2020/21 General Match Thread

[oakroader]

Your doing terrific, no two ways about it. Glad you are flying at the moment because there is a chance you could be more grounded come early December, to be exact the 8th !!

Appreciate your plane speaking my friend

 

[Kim Mitten]

Another 3 points and good performance against Southend without getting out of second gear, after each game the oppositions fans forums have a general theme about us being not that good, for example after we beat them the shrewsbury fans were looking forward to their tougher test against Barnsley on the Tuesday which saw Barnsley get 3 points less than we got at Shrewsbury. Donny fans blamed the ref for us winning even though their players went down at every opportunity in a bid to get us down to ten men (the ref was weak in all fairness). Southends fans also said we weren’t that great and in all fairness if Southend had been more clinical the score may have been different but we done the job and got 3 big points.

So if we aren’t playing that great then can’t wait to see us at full strength, been without Charlie Wyke, Duncan Watmore long term, had Power, Oviedo out with suspensions, had a few regulars out recently including Maja against Donny and he come off the bench today so to sum it up then we can only get stronger. Tbh after the turmoil of the last few years i was expecting a slow start to the new regime so i’m very happy with how it’s going so far and hopefully we can get out of this tough league at the first time of asking. Believe it or not it won’t be straightforward as the league is stronger thanpeople outside of league one think.

I don't think Sunderland played great either! First half we needed to take our chances and have that penalty given, whether it would have been scored or not is another thing of course.
Thought Sunderland were quite a physical side too, I don't think they'd scouted Dru Yearwood cos he was excellent first half and it seemed to surprise the Sunderland midfield. Second half when he got the ball they got players around him and just kicked the shit out of him.

Sunderland were clinical, organised and steady but I've only seen one team better and that was Peterborough in full flow. If they play as more than a 'get the job done' team then they'll sweep everyone aside in this division.

 

[Kenneth E End]

This Luton Town racism storm just isn’t going away despite a strongly worded statement at the back end of last week saying that Luton’s internal investigation yielded no evidence to back it up.

Jacqui Oatley is now, for some reason, getting involved, saying that the clubs statement was factually inaccurate because the police investigation was continuing, although Beds Police retweeted the Luton statement last week, which might give reason that they agree with no findings.

I find this whole situation very peculiar. And it’s all being done via social media. That in itself is a bit stupid, at worst unprofessional and bringing their employer into disrepute. It’s almost as if Oatley wants to be proven right. Despite best efforts, an argument with another BBC colleague is being drawn out on social media over their lack of actual response on his radio show.

Justin Dealey (BBC radio presenter and Luton fan) himself sent a video of a podcast from last season to Oatley of a Luton resident being called a “terrorist” by a Coventry City fan. Oatley accused him of incitement bizarrely.

Gary Sweet also made a vehement response on Talksport earlier, rightly claiming if this was a public company, share prices would’ve dived and cost potentially millions. It might still do with a planning application waiting in the wings, up against a corporation that specialise in spreading fake news.

The whole affair is not helping anyone at the moment.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

This Luton Town racism storm just isn’t going away despite a strongly worded statement at the back end of last week saying that Luton’s internal investigation yielded no evidence to back it up.

Jacqui Oatley is now, for some reason, getting involved, saying that the clubs statement was factually inaccurate because the police investigation was continuing, although Beds Police retweeted the Luton statement last week, which might give reason that they agree with no findings.

I find this whole situation very peculiar. And it’s all being done via social media. That in itself is a bit stupid, at worst unprofessional and bringing their employer into disrepute. It’s almost as if Oatley wants to be proven right. Despite best efforts, an argument with another BBC colleague is being drawn out on social media over their lack of actual response on his radio show.

Justin Dealey (BBC radio presenter and Luton fan) himself sent a video of a podcast from last season to Oatley of a Luton resident being called a “terrorist” by a Coventry City fan. Oatley accused him of incitement bizarrely.

Gary Sweet also made a vehement response on Talksport earlier, rightly claiming if this was a public company, share prices would’ve dived and cost potentially millions. It might still do with a planning application waiting in the wings, up against a corporation that specialise in spreading fake news.

The whole affair is not helping anyone at the moment.

Pretty much everyone involved is embarrassing themselves now with it. People need to let the police do their work.

In a way I agree with Oatley in that I don't think the club should have come out with anything other than a "supporting the police with their investigations" type statement initially. The one they released is probably a little much given the investigation is ongoing although I understand frustrations that lead to it.

