SPL Advent: Kilmarnock

We tend to be quick to condemn the managerial merry-go-round as propelled by the Largs mafia.

But we're also too often suspicious of incomers who come into the SPL with their odd ways and their funny accents.

We should embrace them. Especially if they're such a delightful puzzle as Kenny Shiels.

There are times when I don't really know what he's talking about. But he speaks with such intensity and enthusiasm that I can't help but warm to him.

Whether it's a "support your local team" war-cry or a "my players were tired because they hadn't played" oxymoron, King Kenny of Killie can usually be relied on to say something that most other managers wouldn't.

Why not? Even if some of it is bollocks it all adds to the gaiety of a game that spends to long wallowing in the doldrums. And until he announces that "fitba' men understand" his methods I'm happy to listen to him over yet another stereotypical Scottish mediocrity.

Last week Shiels was addressing the issue of his transfer window plans. He hinted at activity ahead because the wholesale changes in the summer had resulted in a few players arriving that turned out to be not quite fit for purpose.

So it's a warm welcome for those recurring SPL Advent themes: consistency and transition.

Shiels had to recruit en-masse to reshape a squad that had taken a few heavy blows since Mixu Paatelainen's side had shone some much needed light on the SPL last season.

Kilmarnock required the obligatory period of transition and that's delivered an accompanying period of inconsistency.

Thus Killie have become the team that can ship six goals to Inverness at home, draw away at Hibs a week later and then enjoy a first home win over Rangers in 17 years. Don't call us unpredictable, call us football coupon busters.

It can't do much good for an excitable manager's equilibrium.

Won five, lost five, drawn eight. There's a symmetry to that sequence that points to a season more steady than it's been spectacular.

Comedy nine-goal thriller defeats to Inverness aside, home form has been a cause for cheer.

16 points from 24 and 18 goals scored. Only Celtic have scored more at home. Mind you, only Dunfermline have conceded more on their own patch.

Only one win away from home though. And just six goals scored in eight games, a claim-to-shame bettered only by Hearts.

Ups. And downs.

An odd season. I've been assured since the season kicked off that Shiels felt he'd built a top six side.

I wouldn't be willing to be against him.

Santa Claus won't make me happy with a toy on Christmas Day

There was opprobrium piled on Kenny Shiels after that defeat to Inverness.

Fair enough. It would be a hard one to take as a Kilmarnock fan despite the smiles it brought to the faces of neutrals.

Eight points since twelve since then though.

It's a reaction that shouldn't be sniffed at.

More of the same would be the ideal gift. It could get them through a derby semi-final at Hampden and pretty much wrap a top six place by the middle of February.

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Kilmarnock: Finnish for Mixu?

Tabloid reports suggest that Mixu Paatelainen is set to be unveiled as the new manager of Finland this afternoon.

While this might not be as galling for Kilmarnock fans as losing him to a lower league English side, it's still and absolute kick in the goolies after a season that has surely surpassed the hopes of even the most optimistic of supporters.

There was a tendency to write Mixu off when got the job. My own reaction was:

"Stubborness, even the ability to ignore the aesthetics and revert to the long ball, will be plus points for Kilmarnock next season. Where touchline arguments were a distraction at Hibs they might, if they're well chosen, prove an inspiration in Ayr." (July 2010)

We were all wrong, although he has proved an inspiration. Mixu brought pleasingly eye catching football to Rugby Park. He has given the SPL Alexei Eremenko. He turned Conor Sammon into the goal scoring machine that even Sammon himself suspected he might not be.

Kilmarnock currently sit fifth, assured of a top six place and still very much in the fight for fourth.

Their experience last season and their financial turmoil saw many people tip them as relegation strugglers this season.

They've shown that up to be a load of codswallop.

And now they pay for their success.

Perhaps the lure of his national team job carries an emotional attachment for Paatelainen. It's a new challenge that has more attraction than leaving Kilmarnock for the glamour of Scunthorpe.

Good luck to him. He's a decent bloke and he's given us a rare good news story in the SPL this season.

But even as they wish him well, this must be scunnering for the Kilmarnock fans. Talk this morning that, if his departure is confirmed, he could remain in post until the end of the season.

His assistant Kenny Shiels will not be going to Finland with him and might provide Killie with a ready made replacement.

There's still likely to be uncertainty and anguish among the fans today though.

Football, just when you think your team's getting the hang of it, it turns round and whacks you about the jowls.

SPL Today: The Blogger's Curse

Work is the curse of the blogging classes.

Been feeling a bit detached from the blog this week and noticing one or two established bloggers and podcasters calling it a day recently.

Is it worth doing if it becomes a drag, if you feel you should be updating rather than writing because you want to or if you really are struggling for time?

