It has been a couple of days since Luton Town let it become public knowledge that Sonny Bradley, Henri Lasnbury and Harry Isted were on their released list.
We’ve already covered the reaction to Bradley’s departure – support-bid-fond-farewell-to-club-captain – but, today, I’d like to scribe a few words relating to the loss of Harry Isted.
Although Isted had been with the Hatters for six years, he made very few appearances.
To me it always seemed as if he was pushed into the background, not quite considered good enough by a succession of managers.
But when called upon he never et the club down as shown when he came on as a substitute for the injured Jed Steer, in the FA Cup against Chelsea.
In January, he was sent on loan to Barnsley, with their keeper, Jack Walton, coming to Kenilworth Road, on a permanent deal.
Up in South Yorkshire, Isted adapted perfectly and quickly became a fans favourite and, just recently, gave a marvellous display for The Tykes in the League One Play-Off Final, at Wembley, where he single-handedly kept Sheffield Wednesday at bay, only beaten, very late-on, by a superb headed goal from Windass.
But however, he did at Barnsley, it doesn’t seem to affected his status at Luton Town, as the decision to release him shows.
With Ethan Horvath having returned to his parent club, Nottingham Forest, you have to ask yourselves have Luton made a mistake?
Horvath’s departure leaves the Hatters with James Shea, Jack Walton and Matt Macey on their books.
Shea has just returned from injury, Walton ahs yet to start a league game and Macey has been playing lower league football, on loan, at Portsmouth, can you say, hand-on-heart, any of the trio are good enough to consistently perform in the Premier League?
My fears are echoed by several social media posts I’ve stumbled upon, some of which can be seen below:
In ‘my opinion’ the best keeper we’ve never had … Shea & Isted 👍🏻… don’t understand
— Robin Parsons (@RobbietheHatter) June 1, 2023
Walks into 14-16 LG1 teams as a number 1 next season. Good luck, Harry 👍🏻
— JH (@Hatter_JH) June 1, 2023
I’d suggest he’s better than League One standard, how about you.
And as for his performances out on loan, at Barnsley, look no further:
Unbelievable for us. Hope he comes back.
— Harri (@bfcharri) June 1, 2023
Although I can find no evidence, of yet, that a move to Oakwell is on the cards, it would not surprise me if Isted, now a free agent, does make the switch, our loss, their gain!
Have Luton Town Made A Mistake Releasing Harry Isted?
Yes!
No!
COYH’s
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton Support Confident Of Premier League Survival
Have to agree mh, Macey is not good enough he had a reasonable season at Portsmouth because they have fair defensive players but still looked shaky at times. He is not a comfortable keeper. Shea is he someone to have confidence in after a very bad injury no form except before his injury. Walton couldn’t get a game was a number 2 at Barnsley yet they sold him .isted started after injury to their number 1 and never lost his place.People on here say we mustn’t spend big fair enough in that case why sack a good prospect as our could have been number 1 keeper. Maybe someone on here will know what isted did wrong. I’ve not heard from my sources that he was a trouble maker. So that leaves dearden his coach an management responsible.
A WEEK after being promoted to the Premier League and you’re already MOANING.
Oh dear so mh asked for opinions I give mine an whining starts co’s I give mine yeh I got a lot to say . I’ve seen it all in 63 yes watching Luton an playing to a good standard an a no mark supporter can only whine cos I say it as I see it.the seasons over get over it next season’s or biggest ever. We need to be prepared people like you don’t want us to spend so we have to go with what we’ve got an I put the keeper situation in my perspective. If you don’t like it tough !!! Get with an original thought.
opinions make the world go round, the bonus of being an unofficial site is that we can all say what we want. After the final last Saturday, somebody mentioned that Gary Sweet said we’d celebrate for 6 hours, sleep for 6 hours then go again 🙂
the harry isted conundrum has been rumbling on far to long. hope he gets a chance to play and show his quality. this should not happen to any player, but it seems to happen here. hoping that R.E. lets deserving young players get there chance.COYH.
Aren’t they seriously weighing up bidding for highly rated Huddersfield Town keeper Lee Nicholls?
He’s under contract until 2026 and has been absent since January after a shoulder operation, might require a hefty bid to ensure Huddersfield Town let him go.
The isted situation is the same old story. The coaching staff see players day in day out. Don’t forget Harry was released this time last year re-signed. Maybe this is to allow Harry to get regular football. As for lansbury good player but think his prem days are done….
Thanks for the info, I once saw an interview where it was mentioned Eden Hazard was a poor trainer but come match day ……… 🙂