Luton Player Ratings

[Melton Fox]

Problem is though Melts, if the side is unfit and under prepared then the likelihhod of a quick turnaround is almost zero, especially when we are facing a side like Burnley who are renowned for their fitness and work ethic.

I just said that was the one and only positive and you've taken it away from me

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

I just said that was the one and only positive and you've taken it away from me

Sorry mate but it is the truth, if we are unfit then that is not something that can be achieved in 2 or 3 days, pre season is usually 6 or so weeks and it would appear that RK and his coaching staff have seriously fecked this time up.

 

[Melton Fox]

Maybe they were concentrating too much on the pre season games as opposed to getting the lazy fekkers running around on the training ground for 4 or 5 hours a day.

Drill the bastards, work them into the fecking ground

 

[BOB HAZELL]

Your honesty Bob has made me realign my expectations even further, I honestly believe that purely down to poor fitness and preperation we will have another relegation battle on our hands.

Despite yesterday PFKA, don't be too down just yet my friend.

Burnley & Ipswich represent an immediate opportunity to get things back on a better track. Like you, my expectations were of more than that display at Kenilworth Road - but a lot of yesterday, I thought, was the fact that Luton were "at the races" in terms of the first game of the season. They had pace in key areas, were first to any loose balls and generally seemed fitter physically and mentally. Perhaps that made us look worse than it was....??
Perhaps we didn't anticipate Luton's state....??
(see BH frantically clutching at any possible straws!!!!)

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

Despite yesterday PFKA, don't be too down just yet my friend.

Burnley & Ipswich represent an immediate opportunity to get things back on a better track. Like you, my expectations were of more than that display at Kenilworth Road - but a lot of yesterday, I thought, was the fact that Luton were "at the races" in terms of the first game of the season. They had pace in key areas, were first to any loose balls and generally seemed fitter physically and mentally. Perhaps that made us look worse than it was....??
Perhaps we didn't anticipate Luton's state....??
(see BH frantically clutching at any possible straws!!!!)

Fair do's Bob but if insiders at the club were concerned as to the state of the players fitness prior to the big kick off, it would seem a far greater problem than just a poor performance, surely yesterday confirmed the initial fears that the side were under prepared.

Luton looked like a championship level football side in terms of their energy levels and fitness, we looked like a pub team.

 

[BOB HAZELL]

PFKA, please don't take my comments on their fitness as the club's opinion on the players' fitness. I doubt that RK had fears pre-match over their fitness levels. I'm sure he thought they were well prepared.

It is merely my take on things from the little bits I manage to acquire.

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

PFKA, please don't take my comments on their fitness as the club's opinion on the players' fitness. I doubt that RK had fears pre-match over their fitness levels. I'm sure he thought they were well prepared.

It is merely my take on things from the little bits I manage to acquire.

Ok Bob, fair enough, I suppose we will just have to wait and see what happens. I do feel that yesterday was a massive realisation for RK that we are so far behind in our preperation.

Hopefully as you say we can bounce back, I remain unconvinced because I think Burnley is a very tough game and oppostition and they will be as well prepared as Luton. Your comments have merely cemented my own observations and fears from yesterday's performance.

 

[BOB HAZELL]

, I suppose we will just have to wait and see what happens. I do feel that yesterday was a massive realisation for RK .

Spot on fella!!

 

[Foxtastic]

Should take the squad in half dozens out of consideration for the team and give them another two weeks fitness training...before it's too late

I know we've got cash constraints but was Pete Docherty really the right choice for fitness coach?

 

[DesertFox]

I don't want to be one of the moaners - I think there's been a slightly hysterical reaction to what amounts to one away defeat.

But the fitness thing is a big worry for me. If I was managing a squad with limited finances and limited talent, I'd concentrate on the things I could influence:

(1) I'd want the fittest team in the league - someone has to be

(2) I'd want to see 100% effort and commitment, which is easier if you are (1). I'd want every player to go out pumped up and bursting for kick off, and every player to come off the pitch absolutely spent

(3) I'd want my team to be organised. One of the best at set pieces, both defending and attacking

Just about every team that "overachieves", such as Watford last season, and City in the past, exhibit these traits. It can only come from the management and coaching staff and it can make a huge difference in this league. I don't think it's brain surgery working this one out.

