LFC Squad - 2020-21

orco wrote:I noticed Dunfermline was scooping up the best of the out of contract players in the Championship and League one. They signed Kevin O'Hara from Alloa too.

Been doing that for a while now, the Airdrie lad Ryan, Nisbet, now these two, still isn't getting them promoted right enough.

Still don't know how our 2 new signing will do though, they're being written off already and hardly kicked a ball. Poplatnik looked no bad against Hibs, and won us the pen, the Sevco game didn't suit him but he may well be a decent goal scorer against the other teams, getting support in and around the box, as long as he can stick it in the net does it matter if he isn't a big physical player like Dykes. We'll have more of the ball and will run at teams outside the erse cheeks. Reckon with Forrest and Sibbs getting balls to him Poplatnik could be a good goal threat.

Sal looks good in the air, was also good at scoring goals in the lower leagues, and is a work in progress, he could develop into a really good player. Both will need games to get into their stride though, Poplatnik didn't even play in any of our friendlies. Even if we bring another striker in there's no guarantee he'd hit the ground running, Dykes wasn't exactly banging them in either, both his goals were pens.

The team have already made a good bit of improvement from the first 2 games, if we defend like we did against Sevco and attack like we did against Motherwell we'll be perfect.

Two points; historically we've had a habit of raising out game for the old firm and then being disappointing against the team to follow; hopefully we can break that scenario.

Also in previous seasons we've been disappointing for the first couple of games (previously falling into the Betfred games) but up to our strongest at the end of the four games - hopefully that's the case this year.

As for Poplatnik and Kouider Aissa; i do feel it quite premature for some to be counting them out already. The sevco game clearly requirement them to operate as the lone striker for long periods; a position that neither seemed particularly comfortable with. In addition Poplatnik wasn't entirely fit when arriving which we know of when he joined and Kouider Aissa is busy carrying out the transition from part time to full time footballer which also will take some time.

I know you've been supportive but for the detractors I'd ask for some patience whilst they adjust and get up to speed.

It’s too early to dismiss them but I don’t think either Poplatnik or SKA is particularly suited to the Dykes role, so we may have to change our mode of attack, neither is as tall or as lean or as quick as Dykes.

If they score regularly against the so called lesser sides then that will do nicely...but I think all we are saying - is give us a goal... no sorry, got carried away, all we are saying is we have yet to see what they offer; here’s hoping its a barrowload of goals.

Bertie Bassett wrote:It’s too early to dismiss them but I don’t think either Poplatnik or SKA is particularly suited to the Dykes role, so we may have to change our mode of attack, neither is as tall or as lean or as quick as Dykes.

If they score regularly against the so called lesser sides then that will do nicely...but I think all we are saying - is give us a goal... no sorry, got carried away, all we are saying is we have yet to see what they offer; here’s hoping its a barrowload of goals.

Yes; Dyke's burst of speed against an obviously panicking defender was a joy to watch. Unfortunately as teams started to get wise they also started to plan but that one on one with Jullien was a joy to watch again and again.

I'm sure the new signings will have plenty coaching and work done on them to improve any weaknesses and build on their stamina, even Dykes improved from the Sevco game to the Celtic one when he failed to chip McGregor, worked on it all week then chipped a 6ft 7 keeper with the same move.

Sibbs has certainly shown a remarkable improvement recently, both him and Forrest look exciting talents this season.

Quite impressed with how far Devlin threw the ball too, and it looked like the ball travelled quicker and was more direct than Efe was, we may get a few goals again from those throw ins, big Jon, and Fitzwater too, will hopefully start getting on the end of them.

Well that's Dykes officially gone now, away to QPR on a 4 year contract, for an undisclosed fee, so they can't tell us how much, *cough 2 million *cough, and announced as a new record fee for Livi.

Good length of contract for him, hopefully he gets his next move with a couple of years left on it still, so the transfer fee is as big as it could be, and earn us another couple of million from the sell on.

Best of luck to him down South, and hopefully see him playing in a Scotland jersey too.

Yes - done deal as Dykes joins Rangers.

Is that two years running that we've lost our two top scorers from the previous season?

I said preseason that Devlin had a long throw, remember it from the start of last season

I'm reading that QoS will get a six figure sum from the sell on fee. Good to see money being shared across divisions. Maybe in a year or two if Dykes does well we could benefit likewise.

Yeah 300K if we got 2M for him, nice touch that the OS gave them recognition for their part in his development too. I remember Neilson saying something like Shankland will improve and get a lot better now he's at Dundee Utd/big club type of patter, and McCall wasn't too happy, and had a few digs at him later after Ayr beat them.

