Martindale makes sure men see the errors of their ways
David Martindale made his Livingston side watch back Motherwell’s two goals in the dressing room immediately after the game having admitted their defending was too sloppy to deserve anything against Motherwell.
Despite taking the lead with Alan Forrest’s first-half strike, the Lions were tame at the back and let a lead slip for the third week in a row.
Tony Watt’s leveller following a corner and Liam Grimshaw’s late winner left Martindale frustrated – and a little worried for the first time this season.
Bottom of the Premiership without a point after three games, the Almondvale boss is determined to find an answer to their defensive problems.
He said: “I don’t think the way we defended our box today we deserved to take anything from the game, if I’m honest.
“We can’t defend the way that we did. We gave away two cheap goals.
“In open play I don’t think we were that bad and probably created the better chances.
“We score the first goal and then Nicky Devlin has a chance in the second half from a fantastic bit of play that he’s got to score. At the very least he’s got to hit the target.
“Then they go up the park not long after that and score their second goal.
“The goals we gave away were far too cheap and I’m really disappointed in the defensive unit – not just the defenders – both from open play and set-plays.
“This game in isolation worries. I’m concerned about it.
“I can fix it, but as a group it’s not great to lose a game of football in the manner we lost this game.
“We lost against Aberdeen and I accept that to a degree.
“I can’t accept today. I don’t think defensively we were good enough.
“Pure and simple, we weren’t good enough and we’ve got to take our chances in the opponent’s half.”
Livingston’s success in recent years has been built on a strong defence, but they have now conceded eight goals in their last four matches.
Martindale added: “I think it’s something the boys on the park need to get back to very quickly.
“But it’s about the we, it’s the collective. I can’t just look at them. I’ve got to help them out.”