Following that she has been massively, massively hypocritical this afternoon and basically gone back on her initial valid point. Its pretty obvious that the original complaint has come from a mate of hers who she is looking to defend, but id expect better from a journalist of her standing really, she is on very dodgy ground with what she has followed up with this afternoon.

Everyone needs to take a step back and await actual facts to come out and then go from there.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Pretty much everyone involved is embarrassing themselves now with it. People need to let the police do their work.

In a way I agree with Oatley in that I don't think the club should have come out with anything other than a "supporting the police with their investigations" type statement initially. The one they released is probably a little much given the investigation is ongoing although I understand frustrations that lead to it.

Following that she has been massively, massively hypocritical this afternoon and basically gone back on her initial valid point. Its pretty obvious that the original complaint has come from a mate of hers who she is looking to defend, but id expect better from a journalist of her standing really, she is on very dodgy ground with what she has followed up with this afternoon.

Everyone needs to take a step back and await actual facts to come out and then go from there.

...well for a start she has changed her mind completely on who the victim actually was.

 

[Fedora Dale]

Next 4 games v Rochdale, Plymouth, Gillingham and Bradford. We could easily get another 10 points from that group. If we win them all we go to 2ppg.

You might well do - except that we and Gills are consistently inconsistent, and capable of doing something, whilst Plymouth appear to have woken up from their annual autumn snooze.

Bradford are cack, though, so you ought to end up with at least 3 points!

 

[joethegill]

You might well do - except that we and Gills are consistently inconsistent, and capable of doing something, whilst Plymouth appear to have woken up from their annual autumn snooze.

Bradford are cack, though, so you ought to end up with at least 3 points!

This. Of our 4 wins, 2 have come away at top 6 sides. We're odd.

 

[Kenneth E End]

And the story goes on...

LTFC reserving the right to take the social media fake news merchants to court...

https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/...sed-a-factually-incorrect-statement-1-8687735

 

[Bottega Don]

So Luton's official investigation involved asking Stewards, who are probably paid by the club and possibly support the club and asking fans of the club.

What a thorough investigation and I am glad we have cleared this one up.

 

[Bobbin']

So Luton's official investigation involved asking Stewards, who are probably paid by the club and possibly support the club and asking fans of the club.

What a thorough investigation and I am glad we have cleared this one up.

We have done so by interviewing stewards, asking the police for any feedback they are able to provide, asking supporters in the area – many of whom would be known and trusted individuals who we know would be truthful whatever the outcome

Definitely my favourite bit. Like when teachers at school used to ask the well behaved kids in class to grass on others.

I.e will give you the answer you want to hear.

Our public image is everything to us. If we’re seen as a racist club, not only would this peg back our progress in this area but it would potentially stop supporters from minority groups from attending football matches.

And here is why a ‘thorough’ investigation won’t take place.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

So Luton's official investigation involved asking Stewards, who are probably paid by the club and possibly support the club and asking fans of the club.

What a thorough investigation and I am glad we have cleared this one up.

One of the allegations was from a commentator claiming rascist language from a nearby spectator could be picked up and heard on his commentary. The investigation involved review of the commentary which others outside (the local bbc station who aren’t necessarily great fans of ours the most notable) have also reviewed and backed the clubs stance on that particular allegation.

I do think they should have waited for something formal from the police personally but is not quite as clear cut as you have made out.

It’s pointless discussing this until the police have completed investigation really but I’d take issue with your view that people wouldn’t speak up if they heard a rascist comment just because they happen to support the same club though. I certainly would not tolerate it from anyone, Luton or otherwise and would not be shy in coming forward. A damning indictment on football fans if that isn’t the case for the vast majority.

 

[Judge Dredd]

A handful of people starting singing Tommy Robinson's name at Peterborough away and it nearly started a riot as other Luton fans left their seats to go and physically confront them.

I've been going for over 25 years and never once heard monkey chants, even from individual idiots. I'd be absolutely shocked if I heard it at a game and there's not a doubt in my mind that the best case scenario for the culprit would be being reported to the police.

The idea that people would choose club loyalty over calling out a racist is just insulting nonsense as far as I am concerned.

 

[Bottega Don]

A handful of people starting singing Tommy Robinson's name at Peterborough away and it nearly started a riot as other Luton fans left their seats to go and physically confront them.

I've been going for over 25 years and never once heard monkey chants, even from individual idiots. I'd be absolutely shocked if I heard it at a game and there's not a doubt in my mind that the best case scenario for the culprit would be being reported to the police.

The idea that people would choose club loyalty over calling out a racist is just insulting nonsense as far as I am concerned.

