Source: Team_Talk
Paatelainen makes case for the defence
Kilmarnock may have netted six goals in two consecutive wins, but Mixu Paatelainen believes the two clean sheets have been more significant.[LNB] Killie had gone five matches without victory before their early-season promise came to fruition in style with successive 3-0 away wins over Hearts and St Johnstone.[LNB]Paatelainen had been frustrated with the concession of soft goals after losing four out of five matches beforehand and will urge his players to maintain their solid approach when they host Hamilton in the Scottish Premier League.[LNB]"I would like to emphasise the quality of defending," the Finn said. "Obviously we haven't conceded. The moment you concede a goal it changes the balance of the match and changes the players' heads.[LNB]"If the match remains 0-0 we realise we have a chance. We have scored first in both matches and that gives you confidence and something to hold onto. The main aspect of the last two matches has been solid defending."[LNB]Paatelainen added: "We haven't changed too much, we have focused on players' starting positions and distances, the usual stuff, and every player's mentality.[LNB]"In one or two matches we have conceded sloppy goals, maybe there has been a softness in players' heads. Maybe I need to ruffle a few feathers before every game."[LNB]Paatelainen will not allow his players to get carried away with their winning run ahead of a match against a side who subjected them to a difficult first half at New Douglas Park earlier this season.[LNB]Hamilton were 2-0 ahead at half-time and had threatened on several more occasions, but Kilmarnock fought back with two goals in the last 10 minutes before almost snatching an unlikely win.[LNB]Paatelainen said: "We do realise if we take this game lightly we'll get beat. Hamilton are a good team, when we played them earlier this season we were totally on the wrong end in the first half and they scored two goals. They were very sharp and all over us.[LNB]"They have big strong defenders and players who can hurt us, (Nigel) Hasselbaink was tremendous that day. But we showed our spirit in the second half and scored two goals.[LNB]"They will make it very difficult for us to pass the ball but hopefully our movement and sharpness of mind will allow us to do that."
