David Martindale eyed Livingston’s trip to Dundee on Saturday (kick-off 15.00) and he declared: “It is a big game, even this early in the season.”
Livingston are seventh in the 12-strong William Hill Premiership with five points from the same number of games. Dundee are second bottom with three points, also from five outings.
The Lions have a clean bill of health following last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Aberdeen and Martindale argued that it was a good point away from home and his men produced a much improved second half against The Dons.
Overall, Martindale (pictured by Nigel Duncan) does not want to divulge what the club are focused on this term, apart from putting the ball in the net and stopping the opposition scoring.
He added: “Every game is important. There is no getting away from it, even this early in the season, this is a big game. They (Dundee) pose a threat. They get better week by week and Steven (Pressley) is working with his players. You can see his ideas coming through.”
The Livi boss argued that Dundee are still in a transitional phase and added: “They have lost a lot of big players over the last 12 to 18 months, but, week by week, you can see them coming out of transition. You can see what they (the coaching staff) are trying to do.”
Focusing on his own squad, Martindale said Irish-born defender Shane Blaney and Congolese forward Jeremy Bokila are two players who may be in contention for a place. They have trained this week.
Central defender Aiden Denholm, signed from Hearts, is off his crutches but still has a boot on his leg injury, and versatile Columbian, Chris Montana is, said the coach, not a million miles away from playing for the first team again.
He added: “We seem to be in a fairly good place in terms of squad health. Week by week, point by point, we take a wee bit of believe from that. Personally, I believe there is a lot more to come from the group.
Reflecting on Livingston’s trip to Pittodrie, Martindale said his men created opportunities and kept a clean sheet, but the manager added: “There were a lot of things we could have done better.
“For me, it is a point, dust yourselves off and look forward to Dundee. We have not got a list of targets, it is honestly about us, a focus on Livingston, on what we do and how we are going to play.”
Tickets are now on sale for travelling online and Livingston fans will be housed in the Bob Shankly Stand.
Prices are adult £26, over 65 £16, student £16, under-18 £12, under-12 £5, ambulant disabled and carer £16 and wheelchair user and carer £16.
