So here we are, about to embark on another play-off campaign. No Luton fan will need me to remind them of how the previous five attempts went, three of which resulted in semi-final setbacks and the other two in heart-breaking final failure.
It just feels different this time around though.
Those five previous occasions we would have been favourites or among the favourites to win them each time. It also felt like we had to win them else the season would have been a disappointing one in which we would have grossly underachieved. Worse still you wondered just how much damage losing would have to our long-term prospects.
That is not the case this time around. Of course we would all love to see Sonny Bradley lifting the trophy at Wembley on May 29 and be in the Premier League next season – that goes without saying.
It is also the least this outstanding group of players deserve for their incredible efforts this term, however should we fall at either hurdle it should not detract from the remarkable season this has been. Most importantly if it doesn’t go our way we are in a position to come again.
We haven’t just progressed on the pitch in terms of the bare numbers. From 12th to sixth, 62 points to 75, 41 goals scored to 63, 17 wins to 21, whichever metric you measure progression by the Town have ticked that box.
However we have also transitioned into this amazing high energy, high pressing, relentlessly athletic team which is very much in keeping with the modern game. A team nobody else enjoys playing because our players give 100% in every match they play. They have been fantastic and nothing that happens over the next two-and-a-half weeks will change that.
So this is very much different. Those play-off experiences before have not been nice. I’ve been at all five and the feelings after the losses of all five are about as low as I’ve ever felt each time.
This time we have the chance to relish the situation, to enjoy the experience of these two matches, which we dearly hope will become three, to pack out the Kenny and the away end at the John Smith’s Stadium and sing our hearts out with pride and get behind the boys with no fear, no nerves and no pressure.
Let’s hope that different feel will present a different outcome and we’re all going deliriously bonkers at Wembley two weeks on Sunday!
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