Yep, it’s a second straight play on the famous Mary Poppins-inspired newspaper headline after this one, and yet again about Kal Naismith. It had to be done. Let’s be honest, after that weekend, if your house was subsequently on fire and you only had time to rescue one possession, it would be the video of his strike.
Yeah, I know, realistically, the footage sits on a Silicone Valley cloud server somewhere, rather than a well-worn VHS in your living room. So, that hypothetical situation doesn’t really make sense, especially to the younger generation (“Daddy? What’s a VHS?). But who needs anything to make sense right now? It feels good. Wherever you were, that finale was glorious chaos, and is what makes football the best sport in the world. So, here are a bumper crop of talking points from a magical Saturday lunchtime in Luton.
- Cool, calm and Kal-culated
Frantic, those last few minutes, weren’t they? But there was nothing rushed or hurried about Kal Naismith’s finish. Cool as you like.
Boss Nathan Jones said: “The boy doesn’t snatch at anything. At times, he’s too cool and you’ve got your heart in your mouth, but he shows real quality, real composure. Excellent.”
It was the defender’s first anniversary as a Hatter, so perhaps something was written in the football stars, particularly when you consider his first Luton game was also against Bournemouth (another victory if you don’t mind!).
With the Kaldini nickname, the Scot is already a cult hero for the Hatters and just when you thought it can’t get better than that, Naismith said, “hold my beer”. That moment, that strike, should afford him a Spinal Tap level of fandom that’s turned up one louder, to 11.
2. Oh I do love to be beside the knee slides
There are knee slides and then there are Nathan Jones atomic knee slides. The Luton manager’s celebration is as ripe for repeat viewing as Naismith’s winner. Look at the elevation he gets on this jump. It’s no wonder he pulled a hamstring. Some injuries are worth it.
3. Happiness happening and togetherness, er, together-ing!
We’ve known it for some time now, that on and off the pitch there seems a huge sense of unity at Luton Town, stronger than perhaps it’s been at any time since the halcyon days of the 80s. But, if you weren’t convinced, the reaction after the Naismith winner should tell you everything.
Every player, substitute, and member of the backroom staff was involved in the bundles. The fans were certainly giving it some in the stands and though late goals have been scored before, some meaning more than just three points, there was something – as Jones has now invented a new word, ‘unbottleable’, let’s use that – which just hit different.
And just as the Sky commentary suggested after Bournemouth’s equaliser that that’s what promotion teams do, then Luton’s determination, guile and bravery in the final seven minutes of time added on, plus the scenes after, all point to the resumption of the rollercoaster than Luton were on during Jones’ first spell.
Realistically, that happened some time ago, but if you’re looking for real tangible moments that will live long in the memory, then the performance, Naismith’s goal, the chaos, the chest-beating, the knee slides, the songs of appreciation, the celebrations, the pure, unbridled joy – it was all there. I’m not saying Town are going up (well, not this season perhaps), but make no mistake they are on the up.
4. The late, late show
That was the fifth game this season that Town have scored in the 90th minute or later. But this was Roy of the Rovers, last kick stuff. Bournemouth had time only to restart the game and a second later it was over. Is there a better way to win a football match? No. No, there’s isn’t.
5. They think it’s all over, it is now!
“SENSATIONAL FINISH!” decreed the fabulously excited radio commentary from Simon Oxley on BBC Three Counties as Kal Naismith sent Kenilworth Road into rapture and the old girl’s roof into orbit. Even the Spanish got involved. And if you thought the goal was rousing, you’ve ain’t heard nothin’ until you’ve watched it with that continental commentary booming, “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL! NAISMITH PARA LUTON!”
6. Disallowed goal controversy still doesn’t add up
When Cameron Jerome tapped in from close range, linesman George Byrne’s flag remained at his side, while referee Leigh Doherty had signalled for a goal. Even though television replays then showed the striker was offside, because the ball arrived at his his feet off Adebayo’s, the decision had been made.
The Bournemouth players and staff could’ve remonstrated as much as they liked, but as VAR is not available in the Championship, it should’ve been nothing but hot air. The only logical conclusion to arrive at is that it was Cherries pressure that led to the officials’ change of heart. That fact that Luton won the match, will mean this gets forgotten, but it shouldn’t be. How can that chain of events happen? Or, can players now negotiate away incorrect decisions? I must’ve missed that memo.
7. Cameron Jerome rolled back the years
Despite having his first league goal for Luton controversially ruled out, Jerome was a menace. In his various cameos in the league thus far, he’d looked slightly off the pace. That’s perhaps no surprise given his reduced game time and, some would argue, his age, but he used every bit of his 35 years and his extensive top-flight experience against Bournemouth. And, all of sudden, Town had two big, bruising centre forwards that could hold up the ball, bring team-mates into play. Rumour has it, when he and strike part Adebayo emptied their pockets on Saturday evening former England international Gary Cahill and Lloyd Kelly fell out.
Jerome said before the game: “When the opportunity does come then hopefully I can take it and give a good account of myself.” Mission accomplished.
8. Allan Campbell can hit ‘em!
Be honest, who saw a 25-yard cracker in Campbell’s locker? Not even Jones or his fellow goalscoring countryman Naismith. I don’t think he even knew he had that about him. The midfielder looked desperate to offload the ball as he advanced into Bournemouth territory, but when no such option presented itself, WOW! What a hit, son. What a hit! Not a bad way to open his Hatters goalscoring account.
If he can add that to his game more consistently then the former Motherwell man will be an even bigger danger because, even without that strike, he’d been a monumental nuisance to Bournemouth’s passing out from the back proclivities. He was one of numerous standout performers in a stellar first half display and we’ll have to hope it was nothing serious after he departed on the hour, holding his hamstring.
9. Sonny gets it
You saw it, right? You saw Sonny Bradley during his and Naismith’s post-match Sky interview singing along to the Town fans’ rendition of “Watford get battered everywhere they go during”. Wonderful stuff. Oh, he’d also kept Dominic Solanke quiet too.
10. The game that James Bree crossed over?
The last time James Bree was on the Kenilworth Road turf for a Championship clash he was turning to a particularly critical fan in the Main Stand to fire back after he’d just whipped a free-kick onto the head of Elijah Adebayo for the equaliser against Fulham.
Admittedly, he’d spent the first half against the Cottagers hitting the first man with his crosses, but against Bournemouth, and on the same pitch as Jack Stacey, he stepped up and delivered a collection of fine crosses. His final one eventually dropped for Naismith. The right back has played every minute in the league this season, and this performance was arguably the benchmark that he now needs to hit more consistently.
11. Jordan Clark is a proper player
With the ball at his feet, the midfielder was passing a probing as Town took hold of the first half. But, having played in almost every position but goalie, he showed the touch of the game, which was not in attack, but to diffuse a potential Bournemouth breakaway with the most exquisite change of direction.
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There should – MUST – be an EFL enquiry into how the decision to award a goal by both referee and linesman can possibly be overturned in a game with no VAR. Surely that is not permitted anywhere in the rules? I suggest The Lutonian should ask the league for an explanation……..