With the freezing conditions earlier in the week abating, the Kenny faithful looked forward to the first home league game in four weeks. Despite the “glad to be back mood”, there was a bit of a groan over the pre-match beers when the team news came through showing that Cook had been included in the side and Gray, who had played well recently, relegated to the bench. The other two changes to last weeks starting eleven were Glen Rea taking the place of the suspended Mullins and Vassell replacing our deltiologist “super Danny Hylton”.
Cambridge have been on a great run especially away from home and their last league away defeat was at Plymouth way back on the 10th September. The general consensus was that it would be really difficult for our side without the skills of Hylton who has just been so influential for us since his arrival from Oxford. With the game underway both sides were really putting their individual styles into action and an early chance almost came to “that lot up the road” when the ball was fed towards Newton deep in our area yet Justin made a fabulous challenge to cleanly take the ball; honestly that really was some class defending from the youngster. From there on for the best part of the next fifteen minutes, both sides probed away with Luke Berry at the heart of Cambridge’s play and Gambin plus Cook creating in midfield for the Hatters. It was probably after the 15-20 minute mark that we started to flow a little more as a team with some really nice passing movements and we almost took the lead when keeper Norris could not hold onto a cross from the lightning fast Vassell yet the luck was not with us and despite Cook closing in, the ball was cleared. Although goalless at the half-hour mark, it was really a decent game to watch with Cambridge always willing to power forward and had efforts that produced a couple of close shots towards the Luton goal and yes, I always felt apprehensive when Luke Berry had any dead ball kick within range of goal but no need to worry, we were doing just fine. In the holding midfield role, Pelly was thankfully continuing his splendid form and doing just about everything right, tackling, heading, creating space and fine distribution; he was looking real class. Also looking very worthy was Luke Gambin: there is not a lot of him but what is there is real quality but the story does not end there as the mighty midget never gives the opposition a moments rest when they have possession. It was really turning into a good game to watch and the Town were at last looking as if the wider element that had been missing from their game for much of the season was now available with the excellent young full backs Justin and Senior stretching the flanks. Finally we took the lead just after the half-hour mark with Marriott doing some fine work moving forward sliped the ball through to Vassell who had the close attention of a Cambridge defender but there was only going to be one winner with that sprint with Vassell’s power and pace taking him away to slot the opening goal past Norris and into the corner of the net. After that goal it seemed more self-belief came into our play: I would reckon that by the time the interval arrived that main stand Nathan must have been feeling quite happy with himself with the born again Pelly dominant in midfield and the very clever Gambin probing and constantly testing the Cambridge defence. As you would expect from a side with such fine away form, Cambridge did swing back into the game in the second half and they had a couple of very decent periods of midfield domination where they pressed the Hatters back but apart from a Luke Berry miss when he should really have at least made Walton make a save, we stood very firm. Pelly continued to play outstandingly well, Glen Rea was having his best game for a couple of months and Justin was cleanly picking up anything loose with his class play. Yes, we came under some territorial pressure for a couple of periods but held up very well. It really was a good game to watch and after that Cambridge pressure, we would again be on the attack upfield with some very sweet passing moves a couple of which forced Norris into decent saves. Then finally with about ten minutes remaining, we scored a goal to make the game safe when Vassell once again used his fine pace and power to drive past a Cambridge defender and into the box before being fouled for a penalty to the Town. Who would take the penalty with the usual specialists McGeehan and Hylton absent? Well, up stepped Cook to take the kick and calmly slot the ball into the corner of the net despite Norris guessing correctly with his despairing dive. Then we almost made it 3-0 when Cook released substitute D’Ath who from a wonderful position and only really Norris to beat, slotted the ball wide of the goal. So, there we are a good game to watch and a lovely three points that take us up to fourth place. Overall impression: A really good all round performance against a competent Cambridge side who has not been beaten in an away league game since early September. The fact that every player played meshed together as a team was just so pleasing and every player contributed to that performance; nothing at all reminiscent of a passenger in our team, we did well. Have we reached a tipping point where our team now start to really push and go on a run? Did that tipping point commence in the second half at Crewe a couple of weeks back when with 10 men we really started to play as a team? Well, I like to think it started at Crewe and lets hope in continues with the visit of Cheltenham on Tuesday night; I am looking forward to it. Some thoughts on individual performances: Walton: did not have that much to do but everything that came his way was very competently dealt with. Justin: as you would expect from a very experienced 25-year-old championship full back, an excellent game. His first touch when receiving the ball out wide was really excellent, great anticipation when defending/covering back; simply real quality. Oh hang on, Justin is still only 18 and playing in his 15th league game for Luton. Senior: playing his first home league game, Jack Senior had a great game. He is a natural left back capable of getting down the wing and also putting in a good cross: a young Scott Griffiths at his best. Cuthbert: Oh so solid as ever and up against the very physical Ikpeazu. Cuthbert gave little away being very good both in the air and on the deck. Another aspect of his game that has been emerging in recent weeks is that he now really acts as a captain on the field and has a word with the referee when he sees fit. Rea: nice to see Rea back to form yesterday; only one dodgy “Mullins moment” in the second half but otherwise he looked totally comfortable playing alongside Cuthbert. Pelly: the total transformation from a nomadic midfielder to a top quality holding midfield player continues and how good it is to watch. Pace, power, concentration, closing down, winning most things in the air in front of his back four and then capable of leading charge forward and making a quality pass. This role is massively important to the team's ability to tick and he plays it so well. Gambin: only his second game since arriving from Barnet and he has really impressed me in both games. It’s not just his ability on the ball, but the fact that he is constantly in the game all over the pitch. One moment he will be making a move forward in midfield and the