So Pearse Flynn comes a-waltzing in upon his white charger and thinks he can make radical reforms without actually owning the place? Tube. He says that certain people within the club told him that Allan Preston was the driving force behind Livi’s success this season. (Interesting to note that we’ve been a good side whenever Preston and Kirkwood are mentioned, and a dreadful one when Hay is brought up, according to some fans). Gee, could it possibly be the Director who clung on when everyone else did the honourable thing and resigned, and then threw his lot in with the new consortium? What is there to gain by removing Hay? Well, honesty, integrity and strength of character are admirable qualities in a man. Best get him away so the deceitful manipulative cheats can prosper.
And what of the fans? The vast majority of fair-minded, decent Livi fans that I have spoken to have all (sometimes begrudgingly) admitted that Hay has done a good job. Some have even waxed lyrical about him. Unfortunately, a wise man once said that empty vessels make the loudest noise. Certainly with some elements about the Livi faithful, who seem to think (like certain OF fans) that we should run rough-shod over all and sundry in the SPL. Yes, all the clubs bigger than us should be steamrollered. These fans have also contented themselves with making some ridiculous and occasionally downright despicable remarks about Hay to anyone within earshot.
Criticisms of Hay? He sits in the stand. Allerdyce, Strachan, Gregory, fergie and others have been on record saying you get a far better view of the game from there. He’s not emotional enough. Gerry Collins was emotional, go get him. Hay lets the players know during training, and in team-talks what they are to do. If they ignore him, he’ll bolllock them privately. It’s a style which has won him every honour going in Scotland. Throw in the signings of Burton O’Brien, David McNamee, Manu Dorado, Quino, Rubio, Lovell, Camacho, Lilley, McAllister, McKenzie and his persistence in chasing Andrews and Fernandez (and the championing of Big Marv to those who doubted he would make the SPL grade) and that’s not bad by anyones standard. But wait, he doesn’t play youngsters, as evidenced by the fact O’brien and McNamee made their debuts the week they arrived, and have been playing ever since. They were in the same boat as McMenamin, yet it was decided Colin needed a loan spell to toughen him up, and look at the success that idea achieved. Another in the ‘win’ column for Mr Hay.
Moving on, it was nice to read in the Daily Mail that the Supporters Trust backed the removal of Hay as he was, and I LOVE the absurdness of this “not a fans manager”. Unlike Marcio. Fans aren’t there to be managed. Players are there to be managed. The reaction of the players, with Stuart Lovell phoning Your Call to register his shock and displeasure, speaks volumes for Hay’s quality. I have contributed money to the Supporters Trust, and then they decide to back things like this, as soon as they get a sniff of a seat on the board. Frankly it’s deplorable, and I find myself half-wishing I had asked for a receipt on the money I donated. The Trust sure took a long time polling their members and formulating that statement to the media. Reeks of brown-nosing and opportunism.
On the pitch April was the usual mixed bag. Davie Hay cackled with delight as Dorado and Rubio followed his orders to get his beloved Celtic through to the Cup Final, as one Livi fan tells it. They fcuk£d up is how anyone else with half-a-brain would describe it. Fans knew in advance that Fernandez would not play, yet act all mock-disgusted after the game. They weren’t saying that when we stopped Peterhead playing Gordon Smith against us years ago.
Colin McMenamin produced a fine scoring run of four goals in four games to underline his improvement and give the fans some cheer as we drew with Rangers and Hearts and defeated Aberdeen. David McNamee scored a cracker against Aberdeen also and had another productive month.
Last season we only managed to beat Partick, Dundee Utd and Motherwell in the League, and no-one of any note in the Cups. This season we have registered victories over Hibs, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Partick and Killie in the League. We have drawn with Rangers twice at home, and only narrowly lost at Ibrox. We have picked up points against Dunfermline and Hearts. Improvement in anyones book. Well done Mr Hay. Our cup adventures saw us dispose of Aberdeen twice, Dundee Utd, Dundee and Hibs in a wee game at Hampden. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Okay, moving on to looking at winners and losers…
Winners
Colin Mcmenamin has had a great month, four goals and showing some improvement to his all round game. Still not reached the point where he would be preferred to the profitable Lilley/Fernandez partnership, but is making a point.
Burton O’Brien seems to always perform well when the pressure is off. These last few games will allow him to show his undoubted ability. Did very well in several games this month, despite his flashy Nike boots…great goal against Killie.
David McNamee has again produced with both swash and buckle. Unlucky not to get on for Scotland in Denmark, hopefully his time will come very soon. Show them what you can do, lad.
David Hay is a fine man, and will doubtless go to a club where he will be treated better than he was here. Thanks for the 1st Division title, two Scottish Cup semi-finals in 4 years, a Challenge Cup final, all the great players you brought here, some of the not-so-great players you brought here, 3rd in our first season, European football and the shiny League Cup currently residing at the ‘Vale. And the picture of you table dancing after the win!
Losers
I’m sure in the long run the vast majority of Livingston fans will realise that they had a good thing going with our current manager. We’ll either be bust or in Division Three by then though.
And last, but by no means least, well done John Paul McGovern on getting a mention for another month, even if it is in the Losers section. Don’t worry, after the semi-final you’ve got Rubio for company, and music provided by Deasel for his disgraceful rant he had on the boards about David Hay after said semi-final.
That’s it for another month, any and all feedback to either livispike@hotmail.com or you can doubtless see me at matches featuring either Livi or OL, with whom I’m sure I’m not too popular after this, being as full of Hay-haters and Trust devotees as they are…
Cheers
Spike