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LUTON LOWDOWN
Soo.. veteran manager Kirby has been let loose on little Luton, can he revive them and make them an attractive proposition for someone to take over? The side was an aging one with very little quality, sitting near the bottom of the Championship wages table with very little going for them.
Early deals –
The aging keeper was sold off, giving young 22 rated Soares a chance to prove himself, though a massive risk to play someone so low rated, the cash was needed to fund a potential auction bid. A further oldie or two were sold off to scrape together enough cash for a bid. The auction brought success, in the shape of teenage striker Washington, a top-quality lad with lots of potential. Nakamba was also brought in on loan, to bring in a little quality.
However, despite fending off a few bids for Washington, he was eventually sold to Barcelona for Darwin Nunez a 21 rated striker, and 30m. This was seen as crucial cash investment to boost the side overall, and maybe even set up a mid-season auction bid. Washington hadn’t exactly been pulling up many trees, and the wily Sam knew of the manger’s fondness for Nunez. The cash was invested in midfielder Zielinski a player not far from uprate who would make a profit if sold. This week has also seen the sale of midfielder Clark, and the purchase of striker Awoniyi, giving the front line a strong look for the Championship if nothing else. No doubt further wheeling and dealing will follow.
Match reports
Week 1
Luton 2-1 Ipswich
Great way to start the season. I suspect points are going to be hard to come by this season so 3 on the first day is a bonus.
We are one of the weaker sides, so set up cautiously, as did Ipswich.
Fortunately we shaded the shot count and our dodgy keeper did enough to keep the score down.
Nakamba scored and got man of the match, with Mavididi getting the other.
Away to Bristol City next, which is going to be tough
We do have a few quid to spend, and a few players nearing uprates, so there are some other positives
Week 2
Bristol City 1-0 Luton
Decent performance from the lads, who were away at a stronger side.
We set up cautiously to try and take anything from the game, and at least kept the score down after the early goal.
City deserved the win easily, and had tactical advantage at the start.
Hopefully Luton can keep improving the squad, and pick up a few points here and there.
Week 3
Luton 2-1 Huddersfield
Any win for Luton is a good one, and this was another good performance from the lads, against a better team.
We switched up tactics and it looked like the visitors had scored the first goal, but it was disallowed, only for a minute later for Luton debutant Henderson to score his first of two, in a great performance from the new midfielder.
It looked a close game on the stats, with the home side just being a little more clinical.
In the top 4 for now, which isn't what was expected.
Some changes to come next week, with a couple of quality players coming in, so maybe we can build on this.
Week 4
Middlesborough 1-2 Luton
Luton continue to surprise, this time away at a stronger looking Boro side.
Both sides started cautiously and it looked like being a tight goal less game into well into the second half when Luton broke the deadlock with a goal from Nakamba, Boro went on the attack, only to be caught on the hop by a Nakamba second. Boro got one back though Jones but couldn't find the equaliser.
The stats looked fairly even, with Luton managing to be a little more clinical
Positives - Another surprise win, good abs in defence including another uprate
Negatives - Booking for Mavididi
Luton stay in fourth, but surely will fall to Stockport in the next game, though the manager has done some deals which has strengthened the midfield and forward line, including the arrival of manager's favourite Darwin Nunez.
Week 5
Luton 2-2 Stockport
Great performance against the league leaders, and on another day would probably have won.
The new lads did well, including goals from both Zielinkski and Nunez.
We raced into a two goal lead, but couldn't hold it, which is disappointing, but given we had a 22 gk v 25, and even the 22 went off injured for an 18, maybe I should be happier!
Fortunately Soares injury was only minor, but Zielinski will miss a game, following another knock.
Good, exciting game.
Week 6
Coventry 0-2 Luton
Luton's good start to the season continues, with a good win on the road.
Henderson was man of the match, scoring the first goal, and putting in a fine performance.
Luton changed up their tactics, and slightly edged the stats, being more clinical.
Young keeper Soares is performing better than expected for a 22 so far, long may it continue.
Up to 3rd in the league, not bad at all. Next up is a trip to Brentford.
Week 7
Brentford 1-0 Luton
Close game, but the first minute goal was enough to give the home side the points.
I assumed it might be randoms for Brentford, and it threw up an L v our initial P, but unfortunately we switched tactics once the goal went in and lost advantage. It was fairly tight, but despite a few chances, we couldn't get back in the game.
We have been over reaching so far, so it's no surprise to lose and drop back a bit, hopefully we can stay in the top half
FLT CUP round 2
Rotherham 0-1 Luton
Nice to see Luton progress to the third round of the FLT cup. We were up against league one opposition, so we chanced getting some squad players minutes, and it worked out ok, though it was hardly a dominant performance.
Adebayo scored the only goal of the game in the second half, and there were some good abs for Anderson and Stephens too.
Clark finally got his uprate, and has earned himself a move to Stockport.
FA Cup round 1
Luton 2-3 Barnsley
Exciting game for the fans, but ultimately the shock win was not to be.
Barnsley took the early lead, but we fought back through a goal from teenage striker Washington to take the game to extra time.
The win looked possible when we took the lead, but Barnsley hit back with two to break the fans hearts.
To be honest we wouldn't have fancied penalties given the 25v22 keeper mismatch.
