Blackpool v Luton Town

[Maple Hatter]

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside. Seems quite a few are making the trip and most will feel we have a good chance of getting something from the game. Our play away from home has deserved more points than we have gained. Feel we just need a little bit of luck in front of goal. Hopefully we should have a bit of confidence after a fine win at home to Bristol Rovers. Starting the game in a positive manner is the key for me as our archiles heel has been making errors early on and having to score to get back in to the game. We know if we get the first goal then we are very unlikely to lose the game. Listening to NJ it seems its still touch and go with Hylton. Not too sure the extent of his injury but the latest seems to be a nerve somewhere in his body which is playing up. Personally I'd like to see him getting on the nerves of defenders and giving us that extra quality in the final third. NJ likes to mix it up away from home so its case of wait and see as to who lines up.
As for Blackpool I suspect the stands will once again be empty as the fans continue their boycott. Quite amazed that the players are still putting in performances in that atsmosphere. Lets hope that the Blackpool fans get their club back. Unfortunately they won't get much help from the football authorities and any victory will have to come with the help of their supporter clubs. It can be done!
An away win is overdue and tomorrow is a great chance to get it.

 

[oakroader]

I’m not taking the pith.
But I hope the oranges beat the tangerines in this citrus derby...

 

[Kenneth E End]

Well I succumbed yesterday and bought a ticket, despite the amount of travel problems on this route today, with Northern Rail strikes and Network Rail engineering works, as well as the Highways Agency deciding it was also a good day to be digging up the M6.

I think we will start picking up points away from home - 1 point out of 12 isn't exactly great, but we're playing better than those results suggest - I'd be as bullish to say, based on balance of play 7-8 points would've been fairer. But football is decided on goals (I know that is a cliche).

Losing Eunan O'Kane last week is going to be a huge loss and our midfield problems mount up with Luke Berry not going to be available for at least another month, Luke Gambin unable to be recalled until January and Alan McCormack possibly not fit either. Danny Hylton is also (supposedly) still struggling up front. We're a bit strapped for options. I would like to see Arthur Read given a bit of a chance in that midfield role.

I'd go for the following line up:
James Shea, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Sonny Bradley, Matty Pearson, Glen Rea, Pelly Ruddock, Andrew Shinnie, Jorge Grant, James Collins, Elliot Lee
Subs: Harry Isted, James Justin, Alan Sheehan, Alan McCormack, Arthur Read, Harry Cornick, Aaron Jarvis

 

[BelizeHatter]

Bang on with the line op except one sub. What's up with McCormack?

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Following from afar, sounds like a case of 2 points dropped to me with us missing a cutting edge in the final 3rd despite the work rate of the forward players. No doubting the effort that Collins puts in but not sure he has the quality for the level.
Perhaps needs a goal in off his backside but when Hylton comes back he has to replace him up there with Lee.

Still a points a point so we can be happy with that.

The more the games go on the more confirmation in my mind that we are a very comfortable mid table side for this league but just slightly lacking that final piece to go further than that

 

[BelizeHatter]

Was critical of our central defence a few weeks ago. Be interesting to see how they do versus some decent strikers and teams down the line, but very solid last few games.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Agree Collins seems off the pace. Perhaps having a few sleepless nights with the birth of his child recently. Thought we played well today and didn't let Blackpool into the game. They looked very ordinary. Our work off the ball is first class, we chased everything and tried to get the ball forward at every opportunity. We certainly looked more like the home team. That applies to the crowd as ours sang throughout the game and theirs hardly made a murmur. The boycott is certainly having an affect. If we can get our shooting boots on then I believe we can make a move up the table. The fact we are dominating games shows we are having no problem with this level of football. Hylton is greatly missed.

 

[BelizeHatter]

I'm afar too. I think if we can click into gear - which I suspect we will we as it looks a confidence/comfort issue over ability - we can start turning these performances into points. We could still push for playoffs but there is somthing missing at the moment. His name is Danny Hylton. Def short a striker tho as without him we're a bit powder puff. Cornick not stepped up and on like I hoped he might.

We all expected a half season or so adapting to the step up and added quality before we would see where we really were and that's how it looks to be playing out.

 

[Kenneth E End]

To be honest, I think both teams were lucky to get nil in this game. A pretty woeful game if you were a neutral at this one.

We didn’t play badly, especially first half, but zero cutting edge in the final third. At least goals at the other end have dried up a bit.

A woeful game to sum up a pretty woeful day travel wise. I’ll be lucky to get home 2 hours later than I should’ve done.

 

[codaplenty]

Nothing from any Pool fans on this thread, sums up the parlous state of the club. In fairness McPhilips has more than steadied the ship, would have liked to see you Hatters get 3 points, trust you enjoy the illuminations more than the game eh !

 

[Kenneth E End]

We are very very mid-table.

Blackpool though seemed like they had regressed from the season before last when they got promoted from L2. But I wouldn't be surprised if both of these teams took 11th and 12th place come May. I'd take that.

 

[Maple Hatter]

I disagree Kenneth. Blackpool were above us before we played them yesterday and yet I felt we were the better side for much of the game as we were at Doncaster and Portsmouth (currently 2nd and 4th). Win your home games and try not to lose your away games is what most promotion teams will aim for. Our home form has been good and our away form performance wise has almost matched it, Peterborough apart, and this despite injuries to key players.
I think your view is based on results which at the end of the day is what counts but you have to admit we should really have more points on the board. We are finding our feet in this league and doing quite well I think. In fact performance wise we are playing well above that of a very very mid table team. We are more than capable of making a push for the play offs.

 

[djs]

Fingers crossed, it's looking as if we are not doing too badly defensively, and to a large degree in midfield, at the moment. We are just missing someone to put the ball in the net. With a goal scorer we could well have won at Portsmouth, Wycombe, Doncaster and Blackpool, and remember the great chance that Hylton (remember him?) missed late on v Sunderland.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Just managed to catch up with the highlights, looks like Lee was doing his hold onto the ball too long trick. Takes too many touches on 3 occasions when better passes were on in very, very presentable positions. Good player, but head down too often for me.

Need a bit of ruthless efficiency up there really, we had it last season especially pre January time but lacking it this. Away from home we seem to be especially lacking in that area.

 

[djs]

Lee does my head in with his apparent inability to spot the bleeding obvious pass. All he seems to want to do is head down, dribble and shoot, usually when there is no shot on. Defenders know what he is going to try now, he really should learn to get his head up, and play as a team member, not an individual.

 

[Indian Dan]

You lot had better start pulling your finger out. My season accy is going well apart from you. Reckon you can manage 4th or better?

 

[Kenneth E End]

You lot had better start pulling your finger out. My season accy is going well apart from you. Reckon you can manage 4th or better?

No