Luton Town – 3 Early Season Observations

After just three games, but it should have been four, we now face the first international break of the season.

It promises to be, if you’ve no interest in international football, an agonising wait before the Hatters are in action again, this time a trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham, in the Premier League.

To me, the worst period will be next weekend when, instead of cheering the lads on we’ll be looking for alternative things to do.

But with three games under our belt, what lessons have the Hatters learned?

I’ve picked THREE points that are up for discussion.

1 – POSSESSION

In this league possession is not the be-all-and-end-all, we’ve seen teams like West Ham earn decent wins, against Chelsea (h) and Brighton (a) with the stats showing possession of only 30% seeing teams earn all three points.

It is a case of when you have possession, not losing the ball, playing clinical passes, opening up the opposition and, more importantly, keeping things tight in defence, keeping numbers behind the ball. Far too often the Hatters have lost possession due to poor passing, poor control, and misplaced passes.

If Luton Town can improve in this area, I’m sure our results will improve, and we’ll get sufficient points on the board to climb up the table.

2 – CLINICAL FINISHING

We’re learning fast that in top-flight football, chances are few and far between. Against the top sides it is essential that chances are not fluffed. It’s no good creating chances if they’re going to be blazed wide, blazed over the bar, or scuffed wide.

In the three Premier League games we’ve played so far, we’ve netted just twice, once from the penalty spot down in Brighton and a headed goal at home to West Ham United. Sure, other chances have been created but they’ve been fluffed.

In all three games we’ve played with two up front, a brave move that hasn’t, so far, worked. Would we be better off playing just Morris up front and boosting the midfield contingent? Personally, I reckon we would.

3 – FICKLE SUPPORTERS

When, back in May, promotion to the Premier League was achieved, we all knew the Hatters would face a tough season and that even finishing 17th and avoiding relegation, would be seen as a massive achievement.

Three games into the season, we’ve got 0 points and sit in 19th place in the table, just above fellow promoted club, Burnley.

Surfing the social media sites, it is great to see the majority getting behind the team, the support at Kenilworth Road, on Friday, was fantastic it has to be kept that way.

But others already seem to be wavering, criticising the players, asking for major change, predicting doom and gloom, now everyone has an opinion, especially the keyboard warriors, but to those who are wavering, remember the team includes many new signings, it has to gel, it has to be established as a unit. Togetherness is the key; unity is the word.

Just recall that last season, we didn’t start much better than we have this season, if I recall rightly, we had just two points from the first four games played.

Hang on in there folks, it will, as we predicted, be a rollercoaster ride, but keep the faith.

COYH

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