03 Nov 2019 14:20:13
Back to winning ways yesterday in a game played in pretty awful conditions with driving rain and gusty winds but on reflection a game that was if not won at a canter then bar the last five or so frantic minutes certainly a result that was never really in doubt with Kenilworth Road not exactly a fortress this season.

The most perplexing part of the afternoon came for me before the game kicked off with a very vociferous chanting of Carvalhos name which is not something I can recall offhand for a player not even in the starting line up and whilst I concede that for many the jury is still out I have to say that from my part I honestly cannot see what he has done to warrant such adulation from so many obviously committed fans .

However to the game itself with Luton having by far the greater share of the ball as they did for pretty well the whole game but to be blunt they appeared to be pretty short of ideas as to what to do with it with little in the way of creativity or threat to our goal whilst we would soak up the pressure and look to score on the break with Grabban spurning two golden opportunities with one in particular looking harder to miss than to score but when the inevitable did happen it was probably the hardest of the three chances he had but was taken with great skill and precision.

Very much as case of as you were in the second half and whilst not exactly knocking on the door we were well deserving of a second goal courtesy of a wicked deflection from Ameobis effort.
In fairness to Luton they continued to have lots of the ball and possibly their best hope was getting the ball out to the wide left where Cash was given a torrid time throughout really but was fortunately ably supported by others .

We may well have been guilty of sitting a little too deep for the last 5 minutes or so and invited perhaps a little too much pressure we saw us concede late on but when the dust settled it was a fair result which no one could dispute and several Luton fans I spoke with were in agreement and very gracious in defeat.

Samba provided us with a curates egg when he dropped a cross for once but Worrall was on hand to clear up and the keeper really had a fairly easy day for the most part.
Ribiero must have taken great strides yesterday to claim the shirt with an excellent performance in both offensive and defensive capabilities and gives his all for the cause .
As I said earlier Cash was given a stern test at right back and for the most part came off second best but it is a credit to the side that he was usually being supported in his endeavours.
Worrall must surely now have convinced most of his doubters ( me for one ) as he produced another solid performance alongside Figuerido who proved an able partner particularly in his aerial ability ( Oh to be able to transplant Chemas feet on to his body )
Yates first full game was a personal triumph for him and the team and his tenacity in midfield was much appreciated which for me clearly rubbed off on Watson in a way similar to his partnership with Sow and it is to be hoped this will blossom in future games.
Silva had as good a game as for a while battling for the ball and played it around nicely and at times with good effect proving a constant thorn in Lutons side with Ameobi again, particularly in the first half, looking threatening at times out wide and his performance was capped off with a goal albeit a lucky one.
Grabban was arguably man of the match yesterday and he continues to look a threat whenever he has the ball pretty well anywhere on the pitch with his non stop movement and running into space and on another day could well have taken the match ball home .
Lolley for my money continues to struggle and its apparent in his demeanour that he is feeling it too. There is no lack of effort or commitment in what he does but right now pretty well nothing is going right for him but the conundrum is do you rest a potential match winner or play him in the hope he will find his form. Either way Mr Lamouchi will have his critics and it will be an unenviable decision to make.
So wobble over and back into the play offs with Derby up next in a league which continues to surprise and at times confound and I maintain new are as well placed as anyone to go on and at least make the play offs with a third of the season behind us.

So see 27000 of you on Saturday and
As always

COYR.


1.) 03 Nov 2019
03 Nov 2019 15:04:01
Agree with u and we should of had 1 if not 2 handballs an Carvalho reminds me of Ozil we know he’s got talent but it’s his work rate and his stamp on the games that are lacklustre, every time he’s not interested it’s like we playing with 10, think we all want him to succeed as he cost us 13.5m but we will see.


2.) 03 Nov 2019
03 Nov 2019 15:47:49
Good point arran re handballs.
I am not a great one for moaning too much about the officials as its a pretty thankless task most of the time but we are well overdue a penalty or two with a lot of decisions not going our way.
Hopefully they will be like buses when it happens and Saturday would be an ideal day for it.


3.) 03 Nov 2019
03 Nov 2019 16:19:47
Creepy, fair point. It’s adulation previously served to greats like Pearce, Collymore etc . It’s a bit weird. On the other hand Saturday brings a golden opportunity to earn his hero status - hope he takes it if he plays .


4.) 03 Nov 2019
03 Nov 2019 17:51:30
Does being honest mean being negative ?
The honest thing to do is to say yes we,ve made a mistake and put it tight as quick as possible and not kep trying to flog a dead horse which will,in the end prove detrimental.
CARLO


5.) 03 Nov 2019
03 Nov 2019 19:18:50
No it doesn't carlo, but I liken cavs to maj and he had one good season out of him but always had mistakes in him, they are luxury players that can turn a game or just become passengers, cabs is out of form as is bostock, nothing can be done other than for them to work hard in training on their game.
Let's hope the coach can work some magic and find a formula for him to succeed, but he has plenty of options once the injuries clear up and just got to trust Lamouchi to get it right.


6.) 03 Nov 2019
03 Nov 2019 19:37:15
Very difficult to argue with what you say at the moment Carlo and surely the clock must be ticking for someone above our pay grade to make a call om him.


7.) 03 Nov 2019
03 Nov 2019 19:32:56
Nothing wrong in singing positive songs for our players? Far too many just looking for a whipping boy when things do not go as they expect!


8.) 03 Nov 2019
03 Nov 2019 20:49:49
Agree with you red the best start in years but still so much negative response, we aren't going to play teams off the park, we are a counter attacking side that will allow sides possession but hurt them fast, our injuries dictated we play different personnel especially in midfield and they aren't like for like, buts that all Lamouchi had to pick from against hull and Wigan.
I'm mega confident we will get there this season and Yates coming in and doing sows job has helped losing sow and sow no need to rush sow back sow soon😁😁😁.


9.) 03 Nov 2019
03 Nov 2019 20:58:20
Just gave you a thumbs up creepy for your excellent summing up.
Always the realist 👍.


10.) 03 Nov 2019
03 Nov 2019 21:30:25
Thanks ff.