The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Two of Diamonds wrote: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.

That's a good point. I can't be arsed to search for the exact thread, but I seem to remember that most of the pre-season expectations/predictions had us around the top half, between the play offs and mid-table, which is exactly where we are at the moment. I think the play offs should be our aim, but I'm not expecting us to make them again (and I didn't last year either). We have the makings of a very good side and we need to be patient with them.

When I saw the team selection and how we lined up I suggested to my boss who I went with today that we'd lose by 3 clear goals (I actually said it'd be 4-1), sadly I was proved right.

Good to see the minutes silence so impeccably adhered to and Joe received a good round of applause when he arrived at the Kenilworth Road end at the start of the second half - but sitting in the enemy end is sooooo hard and I was often heard to mention pro-Diamond utterings, only to receive a few odd looks (and a nudge from the boss) - won't be doing that again.

3-0 and they still didn't sing !! The Luton fans were sooooo soooo quiet, sat amongst the Hatters faithful behind the goal I thoight they'd be quite vocal - not a peep. If there were just 279 Diamonds there today then fair play to you, you were heard at the other end believe me - I thought there looked a few more than 279, but hohum. I had a good view of both goals second half and Jow stood no chance with either.

Luton are a good side who I thought we made look better than they really are, we were poor all over today I thought. I can see why Luton are off the pace a little in the title race, they seem to overcomplicate things, they also seem lazy at times, but with the quality of some of their players they should be well up there. Barnes-Homer is a handful, Crow, Gnakpa, Drury could all easily play League 1 football IMO.

We weren't at the races today, but in the first half especially I saw enough of Gash to think he could do okay for us. He won a lot in the air and I love a player who plays with his head up, looking around, he was aware of those around him. He tired, but get him fully match-fit I think he'll do us well.

We were definitely lucky to only concede 3 goals today, too many gaps at the back and it was like they were just walking past us but Luton did look a decent side. But on a positive note we looked good going forward at times, there were some good performances, we deserved at least a goal and it was good to see them not give up at the end.

8 points away from the playoffs now, its going to be tough to make them I think, we've still got a good team but we're going have to get back to winning ways asap and get a run together if we're going to have any chance.

Official Luton Pictures, from Redsnapper, on main site > CLICK HERE <

Nice pictures of the banner Redsnapper!

Stuart