Livi v Killie

Well that opening game away to Celtic couldn't have been any harder but we came through it reasonably well, scoring a late goal and sitting in 9th place after the first fixture.

Another tough game against Killie but one we should be looking to take something from, esp at home. Sibbald could still be out which is a pity, could be doing with him in the league games. Lamie will be back from suspension though, so prob will be in the starting eleven with Gallagher and Halkett.

Still a bit light up front without Hardie but i think Lee Miller and Hamilton would do well, Hamilton has a similar style to Hardie and would feed off Miller's knock ons. Bursting for us to win this game but a draw would be decent, just to get a point on the board.

You keep promoting the LM/JH forward line & based on what I saw on Saturday when Hammy was left to plough a lone furrow after replacing the manager compared to him playing alongside the manager in previous games - I have to agree with you. However, it will not happen, LM will be asked to give us an hour alongside the manager & JH will come on late on.

Killie have been very good under Steve Clark & Kris Boyd has an annoying habit of scoring against us.

A win would be superb, a draw would be a good result & a defeat would be nothing more than what most neutral observers expect.

Yeah the Miller/Hardie partnership worked really well last season and I think Hamilton has a similar playing style to Hardie so i'd like to see him playing alongside Miller.

Just now we really don't have a goal threat from our strikers because we're either playing Lee Miller up front being isolated with Kenny Miller floating around all over the pitch or Hamilton coming on and being left up front by himself too. We're not using Lee Miller's brilliant ability in the air and his hold up play to link up with another striker.

Kenny Miller could still play in midfield but tbh i'd have Robinson, Kaja, Sibbald, Byrne, Pittman and Keaghan ahead of him in midfield.

Lee’s worth is clearly seen in the build up to Pittman shooting over the bar. Holds it up and lays it off brilliantly. It was also clear on the day that he was causing the Celtic back line more problems than the manager.

Really don't know what to make of this one. We dont have the best record against Killie of late but on the plus side we will be able to see our brand new pitch and will have both Lamie and Crane back from suspension. So far have been quite impressed by what I've seen of Crane; much as I liked Jackson Longridge he's definitely a step upwards.

Lamie seemed to do well in the game against Annan up until his sending off; also was pretty solid against Airdrie considering. Didn't see the Hamilton game but the fact that we kept a clean sheet shouldn't be ignored either.

No news on Hardie or Sibbald I suppose?

Hindsight and all that but dunno why Sibbald had to play in that Gateshead game anyway, he'd already proven himself in Betfred games and had a decent run out in them. The Gateshead friendly was more for the players that hadn't had their chance yet.
It's up there with Hoppy risking Hardie in a meaningless league game against Utd, when the cynical side of me thinks they did him knowing how much of a key player he'd be against them in the play offs.

Once both of them are back we'll be a much better side in the league.

Liviforever wrote:Hindsight and all that but dunno why Sibbald had to play in that Gateshead game anyway, he'd already proven himself in Betfred games and had a decent run out in them. The Gateshead friendly was more for the players that hadn't had their chance yet.
It's up there with Hoppy risking Hardie in a meaningless league game against Utd, when the cynical side of me thinks they did him knowing how much of a key player he'd be against them in the play offs.

Once both of them are back we'll be a much better side in the league.

If they get played. Sibbald wasn't starting games in the Betfred. It would be great to get back to where we were last season when you almost knew what the team would be every game. K Miller doesn't seem to know his best 11 yet.

orco wrote:

Liviforever wrote:Hindsight and all that but dunno why Sibbald had to play in that Gateshead game anyway, he'd already proven himself in Betfred games and had a decent run out in them. The Gateshead friendly was more for the players that hadn't had their chance yet.
It's up there with Hoppy risking Hardie in a meaningless league game against Utd, when the cynical side of me thinks they did him knowing how much of a key player he'd be against them in the play offs.

Once both of them are back we'll be a much better side in the league.

If they get played. Sibbald wasn't starting games in the Betfred. It would be great to get back to where we were last season when you almost knew what the team would be every game. K Miller doesn't seem to know his best 11 yet.

