|
Post by rutlandhatter on Mar 18, 2021 10:21:52 GMT
So, with the bottom 3 doing so badly and LTFC gaining points (and goals) here and there the question now is how high can we finish this season?
|
|
|
Post by ickle2 on Mar 18, 2021 12:11:13 GMT
10th at best but more likely 13th
|
|
|
Post by greeno on Mar 18, 2021 12:23:22 GMT
Great question, especially as just a few short weeks ago some had us doomed, there weren't three worse teams than us in the division, all the tactics were wrong, Mr Jones had lost the dressing room, something is seriously wrong after we DREW at home to Millwall. (Yes I know the circumstance of the draw.)
Anyway 9th or 10th would be lovely.
|
|
|
Post by shatter2 on Mar 18, 2021 13:24:41 GMT
Great question, especially as just a few short weeks ago some had us doomed, there weren't three worse teams than us in the division, all the tactics were wrong, Mr Jones had lost the dressing room, something is seriously wrong after we DREW at home to Millwall. (Yes I know the circumstance of the draw.) Anyway 9th or 10th would be lovely. I think many of us thought that at half time against Sheffield Wednesday we'd be in Div One next season, but now ten points better off we sit mid table. Looking at our run in I would expect at least another nine points so would expect us to be just about where we are now.
|
|
|
Post by Wimbo on Mar 18, 2021 14:03:48 GMT
Good question and to my way of thinking once NJ gets us past 52 points he could then throw a touch of caution to the wind and try to win as many games as we can rather than hold for a draw or retain a one goal advantage. Would be lovely to hit 60 points. Yet against this, once we are safe it would make more sense to prepare for next season by using the players + fringe players who we are confident will be with us next season rather than the OOC “waiting for a better offer” mob.
|
|
|
Post by bms on Mar 18, 2021 15:04:13 GMT
Great question, especially as just a few short weeks ago some had us doomed, there weren't three worse teams than us in the division, all the tactics were wrong, Mr Jones had lost the dressing room, something is seriously wrong after we DREW at home to Millwall. (Yes I know the circumstance of the draw.) Anyway 9th or 10th would be lovely. I think many of us thought that at half time against Sheffield Wednesday we'd be in Div One next season, but now ten points better off we sit mid table. Looking at our run in I would expect at least another nine points so would expect us to be just about where we are now. I freely confess to being One of the Ones who thought we'd be back in One. would be great to finsih above any of the previuosly most established Championship 'big' clubs - Forest and Derby will do nicely for starters. we're only two points behind Stoke and with a game in hand. Just imagine that...
|
|
|
Post by shatter2 on Mar 18, 2021 17:59:52 GMT
I think many of us thought that at half time against Sheffield Wednesday we'd be in Div One next season, but now ten points better off we sit mid table. Looking at our run in I would expect at least another nine points so would expect us to be just about where we are now. I freely confess to being One of the Ones who thought we'd be back in One. would be great to finsih above any of the previuosly most established Championship 'big' clubs - Forest and Derby will do nicely for starters. we're only two points behind Stoke and with a game in hand. Just imagine that... I was also one of the ones, myself and Wimbo were checking the train times to Cambridge and the opening times at the Cambridge Blue!
|
|
|
Post by biscot boy on Mar 18, 2021 18:16:31 GMT
I agree with Wimbo. I hope that we can wrap up safety swiftly, then use the opportunity to look at some of our "junior" players. We have signed a number of senior "ACADEMY" one i think has premier experience with Crystal Palace, would be great to see them used.
A number of our regulars could do with a rest, especially as they hardly had any out of season time last year. e.g. Rea had a serious injury and made a reasonably swift recovery and has since his return had a hectic schedule. He is probably suffering from muscle fatigue, which is common after such a serious injury. His form has definitely suffered, time for the beach. Give him a decent recuperation time and then a good pre season to sharpen him up. I am sure a number of the others would also benefit from a decent rest to get over minor injuries they are carrying and return to 100%.
In the meantime monitor the progress of the younger players and finalise the retained list and recruitment targets.
|
|
|
Post by proudhattersince74 on Mar 18, 2021 18:54:26 GMT
Whilst I can appreciate the idea of trying out younger, less experienced players in latter matches once we are mathematically safe, two factors spring to mind:
1) Don't the players have to be in a registered squad of 25? I'm pretty certain we have already submitted our squad to close out the season: indeed, there were comments about Galloway's omission from this list. Not sure if some of the youngsters being thought of are actually in the registered squad irrespective of them being listed in the first team squad on the OS.
