The Luton thread

[That Fat Centre Half]

We are struggling badly up front......Too much reliance on Collo who is buckling under the continual pressure. Im beginning to (.... errr have already given up?) despair Harry is ever gonna cut it. He has zero composure. If its not got an instictive instant finish and it needs a thought process he really goes to pieces. He needs a pro councillor as he could go sooo far.

Hylton is just done for all his amazing service. Has Lua Lua ever delivered as a starter? Amazing sub tho more often than not. Collo. The old saying springs to mind from the Vinny Jones quote of 'he can trap it further than i can kick it.' But hes be amazing for us. Nombe young and raw do e nothing yet but its wayyy too early to see anything tbh

Why did we splurge 1.5M on a keeper who for me is equal/slightly worse than we already had..,.... Get us a striker and we can consolidate and move forward.

I think I rate Sluga a bit better than that but the point I totally understand and more or less agree with.

For a club like ours to spend our biggest fee ever on a goalkeeper, a fee I doubt we will be spending close too again for a quite a while, is definitely a bit of a strange one.

I think most agreed at the beginning of last season a new keeper would be a good idea but i dont think anyone thought we would spend what we did on one, in particular one who we probably arent going to make a lot of money off in a resale either. Certainly last season those funds could have been spent on bringing 1 or 2 in at a more impactful position.

Ultimately that sort of money isnt available this season and I think we went into last season reasonably happy with what we had up front so its a bit of a moot point but remains a bit odd.

 

[Kenneth E End]

We are struggling badly up front......Too much reliance on Collo who is buckling under the continual pressure. Im beginning to (.... errr have already given up?) despair Harry is ever gonna cut it. He has zero composure. If its not got an instictive instant finish and it needs a thought process he really goes to pieces. He needs a pro councillor as he could go sooo far.

Hylton is just done for all his amazing service. Has Lua Lua ever delivered as a starter? Amazing sub tho more often than not. Collo. The old saying springs to mind from the Vinny Jones quote of 'he can trap it further than i can kick it.' But hes be amazing for us. Nombe young and raw do e nothing yet but its wayyy too early to see anything tbh

Why did we splurge 1.5M on a keeper who for me is equal/slightly worse than we already had..,.... Get us a striker and we can consolidate and move forward.

Don't agree with all of this - Collins has 9 goals after half a season, so with a bit of luck he can double that. How much would it cost for an 18 goal a season striker at this level - £5m+? We are lucky to have him and has given us tremendous service. I agree he has looked a bit wanting in the last few months bar his hattrick v Preston but for a team with our resources, he is invaluable.

Hylton is done for me - he should be shipped out this window (he won't be), but he's got 18 months to run on his contract, which shouldn't have been awarded in the summer. LuaLua likewise is a lot of resources for not much return.

Cornick is having a really bad season, albeit he's been doing a lot of the donkey work down the wings. I thought he'd grow into a £5m player improving on last season, but right now you wouldn't get 20% of that. We have given him a lot of time to grow into that forward player, but I wonder if time is starting to run out.

Disagree about Sluga - he has been fautless for nearly 12 months now and has earned us points on his own. He has proven worth every cent of the 1.5m EUR. He is in the top 6 keepers in the division.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Did notice the goals have tried up - do you ant Andre Gray back!?

A move might give him fresh belief and confidence.

Andre seems to be getting in the headlines for the wrong reasons. He's also 30 this year.

I'd take him on a 2 year deal though.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Don't agree with all of this - Collins has 9 goals after half a season, so with a bit of luck he can double that. How much would it cost for an 18 goal a season striker at this level - £5m+? We are lucky to have him and has given us tremendous service. I agree he has looked a bit wanting in the last few months bar his hattrick v Preston but for a team with our resources, he is invaluable.

Hylton is done for me - he should be shipped out this window (he won't be), but he's got 18 months to run on his contract, which shouldn't have been awarded in the summer. LuaLua likewise is a lot of resources for not much return.

Cornick is having a really bad season, albeit he's been doing a lot of the donkey work down the wings. I thought he'd grow into a £5m player improving on last season, but right now you wouldn't get 20% of that. We have given him a lot of time to grow into that forward player, but I wonder if time is starting to run out.

