Livingston work hard to promote football in the local community, aiming to build their fan base, and David Martindale hopes the community comes out in big numbers to support his men in a key fixture against another newly-promoted side, Falkirk, on Saturday (kick-off 15.00).
The Lions manager told a media briefing: “I think they (the fans) will come (in big numbers). They normally do for big games, they travel well for the big games and the support is there as well for the big games. I am pretty hopeful there.
“The main stand holds roughly 2,200 I will be hoping that will be as near capacity as possible. I think Falkirk will travel well also.”
The match comes before a tough run for the West Lothian club who then host Hibs on Sunday, August 17, in the second round of the Premier Sports Cup (15.00) followed by a trip to champions Celtic on Saturday, August 23 (15.00) and a visit from Hearts on Saturday, August 30 (15.00).
That is followed by a trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen on Saturday, September 13 (15.00) before a visit by Rangers on Saturday, September 27 (15.00).
Martindale believes that every fixture in the William Hill Premiership is a “big game” and was asked about building momentum. He said: “For me, naturally that is what you want to do, but being very pragmatic, that is probably not going to happen.
“So, we are going to approach this season a little bit differently from the previous season. We had some great runs last year, this year is more about individualising every game.
“I don’t want to be talking about you have not won in four, you have not won in five, that is going to be a scenario that is going to rear its head at some point.”
He will be taking one game at a time and trying to pick up points. The Lions manager added: “You will maybe go on a run, but it is not going to be the topic in my conversation with the players.”
Eyeing Saturday’s game, it would, he argued, be no surprise if Falkirk win or if Livingston take the points at the Home of the Set Fare Stadium (kick-off 15.00).
He added: “We managed to came out on top last year, but I am sure that will be motivation for the Falkirk players. I caveat that by saying there was nothing in the game, a moment in the game.”
Finally, the Livi boss said: “The boys have trained well (this week), no complaints in that front.”
FAN ZONE: Livi fans in the main stand at the Home of the Set Fare Arena earlier this season. Picture Nigel Duncan
