I am peering out of the window and the weather reflects my mood – miserable.
A defeat affects people in different ways, for me it always puts a downer on my weekend, even more so when I am forced to watch the Hatters play via a media device as opposed to live, in the flesh.
With a second lockdown announced, by Boris Johnson, last night, I fear the season will be all but over before there is any chance of any of us returning to Kenilworth Road.
I am tempted to now accept that not having the support inside the ground affects the manner in which our side plays, the lack of atmosphere seems to benefit the away side.
Matters are also not helped by the raft of games that are having to be played to ensure the season finishes in time to get next season started when it should do.
Heaven knows what will happen if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens and football is shut down, like last season.
After the match, against Brentford, Nathan Jones gave an honest view of why Luton had lost in a game I had described as our most difficult of the season.
Talking to the local media and as reported by The BBC, the gaffer had this to say:
“You’re going to have difficult afternoons in the Championship. These are a wonderful footballing side with a great way of playing and recruiting.
“We competed and until the first goal we were organised but then we don’t quite get things right and we get punished and then it’s difficult to get back in the game.
“It’s very difficult when you’re at your maximum every game and the fixtures just keep coming ridiculously thick and fast. We come up against top players that we struggle against. It’s relentless.”
Can we put it down as just one of those games or are there more deep-rooted problems that need to be addressing?
Please feel free to have your say in the comment facility beneath this article.
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Luton Fans Disappointed With Their Sides Performance Against Brentford
Hi mh, I see that Bolton have said that nj may be about to recall kioso due to the injuries we have. Both Alan an I said that it wasn’t a good idea to loan him in the first instance!!! He showed something different to what we had an should have been in our squad from the start!!!
should never have gone out on loan, if it is true at least we had the foresight to install a call-back clause in his contract!
Hi all, I do wonder if the problem is partly due to over expectation. I for one have been very guilty of this. We have to remember a lot of these players have come a long way with Luton & it was a miracle we stayed up last season to be fair. I have noticed some similarities from last season starting to creep in which is when we have a cluster of matches we then seem to struggle after one or two games into them. Both G & N Jones have mentioned it being difficult in this situation. Obviously concerns over injuries & players needing a rest were two main reasons & as Chris & you MH have mentioned, it was a mistake to send out Kioso too. Are we too thin on the ground squad wise, are the players not fit enough, is it that they are getting out of their depths mentally & or physically, are the managers tactics & or systems not working. Maybe it’s a combination of all these things but in a lot of recent games we have been sadly lacking bar at Sheffield Wednesday who incidentally were awful. No bite or supply in final third to the strikers, also defensively we are conceding too many in the air & giving the ball away far too much all over the pitch. I also wonder if NJ is becoming negative & making excuses in his comments which of course will filter down to the players. He is the captain of the ship & needs to stand tall n the face of adversity otherwise all on the good ship Luton could soon be sinking faster than the titanic. I really hope I am wrong. COYH
Hi Alistair, yes you do have some valid points. My main concern is that certain players if fit play no matter how they perform. An think that complacency is creeping in an that putting in others and making them see they are not irreplaceable may just buck them up. Yes we don’t have to many players but if needs must then give others the chance with a run
Hi all while I agree with a lot of comments by chris and Alistair, can just say that if you look at around 95% of sides in all leagues, premier included, are all struggling to hit any sort of form and are all finding it hard to play the sort of game most would expect….so although are struggling to find any decent form, we certainly aren’t alone…we must also realise, we have got used to turning teams over and walking through lower leagues in the past few seasons, except last season obviously..having said that would any of us not have been happy if we were told that we would be sitting 13th after 9 games ????. Let’s get to the international break, get some injured players back and go again….
Hi Alan, I think we all agreed that that we are doing OK. It’s just frustrating that we look to be slipping back into old habits an unlike gjs tenure nj must not fall into the same trap of relying on the same players week in an out. They need a wake up call is all we are saying an now. Give others a run of games. I know we have little choice of strikers but the midfielders can be replaced. An should if they can’t pass a football!!!
Hi chris, who would you play in midfield ? Many on here have been raving about dewsbury-hall but to me he doesn’t look any better than what we have…also only my opinion here, bree was playing well until injured, cornick, although unpredictable, is a danger when running at defenders. Both are a miss…again only my opinion.
Hi Alan, I’d maybe give tunnicliffe a go in rea’s post moncur a run an Morrell keep mpanzu an give cook a run personally as I said we don’t have enough strikers for change so with cornick back we may look better up front an personally I think Lee has played well an has been a bit unfairly treated in the media
And as you say bree should start when fit an cranie into the centre for 1 of the centre backs as his steadyness may help
Hi all, so the town have signed a trio of youngsters for the U21squad. Let’s hope that they prove their pedigree as they have been with top clubs even if one is an ex scummer. Although he has played in a couple of prem games. An had a season in the USA.
Hi all, looks like nj has gone an given the team a good shake up. Like I hoped he would let’s hope I’ve got it right and the boys give a performance
Spot on Chris, just what the doc ordered. Timely 3 points, back up to 9th now roll on Saturday.
Hi Alistair, yes first half under the cosh a bit. But that seems to be njs tactics? Could have been been 2-1 down but for sluga. Second half we dominated for long periods. But our goals for still worries me. I think we must add a proven goal scorer at the next window. As Alan and I have been carping on about since before the last window shut!!!
Hi all, so sorry to hear the sad news of matt tees passing. He was an early hero of mine. Very good in the air an with his feet. An as Roger Walsh has said taught super mac a lot of what he used to progress in his career