Sunday 28 August 2011

Where are the goals going to come from?

The Hatters put in another decent shift in disposing of new boys Braintree Town. We didn't even gift them a goal lead - which was nice- but after scoring first and then conceding  the obligatory goal by a returning ex-Hatter - which wasn't nice - took over the game and outplayed them for the rest of the 90 minutes. Despite the vagaries of yet another inconsistent refereeing performance, I don't know what his tolerance level was for deserving a red card but there were a couple of real X - rated challenges on Watkins and Howells, the first of which only got a yellow card and the other not even a word of warning, the Hatters are beginning to work well together and some of the football was pretty to watch. However, there are still rumblings of discontent from some 'fans' that we haven't signed a big name striker - yet - so where are the goals going to come from? Well, the answer is the same as it was last year - from all over the park, although to be fair, Tyler hasn't pulled his weight in the goal scoring department. (Tyler out?). It is hard for any team playing Luton to snuff out the danger man because the danger man can'r be identified. He's different every attack! Whether we have signed  a striker or not, we have been playing without a number of first choice players due to injury, and yet somehow we seem to be averaging 2 points per game and have scored more than any other team bar Wrexham and Gateshead, and they along with everyone else, except Telford of course, have played a game more than we have. Ten in four games is 2.5 per game and that is better than Wrexham and Gateshead's 2.4 per game.

New signing John Paul Kissock came on for a five minute cameo and did not-a-lot, (Kissock out!) but he will be another decent player in the squad. Forest Green must surely have been extracting the proverbial liquid by having the temerity to bid for Wilmott, and the best team in Hertfordshire (well to be fair they don't have much to beat) had a similar bid in for Keith Keane. I don't believe that we are in the market for getting rid of our best players although, as from time immemorial, we are Luton Town and every player has a price, so if a silly bid came in I guess that would be a different matter. It would have to be silly enough to allow us to buy in someone better as a replacement, and for all their bluster, I doubt FGR are the club to do it.

Next up Hayes & Yeading on Tuesday and closure of the transfer window on Wednesday!

Friday 26 August 2011

Kissock in - Walker and Poku out on loan

Luton Town today announced the signing of Southport midfield general John Paul Kissock, a move which had been mooted several weeks earlier, but came to fruition today. Godfrey Poku goes in the opposite direction along with Dan Walker on loan until December.

No further news about the signing of a striker but the club are still working hard to bring in a quality player in that regard. My information is that James Constable was supposed to be signing last Monday from Oxford after the clubs agreed terms and the player seemed happy to come. The medical was booked, but he appears to have moved the goalposts after his brace for OUFC last Sunday. He has reportedly asked OUFC to pay him compensation on his contract. I believe the badge kissing at Swindon was for the public effect and he has been reported in interview as saying he wants to stay at Oxford, but see how quickly that may change if Oxford agree to a payout.  Bearing in mind that Shrewsbury are due 25% of any transfer money, it is logical that they won't want to have to pay the player compensation as well. Hence the hitch in securing his services.

I don't know what developments may have occurred over the last 24 hours but I am led to believe that Oxford boss Wilder is keen to move him out to bring in a new striker so we'll have to wait and see what happens. Tommy Craddock might also be seen to be surplus to requirements.

Wednesday 24 August 2011

Mansfield etc

Well we managed to secure the usual 1 point at Field Mill with a decent performance. We should have been a couple of goals to the good before conceding a goal which to be fair was an excellent strike. The usual gremlins that seem to befall us at Mansfield were again in evidence and how we did not manage to win with the possession we had I don't know, but an excellent free kick from Howells was headed home by Will Antwi and despite Matt Green failing to add to his goal by the width of a post, there only looked one winner. However, it was not to be but we remain unbeaten and while not an ideal start we are certainly up and running and will be challenging at the very top of the table before much longer.

Would my imposter stop posting crapola on Outlaws under my name please! I was at the match at the time and so unable to out him/her!

On the news front, I regret to say that the striker deal I was expecting to be completed, and one which would have been very acceptable to the fans, has hit a problem; one which may yet be overcome, but we will have to wait and see.  It should have been done and dusted by now but 'goalposts have been moved'. I can't say any more than that for now. Meanwhile, other options are being looked at and one of those would be very acceptable too, but I believe that Styche is unlikely to be among those options. Never say never, but when Baldock signs for Reading don't be surprised if Styche signs for the Mongs as his replacement. Not saying 'bet the farm' but it is on the cards.

Despite rumours of players being dropped for Mansfield, I can state that Keane had a dead leg from Saturday but refused to come off and suffered a reaction; Lawless had a niggle that meant to play him so soon afterwards was not a risk worth taking; and Wilmott has been used sparingly while he recovers from a slight injury but will be awesome as ever once fully fit.

