Luton Town Vs RDFC MATCH THREAD

[Bob's Bitch]

was barrow the last game we won?

Yes. 2 months ago. :(

[oliv272]

.....oh dear if we dont have howe on monday this could be a win for poppies at this rate.

[Bob's Bitch]

.....oh dear if we dont have howe on monday this could be a win for poppies at this rate.

They're losing to Tamworth at home, who've been in poor form. I can see quite a scrappy game.

[mattreddan]

Grimsby 7 - 2 Mansfield :|

[BartonRaz]

I know the circumstances weren't ideal given everything thats happened, but under any circumstances that was a bad performance.

I actually think that there were 3 or 4 players that started that game that are out of their depth at this level.

The midfield was non existant everytime Luton cleared a corner or a cross, and the defence looked like they weren't talking to each other.

One good point i thought was Gash, who won absolutely everything in the air.

I'm concerned that we have turned into a bang average BSP team over the last 2 months, with Howe almost certain to go back to Peterborough i just don't see where we go from here unless JE makes an inspired signing.

[DiamondsR4ever]

Completely over run in midfield power was the only player in their for most of the match.. And that cost us leaving our defense exposed

Osano was at fault for the second goal in failing to track back and stop the cross going in, we had some good chances 2nd half o'connor should have done better and stuart had a shot cleared off the line but I think we should be fine against the scum

[Jemfy]

I know the circumstances weren't ideal given everything thats happened, but under any circumstances that was a bad performance.

I actually think that there were 3 or 4 players that started that game that are out of their depth at this level.

The midfield was non existant everytime Luton cleared a corner or a cross, and the defence looked like they weren't talking to each other.

One good point i thought was Gash, who won absolutely everything in the air.

I'm concerned that we have turned into a bang average BSP team over the last 2 months, with Howe almost certain to go back to Peterborough i just don't see where we go from here unless JE makes an inspired signing.

The midfield was over-run because there were 2 of them. I think the wide front men in Charles and Smith were meant to be playing further back, or that was the original idea, but with them so far forwards it lead to sustained periods of possesion at either end. Quite a strange game.

I thought Power had a decent game, got compliments from some Luton fans, who incidentally saw it the same way I did, which was Gash was awful. His hold up play was poor and his ability to win a header and direct it at the same time was akin to that of another Michael in the York squad... (or what he was like with us anyway).

We made a fair few chances from set pieces, on another day the game would have been run closer, but Tyler had very little to do, and only Power and Smith looked willing to have a go from a little further out, both putting shots narrowly wide that he did not have covered should they have been on target.

Nothing to panick about, and obviously rusty at times with passes and touches too heavy, especially in the first half, just need to cut those bits out and be more clinical on monday. A shame Howe won't be there as he seemed the only one to have escaped the winter rusting.

[davealbon]

Right, first things first, Luton were easily the best team we have played against this season, and I include Yeovil in that. Secondly, the overall performance, given the opposition, wasn't as bad as the 3-0 scoreline suggests. There were certainly some concerning moments, but I thought there were enough positives to come from the game as well. On another day we certainly could have had at least a couple of goals of our own.

Defensively, we were very poor at times, and we definitely should have dealt with the second and third goals better, but there were also some very good moments, especially from Huke before he picked up his latest injury. Miller had a good game especially in the second half, and for most of the game I thought Osano dealt well with Gnapka. You have to give Luton credit for their first goal which I thought was outstanding football, and couldn't fault any of our players for. Stuart was the big concern for me though, he looks a shadow of the player he was for most of last season, and unfortunately I think his playing career at this level will very soon be coming to an end.

We were overrun at times in midfield, but I think JE was right to go with a 4-4-2 today as it would have been a lot worse with a midfield three. Power had an excellent game, one of his best for the club so far, and although Johnson got stuck in well and broke up the play on several occasions in the first half, the two of them have very little pace or stamina and couldn't cope with the movement of the Luton midfield. Smith was very poor but he is not, has never been, nor ever will be a right midfielder, and Charles, despite his effort and enthusiasm, simply isn't in the same class as Dan Gleeson who is one of the best full backs in this division. Unfortunately, we don't really have any other options for the wide midfield roles.

O'Connor was typically lively and should have scored with the header from Power's free kick, but he and Gash didn't seem to click today, somewhat understandably given that they had never played together and hardly had an opportunity to even train together. I'm not sure what to make of Gash on that performance, there were some good aspects to his play but some very poor ones as well. He looks slightly better in the air than Faz and Smith, but apart from that I don't think he offers us any more than them, but he deserves a chance to prove himself.

Aaron King's debut was another positive to come from the match, I thought he looked quite comfortable on the ball and didn't seem to be phased by the occasion. His movement off the ball was excellent but unfortunately no one seemed to notice him on the occasions that he found himself in space. Certainly a promising sign for the future.

[tommo]

To Be honest i think your being abit critical of charles thought he was one of the better players today worked hard put in a few good crosses one corners for the team alot more than some players did aka sam smith might aswel not played , matthew johnson is just ****ing aweful jus runs around not doing anything and as for the back line they got destroyed we had no service to the strikers or the wingers jamie stuart just bangs it up the pitch without a thought its hopeless we need to be playing the ball on the floor look at luton they played good football and our defense made them look like arsenal on the plus side another big game monday witch could hopefully changed our season back around

[Three of Diamonds]

I didn't go today, but reading some of the reports I can't help thinking we're too young a side. Look at some of the ages out there today;-

Day 20
Smith 20
Johnson 20
Charles 21
Power 22
King 18

We MUST remember we're not building a Crawley type team with money to throw around, we're attempting to get in good young players and develop them. These are still very young men, not experienced professionals and we must give them time to mature and learn their trade.