Landi insists Livi side are still well on course to land championship

Oct 23 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ROBERTO Landi admits Livingston must get maximum points from their next two games to maintain their title pursuit.

The Lions boss has insisted all season that an average of two points per game will book his side’s place at the top table of the SPL next season.

And after nine games Livi are on course with 18 points on the board but after two successive defeats he knows they must get back to winning ways.

He said: “We play Clyde away this weekend and then have Morton at home a week later.

“These are two games we must win and we must take all six points.

“We need this to maintain our two point average.

“But after 10 league matches we are on course for my preferred two points a game average.

“Every nine matches we want to pick up 18 points. If we maintain that we can win the league.

“The league is very close now but if we can go on a similar run and stay within a point or two of the top then I’ll be happy.

“I’ve told the players in the dressing room to relax and not to worry about the results.

“I am happy with the good football we are playing and there is good harmony in the dressing room.”

After a sensational start to the First Division season in which the Lions won six of their first eight league games, they have suffered a little bit of a form wobble.

A 6-1 away day pasting at Palmerston was followed by a narrow 1-0 home defeat against St Johnstone.

But Landi reckons his side will roar back to top form and there is no need to worry.

“Every team goes through ups and downs during the course of the season,” he said.

“In every league in every country a team can be doing really well but there will be a dip in results.

“I am disappointed to have lost two games in a row but I know this team and our capabilities.

“I feel we had the same chances as St Johnstone but it was very hard for us to play without any of our recognised forwards on Saturday. Callum Elliot and Leigh Griffiths are big players for us and to have both unavailable was difficult.”

On loan Jambo Elliot will be available for the trip to Broadwood for Livingston after suspension but Griffiths may return too late from international duty for selection.

And Landi has revealed he plans to add to his squad in January which he admits is too thin to cover for injuries and suspensions.

“I’m looking now and speaking with many people about the possibility of strengthening the squad.

“We need two or three new players minimum, one for each outfield position of defence, midfield and attack.

“If we want to try and win the league then we have to bring some players in.

“If you look at our bench then you see we have very few players we can bring on to change a match.

“We will have Callum back for Saturday but I don’t know if we’ll have Sparky back in time.

“He is due back on Friday night or Saturday morning so I really don’t know about him.

“In Italy when you loan a player you have him for the whole season so I’m not used to this six month loan deals.

“I hope our chairman is able to strike a deal to keep Callum here until the end of the season as he is a very important player for us.”