17-01-2025, 17:41
The Fitness Test
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Jayden Meghoma and Lewis Gibson will both be in contention to make their Sky Bet Championship debuts for North End.
Robbie Brady is back in training after missing the previous five matches, although the weekend will come too soon for Brad Potts.
Ched Evans was named in a matchday squad for the first time since May 2024 in midweek and he’ll be pushing to be involved again on Saturday.
The Hatters
Luton Town will begin a new era on Saturday as life under new manager Matt Bloomfield begins.
Following the departure of Rob Edwards – who earned the club promotion to the Premier League in the 2022/23 season – the Hatters have moved quickly to find their successor, who had led Wycombe Wanderers to the automatic promotion spots in League One.
He’s tasked with turning their season around, as the Hatters currently sit just two points above the drop after their relegation from the top flight last season.
The Officials
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Tim Robinson is set to take charge of his first PNE fixture since April 2023.
Robinson has refereed 14 matches this season, the majority of which have been Premier League fixtures, and in that time has shown 66 yellow cards and one red.
THE BOSS
Paul Heckingbottom is preparing his side to face the “best version” of Luton Town this weekend.
The Hatters will begin life under new manager Matt Bloomfield on Saturday, as the former Wycombe Wanderers boss takes charge of his first game.
He’s tasked with pushing his new side up the table, as they currently sit two points above the bottom three following their relegation from the Premier League last season.
Hecky said: “We're preparing for the best version of Luton. Generally at home they've been good. It's away from home they've struggled.
“They've just changed to a back four in the last couple of games, just due to results so they’ve been trying to get something to work.
“Matt's played a back four at Wycombe the majority of the time, but he may walk in there and think, this squad's more suited to a back five, a back three, a four. I don't know.
“From that respect, we've just got to focus on ourselves and make sure we're prepared for every eventuality, but rather than confuse everyone, just make sure that we're prepared to deliver our best performance as well.
“There'll be a bounce again around the stadium, the players, and this is not intentional but there'll be a subconscious little reaction from them because it's the same players who were getting plaudits in the Premier League regardless of results.
“I know they got relegated and they've actually added to that squad as well. We know they're underperforming in terms of where they are in the league, based on what they're capable of.”
North End will head to Bedfordshire looking for the second away league victory of the campaign.
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Following the previous match away from home – a defeat to West Brom – the manager said he might have to look into doing things differently on the road.
Hecky said: “I stand by that 100%, just because we've generally been really consistent but the moments I've not been happy with have come away from home.
“If we want to be competing where we want to compete then we need to be able to still pick up points when we're not playing well.
“When we've been away from home we've had to play really well to pick up points.
“Over the course of a season you've got to be able to pick up clean sheets, 1-0 wins, scrappy wins and points when you're under the cosh away from home as well. I just think I have to be more proactive in trying to make that happen.”
Robbie Brady could make his return to the team this weekend after missing the last few games with a rib injury, however this one will likely come too soon for Brad Potts.
There could, however, be a debut for Jayden Meghoma, following his arrival at the club on loan from Brentford.
Hecky shared his thoughts: “I just want him to bring what he does and how we’ve seen him play. He plays with a lot of energy, with enthusiasm, and he's really game when he's on the pitch.
“For his young age, the young players I've seen around, he's the closest to what we need. While the Championship is a totally different test to what he's been used to, I think he's more than capable.
“He's played at the top level with England youth, played in the Premier League, played for Southampton in the cup and played for Brentford in the cup. He’s training day in, day out with top Premier League players, so the level won't challenge him at all. In terms of that, he's more than capable.
“It’s just the different challenges that the Championship poses, how physically and mentally robust you have to be to go Saturday, Tuesday in a more competitive and physical league.”
MACS VIEW
Two left sided defenders signed only taken three uears to get a left wing back, off to Kenilworth Road, hope Mrs Patel has the kettle on as we go up the stairs tuo the away end. Last time was a nightmare when we went there lost by half time. New manager bounce perhaps, think Edwards was unlucky but c'est la vie as the Greeks say
[
Jayden Meghoma and Lewis Gibson will both be in contention to make their Sky Bet Championship debuts for North End.
