Despite the disappointing result at Bath City last night, results elsewhere saw us go top of the league for the first time this season, albeit on goal difference. I'm not saying we will remain there permanently, there may be ups and downs. In fact it appears rare for the team that is top at Christmas to win the league. However, I firmly believe that we will be right up in the mix at Christmas and then push on from there strengthening in January if needs be.
So, how are we really doing? I know people on message boards are critical of our start, and some are fearful of the other three teams who are level on points with us, and a few that are currently only a point or two below that, including York City, but I find it hard to be critical of the Hatters or afraid of anyone in the league this season.
1) we have very long injury list, especially relating to defenders, yet we have conceded fewer goals than any of the other three and have the joint best defensive record in the league, so how good will we be when the injured defenders are fit?
2) we began with shortcomings in the striking department, but have the highest goals scored of anyone in the league bar none, and as a result of these two stats:
3) we obviously have the best goal difference.
4) we are the only team as yet unbeaten.
I know all the above is common knowledge so why be afraid of any of the teams level with us at present? I can't think of a reason. It is mooted that some of the challenging pack have some decent players, especially in the striking roles. Well - we have the best squad. Gary Brabin has identified weaknesses and has brought in players who have not only strengthened the squad generally but who all bring different attributes, giving him not only cover for injury and suspension, but also options to play different players for different tactical reasons. Incidentally, I think Stuart Fleetwood is by a long way the best striker in the division. He will not only score goals, but he has the ability to hold up play, his distribution is good and he will win balls in the opponents' penalty area creating chances for others. As far as scoring is concerned, he has been very close to scoring a lot of times in the few games he has played so far, but has been unlucky and one of these days he is going to have that little extra bit of luck and will score three or four in a match. What is more, I don't care if his goals are all from a yard out or go in off his arse! He gets in good positions, and that's instinctive. I was a little dubious about Jamie Hand coming in, but he has shown that, in this league, he is a very useful player. Jon Paul Kissock looks a great prospect and adds yet another dimension to midfield. Janos Kovacs looked a different class at Bath, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him come in permanently, nor would I rule out James Constable coming on board, either on an initial loan or else in January, to give us a boost. He is most certainly unhappy at Oxford and was so close to joining, in addition to Fleetwood, in the recent transfer window. As I mentioned before, Fleetwood was a snip and barely made a ripple in the club's finances to bring him in and the club sees this as the season to win the league, so they still have most of the fee they had agreed with Oxford for Constable, still in the coffers.
So good business has been done, in and out, and I can see no reason why the other teams in the division don't have a hell of a lot more to worry about in us, than we do in them. Luton fans have been fickle since time immemorial. We win a game, we are world beaters; lose one and we are rubbish. As we are unbeaten, we have to start complaining about draws now? Give me strength!
This IS our year! We SHALL be promoted!
Keep the faith and keep being the extra man especially at home.
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