Accrington v Luton

[BelizeHatter]

Bit of an acid test for us as we're in form and playing an inform and current holder of an auto promotion spot, with us lurking just behind. Could be a cracker and it's never an easy game up there. How they continually challenge is beyond me and huge respect - obviously well run and managed club.

We have had a reasonable fixture list of late, playing some of the lower sides but nothing compared to Stanley who have played 9 of the bottom 12 and all the bottom four - so maybe we're both in slightly false positions.

I'm hoping we can continue our results and turn in the real all round performance we've been threatening, take a good win and give ourselves a real shot in the arm as well as let others know we mean business. Tough game though and no expecting it.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Can only echo what Belize has written. A tough game against a team in form who are always difficult to beat. I suspect Accrington have a good relationship with the clubs in the area to be able to get hold of the talent they have in their team coupled with the fact that they have a successful management set up. We don't have the best of away records this season and NJ has hinted that he might change the formation for certain games to add more physical threat. The fans are looking for more consistancy and to able to put in a serious promotion challange we really need to start winning these type of games, that is against clubs that don't have the same quality. Hopefully we will have a few more options this weekend with players returning to the squad. A good September will have given us some confidence and hopefully we'll continue where we left off. A tough month this but we are capable of getting points from all of them. I've predicted a draw and would be content with that. If you draw your away games and win your home ones you stand a good chance of getting automatic promotion. A win would be a bonus tomorrow but not that unexpected. It is a Saturday game afterall. A midweek fixture would have been a tougher task.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Going in optimistic, Hylton looked so good against Newport I’m hoping he can continue that form and I think we’ve got a real player in Cornick.
Bit disappointing that Gambin is off with Malta as he has played really well recently but we have some good players I call upon in midfield. Think I’d like Berry to come back in to replace him, hasn’t had a goal impact yet but I’ve liked the look of him so far.

This is quite a big month for us I think, playing teams that seem to be in decent form so a win here would really set us up nicely.

 

[Hatter86]

Good to see D'ath back Tuesday night, played really well toward the back end of last season. Could use his energy in the midfield.

 

[ASFC Tom]

Jackson should be back for us tomorrow - him and Kee have formed a decent partnership. We seem to raise our game against the better placed teams, and find a way of winning/scoring late. Predict a close game with both teams scoring. Stanley win 3-2

 

[GTFCfish]

I can see Accrington nicking a win here, they just seem to always have the knack of springing a result at home against the better teams somehow, 2-1 Accy.

 

[Kenneth E End]

How are Accrington doing it every season? They've lost two of their first choice defenders from last year to higher division clubs - Pearson and Beckles, yet they keep finding an reproducing talent to compete.

I also note they have eight players on loan, seven of which are up for renewal in January. Slightly dangerous to have all of these players they could potentially lose over new year? Does it also affect the legitimacy of the league that they can bring in so many of these players?

 

[ASFC Tom]

How are Accrington doing it every season? They've lost two of their first choice defenders from last year to higher division clubs - Pearson and Beckles, yet they keep finding an reproducing talent to compete.

I also note they have eight players on loan, seven of which are up for renewal in January. Slightly dangerous to have all of these players they could potentially lose over new year? Does it also affect the legitimacy of the league that they can bring in so many of these players?

The management have a real knack of finding young players, many who have not performed at higher league clubs, but recognise that they have 'something' about them. The other bit is the belief they instill in the team - the fans rarely complain about effort, it nearly always feels like we can get a decent result. We have also never stood in the way of a player leaving to a bigger, higher league team - think that means there is a lot of trust between players and management.

We always have at least 4/5 on loan - usually able to extend for rest of the season. This year is a bit excessive - can't get them all in match day squad. Coleman has talked a lot about signing some of them as transfers.

 

[Chris FGR]

So Accrington fans do exist on here then. Not one post from any on our match thread last week.

