Davefevs

For me the turning point was on 35 minutes, after totally controlling the game. There’d been a few minutes of ping-pong football, but we sprung a break. Martin charging through the middle, Semenyo in the inside right, a 2v2. Inexplicably Martin didn’t pick the immediate pass, and then tried an eye of the needle pass and it got cut out, when he could’ve carried forward with the ball against a retreating CB.

The rules are if it is the result of a foul and the opposition player is cautioned the player doesn’t have to go off. It’s not applied 100%. That didn’t apply to Zak though on this occasion.

They scored 2, we scored 1 ??? I don’t disagree, still thought he was good first half though overall. One thing that surprises me is that we all know he is capable “in full flight”, so why does he resort to walking pace up against his fullback and then try to beat him…why not continue the tempo and run directly from the point he receives it? His slowing up to walking pace, also buys time for the defence. Just get at him! He did indeed, drifted in-field, created space for others. Heres Jay and Callum’s ball receipt map. I agree totally with that, especially the final para. I really dislike Jones. He’s doing a good job there, but he’s so entitled.

Last season, one of the things I highlighted about Max was that he needs to improve his “back pedalling”. I’d noticed that he can be slow to move towards his back post. I’d not noticed it so far during his return, and I e not studied last night’s game either. So interesting you pick that up. @VT05763yep we are lacking height, we’ve lost 6’3” Baker and 6’4” Atkinson. Atkinson is a pretty good “magnet” in both boxes. Hoping he’s not out long. Luton are one the most direct teams in the Champ, they are happy to hit lots of low percentage passes, in the hope of picking up “bits and pieces”. Few teams will expose us like last night. It’s a shame because in open play they really weren’t a threat (like they were at our place). We didn’t deserve to lose on “balance of play”, Weimann unlucky with 2 chances, should’ve got his header on target (great pass from Williams). We will continue to pick up enough wins, I don’t think we look like going 6/7 winless. Our home form has turned around. Just need to keep ticking over in the points column. In many respects this season is exactly what the first season of a rebuild looks like. There will be some players who Nige will think differently about now he’s seen them this season, some will be positive affirmation, some won’t. It will solidify his thinking for the summer.

I know what you’re saying, but I disagree with the words. Who is the best at helping us get points, would be my words. To use a crude example, all things being equal, if we win 4-3 with Max but lose 0-1 with Dan….then you pick Max every game don’t you? But obviously it isn’t as simple as that. I do think @Fordy62is right in that I think Antoine’s return is more responsible for our better forward play, with a small part down to Max’s distribution. The question becomes, if Dan gets picked, does it stifle Antoine / our attacking? I don’t know. What I would say is that if Dan could get back to a comparable level with his feet as Max (because his kicking has fallen off a Cliff) then I’d pick Bents every time. A keeper in todays game is not just about what he does with shots and crosses, it’s important, don’t get me wrong. But they touch the ball more with their feet than their hands. It would be good to see Dan back, with a kicking game much improved.

Top man, was it Scotty or Matt who sorted?

I watched the u23s on Robinstv earlier. I would say he’s still easing his way back into playing after a long lay off. He really didn’t extend himself at any point of the game, suggesting he’s a little way off yet.

100%

That we can play an 18 and 20 year old in midfield against a physically imposing and heavy running Luton and we control a lot of the game tonight. Credit to HNM and Scott, they did really well in there tonight. Another glimpse of what Williams can bring though in his 15 minute cameo too. Need to take it easy with him though. Thought Vyner had a good game too. His tenacity against their strike pair resulted in lots of balls win back, often with the two youngsters nipping the loose ball away. I think Weimann just mistimed his header, turned his head just too early. Angle virtually impossible for Wells, he wasn’t heading it across for Nahki, he was trying to score. O’Dowda good first half too, as did Dasilva, who generally had a tidy game.

Also need to consider putting a blocker in front of Adebayoand giving him no room.

Was your ticket a freebie?

Masters of our own downfall too before the second goal. Pring let’s the ball run under his foot, gives away a free-kick, gets booked….goal. A stupid lapse….he should’ve been striding forward on the attack for us.

I thought he got lots of decisions wrong before both teams….like he usually does. He didn’t favour them though, so that’s good. It did look like a foul didn’t it.

Bents distribution and positioning for receiving passes has been awful this season, it’s not just tactics.. It would require a large technical change for him to start passing it out from the back in the manner Max does, regardless of team style changes of late.

Haven’t watched it back, bar the initial replay of it. You can’t let your opponent get ahead of you. You’re right, Adebayo goalside of Kalas, and they’re running towards us. Nigh on impossible to clear from there. Poor defending, but not Max’s fault. First goal, Vyner off the pitch, that’s crucial. Not blaming him, but I’m there watching on tv and saying “don’t get the physio on, don’t get him on”, because you won’t be able to be on the pitch for the corner. Little things, bit of nous! Even if you can’t run, wait until after the corner, then go down, etc. Im sure some will be suggesting putting men on the posts for corners, but that’s two less markers, so how does that help. Don’t get me wrong we need to improve our defensive set-pieces as up until Xmas we were hugely improved in this area. No Baker, no Atkinson, might mean a change in approach, because that was dependent on 3 big men (Kalas, Atkinson / Baker and Martin) plus Weimann with 6 runners / blockers / markers. Atkinson missing weakens us.

Wish Dan White on comms did some research....Toby does loads. Not a clue re Luton, nor our team

must still be struggling with his groin.

yes, that's Josh

Luton without Burke, suspended, and big CB Sonny Bradley, injured. So looking like: Shea Osho | Lockyer | Naismith Bree | Rea | Mpanzu Ruddock | Berry | Bell Muskwe | Adebayo

Great stuff, you might make the difference….don’t forget your boots too!

Was just wondering that too.

Get in touch with Matt Parsons / Scott Murray on twitter, see if he can sort you out something. I nice little “I’m in the area, can’t get through on the phones and really want to support the lads” will probably get yourself a ticket left at the gate for you.

Graham suggested work permit???

Yep, it’s a bit like some posters coming on here criticising when we lost to QPR u23s and they had Sam Field, George Thomas etc playing.

You are not mistaken, he did say that. I reminded him after 30 mins that is BACKwell, not BLACKwell, so if you noticed the change in name, it’s because I DMd him ?