The EFL Trophy has caused many a protest from supporters throughout L1 & L2 but putting the politics to one side, at least it gives Luton a chance to push some youngsters along with some good competitive exposure.
Another young side was fielded last night with only a mere 11 changes from Saturdays starting 11. As ever, it was a young side although experienced players Smith, McQuoid, O’Donnell, CMS added a good few year to the youngsters bringing the average age of last night’s starting 11 to 22. Of the others that took to the field including the subs, it was generally a mixture of 18 and 19-year-olds. The Luton side included the three mature types that came on as subs on Saturday, Smith, CMS & O’Donnell and as far as I could make out the Millwall side were just about on the guidelines of the competition fielding 5 players who featured in their FA Cup game on Saturday. During the first half, our team enjoyed lots of possession and did manage to carve out a few chances and possibly had we been a little bit sharper or quicker then the likes of Vassell, McQuoid and the unlikely Musonda would have given up a lead by halftime. Some of the passing moves were really very sweet and in particular, a superb defence-splitting ball from Iniesta Smith sent Vassell away: just amazing for a guy who last season struggled to make a 10-yard pass. All in all, the first half was pleasing in terms of both play and performance and of the youngsters it was good to see the willing attacking play of Jack Senior with some lovely crosses; also Bakinson was showing the knack of making himself available in deep midfield and readily finding team mates with some short passing. So we reach half time looking quite tidy with a few chances created and with a little faster reaction we could have been a goal or so up. Into the second half with rightly no changes made at half time and after about 10 minutes into the half we take the lead with an own goal as the ball is turned in from CMS’s low hit across goal. Our visitors then seemed to up their game bringing on the dangerous Onyedinma to supplement a couple of their giants in their forward line and to be honest from that point onwards the more physically stronger, more direct Millwall really took over the game and eventually went on to be worthy winners. Absolutely no complaints from me about anything on the evening apart from the wretched traffic on the A1 south of Huntingdon; no meal for me before the game! I felt, in the end, some of our rising stars will have learnt a lot from this game and also some of the supporters expectations, including my own inflated expectations, regarding these young players will be more realistic. For example, Famewo & Musonda are a super pair of young centre-backs but last night they were confronted by some real physical strength and height; no real issues as they will learn and they will cope with such challenges. The big plus points for me last night were: that King really does look capable of being our No1 goalkeeper next season; he made some really decent saves, Bakinson will be a classy midfield player and that shortly Senior with a touch more confidence will be our attacking wing back in the first team. Some thoughts as usual on individual performances: King: he made about three or four really good saves and one in particular was excellent when he made a great save after Famweo was being overly cool on the ball and having it picked from his toe. O’Donnell: usual give it everything display which meant that the gate was left open a touch for the move that led to the Millwall equaliser. Musonda: mostly a good cool performance but Like Famewo, the physical side of the game last night would have been a real learning point for him: he will be fine, all part of learning and developing. Famewo: ditto as per Musonda. Senior: good tackling, covering and some good crosses from his wing play; ok, the odd cross that went astray but shortly he will be a first-team wing back. Bakinson: displayed the knack especially in the first half, of constantly being available to receive the ball even the tightest of situations. He also has the knack of almost constantly finding his team mates even with close-range passes although his team mates may need to be a touch more skilful with the first touch to benefit from those passes. Iniesta Smith: usual Smith performance and I write that in a complimentary way and let’s not forget that superb defence-splitting ball in the first half. McQuoid: played a much deeper more of a midfield role and looked decent in the first half; maybe he is more suited to that midfield role? Gray: did ok but he seems to have come to a temporary lull in his performance level compared to what he was showing earlier in the season. Vassell: poor lad worked so very hard and desperately needs that first goal or two that will undoubtedly lift his confidence. Lot’s of speed and body strength, I hope he gets a few goals to set him on his way. CMS: what you see is what you get: a busy annoying wasp, great in away games when he is brought on and you are defending a slender lead and the annoying wasp can keep the defenders pinned back. However, at home? The Subs: Banton: I would much rather have had him starting than CMS but I can understand NJ’s wish to get CMS fit. Having said that Banton really looked the part to me with his close control, speed and trickery: shame Nathan doesn't like him. Hinds & Read: Cameo appearance but enough time to show that they are skilful guys. The Teams: Luton: King, O'Donnell, Smith, Gray (Read, 90), Mackail-Smith (Banton, 66), Vassell, Senior, McQuoid, Bakinson (Hinds, 86), Musonda, Famewo Unused subs: Snelus, Cotter, Bean, Gooch Millwall: King, Cummings, Martin, Hutchinson (Craig, 83), Worrall (Twardek, 89), Wylde, Butcher, O'Brien (Onyedinma, 61), Smith, Rooney, Farrell Unused subs: Archer, Williams, Pavey, Brown
2 Comments
Paul
11/9/2016 04:51:23 am
Thanks for the work you put into this football site, just really good insightful stuff from a supporter attending games. Please keep the reports flowing and much appreciated as I don’t get to many games these days.
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Gary
11/9/2016 05:45:05 am
Nice report plus really love the section of pubs in the Beer Hunter.
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Hi there, welcome to my site where I chronicle various things about the Hatters, a team I have followed since the mid 60’sArchives
December 2017
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