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Post by shatter2 on Dec 29, 2023 20:33:28 GMT
Last match of the year tomorrow and we're now starting to play teams for the second time.
We've come a long way since Chelsea away and I really think we can compete and get something from this fixture.
Our next League game is over two weeks away with Bolton next weekend so a bit of breathing space and recovery time. COYH!
No Trivia from me this week,.Happy New Year folks!
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Post by bms on Dec 30, 2023 10:58:42 GMT
Would be great to continue our fine home performances of late and secure a third successive (Premier) league victory against a volatile Chelsea side 🤞
Happy New Year Everyone!
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Post by Lake on Dec 30, 2023 11:33:39 GMT
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Post by 8two on Dec 30, 2023 16:13:10 GMT
It's easy to say 'that was nearly a point', not in my view. Let's face it, apart from Barkley and Mengi we were second best all over the park. The last 10 minutes gave us hope but by then Chelsea had decided that the game was theirs and were probably thinking of a hot shower and whatever they do after a victory.
It all started most un-Luton like. An early opposition goal gifted to them by the player most wanted back, Kabore. I've said it once, twice and thrice, Lakonga is like a straw in a hurricane, can't tackle, can't head and can't jump and is completely lost when the play bypasses him. Bring back Pelly for his strength and mobility.
If we hang onto Barkley in January I'll be amazed, he's vital to any chance we have in staying in this division.
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Post by Wimbo on Dec 30, 2023 18:17:38 GMT
I thought we started really well today but then faded as Chelsea started to run the game for the majority of the first half.
The first goal was an error in not clearing the ball; very unfortunate for us.
I thought the subs had a good impact on our play and it was so awfully flattering in my opinion, for Chelsea to go into a three goal lead.
We grabbed two goals back, almost got an equaliser on several occasions, and all in all there were some really good performances from our players. Don’t think I’ll ever understand how Manchester United let Mengi leave; he and Osho make a very good centre back partnership.
Hopefully, whatever the outcome of this season, we can manage to hang onto some of these really talented players we have at Luton. Trouble is that in this Premier League there are so many very expensive high quality players who are so quick to pounce on the slightest mistake and punish it.
Before the Newcastle game, I would never have imagined we would collect six points from the next three games.
On with the fight!
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Post by proudhattersince74 on Dec 30, 2023 19:15:15 GMT
Great fight back but needed to keep the deficit at two to stand a chance of gaining any points. Three avoidable goals conceded and very unlike us of late to make such glaring errors and/or allowing too much space to the wrong types of players in dangerous positions. The fact of the matter is that their players are, individually, bloody expensive because they are, individually, bloody good and many of them can turn a game in a split second.
We may have Ross Barkley but they have six or seven equivalents to him when you include their bench - plus they have players with far better decision making skillsets: knowing when and where to run and with real purpose. Whereas our movement before we laid siege to their penalty area was one paced, one dimensional and predictable (compared to recent games) ... which I put down to the two hard fought games in the preceding 8 days.
The comment above about Lokonga not being able to do anything whatsoever really has left me wondering whether my eyes are broken or just need servicing. Lokonga isn't an immediate swap-in for Nakamba as the latter is more of a 'destroyer' (in that he breaks up the opposition play and gives a simple 5 yard pass to someone else to move it on) whilst the former is a gatherer-giver (being far more central and creative within passing movements). Personally, I thought Lokonga had a very good game today but opinions differ.
If Chelsea click as a team then they may do us some favours in the second half of the season by beating teams that may (in my wildest dreams) be catchable: my issue here being that I expect those potentially catchable teams to spend more than us in January to keep at arms' length from the relegation battle. If we splash the cash in January then are we recruiting to stay up or for a squad in The Championship? If we have money to spend, should we be recruiting new players anyway when some of our current squad could well be OOC in the summer and may become valueless? Possibly Osho and Doughty to name just two!
COYH.
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Post by bms on Dec 30, 2023 20:31:08 GMT
Great to read that I am not alone in appreciating all that Lakonga brings. Yes, Chelsea could and maybe should have been out of sight due to our mistakes and apparent initial lethargy and as Proud rightly says, their incredible skills and awareness ( some of their control and skill on the touch line alone was breathtaking). But the spirit and momentum that took hold after Elijah’s header was ruled out was quite something and led to my Chelsea supporting nephew texting ‘thought you were definitely going to turn us over in the second half’.
The recent glut of league games now dries up and we have a two week gap before and between Burnley away and Brighton at home - plenty of time for Rob to reflect and put the finishing touches to his plan for our survival 🤞🏽
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