Luton Town (A)

[Tombwfc]

11 hours ago, Eddie said:

We’re 3 points off automatic promotion, and that’s Stevenage who will drop away in the new year (if not before). We’ve caught up.

It’s a shit league, it’s an even league, the whole 2ppg thing is almost irrelevant if nobody else is. Fact of the matter is that after a start that has hardly been anything special, we’re 1 result away from our aim for the season.

 

Cardiff are at 2ppg. Stevenage are at 1.93ppg.

I'm obviously not saying we're adrift, but this team have been hypothetically top of the league since September and yet in real life we're still 6th. 

In 10 games time I'd like to see us right up there for real, not harking on about how we're one result away (if we ban everyone else from playing a game or two) or that teams with more points don't count (because Bet365 don't rate them).

And if we are top two in ten games time, we'll have had much better results along the way than a draw against a middling Luton side. That's all I'm saying about it not being a 'good result' in isolation, it's only worth anything if it's a precursor to better ones.

Edited November 30, 2025 by Tombwfc

[desperado]

On 27/11/2025 at 15:55, Tombwfc said:

Tutu has played 40 league games for us and has one goal and two assists. Fine as cover but he shouldn't be starting for a side looking to win the league.

One of our best players yesterday.

As always a great balance on that side.

Had the better of his FB

One assist and should have been two. 

[L/H White]

It's not taken Dempsey long to cement his place in this team

2 goals in 3 league games, and playing really well 

 

[Wanderlust]

43 minutes ago, Leyther_Matt said:

100%

Absolute sitter. Heading obviously not his strength, but any pro should be capable for such a simple chance

Despite that miss, ACD was one of the players whose performance I wasn’t overly disappointed in. Wilshere had done his homework and I doubt we’ll see much more of ACD cutting in from the right and getting a shot away for the rest of the season as he drew two or three defenders to him every time he received the ball - he was crowded out time and time again. But that created space for others elsewhere.

Plus ACDs defensive performance was excellent, tracking back, tackling and occasionally winning it back, generally getting in their faces like a wasp irritating the shit out of them. I loved that.

Sadly that miss emphasised our ongoing problem of not scoring enough when we’re on top.

 

[Tonge moor green jacket]

1 hour ago, freds dad said:

When Erarahon is fully fit Morely will be keeping the bench warm

In fairness, a fully fit Erhahon has largely kept the bench warm this season too.

I'd have him in, but SS has tended not to.

[Wanderlust]

14 minutes ago, L/H White said:

It's not taken Dempsey long to cement his place in this team

2 goals in 3 league games, and playing really well 

 

I just knew he’d improve us when he came back with his energy, effort and quality- always rated Kyle Dempsey. His driving runs and general dynamism link our midfield and attack beautifully and he’s a battler when needed. Wouldn’t surprise me if his stats for 60 minutes match some players 90 minute stats.

[L/H White]

Just now, Wanderlust said:

I just knew he’d improve us when he came back with his energy, effort and quality- always rated Kyle Dempsey. His driving runs and general dynamism link our midfield and attack beautifully and he’s a battler when needed. Wouldn’t surprise me if his stats for 60 minutes match some players 90 minute stats.

Similar, shame he's been plagued by injuries 

 

[Zico]

2 points from the last 2 games is disappointing 

Need to put together a sequence of wins together in December 

4 from 5 will do

[Tonge moor green jacket]

33 minutes ago, desperado said:

One of our best players yesterday.

As always a great balance on that side.

Had the better of his FB

One assist and should have been two. 

I quite like JOT, but he has been far too inconsistent-SS commented about that.

If he is the best option in the absence of Gale, then it's maybe an area of weakness. 

[masi 51]

1 hour ago, desperado said:

Your first 3 paragraphs are a very good response to Masi - we are nothing like an Evatt team.

We didn’t need to ditch the ones who are now playing well in a new system.

And to dismiss the likes of Erhahon and Gale (who have been injured), Christie (who is a great addition) TSL  (who is now performing really well) and Burstow/ACD (who, as you say have been the best loan players in L1) is quite frankly ridiculous! 

I’m not as critical about SS’s reaction to changes. I think he’s generally on the money with these. It’s nothing like Evatt’s 70 mins robotic subs.

We’ve seen quite a mix up this season; numbers of subs, different times, tactical subs, subs that involve formation changes etc.

Its all opinions but in direct contrast to your POV, I turned to my mate before the sending off and said I wouldn’t be in any rush to take anyone off here - we’re not giving them a sniff - I thought we could have kept a clean sheet.

Clearly after the sending off, and as the 2nd half progressed some players became tired and less ineffective changes were needed. 

But I thought the subs were ok given the circumstances.
 

 

We play a totally different system now than under Evatt but in general we are playing it with Evatt recruitment. I have no problems with Toal,Johnson, Conway, Sheehan and Dempsey starting most league games as they are the best players in that position currently at the club

Who is dismissing the new players????

Nobody banged on more about bringing in Erhahon than me and that view has certainly not changed.

Christie is at another level than Cogley, Gale likewise with TuTu. 

Burstow will struggle every week on his own and this playing two eights in front of a holding midfielder and keeping the two wingers is currently not helping us or any of this seasons signings

[masi 51]

19 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

Despite that miss, ACD was one of the players whose performance I wasn’t overly disappointed in. Wilshere had done his homework and I doubt we’ll see much more of ACD cutting in from the right and getting a shot away for the rest of the season as he drew two or three defenders to him every time he received the ball - he was crowded out time and time again. But that created space for others elsewhere.