next winning the ball from the oppositions feet; I did not expect that from such a physically light guy against L2 bully boys; very pleasing. Smith: as ever Smith is Smith and I hope that does not sound too dismissive of his contribution and fight for the team: you simply get “what it says on the tin”, total commitment. Cook: after the previous anonymity of most of his previous 22 league games, it was great to see Cook having by far his best game for the club. He had some great touches, good all-round game and coolly slotted the penalty away. Has the Cook that Walsall wanted to keep during the summer finally arrived? I saw a friend at half time and I was going on about what a decent game Cook was having; my friend said: “can I record that”: fair enough and well done Cook, he had a good game. Marriott: Jack maintained his return to form and although he did not score, he had a fine game and played a part in the move leading to Vassells’s opener. Vassell: quite a physical presence as the head bandaged Cambridge centre-half will tell you. His pace and power when on a charge is simply frightening for L2 defenders and they seem to have little answer to it as seen by his goal and penalty win. He had a really good game and is developing nicely but one thing he has to remember is that he has others such as Marriott who could sometimes be better placed to have that go on goal but if that awareness develops we will have a real Andre Gray type once again. The Subs: Sheehan, D’Ath and CMS were all introduced late in the game and all got stuck into the task. D’Ath will remember that miss from a splendid break but at least the guy was there and in the right place to take part in a splendid counter-attack. The Teams Luton: Walton, Smith, Cuthbert, Cook, Marriott (CMS), Rea, Pelly, Vassell, Senior (Sheehan), Gambin (D'Ath), Justin Unused subs: O'Donnell, Gray, Lee, King Cambridge: Norris, Dunne (McDonagh, 84), Roberts, Legge, Mingoia (Lewis, 77), Berry, Dunk (Williamson,45), Carroll, Newton, Ikpeazu, Halliday Referee: Seb Stockbridge: I thought he had a good game and so refreshing after that incompetent food last week at Wycombe. Attendance: 8,917
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Oh, what a horrible bitterly cold day to watch football on and after a fairly reasonable trip to Adams Park situated somewhere near hell at the end of an one horse road industrial estate, I looked forward to a couple of pints of ale from the previously very good beer Marquee. Sadly this year, no barrels of real ale, not even something that masquerades as beer. The offerings were 400ml bottles of either cider or Heineken at a ridiculous £4 a bottle. The Wycombe hospitality now rates on a par with my opinion of Gareth Ainsworth, the master of the black arts of lower league football.
Nathan made three changes from last Saturday’s starting line-up with Cook & D’Ath relegated to the bench and Sheehan suspended, their places being taken by Smith, Gambin and Senior. Some fairly notable stuff there with first starts for Senior, new boy Gambin and maybe NJ finally grasping the nettle with the ineffective Cook not being risked. In effect, the starting line-up was the “Crewe second half 10” plus the mighty Gambin. Also worth noting, the relatively youthful average age of the team at around 23 to 24 years of age. In the first half, we were the better side with Wycombe hardly getting a look in on Walton’s goal. Indeed it was really encouraging to see the continuation of that team togetherness we saw last week in the second half at Crewe. Unfortunately from fairly early in the game, the referee started to display his total lack of competence as Hylton got dumped on the deck time after time by the Wycombe bouncers yet the substandard referee just waved play on! A couple of times in that first half we could have taken the lead once with Jack Marriott racing in from the right and sending a shot onto the top of the bar and another with a well struck Pelly effort from the edge of the area that resulted in a save. Yes, we were the better side in that first half but despite that, we went into the break on equal terms with the Ainsworth’s dirty dozen. When the second period got underway we looked even more impressive as a team as we continued to press the “lump it forward” chair boys further back. My god, the good folk of Wycombe have to watch this dreadful physical long ball football every week and also get to the ground along that awful lane; I would simply hate it! Our pressure finally told in the 56th minute when the man who never scores combined with the team that can’t score from corners to give the Town the lead. Gray hit a corner over and Cuthbert making a late run into the area sent a powerful header into the back of the net. Honestly, no more than we deserved as we had been much the better side. Wycombe had the odd chase into Walton’s penalty area but most of it was based on the lumping the ball up-field whenever the possibility arose. What really is a shame is that despite continuing to press forward we could not add to our score and put the game to bed; still not to worry as up to the first 72 minutes we looked to be fairly calmly in control of events. The referee then gave Hylton a final warning in the company of Captain Cuthbert “listen, son, if you keep protecting whilst the Wycombe lads kick the shit out of you, I will have to send you off; take your kicking like a man”. However, to be fair, Hylton as well as receiving stick was dishing some out himself and a red card for him would have been no help to us at all. Now, this was getting a touch dodgy and it was obvious that Nathan was going to have to replace Danny with Vassell some time soon. That “some time soon” arrived in the never to be forgotten 72nd minute which I am sure I will remember for a very long time: Mullins received the rolled out ball from Walton with Senior screaming away down the left in open space just waiting for Mullins to release the ball to him, surely he would make the pass. However, Mullins dithered lost control of the ball and made a silly challenge to the onrushing Wycombe player right in front of the linesman who immediately flagged like fury: result, a red card for Mullins. Mullins, the most experienced player in our team, to my mind made a complete and utter mess of the whole needless situation, certainly a game changer if ever there was one. Just so sad as the situation was not imposed but one of Mullin’s own creation. Nathan then immediately withdrew Hylton and Gray sending on Rea and Vassell. From that moment our shape changed, our dominance evaporated and we were under pressure. With Hylton off the field, our outlet play became much more restricted but we could still have snatched a second goal had Vassell, running in from the left, been a touch brighter and crossed to the unmarked Marriott rather than shooting from a terribly tight angle. Then as the Wycombe pressure mounted with the man advantage and loss of Hylton really telling, they did what they are good at, simply sending ball after the ball into the area. That old war horse Akinfenwa rose to head an equaliser; yes, good goal but Glen Rea is no Cuthbert in the air is he. So we played out the final stages of the game clinging on to a point when we really to my mind should have had the game sewn up with all three points safely in the bag; such is football. Overall Impression: Well although I felt we deserved all three points, a point from