Fixtures:
07 Nov: Livi v Rangers (SPL) L 1-4
09 Nov: Livi v Motherwell (CIS QF) L 0-5
13 Nov: Dundee Utd v Livi (SPL) L 1-0
20 Nov: Livi v Aberdeen (SPL) L 0-2
27 Nov: Kilmarnock v Livi (SPL) W 1-3
For 5; Against 13; Points 3; Cup lost.
As you can see, result wise, November was an appalling month. The amount of goals conceded and poor performances was both unbelievable and unacceptable. The end result of November is that Livi are currently sitting joint bottom of the SPL and are without a manager. This position is not acceptable by any stretch of the imagination. To be fair, there was some light at the end of month and we can only hope that a new manager can build on our last result and performance. So before I go on my usual rant, let’s briefly deal with the fixtures first.
Rangers: Livi lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Preston choosing to field Hamilton as a lone striker. We were on the back foot from the very start. Stanic picked up a hamstring in injury which forced a reshuffle involving Boyack replacing him and McLaughlin being moved to left-back. Without going into much detail, I’ll quickly summarise the rest of the game. Three set-pieces from Rangers resulted in three easy goals. A dubious offside goal finished things off. In between all of this, Libbra was finally brought on for a decent length of time and we changed to 4-4-2. This worked for a spell, where we started going forward, created some chances and got a good goal from Easton. However, it wasn’t to last and Rangers stepped up a gear for a thoroughly deserved but far too easy 4-1 victory.
It was yet another game where we gifted the Old Firm easy goals through abysmal defending. Preston’s decision to play Hamilton as a lone striker cost us early on. What is the use of having Hamilton up front on his own, with no-one to flick the ball on to? It makes no sense, particularly since it had already been tried and failed against Hibs. The gamble on Boyack also failed when his lack of fitness, pace and general skill, showed through yet again. This game also marked the start of McLaughlin’s one-man clown show at left-back.
Motherwell: Livi had the chance to progress to the last four of the CIS Cup in a bid to retain our trophy. What happened was that we handed progression to Motherwell on a plate and gave up our cup with no sense of fight at all. It was a shocking performance by all accounts. I unfortunately missed the match, so I cannot really comment much further on it. However, I will say this. Preston took a risk on a lot of “injured” players and it obviously didn’t pay off. Despite that, for any team to lose 5-0 at home and thus surrender their cup, is an absolute disgrace. To play this match only 48 hours after the Rangers game was another critical error. Well done for that decision. It was made to get a better crowd and it failed on all accounts.
Dundee United: Preston made changes in this critical bottom of the table clash. The losing side would end up bottom of the SPL. It was therefore a critical match for both sides and their under pressure managers. Kernaghan took his place in the centre of defence and, despite being older than the entire stadium combined, amazingly played rather well. His elbow got a great work out and he was a solid influence in a shaky back line. The front line was completely changed and Lilley/McMenamin was the partnership for this game. Certain players put in a lot of effort, but Livi’s game was to, yet again, centre around punting long balls for Lilley to head on. It was boring and predictable, much like the entire first half, which passed without any great incident. By this stage, the Livi fans in the lower tier had already kept themselves entertained with their constant battles with the Nazi stewards and their police colleagues. Several complaints were made and things eventually settled down. There was also a constant barracking of Preston, with abuse being directed at him for the entire match. The second half got underway and things picked up on the field. Both sides had chances but neither converted. McCall was looking to win the match and made several early changes. These seemed to pay off as his side started to create more and run the game. Despite this, Preston was happy to keep things as they were. It would prove to be a fatal error. Before Preston had even made a change, Dundee United scored from a corner. It could be argued that it was harsh on Livi, but there was only one team looking to win things. Preston reacted by putting three forwards on, but it was too little, too late. Another goal conceded from a set piece, another defeat and Livi was bottom of the SPL.
Aberdeen: I’ll keep this one short. Preston named an unchanged line-up. 32 seconds or so into the match and Livi were one down. McLaughlin had taken his clown-show to a completely new level. By the time he was finally removed, Livi were 2-0 down and he was responsible for both. It was an inept display, were he showed no defensive talent at all. In all honesty, Deasel could have done better. Rubio was brought on and this strengthened the defence and Livi were able to attempt some attacking play. Pity this was without any success at all. We were shocking. A failure to pass the ball 5 yards and communicate with each other was apparent. To be honest, the players couldn’t be arsed at all. Preston made a few more changes, but it did nothing. This was the worst Livi display that I have ever seen. Something had to be done; thankfully Pearse was aware of the problem. AP & AK were finally sacked; Lovell was dropped and is to be disciplined. More on these events later on.
