January sale pledges Livingston boss

Nov 27 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ROBERTO Landi has revealed he is planning a mass clear out at Almondvale after seeing his side take just four points from the last 21.

The Livingston boss admitted to the Courier that he is furious and feels too many of his side have been playing for themselves and not the team and he admits some of them will see be shipped out of the West Lothian club in January.

“If we want to win the league then we have to improve,” he said this week.

“It is impossible to win the championship if we carry on picking up just four points from our last six matches.

“We will be making a lot of changes for the cup game this coming Saturday.

“We will change a few players but we will also change the way we play, the method.

“The problem is we have some players who are not professional enough and do not understand what we need them to do.

“From Saturday you’ll see the changes in the team and from January many players from this team will be leaving Livingston.

“I have decided that we have to change players because I’m very, very tired of seeing this team get bad results.

“At the start of the season the team was fantastic with all players playing like a team and gaining some great results.

“But now there are some players playing for themselves and this is not a good way to play.

“I have spoken with the chairman and he has backed me to make a strong decision as I’m very tired of our performances.

“With just a little attention to our game we would still be at the top of the league as we have been gifting other teams goals every Saturday.

”There are only four matches to go until the transfer window.

“I will certainly be making changes then and for sure many players from the club will be leaving at that time.

“I have seen some players I want to bring in to this club and I’m keen to sign a central defender, a central midfielder and a right or left winger.

“I’m looking for top players. Four or five players with experience who can come in and slot straight in.”

Landi also slammed the constant rumour mill which follows the Lions around claiming it has a knock on effect on the teams performances.

He also revealed his commitment to the West Lothian club saw him reject the advances of two clubs a fortnight ago.

“I’ve been advised there is money to strengthen the squad in January,” he said. “And I wish the stories about the club’s money problems would stop.

“There are so many stories in the papers about Livingston every day. We are not Real Madrid or Manchester United.

“We are simply Livingston and until today, which is November 25, all players and staff have been paid in full and on time.

“Our food, transport, swimming pool and gym facilities have all been paid. We play Ross County on December 13 and we leave the day before and stay the night.

“We have paid £2000 up front for the hotel, the dinner and lunch on the match day.

“I don’t know why theses stories are coming out all the time. It unsettles the players and doesn’t help us.

“I don’t want to talk about business but until now we have had no problems.

“I am living 3,000 km away from my family and if I felt the club was in a bad situation I’d be the first to be worried as I don’t want to lose my job or my salary.

“Fifteen days ago I refused two offers from teams in England because I believe in this team and this project.”

The Lions were beaten 2-1 at Firhill on Saturday and Landi admits it was a very disappointing defeat.

“The result was disappointing on Saturday as is the fact Partick are now ahead of us in the table.

“But also disappointing was the bad attitudes of some of my players during the match.

“I don’t accept this situation as I train with these players every day, every week where we try to work with them but in match players don’t understand or learn the things I’ve been showing them.”

Midfielder Murray Davidson will miss this weekends Scottish Cup clash with East Stirling on Saturday with a groin injury but he hopes to be back in contention for Dundee game next week.

And Landi hopes to have star striker Leigh Griffiths at his disposal a week later for the trip to Dingwall to face Ross County.