This is true. Though before Sibbald got injured in the Gateshead friendly Miller started playing him, so I think he would've been an established starting player now. Sibbs came on for the last 25 mins against Airdrie and looked class, was left on the bench against Accies and kept there till the 83rd min, almost scored in the brief time he had then it looked like Miller finally saw how good Sibbald was and started him against Annan. Then he got injured in a friendly against Gateshead.

I think if he leaves Hardie out when he's back fit to play the fans will soon let him know how much of a mistake that is. He'll prob have to ease back into things though and come on as a 2nd half sub a couple of times, which is the norm when a player has been out injured and not done any pre season training or games.

The main problem I see is him being able to step back and realize he may have to drop himself to give the team a better shape in attack.
Only other gripe I have is Lithgow being left out, imo I think he has proven himself to be 2nd choice defender after Halkett and don't see Lamie as being better than him. Lamie is a good looking option if Lithgow or Gallagher's performance has dipped, or someone gets injured/suspended, but Lithgow isn't even getting a chance.

Not sure about the new signing Brown being better than McMillan either i'd rather see Jack getting a game.

Liviforever wrote:

orco wrote:

Liviforever wrote:Hindsight and all that but dunno why Sibbald had to play in that Gateshead game anyway, he'd already proven himself in Betfred games and had a decent run out in them. The Gateshead friendly was more for the players that hadn't had their chance yet.
It's up there with Hoppy risking Hardie in a meaningless league game against Utd, when the cynical side of me thinks they did him knowing how much of a key player he'd be against them in the play offs.

Once both of them are back we'll be a much better side in the league.

If they get played. Sibbald wasn't starting games in the Betfred. It would be great to get back to where we were last season when you almost knew what the team would be every game. K Miller doesn't seem to know his best 11 yet.

This is true. Though before Sibbald got injured in the Gateshead friendly Miller started playing him, so I think he would've been an established starting player now. Sibbs came on for the last 25 mins against Airdrie and looked class, was left on the bench against Accies and kept there till the 83rd min, almost scored in the brief time he had then it looked like Miller finally saw how good Sibbald was and started him against Annan. Then he got injured in a friendly against Gateshead.

I think if he leaves Hardie out when he's back fit to play the fans will soon let him know how much of a mistake that is. He'll prob have to ease back into things though and come on as a 2nd half sub a couple of times, which is the norm when a player has been out injured and not done any pre season training or games.

The main problem I see is him being able to step back and realize he may have to drop himself to give the team a better shape in attack.
Only other gripe I have is Lithgow being left out, imo I think he has proven himself to be 2nd choice defender after Halkett and don't see Lamie as being better than him. Lamie is a good looking option if Lithgow or Gallagher's performance has dipped, or someone gets injured/suspended, but Lithgow isn't even getting a chance.

Not sure about the new signing Brown being better than McMillan either i'd rather see Jack getting a game.

Tend to agree with all of this but particularly about Jack McMillan; I think the young man proved himself with a series of pretty steady performances last season and I cant actually recall any definite gaffs attributed to him.

Miller seems to be going for the players capable of passing it around at the back; as much as I like Lithgow's way of playing I have to be honest and say that's not really his strong point. That being said very rarely does a header get past him and obviously his long throws are almost as good as a corner.

As far as Kenny Miller playing is concerned I think he's got things the wrong way around. He shouldn't be starting but potentially coming on as a sub; being more able to play in a variety of positions it makes sense to have someone to come on and shore up the midfield if, for example you're winning 1-nil with ten minutes to go, but can still act as a forward if the circumstance demanded it (like De Vita or Robinson - or Cadden if you're thinking that way). Of course he'll probably never go for it; understandably he wants to continue to play at the top level; hopefully it wont be at the cost of results.

Brown starting was a mistake, McMillan improved that side of the defence immediately & provided more of a threat going forward (as limited as that was).

Another oddity was that in the first half Kaja was LWB & Brown was RB - not sure if Kaja was intended as left mid but got pushed back but he seemed to be marking Forrest and IMO outplayed him, Forrest was not a threat in the 1st half. Kaja also got forward at times (he was our best player IMO) but our shape was a bit weird as it appeared we had a back 5 but no clear left mid. So either Kaja should have been left mid & Saunders should have been LB meaning our defence was too far right or our midfield 3 were too far to the right cause we seemed to have a hole in the left mid area.

