Kilmarnock's Struggling Strikeforce Seek Redemption Against the Clock
Four games, no defeats or goals conceded in 90 minutes, it's been a stellar start to the season defensively for Kilmarnock. But the team's attacking woes are becoming increasingly alarming.
Across 360 minutes of Premier Sports Cup action, Neil McCann's side could only muster two goals: a last-minute winner against Elgin City and a second-half strike against Hamilton Academical. Despite both Joe Hugill and Tyreece John-Jules playing the majority of minutes so far, and summer signing Ieuan Owen also starting twice, they have struggled desperately to find a clinical touch.
Only Hugill has notched so far, with a late winner against Elgin, and the side's lack of creativity in the final third has been a worry for fans. Manager McCann is unfazed, recently saying: "I think we showed last year that we are a team with a real cutting edge about us once we hit high gears and we click."
Manager McCann's confidence in the team's abilities is being tested by their poor start to the season. A slow, tepid start to last season soon led to then-manager Stuart Kettlewell losing his job, and another this year could pile early pressure on McCann and co.
New recruit Owen is a pacey, direct forward who is ready to take the step up from the Welsh Premier League, while fellow addition Erik Ring is a technical wide forward who has spent two seasons in League One with Lincoln City. The additions to the squad may not be enough to solve the team's attacking woes, but they will certainly be expected to contribute to the cause.
The pressure is on for Hugill and John-Jules to hit the ground running when the league campaign starts against St Johnstone on Sunday. The duo showed their capabilities last season, particularly in big games, and will know the importance of making an early impact.
Source: Yahoo Sports