Anyways, we fight on. Another weekend fit to burst with the kind of exhilarating action that SPL really excels at.

And more predictions, the curse of this classless blogger.

Aberdeen v Hearts

An early kick off at Pittodrie might not be ideal for travelling Hearts fans but there is incentive aplenty as Jim Jefferies’ side eye second place in the SPL with Rangers’ not in action until Sunday.

Aberdeen have their own reasons to be cheerful having taken six points over the course of the last week and diving right back in to the concertinaed pack chasing top six places.

Their is a resilience about this Hearts side. They showed that in beating Rangers in a game the Ibrox side dominated, they’ve shown it in bouncing back from away defeats to the Old Firm siblings and it was on display again last week as they beat Dundee United.

That contrasts with Aberdeen who, impressive as their resurgence has been, remain a work in progress under Craig Brown.

Aberdeen captain Paul Hartley might make a start against his old club to add another little layer of interest to what I think should be an intriguing match and a diverting match-up as Brown and Jefferies lock horns.

I expect Aberdeen to be spirited and to score. But I’m backing Hearts to close out the away win.

Hamilton v Dundee United

Abandon hope all ye who enter New Douglas Park? Hamilton’s misfortune is to be trapped at the foot of the table with their eventual relegation looking more and more inevitable.

That’s a horror of a place to be, a vortex of misery that offers little chance of escape.

They can’t win games. And that’s a gargantuan problem for a football team. The season has many a meandering twist to take but it would take a seasoned collector of spotter’s badges to work out exactly where Hamilton’s points are going to come from.

United were aggrieved in losing to Hearts last weekend and claimed a point against St Johnstone in midweek. It’s not the form of champions but it’s hardly a litany of failure from a team that remain eminently capable.

Three points today will please Peter Houston. I expect he’ll get them as the Accies nightmare continues.

Hibs v Inverness

Three wins out of three for Colin Calderwood’s rebuilt Hibernian. Some managers would mark that achievement with a song and dance routine. Calderwood makes do with becoming a smidgeon less ponderous in press conferences.

He’s made of stern stuff is Calderwood and last week’s last gasp win in a desperately poor game against St Mirren suggests he’s achieving some success in his attempts to instill the resolute gruffness in his players.

Inverness also had cause for celebration last weekend as they halted what had become a lengthy slump with a win over St Johnstone.

All of which means today is a clash between two teams hoping that the green shoots of recovery are more than a mirage but also, hopefully, playing with less of the fear that has hampered them recently.

It would be nice think to that could lead to a game of ebullient, carefree football. But I’m sure the Hibs will accept the stuffy, scrappy three points I expect them to get.

Kilmarnock v St Mirren

Just a few short months ago if you’d heard that Aberdeen and Kilmarnock had finished 5-0 you would have nodded appreciation of Mixu Paatelainen’s Kilmarnock and wondered how low Aberdeen could sink.

All of which made Kilmarnock’s tonking at Pittodrie last week  more difficult to fathom. They have not become a bad side and Paatelainen’s revolution remains admirable.

Unfortunately they do not have the depth or quality of squad that would allow them to cope with the loss of key players or the loss of confidence. A hammering at Pittodrie is a painful way to learn that lesson.

St Mirren’s sorry search for consistency continues. Offering little against Hibs on Sunday they bounced back to beat Motherwell on Wednesday. That might continue to flummox Danny Lennon but it has been enough to see them shift clear of Hamilton in the struggle to avoid the drop.

What reaction will Kilmarnock show today? And which St Mirren will turn up? While I wait to see how those questions resolve themselves I’ll predict a draw.

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SPL Today: Irresistible Force v Immovable Object

The winter chill continues, games tumbling by the wayside like Scotland's co-efficient points. Only two matches set to survive in the SPL. Thankfully one of them is the game of the day.

Hearts v Inverness

Scottish football's irresistible force meets our immovable object. Or something. Hearts have won six out of six. Inverness haven't lost away since Mary and Joseph revved up the donkey and began the long trek to Bethlehem.

Somebody's proud record has to give today. Unless it's a draw. Terry Butcher's Inverness have been the "surprise package" of the season and successive draws against the Old Firm suggest that it is no fluke that they find themselves in fourth place.

Hearts are suddenly involved in chasing down second place. A win today sees them go level with Celtic on points. Celtic will have played two games less but there is no denying that Jim Jefferies has built the SPL's form team.

Postponements elsewhere should ensure that this game gets the billing it deserves. Hopefully the players can deliver a memorable match.

Who to back? I've never denied being a coward. And a calendar year without an away defeat would be a fine achievement for Inverness. Hearts look strong but I'm going to sit on the fence: draw.