Don't expect Pilks back for a while yet, he is running but it's going to take time and advice from a specialist, Henry is a long way off and Blackett will probably be a week away for the rest of the season or indeed his contract!

Braintree have been watched and they play some decent football and are very physical, so it will be a test on Saturday. Nuff sed!

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Up and running

Well, after a decent performance but a disappointing result against Forest Green, the winning trail was begun against Southport on Saturday. By midway through the first half it was difficult to predict the eventual outcome but the lads hung in and finally delivered with five goals in reply to Southport's opener.

I like the football that Luton are playing from the back and through midfield but despite the 5-1 victory, I am not a fan of playing the 5-4-1 system without a tall centre forward up front to capitalise on the good service given from the flanks. Fortunately it won't be long before the man for that job comes in. Even then I think that we offer far more threat playing 4-4-2 especially at home.

Next up Mansfield away tonight. As we have never won a league match at Field Mill, I guess a draw would be a decent result, but perhaps it is time to lay that bogey with a clear victory. Mansfield haven't looked too great so far and on the back of a morale boosting victory, there will never be a better time to capitalise. 

Monday 15 August 2011

Best of order - Game on!

After a false start at the weekend, Luton get their season under way at home tomorrow (Tues) against Forest Green Rovers. Despite their lowly finish last season, they have improved their squad and they may not be the pushovers they were then, but Luton's squad is a strong one and anything less than a win will be a disappointment.

Gary Sweet released a video on the Official Website revealing that 'negotiations' are under way regarding three players, but that doesn't mean signing three players; it means probably one. Either way it looks unlikely that any new players will be signed in time for the first game. I am led to believe that James Constable is the no 1 choice and that an improved offer may well be in already after the initial bid of £100K was rejected.

Let the battle commence and let's see an end to the booing of players. Anyone who pulls on the shirt is our man and confidence is not helped by booing. If a player is afraid of shooting in case he misses it can't be good for the team. I have a funny feeling this could be our year!

Thursday 11 August 2011

No place for triallists and bid made for Constable

So as expected, given their performances, Brabin has discontinued his interest in triallists Nathan Elder and Matt Paterson. No loss there. However, an initial formal bid was made for Oxford striker James Constable, who scored plenty for the them in their promotion season. He would be a fine acquisition and I understand that Luton are still interested in negotiating a deal for the player after Oxford rejected the bid immediately. Gary Brabin admitted he had made the bid and said that he has other players in mind should the deal not be possible.

Apparently, Oxford stripped Constable of the captaincy and despite his playing in the opening match of the season, and again in the Carling Cup last night, he appears to be conducive to a move and the club willing to sell if the price is right.

Meanwhile, local and national unrest has seen West Mercia police demand the postponement of the opening match against AFC Telford. It's annoying enough when the troublemakers kick off and start looting shops, but when they disrupt the football it's time they were shot.

Saturday 6 August 2011

Didn't see that coming!

Watched a good Hatters side play QPR last night, who played their first team for 45 minutes and despite Beckwith giving the boo boys more fodder by conceding a comedy goal in 30 seconds, I was impressed by what I saw - enough to believe that we will again be in contention for the top spot this season. QPR were never allowed to settle on the ball and were consistently pressed when in possession and even their quick passing game did not dampen the Town's spirit. The changes made on the hour saw the Hatters score three goals and win the match 3-1. I didn't expect that at half time! I like the way Brabin had them playing and I hope he opts for a settled side with not too much tactical changing of the personnel. Find the best 11 and let them gel as a unit and use substitutes to change things when needed. So how did they do individually?

Tyler: safe and assured - nuff sed!

Dan Gleeson: looked better than I have seen him last night and will not let us down on that showing.
Curtis Osano: Solid in defence and quick and tricky going forward. I'll stick my neck out and say he will be a crowd favourite after a few games.

Dean Beckwith: Comedy goal aside, ( I think he was on his mobile when the cross came over!), he did everything else OK last night so I can't understand the slagging he got from some fans on Outlaws. He won plenty in the air against big premiership forwards and cleared the ball without ceremony when he needed to. If Pilks is long term injured, as feared, and Blackett remains a week away from fitness for the next three months, Brabs will play Beckwith and he'll do OK.
Will Antwi: Another player whom I predict will become a crowd favourite. Passed it well, won high balls, turns quickly and played out of defence with some skill. Forwards won't like him clattering into their backs as he likes to put himself about. I felt he was still feeling his way a bit but has too much class for our opponents in this league.

