Luton’s last match in the Championship barring an extremely fortuitous chain of events involving points deductions and the right results, sees Title hopefuls Sunderland visit Kenilworth Road on Sunday.
Kevin Blackwell was coy about his team selection and called for the team to rain on Sunderland’s parade.
Luton will be sporting the new black and white Puma home shirt for the first time.
Sunderland are one point behind leaders Birmingham City with a deficit of two in the goal difference column, and therefore require Birmingham to lose or draw at Preston and Sunderland to beat Luton to clinch the title, or for Sunderland to get a point at Kenilworth Road while Birminham lose by two goals to leave the Black Cats top on superior number of goals scored.
Vital Quotes:
Kevin Blackwell said on www.lutontown.co.uk:
When we went to Southend last week we knew it was our chance to put them down, which we did.
‘I don’t think anyone has showed us any sentiment, lately, so on Sunday we want to stop Sunderland winning the title.
‘But they’ll have everything focused on winning the Championship.
‘Difficult game? It is for Sunderland. It’s on our patch, isn’t it? I think the lads have started to show that they’ve got good ability.
‘We may be massive underdogs because of the youth of the team, but who knows?’
Roy Keane said onwww.safc.com:
‘The players have let off a bit of steam. I’ve no problem with that, you have to switch off. They have had a couple of days off.
‘Since the turn of the year, every game has almost been a must-win situation because of our position and it has been mentally taxing. But over the next few days, if they’re not switched on they won’t play on Sunday. I’ve told them that they have to be back at it on Friday.
‘There’s a time to enjoy it and celebrate but you have also got to move on quickly. I’ve moved on and I’m focused on the game on Sunday.
‘What you find with a lot of people who get an element of success, they live in it far too long. If the players are not at it, they won’t be going to Luton and they know that, they better be switched on.
‘If we win at Luton, I’ll enjoy it. We have a chance of winning the league and that’s the only thing in my mindset. I’m not thinking of celebrations or taking my foot off the gas.
‘It has to be full steam ahead. We’re representing Sunderland and we have to go there and give it everything. The way I work, half-measures don’t get you anywhere.
‘Birmingham have a difficult game but we focus on ourselves and try to win matches. Even if Birmingham win, we still want to win our last match and finish the season on a high.’
Luton Town Team News:
Luton are definitely without Kevin Foley who has finally had the operation required to alleviate his persistent heel pain.
Kevin Blackwell commented on the club’s official website:
‘Kevin (Foley) has had a massive bone spur removed from his heel that was affecting his Achilles. I would have liked him to play the last game of the season but we have to look forward and I decided I couldn’t risk him any further.
‘The surgeon who took the spur off was amazed at the size of it and said that Kevin would have been in a considerable amount of pain, so all credit to Kev for putting up with it for so long.’
Ahmet Brkovic is in contention after his facial injury, but Chris Coyne is a possible doubt after his battle worn nose was again clattered last week at Southend. Sol Davis (calf) and Russell Perrett (ankle) are also unlikely to be fit and Steve Robinson (back)and Dean Morgan will also struggle to recover in time.
Player to watch: Markus Heikkinen
Probably playing his last game for the Town before exercising his option to run his contract down and leave for free in July, Markus will be trying to put himself in the showcase to attract offers from other clubs, although he may return to Scandinavia if nothing materialises. Either way he has been a solid performer for Luton in his term here and I wish him well whatever he decides.
Sunderland Team News:
Roy Keane has almost a full squad to choose from with only Graham Kavanagh ruled out.
Player to watch: Carlos Edwards
On fire for Sunderland at the moment, and it is a shame that he disappeared during his last matches for Luton when he can play like he is currently doing.
Also it is sad that Sol Davis looks unlikely to feature. I’m sure it would have been a real tussle and that Sol would probably have been the first in the showers!
