RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesFour games, no defeats or goals conceded in 90 minutes, it's been a stellar start to the season defensively for Kilmarnock.
At the other end of the pitch, though, alarm bells may soon be ringing.
Across 360 minutes of Premier Sports Cup action, Neil McCann's side could only muster two goals: a last-minute winner against Elgin City and a second-half strike against Hamilton Academical.
A strong finish to last season avoided any relegation trouble, with Joe Hugill scoring eight goals in 15 appearances, while Tyreece John-Jules scored five in his final four games before an injury ruled him out of the last stretch of matches.
Despite both playing the majority of minutes so far, and summer signing Ieuan Owen, who scored 19 goals for Barry Town United, also starting twice, they have struggled desperately to find a clinical touch.
Only Hugill has notched so far, with a late winner against Elgin, and the side's lack of creativity in the final third has been a worry for fans.
Manager McCann is unfazed, recently saying: "I think we showed last year that we are a team with a real cutting edge about us once we hit high gears and we click."
Meanwhile, new captain Greg Kiltie - who scored against Hamilton - says he has "full faith" that chances will be converted.
A slow, tepid start to last season soon led to then-manager Stuart Kettlewell losing his job and another this year could pile early pressure on McCann and co.
However, John-Jules and Hugill showed their capabilities last season, particularly in big games, and will both know the pressure is on to hit the ground running when the league campaign starts against St Johnstone on Sunday.
New recruit Owen is a pacey, direct forward who is ready to take the step up from the Welsh Premier League, while fellow addition Erik Ring is a technical wide forward who has spent two seasons in League One with Lincoln City.
Fan-favourite Aaron Tshibola's return in the middle of the park also gives the side a composed influence in the middle of the park, something that could prove to be vital as he gets back to match sharpness.
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