Disagree about Sluga - he has been fautless for nearly 12 months now and has earned us points on his own. He has proven worth every cent of the 1.5m EUR. He is in the top 6 keepers in the division.

I don’t think anyone can argue that Sluga hasn’t been very good for a while now, it’s the opportunity cost of what could have been got for that sum, somewhere else on the pitch and still got reasonably good goalkeeper play by some other means, either keeping Shea or getting a cheaper keeper by loan or free agent etc. For a club like ours who isn’t going to spend that sort of money very often at all, I think that’s a reasonable thing to question. I doubt there are too many clubs who have there most expensive signing ever as a keeper, and one who isn’t going to make you a boatload in resale potential either.

Collins at the moment isn’t working in this shape for me, it was a bit different midweek as we were playing higher up the pitch and getting balls into the box so he looked more involved, often he isn’t involved in the game and then a chance comes his way and he’s stone cold and snatches at it. A more mobile, dynamic striker that stretches the play in that position might make us more of a threat on the counter, but we might lose the pressing that Collins gives us. Also like you say those attributes do not come cheap. I thought it was interesting therefore that Cornick had little spell up front in that game and wouldn’t be averse to giving him a start there, even taking into account his known issues.

Cornick has had a bad season in terms of goals, but he’s been reasonably good as a creative force although as with most of our players, final pass is sometimes also pretty wayward. Doesn’t help that we often don’t get too many in the box for him to pick out.

 

[BelizeHatter]

I wasnt criticising Sluga for what he has done, more concerned for what he might. He has saved us points and is a good shot stopper. While it hasnt been fully exposed this season his confidence worries me. I can forsee (incorrectly i hope) a confidence collapse like when he first came. He is nowhere near as comfortable with the ball at his feet as Shea. One day he will clanger an open goal and im scared of the reaction. For his size and athleticism he should be able to dominate the six yard box, not be rooted to the line. For 1.5M Id expect a precence of these skillsets in a modern keeper, or at least see a fairly rapid improvement in them

Collo is irreplaceable on our budget at the moment and an amazing servant. One of our all time best ROIs. But man.......his first touch for a pro footballer.

I havent looked but does Cornick have any assists? Or enough compared to others if thats to be his main trait? Not that i can recall. Hes just a fast headless chicken that at this level rarely gets past a fullback, or inside the fullback and when he does doesnt pick the pass he could. Harsh. But a reality for me.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I wasnt criticising Sluga for what he has done, more concerned for what he might. He has saved us points and is a good shot stopper. While it hasnt been fully exposed this season his confidence worries me. I can forsee (incorrectly i hope) a confidence collapse like when he first came. He is nowhere near as comfortable with the ball at his feet as Shea. One day he will clanger an open goal and im scared of the reaction. For his size and athleticism he should be able to dominate the six yard box, not be rooted to the line. For 1.5M Id expect a precence of these skillsets in a modern keeper, or at least see a fairly rapid improvement in them

Collo is irreplaceable on our budget at the moment and an amazing servant. One of our all time best ROIs. But man.......his first touch for a pro footballer.

I havent looked but does Cornick have any assists? Or enough compared to others if thats to be his main trait? Not that i can recall. Hes just a fast headless chicken that at this level rarely gets past a fullback, or inside the fullback and when he does doesnt pick the pass he could. Harsh. But a reality for me.

3 assists so far this season for Cornick, same as Dewsbury-Hall for what it’s worth. If you look at some of the more advanced stats he is consistently out most creative attacking player.

You do ask yourself though if someone like Clark would have done better/the same with the same amout of playing time though i grant you.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Maybe im overly harsh, but it feels ive been waiting for years to see him flourush. To be fair weve stepped up a level each season before this one, so theres a new curve for him every time.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Maybe im overly harsh, but it feels ive been waiting for years to see him flourush. To be fair weve stepped up a level each season before this one, so theres a new curve for him every time.

Think everyone is in that boat with Cornick really, he has obvious attributes but also very obvious flaws, that his obvious attributes end up highlighting!

