IT’S ALL COMING TOGETHER FOR KILLIE

IF the mass recruitment of players in a single transfer window was generally considered to be a good idea, you suspect more managers might try it. By and large, the turnover of two or three bodies twice a year is seen as desirable. Any more runs the risk of causing chaos and confusion. So goes the theory, at least. Which is why Kilmarnock were identified as the side most likely to struggle in the Premiership this term. On one single day last summer, Lee Clark signed 11 players. By the time Killie began the campaign, the number of new recruits had risen to 15. If not quite a recipe for disaster, it asked huge questions of his ability to organise and galvanise a disparate mob. Predictably, the assimilation process has not happened overnight. A lack of experience among the newcomers hasn’t exactly helped. Three weeks from the winter break, however, there are tangible signs of progress. Mindful of the fact their present sixth-placed berth is only four points ahead of bottom club Partick Thistle, Clark’s side are beginning to look like a team. In recent weeks, they have excelled in home wins over Hearts and Dundee. A crushing midweek defeat to Aberdeen might well have seen them go into a tailspin but a stoic display at Fir Park put paid to that notion. To date, they have only once lost back-to-back league games and that bouncebackability is fuelling the belief that, at worst, they can hang on to their current position in the final reckoning. ‘I think the performances right now are meriting it,’ said defender Scott Boyd. ‘That’s five clean sheets in eight games, which includes Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen. ‘So we’re progressing. The gaffer has put together a very young side. There are a few experienced boys like myself and, hopefully, we’re helping the team to gel. ‘That’s starting to show in performances. We want to establish this club in the top six. That would show how far it’s come.’ This was a better point for Kilmarnock than Motherwell and not just because Clark’s men were on unfamiliar territory. Mark McGhee’s side shaded the game in terms of opportunities created, although visiting keeper Jamie MacDonald was hardly overworked. Ross McLean and Lionel Ainsworth wasted chances but Killie’s central defensive pairing of Boyd and William Boyle did a fine job of protecting their keeper. Boyd made a superb recovery tackle on Louis Moult on the hour mark as he looked set to break the deadlock. Having conceded three to Hearts and four to Celtic, McGhee was understandably pleased by the fact Craig Samson’s most worrying moment came when Keith Lasley’s clearance rebounded off Steven Smith to come within inches of a freak early concession. With a trip to Pittodrie tomorrow, a similarly solid defensive display will be required, together with an offensive cutting edge. ‘Overall, we should have won,’ said midfielder Craig Clay. ‘It’s disappointing not to take all three points but it’s a good clean sheet.’ MOTHERWELL (4-4-2): Samson 7; Tait 6, Heneghan 6, McManus 6, Ferguson 6; Ainsworth 5 (Hastie 74), Lasley 6 (Thomas 74), Clay 7, MacLean 6 (Lucas 48); McDonald 6, Moult 5. Subs not used: Brill, Bowman, Campbell, Maguire. Booked: Lasley, Lucas. KILMARNOCK (4-3-3): MacDonald 7; Hendrie 7, Boyd 6, Boyle 6, Taylor 6; McKenzie 7, Dicker 7, Smith 6; Coulibaly 6, Tyson 6, Jones 5 (Hawkshaw 86). Subs not used: McKay, Smith, Adams, Bojaj, Frizzell, Wilson. Booked: Boyle, Boyd, Dicker. Referee: Steven McLean. Attendance: 3,684. Man of the match: Gary Dicker.