The Great Big Kilmarnock Thread

[Andy_K_97]

Very excited for this one. If we play like we did on Sunday then there's no doubt that we'll take something from this game.

[20/20]

On 01/11/2017 at 19:53, Nadroj said:

We definitely are improving under Clarke. The only thing I am worried about (worried is probably too strong a word) is the fact we seem to sit very deep in order to avoid losing goals at the start of games and we end up losing goals.  

I genuinely believe we will pump hearts this weekend. 

We’ve had to sit deep as if we had opened up and had a go during those 3 games (well first two anyway) we would have been completely dismantled. Was effective until the other night, which I think was our best performance of season, but against weaker teams I don’t think we will play like that. 

As for Hearts, fingers crossed, if we play like we did Tuesday we’ve got a chance.

[Eddie Murphy]

3.5/1 to beat Hearts on Sunday.....i'll be having a slice of that.

You guys played well in midweek.

I've seen us play poorer Killie sides and lose so it was strange (and nice) to win 3-0 and know we've been in a match!

[C4mmy31]

When Steve Clarke chose to accept the Kilmarnock job three weeks ago, his dad, now in his 80s and still living in Saltcoats, said to him: “Are you crazy? Why don’t you just go and enjoy your retirement?” But that wasn’t an option. The zeal which has driven Clarke on for more than 40 years in football is still active.

The new Kilmarnock manager, even after all these years, remains elusive and almost an unknown quantity in his home nation. It is 30 years since Clarke left St Mirren for a £400,000 fee to join Chelsea, where he enjoyed 11 prolific seasons. We saw him on TV, we read about him in the papers, he got an occasional cap for Scotland, but still many Scots asked: “Just who is Steve Clarke?”

I just like to get on with my work and be left alone. I don’t need headlines

His image then took on near-mystical aspects when José Mourinho, the new hot thing in European football, plucked Clarke from his youth team position at Chelsea to be his assistant back in 2004. Suddenly this reserved, understated Scot was a confidant of the greatest coach in the modern game.

“I don’t go around throwing my name about, I’m not into self-publicity,” says Clarke. “It is pretty rare that I’m even doing an interview like this — it’s not something I do very often. But I understand that, right now, maybe I’m a hotter topic in Scottish football, just in coming to Kilmarnock. But I don’t put myself forward.

“I just like to get on with my work. I think in all the jobs I’ve had, the people I’ve worked with will all tell you that I’m a good, diligent worker, I’m professional, that I do my job properly. That is enough for me. I don’t need the headlines and I don’t need to be bummed up. I just like to do my job and be left alone.”

Clarke is now 54 years old. You have to be of a certain vintage to remember his playing days. He was beloved of Chelsea fans: strong, reliable, never shirking anything, a regular for over a decade at Stamford Bridge. A few seasons ago some Chelsea fans voted him their greatest ever right back.

Today Clarke has forged his reputation as a coach, but he has some surprising thoughts about that. “I don’t want my career to be defined by what I’ve done since I stopped playing,” he says. “My career as a player means a hell of a lot more to me than my career as a coach or manager. My playing days were my best days.

“I’ve experienced nothing to change my mind on that — and I’ve had some great times as a coach. But I wouldn’t swap one minute of my playing career for the times I’ve had as a coach.”

The misapprehension persists that, back in 2004, Clarke was in with the bricks at Chelsea and that Mourinho merely inherited him upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge. The truth is somewhat different. Mourinho had asked to speak to all the club’s coaching staff in his search for an assistant, including Chelsea’s youth coaches such as Clarke, and then took a few weeks before announcing that the Scot was the one he favoured as his number two. It was quite an elevation for the quiet Ayrshireman.

“I’d always had my own ideas about coaching,” he says. “But when José came in to Chelsea, not only did I feel he reinforced my ideas, but he took them to a different level. Working with José was an education.

“He was different from the way most British managers worked. He changed the mindset of most of the coaches over here. He came in with a totally different way of playing and a totally different philosophy. He showed more attention to detail, he was very meticulous, even in his training sessions. I think he raised the bar.

“Everybody commented on it. I think even if you spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson he would tell you that, suddenly, Chelsea had moved the goalposts with José’s arrival, and Manchester United had to respond to it.

“We worked well together. Wherever José has gone he has always wanted someone from the club there working with him, someone who knows the club well. So I think I was important to him in his early days in English football. I knew about the league, the players, the style of play. But he was a quick learner.”

In the years since a seemingly endless sequence of No 2 jobs came and went Clarke’s way — at Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool — but when he did finally get the No 1 gig in 2012 at West Bromwich Albion his star shone briefly before his sacking.

