Shiels stands back to admire a team made in his image

Richard Winton

Assistant Sports Editor

Monday 27 August 2012

IT was, according to Kenny Shiels, because of the rain.

Kilmarnock 3 Dundee United 1

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Richard Winton

The sodden pitch was more conducive to the type of football his Kilmarnock side were playing than the more direct approach of Dundee United. The energy from the stands, fuelled by the enthusiastic efforts of the youngsters in his side, played a part, too, he acknowledged. Yet his own role in the Rugby Park club's first victory of the campaign was confined to a single vague reference to "making good adaptations".

To listen to the Northern Irishman talk, you might think he had little to do with this surprise triumph but Shiels' signature was all over it. Kilmarnock are a team in their manager's image – cerebral, stubborn, eager and intriguing – and each of those characteristics came to the fore on Saturday. Cerebral in the way they patiently picked apart United's defence; stubborn in their adherence to an approach that yielded little in the first half; eager in the way they exploited their visitors' discomfort in the second; and intriguing in the sudden emergence of a host of fresh faces.The latter, granted, has rather been forced upon Shiels by an unenviable series of injuries – added to by the concussion suffered by Gary Harkins on Saturday – but even last season the Kilmarnock manager talked of his desire to populate his team with kids; of the need for the club to suffer short-term pain to achieve long-term gains.Certainly, on the evidence of this victory, the immediate discomfort might not be as acute as feared. Rory McKenzie, who started as the focal point in attack, was a lively presence even if his debut goal was something of a gift, while Jude Winchester offered a further glimpse of his talents when replacing Harkins. The young duo were, however, outshone by Borja Perez, a quietly influential figure playing behind the sole striker. "That is my natural position," he said. "The game is different from Spain – more physical, with less tactics. Most UK football is long balls and Kilmarnock is different."Lest anyone in Ayrshire get too carried away, it is only fair to reflect upon the defensive failings that gifted Kilmarnock all three goals on Saturday, failings to which Peter Houston's side can be prone. The manager, understandably, railed against his players in the aftermath but it is perhaps instructive to look at the reasons why his side ship goals with alarming frequency on occasion.As an example, for all Barry Douglas' qualities, he can be exposed defensively on the left, while Keith Watson is a model of inconsistency on the right. Both, in fairness, are often left without protection from the attacking midfielders in front of them but, with only five senior defenders in the United squad, Houston is left with little option but to select them.Other areas of the team also underperformed; Johnny Russell might as well have served his suspension for all he contributed, while Gary Mackay-Steven – who will undergo knee surgery tomorrow – appeared off the pace. Consequently, Jon Daly was isolated and lacked service. He did, however, baulk at some of his manager's criticisms. "I don't think that was down to the boys believing the publicity," he said. "He is entitled to his opinion but we don't always have to agree with what he says."oneminutepundit47' 1-0 Barry Douglas dribbles across his own box and Rory McKenzie nips in.49' 2-0 Gary Mackay-Steven tugs the arm of Danny Racchi and Borja Perez converts the penalty.55' 3-0 Jude Wincester stabs in from a corner.78' 3-1 John Daly controls Douglas' cross and scores.

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Shiels stands back to admire a team made in his image

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