Luton Town away match thread

[Jerseybean]

A tough test in Bedfordshire.

Tickets will remain on general sale to all supporters until 1pm on Wednesday (March 15th). City supporters will be able to purchase tickets after they have gone off sale, as Luton Town's ticket office phone lines will be open until 5pm for sales on Wednesday - 01582 416976. Payments can be taken over the phone, and tickets will be available for collection from a steward outside the away turnstiles on Oak Road.

Back in August we beat them 2-0 with one of our better performances, despite Mark Sykes seeing red,

 

 

TV presenter Nick Owen is a huge Luton fan.

NP presser:

 

 

Andy King presser:

 

 

Rob Edwards presser:

 

 

Kenilworth Road has quite possibly the most odd away entrance of any ground in the EFL. After going down a small alleyway at the side of the stadium, the impression is of queuing to go into someone’s house and then through their back garden before getting to the seated area of the Oak Stand.

Guide to the ground, https://www.lutontown.co.uk/supporters/families/first-time-fans/

Brief history here: https://www.lutontown.co.uk/club/club-history/

Their nickname, "The Hatters", dates back to when Luton had a substantial millinery industry. I don’t need much encouragement….hat quiz anyone?

1.Which sort of cap would you associate with fictional private detective Sherlock Holmes?

2. What name is given to the designing and manufacture of hats?

3. What name is given to the traditional Scottish bonnet worn by men that derives its name from the hero of a 1790 Robert Burns poem?

4. Oddjob uses his razor-edged bowler hat as a weapon in which 1964 James Bond movie?

5. Which hat is named after the city that produced the dye, made from crimson berries, to colour the hat?

6. Which British Prime Minister regularly wore a type of Homburg hat, which became associated with his name?

7. What name is given to the traditional ceremonial head-dress of bishops?

8. What is the Spanish word for hat?

9. "Mad as a hatter" is a phrase believed to come from men suffering from dementia symptoms due to working with what product used in 19th-century hat manufacturing?

Answers at the end of this post.

It’s on the red button.

Ref is John Busby, who coincidently was in charge of the game clash between us and Luton Town at Ashton Gate in 2021. We lost 2-3 the game was played behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions. His assistants are Greg Read and Mark Pottage, the fourth official Josh Smith.

On Saturday they won 1-0 away against the Blades, in a game in which Mpanzu picked up an injury, https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/tinge-of-disappointment-for-hatters-boss-as-mpanzu-left-on-crutches-following-blades-victory-4060574

This win set a new club record of 10 Championship victories on the road.

Head to head we have won 23, lost 23 and drawn 18.

Recent form is identical

Luton W4   D3   L1    Scored 8   Conceded 5   Pts 15  (4 clean sheets)

City    W4   D3   L1    Scored 8   Conceded 5   Pts 15  (4 clean sheets)

Manager Nathan Jones departed in November to join Southampton. Later that month they named ex-Watford boss Rob Edwards as their new manager on a minimum three-and-a-half year deal. The 39 year old was appointed by Watford in May and sacked on 26 September after only 11 games in charge, winning three.

We acquired Harry Cornick from them on deadline day. Others who have played for both clubs include Tony Thorpe, Tyreeq Bakinson, Henri Lansbury, Kal Naismith and Cauley Woodrow.

In January they recruited Cody Drameh and Marvelous Nakamba on loan while permanent deals were struck for Jack Walton and Joe Taylor.

Nigel Pearson will make a late call on Matty James' involvement but he won't risk the midfielder if there's any chance he could aggravate his ankle injury, https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nigel-pearson-matty-james-luton-8250050

Luton Town trivia

In 2009, Luton were relegated to the Conference for the first time in over 89 years, after a tumultuous few years off the pitch which saw points deductions and administration. It would be a tough baptism of fire in non-league, as the Hatters did not achieve promotion back to League Two until 2014. They participated in two play-off finals whilst in the fifth tier, losing to AFC Wimbledon and York City respectively.

In 2013 they became the first non-league side in history to defeat a Premier League team in the FA Cup.They beat Norwich 1- 0 at Carrow Road and eventually advanced to the fifth round of the competition.

The Hatters avoided relegation on the final day of the 2019/20 season with a 3-2 win against Blackburn Rovers. They did so with the help of two own goals as they came from behind. Winning three and drawing two of their five games at the end of that season.

Luton’s current longest serving player is Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who has been with the Hatters since their non-league days. The midfielder, who is a fans favourite, has achieved three promotions in that time, scoring in each division from the Conference to the Championship.

One of their biggest wins was a 12–0 victory over Bristol Rovers in the Third Division South on 13 April 1936.

Luton

The town was for many years famous for hat-making, and was also home to a large Vauxhall Motors factory; the head office of Vauxhall Motors is still situated in the town. Car production at the plant began in 1905 and continued until 2002. During the second World War, Vauxhall contributed by manufacturing Churchill tanks for the British army. However, they failed to camouflage the tanks, Luton suffered numerous air strikes from the Luftwaffe. The entire town of Luton was severely damaged, around 1,500 homes were destroyed and around 107 people killed.

