The Killie game was ours from start to finish. We dominated them all over the pitch and should have won by a good few goals.
We played well in almost every position and were more than a little unfortunate that the ball would not sit for us in front of goal. Yes we could criticise our players for not taking chances but I would prefer to look at it as unlucky and look forward to knocking a few in against
The way the team played was such a massive step forward from last year it is hard to put it into words. We outplayed, outpassed and out-muscled Killie all over the pitch. What McGhee has done to Quinn and Clarkson is a mystery to me, as they have gone from complete no-hopers to outstanding performers. Others, such as Paterson, O'Donnell and McGarry have also come on leaps and bounds and this can only be down to the management team - so long may it continue!!!
Chris Porter is also looking the part in my opinion, with the boo boys getting on his back far too early. Porter will score goals when given the chance, but he needs time to settle in and find his feet in the SPL. He holds the ball up well, links the play and works hard. He also runs the channels and puts in a good shift, goals can't be far away and when they come and I think they will come regularly.
Our only weak point, apart from Fitz but I will give him the benefit of the doubt this week, seems to be defending the back post from corners and free-kicks. This needs to be worked at in training as both the goals conceded have worrying similarities.
One solution may be to play Mensing instead of Fitz, as he would add height and muscle both at the back and going forward.
Three games gone and we are sitting on 6 points. It's a good start that we now need to build on. Our team is playing well, we have good players sitting on the bench with hopefully more coming in, everything is looking rosy - for now. The season will be full of highs and lows, but let's just hope we can play half as well against
MM Player Ratings:
G. Smith (6) - could have done better on 2nd goal
P. Quinn (8) - best performance in a well shirt for me
J. Paterson (7) - looked good going forward and solid at the back
M. Reynolds (6) - solid, didn't have much to do
K. Lasley (8) - probably the most important player in the team for me
P. O'Donnell (6) - played well, tires in 2nd half I would replace him
M. Fitzpatrick (5) - better than last week, not good enough
S. McGarry (6) - another good performance, keep it up
C. Porter (6) - needs time to settle in, goals will come
D. Clarkson (9) - outstanding, not a natural finisher but who cares
MM