James Dance: Looks quick and has some ball control and an eye for a cross. Ideal winger.
Jake Howells: Covered every blade of grass; never let anyone have the ball within catching distance without closing him down or challenging; robbed players in possession several times and has an incredible 'engine'. Must be the fittest player we've had in a long time. Man of the match was deserved. I'll be praying the transfer window gets closed before someone comes in for him, and if they don't will be praying the same in January!
Alex Lawless: Seemed to be working hard but not really able to get as much influence on the game as I know he can, especially in the first half. More effective in the second half.
Keith Keane: Close second for man of the match. Did what he does; closed people down and sprayed some decent passes around and intercepted some potential killer passes.
Aaron O'Connor: Looked lively but was well marshalled by some tall defenders in the first half. Should have had a goal but was blocked by a last ditch slide. He'll be a fine acquisition.
Danny Crow: Looked thinner than I expected with all the fatty comments on various 'boards' and ran willingly, just in the wrong directions for how some plays developed. Never really believed he would threaten the QPR defence. He will be useful taking on Conference defenders especially in the box because his low centre of gravity make him hard to knock off the ball and he'll win a few penalties like that. Not his best performance last night sadly.

Matthew Barnes-Homer: Where was he last night and who was the imposter wearing his shirt? He came on and moved around looking for the ball and communicating with his team mates. At one corner for QPR he was on the edge of his own penalty area and when Tyler collected it , MBH sprinted (read it again - sprinted) for about 70 yards to be available on the edge of the QPR box. It was great to see him react in the way he has. He has the talent and if he develops the consistency and a more busy work ethic he could be the league's top scorer. Brabin's post match comments suggest that their little rift, euphemistically referred to in the terms "I have spoken to him more than every other player and advised him how to improve his game", may be resolved. Let us hope so. Took his header very well for the equaliser. The game was tailor-made for him to score and he obliged.
Amari Morgan-Smith: Last year, never quite the player he was before the broken cheekbone, he looked hungry, fit and focussed, and scored a goal born out of pressing and putting the keeper under pressure when he could have been allowed to clear it unhindered.
Adam Watkins: I doubt the youngster will find a regular starting place but he should be nurtured and brought on gradually and should be the first name on the subs list. He is going to be a very good player, and has proved that with some consistent performances in pre-season.
Ed Asafu-Adjaye: looked comfortable in defence and should be another to break into the regular squad. Will do a job anywhere at the back.
I haven't seen enough of Poku and Lacey to have a confident opinion but they seem to have played well in the Trophy games last season and I don't think Brabin would worry about having to play either of them in injury or suspension situations.
Not playing last night: Wilmott is a certain starter and is going to be a great influence for us this season.
Freddie Murray: We all know what he can do and will be in the manager's plans when fit.
George Pilkington: If he can get his injury diagnosed and sorted will be the first defender on the team sheet. We all know what he can do.
Kevin Pilkington: No worries if he has to play.
Charlie Henry: Regrettably he is still long term injured and is unlikely to be fit this side of Christmas so we still know nothing much about him as he is yet to kick a ball in anger for us. I am beginning to wonder if he will ever play for us at all.

I still believe we need another striker and a top one if possible. I'm not sure that Nathan Elder is the answer but I wouldn't rule out the possibility that he will be signed as cover should the right player not be available for whatever reason.

Support: Can be the best in the League, certainly in numbers, but I really wish that the lads could be cheered on and off regardless of the result of a match, and that no player wearing the shirt should be booed because they are having a bad game.

Prospects for the season: Excellent. As much chance of winning the League as anyone.

Team for Telford (assuming no more signings)

Tyler
Gleeson Beckwith Antwi Osano
Wilmott (if fit)or Dance)  Keane Lawless Howells
Morgan-Smith Barnes Homer

Bench: K Pilkington, Adam Watkins, Ed A-A, James Dance or Godrey Poku, Aaron O Connor

Bring it on!

Monday 1 August 2011

McKenzie on his way

According to a tweet from Leon McKenzie, Gary Brabin has phoned him to say he doesn't fit what he is looking for. In reply to someone saying the manager is rubbish he intimated that he is not a rubbish manager and that he wishes the club, players and fans well for the season and hopes that the Hatters make it up this season. Seems like a top bloke. He is confident he will find a club soon. Best wishes to him, I hope he does.

Some rumblings behind the scenes.

I had been wondering why Matthew Barnes-Homer had disappeared from view quite suddenly and was thinking perhaps there was some truth in suggestions on websites that he may be on his way out.

The truth is he may well be if he doesn't sort himself out. Certain issues behind the scenes were being handled and MBH was played in the kids team as a sort of punishment, but his reaction to it which I won't go into, seriously annoyed the manager. Whether they can both get over it or not remains to be seen but it isn't the best situation this close to the new season when we are already a striker light in the squad.