London Luton Airport, opened in 1938, is one of England’s major airports. During the Second World War it doubled as an RAF base.

The University of Bedfordshire is based in the town.

Luton International Carnival is the largest one-day carnivals in Europe. It usually takes place on the late May Bank Holiday. Crowds can reach 150,000.

It is twinned with a number of places: Bergisch Gladbach, Bourgogne-Jallieu, Eskilstuna, Berlin-Spandau and Wolfsburg.

Pubs and grub (got a bit carried away as there seem to be lots of decent foodie places in Luton!)

Bobbers Supporters Club,101 Oak Road, Luton, LU4 8AA

The White House,1 Bridge Street, Luton, LU1 1SA, https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/bedfordshire/the-white-house-luton?utm_source=google&utm_medium=maps&utm_campaign=gmb(Spoons)

Beech Hill Conservative Club, 18a Leagrave Road, Luton, LU4 8HZ

The Red Lion https://www.greatukpubs.co.uk/theredlionhotel?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=homepage 2 Castle Street, Luton, LU1 3AA

Bricklayers Arms, 16-18 High Town Road, Luton, LU2 0DD, a decent real ale pub. Traditional pub with a small garden and separate lunch and dinner menus of European gastropub food.

Off the wall https://www.greatukpubs.co.uk/off-the-wall-luton?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=homepage 6-8 Park Street, Luton, LU1 3EP (Yates)

Three good chip shops: https://threebestrated.co.uk/fish-and-chips-in-luton

The Wigmore, https://wigmorefishandchips.com

Mr Fish, https://www.facebook.com/mrfishlynehamroad/

Luton Town fish and chips, https://lutontownfishchips.com/order-now

Three good Indian restaurants

JayRaj, https://www.jayraj.co.uk/

Alankar, http://www.alankarrestaurant.com/

Papa J’s, https://www.papajs.co.uk/

Great Italian, La Trattoria, 66 Bute Street, Luton, LU1 2EY

Excellent Thai cuisine, Nakorn Thai Restaurant, http://www.nakornthai.co.uk/

Some other options: https://harrisonandrowley.co.uk/news/144/best-restaurants-luton

Quiz answers

1. A deerstalker cap

2. Millinery

3. A tam o' shanter

4. Goldfinger

5. Fez

6. Anthony Eden

7. Mitre

8. Sombrero

9. Mercury

 

[BigTone]

Condensed Version

Luton Town:

Three good Indian restaurants

COYR

[Red Army 75]

Great to hear NP and AK both praise Zac Vyner in their press conference. He really has turned his city career around. As for tomorrow tough game but city capable. COYR

[Red DNA]

How on earth Nige puts up with those repetitive questions on certain topics (James / Scott) in the same interview less than 10 mins apart from those journalist without being rude I just don’t know. 
Is it too much to ask the journalists get together - look at all their questions as a whole and agree to take their turn each session in having the opportunity to ask them first - and only once?

Trying to come up with a unique and interesting question especially at this stage of the season might be tough, but that’s what they’ve chosen to do as a career, don’t embarrass yourselves or the club. 

 

[Taz]

Thought this was tonight, that would explain why the match day thread was so quiet and half way down the page!!

[elhombrecito]

Yes, another Red Button post, sorry 

But, just wanted to point out that for those with Sky, the game is now available to record tomorrow. 

[Guest]

Went there once, must be 50yrs ago, nowt seems to have changed there; wait I lied flew off from Luton Airport once as well...Tunisia I think, unfortunately the plane took us back there so thats 3 times

[CodeRed]

1 hour ago, Red DNA said:

How on earth Nige puts up with those repetitive questions on certain topics (James / Scott) in the same interview less than 10 mins apart from those journalist without being rude I just don’t know. 
Is it too much to ask the journalists get together - look at all their questions as a whole and agree to take their turn each session in having the opportunity to ask them first - and only once?

Trying to come up with a unique and interesting question especially at this stage of the season might be tough, but that’s what they’ve chosen to do as a career, don’t embarrass yourselves or the club. 

 

In fairness the Radio Bristol guy (Hadwin, Hoskin, ??) always goes first and covers all the obvious questions ..... who's available, injuries, tactics, opposition strengths and playing style Alex Scott etc etc etc .....so by the time the next two get a go they're struggling to find something relevant to ask that Nige hasn't already answered.

[Red DNA]

3 minutes ago, CodeRed said:

In fairness the Radio Bristol guy (Hadwin, Hoskin, ??) always goes first and covers all the obvious questions ..... who's available, injuries, tactics, opposition strengths and playing style Alex Scott etc etc etc .....so by the time the next two get a go they're struggling to find something relevant to ask that Nige hasn't already answered.

Which is why I suggested they get together to stop asking the same questions and embarrassing themselves. 

[CodeRed]

Yes, but I suppose they all want to  be the one to ask and get  the scoop answer , maybe they could rotate who goes first.....it seems BBC get first go every week.