 

[ASFC Tom]

So Accrington fans do exist on here then. Not one post from any on our match thread last week.

I was on holiday

 

[Maple Hatter]

The management have a real knack of finding young players, many who have not performed at higher league clubs, but recognise that they have 'something' about them. The other bit is the belief they instill in the team - the fans rarely complain about effort, it nearly always feels like we can get a decent result. We have also never stood in the way of a player leaving to a bigger, higher league team - think that means there is a lot of trust between players and management.

We always have at least 4/5 on loan - usually able to extend for rest of the season. This year is a bit excessive - can't get them all in match day squad. Coleman has talked a lot about signing some of them as transfers.

Nothing new about frinch players from clubs in the higher leagues coming down a division or two. I'm less sure about how it works financially by that I mean how much of a percentage Accrington pay towards the players salaries. Do some parent clubs pay the whole salary or is there a rule in place which means that some of the salary is paid by the lower league club? It seems to me there is a risk that this system could give some clubs an unfair advantage. We rely less on loans and use the transfer market at a cost taken from the income we generate, the balance on transfers and our investors. Our salary bill probably dwarfs that of Accrington but I feel our club has no choice based on the fact that we are a club with a higher league tradition and for this level a high turnover. Interestingly Accrington are above us in the league. A potential debate here on yet another element of the modern game which affects the lower leagues.

 

[Son of Cod]

So Accrington fans do exist on here then. Not one post from any on our match thread last week.

They probably thought it was some kind of behind closed doors friendly and not a proper league match.

 

[Chris FGR]

They probably thought it was some kind of behind closed doors friendly and not a proper league match.

Over 2500 there, so it wasnt the lowest gate in this league by any stretch SoC.

 

[ASFC Tom]

Nothing new about frinch players from clubs in the higher leagues coming down a division or two. I'm less sure about how it works financially by that I mean how much of a percentage Accrington pay towards the players salaries. Do some parent clubs pay the whole salary or is there a rule in place which means that some of the salary is paid by the lower league club? It seems to me there is a risk that this system could give some clubs an unfair advantage. We rely less on loans and use the transfer market at a cost taken from the income we generate, the balance on transfers and our investors. Our salary bill probably dwarfs that of Accrington but I feel our club has no choice based on the fact that we are a club with a higher league tradition and for this level a high turnover. Interestingly Accrington are above us in the league. A potential debate here on yet another element of the modern game which affects the lower leagues.

I was referring to actual signings when talking about players dropping down/being released from clubs. Wrt loans, I'm pretty sure we pay the minority of the weekly wage, but we have a proven record of improving players before sending back to parent club, hence able to bring in some potentially talented players on loan. Can't see why any team wouldn't want to take full advantage of this. Absolute glut of talented players at premier/championship clubs sat doing nothing desperate of a chance at league football.

Anyway looking forward to what should be a cracking game. Hope you lot brought your umbrellas!

 

[Kenneth E End]

Luton have made just the one change from the side that beat Newport County AFC last week:

GK Marek Stech
RB Jack Stacey
LB Dan Potts
CB Alan Sheehan
CB Scott Cuthbert
CM Luke Berry
CM Glen Rea
CM Olly Lee
RF Danny Hylton
LF Harry Cornick
CF James Collins
Subs: James Shea, James Justin, Akin Famewo, Johnny Mullins, Jordan Cook, Lawson D'Ath, Elliot Lee

We've got a lot of midfielders out, but that is still a bloody strong team at this level.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Accrington Stanley 0-1 Luton Town
James Collins

 

[Kenneth E End]

2-0 Luton
Danny Hylton pen
Blatant trip on Sheehan

 

[BelizeHatter]

Very professional away performance never in danger of not getting three points. Did the damage in a dominant first half and comfortable in second. Rea excellent in front of two great Centre Half performances. Everyone excellent, perhaps Berry off a little, but great performance and result.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Luke Berry just hasn't turned up in a Luton shirt yet.

