Kilmarnock in freefall - but can Kettlewell turn it around?

Stuart Kettlewell's Kilmarnock have lost four straight Scottish Premiership matches and face a trip to Celtic on Sunday

Prior to the weekend, manager Stuart Kettlewell called on his Kilmarnock players to "stop the bleeding" amid a three-game losing run.

A day later, his team were three down after 38 minutes at Scottish Premiership newcomers Falkirk.

"I know sometimes people say this for effect, but we owe the travelling supporters an apology for the first 45 minutes," Kettlewell told BBC Scotland following the 3-1 defeat.

"People pay their hard-earned cash to come and follow their football club, and the absolute minimum they should see is a real desire to come out on top in your individual battles."

After a fourth straight defeat - and a trip to Celtic next up - Kettlewell is fighting a battle of his own as fans of the Ayrshire club begin to seriously question the manager.

Similar patterns emerging?

Kettlewell resigned from his position as manager of fellow Premiership club Motherwell in January, citing personal abuse he had received from fans during a downturn in form.

In a similar vein to this campaign, he oversaw an encouraging start at Fir Park last term before standing down following a run of one win in nine.

There is also symmetry in the turnover of players the former Ross County boss had to manage over the summer, plus ongoing injury issues, which were a regular theme during his time in Lanarkshire.

Despite the alarming form he was enduring at the end of his Motherwell tenure, it was often the level of performance that attracted most of the criticism.

People tend to forget Well were the third highest scorers in the Premiership under Kettlewell in season 2023-24, when they finished ninth in the league.

However, he opted to alter his approach in the summer of 2024 to a more passive, counter attack-based style, which only brought more scrutiny when results did not come.

The same sort of questions that were being asked of Kettlewell a year ago are now being repeated by a different fanbase, though that will not be lost on the 41-year-old.

"In that first 45 minutes, I'm struggling to think of one occasion where a Kilmarnock player came out on top against a Falkirk player," he said after Saturday's sobering loss.

"We're unable to pass the ball properly, we're unable to secure the ball, which gives up opportunities for a good team to keep coming back at you.

"And again, I have to take full responsibility for that."

Kettlewell has 'a lot to fix' - but what do stats say?

Kilmarnock are 10th in the league, three points off bottom and four adrift of the top six. Their 13 goals is a mid-table tally, while only three teams have conceded more than their 18.

After just 11 games in a congested top flight, it probably is not time for panic stations - but what does the underlying data tell us?

The Rugby Park side's average possession of 39% is the second lowest in the division, as is the amount of touches they have had in the opposition box.

Just two teams are worse off for expected goals and expected goals against, yet they rank in mid-table for their shots on target, big chance creation, shooting accuracy and shot conversion.

Defensively, only Dundee United have made more errors leading to goals and their goalkeeping save percentage is the second lowest in the league.

Kettlewell's next assignment is a visit to face Martin O'Neill's Celtic. There is also a trip to Hearts and a home game against Rangers among their next five fixtures.

BBC Scotland pundit Neil McCann is backing the Kilmarnock boss to turn it around but concedes he has a lot of work to do.

"I've watched a lot of their goals [conceded] and I don't think there's good communication," former winger McCann said on Sportscene.

"You've not got people taking responsibility and when that's happening, it's a tough one to get out of.

"Stuart is a good coach, he will try to get a result at Celtic, but he has got a lot to fix."

What do the fans think?

Scott: Kettlewell has to go. You don't need to say any more - it really is that simple.

Gary: Forget all about being better second half at Falkirk. They were three up and taking it easy. Championship beckons, even at this early stage, as I don't think the manager knows how to fix it.

George: Always said it from day one, I do not rate the manager at all. Yes, we have been unlucky with injuries but some of his decisions are shocking at times. It was a good start to the campaign but looks like a long, hard season now - hope I am wrong.

Craig: Lacklustre performances, no style of play, playing long balls to a guy that can't jump. It's not looking good at all. I would say Kettlewell out.

Kenny: Kettlewell should be worried, because as a Kilmarnock fan I certainly am. Despite the positive start to the season Killie are in freefall.