Livingston 24 hours on

Last updated : 28 October 2002 By Firparkcorner
We should put things into perspective. Yes, the result at the weekend was shocking but the performance wasn’t. We did make some mistakes but no more than usual. Livingston scored two fantastic goals and one fluke along with the pair that we gifted them. Despite what some fans with high expectations might say, we did well in the first half. Livingston were restricted to a couple of speculative long shots, while we had almost all of the ball and created most of the chances. We were genuinely unlucky to be losing at the break.

Faddy comes close against Thistle
The second half started with Livingston scoring a goal which would have graced Real Madrid. A few minutes later, Stevie Hammell makes a stupid mistake and it’s 3-0 with the game over. We did get one back through Kemas but a poor cross makes it 4-1 and another individual mistake makes the scoreline 5-1. This was not a 5-1 game. We should be worried at losing, but many fans expected that given our missing and unfit players. It is important we don’t let the result take over from an average performance and remain supportive of the team in their hour of need.

The game against Aberdeen should give the players a chance to relax and enjoy themselves again. They will not be carrying the expectations of a large support and we are clear second favourites. The League Cup is not that important in the grand scheme of things – we can ease McFadden back into action and give the new back four some much needed practice before the Thistle game. It is essential we rest Leitch, Pearson and Lehmann to have them fit for the weekend.

The Partick Thistle game will be a nerve wracking six pointer but we should take heart from a number of things. Firstly, we were terrible in the Fir Park game versus the Jags and they still couldn’t beat us. Partick Thistle are a bad side. We have taken one point out of the last eighteen and Thistle are still below us – they are a very bad side. We are capable of beating them and beating them convincingly.

What it does need is for everyone to get right behind the team. This is when the team need our support. The players and management deserve the full backing of every ‘Well fan who can get to Maryhill for this crucial game.