Anyway, I digress, the oddity was that in the second half, Kaja was still on our side of the field & Brown was still on the far side... Forrest was more of a threat in the 2nd half until McMillan came on.

And I must correct Orco... Miller doesn’t know his best 10; he will be the first name on the team sheet every week & that IMO is the biggest threat to our survival this season. He more than anyone should know that no one is bigger than the club. Hoppy got that & he was a bigger success down south than Miller, but Miller seems to be putting himself first at the moment...and I just wish he would prove me wrong in this.

Season books aren't ready yet but you've to go down to the stadium to get a printed ticket for this game and the ST will be ready for our next home game. Heads up on having your block number as well as telling them your name to find your ticket easier. Forgot mine and had a bit of a wait while they went through all the tickets to find them.

My lad got ours, messaged me to ask that info before he knew he needed it... & the leetle grey cells are still working for some things anyway, I remembered his & mine right down to the seat numbers.

It will be interesting to see what the attendance is... pretty sure it won’t be as good as it was for the Partick game, don’t think it will be as good as it was for the United game... going to stick my neck out & predict a crowd of around 2,500.

Killie look a cut above Thistle though so I’m also going to suggest a narrow defeat is the likeliest outcome.

Livi 1 Killie 2 FG 27 mins

Liviforever wrote:Season books aren't ready yet but you've to go down to the stadium to get a printed ticket for this game and the ST will be ready for our next home game. Heads up on having your block number as well as telling them your name to find your ticket easier. Forgot mine and had a bit of a wait while they went through all the tickets to find them.

If its ticket master I'd actually assumed it would be the credit card type access rather than printed book but I could be wrong.

Durnford wrote:

Liviforever wrote:Season books aren't ready yet but you've to go down to the stadium to get a printed ticket for this game and the ST will be ready for our next home game. Heads up on having your block number as well as telling them your name to find your ticket easier. Forgot mine and had a bit of a wait while they went through all the tickets to find them.

If its ticket master I'd actually assumed it would be the credit card type access rather than printed book but I could be wrong.

Heard the guy at the desk telling someone it would be a book.

Yeah Bertie I know my seat number and the row but haven't paid attention to the block initial and number, I just know where to go, been sitting there since we first got promoted to the SPL and never paid attention to that detail. My memory was working fine back then too so can't blame the grey cells for it.

We’ve moved a couple of times...first STs for first SPL season - loads of school tickets the year before.

Started in either C2 or C3 - can’t remember which, think it was 2 - there were 8 of us back then.

Migrated to X the following season & we were up to 9 (adding my youngest)

When we began using only the west stand it was back to C2 & we were down to 7; then 6; then 4 and finally 2 ST’s and a PATG when he’s not working.

This week has really dragged. Cant wait for the first home game of the season.

Don't actually know where my season ticket seat is tbh, I got moved out of it when they said they were giving school tickets to C2 or something like that so I got a random one in C1. Will say the seat i usually sit in and hope it's there rather than have them sift through all the tickets.

Buzzing for this though and as has been said this week has dragged. Kilmarnock should have enough to beat us but as long as we give it a good shot I'll be happy, and after the Parkhead performance I'm sure they will and might even get all 3 points.

1-1, FG 23 mins

A win here would set us up nicely for the cup game against Motherwell next week. Got an Irnbru colts game midweek to fill the gap too if anyone was getting an urge for a footballing fix.

I think we're still in a 'can't believe we're playing in the Premiership' mindset thinking everyone is better than us, and we're a Championship team still, but we need to be beating these teams or we'll end up being a Brechin and we def shouldn't be doing that. Once we get our first win it should help get us on our way.

LiviLion wrote:Don't actually know where my season ticket seat is tbh, I got moved out of it when they said they were giving school tickets to C2 or something like that so I got a random one in C1. Will say the seat i usually sit in and hope it's there rather than have them sift through all the tickets.

