Not a derby, unless we win... (Stevenage vs Luton)

[Hatter86]

Despite the title, it will never be a derby.

Feel like we need to win this one to assert some control. Although a lot of the chasing pack are playing each other so some will drop points, you have to imagine the lead will be cut if don't win and with Wycombe, Stanley and Mansfield in good form, things could get twitchy.

Like the 4-3-3 we have been playing recently. Would still with the same starting 11 as against Exeter with the possible exception of Hylton in for Jervis, only if he is fully fit mind. Didn't look right when he came on last week. You'd probably bring McCormack and Cuthbert in for Lee and Rea respectively if they are fit, however its looking increasingly like we might not see either for the rest of the season (McCormack moreso).

Going 2-0 Luton.

 

[Maple Hatter]

To be called a derby the rivalray must be two sided and the clubs must have played eachother over quite a number of years. Our games against Stevenage are recent with no history attached to it. Luton fans see this as no more than a local game in the same way as Barnet or Cambridge. Hopefully we will get promoted this season and not have to play this fixture in the future. Its a shite away day in a sparsely populated stadium (home end that is) with no atmosphere. Certainly can't compare it to the games we've had with Watford or indeed some of our half rivalry games for example QPR back in the day. Games with a two sided rivalry with tension and that edge which makes winning that extra bit special.
As for the game. We are getting players back fit have strengthened the squad and therefore the competition for places should be healthy. Also think we are starting to show signs of returning back to our old form lately. If the confidence returns fully then we could go on another run. I expect us to win comfortably on Saturday.

 

[northstandexile]

You could say it is the same kind of derby that was between
Mansfield and Alfreton and
Cambridge vs Histon in the conference.

 

[Kenneth E End]

The one derby in the UK that has more away fans living in the home team's town, than the home team themselves.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I hope we stick with the 433 from last week where I think we played really well. Keep that 11 i think too dont think we need to rush McCormack back with Downes seemingly able to play there comfortably. Good that he is available again but should be eased back in rather than starting for me

Will be interesting how Stevenage approach it. Sarll got his tactics badly, badly wrong in the 7-1 game in my view, played right into our hands on the day and was poor how he threw his team under the bus after the game i think, when i think he was majorly culpable with his naivety. Be interesting to see if he has learned from that.

Bar that 7-1 Stevenage have always caused us a few problems, need to win though and get another winning run on the go. One more decentish winning run of 4 or 5 games and I think we will be home and dry.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Apologies in advance, I'll be going to this one so we will probably lose!

 

[Kenneth E End]

So nearly 1900 Hatters are making the 10 mile trip tomorrow; the game selling out a couple of weeks ago. Think we could’ve sold most of the ground tomorrow.

 

[Hatter86]

Lot of bleating by Stevenage fans on twitter about Luton buying up tickets in the home ends. Not sure if it’s the case however my understanding is they don’t even use a database to check who they are selling tickets to entirely possible they’ll be a fair few more ofnis scattered about.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Odds on a red card today? Most likely one of the ex-Luton defenders wanting to assert a bit of 'revenge' on their former employers.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

More likely to be one of ours I would think, our discipline has been shocking this season really.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Lot of bleating by Stevenage fans on twitter about Luton buying up tickets in the home ends. Not sure if it’s the case however my understanding is they don’t even use a database to check who they are selling tickets to entirely possible they’ll be a fair few more ofnis scattered about.

Why are they so shocked? There are always Luton fans in the home end due to the fact we have so many supporters who live in that area. Even less of a surprise being the tickets sold out so quick and we are top pushing for promotion. Never normally any trouble. Can only remember one isolated incident which was over fairly quickly. The first time we played them in the conference they gave us some of the terrace. Could have been an option again especially with only 2k Stevenage fans expected to turn up. They do afterall need the money for their new stand.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Why are they so shocked? There are always Luton fans in the home end due to the fact we have so many supporters who live in that area. Even less of a surprise being the tickets sold out so quick and we are top pushing for promotion. Never normally any trouble. Can only remember one isolated incident which was over fairly quickly. The first time we played them in the conference they gave us some of the terrace. Could have been an option again especially with only 2k Stevenage fans expected to turn up. They do afterall need the money for their new stand.

