Kyle Vassell insists ‘underachieving’ Kilmarnock should be aiming to climb the table during the second half of the campaign.
The Rugby Park side host Aberdeen today having picked up just four wins in their opening 18 league fixtures, while sitting eighth in the table.
A strong run of results after the winter break last term helped them to a fourth place finish and Europa League spot but their form has been very much up and down this season.
He’s hoping they can start to put that right today, saying: “This season we need to really get going because we know that we’re underachieving.
“The gaffer has put together a brilliant squad, we’ve got great players and should be much higher in the league.
“We’re three games unbeaten now and need to drive on. This league is tough but if you get a couple of wins you can be somewhere completely different.
“We just want to win and I know we can do it on Boxing Day. Aberdeen are having a great season but at home we back ourselves against anyone.”
The 31-year-old himself is one of the players who has failed to match the performances of last term, with just two goals to his name this season.
But he backs himself to turn things around, adding: “I’m a little bit frustrated. I don’t know what more I’ve got to do to get a goal but the boys have shown great resilience.
“It will come. I’ve no doubts it will come. I’m doing everything right – the keepers are just making good saves. I’ve just got to keep banging down the door and the goals will come.”
Vassell, who netted 11 times in all competitions last season, also believes the side will receive a massive boost if Kyle Magennis can stay on the pitch over the coming months.
The 26-year-old midfielder recently returned after a year-long injury with the striker insisting Killie are a ‘much, much better side’ with him in the team.
He commented: “The whole squad and everyone in the building is so happy for him. He’s had such a hard time and it’s no fault of his, he does everything right.
“He’s a great professional, trains right, prepares right, lives right, it’s just really bad luck. If we keep him on that pitch we’re a much, much better team.”
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