Squad father David happy with his team
Livingston boss David Martindale says he’s already content with how the squad is shaping up for next season – despite bracing himself for the loss of key players.
Alan Forrest looks set to leave when his contract expires in the summer, while the gaffer expects there to be interest in defender Jack Fitzwater.
Key players Max Stryjek, Bruce Anderson and Stephane Omeonga could also attract interest from potential suitors over the summer.
But all three – as well as Fitzwater – are under contract for next season.
And Martindale revealed that his recruitment is already underway, with two players signed to precontracts.
He said: “I’ve spoken to quite a few boys. Seventyfive per cent of my squad will be here next year, 90 per cent of my starting XI will be here. I’m fairly comfortable where we are.
“I’ve pre-contracted two foreign players. I don’t want to speak about it too much until I can get Governing Body Endorsement for them.
“Last year we recruited 14 players. We were looking for quality and quantity, whereas this window is more about quality than quantity.
“I need to change the recruitment process this year.
“I tried to do a lot of my recruitment from League Two in England last year and I brought a lot of loan
players in from big clubs.
“I think that I need to be smarter, I think I need to get more bang for my buck.”
He added:“I don’t think it’s any secret we’ll lose Alan, but that’s really it.
“As for Jack, I hope he is here but I think there will be bids. I’d be shocked if there’s not, but it’s in our control.”
Martindale also admitted physicality and set-plays are likely to be a key focus to his summer plans, adding:“Both boxes is an area that I want to do better in.
“Historically we’ve been very good at that, both scoring and then chances against have been minimal.
“It’s been a weakness this year.
“I think that I’ve got the smallest midfield in the Premiership in Scott Pittman, Jason Holt
and Stephane Omeonga, so you are losing that physicality in both boxes.
“But it’s getting that balance because if any of those three players are 6ft 2in, they’re not playing for Livingston.
“Before Joel Nouble came back, the front three were Odin Bailey, Alan Forrest and Bruce Anderson so there’s the front six who I can’t count on really for set plays for and against.
“We have had to rely on Jack Fitzwater and Ayo Obileye in both boxes and that’s where I need to be a bit cuter.”
Ninety per cent of my starting XI will be here. I am fairly comfortable where we are David Martindale