Kilmarnock v Hibs

Written off by many before the start of the season Mixu Paatelainen has enjoyed a solid start to his career at Kilmarnock. Predicted to be in a relegation battle they sit comfortably in sixth place, winning both plaudits and some big games.

Hibs remain inconsistent although there have been glimpses of improvement. Still a lot of work to do though.

Neither of these sides have played since 27 November so difficult to know how the players will react to their unscheduled winter break.

Hibs have been struggling to keep clean sheets and will find Kilmarnock's Alexei Eremenko and Conor Sammon difficult to cope with. So the away side will need to find some attacking intent of their own. This one is a home win for me.

Postponed matches so far:

Scottish Premier League
Aberdeen v Motherwell
Hamilton v Celtic
Rangers v St Mirren
St Johnstone v Dundee Utd

Scottish Football League Championship First Division
Queen of South v Morton
Raith v Cowdenbeath
Ross County v Dunfermline

Scottish Football League Championship Second Division
Ayr v Forfar
Brechin v East Fife
Dumbarton v Peterhead
Stenhousemuir v Livingston

Scottish Football League Championship Third Division
Albion v Annan
Berwick v Montrose
Clyde v Arbroath
Stranraer v East Stirling

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Mixing It With Mixu

Debt stretching to £11 million. 14 players in the senior squad. Finished second bottom of the SPL last season.

Not much that's joyful about Kilmarnock's blues right now.

The 2010/11 season is about survival. Scrapping for every point on the pitch, scraping every penny together off the pitch.

In such circumstances there are probably worse people than Mixu Paatelainen to have in the dugout.

Mixu, opposing defenders will remember, was a rumbustious centre forward. Fans knew that they'd get a whole hearted performance even if they didn't get a goal.

Going from player to coach at St Mirren he looked to be building a solid managerial CV as he won a title with Cowdenbeath and took TPS in Finland to third place in the league.

Then came Easter Road. Leith might not be a managerial graveyard but a spell in charge of the "Cabbage" has certainly stalled a few promising careers.

Mixu came a cropper for his reliance on a utilitarian style of play that fell foul of the footballing ideals so beloved of the Hibs fans. There is a fine line between sticking to long held philosophy and just being precious. Sometimes the Hibs faithful cross that line.

Finishing sixth in the SPL for two seasons running wasn't enough for either the support or the Hibs board. A parting of the ways with Mixu became inevitable.

That doesn't mean Mixu was a failure at Easter Road. At times he was naïve. Often his touchline spats were a needless distraction. The stubbornness of that barrelling centre forward was too near the surface as he took to long to adapt tactics and make changes in games.

But he inherited a squad that had suffered the bizarre exit of John Collins, the loss of big players and the internecine warfare of dressing room factions.

That was a steep learning curve for a young manager who had benefitted from a core of full time players at Cowdenbeath and a generous owner at TPS. But he did the job pragmatically and avoided the periodic plummets that Hibs have endured over the years.

If sixth place wasn't enough at Easter Road it will be more, much more, than enough at Rugby Park.

Stubborness, even the ability to ignore the aesthetics and revert to the long ball, will be plus points for Kilmarnock next season. Where touchline arguments were a distraction at Hibs they might, if they're well chosen, prove an inspiration in Ayr.

At times it might not be pretty but it might be effective enough to save Kilmarnock. At least they know their manager won't be going down without a hell of a fight.

> Mixu will be assisted by Kenny Shiels who has left Tranmere to join him at Rugby Park. Kenny's son Dean was a player at Easter Road under Mixu.

Saturday Special

One of the benefits of feeling like crap is being able to spend an afternoon submerged in Scottish football. A small benefit to be sure, but paupers in a credit crunch can't be too choosy.

So our afternoon kicks off at Love Street where Artur Boruc, apparently no stranger to love, showed himself to be quite street as well, avoiding a red card when many a ref would have stubbed him out like a discarded cigarette.

St Mirren held their own but, as Scott Booth mentioned more than once in yet another turgid Setanta co-commentary, you need to take your chances against Celtic. Boom, boom. 2 nil and Celtic are cruising. We've seen it all before.

With about half an hour to go last Saturday Jimmy Calderwood was staring at three points on the road, Mixu was staring into the abyss. Two goals later and Hibs have a point that feels like a win, Aberdeen a point that feels like the death of a reasonably close friend.

Jimmy's woes continued at Ibrox as Ranger closed the gap to four points again. If depression lingers then Hibs proved what a difference a last minute Steven Fletcher sclaff can make by running out 4-1 winners at Motherwell.

