Blunder pressure
Individual errors point to lost chances says Broadfoot
Broadfoot says errors have cost Killie so dearly this season
KIRK BROADFOOT reckons Kilmarnock would be right in the scrap for Europe were it not for a series of individual mishaps.
The Rugby Park defender is adamant his team have blown at least 15 points in the Premiership this term by making costly slips.
Broadfoot and his team-mates saw another two evaporate with Danny Rogers’ last-gasp disaster against St Mirren.
Killie were on their way to backto-back top-flight wins for the first time since September after Danny Whitehall’s second strike in two games – only for their keeper to have a final-minute calamity.
Kyle McAllister’s cross was flicked into the air and was looping under the bar when the Irishman, who had a spell at Saints on loan two seasons ago, caught it.
But Rogers lost his balance and staggered backwards over his line with the ball in his arms.
Assistant referee Sean Carr made a decisive call to inform referee Craig Napier it was a goal and leave Killie devastated.
Broadfoot wasn’t for blaming Rogers. He has seen enough mistakes in every area of the park this term but said: “It was frustrating. It’s just one of those things and it seems to be the story of our season so far.
“We’d probably be 15 points better off if you look at individual errors we’ve made in games.
“Away to Rangers at Ibrox in the second half is one where we didn’t really perform. Apart from that, we have performed in most of the games and it is the fine margins that have killed us.
“St Johnstone at home. We are 1-0 up with four minutes to go and make two mistakes to cost us two goals. Celtic game, it’s a shot from 40 yards. The Hibs game, the Livingston game – you could go on and on.
“That’s where we are and it’s nothing to do with being the manager’s fault. It’s the players’ fault as it is the fine margins we have to get better at.”
Killie coped well with Saints’ meagre threat before the equaliser. Whitehall’s header from a Chris Burke cross was followed by other chances. Alex Dyer’s men went into the last 10 minutes in control and, when Rogers made an excellent save from Joe Shaughnesy’s header, it looked like the last danger had been snuffed out.
Broadfoot said: “We were comfortable and I didn’t think they’d score. It’s a hard one to take but what can you do?”
Heads went into the hands after the error. Broadfoot was among those who protested to Carr and Napier at the full-time whistle but he later admitted they got it right.
He added: “It was just off Danny’s shouts. But having watched it back, it was over.
“If a goalie makes a mistake it usually results in a goal. Just five minutes earlier, he made a good save. Danny’s been good for us this year. He’s made a couple of mistakes as most of us have done but he’s still young and will grow into it.”