Paatelainen prepared to mix it up

05 November 2010 17:09
Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen has vowed to make more tough decisions to keep improving the club.[LNB] Paatelainen took off Rui Miguel in the first half at Tynecastle on Sunday. The Portuguese striker looked bemused after being replaced by Conor Sammon in the 38th minute of the SPL contest against Hearts.[LNB]But Paatelainen was vindicated as his team swept to a 3-0 victory with Sammon among the goalscorers.[LNB]And, while Paatelainen blamed his original team selection for the switch, he will not hesitate to administer more bold changes.[LNB]"My job is to help the boys and the team to play as well as possible and win matches," said the Finn, whose team face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.[LNB]"In my opinion, if something isn't working, it's my job to correct it. Whether I correct it at half-time, during the match or during the week in training, it doesn't matter. That's my job."[LNB]But Paatelainen added: "It was very unfortunate. I told Rui Miguel it was my mistake. I take full responsibility for it.[LNB]"I know the player is disappointed but I felt that type of striker didn't suit our game and had to make a change.[LNB]"But Rui Miguel is a fantastic striker. His technical ability, link-up play and all-round play is excellent. I'm pretty certain he will score loads of goals for us.[LNB]"Rui is a fantastic person and he understands. I wouldn't like to do that too often, that's for sure, but unfortunately I had to do it."[LNB]Killie had gone five games without victory before their impressive Edinburgh display but Paatelainen had refused to panic.[LNB]And he will aim to make sure his players do not go to the other extreme following their victory over former manager Jim Jefferies' team.[LNB]"Slowly, the signs (of progress) are there," the former Hibernian boss said. "I did realise that in previous matches.[LNB]"Maybe the results were not the ones we wanted but the signs were there that we were on the right track. Hopefully we can keep it going.[LNB]"The danger now is that the players relax a bit too much after that fantastic victory and bang, you get hit against St Johnstone, who are full of players who can hurt you. We must be on our toes again."[LNB]Killie are one of seven teams in the SPL who have won more away games than home matches.[LNB]Paatelainen said: "We approach home and away matches pretty much the same with a minor tweak here and there.[LNB]"Hopefully our home form will improve but it is pleasing that, three months into the season, we have scored more goals away from home than we did in the whole of last season."

Source: Team_Talk