Plus ACDs defensive performance was excellent, tracking back, tackling and occasionally winning it back, generally getting in their faces like a wasp irritating the shit out of them. I loved that.

Sadly that miss emphasised our ongoing problem of not scoring enough when we’re on top.

 

Surprised no Manager has simply swopped full backs and played a right back against ACD

[athywhite1958]

Another great away day, very good first half, poor second half, great atmosphere all day, I didn't think Simon's first yellow was justified, shit motorway standstill coming home, a few made a good noise on the services, all good natured, 

[1969]

2 hours ago, Leyther_Matt said:

100%

Absolute sitter. Heading obviously not his strength, but any pro should be capable for such a simple chance

Yes it was a sitter, but it was not as bad as there 1 yard,in the middle of the goal,open net miss

[CambridgeBWFC]

3 hours ago, desperado said:

But I thought the subs were ok given the circumstances.

Fair enough and easier to forget the other games, but the last two i think he has been slow to react and that has possibly played into the results. Dempsey is struggling to do 60 minutes at the moment and whilst i am enjoying his performances hooking him earlier in both games would have been the right move.

Yesterday i can see we were limiting the chances  and were defending well, but we were not really in control and only seemed to be going one way, the sending iff sealed the fate. 

[Johnnyrotten]

1 hour ago, Stig said:

Not sure about that. It's drilled across and he's having to dive at it with a defender jostling with him.

Kind of header I would have zero chance of ever scoring as an amateur, so I'm not sure it's a bad miss. Hard chance

Agreed, he'd have to be taller to make it into an easy chance.  Under pressure from the defender, having to stretch, and with it being a back post chance would have to get some decent direction on it to steer it into goal, rather than just make straight contact.

Now if we're talking unbelievable misses, what about Yates in 1st half?  I still can't believe he managed to put that over the bar from 2 inches (not sure where TSL was going?).  And a clear pen for that Johnston trip on Yates.  I've only seen highlights and I know full well that isn't a reflection of watching 90 minutes, but it looked like 1-0 to us at H-T was a bit flattering.

[Leyther_Matt]

2 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

Despite that miss, ACD was one of the players whose performance I wasn’t overly disappointed in. Wilshere had done his homework and I doubt we’ll see much more of ACD cutting in from the right and getting a shot away for the rest of the season as he drew two or three defenders to him every time he received the ball - he was crowded out time and time again. But that created space for others elsewhere.

Plus ACDs defensive performance was excellent, tracking back, tackling and occasionally winning it back, generally getting in their faces like a wasp irritating the shit out of them. I loved that.

Sadly that miss emphasised our ongoing problem of not scoring enough when we’re on top.

 

So frustrating sometimes that you see so much space behind the full back if he just chooses to mix it up every now and then. He’s more than capable of it, but seems to do it less and less as games go on. 

18 minutes ago, 1969 said:

Yes it was a sitter, but it was not as bad as there 1 yard,in the middle of the goal,open net miss

Very true. He put it on the roof of the stand!

[desperado]

2 hours ago, masi 51 said:

Who is dismissing the new players????

6 hours ago, masi 51 said:

Nothing is telling me at this time that Harkins players are a step up on Markham

Your comment here would suggest you are currently dismissing the new players 😊

Edited November 30, 2025 by desperado

[Johnnyrotten]

A danger Gale might be going into the "gets better when injured" category.  I rate him and love watching him, but he has quiet games too, especially away.  Tutu has gone from "1 assist in 40 games" or whatever it was to being the only one of the two to get an assist away from home.  Does that now mean he has to start at Wycombe? Our performances away from home have a low bar offensively and its stretching it a bit to suggest we're much improved when anyone gets picked or doesn't, other than ACD obviously.

[desperado]

2 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

A danger Gale might be going into the "gets better when injured" category.  I rate him and love watching him, but he has quiet games too, especially away.  Tutu has gone from "1 assist in 40 games" or whatever it was to being the only one of the two to get an assist away from home.  Does that now mean he has to start at Wycombe? Our performances away from home have a low bar offensively and its stretching it a bit to suggest we're much improved when anyone gets picked or doesn't, other than ACD obviously.

Agree with that.

Apart from one or two, it’s as equally absurd to say one player must start to completely dismissing others.

“Gale has to start” to “Tutu should be nowhere near our best 11” are both extremes which at this point are wrong IMO. Same with Christie and Cogley. 

 

[masi 51]

10 minutes ago, desperado said:

Your comment here would suggest you are currently dismissing the new players 😊

Merely pointing out SS currently picks more of Evatt/Markham players more than his/Harkin players

Erhahon, Christy, Gale and Forss all need to be involved more

 

[masi 51]

16 minutes ago, desperado said:

Agree with that.

Apart from one or two, it’s as equally absurd to say one player must start to completely dismissing others.

“Gale has to start” to “Tutu should be nowhere near our best 11” are both extremes which at this point are wrong IMO. Same with Christie and Cogley. 

 

Why?   Can you tell me what position TuTu plays? 

[gonzo]

Tutu was fine yesterday. Was sound for 60 v Bradford too.

[W.cramp]

Simons get a 1 match ban ?    Does the vertu trophy and fa cup count ?   

[deeane Koontz]

Couldnt watch it yesterday. Was Dempsey playing the more advanced or was it Morley?

 

[masi 51]

9 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Tutu was fine yesterday. Was sound for 60 v Bradford too.

Fine and sound are not good enough.....The problem if we play with two wingers then it leaves Burstow alone 

We have to have both wingers on top of their game or we struggle at the top end of the field

And Tutu is just basically steady away with no goal threat.