Killie V Dundee

[Cobra]

Was going to post this earlier in the week but thought I might as well wait until we heard the Ralph appeal outcome.

Killie are I think enjoying their most successful spell in Scottish football since the early 60s when they finished top two in five out of six seasons so it's a huge challenge we face at Rugby Park this weekend.

It is though a fixture where the away team tends to do well. Since 2012 there have been 3 home wins, 9 draws and 7 away wins. Hopefully the Dee can pick up something and stretch the current unbeaten run to five games (something that none of us would have believed possible at the start of November).

 

[Mr Sensible]

Interesting to see who plays left back?

probably Miller dropping back in.

Edited 14 December 2018 by Mr Sensible

[Cobra]

If I remember right Kusunga played left-back at Ibrox so I imagine McIntyre will do the same again with Boyle playing alongside O'Dea, assuming the Irishman is able to play.

[ThelegendthatisBeto]

Went for Elton to play as I think cm will be LB but in all honesty I think Jack Lambert will start

[Cobra]

I would love to see Lambert become a regular. I'm a bit of a sentimentalist when it comes to home-grown talent so love to see guys like Kevin Mac, Fozzy and Cammy establish themselves. Jack has great potential for what I've seen of him. This season could be his time to shine. Being in a relegation battle though means we don't have any room for error so that might limit opportunities for the young lads.

[Edin_Dee]

Keep the team unchanged as much as possible. Kasunga has been doing brilliantly at centre back so would be crazy to move him out to the left.

Lambert in for Ralph and move Calvin to left back. Chance for Lambert to really show what he's all about.

Killie have been doing really well but its still Killie. Their players aren't a million miles ahead of us. As long as we match their organisation and work rate we have a chance.

[Cobra]

12 minutes ago, Edin_Dee said:

Killie have been doing really well but its still Killie. Their players aren't a million miles ahead of us. As long as we match their organisation and work rate we have a chance.

Livi became a formidable defensive unit thanks to their familiarity with each other. Killie became a formidable outfit thanks to some top class coaching from Clarke. I wouldn't use the word 'formidable' to describe Dundee but we have something about us right now. We've got an edge. A settled team and a great team spirit seems to have made us a nightmare to play against almost overnight. I think we'll avoid defeat this weekend and that's not my positive side talking. That's me trying to think from a neutral perspective.

[Travellingdee]

Do  we not have a proper LB in the reserves who could step up for one game instead of going down the "square pegs" route again.

[Cobra]

We probably do have a young left-back but it's such a difficult and important role I don't think we can give a defender a debut at Rugby Park.

Kusunga, Kerr and C Miller are not great at left-back but they are good footballers who can use their experience to get through 90 minutes without making a big mistake (hopefully).

[Travellingdee]

10 hours ago, Cobra said:

We probably do have a young left-back but it's such a difficult and important role I don't think we can give a defender a debut at Rugby Park.

Kusunga, Kerr and C Miller are not great at left-back but they are good footballers who can use their experience to get through 90 minutes without making a big mistake (hopefully).

I see your point Cobra but it's no longer an under age league and I seem to remember NM signing a few players who  came with a little bit experience. Can't say if a LB was one of them.

[Dondeh]

I think Killie will just edge it on the day ( 1 - 0 or 2 - 1).

Although I hit the away win button!.   

[harry94]

I've not seen him in a year or so which is a long time at that age but Brian Rice is very physically slight (like much more so than the rest of the team he was playing with - he's tiny) so it could maybe be too big an ask right now. I think 'keepers and defenders coming through need to be treated with much more caution.

I think an out of position centre back is maybe the least bad option if they are competent enough defensively and can leave Calvin Miller to keep his attacking intensity going forward. I think we might lose a lot playing him deeper and he's generally been quite rash so far when he's started at full back.

Definitely a priority position to get some depth for anyway.