It's been a busy week for all concerned at Rugby Park and a
busy week indeed for us here at killiefc.com. Following the Press
Conference with Allan Johnston on Tuesday we caught up with the manager
(again) to see what he had to say this time. Last week he told us that we
probably wouldn't have enough money to sign the versatile midfielder so we
asked him if Kris Boyd was being sold to fund the deal.
Jim said: "Boydie is like any other player at any other
football club in that if someone comes in with a massive offer then the
clubs couldn't afford to turn that down. Not in the present financial
climate. We are just keeping our fingers crossed that we don't get a big
money offer. We are not anticipating anyone making a bid for him at the
moment. Club will probably be watching him now and will keep watching him
because he's only 20 and learning his trade in the Premier League."
He continued: "I don't think, and I'm sure he'll agree
himself, that he's started as strongly as he finished last season, but
that will come...because he's a big lad and probably takes two or three
games to find his sharpness. Let's be honest, he could have had a hat
trick against A*r easily...but yet he comes up with a blistering free kick
against Leicester that put us up and then he scores the winner on
Saturday. I felt that after he'd scored against Hibs we got to see the
best part of his game. In the last twenty minutes he was winning the ball
and twisting and turning and getting more shots in. There is no link to
him going anywhere right now, I can assure you of that."
Some people have been worried that fan's favourite Stevie
Murray will suffer now that Allan Johnston has signed so we chinned the
gaffer about where 'Magic' would be deployed. He wouldn't be drawn on who
would be first choice in what position but he did say: "I could start
Allan on the right, on the left or through the middle. I can play him in
the midfield or just behind the strikers or out wide because he's really
comfortable out there. Defenders don't know whether he's going to go
outside or inside because he's got the benefit of being two footed...it's
like signing three players! I've got to think about making Kilmarnock more
successful and better to watch and that will come with a good squad of
players. Different players will feature at different times depending on
what is required on the day."
Eric Joly is another member of our new improved squad who
has not only impressed the manager and the fans but apparently our latest
signing as well. JJ said: "I came back from training today with Allan
and was walking down to the bungalow to get his signature after his
medical and stuff and he told me he thought that Joly looked like a good
player. Eric is not fit, which is down to his situation at Mons and coming
to us late, so he's a bit behind the rest of the boys, but that will come.
We like the 442 and now we have options with Eric, Lockie, McDonald and
Leven. We could even go with three in the middle if required."
Jim rates Leven as a good prospect but doesn't see him as a
replacement for Murray either. He said: "I don't see Leven going wide
because he's the sort of central midfield player who likes to pass the
ball around. There was one instance on Saturday when Boydie cut across him
and had he played the ball in Leven was through. He's pretty one footed
but he's still young and he's here to try and win a longer contract. He's
got the build and the presence and certainly has the enthusiasm. This is
one of the best squads I've had to work with."
And a case for the defence? David Lilley is currently
looking like the bargain of the century, replacing Greg Shields at a
fraction of the price and excelling at both right back and as a centre
half. JJ said: "David Lilley has proved to be a major, major bonus for
us. I thought he was outstanding in central defence for us on Saturday and
he seems to fit in well in that role. He's a quick thinker, a good tackler
and a great header of the ball...Freddie loves playing beside him. Greer
is almost fit again and we will be bringing in a new defender so we will
have options. Lilley went to hospital the other day to get checked out. He
was getting a wee bit of a spasm in his shoulder after games and we
thought he could have cracked a muscle or something but as it turns out he
is fine."
It's no secret that Wolski is the centre half Jim wants to
bring in before the end of the transfer window and apart from the achilles
problem he impressed the manager during his trial. JJ said: "Wolski is
only 24. He is a big presence, good in the air and quick if maybe a wee
bit impetuous. David Lilley will continue at centre back and it will be up
to Greer and Wolski to challenge for their place."
And the full backs? Jim said: "I think Fowler has done well
at right back and he'll get his chance there. Sometimes his passing lacks
a bit when he gets forward but he's always quick to recover. His pace can
get him out of trouble at times. I have said that I wanted to play Garry
Hay further forward but to be fair I think he too has played really well
in the last few games, defensively as well."
The Skora rumours have been done to death so we thought
we'd nail the 'Skora signs into hotel' one once and for all. Jim laughed:
"It was Eric's brother we were having a look at. We had him here for
two days and in my judgement he's a really good player...one to keep an
eye on in future years. When he gets fixed up with a club I'll watch him a
few times during the season. I've plenty of cover in the midfield just
now! That's a real boost because if we get to a stage where things aren't
going our way then we now have quite a lot of options to freshen things
up...all I need now is one more player for the defence and we're all set
to go."