a Wycombe side that has been on a good run, is not a bad result. I honestly believe that had Mullins not been dismissed then we would have quite probably have seen the game out for a 1-0 win. Note: up to the sending off Mullins had been playing well at the centre of the defence. The pleasing parts about the overall performance and that from the second half of last week’s Crewe game were that we actually look far more of a complete side with a working midfield and a holding player in Pelly who simply looks more of a natural in that role than Lee. The difference of course between our 10 men last week and yesterday’s starting line-up was also having that little industrious tiger, Gambin, in midfield; looks to be another good signing by Nathan. Sticking with the positives, maybe Nathans preferred formation will now start to fly as by the looks of Senior, we have a natural wing back far more gifted in that role than others tried this season: note I base that on the four times I have seen him play not just yesterday’s effort alone. The Sunday Rant: Well, I think that has to be the awful refereeing performance of Mr Heywood but I have moaned about that man enough. Also, I feel that Ainsworth gave his central defenders a clear brief to “rough up” Hylton as much as the referee would allow them and goodness, they got away with a lot; I am absolutely no fan of that publicity seeking Wycombe manager who schools his side in the darker side of L2 football. Some thoughts on individual performances Walton: decent enough game and well beaten by a very good header from genial Akinfenwa. Justin: usual solid defending, made some excellent clean tackles and always looking to get forward. Cuthbert: simply outstanding yet again, now playing like a captain. What an incredibly improved player from the one we were unsure about for a good half of last season. Also, at last, Cuthbert scored a goal for Luton. If you have Hatters Player, then take a look at a very honest and dignified interview from him. Mullins: he was really playing well up that dreadful dithering moment that resulted in his early departure. His second red card of the season, so I suspect he will now miss a few, four possibly, games. Senior: his first league start for the Town and what a solid game he had; another good find Nathan. Pelly: a very decent game in his new holding position where he gets continually involved in the game and is always looking for a constructive outlet ball. Smith: as ever, what you see is what you get. Gray: continually involved in the game and scrapped for possession when it required it. He deserves a run in the team. Gambin: what a good first game this impressive slightly built lad had for the Hatters. I was really impressed with all aspects of his game, continually fighting for possession, tackling, crossing, and even winning a few headers. It was only a first game but a very encouraging start. Marriott: although he did not score, he did come close and gave the Wycombe bouncers quite a hard time. Hylton: despite being targeted by the two centre back giants of Wycombe, he gave them a terribly tough time despite getting no protection form a simply incompetent referee. Maybe at times Hylton himself was overly competitive but that’s our Danny. The Subs: Rea: usual battling performance but for me, his form has slipped since November. Should he have picked up Akinfenwa for that equaliser? Vassell: a bit disappointing to be honest; I don’t know what instruction he was given by NJ but just not really effective or smart enough: he has done much better in the past. O’Donnell: only really on for a few minutes. The Teams: Wycombe: Blackman, Jombati, Jacobson, Stewart, Pierre, Gape, O'Nien, Wood, Cowan-Hall (Kashket, 66), Hayes (Saunders, 66), Akinfenwa Luton: Walton, Justin, Senior, Cuthbert, Mullins, Smith, Gray (Rea, 72), Mpanzu, Gambin, Marriott (O'Donnell, 88), Hylton (Vassell, 72) Unused subs: King, Cook, Mackail-Smith, D'Ath Well, a day’s travel relying on the trains and gratefully all five trains and connections for the round trip worked so well; maybe that train travel monkey that has been sitting on my back for a couple of seasons finally given up on me.
I say it time and again, I really love away games and a great part of that is the social side of the day both in terms of travelling with fellow football supporters and seeking out good real ale haunts for a couple of beers before the game. After yesterday, a few friends will have an addition or two for the beer hunter section of this blog: all suggestions are as ever welcome in the hunt for a quality pint in interesting surroundings. Onto the main event of the day, the game itself with our team backed by almost 1000 travelling supporters. All change at Crewe; well 5 anyway from the team that started at Accrington last week. Our talisman Danny Hylton had recovered from the battle of Southsea and was included up front along with Jack Marriott in the starting line-up; McQuoid dropping from the squad and Vassell taking a place on the bench. Pelly took over the holding role in midfield with Lee on the bench and Glen Rea unavailable through suspension. Jordan Cook came into midfield with Smith on the bench and Lawson D’Ath included in the side for his first start since joining from Northampton. The first impression most of us had on seeing the line up was as ever the attacking and defending parts looked fine but Cook, Gray and D’Ath, would we be again a touch lightweight in midfield for a L2 side? Luton started the game well having plenty of possession and pushing forward and certainly looked the more likely of the two sides until Crewe woke up part way through that first half and weighed in with a couple of chances themselves including an opportunity for Crewe’s Kirk who really should have at least made Walton save from a very good position. Marriott had a great shot from the edge of the area which was on target and tipped away by the diving Crewe keeper Garratt; good effort from Jack. It was developing into a fairly open game with both sides having attempts at goal including a really powerful header from Crewe that went over our crossbar; really glad that one was not on target. Then, unfortunately, we have a collective Hatters silly moment. Gray in midfield lost out in a challenge for the ball and his midfield colleagues not providing cover with Pelly upfield, having tried to start an attack. Our defence was dragged over to our left and space created for in the middle for veteran striker Ryan Lowe who has evaded Justin and Cuthbert to power a shot into the net past Walton. Our midfield apart from the outstanding Pelly were looking a little confused as to their individual and collective roles by this time. D’Ath had shown some nice touches and was willing to chase the ball but he looked fairly rusty and really both he and Cook just seemed to be getting in each other's way. That mid-way period in the first half was a bit untidy in midfield and it just looked a touch confused to me. However, we kept going and just before half time Jack Marriott cut into the penalty area on the left-hand side and managed a shot from a fairly tight angle that beat the Crewe keeper; great joy, back on equal terms and although both sides had had chances during that half, I felt being level at half-time was a fair reflection; not that I am biased. In the second half, although we were still looking fairly decent, Crewe started pressing and were fully aware that