Lewis Mayo insists Kilmarnock must make the most of their home comforts in the coming days and kickstart a second half revival.
St Mirren make the trip to Rugby Park today – the first of three home games in a week for eighth-placed Killie.
Consistency has been an issue for the side this term but while an upturn in results after the winter break last term saw them climb the table and ultimately secure European football, the 24-year-old defender reckons that while they have that experience, they need to go out and earn a repeat this season.
Coming off consecutive wins and clean sheets at home, including a 4-0 trouncing of Aberdeen on Boxing Day, Mayo says it’s time to go on a decent run – backed by the Rugby Park crowd.
He said: “I think our home form the last few years is something we are proud of, so you need to look at these matches as good opportunites.
The fans are great, even the away support at the Hibs game was fantastic. I think the fans are ready to push us on, they’re right behind us. And we do get that lift at Rugby Park in front of the fans.
And we know it’s a place that other teams don’t like coming, so if that plays into it, we can use that as well.”
He added: “The performance against Aberdeen was so good, especially throughout the 90 minutes. Even the game before that against Hearts, backs to the wall and we got the result.
In terms of home form, we’re in a good place right now. Even the Hibs game, we don’t get anything from it, but now we’ve got to go in this game with full confidence and apply it to the game.
“You can’t expect anything to happen, but you do take confidence from last year.
“You must have that belief that if we get to the levels and put results together, we’re going to start climbing the table.
We are aware, earlier in the season, we didn’t get the start wanted, we shot ourselves in the foot a few times. Recently there’s been a bit more calmness with some of the performances, but also, we’ve been better in both boxes and carrying more threat.
“We know the league well enough, you can go on a run, but you have to be at your very best if you want to.”
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