Landi delighted as Livi’s style praised

Aug 21 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ROBERTO Landi has admitted his delight at how quickly his Livingston players have embraced his training methods and gelled with the new signings.

The Lions boss is thrilled after the club racked up their fifth win in six games and has insisted the sky is the limit for his side as long as they continue to train and play in the same way.

He said: “I am very happy, firstly for the result against Morton as it is very important to win away, but I’m also delighted with the performance.

“I can see the benefits of our training on the pitch in every game.

“We have been trying to teach our methods and the players have picked it up very quickly.

“It has been great and a very big surprise for me. These players are fantastic as in just a month and half they have learned so much.

“I have worked in many countries in Europe but this is the first time I have seen players pick up our methods and learn so much in such a short space of time.

“After Saturday’s match I received a wonderful compliment from the Morton chairman.

“He said to me that in 24 years no team had come to his ground and played as much football as we did last week.

“All the players now know their role in the team and on the pitch, our defensive line is solid and it’s going well.

“I’d like to praise all of our players from the experienced ones to the youngsters.

“Personally, I am sure that if we continue to train with the same passion as we have, we will see the results.

“I don’t know if we will win the league or not but we will definitely be playing to win something.

“Now this team can play against all.”

French forward Jean Jose Cuenca missed the weekend win at Cappielow but Landi hopes to have the former Lyon kid back in contention this weekend alongside another new addition to the Lions pride.

“We had a small problem with Pierre Martini and Jean Cuenca before the Morton game but Martini was able to play.

“We have been careful not to rush Cuenca and he has missed some training this week but he should be okay for Clyde this weekend.

“And in goal we have now signed Roddy McKenzie on a two-year deal as well and he is a good addition.”

But Livi fans will have to wait to see other new signings Alejandro Caiaffa and Fernando Giarrizzo pull on a Livi shirt for their debuts.

Landi added: “Alejandro Caiaffa is still struggling with an achilles injury but Alfonso Nano could play after his clearance from the Italian FC arrived this week.

“Fernando can’t play at the moment as we are waiting for clearance from the Argentine FA.”

It is expected by the club before the end of the week.