Robbie Brady is back in training after missing the previous five matches, although the weekend will come too soon for Brad Potts.
Ched Evans was named in a matchday squad for the first time since May 2024 in midweek and he’ll be pushing to be involved again on Saturday.
The Hatters
Luton Town will begin a new era on Saturday as life under new manager Matt Bloomfield begins.
Following the departure of Rob Edwards – who earned the club promotion to the Premier League in the 2022/23 season – the Hatters have moved quickly to find their successor, who had led Wycombe Wanderers to the automatic promotion spots in League One.
He’s tasked with turning their season around, as the Hatters currently sit just two points above the drop after their relegation from the top flight last season.
The Officials
[
Tim Robinson is set to take charge of his first PNE fixture since April 2023.
Robinson has refereed 14 matches this season, the majority of which have been Premier League fixtures, and in that time has shown 66 yellow cards and one red.
THE BOSS
Paul Heckingbottom is preparing his side to face the “best version” of Luton Town this weekend.
The Hatters will begin life under new manager Matt Bloomfield on Saturday, as the former Wycombe Wanderers boss takes charge of his first game.
He’s tasked with pushing his new side up the table, as they currently sit two points above the bottom three following their relegation from the Premier League last season.
Hecky said: “We're preparing for the best version of Luton. Generally at home they've been good. It's away from home they've struggled.
“They've just changed to a back four in the last couple of games, just due to results so they’ve been trying to get something to work.
“Matt's played a back four at Wycombe the majority of the time, but he may walk in there and think, this squad's more suited to a back five, a back three, a four. I don't know.
“From that respect, we've just got to focus on ourselves and make sure we're prepared for every eventuality, but rather than confuse everyone, just make sure that we're prepared to deliver our best performance as well.
“There'll be a bounce again around the stadium, the players, and this is not intentional but there'll be a subconscious little reaction from them because it's the same players who were getting plaudits in the Premier League regardless of results.
“I know they got relegated and they've actually added to that squad as well. We know they're underperforming in terms of where they are in the league, based on what they're capable of.”
North End will head to Bedfordshire looking for the second away league victory of the campaign.
[
Following the previous match away from home – a defeat to West Brom – the manager said he might have to look into doing things differently on the road.
Hecky said: “I stand by that 100%, just because we've generally been really consistent but the moments I've not been happy with have come away from home.
“If we want to be competing where we want to compete then we need to be able to still pick up points when we're not playing well.
“When we've been away from home we've had to play really well to pick up points.
“Over the course of a season you've got to be able to pick up clean sheets, 1-0 wins, scrappy wins and points when you're under the cosh away from home as well. I just think I have to be more proactive in trying to make that happen.”
Robbie Brady could make his return to the team this weekend after missing the last few games with a rib injury, however this one will likely come too soon for Brad Potts.
There could, however, be a debut for Jayden Meghoma, following his arrival at the club on loan from Brentford.
Hecky shared his thoughts: “I just want him to bring what he does and how we’ve seen him play. He plays with a lot of energy, with enthusiasm, and he's really game when he's on the pitch.
“For his young age, the young players I've seen around, he's the closest to what we need. While the Championship is a totally different test to what he's been used to, I think he's more than capable.
“He's played at the top level with England youth, played in the Premier League, played for Southampton in the cup and played for Brentford in the cup. He’s training day in, day out with top Premier League players, so the level won't challenge him at all. In terms of that, he's more than capable.
“It’s just the different challenges that the Championship poses, how physically and mentally robust you have to be to go Saturday, Tuesday in a more competitive and physical league.”
MACS VIEW
Two left sided defenders signed only taken three uears to get a left wing back, off to Kenilworth Road, hope Mrs Patel has the kettle on as we go up the stairs tuo the away end. Last time was a nightmare when we went there lost by half time. New manager bounce perhaps, think Edwards was unlucky but c'est la vie as the Greeks say
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?