Livingston - all the threads merged

[Cptn Hooch]

I really fuckin hope not.
I'm worried about Holts signings so far. All have been pretty bad.
Wylde and Erskine and being linked with Whittaker? No into that

I don't get the hate for Erskine. He offered us something different to what we had. Wylde hasn't worked out but not every signing does. Bartley looks a great piece of business though.

[morrison1982]

3 hours ago, EdinburghLivi said:

I think he's finished at right-back?

More like finished full-stop. Lennon tried to reinvent him as a holding midfielder, when McGeouch was injured (about a year ago), and then as a centre-back. He filled in once or twice in the Euro games, and looked really shaky even against the Faroese fishermen. Oddly enough, he did have a couple of semi-decent games back at right-back in December (while Gray was injured). I struggle to believe that any FT team would sign him, except as a player-coach type thing.

He's not played at all under Heckingbottom. I think his only recent appearance in public was in a Norwich end-of-season charity/celebration game. Although it's interesting to note who was playing in midfield in that team.

 

Edited May 16, 2019 by morrison1982

[Lofarl]

Farewell Marv.  

 

 

[Livilion28]

Not sure on Bartley signing. He’s a big boy but does he close down well like our other midfielders. I’ve seen he hasn’t featured much this season . Is that injury or just not being picked? 3 year deal is strange to 

[Cptn Hooch]

Not sure on Bartley signing. He’s a big boy but does he close down well like our other midfielders. I’ve seen he hasn’t featured much this season . Is that injury or just not being picked? 3 year deal is strange to 

Any Hibs fan I've spoke to have used the words warrior or hard working. Think he'll fit in well at Livi and give us some good protection for the backline. If Marvin is anything to go by I'm excited by the prospect of our team next year. Whittaker is just rumours at the moment as was Christie but I have faith that if he isn't going to fit the team, Holt and Martindale won't sign him

[EdinburghLivi]

Crane and Dykes had good games last night in the Championship playoff final.

[thruthenight]

1 minute ago, EdinburghLivi said:

Crane and Dykes had good games last night in the Championship playoff final.

Dykes in particular looked great. Missed a sitter though, he's definitely not a goalscorer. I think he'll fit in well here.

[crispy]

1 hour ago, Cptn Hooch said:

1 hour ago, LogieLivi said:

I really fuckin hope not.
I'm worried about Holts signings so far. All have been pretty bad.
Wylde and Erskine and being linked with Whittaker? No into that

I don't get the hate for Erskine. He offered us something different to what we had. Wylde hasn't worked out but not every signing does. Bartley looks a great piece of business though.

I like(d) Erskine, too; he is quite unlike any other player we have (Sibbald potentially) and I don’t think he let us down. 

Based on the comments of Hibs fans it sounds like Bartley was a great player. Given our small budget maybe have to aim to make the most out of someone who could still be a great signing? Yea, they won’t all work but it’s not as if we persevere with them in the team if we are to believe Wylde is done, for example.

[LogieLivi]

I like(d) Erskine, too; he is quite unlike any other player we have (Sibbald potentially) and I don’t think he let us down. 
Based on the comments of Hibs fans it sounds like Bartley was a great player. Given our small budget maybe have to aim to make the most out of someone who could still be a great signing? Yea, they won’t all work but it’s not as if we persevere with them in the team if we are to believe Wylde is done, for example.

Swap Wylde and Erskine for Penrice.
Job done.

[Neilfs]

As a Bournemoutlh fan I was very impressed by Marvin Bartley.  He played a huge role in keeping us in the league and the run through the divisions. He has a great attitude. 

Eddie Howe took him to Burnley with him and thought very highly of him.

Obviously he is older now but I think he is a fantastic signing for Livi. 

Edited May 17, 2019 by Neilfs

[ATLIS]

9 minutes ago, Neilfs said:

As a Bournemoutlh fan I was very impressed by Marvin Bartley.  He played a huge role in keeping us in the league and the run through the divisions. He has a great attitude. 

Eddie Howe took him to Burnley with him and thought very highly of him.

Obviously he is older now but I think he is a fantastic signing for Livi. 

Welcome to the forum! 

Really encouraging to hear, think it means Byrne will be away though but having Bartley in as a bit of an enforcer with some bite in the middle will be good.