Hibs fans of a certain vintage may remember the heady Alex Miller days when Brian Hamilton powered the midfield. The engima of Hamilton, it was said, was his ability to play well away from home before freezing at Easter Road. No enigma, the guy was terrified because of the stick he took in Leith. With apathy and antipathy rolling down from the stands at the moment might the whole Hibs team be suffering from the Hamilton syndrome? Time will tell.

Across Edinburgh Hearts continued their strange season. Third in the league with a win over Falkirk. Will that please the Jambo faithful? Or are they suffering from withdrawal symptoms? A message to the Gorgie Boys: a team that isn't imploding might make for a duller life but sometimes simple is good.

Dundee United continued their Jekyll and Hyde season with a draw at home to Hamilton. Accies finding a bit of form again but I had really expected Levein to have led United to a comfortable third place by now.

Inverness continued to haul their themselves away from the relegation battle with a fine win over Kilmarnock, Mehdi Tauoil getting into a spot of bother and no doubt ensuring the redoubtable Mrs Jefferies will be welcoming home something quite removed from a bundle of fun this evening.

So we are...well, where are we? Hamilton close the gap on St Mirren who really, really need to start scoring goals. Celtic and Rangers are as they started, Hearts get a sliver of breathing space over United.

And Hibs move into the top six but remain only a couple of wins off a bottom of the table scrap. This league produces few winners and few losers but yet again there's confirmation that this year's big question is not who's best of the rest but who's the runt of a dismal litter.

Still Questions in Leith

According to the Edinburgh Evening News today Hibs stars (stars? how many of them actually qualify as stars?) have been holding "clear the air" talks following their dismal pre season.

A sign of a group players taking responsibility for their collective incompetence? Or a sign that problems do exist at Easter Road?

I'm thinking the latter. I wonder just what role Rob Jones has as club captain - it seems clear that much of the John Collins saga revolved around Jones' leading a player revolt? Does he think is bigger than the managers?

I think this one is going to run and run. Right now I'd say Leith isn't big enough for Jones, Mixu Paateleinen and Rod Petrie. Something or someone is going to need to give. Interesting times for the Cabbage.

Some SPL Predictions

We are but a heartbeat away from the new season. So time for some very unscientific predictions:

First managerial casualty:

Mixu. Almost certainly. If the rumours have an ounce of truth in them then a humping by Clyde could mean he's away before the start of the season. To be swiftly followed, I'd guess, by Rod Petrie.

Third place:

Dundee United. I've got a feeling that Craig Levein (man least likely to be sacked) will have got United even stronger this season. Could be third at a canter.

Relegated:

I've got a feeling Hamilton might make a strong enough start to survive. So take your pick from St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Hibs (see above).

A season of reasonable contentment:

Falkirk. Top six again. A cup run. Yogi's stock will rise further.

Champions:

Celtic again I think. There's a chance Rangers might struggle a bit this year. Celtic might not need to do much to keep the title.

Last Chance Saloon:

Csabo Lazlo. Just because the Heart's job is last chance saloon in perpetuity. Jimmy Calderwood, bit of an enigma at Aberdeen - needs to get the fans back. Kenny Miller, surely now is the time to deliver.

Goalie Moly

The whole sorry search for a keeper at Easter Road continues. After Phil Imray, recently of the mighty Wellington in New Zealand, did little to impress against Raith he has joined young Ivorian Lamine Meite in being shown the exit door.

Neither triallist impressed Mixu Paatelainen more than what he's already got. What he's already got is calamity prone Yves Makalambay, gaffe prone Andy McNeill and untried Robert Grof. How bad can the other two be?

Seriously, though, the travails of the goalkeepers at Easter Road point to a wider malaise at the club. When a club that has the pretensions of Hibs can - rumour has it - only afford to sign a player if they can sell a player of the stature of Clayton Donaldson then something is wrong.

The natives are getting restless. Many feel Mixu is not the answer. Most would appear to feel that he is definitely not the answer if the board continue to insist that the manager of Hibs must be skilled in doing his job with one hand tied behind his back.

How long before the fans start to vote with their feet? The message to Rod Petrie is a simple one: you can't play a training ground or a shiny new stand in the first team.

Hibs Endure Euro Misadventure

The sun didn't shine on Leith yesterday. In fact it rained on Rod Petrie's latest European parade. Another drookit Intertoto disaster.

Before the game Mixu didn't so much dampen down expectation as concede defeat. And so it came to pass. Now the players are back far too early and the club has a pointless trip to Sweden to contend with.

And, crucially, fans that weren't convinced by Mixu last season have a lot more ammunition to write the big Finn off. Mission accomplished? Given the manager's apparent discomfort about the whole escapade you find yourself asking just how much the board actually consults with the football staff. Was John Collins right?

For all the smug posturing at Easter Road about Mad Vlad, Mr Petrie and company continually prove that there is more than one way to mismanage a football club.