It's interesting you say that as I'm not so sure it is nonsense. There has been some Luton fans who immediately jumped at defense of their club and acted like the clubs reputation was a lot more important than someone potentially being racially abused in 2018. This isn't even a sole Luton problem, a lot of fans of other clubs would be the same.

It's the same with the owners at the clubs. Just reading that statement, it's very clear the CEO cares a lot more about the public image of Luton Town than the truth being found out. If this did happen to be true, we all know how we would immediately hear "This was individuals not connected to the club, Luton Town condemns racist behaviour" But if it's not true, we will hear "Luton Town is not a racist club, our fans stand up against racism". It's all about club image.

This is the same with any club really, not just Luton.

 

[Kenneth E End]

If this was true, Gary would be among the first to condemn, punish and educate. This is the thing, it wasn’t true and I am sure the police will vindicate that view. I’m not sure how some on here expect Luton to investigate any more. They have spoken to supporters, senior stewards and the police. They have determined beyond ‘reasonable’ doubt that there was no racist abuse on that night. How else should they investigate? Have microphones installed in every part of the ground? Install 100 additional CCTV cameras?

I think some people don’t want the club to be innocent. It is disrespectful to say that football fans would not ‘dob in’ their own; that is clearly not the case.

 

[BelizeHatter]

I can see Bottega Dons point and side of the argument. Well put. We were pretty defensive and I'm sure that's Stadium approval thinking coming to the fore.

 

[BelizeHatter]

We are pretty Civic minded and it will however have hurt the Club/board feelings and sense of pride in their work in the community with staff and living wages and many, many other initiatives.

We've had a bad rep in the past with lots of shady shit from our fans and oppositions and had a bit if a name with trouble etc. Club has worked it's arse off to clean us up so this will have stung and perhaps we were quick to react but meant in a good way I'm sure. The truth will come out if it hasn't already

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

The reaction to it is almost certainly due to the stadium decision coming round the corner. It’s a critical juncture in the clubs history really, we are at a bit of a cross roads where we could potentially push on with the new stadium or probably wither and die at Kenilworth Road. No one had worked harder on it than Gary Sweet so he is obviously going to take anything that might jeopardise it very seriously.

Personally I think the club shouldn’t have released any type of “investigation” statement and just fed any findings to the police to aide their investigation whilst saying they are taking the accusations seriously.

As it is It has merely inflamed debate on social media and carried on the story and as BD has astutely pointed out has raised further questions about impartiality, whether fans would “Dob in” their own and whether the club is taking it “seriously”. They are I feel but the statement raises the question they aren’t which is not a good look.

 

[Maple Hatter]

It amazes me how much attention this has had and I'm deeply suspicious as to why. There is a lot at stake in the next coming weeks off the field and it seems a big coincidence that this incident is being widely covered now. Even if the incident did happen, and so far its been proved otherwise, its not a Luton Town FC problem. You can go to any football forum up and down the country and read about the minority of fans that clubs attract. Wasn't that long ago I read about a group of Barnsley fans at our recent game their. Quoted below:

"It’s not just at away games his happens. I took someone to the Luton game and sat in the Ponty end. Behind us there were 4 or 5 blokes who spent the entire match shouting foul language and making lewd and racist remarks.The racism included chants of ‘EDL, EDL’ making monkey noises towards a Luton player and when Cavare slipped in 2nd half said he’d ‘slipped on his banana’. They were going to the Charlton game as well so I was glad I wasn’t."

http://barnsleyfc.org.uk/threads/neanderthals.272852/page-2#post-2199552

The "kick it out" campaign is there because its a national problem. Some clubs have a greater problem than others but Luton isn't one of them and never has been. I've been supporting the club since the late 70s and have never heard monkey chants from home supporters. A shame that I can't say the same about visiting fans, especially the bigger away supports no doubt spurred on by the location of our ground.

This isn't a case of poor old Luton being targeted again. It just seems that the media has once more latched on to a non story instigated by people who have another agenda.

Shame that we aren't talking more about the positives coming from the club both on and off the field of which there are many.