The lads can be proud though, and some decent abs and uprates
1134 words so far
Soo.. veteran manager Kirby has been let loose on little Luton, can he revive them and make them an attractive proposition for someone to take over? The side was an aging one with very little quality, sitting near the bottom of the Championship wages table with very little going for them.
Early deals –
The aging keeper was sold off, giving young 22 rated Soares a chance to prove himself, though a massive risk to play someone so low rated, the cash was needed to fund a potential auction bid. A further oldie or two were sold off to scrape together enough cash for a bid. The auction brought success, in the shape of teenage striker Washington, a top-quality lad with lots of potential. Nakamba was also brought in on loan, to bring in a little quality.
However, despite fending off a few bids for Washington, he was eventually sold to Barcelona for Darwin Nunez a 21 rated striker, and 30m. This was seen as crucial cash investment to boost the side overall, and maybe even set up a mid-season auction bid. Washington hadn’t exactly been pulling up many trees, and the wily Sam knew of the manger’s fondness for Nunez. The cash was invested in midfielder Zielinski a player not far from uprate who would make a profit if sold. This week has also seen the sale of midfielder Clark, and the purchase of striker Awoniyi, giving the front line a strong look for the Championship if nothing else. No doubt further wheeling and dealing will follow.
Match reports
Week 1
Luton 2-1 Ipswich
Great way to start the season. I suspect points are going to be hard to come by this season so 3 on the first day is a bonus.
We are one of the weaker sides, so set up cautiously, as did Ipswich.
Fortunately we shaded the shot count and our dodgy keeper did enough to keep the score down.
Nakamba scored and got man of the match, with Mavididi getting the other.
Away to Bristol City next, which is going to be tough
We do have a few quid to spend, and a few players nearing uprates, so there are some other positives
Week 2
Bristol City 1-0 Luton
Decent performance from the lads, who were away at a stronger side.
We set up cautiously to try and take anything from the game, and at least kept the score down after the early goal.
City deserved the win easily, and had tactical advantage at the start.
Hopefully Luton can keep improving the squad, and pick up a few points here and there.
Week 3
Luton 2-1 Huddersfield
Any win for Luton is a good one, and this was another good performance from the lads, against a better team.
We switched up tactics and it looked like the visitors had scored the first goal, but it was disallowed, only for a minute later for Luton debutant Henderson to score his first of two, in a great performance from the new midfielder.
It looked a close game on the stats, with the home side just being a little more clinical.
In the top 4 for now, which isn't what was expected.
Some changes to come next week, with a couple of quality players coming in, so maybe we can build on this.
Week 4
Middlesborough 1-2 Luton
Luton continue to surprise, this time away at a stronger looking Boro side.
Both sides started cautiously and it looked like being a tight goal less game into well into the second half when Luton broke the deadlock with a goal from Nakamba, Boro went on the attack, only to be caught on the hop by a Nakamba second. Boro got one back though Jones but couldn't find the equaliser.
The stats looked fairly even, with Luton managing to be a little more clinical
Positives - Another surprise win, good abs in defence including another uprate
Negatives - Booking for Mavididi
Luton stay in fourth, but surely will fall to Stockport in the next game, though the manager has done some deals which has strengthened the midfield and forward line, including the arrival of manager's favourite Darwin Nunez.
Week 5
Luton 2-2 Stockport
Great performance against the league leaders, and on another day would probably have won.
The new lads did well, including goals from both Zielinkski and Nunez.
We raced into a two goal lead, but couldn't hold it, which is disappointing, but given we had a 22 gk v 25, and even the 22 went off injured for an 18, maybe I should be happier!
Fortunately Soares injury was only minor, but Zielinski will miss a game, following another knock.
Good, exciting game.
Week 6
Coventry 0-2 Luton
Luton's good start to the season continues, with a good win on the road.
Henderson was man of the match, scoring the first goal, and putting in a fine performance.
Luton changed up their tactics, and slightly edged the stats, being more clinical.
Young keeper Soares is performing better than expected for a 22 so far, long may it continue.
Up to 3rd in the league, not bad at all. Next up is a trip to Brentford.
Week 7
Brentford 1-0 Luton
Close game, but the first minute goal was enough to give the home side the points.
I assumed it might be randoms for Brentford, and it threw up an L v our initial P, but unfortunately we switched tactics once the goal went in and lost advantage. It was fairly tight, but despite a few chances, we couldn't get back in the game.
We have been over reaching so far, so it's no surprise to lose and drop back a bit, hopefully we can stay in the top half
FLT CUP round 2
Rotherham 0-1 Luton
Nice to see Luton progress to the third round of the FLT cup. We were up against league one opposition, so we chanced getting some squad players minutes, and it worked out ok, though it was hardly a dominant performance.
Adebayo scored the only goal of the game in the second half, and there were some good abs for Anderson and Stephens too.
Clark finally got his uprate, and has earned himself a move to Stockport.
FA Cup round 1
Luton 2-3 Barnsley
Exciting game for the fans, but ultimately the shock win was not to be.
Barnsley took the early lead, but we fought back through a goal from teenage striker Washington to take the game to extra time.
The win looked possible when we took the lead, but Barnsley hit back with two to break the fans hearts.
To be honest we wouldn't have fancied penalties given the 25v22 keeper mismatch.
The lads can be proud though, and some decent abs and uprates
1134 words so far
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