Calderwood looking for strong characters

23 April 2010 17:38
Jimmy Calderwood is optimistic the return of Kevin Kyle, Frazer Wright and Scott Severin can help haul Kilmarnock out of relegation danger.[LNB] The Ayrshire side travel to face fellow strugglers St Mirren tomorrow on the back of a terrible away run.[LNB]Killie have netted just four goals in 17 away games in the Scottish Premier League and have lost their last five matches on the road.[LNB]But they are at full strength for the Paisley trip with Scotland striker Kyle back from suspension and midfielder Severin and defender Wright fit again.[LNB]"I've never been in this situation but it will definitely take character," Calderwood said. "Those three have got it in abundance.[LNB]"Big Kyle, two weeks ago we played against Aberdeen and two good defenders in (Zander) Diamond and (Charlie) Mulgrew, and they really had problems with them.[LNB]"He's playing with a smile on his face, maybe because there is so much interest him, I don't know.[LNB]"He is the fittest he has been since I've been at the club. He is massive for us coming back, and we know what Severin can do.[LNB]"We thought we had lost Frazer Wright, he is one of the characters you need in the trenches also. So that's a big boost for us."[LNB]Calderwood admits he has softened his approach while the players bid to restore their confidence.[LNB]"You tend not to get on at them as much," the former Aberdeen manager said.[LNB]"It's not one of my favourite things but you go about with kid gloves a wee bit to try to keep them with a smile on their face.[LNB]"It's easy to give them a rollicking if training is not right, but you tend to do that more if you're going for Europe rather than this position."[LNB]Kilmarnock's plight appears to be the most serious of the three relegation contenders, given their debts of around £10million, but Calderwood does not fear for the existence of the club should they finish behind Saints and Falkirk.[LNB]"I did probably four or five weeks ago but, after lengthy discussions with the chairman, I don't fear that," he said.[LNB]"But it would be difficult to keep the standard of players they have got.[LNB]"It would be very difficult for Kilmarnock to get back to where they used to be."[LNB]Midfielder James Fowler is one of the few players whose contracts run beyond the summer but he still has concerns over his future as well as those of his colleagues.[LNB]"We read in the press the debt Kilmarnock are in and it's not good to read," the 29-year-old said.[LNB]"There are boys out of contract, and there are boys under contract as well but that might not count for much if the club get relegated.[LNB]"It's just important for the club and the fans to stay in the Premier League. We have probably got more debt than others around us so it is a worry."[LNB]Fowler added: "I've got another year, but obviously it's a team game.[LNB]"Contract talks have been put on hold because of the situation so we are playing, not just for ourselves, but for team-mates as well and the club in general.[LNB]"You're trying not to think about it too much. If you do the right things, work hard and maybe get a wee bit of luck, then things will go for you."

Source: Team_Talk