***The Official Kilmarnock v The Champions Thread***

[fonics7 1]

We all knew a game like this was going to come sooner or later, where we play kids and players out of position. I'm not even gonna attempt a team selection just now.

If McCulloch does play at CB, Hutton MUST start. Eremenko is pulling the strings for them, we need someone to get up in his face from the first whistle. Naismith or Fleck aren't going to do that.

oh I think Naisy would, firey wee player from time to time.

This is seriously going to be a chance for the young lads to come in and show what they have.

Touch wood they do alright, otherwise some arseholes in our support will vilify them if we don't win.

Weiss is only 20years old himself, so if Fleck, Hutton, Little/Wylde start - we could well have a youthful team on Saturday..I'm really looking forward to it

[Papa Sasac 164]

oh I think Naisy would, firey wee player from time to time.

This is seriously going to be a chance for the young lads to come in and show what they have.

Touch wood they do alright, otherwise some arseholes in our support will vilify them if we don't win.

Weiss is only 20years old himself, so if Fleck, Hutton, Little/Wylde start - we could well have a youthful team on Saturday..I'm really looking forward to it

Thought about that as I sent it, but I just don't think our midfield would have any balance. I think we need, although not together, a McCulloch/Edu/Hutton type player, who can break up the opposition's play, and then look to start an attack of our own. I would like Naisy further up the pitch.

[fonics7 1]

Yeah I agree with ya. From what I hear Eremenko may float about midfield, so if he's in your area - you go tight. Doesn't matter if he's not "your man"

I know what ya mean though bud, we do need a defensive CM to get close, know what ya mean.

[Papa Sasac 164]

Worrying times. Let's see if we can fill the bench this week.

[fonics7 1]

it's not worrying times at all.

We have a cracking group of youths available to us, just a sad state of affairs that it takes multiple injurie for them to get a game under Walter.

Hopefully next year, if it's Coisty or someone else - the youths get more of a chance can but hope eh ? haha

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

Same team that played Aberdeen - Foster to come in if Kirk doesn't make it.

[we_are_the_people 2]

Thought about that as I sent it, but I just don't think our midfield would have any balance. I think we need, although not together, a McCulloch/Edu/Hutton type player, who can break up the opposition's play, and then look to start an attack of our own. I would like Naisy further up the pitch.

Totally agree.

I never understand the calls for two attack minded midfield players, we certainly need one player who just sits and protects the back four if our full backs get forward.

[Muff 245]

Agreed

The filth have a higher level of consistency than i thought they would. If we get through december on top or a point or two behind i would be 100% confident of winning the league. Throw two or three rounds of the uefa cup into that and we may have problems. We have done well to cope with cl football so far. When it comes to feb/march we will have league, cup and possibly euroepan commitments and that will bea ridiculously huge ask fore this squad.

If we get through walter must be allowed to increase the size of his squad but that is highly unlikely

That was always going to be the case with celtc. Lennon was always going to bring in a bit of fight and desire and they may not be a good outfit, playing shit football, but they do know how to grind out results and the players are prepared to do anything for Lennon - pretty much the words from Maloney when I caddied for him in the summer.

End of the day, it's what we do that counts - they won't hand us the title. If we can get ourselves on a run, a bit like last season, then we will be in good shape, but these injuries, games coming up and potential suspensions are a real worry. A couple of new faces, even loans, in January wouldn't go a miss and IMO, the managemet team should be allowed to go into the market. Again, you look to the celtc squad, it's not the best but it has depth - they can cope with a few injuries/suspensions...

It look's like we will enter the Europa League, and that is a competition where we could go on a run, and like the last one (UEFA Cup), I don't want it getting in the way of league, which IMO, is a must this season - it's a must every season, but this year it's even bigger.

Anyway, hopefully we can get a win on Saturday, doesn't matter how we do it, just as long as we win. From now until the New Year (and after) it's going to be tough, the league it hotting up!

[the goal machine 7,802]

:mcgregor:

:whittaker: :broadfoot: :weir:

:weiss: :mcculloch: :davis:

:fleck:

:miller:

[Muff 245]

Broadfoot is injured...

[we_are_the_people 2]

RANGERS' medical team have their work cut out this week as the squad remans thin for another massive spell of fixtures.

Kirk Broadfoot, Sasa Papac and Kyle Lafferty are all struggling to be ready to face Kilmarnock in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.

And that raises concerns for next week's massive Champions League showdown against Manchester United on November 24.

Maurice Edu is already ruled out of the Man United clash due to the knee injury he suffered against Hibs last week.

He is due to have an x-ray on Monday which will reveal the length of time he will spend on the sidelines.

Lafferty suffered a blow to his foot in training last Friday and he will have a scan tomorrow to make sure there is no major damage.