We're going to be some meaty physical team next season, Lithgow, Dykes, Bartley. Teams will be leaving the games in a stretcher  

[Livilion28]

What makes you think Byrne will be away? Bartley might not be a guaranteed starter every week? Lawson Keags Pitts Sibbald Byrne are all under contract and can play midfield 

[crispy]

37 minutes ago, Livilion28 said:

What makes you think Byrne will be away? Bartley might not be a guaranteed starter every week? Lawson Keags Pitts Sibbald Byrne are all under contract and can play midfield 

I actually think Byrne will be away, also. I think a few bigger clubs will come calling and the club would rather let him go for a fee now vs. free next summer. Had he had a run in the team since the Dundee sending off then I’d have suggested him for captain but it doesn’t look like it’s going that way. I’m a big fan of the way Byrne breaks up the game and controls possession. 

Edited May 17, 2019 by crispy

[Cptn Hooch]

Set piece coach required...applications to Gary Holt. That's 2 of the easiest goals Motherwell will have scored all season. We've been pretty poor at defending set pieces since Christmas

[LIVIFOREVER]

31 minutes ago, Cptn Hooch said:

Set piece coach required...applications to Gary Holt. That's 2 of the easiest goals Motherwell will have scored all season. We've been pretty poor at defending set pieces since Christmas

And taking them, used to be our strongest asset, both scoring from, and defending.

[Afro]

Season over now, and across the piece, you’d have to have been mightily optimistic to think we’d have been that clear of danger back in July. Given we lost our most experienced player last summer, and replaced the outgoing manager with a complete rookie, it’s turned out very well. Watching the likes of Halkett, Pittman, Gallagher, Byrne, Lithgow and Kelly all step up quite comfortably to this level has been especially pleasing and whilst they’re off to other clubs in the division, I’m chuffed that Halkett and Gallagher are getting some tangible reward for the considerable effort and work they’ve put in to get this far with us. I fear they won’t be the last to leave but also hopeful that the offer of first team football and a good level of responsibility will be enough for some of these players to stay. The wins over Hibs, Rangers and Hearts were considerable highlights, horsing Dundee was also extremely pleasing.

That said, our form since Christmas has been patchy to say the least, with our post-split form absolutely atrocious. Granted, Hamilton and St Mirren all had something to play for, but the two home defeats were miserable viewing and away to Hamilton was God-awful for 60 minutes. Holt has dabbled with the 4-2-3-1 over 3-5-2 and it has worked at points, but I’m not sure we currently have the personnel for it. I’m not sure even with Dykes as the focal point of the former makes it work, we lack a true left winger to compliment Lawless/Menga, and the full back areas are still a concern for me. I desperately want Lamie to succeed and he was decent enough at the start of the season, but I’m a bit unconvinced since he’s come back in. Odoffin has flattered to deceive and actually looks to have regressed a fair bit since he joined, his performance the last three matches for example compared to his debut at Tynecastle have been night and day. The style leaves a lot to be desired and it would be tolerable, of course, if we were producing results, but sticking to it regardless of formation or personnel hasn’t done us any favours. Infuriating, as when we have played football, we have scored some nice goals (Robinson vs. St Mirren, for example).

Bartley coming in is a good start and his three year deal is as much as what he can offer off the pitch as much as on it. We’re well stacked in midfield but I’m keen to see who we bring in defensively, and if we can retain our best players. There’s also the consideration that Killie may take a punt on Holt if Clarke takes the Scotland job, as touted.

Very much looking forward to next season but we need to find a way to win away from home as we won’t be able to rely on a freakishly good home record I fear.

[Chuck Blazer]

Anyone else shiting it that Killie will poach Holt to replace Clarke? 

[Shaun De Bruyne]

Anyone else shiting it that Killie will poach Holt to replace Clarke? 

Think he’d go if he got offered it but not sure that he will. I like Holt but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he left as long as we have the same coaching and backroom staff.

[Chuck Blazer]

14 hours ago, Shaun De Bruyne said:

 

Think he’d go if he got offered it but not sure that he will. I like Holt but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he left as long as we have the same coaching and backroom staff.

 

No mention of him in their thread, instead they're being linked with Lennon & McCoist

[LIVIFOREVER]

Yeah Martindale and the backroom staff were key from Hoppy to Holt, Miller didn't fit in as manager but i'm sure there are others that would.

Will be interesting to see if we change slightly and go more attack minded to compensate for our new defence. It'll take time to get as solid a defence as we have had so we may need to get more goals now.