2024-25 Championship Match Day Thread

[That Fat Centre Half]

Don’t get me wrong… I said before the international break he had to go. I’m just aiming that at people who said the opposite before but would change their mind by this time tomorrow

I don’t think winning tomorrow does much unless it’s backed up by a run of results. A win tomorrow buys maybe an additional 5 games before the pressure mounts again if we don’t make some improvements.

Being honest I’m kind of expecting to lose tomorrow, but the manner is almost as important to me. We have been frankly pathetic this season so far, have barely played well in any game, just want to see us look like an actual team capable of putting in a performance really.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Team news in and I’m now less confident. Nakamba on the bench, stuck with a 2 man midfield with Chong playing.

He’s never going to learn

 

[Super_horns]

Team news in and I’m now less confident. Nakamba on the bench, stuck with a 2 man midfield with Chong playing.

He’s never going to learn

Well didn't matter for you!

We simply didn't turn up and even bother trying to defend well from set plays.

Another poor away day and I suspect this will go down very badly.

Leeds away next too..

 

[SF_]

That was more entertaining than anything Lowe served up at Deepdale, could have easily been a 3-3. We edged the first half and Coventry edged the second, both teams missing good chances. Massive save by Woodman in injury time to secure the win.

Frokjaer was outstanding today, being allowed to play with much more freedom.

4 clean sheets in a row at Deepdale under Heckingbottom, 3 wins out of 4. Just need to grab a win on the road soon.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Finally a performance that you can recognise from us this season. We were back to being aggressive and direct in the game where that really mattered most.

Huge win and hopefully a turning point for us

 

[Super_horns]

Clever by Edwards to play Morris as a 2 causing us all sorts of problems physically and our defence is weak like that.

 

[Robie]

This league seems a bit bonkers. Cardiff 5-0, Luton 3-0….

Not our experience at Oxford we seem to be playing pretty consistently with the opposition playing well apart from Norwich in the first game.

I just look at the results hoping the teams at the bottom lose and we keep picking up points.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Not sure where that performance came from... but then again, it's Watford. If they couldn't get up for that game, they wouldn't be up for any game.

That was the best performance since January. By a distance. Every player put a shift in. The aggression was back; even Cleverly was saying about Luton's dark arts. They got in their faces, turned over the ball high, had quality on the ball and put their head in where it hurts. The "Old Luton" were back. I don't really want to focus too much on negatives, but why has it taken a game like that?

That said, I couldn't believe how bad Watford were today. Defensively disorganised and clearly struggling at set pieces. They really couldn't live with Luton today.

Injuries are about to hinder us again though. We now have no backup defenders and a lot went into today - Burke, Holmes, Mengi, Walters all on the treatment table after today. There has to be more to it than just bad luck - clearly there's a real fitness issue within the club.

 

[Super_horns]

Not sure where that performance came from... but then again, it's Watford. If they couldn't get up for that game, they wouldn't be up for any game.

That was the best performance since January. By a distance. Every player put a shift in. The aggression was back; even Cleverly was saying about Luton's dark arts. They got in their faces, turned over the ball high, had quality on the ball and put their head in where it hurts. The "Old Luton" were back. I don't really want to focus too much on negatives, but why has it taken a game like that?

That said, I couldn't believe how bad Watford were today. Defensively disorganised and clearly struggling at set pieces. They really couldn't live with Luton today.

Injuries are about to hinder us again though. We now have no backup defenders and a lot went into today - Burke, Holmes, Mengi, Walters all on the treatment table after today. There has to be more to it than just bad luck - clearly there's a real fitness issue within the club.

Seems to be a common theme for us and letting in early goals to give teams a lift.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Not sure where that performance came from... but then again, it's Watford. If they couldn't get up for that game, they wouldn't be up for any game.

That was the best performance since January. By a distance. Every player put a shift in. The aggression was back; even Cleverly was saying about Luton's dark arts. They got in their faces, turned over the ball high, had quality on the ball and put their head in where it hurts. The "Old Luton" were back. I don't really want to focus too much on negatives, but why has it taken a game like that?

That said, I couldn't believe how bad Watford were today. Defensively disorganised and clearly struggling at set pieces. They really couldn't live with Luton today.

Injuries are about to hinder us again though. We now have no backup defenders and a lot went into today - Burke, Holmes, Mengi, Walters all on the treatment table after today. There has to be more to it than just bad luck - clearly there's a real fitness issue within the club.

Totally agree, not sure where the intensity has been but great to see it back today. That’s what got us promoted, it needs to be built upon though.

The injury situation is ridiculous and it seems to consistently impact the defence and centre halves in particular for whatever reason. There must be an underlying issue as it’s been consistent for a year now. Hopefully some of those aren’t as serious but fairly tight turnaround for Wednesday

 

[Don Tonberry]

So, that's what a win feels like...

Was a poor game between two struggling teams but I have to say QPR are by far the worst team we've played this season. As soon as we took the lead they seemed to run out of ideas and if I were an R's fan I'd be extremely worried. We played much better against Oxford yet only drew.

