Luton (H) - Wed 21st Feb 2024 (7:30pm)

[Trumo]

Work-rate. Incisiveness. Nous.

 

I don't ask for much.

 

This is how it's gonna be. Build from the ground up.

 

Note this game is not on TV in the UK, and yet this is a game that requires more focus than most. City play Brentford the day before so the gap is likely to again be reduced. We also have the small matter of the League Cup final at the weekend. I don't think Jurgen or his players are the type to take their eye of the ball, but it is still something to guard against. Luton have been punching above their weight all season, and while it hasn't translated into points on the whole, their opponents have generally known they were in a contest. We saw that in the return fixture earlier this season. They started badly against the Mancs earlier today and were 2 down within 10 minutes, but gradually got somewhat of a foothold and pulled a goal back. They were unfortunate that dickhead David Coote (he who as VAR didn't see anything wrong with T-Rex's reckless lunge on Virg in the derby) deemed Casemiro's challenge from behind to not be card-worthy. He probably more than any of the other PGMOL brigade needs to hope PGMOL don't come under any investigation because he just looks the type to turn into a puddle of piss and shit under questioning. Luton had to push forward so left themselves open to the counter, so they certainly gave it the beans in that game. They play us and then City in the Cup over the coming week, but the City game is the following Tuesday so they can attempt to go strong for this one.

 

The two sides last met in the league at Anfield in January 1992. We were miles off the pace in the title race and they were battling against relegation. Chris "Unbelievable Jeff!" Kamara was in the Luton side that day, as was Mark Pembridge, later to represent the blueshite as an industrious but limited midfielder of the sort they have filled their team with since the 90s. Nick Tanner did Nick Tanner things to gift Luton the opening goal, passing the ball into his own net following a miscommunication with Grob. We huffed and puffed but eventually broke Luton's stubborn resistance when another defensive mix-up left Macca with a simple tap-in with 5 minutes to go. It gave us a lift and in stoppage time, Dean Saunders stole in to bundle a Barnesy cross past Steve Sutton for the winning goal. Results-wise, we were actually in a bit of decent form, with the Luton game part of a 12-game sequence featuring 8 wins and 4 draws. We were by no means a prolific side that year, with results like the 4-0s against Swarovski Tirol and Crewe definite outliers.

 

I said in the previous match thread that I don't know the fitness situation of the squad at the time of writing. Ali then dropped out with a hamstring strain in training, and both Curtis and Diogo were crocked in the Brentford game. Darwin was also taken off at half time as a precaution, so who knows what the situation is. The rotation in the Luton game might be more down to necessity than design, as Trent, Dom and Thiago are all unavailable. The hope is that the players involved are capable of doing the business. Aside from the usual maximum motivation, attitude and application required from first minute to last, I hope the players aren't casting one eye on their place in the cup final team and taking their focus away from this one. Concentration needs to be bang-on here. More than that though, I hope we get some much better luck on the injury front, with players staying fit and the injured ones coming back quickly, fully recovered, sharp and hungry. Three points please. Get it done!

 

 

[Barrington Womble]

They have some fight these cunts. I can't see it being an easy match no matter what. 

 

I think a tight game we'll win by an odd Salah goal. 

[Anubis]

Just win.

[sir roger]

Seem fairly sorted for options in defence and attack, but probably need to go with Mac, Endo and Gravenberch or Harvey in mids. Bench will look like the Vienna Boys Choir.

[Smell The Glove]

We're at home, ergo we'll snot em

[Carvalho Diablo]

They fight, they run, they challenge for every single ball.

 

They're wide open at the back.

[sir roger]

They play far too much football at the back for their ability.

[an tha]

If going - take your boots....

[Creator Supreme]

0-4.

