What's going wrong for Kilmarnock and Kettlewell?

"Kilmarnock were third in the Scottish Premiership at the start of October. Seven games into the league season, things were looking positive. Fast-forward seven weeks and Stuart Kettlewell's side were booed off at Rugby Park as they fell to their sixth successive league defeat. It's the poorest start the Ayrshire club have had to a domestic league campaign since February 2021, when they lost eight games in a row. In fact, it's the longest ongoing losing streak of any team in the top flight this term. Their last victory was at home against St Mirren at the beginning of October, seven days after beating Dundee United at Tannadice. But since then they've suffered a 3-0 defeat by leaders Hearts, a 3-1 loss at Rangers, a 1-0 defeat at home to Aberdeen, and a 3-1 humbling at Falkirk before a 4-0 hammering at Celtic. Add this meek loss and things are not looking good for a side who are 10th, just two points off the bottom of the division."

"While Kettlewell continues to insist Kilmarnock are not using their injury woes as an excuse, it's fair to say they've had a pretty torrid time of it recently. "There's no avoiding facts," he said of the injuries before the game. "My job is to get it right with the players available. We're looking for a formula that gets us back putting points on the board." But it's fair to say that the absence of several players is not making things easy for the struggling manager."

Kilmarnock began October in third place but have since endured six consecutive league defeats, marking their worst domestic start since February 2021. The sequence includes heavy losses to Hearts, Rangers, Falkirk and Celtic, leaving the club 10th and two points above the bottom. Manager Stuart Kettlewell acknowledges injury issues but refuses to treat them as excuses, while seeking a working formula with available players. Several squad members remain sidelined, including Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip). Goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi arrived on emergency loan and has stayed due to longer-term absence of Max Stryjek.

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