Opting, last night, to watch coverage of the Carabao Cup quarter-final between Chelsea and Newcastle United, has given me hope.
I’ll expand on that inference.
There’s no denying that the Hatters, if they are to retain their Premier League status next May, need to start collecting points.
I doubt that any side that has had as few points as us, as the halfway point of the season approaches, have ever seen off the threat of relegation, although I’m not suggesting we can’t be the first to do so.
When the fixtures were announced, back in June of this year, our home opponents, for December, looked almost surreal, with games against Arsenal, Mancester City, Newcastle and Chelsea scheduled.
So far, we’ve shown, against Arsenal and Manchester City, we can live with the best and with Newcastle United the next to visit Kenilworth Road, I’m optimistic those two aforementioned performances can be turned into a win against the Geordies.
Eddie Howe’s side have hit a poor run of form, they’ve recently been dumped out of the Champions League, in the group stages, and last night they exited the Carabao Cup, on penalties, to a Chelsea side that have also been struggling for form.
Now many are inferring that an iffy run of results, for Newcastle, is down to the fact they have a plethora of injuries with some 10 players not available for selection for the tie at Stamford Bridge.
But it was the manner of their defeat that gave me further hope they can be beaten this Saturday.
Against Chelsea, they created very little, a mere two shots on target with one of those being the goal gifted to them by some comical Chelsea defending.
Almost devoid of any attacking ideas, Chelsea should have wrapped the tie up without the need for a penalty shoot-out.
Indeed, looking at our ongoing poll, I’m not the only Hatter who thinks our second home win of the season could come on Saturday:
Luton Town v Newcastle United?
Luton Town to Win!
Newcastle United to Win!
A Draw!
However, a word of warning before we start to have a celebratory drink or two!
Luton, this season, have tended to play better when teams come on to us and our counter-attacking threat is utilised, from what I saw last night, we may be called upon to dictate the pace of the game and take the play to our opponents, are we capable of doing just that?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Please feel free to air your views in the comment facility beneath this article.
COYH
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We can if necessary take the game to our opponents we have the players to do it team selection will be vital.but like a battle once the ball kicks off any plan goes out the window and only those with the brain on the pitch can influence tactics until half time or the coach can provide instructions during a stoppage.lets hope we can get it right sat.
We can take the game to the opposition – just look at Wolves where we should have been 2 up at half time. We’ve also done it in the latter stages to almost every team we’ve played. Testament to that is the number of goals we’ve scored in the last 15 mins. We can do it, just need to clear our lines better and failure to do this has led to more than a few goals conceded. Can we do it? Depends which team turns up on the day, but Rob’s will have been done, so whoever’s picked we’ll have to see how they perform on the day
if Burke and Nakamba are ready to return and we have no new injuries i’m fairly optimistic of our chances against a much weakened team, hopefully Gordon’s injury from last night keeps him out the side.
Fully expecting Edwards to stick with his chosen blueprint of giving up possession, sitting deep and hitting teams on the break which has so nearly paid dividends at home against the top teams. Newcastle aren’t of the quality we’ve faced recently but still possess a squad with strength in depth and to try to go toe to toe with them would only enhance their chances.
We’ve got a good opportunity to take a much needed 3 points from the game providing we cut out the silly mistakes at the back and stop letting in the late goals