Sleep is out of the question for Landi

Nov 20 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ROBERTO Landi has revealed his sides recent run of bad results is giving him sleepless nights.

The Livingston manager has seen his side take just four points from the last 18 in the Irn Bru First Division title race and he has revealed he is struggling to sleep as he re-runs the matches in his head time and time again.

And the Italian has admitted he is furious at the catalogue of errors over the past games which has seen the Lions fall from first to third in the championship table.

“Before I can go to sleep at night goalI remember all of our matches and all I can see is the gifts we have given other teams in the recent matches which we have played,” he admitted.

“The points against St Johnstone, Clyde, Airdrie and now Dunfermline were lost not because of the other teams ability but because of mistakes on our part.

“I’m very, very angry about it and tired of the mistakes.

“I played professional football myself and I know you can make many mistakes in every game but not big mistakes every single week.

“On Saturday we lost another big chance to pick up three points and we gave Dunfermline a big gift with their late winner.

“It is the same story as the games against Clyde and Airdrie in which we were well on top and had the points almost in our hands yet ended uop losing points.

“If we want to win matches then we must learn to do it with our heads and not just our bodies.

“We were 1-0 up and in control after 10 minutes on Saturday and we let it go and handed the incentive back to Dumfermline.

“Sometimes you can be unlucky in a match and not get the three points but you should be aimiing to get at the very least a point.

“Saturday’s match was a big example of this fact.

“After the match I spoke with their manager Jim McIntyre and he told me that his team would have been thrilled to have left our stadium with a point but instead they took all three which was way above their expectations.

“Dunfermline’s first goal on Saturday was from a long range kick from their goalkeeper.

“We have to work very hard to score but I think they scored three goals from three shots. It is very frustrating for our players and coaches.

“What is even more disappointing is the fact St Johnstone lost points.

“ I told the players before the game they might not win because Clyde need points and it is a tough place to go.

“I am very angry and this is the first time since coming to Scotland I have felt like this.”

Adding to Landi’s woes on Saturday were injuries to key midfielder Murray Davidson and goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie.

An ankle injury looks set to sideline McKenzie for up to three weeks while Davidson was due to meet a specialist yesterday (Wednesday) after suffering a groin injury.

Landi will hope Davidson, who has been among Livi’s top performers this season, isn’t out of the first team picture for too long.

The 20 year old was replaced on Saturday by a possible new recruit who is on trial at Almondvale — French midfielder Milan Thomas — and Landi has revealed he has a number of players in his sights.

“Thomas is available on a free transfer and he is someone we are interested in.

“But we have to wait for him to get clearance from the SFA because he was on trial at Hamilton in the summer and that has to be sorted out.

“He has a good attitude and I know we need some players.

“I’m looking for players at the moment and this week I’ll be in Europe to watch some players personally who I hope we can bring to the club.”