 

[Trapdoor]

Kee doesnt enjoy watching football, maybe he doesnt like playing it either?

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Luke Berry just hasn't turned up in a Luton shirt yet.

A little harsh, thought he has looked decent in the games he played before his suspension, did a proper box to box midfield job perhaps minus the killer pass or two IMO. Did very well wining the ball back for us certainly. By all accounts Tuesday and today not as good but he has looked a classy player who has obviously got more to come from what I’ve seen.

 

[Bosox]

5 wins out of 6 in the League and only 2 goals conceded in that time for Luton since the ridiculous over reaction of so many fans after Luton lost one game when down to 10 men.

Probably the best run Luton have had since coming back into the League in terms of both performances and results.

 

[GTFCfish]

My earlier post in this thread is, in a nutshell, why I no longer bet on football.

 

[Kenneth E End]

According to John Coleman...
-Accrington could've had three penalties.
-Luton's penalty wasn't a penalty and Sheehan "cheated".
-Accrington's players don't dive, despite the clear dive in the second half and they're too honest to get penalties compared to Luton and Mansfield.
-No comment the Accrington player went down clutching his face despite the Accrington fans saying he cheated.

 

[Maple Hatter]

According to John Coleman...
-Accrington could've had three penalties.
-Luton's penalty wasn't a penalty and Sheehan "cheated".
-Accrington's players don't dive, despite the clear dive in the second half and they're too honest to get penalties compared to Luton and Mansfield.
-No comment the Accrington player went down clutching his face despite the Accrington fans saying he cheated.

Sounds like a bad loser. We deserved the 3 points today he can't argue with that. A fine all around team performance and a thoroughly deserved win. A difficult place to go to and played in wind and rain yet we mastered the conditiions better, won the majority of the challenges and showed more desire to attack. Stanley were second best.
This is a very good start to a diffcult month of games.

 

[oakroader]

Shame to call reactions by Luton fans as ridiculous.....
At the time all comments expressed were based on an opinion at that time...naturally there will be less negativity now things are going well .
Since when was there a proclamation to insist on only one view?? By the way....
Does the change in form not coincide with one player missing,heavily lambasted by myself and others...does it prove a point?
I don’t know...long may it continue.
We have a good squad which should be utilised and stop the stubborn approach of playing players cause they will come good some day!!??

 

[Kenneth E End]

Sounds like a bad loser. We deserved the 3 points today he can't argue with that. A fine all around team performance and a thoroughly deserved win. A difficult place to go to and played in wind and rain yet we mastered the conditiions better, won the majority of the challenges and showed more desire to attack. Stanley were second best.
This is a very good start to a diffcult month of games.

7 points from the remaining 4 matches in October is a good enough return.

 

[Chippy]

Shame to call reactions by Luton fans as ridiculous.....
At the time all comments expressed were based on an opinion at that time...naturally there will be less negativity now things are going well .
Since when was there a proclamation to insist on only one view?? By the way....
Does the change in form not coincide with one player missing,heavily lambasted by myself and others...does it prove a point?
I don’t know...long may it continue.
We have a good squad which should be utilised and stop the stubborn approach of playing players cause they will come good some day!!??

No it doesn't. Pelly has missed 3, a draw and two wins. He played in the other 3 of the run, all wins.

Proves nothing.

 

[oakroader]

He got sent off in one and played erratically at best in the others.....
ironically he was proving to find his form in the defensive midfield role which could have made the best of his attributes....
The team IN MY OPINION is playing better football without him.....
we have better players to play the attacking midfield role than him ....
Would/should NJ change a winning team???

 

[ASFC Tom]

Bullied off the ball all over pitch, with luton playing a good pressing game any time we did have some possession. This has happened once before against Cheltenham, hope teams don't get wise to our seeming inability to adapt to this. Slightly better second half performance but the game had gone by that point.