Luton v Stevenage (just a local game)

[Maple Hatter]

Would never call this a derby fixture. Stevenage for many years were no more than a pre season friendly fixture. So a local game againt a team who are having a decent season allbeit with four ex Luton players in their line up. They certainly seem to grind out results and our games against them are usually close affairs. In fact they seem to do quite well at the Kenny. However we are in a good run of form and will be looking to continue that in front of a biggish crowd. More tickets have been made available to Luton fans in the Oak Road so I guess Stevenage have returned some of their allocation. I thought 1032 was a bit generous in relation to their home support.
Looks like Justin may get his first full league appearance this season which will be interesting. Its been difficult for this talented defender to get a game which would have seemed a ridiculous idea last season. However the performance of our wing backs have been impressive to say the least. We are playing with confidence and it looks like the team are starting to understand eachothers game. A good sign. Collins will I hope be boosted by his goal last week and with Hylton and Cornick in fine form I expect us to pile the pressure on. Again an early goal would settle the nerves and force Stevenage to come out and play a bit. We really need to keep our spot in the autos as we are a team that thrives on confidence. Expect the win but local games can be tight.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Its diabolical for a team just TEN miles away have never sold their allocation in the Oak Road end.

It is actually closer for Stevenage fans than it is for me!

 

[Richard Cranium]

EMBARRASSING

 

[northstandexile]

Isn’t it just like Alfreton not selling out their end at Mansfield.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Looks like Justin may get his first full league appearance this season which will be interesting.

You think? Jones didn't even name-check him as a potential option earlier today when asked. I'm almost certain it'll be Sheehan left back with Rea dropped in to partner Cuthbert. Extra height and helps Jones delay a tough decision on who to leave out in midfield.

I'd play JJ myself but that's what I picture Jones going with.

 

[jolua]

Would never call this a derby fixture. many years were no more than a pre season friendly fixture. So a local game againt a team who are having a decent season allbeit with four ex Luton players in their line up. They certainly seem to grind out results and our games against them are usually close affairs. In fact they seem to do quite well at the Kenny. However we are in a good run of form and will be looking to continue that in front of a biggish crowd. More tickets have been made available to Luton fans in the Oak Road so I guess Stevenage have returned some of their allocation. I thought 1032 was a bit generous in relation to their home support.
Looks like Justin may get his first full league appearance this season which will be interesting. Its been difficult for this talented defender to get a game which would have seemed a ridiculous idea last season. However the performance of our wing backs have been impressive to say the least. We are playing with confidence and it looks like the team are starting to understand eachothers game. A good sign. Collins will I hope be boosted by his goal last week and with Hylton and Cornick in fine form I expect us to pile the pressure on. Again an early goal would settle the nerves and force Stevenage to come out and play a bit. We really need to keep our spot in the autos as we are a team that thrives on confidence. Expect the win but local games can be tight.

I don't see this as a derby, for us Cambridge is more of a Derby, for you Watford although Watford have been way above you for a long time now.

 

[BelizeHatter]

They have? Thanks for letting us know, we hadn't noticed.

 

[Super_horns]

Tbf Luton have had their misfortune in those years since we last met.

Just as well because you'd probably still beat us given our record in the cup against teams from League One and Two !

 

[oakroader]

We have no “derby “ there is only one league team in Bedfordshire
The chavs in Stevenage or Milton Keynes might consider us as there derby foes but they pale into insignificance to us hatters......
The bad feeling between hatters and hornets can be compared to the American civil war’s Yankee and confederates or the Roundheads and cavaliers.....
there is proper history between us....
It’s only the potential cup draws that could pair us up again..for the time being......that brings hope of a proper challenge that the likes of MK and Stevenage could only dream of.......
The bragging rights derby....
Many a good .....and not so good memories......
If Watford can do a fantastic job in getting to be where they are now
Then we should aspire to do the same....and better.....
The sleeping giant is awakening

 

[jolua]

Its diabolical for a team just TEN miles away have never sold their allocation in the Oak Road end.!

Do we need a certain amount of fans to get 3 points then?

 

[jolua]

The chavs in Stevenage

pot.kettle.black?

The sleeping giant is awakening

The sleeping giant isn't awakening, it's dribbling on it's pillow and wettng the bed.

 

[oakroader]

pot.kettle.black?



The sleeping giant isn't awakening, it's dribbling on it's pillow and wettng the bed.

 

[jolua]

View attachment 7261 View attachment 7261

Point proven. Thanks.

 

[oakroader]

Point proven. Thanks.

 

[jolua]

View attachment 7262

This just keeps getting better & better.

.................

 

[oakroader]

This just keeps getting better & better.

.................

 

[B13EEV]

Luton 3 - 0

 

[BelizeHatter]

Another none to easy game. Have always given us problems and I don't remember ever handling them with ease. A big returning contingent of players deemed not quite good enough. Expecting Jonathan Smith to get one of the better receptions an ex player gets. He deserves it.

