Railwaymen v Choo Choo

[BelizeHatter]

Shoutout to Oaky. Only created the thread to get the title in...... But also. We're Luton. We cant slip into the ignominy of a combined match thread

More of the same. We'll slip at some point but now is the time to focus and put the pedal to the floor and try and use the momentum to open a gap between us and 4th and make the inevitable slips look less costly.

It seems to me, for the first time I can recall in a very very long time, we are on the cusp of creating an air of invincibility in the mind of the opposition. IF we are and we can force that home and have a lot of teams beat before we even get on the pitch - great. To do that, now is the time to put a run together of multiple back to back wins. In the past teams have risen to the challenge and stifled or outplayed us. LFG

 

[Judge Dredd]

Wary of this, last time we strung two good results together (7-1 vs Chavs/4-1 vs Exeter) we promptly went on a 3-game winless streak including two draws away against teams you'd "expect" us to beat.

We still need to put together a long winning run, we're still yet to win more than 3 consecutive games this season (and possibly under Jones full stop?). It's great that we are putting teams to the sword fairly regularly, but on the other hand we have failed to score in nearly a third of all of our league matches, so there is still work to be done in the scrappier games where one goal either way can decide it. That's the true mark of potential champions rather than the 7s and 8s (though obviously those are great too!!). We are top of the league and bang on the magical 2 points per game mark, but if you look at our points per game so far it's actually quite a bit less than the teams at the top of League 1, the Championship and the Prem, so a long way to go yet.

Cuthbert out until the new year apparently which is a massive blow, arguably the player we are least equipped to replace in the whole squad as none of our other centre back options are nearly as physically imposing.

 

[JJ1532]

Think it goes without saying that I would snap your hand off for a point right now. Luton don't seem nearly as freescoring away from home and only have 3 wins from 9 games on the road, but with the amount of talent they possess, they probably should have way too much for us at the moment. Got a couple of injuries, squad is a bit threadbare and whilst the win on Tuesday will have given the players a confidence boost, we still aren't playing very well.

Saying that, we proved against Notts County that when we turn up, we can be very good. Going to take something similar in this one.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Looked at my prediction for November and so far so good. I predicted a draw tomorrow but that was at the end of October and since then we have gone up a gear. We need however to continue our momentum and somehow transfer some of our home form to our away games. Exeter second half proved that we can. No extra points for scoring so many goals so if we don't get the consitancy going then these thrashing won't mean much. Crewe seem to have struggled somewhat this season but so have we against teams in their position (Crawley and Barnet spring to mind). At the moment we don't need to be firing on all cylinders to win games as we demonstrated on Tuesday. Carisle at times knocked the ball about well and we couldn't get it off them but we still won comfortably because of our ability to score goals. 3 points would be an ideal preparation for our next league game against our nearest challengers. It was also keep the pressure on the chasing pack.
Team wise I expect a couple of changes from Tuesday. Cuthbert is a blow but we can cope. I expect Elliot Lee to keep his place. Whats the news on Collins? Not been on the bench either of late. I know he got a knock but didn't realise it would be enough to keep him out. Cornick played well when he came on Tuesday giving NJ another headache.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Could be a weekend where we randomly decide to play football, like against Notts County. You never know.

Will be happy to concede less than 4 though. Anything else is a bit of a bonus with December looking majorly important, 4 of 5 league games against teams in the bottom 10.

What a farce we're even speaking like this though ffs.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Wary of this, last time we strung two good results together (7-1 vs Chavs/4-1 vs Exeter) we promptly went on a 3-game winless streak including two draws away against teams you'd "expect" us to beat.

We still need to put together a long winning run, we're still yet to win more than 3 consecutive games this season (and possibly under Jones full stop?). It's great that we are putting teams to the sword fairly regularly, but on the other hand we have failed to score in nearly a third of all of our league matches, so there is still work to be done in the scrappier games where one goal either way can decide it. That's the true mark of potential champions rather than the 7s and 8s (though obviously those are great too!!). We are top of the league and bang on the magical 2 points per game mark, but if you look at our points per game so far it's actually quite a bit less than the teams at the top of League 1, the Championship and the Prem, so a long way to go yet.

