Kettlewell has Kilmarnock plan - is it going to work?

Stuart Kettlewell says he has "a clear plan" for Kilmarnock and has started to see it come to reality during pre-season. Now it's time to test it in a competitive game.

Some fans were initially underwhelmed about the appointment of the former Ross County and Motherwell manager to succeed Hearts-bound Derek McInnes.

But more than 5000 turned up to witness long-serving midfielder Rory MacKenzie's testimonial and enthused about the win over local rivals Ayr United.

Kilmarnock will now start their season on Saturday away to Highland League champions Brora Rangers in the League Cup group stage.

And Kettlewell is buoyant about the way his nine summer signings have adapted to the "clear identity" he wants them to have.

"If you don't have a way you want to play, if you're going to just stumble along and hope we find something... that's your biggest challenge," he said.

"But if we've been doing our work and our due diligence, which I believe we have done, we should start to see the fruits of our labour.

"Over the four games in pre-season, I've started to see a lot of bits that I like, but also bits I know will still take a wee bit of time to improve on and to start to click."

Captain and striker Kyle Vassell and winger Danny Armstrong were among a host of first-team stalwarts who left at the end of the season, while teenage forward Bobby Wales was taken by Swansea City.

In their place, fees have been paid for former Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek from Jagiellonia Białystok and to bring forward Greg Kiltie back from St Mirren.

Into defence have come George Stanger from Ayr and Jamie Brandon, who captained Livingston to promotion. Jack Thomson also steps up a league from Queen's Park and is joined in midfield by Scott Tiffoney from Dundee and Tom Lowery from Portsmouth.

Up front, they now have Djenairo Daniels, previously of Cork City, and Marcus Dackers from Salford City.

Kettlewell - perhaps predictably - says they have all "been fantastic" in buying into his methods.

Kettlewell ended his two years with Motherwell in January citing the effect that abuse from fans was having on him and his family.

His team were sitting fifth in the Premiership but had won just once in nine, with a vocal element of the support unhappy at the style of football.

The third highest scoring side in the division the previous season had reverted to a counter-attacking style amid a dismal defensive record.

On the plus side, Kettlewell has form at developing strikers and selling them on - Ross Stewart at County, then Kevin van Veen and Theo Bair at Fir Park.

He also gained a reputation for giving youth a chance, with right-back Max Johnston leaving Motherwell for Sturm Graz and teenage duo Lennon Miller and Ewan Wilson now regulars at Fir Park.

Kilmarnock podcaster Callum Scott told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast he was "pretty against" Kettlewell's arrival but has been impressed.

At the time, his opinion was reflective of the support, with one fans' forum poll of nearly 600 people showing 90% against the appointment.

"He's brought in some really good players and looks to have changed the style, which has been quite welcome," Scott said.

"He's communicated really well, too, and now, everyone's behind him."

While Scott says McInnes "left the club in a better place" after winning promotion and consolidating in the top flight, the football was also "at times hard two watch".

Instead of crosses from wingers looking to utilise Vassell's physicality through the middle, Kettlewell has been using Kiltie and Tiffoney as twin 10s behind a striker.

"He has stamped his own style on the team and it certainly seems to be different than he played at Motherwell - they are trying to play from the back," Scott added.

"We are not going to win every game, but if he can bring entertainment and bring through the young boys, we'll get right behind him."

Kilmarnock fans, what have you made of Kettlewell since his appointment?

Do you think a successful season lies ahead?

Let us know here