What is Kilmarnock's best starting XI and formation?
After elimination from the League Cup last month, there is no Killie game for us to dissect this week - so let's analyse the best team Derek McInnes could field.
After elimination from the League Cup in an away tie at Motherwell last month, we have no Kilmarnock action to dissect this weekend.
The international break a fortnight ago was desperately needed by all connected to the club, as some early-season fatigue set in after an early start to the competitive action with European qualifier commitments.
This time around though, the appetite for a week off was less so, especially given how well the team played in the 2-2 draw at St Mirren last Saturday.
That match saw Derek McInnes play a 4-4-2 with out-and-out full-backs playing in their natural roles. It was no coincidence that it yielded the best performance of the campaign so far.
So with talking points at a premium this week, let’s take a look at what I believe to be Killie’s best starting XI moving forward.
Formation
It’s been my view for quite a while now that 4-4-2 is the most effective Killie line-up.
It keeps things simple, allows for two strikes on the pitch – a must-have for the manager – and also permits scope for formational tweaks both in and out of possession without complicating things.
However, to totally contradict what I’ve said so far, purely to fit our best players into the team, a fluid 3-5-2 is required. I’ll get onto why in a sec.
Goalkeeper
Kieran O’Hara has done fine since taking over between the sticks from Robby McCrorie. The latter spent several weeks out of the team due to a hip injury but was fit enough to sit in reserve.
Ultimately, it’s great to have two keepers who can be relied upon to pull off important saves and keep us calm and composed when coming under the cosh.
There might not be much between them currently, but it’s not out of turn to suggest that the potential in McCrorie far exceeds that of O’Hara.
So, for that reason, McCrorie must be the long-term No.1. I’m happy for O’Hara to continue for the time being until his form dips, however, given the club shelled out a considerable fee for McCrorie and he’s highly thought of by the Scotland National Team set-up, it would be crazy not to utilise and develop him.
The end goal for Killie and McCrorie has got to be a lucrative transfer down south, abroad or even back to Rangers. That won’t be achieved with him sitting on the bench – which, as a reminder, was the main reason he was so desperate to leave Ibrox in the first place.
Defence
This was the root cause of problems when devising what formation to play. As stated, I genuinely believe we look our most comfortable in a 4-4-2 set-up.
That said, by playing that way, it means one of David Watson, Liam Donnelly or Liam Polworth misses out, and in my opinion, that simply can’t happen.
The back three should be Lewis Mayo as the right-sided defender, Stuart Findlay at centre-back and then Corrie Ndaba on the left.
All three are top athletes, have an abundance of pace, have good reading of the game and are capable on the ball.
While Mayo won’t push up with Danny Armstrong on the right, Ndaba has the legs to get up and down to assist Matty Kennedy in attacking the left flank, which would simply then require Findlay and Mayo to both shift across one, and Watson to slot on the right of defence. So, I suppose in many ways, this could still be a 4-4-2 when needed - that’s where the fluidity comes in!
At this juncture, you’ll have spotted this means right-back Jack Burroughs isn’t included.
As impressive as the 23-year-old performed away at Copenhagen and then at the SMiSA (where he finally played right-back), I don’t believe he’s included Killie’s best 11 players… at least as things stand, I’m sure he’ll challenge that view with the benefit of time.
Of course, it can be argued that the best 11 players don’t necessarily make the best team, but I strongly believe over the course and distance that the team I’ve selected would prove that they are the most talented and effective at the club.