Luton Town v Yeovil Town 5/8

[Kenneth E End]

So, that's the end of pre-season. Its been just over two months since "that" game v Blackpool at the Kenny. It seems supporters, the club and the team are well over it and I can't imagine there will be much of a hangover. Going to be high expectations again, higher than last season as Luton have recruited a lot of quality in addition to a squad which finished fourth in the division last season.

Luton won 2-1 against Scunthorpe yesterday with a team and formation that will closely match the opening game. A niggle for James Justin and Danny Hylton continues his recovery from his post season operation. This is the probable line up (4-4-2 diamond):

GK Marek Stech
RB Jack Stacey
LB Dan Potts
CB Scott Cuthbert
CB Alan Sheehan
DM Alan McCormack
CM Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu
CM Lawson D'Ath
AM Andrew Shinnie
CF Isaac Vassell
CF James Collins

Subs:
James Shea, Johnny Mullins, Glen Rea, Olly Lee, Luke Gambin, Jordan Cook, Elliot Lee
Attendance: c8,300.

 

[Son of Cod]

Woah woah woah. You know full well that single match threads won the vote. Modmins, please lock this thread.

 

[GTFCfish]

Lol funny you should say that SOC as I've just put a single match thread up!

 

[Son of Cod]

Lol funny you should say that SOC as I've just put a single match thread up!

Typical Luton doing their own Billy Big Bollocks thing.

 

[GTFCfish]

Typical Luton doing their own Billy Big Bollocks thing.

Only 3 certainties in life:

Death
Taxes
Luton and Carlisle still having individual match threads.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Woah woah woah. You know full well that single match threads won the vote. Modmins, please lock this thread.

I thought it was match threads which are locked on matchday where the one thread takes over?

 

[Son of Cod]

I thought it was match threads which are locked on matchday where the one thread takes over?

I thought it was one match day thread for everything with big games getting their own one?

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

So, that's the end of pre-season. Its been just over two months since "that" game v Blackpool at the Kenny. It seems supporters, the club and the team are well over it and I can't imagine there will be much of a hangover. Going to be high expectations again, higher than last season as Luton have recruited a lot of quality in addition to a squad which finished fourth in the division last season.

Luton won 2-1 against Scunthorpe yesterday with a team and formation that will closely match the opening game. A niggle for James Justin and Danny Hylton continues his recovery from his post season operation. This is the probable line up (4-4-2 diamond):

GK Marek Stech
RB Jack Stacey
LB Dan Potts
CB Scott Cuthbert
CB Alan Sheehan
DM Alan McCormack
CM Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu
CM Lawson D'Ath
AM Andrew Shinnie
CF Isaac Vassell
CF James Collins

Subs:
James Shea, Johnny Mullins, Glen Rea, Olly Lee, Luke Gambin, Jordan Cook, Elliot Lee
Attendance: c8,300.

Dont think you will be too far wrong with that 11 although perhaps Olly Lee will start, not in the DM role though but maybe to replace D'ath? Seems he has had a decent pre season but not sure either him or Cook getting a game will be particularly popular even for the first game! Personally I prefer Rea to Sheehan who i think gets caught out of position and struggles at set pieces a bit but its some and some really as his own set piece delivery is exceptional and worth a place on its own arguably.

When you look at the squad laid out like that its difficult not to be optimistic about the season, especially with JJ and Hylton to come in. Do think with, what in my opinion has been a slightly weird pre season, we might get off to a sluggish start.

 

[oakroader]

Every tom dick and Harry thinks we're gonna piss this league except most of the more "both feet on the ground" type Lutoners....
Nj has to show better management skills this season if he's to make the most of a promising squad....
Start by not planning a team around mpansy for a start!!

 

[Maple Hatter]

I think the favourite tag is justified. Doncaster, Plymouth and Portsmouth are better than anything club that has replaced them which should make promotion more open. The fact we have a better squad with NJ one year wiser should see us being a stronger unit. Hopefully with a more settled playing system.
The most difficult game of the season to predict is the first one. We beat Plymouth 3-0 at their place in last seasons first game, a completely unexpected result. Still think we will win on Saturday with a couple of late goals. The strength of the squad should create healthy competition and I fullly expect the starting XI to play for their places.
3-1 with goals from Collins, Vassel and a Sheehan free kick.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Every tom dick and Harry thinks we're gonna piss this league except most of the more "both feet on the ground" type Lutoners....
Nj has to show better management skills this season if he's to make the most of a promising squad....
Start by not planning a team around mpansy for a start!!

Think you are a bit harsh on Pelly Oaky although I fully understand the frustration with him, you can see he has something its just not consistent enough, feel like we all said it last season but its a big season for him now. He has had faith shown in him by being given a new deal so really time for him to put it all together otherwise you wonder if he ever will.

Agree with your point about Jones though - and I think that is an under discussed subject thus far. Still big question marks for me about Jones managerial ability that he needs to answer, especially in game tactics and his own game management. Made some real head scratching moves at times last season IMO and personally think he was out thought at times. Big season for NJ - he has no excuse for failure given how much faith has been put in him by the board this pre season, and indeed in general since he came in.

