Wow that was quite the thing! Went straight to pub then fell asleep so a bit late to this party… can’t believe how anyone can end up arguing on a forum after a once in 21 year event but that’s some people I guess!
Reflections… it was a mistake to try and replicate a left side that did well against a Sheff U that were 2-0 up and not attacking and thinking it would work in a whole game. Not often Iraola gets things wrong but he did with that in my opinion especially as Luton’s right side is very strong. We were completely overran. Scott was really poor too he can’t seem to get into a game so we lost the midfield. Set piece management at both ends poor.
Half time saw Luton sit back, that with the introduction of the more physical Tavs made Dango look better, Unal did two things, played well himself and let Solanke drop to be far more physical and involved than Scott. This unsettled Luton.
In the first half Luton didn’t know how many they had to score but in the second half we did and that was the difference in the two half’s. Semenyo was outstanding and bullied them.. I liked the look of Adams on first glance tidy, calm and organising everyone.
I don’t know why people need to reference GON. Yes we wouldn’t have had a comeback like that with him but we wouldn’t have needed to because that Luton side wouldn’t have been 3-0 up against his low block. We can enjoy one managers win or wallow in defeat with no necessary meaning from previous regimes.
All in all… what a night. From despair to jubilation… that’s rock and roll football.
Agree with this.
Tav has had a few poorer games, but the team are often better with him in it. The midfield just didn’t work first half. Scott looked lost in it. That said we were ineffective for most of Saturday’s game with Sheffield and both Tav and Kluivert started. As did Kerkez.
The individual errors were frustrating. Cook looked at his man prior to the cross coming over for the first goal and then didn’t go with him. Second goal both Smith and Dango at fault.
At 0-1 we were saying that, despite us having much of the ball, 0-2 was more likely than 1-2 and same at 0-2.
Solanke once more unsupported. Many aimless passes into space. Cook’s hopeless dinks into the box. Passing from side to side with no effective plan. A perfect ball across the face of goal with no one there to put it in the net.
Oh, and the corners? What is that about. Basic stuff.
So the first half was pretty much a repeat of Saturday with a different line up.
Second half Tav filled the first half gaps and was like midfield glue. Solanke was able to drop deeeper as he knew Ünal was there.
Solanke’s goal was brilliant. He was being fouled initially, shirt pulled. Wonderful flick through to pass to himself.
Semenyo? That’s the third time recently he’s cut in like that.
An amazing night. People who left at half time just don’t understand football.