Jim Jeffries… I Told You So!!!

Imagine the scene…. It’s quarter to 5 on Saturday afternoon at Rugby park and Jim Jeffries storms into the home dressing room.

He pauses, scanning the room for someone who doesn’t look miserable enough, he see’s Frazer Wright and suddenly blurts out – “I told you so”.

That’s because Jim Jeffries actually predicted Kilmarnock’s defeat last week, even guessing correctly that it would be Dundee United captain Barry Robson who would inflict the damage on his side.

Robson has been in amazing form in recent weeks, scoring 7 goals in United’s last 5 matches, including a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Hearts at Tannadice.

Unsurprisingly, his form and obvious ability has caught the attention of the media and several other football clubs, who are currently trying to snatch him away from Tannadice for a knock down fee.

Last week, Burnley offered a pathetic £700,000 for the 29-year-old midfielder, an amount that even Killie manager Jeffries believes isn’t even half of Robson’s true value.

“Robson has that something which is a wee bit special,” admitted Jeffries last week.

“If you give him room on his left foot and allow him to shoot at goal then he’s liable to undo you. We’ll have to close him down and compete against him.”

“I’ve seen that United were offered around £700,000 by Burnley for Robson and he is much better than that. He’s worth a lot more than the £700,000 that’s been offered.”

Unfortunately, the Kilmarnock players failed to head their manager’s warning during their SPL encounter with Dundee United at the weekend.

In the 30th minute, Noel Hunt’s pass found Robson in space at the backpost and even the out rushing Alan Combe and defender Frazer Wright could prevent him finding the back of the net from close range.

Then, in the 66th minute, it was a pin-point Barry Robson cross which gave Craig Conway the chance to put United 2-0 in front, as an unfortunate Alan Combe and Martyn Corrigan both collided as they tried to clear the danger.

Kilmarnock did manage to pull a goal back in the late stages of the game, when a square ball from substitute David Fernandez gave Gary Wales an opportunity to curl the ball past Lukasz Zaluska, but the final 2-1 score-line definitely flattered a lack-lustred Killie side.

Jeffries continued – “In the present-day market he is better than that and I think Dundee United are quite right to put him in a bracket of around £1.5 to £2million.”

“Dundee United will want to keep him as he’s very important to them. He is a key player for them and it’ll take a good offer to move him.”

“Barry is the difference between winning and losing games, just like Steven Naismith was for us.”

You just have to look at the result from Rugby Park, to realise Jim Jeffries really does know what he’s talking about!!!

Final score:
Kilmarnock 2-1 Dundee United