Kilmarnock: Cleland was put in temporary charge of the team. He gave starting debuts to three youngsters and made three other changes. For one reason or another, the game was a complete reverse of usual. Livi played as a team for once. We kept the ball on the deck and passed it around well. The movement and work rate was superb. Apart from one blip when Kilmarnock scored a good goal, it was a great display and one that the hardcore travelling support certainly enjoyed. Hamilton helped himself to a double and O’Brien, captain for the day, scored an absolute beauty. I wasn’t a great fan of either at the start of the season, but these two have been in the minority of Livi players who can hold their head up high. Superb! If I was being critical, Harding had a few mistakes and Lilley was invisible throughout the match, but at least we got the result. It wasn’t enough to take us off the bottom spot, but we have closed the gap on the three above us. This performance was our best all season and hopefully our new manager can build on it. The players should be ashamed of their previous performances.
With that quick summary of November’s fixtures, let’s move on to more pressing issues.
AP & AK: These two clowns were finally sacked. I was firmly behind them both at the start of the season, but in early September, I realised that there was a serious problem. Preston is too scared to change things and has shown a complete lack of passion in the dugout. His tactics and team selections have been very questionable indeed. 7 games lost in a row sums everything up. Livi could not afford to keep them any longer. The Aberdeen game was the last straw. It was an absolute disgrace. The players did not respond to Preston at all. There was even a bust up between him and Lovell. Even if it wasn’t their fault, when the players don’t respond, a change is required. Pearse and Lionheart took a risk that backfired. At least they are responding quickly to this problem. It is the best option for the club. I applaud Pearse for this great business and football decision. There are those who like to complain and question Pearse for this action. To those people I say, “shut the f**k up”. They weren’t doing the business and the sackings were fully merited. Well done Pearse and Lionheart. It’s now time to move forward and support the new management team. Note: This was written before the announcement on who will replace them. Therefore, I will not comment on the “rumours” until everything has been publicly revealed.
Winners:
Hamilton: I took the p*ss at the start, but at least he is showing complete commitment to the Livi cause. He isn’t the best, but he is doing the job and getting goals. Lilley should take note.
O’Brien: Our best player this season. Captain against Kilmarnock and scored another great goal. Without him, we would be in deep trouble. Sign him up, right now. I hope Burton has the sense of loyalty to stay.
“Fans”: Those who went to Kilmarnock finally saw the real Livi play. Let’s hope that game was the turning point. Great display lads, let’s keep it up. Hopefully more will eventually join us. Everyone in general should also rejoice, for Teso has returned…
The club: With the two idiots gone, we can look forward to the future. This week should see a lot of positive developments at the club. Let’s wait and see what happens.
Kilmaurs’ Butcher: He must have had a field day with our lot. Just ask Deasel and co about beef olives, amongst other things.
Losers:
Lovell: His press rant was completely unprofessional and showed how stupid he is. There was no need and he only made a difficult decision even worse. Perhaps if he had been putting in performances, he might have been forgiven. However, this was a rant from someone who knows retirement is around the corner. F**k off.
AP & AK: Time for the dole queue lads. It’s more than you deserve. Goodbye. Don’t let the door hit your @rse on the way out. Thanks for nothing.
“Livi players”: There is a majority who haven’t been pulling their weight all season. It is time for them to step up to the plate. We know what they are capable of; it is time for them to show it. Kilmarnock was a start, let’s build on it. They know that they could be replaced in January, let’s hope that acts as an added spark. If not, we might need Fernando to light a few fireworks under certain people… [cough]Lilley[/cough].
Libbra: Snubbed for another month. He’s scoring for fun in the reserves and offers us something different in attack. Will he even get a chance?
McLaughlin: “Coming to a circus near you”.
West Lothian: You lot can also f*ck right off, particularly the fair weather Livi “fans” and the hordes of unwashed, glory hunting Old Firm sc*m. There is a club on your doorstep, try going once in a while. The next time someone asks me what the score is after the game, you can expect some profanities and vitriolic abuse in your direction. Go to the match and find out yourself. Lazy c*nts. You all deserve to slip in a pool of A*** (Jesus Teso, you'll get me sued).
Author: This November review is brought to you by the infamous Teso Dos Bichos. If you don’t like it, you can complain through the usual channels. I don’t have time for ignorant fools. If you give me any of your rubbish and irrelevant opinions, then I will slap you straight down in my own special way. With that in mind, I hope you have reached this far. Feel free to send your “worthwhile” comments to tesodosbichos@hotmail.com. Who knows, I might even be sober enough to respond. If not, grab me at a game or drinking wherever beforehand. Ask someone to point you in the right direction. Anyway, its 04:36, so this will need to do. My bed calls. F**k you all.
Note: Written before new manager announcement made.