The one glimmer of hope comes from the recent form of the opposition. Their run of six consecutive losses (a club record) means that we will face a team low on confidence and troubled by the struggle to pull clear of the relegation zone. A contest between two poor sides hardly makes for an attractive fixture.
They need at least a point for safety and we can assume that they will not be playing an open attacking game. A packed midfield behind a lone striker is likely. Samson and his defence will be happy to launch the ball long – that’s been the pattern in recent weeks. Their suffering is, in part, caused by players trying to fit into unaccustomed roles.
Gary Locke took charge after Johnson’s departure in February and he was given a three year deal in April, just in time to see Motherwell win 2-1 at Rugby Park. His side have had to deal with some injuries but their early season promise has gone.
A look at the Killie forums reveals that we share a similar level of disenchantment with our teams’ prospects. Few ‘Well fans believe we are capable of winning the last three games of the regular season (though there are circumstances which would see us safe with two wins and a draw) and the evidence of the last few weeks supports that gloomy theory.
There can be no excuses if we fail again on Friday. The return of Hammell at left back means that we can field a team with everyone playing in position. The manager has no need to shuffle the jerseys.
We are at home for a match that we have to win. We’ll probably sneak it but it may not be enough to recover a poor season, 2-1.
Remember the last time Kilmarnock were at Fir Park?