 

[djs]

Not me I'm afraid. Look back over the past couple of seasons and see how many chances Cornick has set up for Collins, which Collins has mostly missed. And how often does he have any other options in the box? Look at his pass to KDH last Sat when he did have an option. Remember that Cornick was leading scorer from open play last season, but this season has been used in a different way. Also other sides have cottoned on to how Cornick plays and are getting better at countering it, especially as Bree has been mostly out, and Crainie and Pearson aren't the best at supporting the winger.

Collins, I'm afraid that I don't see him as Championship standard. His poor touch has been mentioned. He just rarely gets off the ground when the ball is in the air. He regularly commits pointless fouls. He has no conception of staying onside - over the last two/three seasons he has had a number of goals ruled out for this, and is often offside for no reason during open play. It does my head in when, for example, Sluga clears the ball, but Collins is stood offside for no reason. Even if the ball goes elsewhere he has taken himself out of play as he cannot then get involved without the flag going up. Look at KDH's goal v Bournemouth last week, Collins was stood offside close to the keeper, any deflection, rebound, save, etc and the flag goes up. Yes, he has been a good servant and scored loads at lower levels, but he is not the answer at this level. In the meantime I'd like to see him in the middle all the time instead of covering the whole pitch, and make the others get the ball to him (then cross your fingers).

Sorry to have gone on a bit!!

 

[oakroader]

PRM about to be sold??
WBA Swansea and Norwich sniffing around...
Only 6 months left on contract...
Cash in now I say...

 

[Kenneth E End]

PRM about to be sold??
WBA Swansea and Norwich sniffing around...
Only 6 months left on contract...
Cash in now I say...

£3m and he can go.

 

[oakroader]

£3m and he can go.

His legacy would be a couple of promising forwards...

 

[BelizeHatter]

Man that would be sad. Love Pelly. He has grown and grown. If he can get a move to one of those he deserves it. Surely wed never get close to 3M esp with 6mo on his contract

 

[BelizeHatter]

This weekend brings the respite of the FA Cup and a free hit for fun, versus Chelsea. Had me reviewing where we are and some serious credit is due to the Club.

We are just coming off a rough six week run of fixtures, against many of the top teams - some twice, and 14 pts leaves us in a solid mid table spot. I was concerned with fixture congestion, winter starting up and the quality of opposition that a poor run and we'd be in the thick of a relegation dog fight.

So now we can look fotwards. With a run of mainly mid and lower table games coming up over the same time frame, a similar return would see us close to a safe points tally, which would be a remarkable acheivement by end if March early April.

Need to keep focused however as i read today Hull had the same points and gap to relegation at this stage last season as we have now.

But half term report is straight A's for me.

 

[oakroader]

We’re playing in a league of previous premier league champions,fa cup winners.fellow league cup winners...
I was watching a re run of the big match yesterday between us and the European cup team Leeds united,at the kenny,circa1974,which we won 2-1 in front of over 20000 fans..I was there in the oak road end,unbelievable atmosphere,remember it well,thankfully!!
Frustrated often....proud to be a Lutoner...always!!!

 

[oakroader]

You watching live BH?
What time is it out there?

 

[oakroader]

Bollocks defending..again

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

In reference to the above conversation, Sluga not doing himself any favours on national tv today!

 

[Super_horns]

Other way round and that first goal would have been chalked off I suspect .

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Yep hard not to feel a little bit hard done by by that to be honest. Ye we should be switched on but it’s natural for those on the pitch for their eyes to follow the ball that’s just gone off the field.

You also see in the championship refs regularly pull teams up for picking up the balls from the side of the pitch to take a quick throw rather than the ball that’s gone off.

That goal really knocked us for the next 10 mins or so by which time they’ve scored a second and probably sealed the game.

 

[Kenneth E End]

In reference to the above conversation, Sluga not doing himself any favours on national tv today!

First mistake he's made in a year.

We're someone still in this. After the first 15 minutes I was fearing the worst. We showed waaaaay too much respect to Chelsea. Being defensive, but not getting in their faces, nor aggresive enough. Asking for trouble and Abraham gets two of the easiest goals he'll have all season.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

It’s arguably 2, his bad kick puts us under pressure for the first and his position for the second is no mans land.

He’s still better than the 80 million quid man in the net at the other end though!!

 

[Super_horns]

Seen the difference there .

You guys miss a big chance .