Sheehan was already on a collection of a yellow and a firm lecture from the referee. Sadly the experienced Sheehan should have known better than to lunge into a tackle and from that moment he knew he was off even before the referee produced his yellow/red combination. My immediate thought apart from sod it, was would we be able to defend in deeply and hold out for a point with 35 minutes still to play. Nathan immediately responded to Sheehan’s removal from the game by making a double substitution in taking off the ineffective Cook and the fading D’Ath to replace them with Jack Senior to cover the left of the defence and Smith to cover the whole field in his hunter gather role. Immediately after those substitutions, we looked a much more complete competitive unit. Smith was immediately into the game chasing, closing down space and Senior, fast and capable, immediately started getting in some clean well-timed tackles, an area that Sheehan had struggled in earlier. Pelly was having a great game, breaking up play, creating space and powerfully breaking to draw the Crewe team back up towards their own goal-line. Yes, we were down to 10 men but the team work and fighting spirit particularly after those substitutions was admirable: we simply looked a team that was determined and up for it as they say but with 10 men against 11. Then on around the 70-minute mark, the 10 men took the lead in a move started by Marriott running in from the left and taking a shot that the keeper parried out. The oh so excellent Hylton collected the ball in the area got the better of his marker and squared the ball across the goal for Cameron, whoops, I mean Gray, to place the ball into the back of the net. Great stuff and not at all what we were expecting after going down to 10 men. Indeed later in the game we almost had a third goal with an effort from Marriott that the keeper saved; I would have backed Jack to put that one away. Yes, we had a lot of defending to do as the game moved into its later stages but despite the pressure we held out well. Walton who has been a touch more reluctant to come out to catch the ball in recent games, really came out to attack the ball as it was knocked into the area on several occasions. On the left Jack Senior making his football league debut was making some superbly well timed challenges; this guy looks a fine prospect to me. Eventually, despite the continual probing of the excellent George Cooper, our committed team held out to take all three points. Overall Impression: Fairly reasonable up to the sending off then after Nathan’s substitutions we turned into a real team that supported each other and fought for ever ball. That final half hour of the game was a real pleasure to watch just simply to see our team giving it their all. All credit to Nathan for keeping two up front and stretching the game in a way that made us continually dangerous on the break-away. Right through this season we have had a real weakness in holding midfield, an area so key to Nathan’s preferred formation. Glen Rea has done the job decently from a destroyer point of view but he is a bit light on creativity. Yesterday, for the second consecutive match, Pelly took on that role and looked outstanding challenging for the ball, creating space and breaking with the ball. Has Nathan found the answer to that crucial role within his own squad with Pelly? Well, he has his chance now, let’s hope he keeps this level of concentration and commitment going. A lovely victory and well deserved victory, not one that I was expecting at time after the sending off. Onwards to Wycombe next week to face the Archbishop of Wycombe and his seven players plus tea lady. Some impressions of individual performances: Walton: played really well particularly during that last 20 minutes of the game when Crewe really went in search of an equaliser. He confidently left his line to punch the ball clear on many occasions. Justin: apart from not getting close enough to Lowe for Crewe’s goal ( a collective responsibility in that move shared by about five of our players) he played very well. He plays like a really seasoned player, a fine athlete and beautifully composed on the ball. Cuthbert: easy to overlook his very solid game as these days it’s become expected; he did very well. One day he is going to relax a touch when attacking in the opposition's penalty area and actually score a goal or two. Mullins: had a very good game and made some well timed clearances in that last period of the game. Sheehan: looked decent coming forward with the ball but vulnerable in defence with his timing in need of recalibration. Are his left back days behind him? Pelly: had a super game and really seemed to know what was expected of him. His tackling, covering and distribution were really good and he continually created space and was willing to have surges up-field to pin the opposition back. D’Ath: some nice touches early on and willing to chase players down. Not surprisingly, he did seem to tire early having had very little competitive game time this season. Cook: never did anything really bad, never did anything really good: still waiting to see the Cook emerge that was a success at Walsall. At the moment the guy just does not look confident in his own ability; hope he picks up but maybe some appearances from the bench may be the answer rather than in the starting 11. Gray: looks like he could be coming back to his earlier season form and has the Cameron knack to be in the right place at the right time to score. Marriott: took his goal well and overall had a good game combining very well with Hylton. Hylton: great performance exemplified in the way he crafted that winning goal for Gray to put away. The game changers: Smith: you get what it says on the tin: great squad player who chased everything and closed players down. Senior: I have seen Senior play a few time before and been really impressed with both his defending and wing back play. Yesterday it was about defending and he did really well with some well-timed tackles. Does Nathan have the two real full backs he needs now for his formation in Justin and Senior? Vassell: took over from Mariott with the instruction to chase and keep the Crewe defenders occupied. The Teams: Crewe: Garratt, Turton, Guthrie, Ray, Bakayogo (Saunders 76), Kiwomya, Jones, Hollands (Wintle 85), Cooper, Kirk (Dagnall 65), Lowe. Subs: Richards (GK), Nugent, Udoh, Ainley Yellows: Hollands, Turton Luton: Walton, Justin, Cuthbert ©, Mullins, Sheehan, Mpanzu, Gray, D’Ath (Senior 56), Cook (Smith 56), Hylton, Marriott (Vassell 86). Subs not used: O’Donnell, CMS, Lee, King (GK) Yellows: Cook, Sheehan Reds: Sheehan Referee: Graham Salisbury: no complaints from me. For the second time in 21 days, the later part of a Saturday morning was spent travelling through the fog on the Blackpool North train. Three weeks ago the fog nicely cleared before we reached our destination but this time the fog was a touch more persistent but had lifted a little by the time we reached Accrington. Then a stroll through the pleasant streets of Accrington to the wonderful Peel Park Hotel, a dream of a place for the dedicated beer hunter with six hand pumps serving some beautifully kept ales. The trouble with such places is that they can hold you captive for a little longer than you had intended leaving you with a bit of a dash to reach the Wham stadium in time for kick-off but we arrived with a couple of minutes to spare.
