Luton Town 1-0 Newcastle United (23/12/23)

[ExiledGeordie]

7 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

 

This is it, simple really. Anyone booting off needs to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Take another step back off the edge of that cliff if you still don't get it.

Our progression after the takeover was always going to have some sticky patches, it was never going to be a linear upward curve. I’m sure Howe accepts there’s probably things they could’ve done better, it’s all a learning experience as we progress. I mean I was with some mates in London last night who support London teams and they were saying how well they thought we’d done given just how many players are out. But Howe is going to have to get us back on track away from home.  Injuries have killed us this first half of the season and that has definitely affected our away form. 

[ExiledGeordie]

Might add our lack of rotation on the wings means we’re not stretching teams away from home and don’t carry as much of a threat. Teams are pushing up more against us. We’re weak in the middle of the park too, too easy to play against away from home for whatever reason. 

[Lush Vlad]

2 minutes ago, ExiledGeordie said:

Might add our lack of rotation on the wings means we’re not stretching teams away from home and don’t carry as much of a threat. Teams are pushing up more against us. We’re weak in the middle of the park too, too easy to play against away from home for whatever reason. 

I often find, even when we are at full strength. Our midfield 3 is can be too flat or a bit disjointed. Meaning in 1-2 passes. Teams get in behind our midfield and into a 30-40 yard gap between them and the defence. 
 

Bruno starts deep and then has licence to roam. The 8s outside are usually very wide and often high. Often seems like they are regularly caught in a horizontal line together high up the pitch, as well. 
 

I do wonder if at times, having a recognised DM might help. But then Howe has never really suggested he’s going to play that way here. 
 

We have also missed Botman’s ability to step out from the back and play as an auxiliary midfielder. Plus we haven’t had a fully fit Joelinton many times this season. So hoping both of these back will help. 

[AJ9]

In a hypothetical world, with a fully fit and available squad, what would our best starting XI be right now?

 

Pope

Trippier Schar Botman Livra

Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali

Gordon Isak Barnes

 

That’s 7 players who didn’t start yesterday like.

 

 

[Joelinton7]

Did Lascelles and Miley go off injured in this or were they tactical?

[80]

2 hours ago, RodneyCisse said:

Without seeing the match, is it that at times this season we’ve needed someone like Joelinton away from home just to break things up a bit?

He would've made a big difference yesterday.

[r0cafella]

Just now, Joelinton7 said:

Did Lascelles and Miley go off injured in this or were they tactical?

Jamal went off with an injury. Miley was tactical. 

[80]

Just now, Joelinton7 said:

Did Lascelles and Miley go off injured in this or were they tactical?

Lascelles injury, Miley supposedly tactical.

[Ste]

It was a take it on the chin game. It's been a ridiculously tough run that really, we're coming through better than most would have imagined given the injuries and fixtures piling up. Another game where pre-match I'm looking at the subs before the first 11, hoping someones back.

[Conjo]

2 hours ago, AJ9 said:

In a hypothetical world, with a fully fit and available squad, what would our best starting XI be right now?

 

Pope

Trippier Schar Botman Livra

Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali

Gordon Isak Barnes

 

That’s 7 players who didn’t start yesterday like.

 

 

 

Tonali right, Bruno middle, Joelinton left.

Almiron for Barnes & switch side with Gordon.

Imo.

 

That's still over half the team not starting so point is valid. Not having Barnes over Almiron though. He did well in the opening game and did f all after that until he got injured. He has to prove himself to warrant being preferred over Almiron.

[WideopenMag]

1 minute ago, Conjo said:

 

Tonali right, Bruno middle, Joelinton left.

Almiron for Barnes & switch side with Gordon.

Imo.

 

That's still over half the team not starting so point is valid. Not having Barnes over Almiron though. He did well in the opening game and did f all after that until he got injured. He has to prove himself to warrant being preferred over Almiron.

No way should Almiron be getting in ahead of Barnes, Barnes left, Gordon right is 100% our best option if everyone's fit.

[ohmelads]

Is it the lack of a plan B, or is it simply about personnel? The top sides don't dominate everyone away but they do have a strong bench and match winners who can pinch tight games. Man City aside (because they almost always dominate), you'll see Liverpool, Arsenal etc have a bad day but then a Trossard or a Diaz will get then a result. It's not that they drastically switched style of play and then dominated the game, but they can nick a result when they're not playing well. How many times down the years have we given those types of teams a hard game at SJP and been undone by a moment of brilliance?

 

Last season we were able to pinch points away when we weren't playing well because we had a fully fit and rotated Isak and Wilson. Now the extra games and injuries have exposed our lack of depth, so I don't think it's fair to compare Howe to managers who have more resources to call on to 'change a game'. If there's a fair criticism, it would be that he should have played more of the kids at Everton for example, as some had suggested, because it was the only way to manage the squad through December. The failure to do that has had major repercussions. 

[The College Dropout]

9 hours ago, aussiemag said:

Liverpool were very much like us last season and came home with a wet sail once the injuries and fixture congestion eased up. The top 6 is still very much in our reach which is a good season. Success isn't going to be linear. 

Aye. 
 

But there are some noticeable differences. 
 

