After their Carling Cup success against Charlton on Tuesday evening, Luton manager Kevin Blackwell hopes the team can carry their cup form into the league and improve their away points tally. Not difficult as they have zero points away from home so far!
Luton are likely to be without David Edwards who has a virus and Chris Coyne has a groin injury, but may be on the bench for emergencies if he doesn’t fully recover in time. Jaraslaw Fojut may get his first league start after his partnership in the Carling Cup with Chris Perry looked solid. Keith Keane is still struggling with what is now suspected to be a heavy groin strain and will see a specialist.
Huddersfield have been struggling recently but have had a depleted squad through injury and this situation has improved with a few casualties regaining fitness this week and a late loan signing on Friday.
Vital Quotes:
Blackwell told the Official club website:
‘The quality of football the lads have been playing is there, but it was nice to win (against Charlton)and do it in such style.
‘As manager, if you have players sitting back and relaxing, then it could effect the league form.
‘If players do that then they won’t be involved in the next cup game that comes around.
‘I just hope we can finish teams off in our league campaign like what we showed against Charlton on Tuesday.’ (grammar a bit torturous there, Kevin!)
On the Saturday game Blackwell said:
‘I think it will be an equal game. We have got to make sure we go there with the same sort of confidence that we have shown over the last three or four weeks and give it a real good go.
‘I do think that my set of players can beat anyone in this division when we are firing on all football cylinders.’
Andy Ritchie told the Terriers’ official website:
‘It’s going to be a very difficult game tomorrow – Luton had a bit of a slow start to the season but have now started to push on and it will be a real test, hopefully one that we can stand up to.
‘The lads know that we need a win. We haven’t been playing as well as we can do at home, but of the four games we have lost we’ve only properly deserved it at Northampton and there was an element of the illness involved in that as well. In all the other games, we were in with a shout and we should have been well ahead before we’ve contrived to lose them. We have to keep reminding ourselves of the positives.’
Huddersfield Town Team News:
David Mirfin, Frank Sinclair and Danny Cadamarteri have returned from injury and Andy Ritchie is pleased to have a better squad to pick his team from than in recent weeks.
Ronnie Wallwork joined yesterday on loan from West Brom and is available and eligible and Ritchie hinted that he will play.
Player to watch: Ronnie Wallwork
May have something to prove to his boss!
Luton Town Team News:
Luton may be without David Edwards who has a virus. Chris Coyne has a groin injury and may be on the bench for emergencies only, so Jarislaw Fojut may get his first start in the league. Keith Keane is still suffering from what has been described as a stomach strain but will see a specialist for what is now suspected to be a heavy groin strain.
Loan goalkeeper Ben Alnwyck will travel with the squad but the manager hinted that Dean Brill may have done enough on Tuesday to keep his place.
Peshisolido and Hutchison are still recovering from injury and
Player to watch: Paul Furlong
Having a good season scoring goals and holding up play very well.
Match Facts & Stats
The clubs have met 20 times since their first ever meeting in 1952, 18 times in the league.
Luton have won 8 Drawn 3 and lost 7 of the league matches.
Ref Watch:
Dean Whitestone( Northants): In 5 games this season he has shown 19 yellow cards and two reds. Last season: 113 yellows and 12 red cards in 32 games.
Match Prediction:
Luton seem unable to keep it together away from home and Huddersfield have to put in a good home performance so although I think it will be tight I think the home team might shade it 2-1.
Next Fixtures:
Tue 2 October 2007 19:45 p.m A Yeovil Town
Sat 6 October 2007 3:00 p.m. H Doncaster
