Captain Fox hail squad players
LIVI captain Liam Fox said substitute Raffaele De Vita's winning goal against Airdrie United last Saturday proves everyone in the squad is pulling their weight and fighting for the cause.
De Vita, who has been used as a substitute in all three opening Second Division games, notched the winner in the 2-1 home win after replacing Robbie Winters in the 66th minute, slotting home after a flick-on from defender Craig Barr with 16 minutes remaining.
Livi came back from a goal down after Scott Gemmill had given The Diamonds a dream start, scoring with a right-foot shot after just five minutes.
Red-hot striker Iain Russell scored his third goal in as many games when he slotted home from close range after 24 minutes and, in front of a bumper crowd of more than 1,800, Livi piled on the pressure with the visitors having on-loan Hearts goalkeeper Mark Ridgers to thank for keeping them level with a string of fine saves before De Vita's winner.
De Vita, in his third season with the Lions, said: "I would have liked to have started the game but I was happy to make such an impact as a substitute."
Fox believes De Vita's willingness to dig in and work for his place is indicative of how the squad are gelling together and working hard to live up to their tags of favourites for the Second Division title.
He said: "If we take, for example, what's happening in the likes of the Premiership with Manchester City spending 80 million on players with massive wages.
"They have to have a squad of 25 named players but have a much bigger playing staff than that, so there's going to be a lot of unhappy players, most of them world class.
"Players like Craig Bellamy had to move Championship side Cardiff to get a game, but others who won't be involved might then have a negative effect on the team.
"I've seen it happen before. Players who are not playing every week can throw their toys out of the pram and it's not good.
"Obviously the league we operate in is totally different, but players like Rafa, whose been on the bench so far this season, came on and won the game for us last Saturday and he's a prime example of someone who wants to contribute.
"We have quite a small squad and I think everyone will be used as the season goes on so it's great to say everyone is doing their bit."
Livingston host Dick Campbell's Forfar this Saturday, and Fox knows Livi must win their home games if they are to challenge this season. He added: "It's an old cliche but we're taking each game as it comes."
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Weather for Bathgate
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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