In his one full season at the Hawthorns in 2012-13 Clarke took West Bromwich Albion to their highest Premier League position — eighth — before Romelu Lukaku left and the team ran out of steam. “We were as high as fourth at one point, but to finish eighth in the EPL, I would class that as almost akin to lifting a trophy,” he says. “That was not the norm for West Brom. The expectation there was simply to stay — survive — in the top flight. So I felt I had a really good start to my managerial career.”

Having been sacked by West Bromwich the following season, Clarke then took on a disastrous situation at Reading, where he lasted 12 months as their manager. The team was in upheaval and wages needed slashed. Yet he took Reading to within minutes of an FA Cup final in 2015 when a disastrous goalkeeping error by Adam Federici cost his team against Arsène Wenger and Arsenal.

Suddenly, following a second sacking, Clarke’s reputation looked damaged. “So I took time out,” he says. “I needed a period of reflection. I can’t really control how people judge the job I’ve done as a manager in the two positions I’ve held. But what I’ve always had are my beliefs and principles about coaching, about how to make players better.”

I don’t look at the environment, I look at the job. The challenge of Kilmarnock appealed to me

After life at Chelsea, West Ham United and Liverpool — where he was No 2 to Kenny Dalglish — has Clarke had to adapt to the more humble setting of Rugby Park?

“Nope. I don’t look at the environment, I look at the job. I was attracted to this job. It’s a challenge on a different scale from what I’ve been used to, but that appealed to me.

“It doesn’t feel small. I’m still the manager, I’ve got players to look after, I’ve got staff to look after, I’ve got games I need to win.

“The size of the football club doesn’t matter to me. The challenge is there, it is the same job, giving you the same problems, requiring the same solutions. Hopefully, it will give me the same enjoyment, but I’m sure there will be the same disappointments too. That’s the life of a football manager.”

But surely, I suggest, you have to adjust, from working at Chelsea or West Bromwich Albion, to working at Kilmarnock? The players, for one thing, are of inferior quality. “No, the adjustment will have to be on their [the players’] part. I work the same way and I’ll apply the same training drills. But, if my Kilmarnock players apply themselves day in and day out, then they will get better as footballers.

“My goal right now is to try and get three points on Sunday against Hearts. Then, medium term, just keep us safe in the league this year. After that, it is about speaking to the board and, hopefully, trying to build a stronger Kilmarnock FC in order to move forward, on and off the pitch.

“It is important for me to engage with the fans. The other night against Hibs they were magnificent — they won’t always clap us off after a 3-0 defeat. But I think they enjoyed the way we tried to play. I want to build up the crowds here and, hopefully, entertain the Kilmarnock public.

“I remember Kilmarnock crowds in the past of 14,000 or 15,000. I know it has been a tough time in recent years for Kilmarnock and parts of Ayrshire. But if we can coax some of them back, and put a smile on their faces some Saturdays, that would be a good thing. I want to help this club to grow again, maybe try to get it back to where it was 20 or 30 years ago.”

[paul wright scores]

What a brilliant philosophy he has; the following phrase sums it up perfectly - "the adjustment will have to be on their [the players’] part. I work the same way and I’ll apply the same training drills. But, if my Kilmarnock players apply themselves day in and day out, then they will get better as footballers"

You can see already that the players have bought into this.  

 

 

.

[Estragon]

58 minutes ago, paul wright scores said:

What a brilliant philosophy he has; the following phrase sums it up perfectly - "the adjustment will have to be on their [the players’] part. I work the same way and I’ll apply the same training drills. But, if my Kilmarnock players apply themselves day in and day out, then they will get better as footballers"

You can see already that the players have bought into this.  

 

 

.

I think this is key.  I feel like we might eventually look back on Lee McCulloch as a good "recruiter", he signed a few good players to the club in the summer - but his abilities as a coach and a tactician were lacking inasmuch as getting them to play effectively.  Now we've got a guy who is a specialist in the latter, and I can't remember feeling so upbeat about us in a long time.

You can see such an appetite for the club again after this appointment.  We're bringing supporters to matches home and away, and we've been virtually a permanent fixture in the press over the course of the last month.  Billy Bowie and the rest of the board have to be commended on this move - I'm sure Steve Clarke isn't cheap, but we've had our fingers burnt from going for the cheap option too often before, and the club have at last responded to this.

[2 for a Foil]

It’s about time Steve Clarke put an end to Boyd’s “punditry” work on Sportsound. I wish to f**k he’d stop embarrassing himself and the club with his inane pish!

[killiepiemuncher]

Enlighten us.....

[Dindeleux]

Whats big Biydy said now?