That team was at the end of its cycle. A aging midfield in particular. When they were out of all cups and had injuries back - they relied on strong fire power to fire them up the league. 
 

The prevailing thought was they needed an entire new midfield. And they’ve done just that - buying 3-4 new central midfielders. 
 

[The College Dropout]

5 minutes ago, ohmelads said:

Is it the lack of a plan B, or is it simply about personnel? The top sides don't dominate everyone away but they do have a strong bench and match winners who can pinch tight games. Man City aside (because they almost always dominate), you'll see Liverpool, Arsenal etc have a bad day but then a Trossard or a Diaz will get then a result. It's not that they drastically switched style of play and then dominated the game, but they can nick a result when they're not playing well. How many times down the years have we given those types of teams a hard game at SJP and been undone by a moment of brilliance?

 

Last season we were able to pinch points away when we weren't playing well because we had a fully fit and rotated Isak and Wilson. Now the extra games and injuries have exposed our lack of depth, so I don't think it's fair to compare Howe to managers who have more resources to call on to 'change a game'. If there's a fair criticism, it would be that he should have played more of the kids at Everton for example, as some had suggested, because it was the only way to manage the squad through December. The failure to do that has had major repercussions. 

Arsenal in particular look really good off the ball defensively. Quite often they just need a goal to win and they can rely on talent and options in forward areas to get it. 
 

Where it’s easy to get onto our back 4. So we look bad defensively and offensively. Earlier in the season we were clinical away from home but that’s gone recently too. 
 

Definitely we pick up more points with a fully fit squad. But there are definitely systemic issues at hand too. 

[AJ9]

52 minutes ago, Conjo said:

 

Tonali right, Bruno middle, Joelinton left.

Almiron for Barnes & switch side with Gordon.

Imo.

 

That's still over half the team not starting so point is valid. Not having Barnes over Almiron though. He did well in the opening game and did f all after that until he got injured. He has to prove himself to warrant being preferred over Almiron.

Barnes is debatable sure, but it would be close I reckon. He’s a better player than Miggy imo.

[Upthemags]

It bears emphasizing: We are effectively playing 2 seasons with exactly the same squad - effectively all of our additions are literal non-factors.

 

Of course we didn't know that coming into the season. But these results feel much less of a gut punch when you realize it's basically the same exact squad we ran out last season (with some injuries to boot).

 

Each squad in the top flight upgrades on the squad from yesteryear. It's a massive blow we've no improvements anywhere in the squad. And that puts into perspective how impressive it is we are still within a purple patch run of form from qualifying for Champions League football. Keep perspective lads.

[Deuce]

Catching up on the replay. The camera angles at Kennilworth Road are jarring.   The crowd cheering when Townsend’s roof ball rolled into the hole around the lightpost. It’s kinda refreshing to have a ground like this in the Premier League. A relic of different time.

[PauloGeordio]

1 hour ago, Conjo said:

 

Tonali right, Bruno middle, Joelinton left.

Almiron for Barnes & switch side with Gordon.

Imo.

 

That's still over half the team not starting so point is valid. Not having Barnes over Almiron though. He did well in the opening game and did f all after that until he got injured. He has to prove himself to warrant being preferred over Almiron.

Having 2 feet would be a good enough reason for me 

[Ronson333]

7 minutes ago, Deuce said:

Catching up on the replay. The camera angles at Kennilworth Road are jarring.   The crowd cheering when Townsend’s roof ball rolled into the hole around the lightpost. It’s kinda refreshing to have a ground like this in the Premier League. A relic of different time.

Totally agree, much prefer this than a lifeless boring flat pack stadium like the riverside.

[Conjo]

59 minutes ago, AJ9 said:

Barnes is debatable sure, but it would be close I reckon. He’s a better player than Miggy imo.

 

Based on what exactly? His form 2 years and 2 long term injuries ago? 

 

For us, Miggy ahead of Barnes isn't even debatable until he gets back in shape and starts playing regularly imo.

[WideopenMag]

17 minutes ago, Conjo said:

 

Based on what exactly? His form 2 years and 2 long term injuries ago? 

 

For us, Miggy ahead of Barnes isn't even debatable until he gets back in shape and starts playing regularly imo.

But the whole point of the post was with everyone fully fit. Barnes is a brilliant finisher, if he'd had the chances our wide men have had this season he'd be our top scorer.

[Gallowgate Toon]

Over the last 5 seasons, Barnes has scored more goals with his left foot than Miggy has with every body part and he's not even left-footed.

 

No idea if this is true but I bet it's not far off.

[WideopenMag]

3 minutes ago, Gallowgate Toon said:

Over the last 5 seasons, Barnes has scored more goals with his left foot than Miggy has with every body part and he's not even left-footed.

 

No idea if this is true but I bet it's not far off.

Last 3 seasons, 13 goals, 11 goals, 13 goals the last being in a relegated team. He's a consistent premierleague performer and goal scorer. Almiron isn't in his league.

[AJ9]

Yeah Almiron did amazing numbers last season. The same kind of numbers Barnes has been doing for seasons. Obviously it’s hypothetical based on fitness etc. but personally I’m picking Barnes over Miggy.

[Gallowgate Toon]

Plus, Barnes has very solid assists to his name. Miggy is abysmal in that category.