Hatters train is back on the rails

After an unbeaten, but hit and miss start, it looks as though the Hatters train is back on the rails, fully stoked and building up speed. Back to back wins have seen them take over third place, kindly kept warm for them for a few days by Mansfield.

It seems that Brabs has put a few more pieces into the jigsaw puzzle and a better idea of the full picture has emerged. Jamie Hand looks the bulldog midfielder that we lacked, promptly getting his fifth yellow card of the season on Saturday and being suspended for Tuesday at Telford. Stuart Fleetwood is looking the striker we needed and is a different class for this league. If you knew how good a deal was struck to secure his services you would be impressed with the negotiation skills of 2020. It hardly dented the transfer budget and I don't believe we have seen the last of the 'loan market' dealings yet. From what I have heard, the club really believes that this season, we have  a very good opportunity to win the league and they are prepared to do whatever it takes, within the bounds of common sense and resources, to make it happen.

On the injury front there has been good news. Charlie Henry is playing again, although I would be surprised if he is even considered for first team duty this side of Christmas, if then. The true nature of Pilks' injury, which had been baffling the specialists, has finally been identified and he is now following advice in getting back to full fitness and, while it may yet be a few weeks before he starts match practice, at least he is now truly on the mend. Shane Blackett, who had a very serious adductor tear, the sort that can end careers, has healed enough to get back into light training, but only when he puts his muscles under full pressure will it be known if he will ever be the same as before the injury. I wish him all the best, he's had extremely bad luck to pick up such an injury.

Dan Gleeson had a bit of a set back but is on the mend. We need him back above all else, so let's hope it is soon. I have no news of Freddie Murray's injury at the moment but if I hear I'll report.

Lincoln City next, who have not been playing as badly as their results have shown, but their confidence must be low after getting such poor results. As frequently mooted, we really must make Kenilworth Road a fortress that no team comes to expecting anything other than defeat! Saturday is a good chance to make it 3 in 3 wins and put the pressure on the top two who are now looking over their shoulders after we moved to 3 points behind them. It was pleasing to see the club rearrange the postponed match so quickly; points on the board are always better than games in hand.

Now that the squad is beginning to gel and looking less likely to concede, and more likely to score, let's get back to 6000+ home fans and make some serious positive noise to get right behind the team. They are playing some attractive football too.