 

[SF_]

Mad how stock quickly falls, QPR were raving about that manager last season.

I don't blame any manager for jumping ship for more money when they're doing well.

You can get offered £20k a week, turn it down, and 12 months later you might have to consider a trash job like Blackpool, earning 6 hot donuts and a stick of rock a week.

 

[Super_horns]

I think he has just signed a new deal too..

Still get a nice pay off.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Didn’t realise there only win was against us, that’s probably the only other game this season where we looked ok too.

Still on a high after yesterday, I really wasn’t expecting us to finally turn up I must admit. Although today the win somewhat tainted by the injury situation, not sure what sort of defence we can muster against Sunderland

 

[SF_]

Norwich at home next, tough but winnable.

Whiteman returns from suspension but I hope he's on the bench, we look better without him.

Potts and Keane injured, Osmajic missing for game 3 of his 8-game ban.

I'd go for the same team that beat Coventry unless there are any knocks or tiredness.

Woodman
Storey - Lindsay - Hughes
Kesler-Hayden - McCann - Ledson - Brady
Thordarson - Frokjaer
Riis​

 

[Super_horns]

2-0 down already to poor keeper errors .

He was injured before the game on Saturday so obviously not fit yet .

Sort of decisions that get managers sacked .

 

[Tea Towel]

Out bored by the most boring team in the league

 

[SF_]

Annoying to fuck up a 2-goal lead but the draw was fair.

Another entertaining game at Deepdale. This is more like it.

 

[Super_horns]

I think that is 6 goals in a row at least we have let in that have been down to us not doing simple things right.

Nice to see a bit of fightback but cannot keep hoping to get lucky or having to do it.

 

[SF_]

Pompey doomed? I go through their 11 and not one player jumps out as being Championship standard, bar probably Callum Lang.

Obviously not many points in it, but they just seem a bit crap.

 

[Don Tonberry]

I'll wait until Friday before condemning us but it really ain't looking good.

 

[SF_]

You'll smash us on the 9th now I've slagged you off.

 

[Pompeyblueboy]

You'll smash us on the 9th now I've slagged you off.

Hope so

 

[Super_horns]

Luton might have a few complains about the officials by the sounds of it .

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

After about 2 minutes I thought we were in for a real beating as Sunderland cut through us with real ease twice.

After that we found our feet and it was that aggressive pressing direct performance we had against Watford. Really thought we played well and almost roughed them up a bit. Sunderland couldn’t get out and looked a little shell shocked

Started the second half well but then Ching made an error to let them in for the goal. Rocked us but we worked back up and got the goal and I really thought we would go on and win. But then again Chong gives it away in a dangerous area and fair play it’s a good strike.

Can’t have any complaints on the performance, we were good and we look more like ourselves again in these last 2 games. Play like that we will be fine and start picking up more points and wins again.

Only issue I have is that I’m still not sure Chong really fits in the side and would prefer another athletic type, genuine player in there to complement Krauss and Clark. Chong is a good player don’t get me wrong, but he struggles in those right areas where he lost the ball leading to both goals. Not going to dig him out too much, just don’t really think he fits in with our style really.

Not sure what happened at the end, way too many bodies to see if we deserved a penalty or not and the offside goal from my angle I didn’t see how Morris could be offside. But one of those things really

 

[SF_]

Sunderland will make serious money on Rigg and Mundle. Bellingham too.

 

[SF_]

Plymouth away, they seem solid at home and we're yet to win away. Would go for a draw if I was putting money on it, but should be going there with 3pts in mind.

Frokjaer has to start, Holmes probably the man to make way despite scoring on Tuesday.

Woodman
Storey - Lindsay - Hughes
KKH - McCann - Whiteman - Brady
Frokjaer
Greenwood - Riis​

 

[91SPP]

We've got Hull at home, no idea what to expect from them in all honesty. They had a really strong three game run, but have been largely poor for the most part. They do have some quality so capable of being dangerous on their day - just hope that Saturday isn't one of them.

I'd imagine it will be the same/similar team for the game as on Tuesday: Zetterstrom, Wilson, Nelson, Cashin, Elder, Osborn, Adams, Kenzo, NML, CBT & Yates.

I could see Jackson, Harness & Phillips potentially coming in after a short week though.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Absolutely unbelievable statement from us after Elijah Adebayo has, once again, had racist abuse directed toward him online

https://www.lutontown.co.uk/en/news/is-it-ever-going-to-stop

This part is incredible:
To the individual who cowardly dropped into Elijah’s DMs: We know who you are and you know who you are. You’re not a faceless account, one which we have sadly become accustomed to reporting in recent years.

But as if you have the balls to come to Kenilworth Road and say it to his face. We dare you. If you do, you’ll be faced with everyone at Luton Town Football Club, standing side-by-side with Elijah.

 

[Tea Towel]

Pompey doomed? I go through their 11 and not one player jumps out as being Championship standard, bar probably Callum Lang.

Obviously not many points in it, but they just seem a bit crap.

Not confident going there tonight

Quick turnaround after Tuesday, long trip and they’re bottom… it’s got a defeat written all over it