[jjamez]

Town move quickly on from a disappointing collapse midweek against Bristol City, to welcome Luton Town to the John Smiths Stadium.

Its not that long ago we welcomed then to West Yorkshire, it was back in July when both sides were needing to pick up points for survival. Luton ran out 2-0 winners that day, but both teams managed to retain their places in the Championship. Luton finished one place below Town on goal difference.

Luton have been much like town have this season, won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4, whereas town have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 5, with Luton proving very capable away from home, like many teams have so far without the crowds. They began the season with a fine 3-1 win over Norwich in the league cup, James Collins hitting a hattrick, remarkably all the goals came in the last 10 minutes of the game, they began the league campaign on the road in Yorkshire against the reds of Barnsley, another relatively late Collins goal was enough to see them take the 3 points. It was then another win on the road in the cup, this time 1-0 against Reading, before heading back to Kennilworth road to face Derby County, Luke Berry gave them the lead before Jack Marriot levelled for the rams, only for Jordan Clarke to bag his second of the week just before injury time in the second half.  Their cup run came to an abrupt end at home to Manchester United, losing 3-0 before going down 1-0 away at Watford.

They began October with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Wycombe, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Elliott Lee scoring in the second half, they however lost the next home game a week later to Stoke where goals from Steven Fletcher and Nick Powell were enough to see off the hosts. 2-0 was the score again, this time away at Millwall as a Martin Cranie own goal and a Connor Mahoney strike condemned the hatters to a second straight defeat. They returned to Yorkshire and to winning ways again as Mpanzu punished 10 man Sheffield Wednesday before heading back to Luton to face Nottingham Forest, Glen Rea scored in the same goal twice, unfortunately one was an own goal, as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against the 10 man reds. They finished October off with a 3-0 drumming at home to the hands (or feet) of Brentford, highly rated full back Rico Henry and Ivan Toney bagged in the first half, before sub Marcus Forss scored in the second half to round off the tie.

They returned back to Yorkshire this week to face Rotherham before heading over to proper Yorkshire to face us. They left New York with 3 points thanks to a James Collins goal, which leaves the hatters in 9th position. Instead of heading back south and heading up again, they have remained in their bubble up north and have been training at Liversedges ground in the build up to Saturdays match.



Whats new at Kennilworth Road?

The side are still managed by Nathan Jones who returned to the club after an ill fated spell at Stoke. He was in charge of the Potters when Town picked up their first three points on the road down at the bet365/Britannia Stadium. He returned to Luton after Graeme Jones was relieved of his duties.



In terms of additions to the squad over the summer they added defender Tom Lockyer, the 25 year old joined from recently relegated Charlton for an undisclosed fee. They also signed Rhys Norrington-Davies on loan from Sheffield United, James Bree turned his loan move from Aston Vanilla permanent after being let go. Also joining from another premier league side was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the midfielder signed on loan from Leicester City, fellow midfielder Joe Morrell made the move from Bristol City whilst the Hatters raided league one for the signings of Jordan Clarke from Accrington and Samuel Nombe from Mk Dons on loan with an option to buy.



Leaving the club Lloyd Jones was released alongside Callum McManaman and Jacob Butterfield, both of whom have signed darn unda for Melbourne Victory. Peter Kioso and Andrew Shinnie both left on loan to Bolton and Charlton respectively, with Frankie Musonda ended his 6 year stay with the club to join Raith Rovers in Scotland. Striker Jake Jervis went a bit further North as he joined finish side SJK. Goalkeeper Marek Stech moved slightly less north to League two strugglers Mansfield Town and former West Brom defender Donervon Daniels made the move to league one new boys Crewe Alexandra.

Team news

After missing the game on tuesday through illness, Juninho Bacuna is likely to return to the squad in some capacity, Alex Vallejo played his first 30 minutes in a town shirt and of this year for the B team this week against Grimsby, it is unlikely he will be in the squad, but he does exist. Danny Ward may get a guest appearance on the bench having rejoined training this week. Kieran Phillips may be a surprise inclusion on the bench having bagged a brace for the B team this week to add to his hattrick the last. Tommy Elphick remains a long term absentee, whilst Alex Pritchard is back to the place he knows best for a few weeks. Otherwise it is as you were in regards to players available for selection, unless CC states otherwise later today.

As for Luton, they rotated their squad last time out with Harry Cornick returning from injury, with Joe Morrell, George Moncur and Ryan Tunnicliffe all making their first and second starts of the campaign. Former Barnsley boy James Bree returned to the subs, so it seems like they may rotate again to a full strength side. Rhys Norrington-Davies is struggling with a hamstring injury so may miss out. Dan Potts, Brendan Galloway and Eunan O'kane are all still out injured.

Manager talk

"Pritchard has had a scan on his ankle and he will miss around three weeks. That’s disappointing, as you could see he was growing in performance every week.”

“Danny Ward has joined the squad this week. He is not making the same minutes as the other players (so far), but we will give him a proper test today and it is one possibility that he can be involved on Saturday. Danny would not play 90 minutes or be at his normal level, but that level of fitness and football should come over the next few weeks.”

