Why Livingston are thriving - and we were wrong about David Martindale

David Hopkin, Kenny Miller and then Gary Holt. Three editions of Orville to David Martindale’s Keith Harris.
Livingston are the form team in Scotland under David Martindale. Picture: SNSLivingston are the form team in Scotland under David Martindale. Picture: SNS
Livingston are the form team in Scotland under David Martindale. Picture: SNS

That was the perception to many when it came to the coaching set-up at Livingston. The trio, over the past five years, act as the invisibility cloak for the head of football operations to operate.

Everyone assumed the former junior player was the manager. The way he barked, encouraged and cajoled players from the edge of the technical area, he looked like the boss.

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Perception, assumption, how it appeared. But, in reality, not the whole truth.

A 1-0 defeat to St Mirren left the team tenth in the Premiership, five points off the bottom, when Holt departed last November. The West Lothian outfit have since embarked on a nine-game unbeaten run under Martindale. Eight of those were won before the weekend’s 0-0 draw with Celtic at Parkhead.

Fans were querying which direction the team were going in under Holt. Under the new boss, it is only forwards and upwards. Fifth in the league. The first semi-final – discounting the Challenge Cup – in 15 years to look forward to on Sunday. A European adventure is not out of the question.

Livi will be Livi

There is no question that Martindale had a huge influence in what went before but it would be disrespectful of men like Hopkin, Miller and Holt and all they have achieved in the game to think they would act simply as a front.

Scott Robinson has been a key man leading the line. Picture: SNSScott Robinson has been a key man leading the line. Picture: SNS
Scott Robinson has been a key man leading the line. Picture: SNS

Then there is the upturn in results.

Livingston have looked a bit more like Livingston.

Passing stats showcase the incremental differences. They average 35 passes per 90 minutes fewer under Martindale than Holt but play a higher percentage of those long. The average pass length has increased while the average number of passes per possession has decreased.

"Nothing will change how we play,” Martindale said looking ahead to Wednesday's Celtic clash.

“I don't go out to play different systems, different shapes, different philosophies. Our philosophy will stay the same. Our game-plan will be to out and press Celtic and limit the amount of time we can give Celtic on the ball.”

The new Dykes?

Livi, at times, chased Celtic off the park on Saturday The front four of Scott Robinson, Scott Pittman, Josh Mullin and Steve Lawson led the hunt. Four dynamic, direct and mobile players who are capable of covering ground quickly making Livi a dangerous pressing and transitioning team.

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Robinson has earned the starting forward spot and has, more than anyone, epitomised the improvement.

The 28-year-old is not Lyndon Dykes. It was always going to be a tall order to replace him with Holt on a hiding to nothing in that respect. But Robinson shares some of the qualities the Scotland ace possesses.

The hard-running, pest-like ability is a must for how Martindale wants to play. Robinson will run in behind for balls that turn the opposition defence. He will chase lost causes, offer himself time and time again as a focal point, move and drift to open space.

He is also a leader of the team by heading the press. He goes others follow.

The team needed direction and that has been provided by Martindale.

Meet the new boss, not the same as the old boss, with Europe in his sights.

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