Dundee V Livingston - Match Preview

Last updated : 22 August 2003 By Dov

Livingston will travel to Dundee boosted by the great news that influential defender Marvin Andrews will be staying at the ‘Vale after rejecting a move to Dundee United. Manu Dorado returns to light training, but will not feature in the match as it comes to early for him. Stuart Lovell is still weeks away from making a full recovery.

The match should be an interesting one, Livingston haven’t managed to win up in the dark side of Tayside yet, but we’ve now got Pasquinelli, so anything is possible. Derek Lilley should be in the starting in the first even, pushing Barry Wilson out to the wing, and that would be a wise move as Barry is not an out and out striker, as he has shown in the last few weeks.

Dundee have won one, lost one in the two opening fixtures in the league this season, and hopefully will have one eye on the home European tie with Klubi Sportiv Vllaznia Shkoder on Thursday. They have no major injury worries, and will have their strongest squad available.


The Lions will have to be on their toes for this match, Dundee are no mugs, but although we have been quite poor in the opening matches, we look a far better side than we did last season, so that’s an improvement. The Lions will probably look to play the 4-4-2 formation, with Whitmore, Makel, McGovern O’Brien and but I would like to Maximo step up a gear and change to a 4-3-3 and move towards that “Attacking” side that he promised.


Livingston’s weak point has to be Jamie McAllister, maybe the former Aberdeen player needs time to adapt to, eh football in West Lothian, but he will need to do something quick, as even my burd says he was mince, and she knows next to nothing about the beautiful game.

I would happily take a point from the game right now


Fanzine prediction -

Dundee 1 Livingston 1




More info about Dundee Football Club


What are their hopes for the season?


Dundee will be hoping for a top six place this season, but the dark blues will also have to concentrate on their European adventure, and hopefully they’ll be distracted when Livingston visit Dens Park. Realistically they have to get past Albanian league runners up Klubi Sportiv Vllaznia Shkoder in the
UEFA Cup qualifying tie, and get into the first round proper.


Player ins and outs?

Zura Khizanishvili is one of the biggest Dundee players to leave Dens Park this season. Rangers have secured the signing of the talented centre back, and Dundee will have to spend big if they are to replace the Georgian international. Trinidad and Tobago international Brent Sancho has also signed on along with the forgotten man of football, former Ibrox man, Tom Cowan.


Any Livi connections?

Dundee signed Rab Douglas from Livingston a few seasons back when we were in the lower devisions, and the big stopped has made some progress from there!


How have past games gone?

Unfortunately for the Lions faithful, not very good. Dundee have always been very strong against Livi at Dens Park, but that trend will have to come to an end soon. Most supporters would be happy with a point out of this match.

Dens Park - what's the stadium like?


Some of it looks modern; but some of it looks like Lego land, and you have a rusty shed which Dundee have a cheek to call a stand. Livingston supporters are situated in the Bob Shankly Stand, which was built in 1999. At the moment, Dundee and their neighbours Dundee United are in discussions about ground-sharing, a move that makes sense and will happen sooner rather than later.


Atmosphere?

Not bad, but not good either. The song “you only sing when your winning” was probably first sung about Dundee supporters as they are very quiet when they’re side is getting beat or drawing, but they very noisy when their side are in front.


And the fans? Friendly?

Most Scottish football fans are friendly, and Dundee probably have one of the friendliest supporters in British football. There is good banter at the matches, and I know Dundee United supporters sometimes visit the away end at Dens Park to cheer on what ever team Dundee are playing.

Info

Getting there - by car

Follow signs for the FORTH ROAD BRIDGE (Toll £1 return)

Once across the bridge follow signs for PERTH

At the BROXDEN ROUND-A-BOUT at PERTH, follow signs for DUNDEE

As you approach Dundee at the round-a-bout, continue on the A90 (KINGSWAY) for about 2 miles, take the second flyover exit (B960) and follow the signs for FOOTBALL TRAFFIC until you reach the stadium


Getting there - by bus/train/

You would get the train at Livingston North, change at Haymarket then board the GNER train to Dundee. The total train journey time would be 1 hour and 46 minutes and would cost approximately £20 return.

The best and quickest Bus route to Dundee from Livingston is 3 hours and 15 minutes -

Livingston Town Centre bus number 28 11:08 am to Edinburgh

Change to bus number X54 SIF to Dundee

Arrive Dundee Bus Stn Seagate 14:23


What's the food like?

Nice hot dogs, hamburgers, the usual tea, coffee, and sweets for the kids! Dundee like to look after the supporters and other teams should follow suit.


What if I fancy a pint?

The Snug is a plain ordinary pub and serves the best pint lager you can get.............top notch. Is normally populated by Arabs on home match days. But is frequented by Dundee supporters too.