 

[oakroader]

Cheers fatty....
My lack of confidence in pelly is well documented and seems to be in the majority on Facebook Luton... how many chances is he gonna get to prove the ex West Ham tag always mentioned will somehow try to lift him to another level??

 

[Judge Dredd]

The majority of people on Luton facebook groups are mongs though, makes Outlaws look like a collection of geniuses.

Pelly excites and frustrates in equal measure true, but he was still almost unquestionably our best midfielder (McGeehan aside) last season by some distance (admittedly not a lot of competition there). There's been genuine interest from more than one Championship club too, his potential is beyond doubt although of course he has to do it a lot more consistently.

 

[djs]

I was on youtube the other day and a link popped up for the Conference game home to Braintree. Pelly spent most of that game passing either to the opposition, or out of play. Fast forward three years to the play-off games v Blackpool, and he spent two lots of 90 minutes doing pretty much the same, apart from one short ten minute spell. Given as well that he isn't able to power his way past league 2 players quite as easily as he did against Conference players, I'm not sure that he has progressed as much as Jones seems to think. And he rarely scores. For me, he is best used as an impact sub.
Strangly, his best performances last season were when he played as a defensive midfielder.

 

[oakroader]

He is sooooo overrated ....it is feasible that he continues to keep a place in the team on potential rather than form because it is the only way that we can offload him to some other mug who witnessed a 5 minute spell in a game where he managed a completed pass or a shot on target..

 

[oakroader]

I was on youtube the other day and a link popped up for the Conference game home to Braintree. Pelly spent most of that game passing either to the opposition, or out of play. Fast forward three years to the play-off games v Blackpool, and he spent two lots of 90 minutes doing pretty much the same, apart from one short ten minute spell. Given as well that he isn't able to power his way past league 2 players quite as easily as he did against Conference players, I'm not sure that he has progressed as much as Jones seems to think. And he rarely scores. For me, he is best used as an impact sub.
Strangly, his best performances last season were when he played as a defensive midfielder.[/QUOTE
Thank you

 

[Maple Hatter]

Our problem last season was that we tried to play our football too patiently out of defence with far too many many balls across the middle. When pressed by the oppostion we resulted to long aimless balls up front cutting out our midfield. There were too many games when our midfielders were played out of position or didn't know how to play the system NJ often adopted. Pelly had plenty of decent games last season. You can't deny that. But more often or not he didn't seem to know his role. I'm hoping this season we have a better balance and that we've learnt to play to our strengths. Despite all the negativity we were very near to getting promoted last season. I choose to be positive and am quietly optimistic about our chances.
Whats wrong with Outlaws Judge Dredd? There are plenty of decent posters, many that have done a lot for the club. The forum is non registration and not surprisingley attracts a fair amount of weirdos, many of whom don't support the club. Its a busy forum so its easy to be selective in what you read.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Nothing's wrong with Outlaws, I love the place, best footballing message board around bar none. It is infested with nob-heads amongst the great posters though, which adds to the charm.

 

[codaplenty]

Every tom dick and Harry thinks we're gonna piss this league except most of the more "both feet on the ground" type Lutoners....
Nj has to show better management skills this season if he's to make the most of a promising squad....
Start by not planning a team around mpansy for a start!!

Now then Oaky I was rooting for you in the play offs big time against Blackpool but seeing as you took pity on them I am now quite glad they got up as a real local derby awaits Fleetwood
I trust Luton will not make the same mistake this year, still waiting to buy you a beer at Highbury, have a good season mate and see you next year !!!

 

[oakroader]

Now then Oaky I was rooting for you in the play offs big time against Blackpool but seeing as you took pity on them I am now quite glad they got up as a real local derby awaits Fleetwood
I trust Luton will not make the same mistake this year, still waiting to buy you a beer at Highbury, have a good season mate and see you next year !!!

Can't wait my friend,whenever that may be??!!

 

[BelizeHatter]

omg. We look amazing. wtf happened

 

[oakroader]

 

[oakroader]

If Heineken did first halfs....

 

[Judge Dredd]

What the actual

 

[Judge Dredd]

We've discovered the secret of time travel and have Steve Howard and Andre Gray up front with Kevin Nicholls patrolling the midfield. Just need to recruit Curtis Davies...

 

[mowgli]

If Heineken did first halfs....

My neighbours there watching it mate but he's a Yeovil fan,i imagine he's on his way home about now.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Wow... well I was totally wrong, we don't look under cooked in the slightest.

Thought it was going to be same old, should have been 2 up within 5 minutes only to be one down from what looked a slightly dubious free kick, since then we've been unbelievable. Outside of the superb goals and play even the keeper has saved a penalty. What a half of football.

 

[MrGloverLover]

F'ing shite. Can we call the season off now?

 

[Judge Dredd]

We've got Ian Feuer in goal too

 

[Vanni]

Oh ye of little faith Oakey!