We are like night and day to the Livi of old, rubbing folk up the wrong way and making enemies, this new regime does things in a much more professional manner Good relations with both QotS and Ayr Utd after getting players from them. giving Dykes back on loan for the remainder of the season was a master stroke to make sure we got him, same with Forrest, having him on a PCA when other clubs were interested in him. Although PCA's are only as good as the club and player being honourable with their agreement, and both were.

Yes; I'd imagine that, if QoS see they're getting money from players moving to us, they'd be keen to do so again. Its all very well player being transferred to so called bigger sides but, if they're so big that they don't have to sell on players when a good offer comes in , they'll never realise their sell-on fee.

Also advertises to other players that we're the club to come to if they reckon they're good enough and have ambition for a big move themselves, and that English clubs keep an eye out in the Scottish market at SPFL Premiership level.

They'll get players cheaper here than they would down in the English leagues, and Livi are a good club to come to if you apply yourself and work hard you'll get a move without the club standing in your way.

On a side note relating to our Premiership status, we aren't half selling advertising opportunities this season, noticing a big drive in our marketing, around the pitch, and using the LFC tv to sell it as well. The press room was a great idea too, opening up advertising space on the wall behind where the pre and post match interviews are held.

DR article saying we're looking to get Anthony Stokes signed on a 1 year deal and he'd be available for the Aberdeen game. He's a free agent so wouldn't cost us any fees.

Was out playing in Iran but can't get a game with the Coronavirus lockdown there, interesting if true, was a def goal scorer at this level when he was with Hibs two years ago, and Celtic before that.

Liviforever wrote:DR article saying we're looking to get Anthony Stokes signed on a 1 year deal and he'd be available for the Aberdeen game. He's a free agent so wouldn't cost us any fees.

Was out playing in Iran but can't get a game with the Coronavirus lockdown there, interesting if true, was a def goal scorer at this level when he was with Hibs two years ago, and Celtic before that.

Hopefully just paper talk. Would be better with Andy Barrowman and Miller (Kenny or Lee or Max or Mutch).

Until its comfirmed il remain sceptical.No smoke without Fire though.Could be as has been suggested just paper talk.

Troy wrote:Until its comfirmed il remain sceptical.No smoke without Fire though.Could be as has been suggested just paper talk.

You've obviously not been in the vicinity when I'm having a barbecue - bucket loads of smoke but not so much as a spark

Dont think youl be havin any barbies,well for the next few days D.Seen the forecast.Grim.

2 new signing incoming. Serrano and Stokes maybe.

Livingston FC are delighted to announce the signing of striker Lars Lokotsch and defender Julien Serrano.

Got one out of two right then, Lars looks a big lad.

Liviforever wrote:Livingston FC are delighted to announce the signing of striker Lars Lokotsch and defender Julien Serrano.

Got one out of two right then, Lars looks a big lad.

He's 1.9 metres which apparently equates to 6 ft 3 in

Lets hope he also has a bit of acceleration about him.

Stokes still a possible signing.

Former Falkirk, Hibs and Celtic forward Stokes, meanwhile, has been without a club since leaving Iranian side Persepolis earlier this year.
"He's another one that's on the radar," said manager Gary Holt.
"I like what he brings, the qualities he has got. Hopefully we can have a chat and take it from there."

We've gone from only having one recognised 1st team striker last season (with Hammy out on loan), to a possible 5 being signed going into the Dons game. 4-1-5 anyone? Lets just go for it.

Durnford wrote:

Liviforever wrote:Livingston FC are delighted to announce the signing of striker Lars Lokotsch and defender Julien Serrano.

Got one out of two right then, Lars looks a big lad.

He's 1.9 metres which apparently equates to 6 ft 3 in

Lets hope he also has a bit of acceleration about him.

Solid looking too, certainly has the physical attributes for a lone striker role, lets hope the ball sticks to him and he doesn't have a touch like an elephant.

Aye a burst of pace would be good, Sal and Hammy don't look very quick.

Read quotes attributed to Holt saying that we are talking with Stokes & he plans to have a chat with him next week... he also suggested that Lars has similar attributes to Dykes... I suspect we might start him tomorrow.

Stokes joins the Lions, we're slowly building a team from ex Hibees, wonder if we can get John McGinn now, or will we have to wait another 6 or 7 years when he's in his 30's.

Stokes certainly has a goal scoring pedigree but it may be more about his experience now.