A nice friendly little ground Accrington that is always a pleasure to visit but not the most productive place for Luton with us only managing scrappy draws there in the last two seasons. Nathan made a total of five changes to the side that started a few days earlier at Portsmouth with Alan Sheehan, Olly Lee, Jake Gray, Isaac Vassell and Josh McQuoid returning to the side for a rare appearance. The players missing out were the unfortunate Cameron McGeehan, the Portsmouth battered and clattered Danny Hylton, “I have had one good game you know” Cook, the calamitous O’Donnell and the returned to Newcastle Gilliead. The fog at kick-off time had started to drift back in but visibility was easily good enough at that time for our three centre-back formation to see end to end. To start with, it was encouraging to see the Hatters have their first shot on goal within a minute of the start with Jake Gray having an effort from range that was not that far out; an encouraging start. However, that optimistic start did not really continue and as the first half progressed we just looked more and more blunt in terms of a striking force, Vassell, of course, will chase everything and use his pace to try to get past defenders but neither he of McQuoid could make anything much of an impact on the Accrington defence. In fact looking at the two strikers, I can understand and appreciate Vassell's style of play but in all the time McQuoid has been at the club, I just can’t work out what he has to offer us and yesterday's effort did not leave me any wiser. Later in the half a very decent move with Gray crossing the ball for the stretching Vassell to make contact but not with enough power to put the ball away; not bad at all and a nice move. Then unfortunately after about 40 minutes our so reliable Scott Cuthbert went down in the area and had to eventually be substituted with accident prone O’Donnell taking his place. That was not really the sort of thing we wanted to happen as although we were playing with three centre-backs, it’s only really Cuthbert who is tall enough and accomplished enough to command in the air. All in all, I just could not see a goal coming in that first half and that was not purely down to the visibility through the fog, the first half simply had stalemate written all over it. However, as we know, a couple of our players can be relied on to regularly cause us problems in midfield and our Olly did not disappoint as the man seen by Paul Hart as the most talented player at the club, bottled a tackle to give Accy possession. The move forward led to a really terrific goal scored by McConville somehow curling the ball into the top left-hand corner of Waltons net, a really super goal. In the second half, Olly only lasted a few minutes before being hooked off by an impatient Nathan to be replaced by Jack Marriott; I honestly don’t know what more Nathan needs to know about Olly, he is just simply not up to what we need. It was our substitute Marriott who then caused a touch of panic in the Accrington defence creating an opening for Jake Gray to equalise for the Hatters; joyous stuff. Unfortunately, that joy did not last for more than a few minutes. Accrington were given a free kick midway in our half and the ball floated into the area and the ball headed out to the edge of the area where surprise, surprise, it’s collected by the opposition knocked back for an opportunity of another cross into the crowded penalty area and headed home for Accrington to regain the lead. I really have the feeling that had Cuthbert been on the pitch that ball into the box would have had a far more robust challenge but there we are; without Cuthbert, we are not that impressive at centre-back when the ball is in the air and facing the tall boys of L2. Straight after that goal, NJ made his final substitution taking of the already booked Smith and replacing him with Pelly. I thought that was a sensible move not only in terms of upping the skill but also to protect Smith from a possible second yellow as he continued to fly into tackles all game. We then really did try to force an equaliser yet despite some fairly decent play in the last half hour of the game, that equaliser was just not going to happen. Marriott, who really was looking speedy and dangerous, had a couple of chances but at the moment things are just not running for him and the chances came to nothing as the fog drifted in thicker and thicker. In the last ten minute of the game I just could not see what was happening in play simply due to the murkiness and such was the poor visibility that it was not until after the game that my group realised that Glen Rea had actually been sent off; we knew something was happening but just could not see what! So that was it, an unglamorous 3rd round tie and an unglamorous Luton performance to match. Overall Impression I would not say we played badly but maybe I am saying that because we are not really that capable with the team fielded to produce top draw performances. So based on our capabilities it was on the lower side of the norm rather than outright bad. Sadly having Cuthbert go off at the 40-minute mark did absolutely nothing to help our chances as due to his relative height compared to other players, he is really the only one capable of standing up to the L2 tall guys in the air. In the move that brought about that super opening goal, I was really annoyed with ferocious Olly Lee for bottling a tackle which would have been competitive anyway but surely one your holding midfield player would be capable of competing for; not good and sadly not a new phenomenon. After going behind once again during the second half and with substitutes Marriott and Pelly on the field we actually looked capable of maybe creating and scoring an equaliser. Marriot was looking absolutely miles more dangerous than the ineffective McQuoid and Pelly really bringing some power and creativity to the show. I do understand NJ’s reservations about Pelly but he is not going to be much use for us sitting on the bench or in the stand. The Sunday Rant So we are out of the FA Cup, we can’t change that and best wishes to Accrington a nice friendly club on terribly limited resources; I really do like the Accrington club and the friendliness of both the club and the tidy little town. I hope they get a really good money-spinning draw in the 4th round. We can’t change the fact that we have lost that opportunity of a big money earning cup tie but there are some things that NJ & Hart can change. I am not saying mass panic, play the youngster etc but more of a calm reflection where mistakes in terms of recruiting or using existing playing staff are acknowledged