Luton: Jury out on signings?

Luton: Jury out on signings?

Trawling the message boards including ours will show the whole gamut possible of responses regarding the board, Junction 12/10/11A, Kevin Blackwell, the board, the stadium design, the board again?you name it, every opinion is represented. Some opinions are based on consideration of all the facts – others may seem less so. Many just like a good moan.

Personally, I find it hard to have a cast iron opinion about most things off the pitch, since the facts we have at our disposal to consider are mainly provided by those who have an axe to grind and a position to spin, namely the people likely to make the most money out of the property dealings.

However, when it comes to the manager and the players he has brought in, it is easier to opine on the benefits or otherwise of the new faces. But that is all it can be – opinion – and based on little current evidence. Until the new look side takes shape and plays some matches in the division, I believe that we, as supporters, should give Kevin Blackwell and his signings the benefit of the doubt, support them and give them time to settle in.

I was quite impressed with the change in the team`s performances under Blackwell last season, although the Sunderland debacle was not the best way to finish the season, but since we were relegated already, it gave Blackwell the chance to look at the individual performances and judge who he was going to keep and who to boot out.

I feel quietly optimistic about the season ahead with some good signings and it is sad to see some faces leave who have given good service, but successful managers work with their heads not their hearts!

Paul Furlong

I have seen more negative postings around on this signing than any of the others. So the guy is 38 years old, but he keeps in very good shape and I for one have always been nervous when he has been in an opposition team. He won`t last 90 minutes but he can be a real bully in the box and as a substitute coming on for 15 minutes to push for an equaliser or a winner; I believe he will be invaluable. In addition, he has always been a very good professional and, as a role model for younger players, he will again do a good job. Remember also this is division 3!

Paul Peschisolido

Second oldest of the signings at 36 years old, he is skilful and fit and once again he will be unlikely to play 90 minutes very often. His goals per game ratio has been reasonable considering his lack of full games played, and they were all in the higher divisions and for the same reasons as Furlong, he will do a good job in this division.

Chris Perry

Possibly the key signing of the bunch. He is a solid defender and a good distributor of the ball. His experience at a higher level will be a major factor in stopping the leaking of silly goals. If he plays alongside Barnett, he will talk him through games and get the best out of him. If Barnett goes and he plays alongside Chris Coyne, he will have the nous to cover for Coyney`s lack of pace. 34? I don`t think it is an issue in this position.

Darren Currie

I have to admit that I don`t know an awful lot about him, so I won`t hypothesise, but I will be interested in seeing if his alleged crossing ability bears dividends.

All 4 of the above alleged geriatrics turned down Championship clubs to come to Luton. That says something about the charisma and motivating abilities of Blackwell.

Let us be honest with ourselves. If we saw those four names in a line up playing in League 1 against us, we would be seriously worried, and so will our opponents this season when these guys line up for us.

Dave Edwards

Could be another Carlos type signing. He was very well respected coming through the ranks of the WelshUnder-19 and under 21 levels, and he is thought by many to be a likely candidate to step up to the full international side this season. That is a decent pedigree and a young signing at 23 years old. Luton could have signed him in time to benefit from his best years. A candidate to replace Steve Robinson who did not have his best season last year, although in League 1 he might just show some of the class he has had in the past. I would expect Edwards to be a first choice in central midfield.

Alan Goodall

He is another player about whom I know very little, other than the fans at Rochdale were very sorry to lose him.

Goodall played in every minute of every game for Rochdale last season, so he is a fit lad who doesn`t get suspended, which has to be a bonus. A likely first choice left full back.

All in all I like the look of the signings and believe they have been brought in to add balance and options and that cannot be a bad thing since Newell allowed the squad to be depleted to the state that the team picked itself every week and that is never good for a club.

Having said all that, the proof is in the pudding, and the new team will need to start performing from the outset to appease and gain the support of the Town faithful who are still hurting after the catastrophic nosedive from safety to bottom of the league last season. (Yes I know Leeds were below us after points deduction)

Luton: Jury out on signings?

