It is fair to say that Monday didn’t exactly go to plan. It is also fair to say that is probably the biggest understatement of all time! However, what it does mean is that the Town head into their final game of the season needing a win to achieve their aim.
Sound familiar? Well that is because it is! Déjà vu anyone? This is actually the third time in four seasons we have been in this situation, albeit with the circumstances slightly different each time.
In 2018-19, promotion had already been secured but the League 1 title hadn’t. Luton were in control of their own destiny. A win on this day three years ago and they would be champions, anything else and Barnsley would be if they won. Luton won, Barnsley didn’t and the rest is history.
As luck would have it, the situation was exactly the same the following season, albeit at the other end of the Championship table. A win at Hull City meant that the Hatters went into the final match of their first campaign back in the second tier against Blackburn Rovers knowing a win would see them pull off the great escape. Failure to win would open the door to others. Luton won 3-2 to begin the progression to Saturday.
And here we are again! A win and our goal of finishing in the top six will be achieved. Anything else and we will need results to go our way, which looking at the other fixtures certainly isn’t impossible, but Saturday is all about us. Can we do it despite so many injuries? Absolutely we can.
It has to be a real positive that so many players who have been through this on the two previous occasions are still here. They know what to expect, how to go about it and how to manage the day. There will also be those who weren’t here for either of those experiences who will have had similar situations to manage at other clubs.
You can easily find the negatives should you wish – the crippling injury list, the fact the match is on Sky TV, if you believe that absolute nonsense about our record on Sky being anything other than a coincidence, or that Reading have nothing to play for and can play with freedom.
Regardless of all of that there will be 11 players in orange shirts on the pitch giving their absolute all like they have done all season.
How do we win it? We do what we did on those previous two occasions – be aggressive and on the front foot on the pitch and create an intimidating atmosphere off it, for the one game we were able to be at.
No nerves, no fear. Just be the best version of Luton Town on and off the pitch and believe we will get the job done and extend what has already been a magnificent season.
When I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you can take away me from that service? Thanks!