Source: Team_Talk
Killie boss preaches patience
Mixu Paatelainen has hurriedly assembled his Kilmarnock squad ahead of the new SPL season, but knows it may take time to gel his team together.[LNB] Since taking over as manager at Rugby Park in the summer, the former Hibernian boss has used his extensive contacts to recruit former Swansea goalkeeper Kyle Letheren, Mohamadou Sissoko, who can play in defence or midfield, midfielder David Mendes Da Silva, left-back Ben Gordon and former Crystal Palace winger James Dayton.[LNB]Several of those players will make their competitive Killie debuts in Govan and while Paatelainen has been delighted with the response in pre-season, he accepts that his side - tipped by many to be relegation candidates this season - might take time to get up and running.[LNB]The Finn said: "It's the first game of the season and we want to be ready but many teams improve after the season has started.[LNB]"Pre-season you put the emphasis on the fitness and tactical side but once you get into the season you get some rhythm when you are playing games.[LNB]"The players that we have managed to bring in have been absolutely fantastic, both on and off the pitch.[LNB]"The response from all them has been first class, their attitude in training has been spot-on and that's all you can ask.[LNB]"But it won't happen straight away. In training sessions we have changed the way we play, and pass the ball, from recent seasons, so it will take a bit of time.[LNB]"In the pre-season matches we played, you can see they have been trying to do it. Sometimes better than other times, but slowly we will get there with hard work."[LNB]While not writing off the first game of the season against Rangers, who have new signing James Beattie in the squad, Paatelainen knows that he might have to look to the subsequent fixtures to shape their season in a positive fashion.[LNB]He said: "It is important we get off to a good start in the first five to 10 matches and get points on the board so we can start off with a positive attitude."