There have always been kids thrown out for getting a bit overexcited - usually in the larger Stevenage stand on the far side.

It actually takes me less time to get to this away game than a normal home game.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Desperate game, complete non event until the penalty which on initial viewing I thought was a bit soft. Neither keeper made a save all day.

 

[Super_horns]

Desperate game, complete non event until the penalty which on initial viewing I thought was a bit.soft

Stevenage manager is claiming ref told him the tackle was "good" but he gave it for "2 hands in the back" as the defender made it..

 

[Kenneth E End]

Stevenage manager is claiming ref told him the tackle was "good" but he gave it for "2 hands in the back" as the defender made it..

Complete and utter bollocks. It was totally blatant - I was looking directly at it. He took him out from behind. It would've been criminal not to allow it.

 

[Kenneth E End]

A draw a fair result I'd say - no player from either side really got to grips with that cow pat of a pitch - seems to be a theme at most grounds at the moment. Its really stifling the way we play - hoping for a drier early Spring because Stevenage's pitch has totally gone.

And we still need to go to Newport...

 

[Super_horns]

Complete and utter bollocks. It was totally blatant - I was looking directly at it. He took him out from behind. It would've been criminal not to allow it.

Well the bloke didn't seem to disagree with the decision as such - just the reasoning!

Anyway as with all managers he would have taken that had it been for Stevenage Ofcourse.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Very disappointing game with no fluency. Ok the pitch was more suited to rugby but its February and you can't expect anything else at this level. When I saw the line up with no Hylton and no Elliot Lee I expected us to struggle up front which we did. Again we allowed the opposition to get in our faces and resort to a style of play we just don't enjoy playing. The scrappy nature of the game made it painful to watch and you just couldn't see a goal coming from any team. But then the late drama. A penatly with 5 minutes left and it looked like we'd got the win and 3 points which would have increased the gap even more to the chasing pack. Stevenage didn't look like scoring but it took us taking the lead to cause uncertainty at the back. I can understand NJ frustation at our inability to shut up shop and see the game out. Its a problem we know we have and it seems we go into panic mode when faced with it. A draw in all fairness was about right but its so bloody frustrating losing these late goals. It could have been so much better. A home game on Tuesday and then a much needed rest which we desperately need to get players back to full fitness and more import prepare mentally for the final push.

 

[oakroader]

Jones decision to bring on mpansy and dath defied logic at the time but he must feel vindicated at the end
But,jeez,what must he see that nobody else does?
Why can’t The Gambin boy get a game?

 

[Hatter86]

Jones decision to bring on mpansy and dath defied logic at the time but he must feel vindicated at the end
But,jeez,what must he see that nobody else does?
Why can’t The Gambin boy get a game?

I’d imagine because, as the surface was horrific, the ball was in the air for 80 minutes and Gambin is 4 foot 2?

 

[Kenneth E End]

Jones decision to bring on mpansy and dath defied logic at the time but he must feel vindicated at the end
But,jeez,what must he see that nobody else does?
Why can’t The Gambin boy get a game?

The Gambin boy can't get a game because he's probably been in crutches for the last month or so.

 

[oakroader]

Even so,a half fit Gambin,on crutches, could’ve come off the bench and not done any worse than the other two wasters....

 

[Hatter86]

Even so,a half fit Gambin,on crutches, could’ve come off the bench and not done any worse than the other two wasters....

We get it, you don’t like ‘mpansy’...

 

[oakroader]

We get it, you don’t like ‘mpansy’...

Hmmm...they don’t call you bullet for nothing...