Buzzing for this though and as has been said this week has dragged. Kilmarnock should have enough to beat us but as long as we give it a good shot I'll be happy, and after the Parkhead performance I'm sure they will and might even get all 3 points.

1-1, FG 23 mins

I heard they were planning to move some people from C2 because of the requirements by BT sport to install some sort of gantry but the furore was such that they've moved it over to the East Stand (which is better anyway).

Haven't heard of any others being moved recently. Was that for this season?

I'd find it pretty odd if they started giving away free tickets now we're in the top flight.

Durnford wrote:

LiviLion wrote:Don't actually know where my season ticket seat is tbh, I got moved out of it when they said they were giving school tickets to C2 or something like that so I got a random one in C1. Will say the seat i usually sit in and hope it's there rather than have them sift through all the tickets.

Buzzing for this though and as has been said this week has dragged. Kilmarnock should have enough to beat us but as long as we give it a good shot I'll be happy, and after the Parkhead performance I'm sure they will and might even get all 3 points.

1-1, FG 23 mins

I heard they were planning to move some people from C2 because of the requirements by BT sport to install some sort of gantry but the furore was such that they've moved it over to the East Stand (which is better anyway).

Haven't heard of any others being moved recently. Was that for this season?

I'd find it pretty odd if they started giving away free tickets now we're in the top flight.

It was either last season or the League 1 season, can't remember which.

I think BT used the gantry on the roof of the West stand during the play offs, and some pitchside cameras too.

Noticed we're getting less and less carparking spaces though, houses being built took away all the disabled spaces running towards Lidl and the BT lorries park on the rest.

BT were in C2 for the play offs as well.

The C2 v School tickets issue was a miscommunication - they initially said C2 folk had to move but a fair few said they didn’t mind being amongst the kids & kept their/our seats... as it turned out there were never more than 50 kids in any given week.

LF you are correct we are still in a state of disbelief. However, Killie are a good Scottish side (pretty average in the grand scheme of all things football) & we have yet to reach the level of saying we ought to beat them; losing tomorrow is more likely than winning tomorrow but we might win & that would be an exceptional result.

Another tough test tommorow for the Lions methinks.Killie have improved so much over the last 12 months and will be a tough nut to crack.However its the first game back home on the new pitch for us with many new supporters joining the cause so in that respect i would hope the Lions put on a good display for us.Yes the result is important for us regardless as to wether its been seen as another freebie for us but if you were to offer me a point to get us on the board id bite your hand of for it at this time.Wish Martindale had more of an input towards Miller and maybe we could get back to playing our way as we did so well with it last season Premier League excepted.Anyway im buzzin for tommorow and wish the Lions all the luck in the world,think their gonna need a wee bit of it.Do it Livi!!!

No sign of a program on the OCS... have we reverted to paper copies?

Ahhh it has appeared on the OCS

On the whole I enjoyed the game, despite it bring 0-0 and few scoring chances. I thought we showed we can play at this level. Halkett must have some stamina & strength, he played the whole game carrying a big lummox called Boyd in his back pocket. Byrne was also outstanding, Gallagher & Pittman not far behind. Kaja wasn’t as effective as he previous two games but still did ok. Ref was poor...no surprise there but it’s not good enough. Most ridiculous refereeing decision of the game (among many) was the foul against him when he had his shirt ripped. Robbo put in a shift. Kelly looked competent. Lawless had some very good moments but looked a bit short on match sharpness. LMiller put himself about as we’d expect but of course didn’t have anyone to feed off him due to the manager’s insistence on picking himself...more on that in a minute. Saunders looked slow & on evidence so far is not as good as Lithgow or Lamie. Subs all contributed something but Cadden needs too long to get up to game pace.

Now, the manager.... Mr Miller please decide whether you are going to play or manage, at the moment you are doing neither. Either trust your assistants to manage while you play & concentrate on playing in your position or stay on the sidelines and manage, keeping yourself as a potential sub. You were clearly knackered after 30 minutes today, not sure why as you hadn’t done anything that could have been described as a lung-busting run, & slowed everything down by not getting back onside or by not making forward runs. Right now you are doing the team or yourself no favours.