Chelsea take theirs.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Yep but we do that at championship level so no surprise here!

Sluga has been great this half topped with the penalty save.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Did alright in the end. Still feel a bit hard done by on the first goal, obvious statement alert but the longer we kept them at arms length you felt with their current situation they might get a bit jumpy and we'd be able to make things happen but that goal kind of put pay to that plan.

As it was the first goal knocked us massively and it ends up being fairly comfortable for them, Kepa howler aside.

Difficult to draw anything from the game given the opposition are a level above but thought Naismith at left back didnt look too comfortable which does align with some of the feedback ive read on him being a flexible player but left back being a bridge too far him. Still like to get someone specialised in that position.

 

[oakroader]

“given the opposition are a level above”
a bit of an understatement that...
They played in third gear at best for most of the game
We can only dream to emulate that lot
And concentrate on maintaining mid table respectability,as we deserve

 

[Kenneth E End]

I thought we did OK yesterday, but still not really doing ourselves justice away from home this season, albeit we have picked up some handy narrow wins.

We just didn't start off on the front foot - we went far too defensive and Jones admitted he made a tactical cock up, again. I think it was clear that the snow on the pitch hindered us more than helped us. We were never going to keep a clean sheet for 90 minutes, but even after the first went in, there was no more intent or aggresion that was needed.

We seem to be putting square pegs in round holes too. Rea is not a centre half. I don't think Naismith looks comfortable at left back. Tunncliffe and Mpanzu are not attacking midfielders sitting behind the striker. I also can't see how your top scorer doesn't get into the side v Chelsea away from home?

We are gradually building this club up. We haven't got a Russian oligarch, fake Sheikh or a billionaire who an buy and leaseback a stadium. We should not and will not be a quick fix. The faster you rise the quicker you fall. We won't be fulfilling our potential at least for another 4-5 years.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I thought we did OK yesterday, but still not really doing ourselves justice away from home this season, albeit we have picked up some handy narrow wins.

We just didn't start off on the front foot - we went far too defensive and Jones admitted he made a tactical cock up, again. I think it was clear that the snow on the pitch hindered us more than helped us. We were never going to keep a clean sheet for 90 minutes, but even after the first went in, there was no more intent or aggresion that was needed.

We seem to be putting square pegs in round holes too. Rea is not a centre half. I don't think Naismith looks comfortable at left back. Tunncliffe and Mpanzu are not attacking midfielders sitting behind the striker. I also can't see how your top scorer doesn't get into the side v Chelsea away from home?

We are gradually building this club up. We haven't got a Russian oligarch, fake Sheikh or a billionaire who an buy and leaseback a stadium. We should not and will not be a quick fix. The faster you rise the quicker you fall. We won't be fulfilling our potential at least for another 4-5 years.

I got the thinking behind the tactical set up we had to be honest. We aren’t going to start “on the front foot” at Chelsea away that’s a bit mad to think we would. End result the same - we conceded pretty early - but it’s more logically sound thinking to say “we are going to try and sit in and be compact” especially with the context of the game the relative pressure they were under, than play open early in the game against them. I also didn’t mind seeing Cornick playing up top instead of Collins, Collins is in some bad form and I think we could do with someone who is a bit more mobile and dynamic on the counter than he is, especially as currently constituted we aren’t really playing to Collins strengths.

I do agree on the point on playing players out of position though. It’s not something we did during our rise up the leagues but we seem to be doing it far more often since reaching this level. I really think Naismith can give us something further up the pitch and I dont really understand us bringing him in to play left back. I assume we have done that because he was available and it’s what we can afford at this moment.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Businesses have been given a few months to leave their premises on Power Court.

The stadium is happening folks.

 

[codaplenty]

We’re playing in a league of previous premier league champions,fa cup winners.fellow league cup winners...
I was watching a re run of the big match yesterday between us and the European cup team Leeds united,at the kenny,circa1974,which we won 2-1 in front of over 20000 fans..I was there in the oak road end,unbelievable atmosphere,remember it well,thankfully!!
Frustrated often....proud to be a Lutoner...always!!!

You remember games like that mate, even better getting on for 50 years later. To think most of the population of Fleetwood could have fit into the ground !