Broadfoot is nursing a persistent ankle problem and he is recieving intensive treamtent this week with a visit to a specialist imminent.

Meanwhile, Papac still has some stitches in the nasty head wound he suffered in the collision with Hibs star Vardas Trakys and is rated doubtful for the Killie game.

Steven Whittaker, Steven Naismith and Steven Davis all had to pull out of international action this week with knocks but should be OK.

It could mean an opportunity for John Fleck to retain his place in the squad and for Richard Foster to come in.

From the official website.

Can see Lafferty and Broadfoot making the Killie trip.

[the goal machine 7,802]

Broadfoot is injured...

He's doubtful but I think he could make it. Has played with the injury before.

[Clemdog 39,389]

Beattie's injury was supposed to rule him out for 2 weeks after the cup game against Killie. That was 3 weeks ago, what's going on? No word on him returning?

If Bougherra is out then I'd like to see ;

:mcgregor:

:weir: :mcculloch: :broadfoot:

:weiss: :hutton: :davis:

:fleck:

:miller:

No denying this will be a very tough game. Bougherra coped with Salmon in the cup but they had a fair amount of chances, him and Eremenko are in great form and Killie have had some fantastic results lately.

With our defence it's going to be a hard game.

[Papa Sasac 164]

Beattie's injury was supposed to rule him out for 2 weeks after the cup game against Killie. That was 3 weeks ago, what's going on? No word on him returning?

If Bougherra is out then I'd like to see ;

:mcgregor:

:weir: :mcculloch: :broadfoot:

:weiss: :hutton: :davis:

:fleck:

:miller:

No denying this will be a very tough game. Bougherra coped with Salmon in the cup but they had a fair amount of chances, him and Eremenko are in great form and Killie have had some fantastic results lately.

With our defence it's going to be a hard game.

That defence makes me cry.

[Bluepeter9 5,167]

McCulloch it is, then.

OK re-jig ;

McGregor

Whittaker McCulloch Weir Wylde

Weiss Davis Hutton Naismith

Fleck

Miller

I was shuddering typing some of that out, but needs must.

Now that would be one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams we have ever put out in the SPL. Killy have been on a good wee run of form and if we played this then these young players would have to really step up to the plate. Bring it on - No surrender!

[rangers_1873 1]

mcgregor

whittaker

bougherra

weir

papac

weiss

davis

mcculloch

fleck

miller

naismith

[Adoniram 1,919]

I think this will be our most difficult away game in some time as Killie are no mugs at the moment.Plus we have an ever growing casualty list with Lafferty,Naismith and Bougherra all doubtful.

Even with a full squad it wouldn't have been a guaranteed 3 points so with key players missing it will make things harder for us.

Too difficult to predict at the moment until we know exactly who is fit and who isn't.

[Poetry_In_Blue 1,043]

I'm basing my team on the premise that Bougherra, Broadfoot, Papac, Edu and Lafferty are all out injured, along with Webster, Beattie and Jelavic.

:mcgregor:

:weir: :whittaker:

:weiss: :davis: :mcculloch:

:fleck:

:miller:

[Telgate 0]

Not looking forward to this, it's going to be tight but I think we'll end up coming out on top 2-1.

[Clemdog 39,389]

That defence makes me cry.

The complete lack of pace makes me want to top myself. If they play with one upfront I don't know if it'd be better if we played a ;

:broadfoot: :weir: :mcculloch:

With no real designated LB or RB but with Foster in a sweeper type role, with his pace being the main reaon he's there. But I'm not going to lie, being 18 I can't say I've ever seen someone play sweeper in a professional match. They'd probably just shag our flanks and we'd open up.

We're just going to have to get on with it and hope we score more goals than they do.

[Papa Sasac 164]

The complete lack of pace makes me want to top myself. If they play with one upfront I don't know if it'd be better if we played a ;

:broadfoot: :weir: :mcculloch:

With no real designated LB or RB but with Foster in a sweeper type role, with his pace being the main reaon he's there. But I'm not going to lie, being 18 I can't say I've ever seen someone play sweeper in a professional match. They'd probably just shag our flanks and we'd open up.

We're just going to have to get on with it and hope we score more goals than they do.

That's it. I've never seen a sweeper type player either I don't think.

We have to start well, because the more we let Killie into it, the more confident they'll become.

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

Walters not going to play a sweeper.

[Amac9 2,060]

Would not be surprised if we drop points. The squad is getting weaker and weaker.

[Amac9 2,060]

I would expect Broadfoot and/or Papac to make it.

McGregor

Foster Weir Papac/Broadfoot Whittaker

Davis McCulloch

Fleck

Weiss-----------------------Naismith

Miller

[kplfishtank 4,656]

we beat killie 2 weeks ago whilst fielding a weakened side, ive no reason to doubt we will beat them with the team we select,IF the players selected perform to level expected of a gers player