Another in our summer series and perhaps the most controversial of all those we’ve so far run.
Yesterday, the player selected was – Dan Potts – and among the many comments left, were a couple relating to Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.
Now, I’m perfectly aware that this article could open a can of worms, but it could also prove to be interesting with regards to the responses.
Therefore, the latest player to feature in this series is Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.
Last season, Mpanzu made 31 starts in the Championship and a further 3 from the bench. The tally would have been higher if Pelly’s season had not been curtailed by injury.
But while he seems to be a regular choice for Nathan Jones, there are others who do not believe he is up to Championship standard, which I find strange because there are others who classify him as one of the few players the Hatters could get a moderate sum of money for in the transfer market.
Mpanzu has been with Luton since joining from West Ham United, in 2014. During his time at Kenilworth Road, he has played his part in helping Luton climb out of non-league football to claim a place in the second tier of the English game.
But is he worthy of a place, considering the raft of signings Luton have made this summer, in the Hatters starting XI?
Or at 28-years-of-age, is it time for Luton to move the midfielder on and take the money available?
Luton - What To Do With Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu?
Keep Him!
Loan Him!
Sell Him!
Now, I wonder how this one will pan out, all I ask is that in the ensuing debate everyone keeps their language civil.
COYH’s
Previous article by Mad Hatter
The Barnsley And Luton Connection
Morning mh, I will start it off an try to give a balanced view. He has come on our journey from non league to the championship. In that time he’s been consistent up till the championship. For me the problem started last season with his will I won’t I resign for luton. When he finally did his performance for us lacked enthusiasm and nj consistent use ot him put many fans backs up. Maybe he really should have taken the decision to leave then. A new environment and challenge may have helped. Will he get regular games this season only nj knows that!!! So for me the decision is sell him. An thank him for his contribution.
Spot on Chris, the whole contract extension made me doubt him for the first time and so watched him much more closely last season as a result. His work rate after losing possession was laboured, which is something NJ has openly criticized other players and even dropped them or omitted them completely without applying to Pelly.
He is a Championship grade player and with his age and contract status will fetch decent money and would be sound business after recent spending.
With respect,Steve, you have criticised him for work rate, which suggests you don’t think he is good enough, then suggested he is Championship quality and will fetch decent money. Surely, if he is Championship quality, he is in house already with no transfer cost and gets a bench spot. I believe he was carrying an injury from the last close season and was never fully fit but played with it until it broke down completely. Having not heard anything more about him, as I said, his injury was very long term and at 28 he may never be the same player he was. Alternatively, if fully fit, he is a useful option in some circumstances. If he has lost his edge and is unlikely to get at least a bench spot, then there is no point in his being here and in that case I’d agree he should be sold on.
Championship quality but not for the style NJ has bred into the club… Which is instant heavy press and then move it fast when possession is regained as high up pitch as possible.
Whenever Pelly gives up possession his first instinct is to put his head down and shuffle his feet in a hissy before eventually tracking back. NJ has been very vocal about all of his players having to have defensive desire to press and win and the ball back but I don’t see that enthusiasm from Pelly, he undoubtedly has the athleticism to do so and enough quality in challenges and passing to warrant championship football but looks out of sorts in our philosophy last couple of years.
Transfermrkt list him as 1.8m, so if we got high 6 digits+ would compensate a chunk of our expenditure this season.
Pelly is a Luton legend having been with the club throughout the meteoric rise from Conference to Championship. Some say there is no room for sentiment in football, but I think the majority of Luton fans would be sad to see him go. It’s not as though he is not good enough, he clearly is, in my opinion. Perhaps he may not get the volume of starts he has been used to but he’d still make most squads in this division. The big question for me is, ‘how bad is/was the injury which took him out of the picture last season?’ He was out a while and did not make it back. Is the injury career-threatening or has the time out, followed by the close season, been sufficient to regain full fitness? A fully fit Pelly gets at least a spot on the bench, surely?