Cuthbert out until the new year apparently which is a massive blow, arguably the player we are least equipped to replace in the whole squad as none of our other centre back options are nearly as physically imposing.

We have definitely won 3 in a row this season, think that run of Wycombe, Port Vale and Chesterfield was all consecutive and then I think we might have drawn with Morecambe and then done 4 in a row with Newport, Accy, Stevenage and then Exeter before drawing with Crawley.

Agree with the main point though that we need to get on another consistent run of wins, as you say all well and good knocking people for big scores but got to follow that up with consistency. Previously under Jones I dont think we had the mental fortitude for that, im hoping we have now. I think perhaps last season that last minute goal against Cheltenham might have knocked confidence a lot but we got straight back on the horse again which was really good to see.

 

[oakroader]

playing crewe over the years and predicting the result has been like picking something out of a revels packet..hoping you don't get a lousy toffee or orange filled surprise....I hope this game gives us the nice nutty one or the malteaser one or the flat minstrel type one...yummy...
so unpredictable...apart from the minstrel one... cause its flat!!
oakey

 

[Judge Dredd]

We have definitely won 3 in a row this season, think that run of Wycombe, Port Vale and Chesterfield was all consecutive and then I think we might have drawn with Morecambe and then done 4 in a row with Newport, Accy, Stevenage and then Exeter before drawing with Crawley.

I said "more than 3"! But yeah the second run you mentioned was definitely four in a row, you're right. I think that's the only time we've done it under Jones though? We definitely didn't win more than 3 consecutive league games last season (in fact it was only right at the very end just before the play-offs that we managed to string 3 together if memory serves). We might have had a better run in his first half season, I can't remember.

Agree with the main point though that we need to get on another consistent run of wins, as you say all well and good knocking people for big scores but got to follow that up with consistency. Previously under Jones I dont think we had the mental fortitude for that, im hoping we have now. I think perhaps last season that last minute goal against Cheltenham might have knocked confidence a lot but we got straight back on the horse again which was really good to see.

Definitely agree with this, we seem a bit stronger mentally this term and we have bounced back impeccably from set-backs thus far.

Personally hope McCormack is fit to play soon, Rea has been excellent but I think McCormack would be a great player to introduce (alongside Rea rather than in place of him) in situations like at Cheltenham when we are trying to grind out a result in a tight game rather than cruising through another rout. That's where the experience and nous really tells and it's turning those stupid draws into wins that leads to long winning runs and promotions.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Great win. Should have been a little more comfortable as we missed some gilt edged chances yet again, but a good test for the new look defense with Mullins at its heart, who again played well and was unlucky with the og. Stech still looks a little unsure to me on balls into the box. Crewe showed some class and caused us more problems than most.

Otherwise good gritty away display in horrible looking conditions where we got through the nasty conditions into the wind and driving rain in the first half. Seconf we scored two quickfire typical Luton goals. One great football all the way from the keeper rolling it out with some crisp passing slicing through them then a lucky break to Hytlton from a geat ball. Then win the ball from the high press and Berry slots it home.

Shinnie excellent. Dont know how he can not play. Cornick is superb but Shinnie creates a little more with incise through balls. I think I prefer him to start and then Cornick to destroy tired defenders but its not a big deal as both are great.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Shinnie was fantastic when he came on but I do understand why Jones went with Cornick to start away from home, you want to be pacey and direct and Shinnie has been anonymous in several away games this season previously (Lincoln and Barnet spring to mind as particularly poor). No doubt about it though, he dramatically improved us when he came on and sent a real message to his manager who has some real selection headaches now.

I thought Elliot Lee was excellent again all day. Probably was a foul for his goal that was chalked off, but a great assist for Hylton's goal and in general an all-round menace. Held the ball up well at times too which isn't really his game. Collins will have a battle on to get back in for sure.

Slightly nervy ending but honestly we defended very well and never looked particularly troubled after conceding, a nice change from the Cheltenham game where we really shat ourselves in the last few minutes. Very pleasing to watch us see out a game professionally, never historically been a strong point for us.

Was impressed by Crewe's number 11, the left winger. Pacey, direct and skillful, caused us problems.