2) I assume that, similar to the Premier League, that prize money increases the higher up the table you finish. As it has been announced that 2020 are looking to be playing at Power Court in 2024-2025 season, that means we have to try to survive in the Championship for 3 more years on 'limited' funds before relocating and, supposedly, seeing rocketing income. Any extra cash by way of prize money before then would probably be gratefully received by 2020! Trialing young guns would put any potential prize money windfalls under pressure. Mind you, if the EFL do NOT offer incremented prizes for final league position then finishing 7th or 21st wouldn't matter a toss so go ahead and play anyone, anywhere, anytime ... as long as it helps keep T***ford out of the automatic promotion spots and helps push Brum down (if only so that Rotherham and Coventry are Championship teams next season!)
|
|
|
Post by bernardshakey on Mar 18, 2021 20:14:44 GMT
No prize money for place finishes in the Championship Proud
|
|
|
Post by Wimbo on Mar 19, 2021 9:27:09 GMT
Whilst I can appreciate the idea of trying out younger, less experienced players in latter matches once we are mathematically safe, two factors spring to mind: 1) Don't the players have to be in a registered squad of 25? I'm pretty certain we have already submitted our squad to close out the season: indeed, there were comments about Galloway's omission from this list. Not sure if some of the youngsters being thought of are actually in the registered squad irrespective of them being listed in the first team squad on the OS.2) I assume that, similar to the Premier League, that prize money increases the higher up the table you finish. As it has been announced that 2020 are looking to be playing at Power Court in 2024-2025 season, that means we have to try to survive in the Championship for 3 more years on 'limited' funds before relocating and, supposedly, seeing rocketing income. Any extra cash by way of prize money before then would probably be gratefully received by 2020! Trialing young guns would put any potential prize money windfalls under pressure. Mind you, if the EFL do NOT offer incremented prizes for final league position then finishing 7th or 21st wouldn't matter a toss so go ahead and play anyone, anywhere, anytime ... as long as it helps keep T***ford out of the automatic promotion spots and helps push Brum down (if only so that Rotherham and Coventry are Championship teams next season!) Proud I reckon we are ok to use Avan Jones, Cory Panter, Sam Beckwith & Jake Peck: www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2021/february/town-squad-list/I am not suggesting that they start lots of games but rather get some championship exposure. When you look at the possible exodus of CBs; OOC Bradley, Pearson & Cranie, it may make sense to give some exposure to Panter. Also as KDH will go back to Leicester and Pelly is OOC, let's have a look at the highly-rated Peck. To try and finish as high as we can by playing our strongest team once past the point of safety, would be foolish vanity IMO. Much better IMO to play a) the players who we know will be with us next season and b) test those qualifying young players and “stick or twist” Nombe.
|
|
|
Post by proudhattersince74 on Mar 19, 2021 11:37:15 GMT
Wimbo, fully agree if the young guns are registered. Okay, it may be a bit 'sink or swim' but let them have their exposure, especially if they are given such opportunities in games where the opposition are also unlikely to be playing for PO places/relegation.
Interesting that Isted is registered yet is on loan - presumably as a GK the conditions of such loans differs to that for outfielders. However, I assume that he can only be recalled if one of Sluga or Shea gets injured (as opposed to selecting Isted just to give him a run out). I guess that's a cue for a shoulder injury to Sluga in one of the later matches!
Big summer coming up - spend, spend, spend or freeby, freeby, freeby? We cannot expect to keep surviving with either lower league players or hand-me-downs who nobody else wants. In no way is that comment meant to be disrespectful to the players that got us here BUT they had the advantage of playing together for a long time and have an understanding of the systems and each other. Bringing in more 'lower league' players who have not 'grown up' together is possibly no better than retaining what we already have (if they'd be prepared to re-sign, of course).
IMO, it will need one hell of a recruitment programme to improve the quality of the squad without committing big £s to transfers or wages. BUT, maybe 2020 will look at such spending as the necessary investment to try to secure Championship football for the next 3 seasons in order that Power Court isn't the best ground in L1 or, God forbid, L2.
Shame that Kioso, Neufville and Osho cannot be considered for any 'dead rubber' matches late in this season. Mind you, that is on the presumption that we make ourselves safe early enough to have such games to trial some systems/players! That's an assumption that I cannot and will not make until it is impossible to drop down ... after all, this is Luton Town FC and we know that fingernail football goes hand-in-hand with this club.
