Kilmarnock

[ELWisty]

Have to admit I always feel a bit apprehensive when we go to play Killie - I always feel we cancel each other out. They've got much less talent on their benches than we do but they're everything we're not - dour, dogged, industrial, like west coast Jambos in fact (or indeed jambo cast offs like Jeffreys himself...).

They've had a weird last few of months with all their injuries, beating Dundee Utd and Falkirk but losing to Aberdeen, Motherwell, Morton and both halves of the OF. Have to admit I didn't expect us to win at Rugby Park in January.

There's no doubt we're capable of giving them a doing at Hampden - we've got more quality and our fans will make more noise. But I worry about Naismith and Nish being on form. The pressure will be on us to score goals.

[Gunnerhibby]

Originally Posted by ELWisty

Have to admit I always feel a bit apprehensive when we go to play Killie - I always feel we cancel each other out. They've got much less talent on their benches than we do but they're everything we're not - dour, dogged, industrial, like west coast Jambos in fact (or indeed jambo cast offs like Jeffreys himself...).

They've had a weird last few of months with all their injuries, beating Dundee Utd and Falkirk but losing to Aberdeen, Motherwell, Morton and both halves of the OF. Have to admit I didn't expect us to win at Rugby Park in January.

There's no doubt we're capable of giving them a doing at Hampden - we've got more quality and our fans will make more noise. But I worry about Naismith and Nish being on form. The pressure will be on us to score goals.

I feel this one will come down to who scores first.

I agree with you in that their only real source of danger is Naismith, and to a lesser extent, Nish, but Jeffries will have them playing a tight game, closing down right away, tackle to win the ball or stop your man, whichever is more convenient.
The wide open spaces at Hampden are'nt really, its an illusion made more by the large space between the edge of the pitch and the stands, but the condition of the pitch itself should help our more "superior passing game".
Guys like Zemmama, Boozy and Benji will definitely benifit from a flat, lush grassy surface, so I'd be looking for them to excel in these conditions. Add in the pace, and drive, of Brown and Sproule, and we have a very potent attacking force, and one which I hope will keep Kilmarnock under a great deal of pressure. If we can get the first goal I think we'll be off and running, but we must be wary.
If big Jonesy can hold it together at the back, and his defence is protected by Stewarts tenacity in front of them, as well as a confident Andy McNeill behind them, then I'm quietly confident we can win. Hopefully. Fingers crossed. Definitely maybe