Trawling the message boards including ours will show the whole gamut possible of responses regarding the board, Junction 12/10/11A, Kevin Blackwell, the board, the stadium design, the board again?you name it, every opinion is represented. Some opinions are based on consideration of all the facts – others may seem less so. Many just like a good moan.

Personally, I find it hard to have a cast iron opinion about most things off the pitch, since the facts we have at our disposal to consider are mainly provided by those who have an axe to grind and a position to spin, namely the people likely to make the most money out of the property dealings.

However, when it comes to the manager and the players he has brought in, it is easier to opine on the benefits or otherwise of the new faces. But that is all it can be – opinion – and based on little current evidence. Until the new look side takes shape and plays some matches in the division, I believe that we, as supporters, should give Kevin Blackwell and his signings the benefit of the doubt, support them and give them time to settle in.

I was quite impressed with the change in the team`s performances under Blackwell last season, although the Sunderland debacle was not the best way to finish the season, but since we were relegated already, it gave Blackwell the chance to look at the individual performances and judge who he was going to keep and who to boot out.

I feel quietly optimistic about the season ahead with some good signings and it is sad to see some faces leave who have given good service, but successful managers work with their heads not their hearts!

Paul Furlong

I have seen more negative postings around on this signing than any of the others. So the guy is 38 years old, but he keeps in very good shape and I for one have always been nervous when he has been in an opposition team. He won`t last 90 minutes but he can be a real bully in the box and as a substitute coming on for 15 minutes to push for an equaliser or a winner; I believe he will be invaluable. In addition, he has always been a very good professional and, as a role model for younger players, he will again do a good job. Remember also this is division 3!

Paul Peschisolido

Second oldest of the signings at 36 years old, he is skilful and fit and once again he will be unlikely to play 90 minutes very often. His goals per game ratio has been reasonable considering his lack of full games played, and they were all in the higher divisions and for the same reasons as Furlong, he will do a good job in this division.

Chris Perry

Possibly the key signing of the bunch. He is a solid defender and a good distributor of the ball. His experience at a higher level will be a major factor in stopping the leaking of silly goals. If he plays alongside Barnett, he will talk him through games and get the best out of him. If Barnett goes and he plays alongside Chris Coyne, he will have the nous to cover for Coyney`s lack of pace. 34? I don`t think it is an issue in this position.

Darren Currie

I have to admit that I don`t know an awful lot about him, so I won`t hypothesise, but I will be interested in seeing if his alleged crossing ability bears dividends.

All 4 of the above alleged geriatrics turned down Championship clubs to come to Luton. That says something about the charisma and motivating abilities of Blackwell.

Let us be honest with ourselves. If we saw those four names in a line up playing in League 1 against us, we would be seriously worried, and so will our opponents this season when these guys line up for us.

Dave Edwards

Could be another Carlos type signing. He was very well respected coming through the ranks of the WelshUnder-19 and under 21 levels, and he is thought by many to be a likely candidate to step up to the full international side this season. That is a decent pedigree and a young signing at 23 years old. Luton could have signed him in time to benefit from his best years. A candidate to replace Steve Robinson who did not have his best season last year, although in League 1 he might just show some of the class he has had in the past. I would expect Edwards to be a first choice in central midfield.

Alan Goodall

He is another player about whom I know very little, other than the fans at Rochdale were very sorry to lose him.

Goodall played in every minute of every game for Rochdale last season, so he is a fit lad who doesn`t get suspended, which has to be a bonus. A likely first choice left full back.

All in all I like the look of the signings and believe they have been brought in to add balance and options and that cannot be a bad thing since Newell allowed the squad to be depleted to the state that the team picked itself every week and that is never good for a club.

Having said all that, the proof is in the pudding, and the new team will need to start performing from the outset to appease and gain the support of the Town faithful who are still hurting after the catastrophic nosedive from safety to bottom of the league last season. (Yes I know Leeds were below us after points deduction but we were bottom from points actually gained)