Killie : braced for crucial run

Last updated : 14 December 2007 By TeamTalk
Killie have dropped to 10th place in the SPL after enduring a run in which they have clinched just one win in their last 10th league games.
Jefferies, however, has not yet given up hope of clinching a place in the top six for the third year in succession but knows his side have to pick up points during the festive fixture list in order to do so.
Killie take on Gretna and Rugby Park this weekend and Jefferies admits they have to secure the three points to kickstart their season.
Jefferies said: "It would be fantastic to get in the top six this season and we won't give up on it.

"There are a lot of games left, we're only in the second quarter.
"What's crucial for us is the next run of five games and I've said to the players if they still want to achieve their target of the top six, these games we need to get the lion's share of the points.
"Because while we're playing these ones the teams above us are playing each other and we will make inoads.

"These games are crucial for us. Christmas and new year are always important and for us even more so.
"This is a massive game for us. Teams like Gretna, Falkirk and Inverness are all teams that are in the lower half of the league and they're teams that we've got to target to get points.
"So this is a massive game for us. If we can get the lion's share of the points in the next four games we'll get ourselves back in contentions.
"After that happens we'll maybe have our strongest team for the second part of the season."

Gretna boss Davie Irons has revealed his list of possible January signings is "extensive" as the SPL's bottom club look to turn around their season.
The Black and Whites are set for a massive winter clearout with 14 players being told they can move on.
A list of names has been made available to potential clubs for transfer or loan in the January window.
It is understood to include Colin McMenamin, James Grady, Brendan McGill, Allan Jenkins, Steven Hogg, Ryan McGuffie, Erik Paartalu, Ryan Baldacchino, Nicky Deverdics, David Bingham and David Graham.

The clear-out is deemed necessary if the club are to have any chance of survival in the SPL.
Irons stressed the process of identifying new players to replace those possibly leaving has already started.
He said: "That process has been ongoing since the start of the season.

"It will be a two-way thing, with players leaving and getting players in.
"We have an extensive list of names which we would like to bring in, but it all depends of what we are able to do."