Scott he wasn’t injured at the start of the campaign an the majority of his games came before the injury. That is what Steve and I looked at an he wasn’t good. We will have to wait an see if the club wishes to sell or keep him. But no one is indispensable.
” A relevant sum off monies ” yet to be proven , as with other longstanding players to this club ( super Danny hylton) great servant for this club and I hope to others but knew when to find pastures new Mr Ruddock left it to the last knockings to renew his contract with the club previous so I’m wondering is there better options out there or has he reached his potential!
He was an asset at lower levels but is now out of his depth. I agree with comments re when he loses the ball, how about after well over 300 games his passing is still hit and miss to be generous, rarely shoots anywhere the target, and defensively leaves a lot to be desired.
As for selling him, after all these years if anyone had wanted him he would not be here now. Last summer he was waiting for offers, but none came so he resigned. International recognition went to his head methinks.
Thanks for your contribution in the lower leagues, but he is not the future I’m afraid.
I think it’s time for him to move somewhere as his performances have been inconsistent over the last 2 seasons. For someone with big chunky legs he gets knocked off the ball easily and his passing isn’t the greatest. He turns up with the odd goal but of we want to be progressive then we need players giving their all 100 percent of the time and not dilly dallying with the ball which pelly does. Been ok up til the last 2 seasons though.
I totally agree that Pelly is a Luton legend and has been instrumental in our rise up through the divisions. My personal opinion is that we now have stronger players in the middle of the park and we would be better off selling him. We may well get a decent fee. I also feel (as I think a lot of fans do) that he gives the ball away far too often which is frustrating to watch. I will however keep my faith in NJ. If he chooses to play Pelly then who am I to say he’s wrong.
I’ll let that one stay, nothing untoward except his dislodged views!
Absolutely. We’ll move on. Must have been a Watford fan then 😅
Well, gentleman (and others). 26 players used and according to official site, no Pelly!
Scott pelly is still Injured an not fit. Doing his work with the medical team!!!! Until he’s fit we don’t know what the club will do.
I believe he’s still recovering from the injury that scuttled him last season
Your quite right mh he’s still under the medical team doing his own thing.
Quite right mh, he’s u der the medical team doing his own thing.
First Hour XI: Horvath, Bree, Lockyer, Bradley, Onyedinma, Campbell, Freeman, Bell, Woodrow, Morris (Jerome), Muskwe.
Second Hour XI: Macey (Isted), Burke, Osho, Potts, Thorpe (Watson, Pereira), Berry, Clark, Doughty, Mendes Gomes, Adebayo, Cornick.
Goals:
Pereira 91, Cornick 112
26 players used today but no Pelly? Also no Lansbury.
First Hour XI: Horvath, Bree, Lockyer, Bradley, Onyedinma, Campbell, Freeman, Bell, Woodrow, Morris (Jerome), Muskwe.
Second Hour XI: Macey (Isted), Burke, Osho, Potts, Thorpe (Watson, Pereira), Berry, Clark, Doughty, Mendes Gomes, Adebayo, Cornick.
Goals:
Pereira 91, Cornick 112
Scott pelly is still Injured an under the. Medical team!!! Until he is fit we won’t know what the club will do.
Sorry didn’t see my post so reposted!
no problem 🙂
Decent League One player… stagnated lately at Championship level. Needs to move on for his own benefit.
good to hear so many think its time to move on. sad patter said he had stagnated, he certainly has. he can’t do step overs but he still tries, and loses the ball yet again. i get embarassed watching a luton favourite, making mistakes like he doe’s .ruddock please move on. COYH.
I think the general opinion is move on Pelly – every player has his limits – I think Pelly just does not fit into how NJ now wants to play – if we are honest he would not even be on the bench for most Championship Teams – I can see him doing well at a League 2 or National League club maybe? He would do well with Elliot Lee at Wrexham at the start of their project – I think LTFC should cancel his contract by mutual agreement which would be a nice gesture for him.