and improvements made. Yesterday's FA Cup defeat and also slipping out of the play-off places is not the end of the world, so let’s do something to really go for every point we can in the remaining 22 league games. From here on in based on what we have learnt about our players over a lot of games, I would only include Lee, O’Donnell or McQuoid in the side again if we were truly desperate. In the case of Lee and O’Donnell, we know that despite some qualities both players have, each has within them a real, accident/calamity just waiting to surface and they regularly do surface. McQuoid, well maybe there is a decent player in there but if so, that decent player is yet to emerge in a Luton shirt: mutual consent departure ASAP please Nathan. Cook did not feature from the bench yesterday and maybe he had a lot to offer in the less physical world of L1 but in L2 it’s a tougher world than he was made for in my opinion. At least after the announcement about Gilliead’s loan ending, I can now understand the logic of bringing in D’Ath i.e. not a midfield enforcer but maybe a wide come tricky L2 experienced player rather than a midfield boss, maybe the midfield boss is yet to be recruited but probably not an easy task in the January transfer window. What is really apparent after yesterday’s game is just how much we rely on Danny Hylton, until the introduction of Marriott, the attack looked so incredibly blunt with the only threat being the pace of Vassell. I am really not looking forward to that two-match ban for Hylton after his next yellow card. I am totally supportive of Nathan Jones and hope he is with our club for some years to come. Hopefully, he will by now have learnt that he is not always right both in terms of team selection and player recruitment. To be fair, his recruitment has probably been streets ahead of any other manager in recent years but player recruitment is difficult and even the top managers in the world regularly get things wrong. Even more of a challenge is the legacy high salary misfit signings he has inherited from JS’s days at the club Some Impression of players performances Walton: I doubt you could really fault him for either goal. Justin: decent game and did very well to stay on the pitch to continue playing after he received an injury with all substitutions having already been made. Mullins: steady enough but a touch challenged by the tall Accrington players; needs Cuthbert alongside him. Cuthbert: decent 40 minutes before he went off. To my mind we really missed him. Rea: you can’t accuse him of not being committed but maybe there is a fine line between reckless and committed. Sheehan: decent defending in the main and of course good use of that cultured left boot to try to get moves started. Smith: got a talking to by the referee after only a couple of minutes and later collected a yellow and was later withdrawn to prevent a likely second yellow. Apart from that, he gave his usual total effort for the club. Lee: I am ever critical of Lee and maybe it’s a touch unfair as he just does not have the mentality to be able to play effectively in the position that NJ selects him for. Gray: I had nearly forgotten that he was still with us. To be fair he tried really hard, got through a lot of work and also bagged a goal. Vassell: most of the afternoon was a bit of a struggle but when he can use that pace it’s great a great asset to have. McQuoid: sadly quite ineffective. The Substitutes: O’Donnell: got a bit of a post-match slating from NJ along with Olly. Marriott: should have really started up front with Vassell. I thought he did generally well and shame he did not score. Pelly: rather looked like the Pelly we all want to see: interested, powerful and creative. The Teams: Accrington: Chapman, Pearson, Beckles, Hughes, Donacien, O’Sullivan Brown, Conneely, McConville, Kee, Edwards Luton: Walton, Justin, Rea, Cuthbert (O'Donnell 40), Mullins, Sheehan, Lee (Marriott 51), Smith (Mpanzu 58), Gray, McQuoid, Vassell. Yellows: Smith, Rea Second yellow and Red: Rea although I could not see anything of the incident through the fog. I did not realise he had been sent off until after the game when somebody else told me. After a surprisingly easy train journey to Fratton and a very pleasant Fullers London Pride lunchtime including a rare catch up with a Hatter's friend from the Weymouth exiles branch, it was off to the ground walking along the streets massed with supporters for a fourth tier of football match. Numbers of supporters in itself is not a qualifying entry requirement for promotion to L1 but surely such well-supported clubs as the two facing each other yesterday at Fratton Park had it not been for historic mismanagement by those that once ran the respective clubs.
The game, well a strange first half with Portsmouth pressing far more than us but nor really creating much in the way of efforts on goal apart from two headers from Burgess one of which he scored with and the other went wide. We were struggling a touch to pick Burgess up on those two occasions and the goal he scored was reminiscent of the ones Luke Wilkinson used to put away for us in his days as a Hatter. Should we have defended that goal better? Well, I think so: firstly O’Donnell should never have got into that mess that resulted in a free kick. He made a hash of clearing the ball and was then chasing back and the referee awarded the foul and from the free kick Burgess rose to head the ball into the net. The cross itself was well attacked by Burgess who beat our defenders and the Walton to the ball: not nice! So we reached half time with Portsmouth the more dominant side and the Hatters although doing some very decent defending, apart from the Burgess headers, generally looking a touch lethargic and not competing in the midfield in the way that we saw against Barnet on Saturday. Maybe some of our players were affected by the terrible injury to Cameron McGeehan who was replaced by Pelly; but a real spark was missing from our midfield and Glen Rea, a player I do rate highly had not had the best of the first 45 minutes, missing some tackles and giving the ball away. We did try very hard to redeem the situation in the second half. Jones made a couple of fairly early second half substitutions hooking of the ineffective pair Cook and Gilliead to send on Lee and Vassell. The Hatters really did up their game in the second period and pressed hard for an equaliser and came close with a lob from Hylton that hit the bar and also a miss by Smith from a cross from the persistent Hylton; I rather fancy had the injured Cam been in that position then he would have scored. Late in the game Portsmouth were awarded a penalty in