Luton saw their five-match undefeated run come to a close with a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon, when second half goals from Rhian Brewster and Jack Robinson condemned the Hatters to their fate before Reece Burke was dismissed just after the hour. Here are our takeaways from the loss.
- Elijah’s stock rises even when he isn’t on the pitch
There was a surprise to the starting XI at Bramall Lane when manager Nathan Jones left his star striker Elijah Adebayo on the bench due to a tightness in his hamstring. Admiral Muskwe returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and was put straight into the side as the replacement for Town’s leading marksman, but the Hatters were toothless without their talisman up top.
Neither Muskwe nor Cameron Jerome could get hold of the ball for long enough to bring others into play. If the importance of the Fulham academy product wasn’t known before this match, anyone at Bramall Lane will have come away with absolutely no doubts just how integral Adebayo is to Luton, moving forward.
2. Sonny Bradley stood tall in the land of the giants
If you think back to Sheffield United in the Premier League you’ll soon remember how good they were at set plays and balls into the box. It isn’t hard to see why when you see them in person because it is like something from the land of the giants. It is almost like if you’re not six feet tall you needn’t apply for a place in their side.
Clearly that needed the taller players in the Town side to stand up and be counted and in the first half in particular the skipper was a giant among the giants, heading everything away and organising well. Unfortunately, the ball in for the second goal came to a place which Bradley wasn’t occupying and the Blades took full advantage but the Town leader can be very happy with his showing, even in defeat.
3. Squad depth is going to be tested
We saw the first shoots of Nathan Jones using his squad at Bramall Lane. Elijah Adebayo and Jordan Clark were both rested for the first 55 minutes and a change will be enforced on Tuesday night when the Town play Bristol City with Reece Burke suspended for the contest.
We have heard Jones, quite rightly claim all season, that he has a very strong squad at his disposal and after three matches in eight days and another four in the next 14 to come, we will very much see more than just the regular XI getting their chance to shine.
4. Light shows should be left to concerts
For the second match in succession home fans randomly got their phones out of their pockets with around 10 minutes to go to switch on their flashlights and shine them at Town fans in the opposite end. I guess if everyone does it there is a chance it might look impressive but when only a couple of dozen do it then it looks more like the end of a gig which hasn’t set the pulses racing. The only place this carry on needs to happen is at Vicarage Road when the floodlights pack it in!
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INlTekqeGA0]Песня Слава, слава аллилуйя Небесному Отцу[/url]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laT3nvzDjl8]Funny animal videos[/url]
Howdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38rWyBr4gOw]Христианская песня Таков наш Бог[/url]
It is what it is. We haven’t played Sheff U much in recent years and we held our own for 45. But given the cost for fans (£28.60 ticket, £85.80 train, then food and drink) I think Jones could have been more open after the match, “Sorry all, I was prioritising 3 points at home on Tuesday”. Adebayo’s tight hamstring lasted 35 minutes fine. So just be honest and say you rested him in the hope that we could get a point if we were lucky.
Some other possible talking points:
1. Bell is in very poor form. Was him being subbed finally an acknowledgment that we concede too many goals from play down his flank? He doesn’t stop crosses when he’s actually there. And more often than not he isn’t back helping defensively.
2. Shea has had a good run but his distribution isn’t as good as Sluga’s. Was it right to regularly launch the ball forward against such a big team? Do we need Sluga back in to be able to play from the back when there’s chance?
3. Was it fair to give Muskwe a run after only just getting back home last week? And to have to be the more active striker when that doesn’t seem to be his preferred position?
All that aside, it’s genuinely not the end of the world losing away from home to Sheffield United who also had an extra day’s rest. Maybe Jones learned some things in defeat. And we’re still very much on track to be solid mid table having played much more exciting football than last season. That is the improvement I wanted most from the season – stay up playing fun football.
Now let’s see if the gamble pays off with 3 points tomorrow.