COYH.
|
|
|
Post by 8two on Mar 19, 2021 12:14:06 GMT
Shame that Kioso, Neufville and Osho cannot be considered for any 'dead rubber' matches late in this season. Mind you, that is on the presumption that we make ourselves safe early enough to have such games to trial some systems/players! That's an assumption that I cannot and will not make until it is impossible to drop down ... after all, this is Luton Town FC and we know that fingernail football goes hand-in-hand with this club. COYH. Just a thought proud, if Kioso, Neufville, Isted and Osho comeback as Championship quality then big bucks won't be needed to be spent
|
|
|
Post by Lake on Mar 19, 2021 15:24:53 GMT
Whilst I can appreciate the idea of trying out younger, less experienced players in latter matches once we are mathematically safe, two factors spring to mind: 1) Don't the players have to be in a registered squad of 25? I'm pretty certain we have already submitted our squad to close out the season: indeed, there were comments about Galloway's omission from this list. Not sure if some of the youngsters being thought of are actually in the registered squad irrespective of them being listed in the first team squad on the OS.2) I assume that, similar to the Premier League, that prize money increases the higher up the table you finish. As it has been announced that 2020 are looking to be playing at Power Court in 2024-2025 season, that means we have to try to survive in the Championship for 3 more years on 'limited' funds before relocating and, supposedly, seeing rocketing income. Any extra cash by way of prize money before then would probably be gratefully received by 2020! Trialing young guns would put any potential prize money windfalls under pressure. Mind you, if the EFL do NOT offer incremented prizes for final league position then finishing 7th or 21st wouldn't matter a toss so go ahead and play anyone, anywhere, anytime ... as long as it helps keep T***ford out of the automatic promotion spots and helps push Brum down (if only so that Rotherham and Coventry are Championship teams next season!) Proud I reckon we are ok to use Avan Jones, Cory Panter, Sam Beckwith & Jake Peck: www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2021/february/town-squad-list/I am not suggesting that they start lots of games but rather get some championship exposure. When you look at the possible exodus of CBs; OOC Bradley, Pearson & Cranie, it may make sense to give some exposure to Panter. Also as KDH will go back to Leicester and Pelly is OOC, let's have a look at the highly-rated Peck. To try and finish as high as we can by playing our strongest team once past the point of safety, would be foolish vanity IMO. Much better IMO to play a) the players who we know will be with us next season and b) test those qualifying young players and “stick or twist” Nombe. This is what we will miss when KDH goes back to Leicester.
|
|
|
Post by Lake on Mar 19, 2021 18:05:14 GMT
Whilst I can appreciate the idea of trying out younger, less experienced players in latter matches once we are mathematically safe, two factors spring to mind: 1) Don't the players have to be in a registered squad of 25? I'm pretty certain we have already submitted our squad to close out the season: indeed, there were comments about Galloway's omission from this list. Not sure if some of the youngsters being thought of are actually in the registered squad irrespective of them being listed in the first team squad on the OS.2) I assume that, similar to the Premier League, that prize money increases the higher up the table you finish. As it has been announced that 2020 are looking to be playing at Power Court in 2024-2025 season, that means we have to try to survive in the Championship for 3 more years on 'limited' funds before relocating and, supposedly, seeing rocketing income. Any extra cash by way of prize money before then would probably be gratefully received by 2020! Trialing young guns would put any potential prize money windfalls under pressure. Mind you, if the EFL do NOT offer incremented prizes for final league position then finishing 7th or 21st wouldn't matter a toss so go ahead and play anyone, anywhere, anytime ... as long as it helps keep T***ford out of the automatic promotion spots and helps push Brum down (if only so that Rotherham and Coventry are Championship teams next season!) Proud I reckon we are ok to use Avan Jones, Cory Panter, Sam Beckwith & Jake Peck: www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2021/february/town-squad-list/I am not suggesting that they start lots of games but rather get some championship exposure. When you look at the possible exodus of CBs; OOC Bradley, Pearson & Cranie, it may make sense to give some exposure to Panter. Also as KDH will go back to Leicester and Pelly is OOC, let's have a look at the highly-rated Peck. To try and finish as high as we can by playing our strongest team once past the point of safety, would be foolish vanity IMO. Much better IMO to play a) the players who we know will be with us next season and b) test those qualifying young players and “stick or twist” Nombe. It`s quite scary Bill to see this and consider what we will miss with KDH.
|
|