MDF +Trivia Luton v Bolton Wanderers 07/0 24

[shatter2]

We play hosts to the Wanderers tomorrow in a Third Round FA Cup match. 
A chance to see some squad players and maybe give one or two first team regulars a break.
A lot of interest in the game and a full house expected, Bolton are doing well in their league so could be a tough nut to crack!.COYH!!

Wanderers Trivia    In 1973 we faced them in a 5th round tie at Burden Park, as now they were in 2nd place in Div 3. A single goal from Alan Garner took Town to the next round. 
I went on the supporters train and a brick was thrown from the embankment smashing the carriage window. Good old days.☹️ Don't forget the Bobberman Cup predictions by 1pm!!

[8two]

Luton vs Bolton FA Cup history

1898 LOST 1 - 0
1928 LOST 2 - 1
1953 LOST 1 - 0
1973 WON 1 - 0
1997 DRAW 1 - 1
1997 LOST  6 - 2

The two Luton goals in 1997 were scored by Tony Thorpe and Dwight Marshall.

[hatterinSW19]

Bolton were the opponents in my first ever Luton game. That was in the league, though, September 1975. We lost 2-0.

[8two]

Jan 6, 2024 15:20:46 GMT hatterinSW19 said:

Bolton were the opponents in my first ever Luton game. That was in the league, though, September 1975. We lost 2-0.

I bet Big Sam was Little Sam in 1975 Dawn?

[bms]

Haha
Yes, agree tomorrow likely to be a Close Encounter, hopefully of the winning kind. But have to say I won’t be distraught if we don’t prevail and a draw would be just about the worst result. Enjoy the game everyone

[8two]

[8two]

I thought Bolton looked like us away from home. They set up to keep us out and succeeded,  unlike what we generally achieve.

I still maintain that we are weaker without Pelly and the only urgency we showed today was when Townsend, late on, appeared. 

Scores on the doors for me, few and far between. Mengi, Doughty and Osho deserve their wages and that's about it. And Edwards needs to have a talk with himself.

[rutlandhatter]

Any more comments from those who were there?

[bms]

Still thawing out Rutland but for FWIW, if we had shown the same urgency from the outset of the game as we did in the second half, feel sure we would now be in the 4th round. Our reward is now Burnley away on Fri (without Kabore) and a difficult replay at Bolton.
Positives were Lakonga (again), Clark looking now nearly back to his best and as 8two mentioned, Osho, Doughty and Mengi. Ogbene had his poorest game yet, Carlton was all over the shop apart from a good header, Chong’s first half was dire and Bell was far from his best. Have to give Bolton credit too - great turnout from their fans.
We weren’t alone today - see Forest and West Ham
PS - I never want to go back to Leagues One or Two

[bushhatter]

I think the game has been summed by everyone else and it was very disappointing and boring. There was one big plus though, as many season ticket holders didn't attend the crowd was very different, many children with their parents were there probably many for the first time. In the Kenny they now have coffee machines, is gentrification setting in to Luton now?

[rutlandhatter]

Coffee machines are better than betting kiosks!

[biscot boy]

IMO a disappointing performance and a lack of creativity restricted our chances to a bare minimum. Naturally if we had won then the team selection would have been justified, but I was surprised that Pelly did not start, I thought this game would have suited him.I appreciate that he hardly ever figures these days but against this level of opposition I expected Berry to come on as a sub, he has a history of providing a touch of creativity when needed and scoring a goal in this type of situation.

It would appear that neither of these players are in RE's plans as we move forward. I am concerned about the goalkeeping situation, Krul had a routine high ball to deal with,that he should have caught easily, however he managed to somehow mis punch it and it nearly landed up in the net. Of course we do not have the benefit of seeing these players on a daily basis in training or practice matches, but is he really better than Shea? I just hope that the team is being selected purely on performance and form as opposed to reputation.

[8two]

Jan 8, 2024 18:14:48 GMT biscot boy said:

I am concerned about the goalkeeping situation, Krul had a routine high ball to deal with,that he should have caught easily, however he managed to somehow mis punch it and it nearly landed up in the net. Of course we do not have the benefit of seeing these players on a daily basis in training or practice matches, but is he really better than Shea? I just hope that the team is being selected purely on performance and form as opposed to reputation.

Krul's aversion to high, challenged for, balls is rivalled by Dean Brill's aversion to crosses. As for Shea, he doesn't fill me with much confidence, when confronted by a crowded box.

Rob Edwards, as with most other managers is always going to have a preference for his signings. Lakonga for Pelly, no way, one works and covers the entire pitch, the other doesn't. 

Edwards started against Bolton with Ogbene as a wingback(?). He is not a defender so select him for what he is, that way, you stand a chance of getting a performance out of him.

Luton's only hope is to play the Luton way, ergo totally different from the other 19. Trying to emulate the Premier way leads only to relegation. Players who give 100% and chase lost causes may keep us up.