 

[Bottega Don]

It amazes me how much attention this has had and I'm deeply suspicious as to why. There is a lot at stake in the next coming weeks off the field and it seems a big coincidence that this incident is being widely covered now. Even if the incident did happen, and so far its been proved otherwise, its not a Luton Town FC problem. You can go to any football forum up and down the country and read about the minority of fans that clubs attract. Wasn't that long ago I read about a group of Barnsley fans at our recent game their. Quoted below:

"It’s not just at away games his happens. I took someone to the Luton game and sat in the Ponty end. Behind us there were 4 or 5 blokes who spent the entire match shouting foul language and making lewd and racist remarks.The racism included chants of ‘EDL, EDL’ making monkey noises towards a Luton player and when Cavare slipped in 2nd half said he’d ‘slipped on his banana’. They were going to the Charlton game as well so I was glad I wasn’t."

http://barnsleyfc.org.uk/threads/neanderthals.272852/page-2#post-2199552

The "kick it out" campaign is there because its a national problem. Some clubs have a greater problem than others but Luton isn't one of them and never has been. I've been supporting the club since the late 70s and have never heard monkey chants from home supporters. A shame that I can't say the same about visiting fans, especially the bigger away supports no doubt spurred on by the location of our ground.

This isn't a case of poor old Luton being targeted again. It just seems that the media has once more latched on to a non story instigated by people who have another agenda.

Shame that we aren't talking more about the positives coming from the club both on and off the field of which there are many.

This is part of the problem though. So many clubs and fans of those clubs are quick to dismiss the fact racism happens at their clubs. Just because you've never heard it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. This whataboutery is quite ridiculous, we shouldn't ignore Luton's potential racism issues just because other clubs have those issues too. This issue isn't an indictment on Luton Town, it's more of an indictment on football fans in general and the PR people that try and keep their clubs away from the issues.

I've personally never heard any racism at a Scunny game but I have no doubt in my mind that it will happen. There are horrible human beings who support any clubs and our clubs should be doing more to ban those fans rather than protect them for the sake of good PR.

Focusing on positives on and off the pitch is a very easy way to completely push aside pressing issues that are a lot more important than a team winning a match.

 

[PuB]

Quite right, this all seems very dismissive from the Luton fans. I too haven't heard heard any racism at a Gills game that I can remember, not saying we must be better fans than yours, just that if there is a problem the only way to solve it is to recognise it in the first place.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I agree, the point to be upset about the accusations is if they are proven false after an investigation by the police. Not now.

The same is true of Oatley et al though for me, they shouldn’t be crucifying the club on twitter for accusations that are at the moment not proven.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Moving away from the rascism debate, this is quite an interesting article that provides a view of how each team are doing from a data perspective.

https://wherethesmokegoes.wordpress...an-shot-data-tell-us-about-the-season-so-far/

Some interesting stuff in there if you are of that particular bent.

A couple of months or so ago we looked pretty bang average according to this data but are now one of the top performers with a good defence that gives up mainly low quality chances and a good attack that creates a lot and probably should have had a few more goals than we do at the moment.

Also points out that Perterborough in particular are over performing against the data.

Also confirms what a lot of the Bradford fans have been seeing of late in that they seem to be in a really bad way indeed.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Moving away from the rascism debate, this is quite an interesting article that provides a view of how each team are doing from a data perspective.

https://wherethesmokegoes.wordpress...an-shot-data-tell-us-about-the-season-so-far/

Some interesting stuff in there if you are of that particular bent.

A couple of months or so ago we looked pretty bang average according to this data but are now one of the top performers with a good defence that gives up mainly low quality chances and a good attack that creates a lot and probably should have had a few more goals than we do at the moment.

Also points out that Perterborough in particular are over performing against the data.

Also confirms what a lot of the Bradford fans have been seeing of late in that they seem to be in a really bad way indeed.

Going by that data were the best team in the league (obviously). If only football were played on spreadsheets...!

 

[Bartonyellow]

Appreciate your plane speaking my friend

I do also appreciate plane speaking.
Boeing make some bloody good planes don’t they?
And that new Dreamliner is lush.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

I do also appreciate plane speaking.
Boeing make some bloody good planes don’t they?
And that new Dreamliner is lush.

Airbus have the A380 though, which is the best around imo.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Whether football is played on paper, spreadsheets or grass one thing we see from all the data is we're fucking shite.

 

[Bartonyellow]

Airbus have the A380 though, which is the best around imo.

You are quite correct.
Great for leg room too.

 

[finley]

Play up pompey,seriously you won’t even have to do that to beat this current Bradford City team.There is going to be a flyover protest against our owners tomorrow at 3.15 and while I totally agree with the protest it saddens me that it’s come to this.Anyhow back to the game 0-3 Pompey easy win.

 

[Stanleyfan]

Coventry away for us tomorrow - I wasn't aware that they'd been on such a good run. We had two hard-fought wins against them last year. Another tough one coming up tomorrow!

 

[Cas]

Can't you miserable buggers just get behind the lads for once and stop all this bloody moaning about ownership and that.

No. Me neither.

6-0 Portsmouth. Edin out.