Source: Team_Talk
Paatelainen hopes to build on cup win
Mixu Paatelainen hopes Kilmarnock's 6-2 victory over Airdrie United in the Co-operative Insurance Cup will be "the first of many".[LNB] Conor Sammon scored a hat-trick for the Rugby Park side and Frazer Wright, Liam Kelly and Mohamadou Sissoko were also on target in the welcome second round win, following defeats for the Ayrshire outfit in their opening two league matches.[LNB]Paatelainen noted that there was still room for improvement as his players get used to his system of play and paid tribute to their Second Division opponents.[LNB]He said: "The boys were good - at times our passing was slack at the back and possibly they took too many risks, but it's no secret that I'm asking them to pass the ball.[LNB]"It's good for us to score six goals and I'm delighted for Conor Sammon to get a hat-trick; every one of them was a well-taken goal and for any player to score three goals is a real confidence boost.[LNB]"Liam Kelly's shot was fantastic and we had a couple of really nice headers; Frazer Wright scored with his right leg, which is a rare thing to happen.[LNB]"Credit to Airdrie United, as they're a spirited side, pressed us well and sometimes made it very difficult for us, but we scored six good goals."[LNB]Of Garry Hay, who played a midfield role, Paatelainen added: "He can play various positions but this was his first time in inside midfield for a long time.[LNB]"His awareness was good, he adjusted well as he knows the game, and there were some key passes from him."[LNB]Airdrie United counterpart Jimmy Boyle was able to take positives from the performance and attitude of his part-time Second Division side, for whom Ryan McCord and Euen Grant were on target in either half, although he knows that he has a tough task ahead this season.[LNB]The New Broomfield manager said: "I was pleased with the performance and work rate, with our going forward as we scored two goals and hit the bar, and as usual we gave our all.[LNB]"We're playing a good SPL side, but again the old frailties came back in defence - I keep saying all the time that they have to get themselves together, and I'd like to get a couple of experienced boys into the squad as defensively, we're going to have to work really hard.[LNB]"It's a tough one for them but I have a lot of positives; we kept trying to create and do the right thing and I've patted them on the back as much as I can because we did create a lot of chances and caused problems."