[C4mmy31]

There were goals galore at Rugby Park as Kilmarnock's U20s beat St Johnstone 6-3 in a thrilling contest.

Alex Samizadeh wasted little time, scoring in the opening minute after heading home from Josh Jeffries' corner.

Denny Johnstone drew Saints level with a clever finish after a neat move but that's as good as it got for the visitors.

A wonderful free kick from central defender Daniel Higgins crashed in off the bar in what was the best goal of the evening. 

And Will Graham ensured Andy Millen's men had a two-goal advantage at the interval after striking from distance past Ben MacKenzie in the Saints goal.

Saints hit back right after the restart through Craig Thomson but Innes Cameron restored Killie's advantage following fine centre forward play.

Another fine shot from distance saw Graham grab his second of the evening before Cameron claimed his second of the evening with a tap in.

Alastair Gilchrist rounded off an eventful night after Curtis Lyle was unable to hold the initial shot but Saints were well beaten as Killie celebrated their first home league win of the campaign. 

[2 for a Foil]

The recent comments about the Scotland squad for one thing, which imo is nothing more than a development squad. Why shouldn’t the interim manager have a look at fringe players in a nothing friendly! Also previous comments about the McCulloch regime after the event, not exactly helpful. I’m sure i’m not alone in thinking that if Boydy spent more time in the gym than behind the mic we’d all be better for it!

[Dindeleux]

1 minute ago, 2 for a Foil said:

 I’m sure i’m not alone in thinking that if Boydy spent more time in the gym than behind the mic we’d all be better for it!

I agree with this.  For the rest of it he's only doing his other job.

[the west curve]

19 hours ago, 2 for a Foil said:

The recent comments about the Scotland squad for one thing, which imo is nothing more than a development squad. Why shouldn’t the interim manager have a look at fringe players in a nothing friendly! Also previous comments about the McCulloch regime after the event, not exactly helpful. I’m sure i’m not alone in thinking that if Boydy spent more time in the gym than behind the mic we’d all be better for it!

Is this the guy that has scored more than 100 top flight league goals for two different teams and is only the second player to achieve this,that you speak about? 

[2 for a Foil]

1 hour ago, the west curve said:

Is this the guy that has scored more than 100 top flight league goals for two different teams and is only the second player to achieve this,that you speak about? 

The very same, however I fail to see how that qualifies anyone to talk utter pish on the radio. Boyd is either a player or a “pundit “ imo.

[gannonball]

Is this the guy that has scored more than 100 top flight league goals for two different teams and is only the second player to achieve this,that you speak about? 

Just because hes scored a f*ck tonne of goals previously shouldnt stop you from questioning his attitude and fitness. He can still be a lethal weapon on the pitch but he will always be an absolute weapon beind a mic or desk.

[Squirrelhumper]

Youssouf Mulumbu training with us.

[Squirrelhumper]

17 hours ago, 2 for a Foil said:

The very same, however I fail to see how that qualifies anyone to talk utter pish on the radio. Boyd is either a player or a “pundit “ imo.

Correct.

Plus, Boyd talking about international football is laughable, This is a guy that refused to play for Scotland after spitting the dummy out, wasn't trusted to play in Europe for Rangers and had to come off at half time in a Scottish Cup Final as it "was too hot to play football"

His comments about players getting caps, caps those guys will be absolutely buzzing about were nothing short of a disgrace,

Fed up listening/reading his inane ramblings in the media.

[Richie95]

6 minutes ago, Squirrelhumper said:

Youssouf Mulumbu training with us.

Someone let Craig know. I'm pretty sure, he normally links him to us every transfer window. 

[Squirrelhumper]

12 minutes ago, Richie95 said:

Someone let Craig know. I'm pretty sure, he normally links him to us every transfer window. 

Ha I tagged him on killiefc.com forum.

[Dindeleux]

18 minutes ago, Squirrelhumper said:

Correct.

Plus, Boyd talking about international football is laughable, This is a guy that refused to play for Scotland after spitting the dummy out, wasn't trusted to play in Europe for Rangers and had to come off at half time in a Scottish Cup Final as it "was too hot to play football"

His comments about players getting caps, caps those guys will be absolutely buzzing about were nothing short of a disgrace,

Fed up listening/reading his inane ramblings in the media.

Although I said earlier he is only doing his other job, which he is, he needs to remember he and his team mates need to play against some of these guys.  By telling Shinnie he isn't good enough, publicly, he is actually doing some of McInnes team talk for him the next time we meet.

I also wonder if he is telling Jordan Jones he shouldn't be near the NI squad as Jones has never consistently played and performed at the level Shinnie has.  I very much doubt this will be the case.  

This will be Boyd's last season at the club I assume.