Source: FOOTYMAD
Survival Is Still The Man Aim
It is a team effort to stay in the SPL Mixu Paatelainen still says he has a fight on his hands to maintain Kilmarnock's SPL status despite successfully transforming the fortunes of the club so far. Last season saw survival secured on the last possible day under Jimmy Calderwood. Since then, Paatelainen has taken over and earned plaudits for his brand of football, as well as taking Kilmarnock to sixth in the table at the moment. Some minds could be turning to thinking of a European place the Killie manager claims his priorities have not changed. Paatelainen said: "Understandably, people were tipping us to fight against relegation and it's not over yet. We are not even halfway through the season yet. Our target is to survive the SPL comfortably. Whatever position that may be in, we don't know. We will try to do as well as we can. The targets for the season have not changed, we want to stay up in the league and hopefully we can do that comfortably." It is not just what Paatelainen has done which has improved Kilmarnock's fortunes, with on-loan Metalist Kharkiv midfielder Alexei Eremenko being named SPL player of the month for November. Another contender for the prize striker Conor Sammon may feel aggrieved that he missed out on the prize after scoring seven goals last month However, as far as Paatelainen is concerned, their success has been down to a collective effort from the whole team. He said: "Conor is a player who has benefited from Alexei's passing ability. He is the player who has put the ball in the net and I'm sure he is pleased with his month. But it's a team effort - it's not just Alexei and Conor. The other players are making an effort to get on the ball and they're helping those two play well. It is a team effort." Contract talks with Sammon remain ongoing but had nothing to report for now as far as Paatelainen is concerned. He said: "Talks aren't too far along, we are just at the initial stage. He still has one season after this one remaining. We would like to work with Conor longer, he is a player who works very hard and does good things on the pitch. I feel there is plenty more development in Conor so hopefully we can sort out the contract and keep working." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
