MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 20:19:54| >> :600:2677954:2677954:

Alan Lithgow confident Livingston can avoid second-season syndrome

Alan Lithgow confident Livingston can avoid second-season syndrome
© Reuters
Livi made a flying start to life in the top flight after Gary Holt took over last season.

Livingston defender Alan Lithgow does not believe they will struggle without the element of surprise.

Livi made a flying start to life in the top flight after Gary Holt took over last season and secured their Ladbrokes Premiership status comfortably before finishing ninth.

Holt's side begin their league campaign on Saturday against Motherwell, who they played five times last term.

And while Lithgow accepts their second season in the Premiership might be more difficult, he feels they can adapt.

"It might be (more difficult) but that's up to us to change our game a wee bit," the centre-back said. "We have put things in place that if things don't work out we can play a certain way and change it.

"And to be honest after the first couple of games of the season, teams knew how we were going to play. But they still couldn't do anything about it, really.

"It's just putting pressure on other teams and making teams defend. Some teams can handle it better than others but it's just the relentless pressure we put teams under, I think they struggle with it."

Lithgow has taken over as captain following the departure of Craig Halkett to Hearts. The other third of their successful three-pronged central defence, Declan Gallagher, will line up against his former club for Motherwell on Saturday while goalkeeper Liam Kelly left for QPR.

But Lithgow has been impressed with new defenders Nicky Devlin and Cece Pepe while Matija Sarkic and Ross Stewart are vying for the goalkeeper's jersey.

"It's three big players from the back that are missing but I have every confidence in the players we have got now to replicate what we did last year," Lithgow said.

"I don't feel pressure so much because the boys who are going to come into those positions are experienced. They know the game.

"I will do my best to help as much as possible and communicate and organise as much as I can. But the boys who are coming in are experienced themselves so they know what's required."

ID:366516: cacheID:366516:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3238:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Gary Holt in charge of Falkirk in November 2013
Read Next:
Holt calls for no mercy against Berwick in cup
>
Read more about Alan Lithgow Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1FalkirkFalkirk17122333141938
2Livingston1696121101133
3Ayr UnitedAyr1794428171131
4Partick ThistlePartick167541811726
5Queen's ParkQueen's Park177461918125
6Hamilton AcademicalHamilton165382329-618
7Raith Rovers165381521-618
8Greenock MortonMorton163761321-816
9Dunfermline AthleticDunfermline1743101420-615
10AirdrieoniansAirdrieonians161312831-236


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!