Can't wait for the next league game now, surely will be a sell-out home and away and a proper top of the table clash.

 

[BelizeHatter]

I liked their 11 too. Played well and got a lot of balls into the box from the right late on just stepping inside and whipping them in.

 

[oakroader]

 

[TimeyWimey]

Artell lost us that with some stupid decisions and set up from half time onwards.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Great away performance today against a team who I thought looked better than their position in the league would suggest. Crewe played a bit like the away team today relying on the counter which in the first half at least made it difficult for us. Don't think the weather helped either. Second half we started to take control and the introduction of Shinnie was just what the doctor ordered. The chap has great vision. Could have scored himself to make it 3-0 but instead we let Crewe back in it to give the fans a nervy last ten, especially with Cheltenham still fresh in the memory. 3 points and still top and now onward to the top of the table clash. Good to see other teams drop points too.

 

[JJ1532]

Yes, injuries aren't helping, but I swear Artell is coming up with these selections and formations by throwing darts at a dart board. He got away with a crazy team on Tuesday, but against the better teams, it'll come undone. Why switch to a 3 at the back system? Why insist on these fancy formations that he doesn't have the players for. He should stick to a simple 4-4-2 and stop dicking around. We could have had a full strength team out there today and still lost, but the way the game went, we had a good chance of getting some points out of the game.

Holding them off fine for 63 minutes, then the defence shit the bed and bam, 2-0 down. Game over then. Our season isn't going to be defined by a loss to Luton, but the next 2 are huge, Cheltenham away and Crawley at home. Blackburn in the cup is a throw away bonus game. Don't risk any of the players still nursing injuries and knocks, get them fit for Cheltenham.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Yes, injuries aren't helping, but I swear Artell is coming up with these selections and formations by throwing darts at a dart board. He got away with a crazy team on Tuesday, but against the better teams, it'll come undone. Why switch to a 3 at the back system? Why insist on these fancy formations that he doesn't have the players for. He should stick to a simple 4-4-2 and stop dicking around. We could have had a full strength team out there today and still lost, but the way the game went, we had a good chance of getting some points out of the game.

Holding them off fine for 63 minutes, then the defence shit the bed and bam, 2-0 down. Game over then. Our season isn't going to be defined by a loss to Luton, but the next 2 are huge, Cheltenham away and Crawley at home. Blackburn in the cup is a throw away bonus game. Don't risk any of the players still nursing injuries and knocks, get them fit for Cheltenham.

I thought your manager got the tactics right first half. You didn't give us time the ball and tried to cut off our supply to the forwards. You also had a few decent chances. Second half was a different story. Not many Crewe fans in attendance. In fact the 4,5k figure looked very exagerrated. The home sections looked sparsely populated. I suspect season ticket holders are included in the figures and many decided to stay at home. A sign that not all is good at the Station.

 

[JJ1532]

I doubt it. We don't have a history of doing it. To do that would imply the club are conscious are PR and the need to create a positive image of the club by posting false figures. The only teams I think that do it are the big boys like Arsenal and Man Utd who want to create this "look, we get 60/75k every week, we sell our games out" spin. Us pretending we get 3k home fans in through the doors over 2,500 really isn't going to make a blind bit of difference.

I find our ground very deceptive in terms of fan numbers. I'd have pegged your away following at around 1,500, yet it was only 1,224.

 

[Hatter86]

Great follow up win for us, keeps the momentum going and rounds off a great month. Thought NJ got most things right yesterday. I would have started Cornick away from home too however Shinnies introduction changed the game. Elliot Lee great again, Hylton/Lee better than Hylton/Collins as a partnership? Will be interesting when Collins is back, nice to have options.

Might be a bit harsh however I do worry about Mullins at Center half until Cuthbert comes back. Would much prefer Rea alongside Sheehan, perhaps it’s something he can look at when McCormack is fully fit. Two cup games now so hopefully the chance for Collins and McCormack to get some minutes and get properly fit for what is a massive game against Notts County.

Finally, great new chant for Olly Lee to the tune of Let It Be, well done all involved.

Olly Lee, Olly Lee.
Olly Lee, Olly Lee.
Scoring from St. Albans,
Olly Lee.