McCann was one thing of a shock option to take the reins at Rugby Park in January of final season because the membership floundered on the unsuitable finish of the desk.
Nonetheless, alongside assistant Billy Dodds and helped by the glowing mortgage influence of Rangers winger Findlay Curtis, he steered Killie to survival with a flourish. They ended final time period with 4 straight league wins, rattling in 13 targets.
The downturn has been swift. To concede 4 targets to St Johnstone, 5 to Celtic after which one other 4 to Dundee United means the strain from his personal supporters is mounting by the minute.
The staff’s expansive model is leaving them broad open.
Andy Halliday, the previous Rangers, Hearts and Motherwell midfielder, says their form is suspect.
He informed BBC Sportsound: “I felt there was loads of promise for Kilmarnock coming into this season, provided that from when McCann in to the tip of the season, they rose to fourth within the kind desk.
“I do not assume they appear snug of their form. I hated taking part in in [a diamond]. Whenever you’re the broad man in that, you are requested to do an influence of labor, out and in of possession. Very often, you must be the width when on the ball after which slim once you’re out of possession.
“The concern for me once I watch Kilmarnock is the best way the full-backs function. They’re requested to do a extremely attacking job in possession, however out of possession they’re one-v-one.
“They do not have Findlay Curtis or the like in entrance of them, with excessive power, who can come again and double up. As a lot as they’re struggling defensively, I do not assume the form helps as a result of they’re uncovered.”
It isn’t that Kilmarnock did not have probabilities towards United, it is simply that they could not take them. That mentioned, on the different finish, Max Stryjek was overwhelmed 4 instances but might nonetheless say he had a fairly respectable sport.
Debuts handed to centre-half Cathal McCarthy and Jonathan Meier meant half the defence had been getting their first style of the Premiership. An excessive amount of too quickly?
McCarthy gave away the penalty and Meier was hooked at half-time. An early harm to centre-half stalwart Robbie Deas added to Kilmarnock’s woe.
All the things that would go unsuitable, did. Does St Mirren’s go to on Wednesday already fall into the ‘should win’ class? It definitely looks like a ‘should not lose’ if Killie are to kickstart their season.