe they can tell us how or if the Trust are getting it wrong in attracting any high-flying Killie fans to their board.

Speaking of which, we were further disappointed by the make-up of the new management committee...once again the club is going to be run by businessmen, accountants and lawyers (and a politician). I am not saying that these people cannot make a contribution and we are sure that they will all try their best for the club, but we have to get a 'football-minded' person in that board room or on the management committee at least. Davie Mackinnon is the obvious choice but to be fair we think he is doing more than his fair share already.

The relationship between the fans and the club is not bad...but it certainly isn't what it used to or should be...and we put that down to the lack of such a 'football-minded' person on the board. No disrespect to our three remaining directors but none of them have played the game or stood on wind-swept terraces on a dreicht Wednesday night in January...would this not be the ideal opportunity for them to invite the Killie Trust chairman onto the board? If not the board then what about Colin Hargreaves, Jim Wilson, John Dearie, Alan Brown or any other time-served Killie die-hard being asked to put their tuppence worth to the management committee? Decisions made with the best intentions can still go wrong and it may help to have a fans perspective on things at the earliest opportunity.

On a more positive note, we are delighted that the Elton John gig has been given the green light. This is a really good move by the club and should bring in a shed-load of cash as well as publicity to the club. The board recognises that we have to use our stadium facilities more than every other week and using Rugby Park as a concert venue is a fantastic idea. The Park Hotel and the Sports bar should get a real turn and we should be able to name any price for the rooms that Sunday night! Hopefully all will go well and the gig will be the first of many...who knows we may even get someone who can sing next. Yes, that was a joke.

Up For The Cup?

LAST Saturday there was a grand total of 15 hardy souls on the Howard minibus to Easter Road. The sheet on the pub wall already has 35 names for Tynecastle, a sure sign that there will be a massive Killie following for the Scottish Cup tie. We know of many fans who may miss plenty of league games but who never miss the Scottish Cup. It will be a difficult tie but there's a feeling we might just be meeting Hearts at a good time with players leaving and takeover talk causing disruption. The club are kindly subsidising the buses so let's hope every pub in the town makes an effort to run one. Everyone should remember to register with Colin Fraser on 01563 545312 to ensure you get the benefit of the cheap travel.

The Killie Club bus (Jim Wilson) will have the biggest number of buses leaving from one place. We spoke to Jim this week and he is anticipating a massive turnout but true to form Jim will make sure everyone is accommodated. Anyone wanting to travel with the Killie club will need to purchase a bus ticket to reserve their seat and at £3 for all ages there will be no shortage of takers. You can get a bus ticket at the club shop (Rugby Park), at D&D Programmes, Titchfield Street or simply call Jim on 01563 533736 and he'll sort you out. It could be a day to remember so make sure you're one of the Blue and White army roaring on the troops.

Get Stripped

WE SPOKE to Josie last week as she managed to find a spare moment away from the Killie shop. Josie and the girls do a great job in the shop and its the one area of KFC that always makes a profit. Josie is always telling us about the latest bargains and here's one offer you can't miss. The adult home tops are now on sale for a tenner and are selling fast. Here's a suggestion - with a cheap day out at Tynecastle just a week away, grab yourself a cheap Killie top with the spare cash and wear it to the cup game. It is the official uniform of the blue and white army after all!

Read the B&H column in the Kilmarnock Standard every week