 

Rydyn ni'n ffycin shite

[Lee909]

Rumours that Mo might be out. Doesn't leave many options for Weds

 

---------------Kelleher

Bradley--Quansah--Virg--Robertson

 

--------------Endo

--Mac Callister---Gravenberch

 

Elliot----Gakpo--Diaz

 

The team is good enough to win, but i really don't like it. Not too many goals in it and little to nothing on the bench to change things up. The bench really is going to be full of kids. Is there anyone up top they can promote that could be ready. Don't fancy Diaz,Gakpo and Mo(rumour dependent) having to play 90 minutes and then possibly 120 minutes on Sunday

 

We haven't had a fully fit squad in months, and im not including Thiago or Bajectic in that

 

 

[an tha]

So absentee list could currently be:

 

Alisson

TAA

Matip

Jones

Szoboszlai

Salah

Jota

Nunez

Bajectic

Thiago

 

Wow - just wow.

 

No squad in world football can cope with that for any length of time - we aren't talking about a couple of key men there - we are talking the core of our team and arguably 7 or so of our best 11.

 

[TheHowieLama]

17 minutes ago, an tha said:

Alisson

TAA

Matip

Jones

Szoboszlai

Salah

Jota

Nunez

Bajectic

Thiago

 

 

 

That side finishes 8th.

[Pidge]

1 hour ago, Lee909 said:

Rumours that Mo might be out. Doesn't leave many options for Weds

 

---------------Kelleher

Bradley--Quansah--Virg--Robertson

 

--------------Endo

--Mac Callister---Gravenberch

 

Elliot----Gakpo--Diaz

 

The team is good enough to win, but i really don't like it. Not too many goals in it and little to nothing on the bench to change things up. The bench really is going to be full of kids. Is there anyone up top they can promote that could be ready. Don't fancy Diaz,Gakpo and Mo(rumour dependent) having to play 90 minutes and then possibly 120 minutes on Sunday

 

We haven't had a fully fit squad in months, and im not including Thiago or Bajectic in that

 

 

Wouldn't be surprised if Gomez plays tbh 

[Kevin D]

5 hours ago, sir roger said:

They play far too much football at the back for their ability.

I don’t think Edwards is fool enough to come to Anfield and do that, surely?

 

That said, I do remember being astounded when Emery & Villa decided to try and take us on with a high back line in August.

[VERBAL DIARRHEA]

1 hour ago, TheHowieLama said:

 

That side finishes 8th.

Probably as there are only 10 men.

[Fallen Angel]

Salah is out again? 

[Lee909]

9 minutes ago, Fallen Angel said:

Salah is out again? 

 

Rumours online, not injured just felt cramp and soreness 

Though the source seems a bit shite. 

[Pete]

A win please lads.

[Fallen Angel]

25 minutes ago, Lee909 said:

 

Rumours online, not injured just felt cramp and soreness 

Though the source seems a bit shite. 

Cheers Lee - we don’t need more out 

[El Dangerous]

These cunts eat mince and gravy 3 times a day. A win and no more injuries please.

[AngryOfTuebrook]

Too many injuries for my liking, but even our stretched squad should be able to beat these all Anfield.  I hate to have to give a survival boost to our friends and neighbours, but fuck 'em; this is all about us.

 

Just get these beat, Reds.

[Bruce Spanner]

If these aren’t having PTSD flashbacks ten year hence about the absolute shellacking they received I’d sack the board.

[Smell The Glove]

7 hours ago, Lee909 said:

Rumours that Mo might be out. Doesn't leave many options for Weds

 

---------------Kelleher

Bradley--Quansah--Virg--Robertson

 

--------------Endo

--Mac Callister---Gravenberch

 

Elliot----Gakpo--Diaz

 

The team is good enough to win, but i really don't like it. Not too many goals in it and little to nothing on the bench to change things up. The bench really is going to be full of kids. Is there anyone up top they can promote that could be ready. Don't fancy Diaz,Gakpo and Mo(rumour dependent) having to play 90 minutes and then possibly 120 minutes on Sunday

 

We haven't had a fully fit squad in months, and im not including Thiago or Bajectic in that

 

 

I think Gomez and Tsimikas will start myself. Bradley and Robbo Wembley. That Ogbene is lightning and Tsimikas was used at times against Traore.

[aws]

Gomez at RB and Bradley further forward is an option. 

[Scott_M]

Just fucking win with no fucking injuries.