 

[jolua]

Luton 3 - 0

Much as it pains me have to agree with the result.

Predition : Luton 2 Boro 0

Stranger things have happenned though.....

 

[oakroader]

Much as it pains me have to agree with the result.

Predition : Luton 2 Boro 0

Stranger things have happenned though.....

 

[TommoCUFC]

for us Cambridge is more of a Derby

We don't care about Stevenage either

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Looking forward to this, should be a decent game. As has been well covered its not really a derby or a rivalry per se but because of the players on each side (i.e. hot heads and wind up merchants like Hylton for us and Kennedy & Wilko for them), there does tend to be a bit of needle about them.

Us being in good form also makes it intriguing, last year I thought in this fixture was one of the games where Jones got totally out thought so will be interesting to see how he approaches this game against another decent young manager. Thus far it does seem we are a bit more adaptable than last season so we'll see how that plays out.

 

[Kenneth E End]

I think we'll play far, far better today than in this fixture last season. We've also got the players that, although not naturally to them, can counteract the physical and niggly threat.

No doubt the former Luton players will be up for this, although from what I hear Luke Wilkinson hasn't been playing particularly well and may not play today. (I won £20 from him scoring in this fixture last season).

Luton are pretty much back to a full squad to pick from bar Dan Potts who undeservedly picked up his fifth booking of the season, which will create a few headaches for Jonesy considering we've gone on this mini run with 7 players out.

I'd go with...
GK Marek Stech
RB Jack Stacey
LB James Justin
CB Alan Sheehan
CB Scott Cuthbert
DM Alan McCormack
CM Luke Gambin
CM Olly Lee
AM Luke Berry
CF Danny Hylton
CF James Collins

Subs: James Shea, Johnny Mullins, Pelly Ruddock, Jordan Cook, Andrew Shinnie, Harry Cornick, Elliott Lee

 

[jolua]

No doubt the former Luton players will be up for this, although from what I hear Luke Wilkinson hasn't been playing particularly well and may not play today. (I won £20 from him scoring in this fixture last season)
[\QUOTE]

Yes Luke Wilkinson has not been 1st choice centre back recently, although if he can't get up for this game he won't be able to get up for any. If it were me I'd play him but who knows.

 

[oakroader]

interesting to see that nj and also k.e.e. don't think that mpansy will be shoe-horned into the team....
do they not think that he will improve the team?
I got the impression he was vital to the dynamics of the team?
is he no longer considered an automatic choice due to recent results without him, at present?
I think it will take an injury to another player, unfortunately, for him to regain a starting place,in a defensive midfield/attack breaker role....
thoughts??

 

[jolua]

No doubt the former Luton players will be up for this, although from what I hear Luke Wilkinson hasn't been playing particularly well and may not play today. (I won £20 from him scoring in this fixture last season).

Yes Luke Wilkinson has not been 1st choice centre back recently, although if he can't get up for this game he won't be able to get up for any. If it were me I'd play him but who knows.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I think we'll play far, far better today than in this fixture last season. We've also got the players that, although not naturally to them, can counteract the physical and niggly threat.

No doubt the former Luton players will be up for this, although from what I hear Luke Wilkinson hasn't been playing particularly well and may not play today. (I won £20 from him scoring in this fixture last season).

Luton are pretty much back to a full squad to pick from bar Dan Potts who undeservedly picked up his fifth booking of the season, which will create a few headaches for Jonesy considering we've gone on this mini run with 7 players out.

I'd go with...
GK Marek Stech
RB Jack Stacey
LB James Justin
CB Alan Sheehan
CB Scott Cuthbert
DM Alan McCormack
CM Luke Gambin
CM Olly Lee
AM Luke Berry
CF Danny Hylton
CF James Collins

Subs: James Shea, Johnny Mullins, Pelly Ruddock, Jordan Cook, Andrew Shinnie, Harry Cornick, Elliott Lee

Interesting line up but i dont think he will go for it. Think he will shift Sheehan to full back and put Rea in at centre half. McCormack to come in and play defensive midfield in his place.

Id like to see Berry play that attacking midfield role too but he surely has to play Cornick also, the kid looks quality and brings some pace to the side which your side doesn't really have in any great abundance.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Interesting line up but i dont think he will go for it. Think he will shift Sheehan to full back and put Rea in at centre half. McCormack to come in and play defensive midfield in his place.

Id like to see Berry play that attacking midfield role too but he surely has to play Cornick also, the kid looks quality and brings some pace to the side which your side doesn't really have in any great abundance.

I tend to agree - Cornick has done well against these sort of teams too in recent weeks (Lincoln and Wycombe). We probably need to be a tad more direct than usual today.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

No sheehan today then, assume it’s an injury. Difficult game for Mullins to come back in and make his first league start in god knows how long

 

[Bosox]

Ha ha, Nathan Jones just loves making stuff up in his pre match press conferences. ‘Full squad to pick from’ when McCormack and Shinnie are still out and now Sheehan unavailable.