Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann admitted he was both furious and remorseful after his side slumped to a 4-0 home defeat by Dundee United, leaving the Rugby Park club without a point after three Scottish Premiership matches this season.
The result, which saw Kilmarnock jeered off by their own supporters at both halftime and full time, extended a miserable opening to the campaign in which the club has now conceded 13 goals without scoring. Statistically, it is the joint-worst start by any Scottish top-flight side since 1998-99, matching the poor beginnings endured by Aberdeen in 2000, Dundee United in 2004 and Hamilton in 2010 — all of whom also failed to collect a point and finished the first three games with a goal difference of minus nine.
Kilmarnock's defensive record this season is even more alarming in isolation. Their 13 goals conceded is the worst tally in the division by a considerable margin, while they also lead the league for expected goals against (10.14) and have committed the most errors leading directly to goals, with six — four more than any other Premiership club. They have also faced the most shots (69) and allowed the most shots on target (29) of any side this season.
Speaking after the loss, McCann did not attempt to hide his frustration or shift blame away from himself and his players. "I'm angry and I'm apologetic to the fans," he said. "It's very easy right now to be emotional about it. The guys know my feelings about the performance and I expect a reaction on Wednesday night [against St Mirren]."
He added: "I'm not overly emotional right now. I had a wee chat to them in the dressing room. They know that they've let everybody down today and I've been a part of that. We've let everybody down connected with Kilmarnock but there's no better thing in sport than a quick game and we've all got an opportunity to put things right on Wednesday night."
The defeat to Dundee United followed a torrid opening sequence that also saw Kilmarnock ship four goals against St Johnstone and five against Celtic. Against United, the visitors were already three goals ahead by the interval, with goalkeeper Max Stryjek arguably one of Kilmarnock's better performers despite being beaten four times.
Injuries and inexperience compounded matters at the back. Regular centre-half Robbie Deas was forced off early with an injury, while debutants Cathal McCarthy and Jonathan Meier were thrown into the fray in defense. McCarthy conceded a penalty, and Meier was substituted at halftime as McCann searched for answers.
Former Rangers, Hearts and Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday, speaking on BBC Sportsound, suggested Kilmarnock's tactical setup was partly to blame for their defensive struggles. "I felt there was a lot of promise for Kilmarnock coming into this season, given that from when McCann came in to the end of the season, they rose to fourth in the form table," he said. "I don't think they look comfortable in their shape... The worry for me when I watch Kilmarnock is the way the full-backs operate. They're asked to do a really attacking job in possession, but out of possession they're one-v-one."
McCann guided Kilmarnock to survival last season after taking over in January, finishing the campaign with four consecutive wins. But that momentum has evaporated quickly, and with St Mirren visiting Rugby Park on Wednesday, the pressure is mounting on the manager to arrest the slide before it becomes a crisis.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.