bizarre circumstances. O’Donnell took a throw to Lee as he stood in the penalty area with a couple of Pompey players not that far away; Lee failed not make a rapid clearance, loses possession and brings a man down; penalty. A bit of a mess, and what’s annoying, a totally unnecessary mess and we can’t just blame Lee. Overall Impression: We were not anywhere near enough alert or up for it in the first half; how much affect McGeehan’s early injury had on the players, you can only speculate. The goal right from O’Donnell’s failure to clear before the free kick and the defending from the cross could have been better. In the second half, I again felt quite good about our side as they really upped their game and battled well and to my mind with just a touch of luck would have got a point. The first rant on 2017 In the main, I try to steer clear of criticising football officials. To be a referee or assistant is to my mind a thankless task; of course, mistakes are made but I usually feel that these things are more often than not balanced out over a season; ok, I forgot the York Wembley offside goal. However, yesterday's referee was simply poor and gave our players very little and Danny Hylton in particular no protection. Just how can a referee be so totally inconsiderate and stupid to book a player screaming in obvious agony having broken his leg. When you break your leg as Cam did yesterday, I can tell you it fecking well hurts like hell. So an exception from me that I doubt will be repeated frequently but Mr Robinson should not be refereeing at league level. When Jonathan Smith broke his leg at Barnet I remember walking back to the car thinking just about the poor guy’s misfortune and ours at the time in losing such a tough midfielder. I usually write some football notes whilst on a train journey home after the game but to be honest my mind was not on it yesterday; simply felt so sorry for the unfortunate young man Cameron and the disgraceful behaviour of the Portsmouth supporters. Ok, it’s competitive and they want to win but hell this is a sport, not a blasted Spanish Bull Ring. Where will we finish this season? Well, I am never one for New Year resolutions or predictions but I reckon we will either squeeze into the play-off’s of marginally miss out. For my money, Jones is doing a quality job in building a decent side at Luton but it takes time. Also, maybe a learning point for NJ is that he may have slightly underestimated the physicality of the world of L2, particularly in midfield. Some thoughts on individual player performances: Walton: some good keeping but not at his confident best in my view in the first half in my view. O’Donnell: NJ really needs to have a think about O’Donnell. There is a lot I like about O’Donnell; his strength and power going forward and some of his defending is absolutely fine but he has these slips that can just prove costly: can he eradicate those from his game? If he can then we have a decent player. Mullins: made some good tackles and gave real support to the attack late in the game. Cuthbert: top notch for most of the game but did struggle with the power of Burgess with those two headers one of which resulted in the goal. Justin: good second half getting down that left-hand side to support the attack. He also had a good shot at goal that the keeper turned away for a corner. Rea: I thought he was off his game in the first half making errors with his distribution and not really as effective on covering the back four as he has been in the past. Like others, his game improved in the second half. Smith: usual hard working ground covering effort by Smith but he should maybe have put that second half chance away. McGeehan: I am just so sad for him and the team: we will really miss his goals and bravery in the penalty area. Gilliead: can’t recall any real run that he had and physically got a touch bullied by the Pompey players. I really like the guy but can’t honestly say he is cut out for L2 midfield graft; surely far better out wide where he can do some damage? Cook: after a decent game against Barnet he failed to make any impression on the game in either attack or challenging for possession. To me, he is the sort of player that when the game is running for us and we are playing with a high tempo, he will deliver but maybe not the guy for a battle. Hylton: usual masses of effort and persistence and he was so unlucky with that lob that hit the bar. I feel he did well to stay on the field after some rough treatment from the Pompey players and of course next to zero protection from the referee. The Subs: Pelly: well now that Cam is out for 2017, Pelly has a real opportunity for a sustained run in the side. Yesterday, although there were a few nice touches we need more from him than that. He often lost control on the second or third touch on the ball. Maybe extra game time will get him there but he really needs to take this opportunity or his ship will sail without him as far as Luton is concerned. Massive talent and I have praised him lots in the past but how does NJ get him delivering more? Lee: one brilliant ball out to the wing, the sort of thing we know Lee is capable of but I don’t really like him in any defensive situation. Vassell: gave it everything, chased everything but no luck on the day. The Teams: Portsmouth: Forde, Stevens, Rose (Linganzi, 84), Clarke, Burgess, Baker (Hunt, 80), Doyle, Smith, Naismith, Bennett (Roberts, 68), Evans Luton: Walton, O'Donnell, Smith, Mullins, Cuthbert, McGeehan (Pelly, 20), Hylton, Cook (Vassell, 54), Gilliead (Lee, 54), Rea, Justin Unused subs: King, Marriott, Senior, McQuoid Well, the last day of 2016 had arrived and it’s been a year of league games that with one exception has been managed by Nathan Jones. The one exception, of course, was that dreadful away performance at Bristol Rovers: the farcical highlight for me was the vision of the three wise men, Hakan, Harris and Awford spending 10 minutes trying to come to a consensus about a substitution. During that discussion, that resembled the contract scene from the Marx Brother Night at the Opera as the tactics sheet of paper was passed from the bewildered to the confused and back again, Rovers scored their second goal, game over! As it’s New Year let’s have a little fun: Well, the year of 2016 has closed and our Nathan has fairly rapidly developed a side that is very comfortable away with a 57% win rate in the full year of 2016; that’s a tremendous performance of very nearly two points per game. Yet the “curse of the Kenny” continues with neither NJ in 2016 or JS in his season and a half in L2 managing to really punch through an average of 1.5 points per home game.
