As I wrote earlier in the week, the games against Killie, St. Johnstone and Inverness Caley Thistle present a great opportunity for us. It's a chance to get some points on the board and prove we are a decent side and will not be involved in a relegation battle this season. We have to be looking to take at least six points out of these games and a win on Saturday would be the perfect way to start off this nice run of fixtures.
Our recent record at Rugby Park is good. On our last five visits we've lost just once - that awful night in May 2009 when we were edged closer to the relegation trap door - and have won three times. The only problem is it's closing in on a year since we last picked up three points away from Greenhill Road. Falkirk in October was the time and place of our last away SPL win and it's about time that record was put right. A win tomorrow would send out a message that we mean business this season and are capable of taking points from the teams that will probably be round about us this season.
It's been a fortnight since our last game - a fine win over Hibs - we'll have to make at least one change, with goal hero Craig Dargo injured. That will probably see a return to 4-4-1-1 with Gareth Wardlaw and Paul McGowan filling the roles as Michael Higdon is still out. We should be able to welcome two players back in the form of Steven Thomson and David Barron, although Paul McQuade will still be out. We also have a new signing in the form of Nick Hegarty, although I'd be surprised if he starts.
I quite liked the 3-5-2 we went with against Hibs and I wouldn't mind seeing it stay. The error prone duo of John Potter and Lee Mair looked much more composed and Darren McGregor was outstanding at the back. Hugh Murray and Garry Brady were decent and Jure Travner and Marc McAusland looked more comfortable in their advanced positions. If changes are to be made I'd put Thomson - if fit - in for Brady and bring David van Zanten in for Cheesy. Vanzy was far more effective at wingback than in a back four during his first spell with us so it would make sense to play him there.
When Kilmarnock lost manager Jimmy Calderwood in the summer, Lennon was on their list of possible replacements - but he joined us before they could even speak to him. Instead, they turned to Mixu Paatelainen - who many people had tipped for the Saints job. Funny old world. I thought Mixu did a decent job at Hibs, but he was unpopular at Easter Road for some reason. He likes his sides to play attacking football and also favours a big, physical striker - just as he himself was in his playing career. I think he could prove to be a pretty good appointment at Rugby Park although, like most clubs down the bottom of the table, his hands are rather tied due to a lack of budget.
That hasn't stopped him making some interesting signings, such as David Silva (no, not that one) and Udinese's Mahamadou Sissoko, although he has only joined on loan. Another loan signing is Alexei Eremenko who, despite the rather Russian sounding name, is actually a Finnish international. He has a pretty good scoring rate and should make up for the missing Kevin Kyle, who did one to Hearts over the summer. Chelsea youngster Ben Gordon is pretty handy in Football Manager and should do a job for Killie at the back.
Kyle wasn't the only player leaving in the summer, although it's debatable whether the likes of Mark Burchill, David Fernandez and Allan Russell will be missed too much. It did, at one point, look as if Craig Bryson would join Kyle in making the journey to Gorgie, but he stayed put as Hearts were too mean to stump up the required fee. Their loss is Killie's gain (even if they could do with the money) as Bryson is one of the best midfielders in Scotland that isn't at one of the Old Firm. A big move surely awaits for him in the future. As well as keeping Bryson, Killie still have Mehdi Taouil - a difficult player to face - while the delivery of leftback Garry Hay should provide some decent ammunition for Conor Sammon, looking to step into the shoes of fellow bald striker Kyle.