“we will be calm with Vallejo, He hasn’t made the normal dynamic of a footballer over the last few months and we will take it in steps. We will be patient.”

“You need to know how to manage your feelings as a player. You come from a week where everyone is happy because of a win to a defeat so soon. When a team equalises against you, you can have doubts. That’s why you need to mature, which you learn through experience.”

“we’ve analysed the Bristol City game. When we have the ball and we’re in control, we need to create more distance by scoring the second goal. We can learn to manage some game situations better.”

“every game is a high challenge and, this year, you will not enter each game in perfect condition. Consistency is very hard to get in this division. All we focus on is performing better than the next opponent for the 90 minutes.”

“Luton have shown that they deserve to be in the Championship. They have very good players, like Collins and Cornick, and I respect them a lot. They’ve only lost 6 games out of 22 under their manager, and I expect a real war.”

“Eiting didn’t train before the Millwall game after getting a kick at Birmingham. Against Bristol, they played with two midfielders and that was ok for Hogg and O’Brien. Eiting is available and in our minds. He’s still adapting to the competition.”

“Phillips is a player who has had a lot of injuries in the past and we’re managing him carefully. We know he can score goals at Academy level. He’s trained with the First Team constantly in the last three weeks and has shown the right levels.”

“after 10 games, we are a team that wants to have control of the ball and create chances. That might not be for the full 90 minutes, but you can see the identity. We still want to improve and continue growing every day and in every game.”

Head to Head

Its not really a happy result for Town when it comes to facing Luton, but I'm sure if we took it to the Supreme Court we could sort that out... Games won: 9 Games drawn: 3 Games lost: 12. The last time Town won a fixture against the Hatters was back on the 3rd of May 2008, a goal from Phillip Jevons was enough to settle that fixture for then caretaker manager Gerry Murphy who was in charge ahead of Stan the Man taking over. Town actually did the double over the hatters that season, with goals from super rapid Luke Beckett and super injury prone Danny Cadamarteri seeing town to a 2-0 victory.

Last season the Hatters repaid the favour with a 2-1 win at Kennilworth road, a game which saw Mark Hudson in charge for the final time before Danny Cowley took over and where Rajiv Van La Parra 'played' for a bit before being taken off and seemingly sold mid game. Town were originally winning 1-0 thanks to a deflected Karlan Grant effort, but goals from James Collins and Andrew Shinnie kept town level on points with bottom placed stoke. In the return fixture, both sides were still in a relegation dog fight, and whilst Town started brightly, they failed to have a shot on target after the 35th minute but goals from Sonny Bradley and Elliott Lee saw them run out 2-0 winners and take a huge step towards safety.



Ones to Watch

James Collins- Just been called up to the ROI squad, the striker has a knack of scoring and leads the charts for the hatters with 5 so far this season. The all action striker doesnt leave defenders alone for long and will rat away to cause any errors.



Sonny Bradley- Big Centre Half that runs the back line well alongside former Halifax player Matty Pearson. Bradley scored last time the two sides met and isnt hard to miss. Will be sure to eat up any high balls that we try to send down field.



Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu- All action midfielder in similar ilk to Hogg and O'brien, was a bit of a unit when Luton were back down the leagues and not much has changed, chips in with goals and assists but breaks up play in front of the back four just as well.



played for both anagrams

1) Rat In A Mincer
2) I Bend Badly
3) Bodes To Jeer Foe
4) I Wish On A Bra
5) Objected Fruit Lab
6) Navel Ink Gel
7) I Rock Jeans

[Amelia Chaffinch]

1) Rat In A Mincer MARTIN CRANIE
2) I Bend Badly
3) Bodes To Jeer Foe
4) I Wish On A Bra
5) Objected Fruit Lab
6) Navel Ink Gel 
7) I Rock Jeans JACK SENIOR

[Amelia Chaffinch]

1) Rat In A Mincer MARTIN CRANIE
2) I Bend Badly
3) Bodes To Jeer Foe
4) I Wish On A Bra
5) Objected Fruit Lab JACOB BUTTERFIELD
6) Navel Ink Gel
7) I Rock Jeans JACK SENIOR

[Lord Snooty]

Nice one, jjamez.

Luton have a ridiculously good record in Yorkshire since they came up last season. Hope we can buck that trend tomorrow. Not really confident for this. It's the type of match we don't do well in. Come on Carlos, let's change all that.

4. Isaiah Brown

[Lord Snooty]

6. Kevin Gallen

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2. Andy Dibble

[jjamez]

One left. Will it be answered by kick off tomorrow?

[Lord Snooty]

She's got three and I've got three.

Game on!

[Amelia Chaffinch]

[theo_luddite]

Nice one jjamez - and a crafty use of his full Sunday name too

3. Efetobore Sodje (Efe to us)

Call that a draw then, which might happen today too.

[theo_luddite]

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A striker on the bench? Whatever next? All 5 in the match day squad?