It looks like Rob Kelly has made a mistake with his pre-season preparations. He's a new manager - that was the risk of appointing someone without prior experience, and we have to accept there will be mistakes made. We all make mistakes when we're new to something, and thankfully we are usually given the benefit of the doubt and are allowed to learn from them.

It's how he reacts to it that will tell us if R Kelly is going to be able to take us forward...

Good luck Rob, show us you can do it! COME ON!!!

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

I don't want to be one of the moaners - I think there's been a slightly hysterical reaction to what amounts to one away defeat.

But the fitness thing is a big worry for me. If I was managing a squad with limited finances and limited talent, I'd concentrate on the things I could influence:

(1) I'd want the fittest team in the league - someone has to be

(2) I'd want to see 100% effort and commitment, which is easier if you are (1). I'd want every player to go out pumped up and bursting for kick off, and every player to come off the pitch absolutely spent

(3) I'd want my team to be organised. One of the best at set pieces, both defending and attacking

Just about every team that "overachieves", such as Watford last season, and City in the past, exhibit these traits. It can only come from the management and coaching staff and it can make a huge difference in this league. I don't think it's brain surgery working this one out.

It looks like Rob Kelly has made a mistake with his pre-season preparations. He's a new manager - that was the risk of appointing someone without prior experience, and we have to accept there will be mistakes made. We all make mistakes when we're new to something, and thankfully we are usually given the benefit of the doubt and are allowed to learn from them.

It's how he reacts to it that will tell us if R Kelly is going to be able to take us forward...

Good luck Rob, show us you can do it! COME ON!!!

Superb Post Desert !!!

 

[Melton Fox]

Superb Post Desert !!!

It was indeed.
My complaint isn't with the mangaer it is with the players. As I have posted elsewhere:

11 professional footballers should play better than that even if:

a) They have never even met each other
b) They don't have a manager

So blaming the manager isn't the right thing to do, the players should still be able to play football no matter what their instructions are and who gives them, but they didn't, they showed no sign of interest or professionalism

 

[bocadillo]

Just like Hume misses and its one of those things........

MDV misses and its just unbelievable get rid of the useless lump..... ( still scored more goals though)

Too true. There was a huge Huuuu-uuuume ovation when he was subbed after doing nothing at all during the game - then Elvis has a shot a couple of minutes after coming on and the bloke on front of me stands up and roars "You're the worst ****ing footballer I have ever seen!".

 

[bocadillo]

I don't want to be one of the moaners - I think there's been a slightly hysterical reaction to what amounts to one away defeat.

I don't think it's just about one away defeat: I think it's about the nature of that defeat.

Last season we were heavily beaten on the first day, but we were beaten by a team which really had the bit between its teeth. This season we capitulated to Luton.

 

[Real Sharapova]

I don't think it's just about one away defeat: I think it's about the nature of that defeat.

Spot on, boc. One telling moment for me in the second half was Kenton taking the ball through the midfied, as he knew there was no point in passing it to a midfielder.

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

Agree Boc, last season's opening day hammering was a little easier to take because Sheff Utd looked a superb side and up until the shambolic decision to award the second penalty we had more than matched me and given a very good account of ourselves.

Yesterday we looked like a pub team, no organsiation, no defined team play or pattern and very little offered in terms of energy, commitment and passion.

 

[MHS]

The News Of The World rated Henderson 8/10 and put him in the team of the week.

 

[joe501]

And teletext gave Hume and Stearman 7/10

 

[Fox Fan]

The News Of The World rated Henderson 8/10 and put him in the team of the week.

Sometimes you wonder if they even go to the matches --- but with it being on sky there really is no excuse! On the plus side prehaps some premiership teams saw it, thought blimey he must be good and put in a £1million pound bid for him:icon_bigg:icon_bigg:icon_bigg

 

[Melton Fox]

The News Of The World rated Henderson 8/10 and put him in the team of the week.

Maybe it was based on the fact that we didn't lose 10-0, somebody must take some credit for that, the keeper is the obvious choice