Pre Barnet game my mood was a touch downbeat and that sinking feeling increased on checking the previous day’s scores seeing that the Archbishop of Wycombe had led his motley crew to another win to sit three points ahead of us in the league. Never mind, there was always a beer and a bit of banter to look forward to pre-match and although the spirits were lifted by a couple of pints of ale those poor spirits were brought back to L2 reality when the team news arrived. Nathan had said there would be changes and he kept to his word but could we poor ale drinkers really understand what his intentions were? Marriott, Lee, Justin and Gilliead were all dropped to the bench, Vassell banished to the main stand. In came Jonathan Smith for a rare start along with Sheehan, Potts and the surprisingly or not, Cook to play a forward role with Hylton: oh well. Nathan’s the manager, I just bumble along ever week and pay my money. To be fair the changes and probable instructions seemed to introduce much more of a tempo and an urgency into our play and in that first 10 minutes, Cook started to look the player we all hoped he would be. In that first period of the game, we did look decent as we were getting the ball forward using Sheehan/Potts and O’Donnell having abandoned the sideways crippled crab movement that accompanies a side containing our Olly. Barnet were as expected the usual L2 mixture of night club bouncers and street fighters but even bouncer in chief John Akinde, could not escape the shackles imposed on him by the excellent Scott Cuthbert. The unfortunate Potts picked up an injury and tried to continue but he was obviously struggling and was replace with Gilliead with the team then having to adjust formation. Not a bad defender Potts but certainly not a lucky guy with injuries. After coming close on a number of occasions, we eventually took the lead when we were awarded a free-kick a couple of yards outside of the area. The usual debate between Sheehan and McGeehan, both worthy kickers, took place but you could tell there would only be one outcome from that discussion and young man Cam was told to watch as Sheehan took a really excellent free kick that easily beat the Barnet keeper Stephens. Would we be able to build on that lead? Well no, of course not as seven minutes later from a bit of a mess with a ball across our goal, Barnet’s Dembele bundled the ball over the line. Was it handball, well really that’s immaterial as the officials gave the goal but what is not immaterial is the soft way the ball came across and the space given to Dembele to force the ball over the line. Walton got booked for his "that was hand ball" protests but the real debate after the game should be on why the ball was allowed to reach an unmarked Barnet player in front of goal. In the second half we continued to push forward without the crab movement and within just a few seconds of the restart, Iniesta Smith almost scored with a right-footed shot from the edge of the area that went narrowly wide. Just a few minutes later McGeehan restored our lead as he hammered a knock down ball into the net for his eleventh goal of the season; that’s some achievement for a young midfielder at the halfway stage of the season. Some clever play between Hylton and Gilliead then released Cook who sent the ball into the corner of the net but the goal was disallowed. For Cook the story and learning point of the game particularly the second half is to improve the timing of those runs as he continued to be caught offside so easily by the Barnet defenders. Our third goal came from a great strike from Gilliead as he connected with the ball on the left-hand edge of the area and sent a great shot past Stephens to make it 3-1 to the Hatters. Just a few minutes later the reliable Walton made an error in coming out for a cross only to be well beaten by Nelson who thankfully put his header over the bar; that was close. Sheehan then departed the play to be replaced by that bundle of energy Justin. I don’t recall Sheehan picking up an injury but maybe after being out for a game or two it was decided to give him a breather. To his credit, Justin was immediately in the game and produced probably two of the best pieces of true wing back play we have seen this season as he powered down the left side. In the later stages of the game, we started to give up pace in midfield and Barnet had what seemed like a mass series of corner kicks as we struggled to compete in midfield, in fact, we seemed to desert midfield at that time. I wonder if that was the reasoning for Nathan to send on ferocious Olly Lee with just a few minutes to go: no, I am being silly now. Well maybe I am not being so silly as Lee again failed to pick up a free Barnet player on the edge of the area but unlike against Colchester, the shot was not on target. So, there we are, a very welcome three points to end 2016. Overall Impression: It was a very much more forceful performance in a game that we approached with real purpose. We certainly did not overuse the aimless sideways passing routine and tried to get the ball on the flanks rapidly to create some space and movement; a sense of tempo and urgency about our play. Of the guys coming into the side, I thought that the greatest impression was made by our very own Iniesta Smith who challenged, harried and closed down right across the field. Cook to my mind without being outstanding, probably had his best game in a Luton shirt but is he a distant relative of “offside O’Conner” from our Conference days? Personally, I would have thought that more damage would have been caused by the speed of Vassell against Barnet’s lumbering defenders who were often outsprinted by that fabulous lone ranger, Hylton. I won’t get overexcited as we were playing against a pretty standard night club bouncer L2 outfit that surely any serious promotion contender should despatch and to our credit we did that. The players that really caught my eye were the totally excellent Cuthbert, a few of his tackles were exceptional, and the nonstop Hylton who despite some rough treatment managed to avoid another booking. The Sunday Rant: I could rant on about our terrible home form, in fact, it’s been pretty awful since we returned to L2 but as it’s new years day, let’s close on an optimistic note wishing for a more productive second half of the season and hopefully to remain up there challenging for an escape from L2. Happy new year to all readers and LTFC fans and I hope to have a beer with a few of you in the next few days at Portsmouth and Accrington. Some impressions of individual performances: Walton: decent steady game and with one near miss, came out well to collect the high crosses knocked into the area for the Barnet giants. O’Donnell: managed to get down the right flank particularly before Potts injury and got some decent crosses over. Cuthbert: a real outstanding game. Now he has found his form and confidence he is real quality at this level as a centre back. Mullins: solid enough without reaching the commanding level of Cuthbert. Sheehan: oh what a cracking free kick that was. Overall Sheehan had a very decent game and produced some teasing crosses with that cultured left foot. Potts: poor guy, so unfortunate to pick up another injury; did fine during the time he was on the pitch. Rea: You can’t fault Glen Rea’s commitment. Ok, he makes the odd error but yesterday he was solid enough; in addition to a head injury, he collected a yellow for that commitment. Smith: what you see is what you get, no frills, totally committed running and challenging; good to see him start a game. McGeehan: Cam was in the game so much more compared to the Boxing day effort. In my opinion, he had a pretty good all round game, challenging, making space for himself and also weighed in with a goal which could have been two but his header went over the bar. Well done with those 11 goals Cam. Cook: had a very decent first part of the game but really needs to learn to time any runs to avoid straying offside. Hylton: never gave the Barnet defenders a moments rest and chased every almost lost cause. The crowd just love the guy. The Subs: Gilliead: I am sure we would get more value from Gilliead if we played him a touch wider. As ever he could beat the player in front of him but when he drifts inside there are just too many in front of him, also scored a cracking goal. Will Portsmouth be his last game with us? Justin: played well and particularly with a couple of superb bursts down the left wing: a quality wing back on the right or the left. Lee: only on for a few minutes so therefore unable to effect the outcome of the game. The Teams: Luton: Walton, O'Donnell, Potts (Gilliead, 28), Smith, Mullins, Cuthbert, McGeehan (Lee, 87), Hylton, Cook, Rea, Sheehan (Justin, 63) Unused subs: Gray, Marriott, McQuoid, King Barnet: Stephens, Johnson, Dembele, Nelson, Weston, Akinde Gambin (Muggleton, 74), Campbell-Ryce (Akpa Akpro, 53), Nicholls (Kyei, 68), Taylor, Vilhete Unused subs: Watson, Vickers, Sesay, Taylor Referee: Mark Haywood Attendance: 8,262 (494) |
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December 2017
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