A run of just one league point since mid January would be poor under normal circumstances, but when you consider it's a period that has seen us play twice a week more often than that, it's abysmal. The year had started so well too, with wins over Killie and Aberdeen, but since then our SPL form has nosedived. We're now just four points off the bottom and only a better goal difference than Hamilton is keeping us from being the team closest to the relegation zone.
Things have to improve, and quickly. Wins over Kilmarnock and Hamilton in the next few weeks would go a long way to repairing some of the damage and could lift us well clear of Falkirk. On paper, the first part should be easy as we've already beaten Killie twice this season, but they had Jim Jeffries in charge back then. Now it's Jimmy Calderwood who's in charge - and the last time we beat one of his sides was in 2001! Oh, and we haven't won an away league game since mid October.
More on our opposition later, for now let's just concentrate on our own team. The cup exit on Wednesday night arguably wasn't the biggest blow, as the game at Ibrox also saw Jack Ross pick up a nasty injury. Although the fullback hasn't been in top form this season, he has improved lately and it's a major loss not to be able to pick him for tomorrow's game. His absence means a chance for Graham Carey or Steven Robb to come into the side, the latter having a particularly good game last week against Dundee United.
Where they play depends on the formation. If it's 3-5-2 they'll be in midfield, if it's 4-4-2 they'll be in defence (unless both play, which is unlikely). David Barron should move over to the right to accomodate them, although don't be surprised to see him start and Lee Mair be played at rightback - not that that idea worked well against St. Johnstone! To be honest, the identity of Ross' replacement is likely to be the only change to the team. The rest of the midfield and defence is likely to be the same, with Billy Mehmet and Michael Higdon - who's looked good in recent weeks - once again playing up front.
Calderwood's arrival at Rugby Park has seen Kilmarnock's fortunes quickly turnaround. They're now four points above Saints and on a fine run of form of four wins from four games, the first of which was against Celtic! A few more wins should probably see them out of the relegation battle - and they're still in the Scottish Cup as well. The good form will come as a relief to Killie fans, who wanted Jeffries out after fearing their bad run could see the club relegated and consequently go to the wall.
Kevin Kyle is one of the main dangers for us tomorrow. The giant striker seems to like scoring against us and John Potter must still be having nightmares about a game at Rugby Park towards the end of last season that saw the captain hooked after being tormented by the shaven headed striker. Kyle is almost certain to leave Rugby Park in the summer, but he'll fancy bagging a few more goals before then. Craig Bryson is another player in good form as is Conor Sammon, while loan signings Scott Severin and Chris Maguire - the latter scoring two goals in his last three games - are good acquisitions. The likes of Mehdi Taouil, Danny Invincible and David Fernandez are all tricky players and could cause our defence no end of trouble.