It's the same with politicians, they always go to Beth Rigby(Sky)  Peston (ITV) , Kuenssberg (BBC) and Harry Cole (The Sun) first before anyone else gets a look in 

[mozo]

Tough game. We might be quite chuffed with our own 19 points from 10 games, but Luton have 21. They're flying and we'll need to be right on it.

Think we might lose 2-1 but would love to be wrong.

[Davefevs]

Interesting that Luton have been playing 3 “small” CBs in recent matches…Osho (RCB3), Lockyer (CB3) and Bell (LCB3).  Osho and Bell traditionally are full-backs.  We’ve seen with Pring (and Tanner to a lesser extent) how they can adapt, and often the shout is, pump high balls at them, they won’t cope…yet we’ve seen the opposite.  Good positioning, challenging and covering can achieve the same as two 6’4” CBs.  What we will see tomorrow is Luton trying to play fast, lots of balls into the front pair and forward runners from midfield, looking to get lay-offs or pick up loose balls.  Campbell is a Duracell bunny with a eye for a 20-25 yarder if he finds space behind our midfield against a retreating defence.

[Red_Alligator]

In hoping for a point from this one, can't see us grabbing all three.

[W-S-M Seagull]

7 hours ago, elhombrecito said:

Yes, another Red Button post, sorry 

But, just wanted to point out that for those with Sky, the game is now available to record tomorrow. 

How do you record the red button games? I've always wondered that. 

[elhombrecito]

7 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

How do you record the red button games? I've always wondered that. 

Just go to the planner and click record on the main game on Sky Sports Football, and you'll get the option of which game to record (you sometimes have to go to the 'on this week' tab).

Annoyingly this doesn't always work (hence my post above to flag that it's working for once...).

[Ron W]

Looking forward to this. Hope we take some good numbers... Nine points off them if we win. Never say never. COYR.

[italian dave]

Weather forecast for Luton. Heavy rain, from 7pm til 11pm. Lovely!

[2015]

A point would be good

[Kid in the Riot]

For all the talk of Luton being a tough place to go to, they've actually only won six of their 18 home games (two less wins than us at home) and sit 13th in the home league table. 

It's away from home where they've been brilliant, the best in the division in fact. 

Thought we played ok there last season and were unfortunate to lose & obviously beat them fairly comfortably at AG this season. 

[1960maaan]

1 hour ago, elhombrecito said:

Just go to the planner and click record on the main game on Sky Sports Football, and you'll get the option of which game to record (you sometimes have to go to the 'on this week' tab).

Annoyingly this doesn't always work (hence my post above to flag that it's working for once...).

Now if you can get that to work on Virgin, that'll be great 

[Major Isewater]

16 hours ago, CodeRed said:

In fairness the Radio Bristol guy (Hadwin, Hoskin, ??) always goes first and covers all the obvious questions ..... who's available, injuries, tactics, opposition strengths and playing style Alex Scott etc etc etc .....so by the time the next two get a go they're struggling to find something relevant to ask that Nige hasn't already answered.

‘ So Nige what did you have for breakfast? ‘ or ‘ What is your favourite colour ? ‘

[Mendip City]

33 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

‘ So Nige what did you have for breakfast? ‘ or ‘ What is your favourite colour ? ‘

Favourite colour? In the words of SOD “stupid question”.  It’s red. 

[DaveInSA]

people still have Sky? really. Wow.

[Offside]

When we beat them at home they looked poor and I thought they’d be in a relegation scrap this season. Shows what I know. 

Tough game tonight and it’s a ground where we have often struggled to get a result. Fingers crossed our fortunes there change tonight. 

[bcfc01]

I'm thinking a narrow Luton win, but they've not won many at home so a draw wouldn't surprise me.

Quite relaxed (which makes a change re City) and looking forward to it.

 

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

1 hour ago, Offside said:

When we beat them at home they looked poor and I thought they’d be in a relegation scrap this season. Shows what I know. 

Tough game tonight and it’s a ground where we have often struggled to get a result. Fingers crossed our fortunes there change tonight. 

Last season I thought we looked better as a team attacking and footballing, we just let in some terrible goals.

[Jerseybean]

Match review on the OS https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/match-preview-luton-town-a/

 

[Bris Red]

Fancy us to get all 3 points tonight. As @Kid in the Riot says their home form isn’t great, it’s on the road that they have been excellent.

[pillred]

3 hours ago, DaveInSA said:

people still have Sky? really. Wow.

Just increased the price again, there will come a time when people think with all the free channels available now and internet do I really need it? when I first subscribed in 1989 (yes really) it was £10 a month for everything, films all sports even including world championship title boxing fights they are close to causing a lot of people to unsubscribe espcially with all the rising living costs. 

[redrob]

Anyone know where away fans can collect their tickets at the ground.

 

Bought a ticket online yesterday. Website said any tickets purchased less then 72 hrs before the day of the match will need to be collected at said fixture. However no info is given as to where to collect from.