TheBrownBottle

It was very effective in the league’s best defence last season - he tucks in as a third centre half, freeing up Trippier to bomb on. The loss of Joelinton and Willock has been a massive problem, as they would do a lot of cover work with their athleticism and strength. If there’s a criticism to be levelled at Howe, it’s that we’ve continued doing this despite the personnel required not being available

I still think there’s a tactical element to it from Howe - Burn tucking in when Trippier bombs forward - but it has probably run its course at this point. Let’s see what happens. KK and BR had their favourites too, tbh. I think that BDB really misses having the Joes on the left side with him.

Tonali isn’t exactly known as a great passer of the ball

Booing is embarrassing regardless of context. It’s not the opera or a pantomime. Not sure it’s the first poor result, mind.

It did to me. Sitting on your hands for a game like that is shite tbh.

*11 points. We did, including their only win.

No, I’m not suggesting one point is ever ideal at home. But teams do drop points at home, sometimes unexpectedly. And it isn’t usually after a bonkers 4-4

I mean, it could well do, but the summer would be far too soon for me. Everything the man has achieved so far makes me think that I’d only be comfortable thinking that way if we’re in the same place this time next season

It was as much disappointing given the previous 90 mins - I saw the 10 mins and thought ‘this could still be 5-5’

Hahaha likewise

Yep. I’ve seen a few ‘Derby’ comparisons. Completely disrespectful to this Luton side - they’re not even close to being that shite. They’re on course for a 30+ point season - Derby took 11 points that year

Nothing wrong with people venting for me. It’s a football forum, can’t be chewed with people trying to police folks’ emotions. I just thoroughly enjoy crazy high-scoring games where two teams have a go, and neither side looks capable of defending.

Yep I only started getting frustrated in injury time, mainly because the players were knackered and I didn’t get the final crazy flurry I was hoping for in those 10 added minutes.

No sales = no incomings

Villa took 0 points from us this season. Is that unacceptable? Luton aren’t nearly as bad as their position suggests. They’re starting to get results - I mentioned in the preview thread that they don’t get battered, and usually lose even to the very top sides by the odd goal (the 3-4 vs Arsenal being a case in point).

I agree, I was saying it tongue-in-cheek - often football boards don’t look for the same things fans do. Wasn’t about our board, but football boards generally. 100% re next season. The rest of this one has a slight ‘free hit’ feel barring disaster - we just aim to get as many points as we can and a cup run for now.

It was fun, though, avoidable or not

You think he’s in a job if we get that result every week? I don’t. I wasn’t suggesting that his job should be in question - just that I’d happily watch crazy 4-4s every week, but ultimately that isn’t likely to be accepted by any board

I don’t fully understand anger being the response after games like this one. Yep, Howe made some tactical blunders. But that was seriously entertaining to watch. Luton gave it a right go, until the last 15 mins when it became rope-a-dope. Our lot went hammer and tongs and burned out at 90 mins. We’re a long way from being a top side, so I’m more than happy to be an entertaining one

We didn’t learn anything new today. Howe tends to pick players that he likes and trusts, and usually makes tactical substitutions reactively - and this season, this has often been after chucking away an unnecessary goal or two. If every game where it happens is as fun as this one was, I’d be ok. Doubt his employers share this view, mind.

Yep. Luton has 20 points and there are only three teams with fewer points than them. So even if they’d already played their fixtures against them, there’d only be a maximum of 18 points from those fixtures. So Luton must have taken points from teams above them. Like we did against Villa midweek. Funny old game, football.

‘Never mind me playing BDB despite what everyone with eyes can see - where’s the training ground sponsor???’

Only £80m worth of fullbacks on the bench - honestly, the bloke must have stots the size of watermelons. Imagine explaining that to the board when questions come up about why we spent that money?

Honestly, I watch football to be entertained and I was entertained. The sort of match that Howe’s reputation suggested we’d see from his time at Bournemouth - it’s hard to be parsimonious in defence when the entire back four has absolutely no pace

Yeah, I enjoyed it as well. Some cowboy defending by us at times - but I’d happily watch crackers games like that every week