DannyD MullenM
With our game against Albion called off it gave me a chance to properly assess our season.
Big changes were afoot during the pre-season as the team that performed so disappointingly last season was rightly torn apart, with just eight kept on for this campaign.
A dozen new faces arrived, many of whom had good pedigree in the game, playing at a higher level or gaining experience in the lower leagues.
But it’s two returnees that have impressed the most – Liam Buchanan and Scott Pittman – with both flourishing and the former leading the scoring charts.
For the first time in six years we found ourselves in the third tier. The last time we were in this position we claimed the title with 83 points and were unbeaten at home.
It’s a season to look back fondly on and it will take some effort to mirror that in the future.
The season started with the new-look League Cup format and we held our own in a tough group, albeit claiming just three points from four games with the win being a trip down memory lane as we defeated Edinburgh City at Meadowbank.
In truth, exiting the cup was no bad thing as the main aim was promotion.
It was vital that we had a good start and we did just that with a stunning 5-1 win at home to Stranraer.
Two more victories followed with a notable away win over Airdrie, so it was a real couponbuster when we lost at Hampden in frustrating fashion.
The next game, a trip to Alloa, already felt crucial as the Wasps had won their opening 10 games in all competitions but Livi would claim the points with a great 3-1 victory.
Two wins and two defeats followed as we ended the first quarter in second place, but it was a strong start.
The second quarter started as the first had, with three wins. Victories over Alloa and East Fife were followed by a top-of-the-table clash with Brechin, where an accomplished display saw us run out 3-0 winners.
We then suffered what was the biggest smash and grab you are likely to see in losing to Peterhead, but once again responded well by winning four in a row to open up a 10-point lead at the top.
Queen’s Park would earn the right to be called this season’s bogey team as we once again lost out in frustrating fashion when they visited on Christmas Eve.
It was a disappointing way to end the period but a points return of 21 from the second quarter was no mean feat and, following a loss to East Fife and victory over Peterhead to begin the third quarter, things are looking rosy as we hold a nine-point lead.
The club are well on track to winning the title but it is disappointing to see we are averaging just 826 fans at home which hopefully can improve.
However, nothing is won yet and I’m sure everyone will guard against complacency.
But if we can keep up this form, we’ll surely be celebrating a return to the Championship.
Livingston striker Danny Mullen says he had no hesitation in signing a new deal with the League One leaders.
The 21-year-old is closing in on the 150-appearance mark for the Lions and committed his immediate future to the club last week by agreeing a contract for the 2017/18 campaign. And he hopes next season will be spent in the Championship as Livi look for promotion. The striker has been in fine form this season, finding the net 10 times in all competitions. He said: “It was an easy decision. I wanted to sign as soon as I was offered the new deal. “I love playing here and being at the club and I’m really happy to have agreed another year. “I’ve been here five years and hopefully I can just keep improving and getting more cconfidence confidence and experience. “The manager’s happy hhappy with me and allowed me to play playy and I feel that I’ve been playing my part ppart in helping to get the team to whhhere where we are in the league just now.” He added: “Last “Lassst year was a tough one with injurieees injuries but I feel that I’ve grown and progressed a huge amount at this cclub.club. “Obviouslyy “Obviously I’ve played under a few maaanagers managers at Livi and I want tto to thank them for help helpingiing me progress my game and giving meeme my chance. “I’ve played a lot mmore more this year than I have in previous seeeasons seasons and I’m happy with that. I’m happy with how I’m performing andwand with how the team are performing and hopefully that continues into next s season as well.
“We’re winnin winning games and challenging for a titl title which is a great feeling but we’re not gettingg complacent and thinking anythinganyth is done. The whole team are really just taking each game as it comes.”
And his latest coach at the club, David Hopkin, praised the strikers and says he could have a bright fu future in the game.
He said: “Danny missed a lot of last year with injury and he’s worked hard on his fitness th this season and has impressed.
“He’s been getting better and been putting in great perfo performances.
“He’s deserved his hisn new contract and I think he’s agreata great asse asset for the club. He’s a very talented player who has a chance to move on but he nee needs to keep working hard and needs to be bep patient, which I’m sure he will.
“We’re delighted th that he’s signed on for another year as it gives him a bit of stability and the club clubh have a great player under contract for ne next season.
“People forget that he’s just 21 and if he does everything r right then he’s got a great future in the g game.”
However, the striker’sstrik boss says he wouldn’t stop stophimhim fro from moving on if it was a deal that suited club and player.
“Danny could h have had a look elsewhere in the summers but the players, staff and bo board all have good relationships and I think it’s a good move for Danny in tw two ways,” Hopkin said. “He can play h here and progress and get games at this level,l which could then attract a move.
“I’ve said to all the playersp at this club that we wouldn’t standstan in anyone’s way if we get what we feel isi a good offer and if it’s a goodprogressigood progression for the player.”