Martindale made to stick with Stryjek despite blunders

LIVINGSTON manager Davie Martindale admits he needs to get the best out of goalkeeper Max Stryjek after back-up Daniel Barden returned to Norwich City.

Stryjek was again at fault for St Mirren’s winner in the Lions’ last game before the international break having already been blamed for costly errors against Rangers and Aberdeen this season.

However, Martindale admits he has no option but to persevere with the Pole after 20-yearold Barden’s season-long loan stint from the Canaries was cut short due to personal reasons.

That has left Martindale with only 39-year-old player/coach Gary Maley as cover, with the Livingston manager insisting his hands are tied until the January transfer window opens.

Martindale, whose side return to Premiership action away to St Johnstone on Saturday, said: “Lets be honest it was a goalkeeping error, it’s a bog standard save and I’ve spoken to Max about it, he has to be better.

“I’m very honest and I spoke to Max in great detail about it on the Monday after the game and then later in the week.

“I need a bit more focus. His ability is not in question but there is definitely a question mark over his focus and decision making in games.

“Do I believe he will get better at that? Yes I do.

“I have every faith and confidence in Max. Big Daniel has returned to Norwich for personal reasons and it’s a position I’m going to have to persevere with if I’m being honest.

“I’ll need to get the most out of Max but I’m more than comfortable that we have a good enough No.1 and I need to help him through this situation.”

Martindale insists there is no point in trying to look for any goalkeepers who are not attached to a club.

He added: “At this point in the season, and I don’t mean this disrespectfully, any free agents are free agents for a reason.”