* The Original Unofficial "Official" Boro v Luton Match-Day Thread *

r00fie1

Well-known member
Its that time again>>>>

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r00fie1.

We now know we are guaranteed a Championship play-off place. After a season which started with a crumbling defeat away at Loftus Road, we now stand on the steps to Promotion to the "big" league. But we cant rest on our laurels: as Michael Carrick says, this is not a time to "draw breath" or take our foot off the pedal. We`ve achieved nothing yet - save getting our footballing dignity back. From 21st place to the play-offs is a testament to our tremendous Manager and his staff. Its also a credit to the squad, who have pulled it round in spectacular fashion, scoring the highest number of goals we have seen in years. Its a credit to us - the fans - who have stuck with it through thick and thin. Its been a sell-out at almost all our away games.
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The last time we played Luton was back in the second week of December. It was Rob Edwards first game. Matt Crooks came on as sub and nicked the winning goal. Earlier, Chuba had netted his 5th goal in 6 games. Boro quietly moved up to 12th place in the Championship. We know how the season has gone since.

Its not going to be easy - it never is at their place. But we have learnt to focus on how we play and what we have to do. There`s two games left after this. The last game of the season at home to Coventry is a sell - out. We`ve enjoyed every minute of it. Will we make it to Wembley and ultimately to the Prem. Who knows?

Its not all over til its all over.

Come On Boro!

⚽

Michael Carrick.
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"Its not a pause and take our foot off the gas....we`ll keep the momentum going....performing well, trying to win"

Analysing the Hull game at his most recent Media Conference, Michael Carrick refused to say what he had told the lads in the dressing room at half - time, but commented he felt we had played "within ourselves". "Half time was about being more positive and playing off instinct, instead of guessing certain things". The second half was about "scoring goals in a short space of time", which he described as "fantastic". He also expressed his belief that Dijksteel and Jones were more than up to the mark when they came on as subs: "I`ve said it for a while about the squad...and how well the boys train, gives them the opportunity when it comes. both of them [have] not played an awful lot recently. Thats not because we dont believe in them...its because the other players have done so well". "I thought the boys were terrific tonight to go on [after] half time in a game like that. Its not easy in a game like that, but I`de thought they give us an extra bit of zip. Different dynamics down the side and both of them were fantastic. I was so pleased with both of them".

Is the momentum from Saturday going to benefit the team against Luton at Kenilworth Road? Carrick was relaxed in his usual way and replied: "It is what it is. To be honest, if its a benefit or not, we`l look forward to the game". He praised Rob Edwards achievements and expressed no complacency in how Boro will prepare and face the game.

Is Carrick happy about being in the play-offs? "I think its probably what we ended up deserving....by the end of the season it tells you the story. To get to where we`ve got to at the moment is great.....but it doesnt mean we can pause or take a deep breath in any way....I think its important that we finish really strongly".

Injuries? There are clearly injuries which have added to the pressure of selection - particularly in the recent month, irregardless of those out long term. Ramsey, Dael and McGree werent back in training on Friday, so Carrick would review his options over the week-end for Monday`s game.

Cameron Archer? "Hes fitted in really well...in and around the group as all the boys have. He`s fitted in great. He loves scoring goals. Carrick smiled as he commented "he loves his finishing....but on top of that he`s unselfish where he plays, with his movements....bringing [in] other players. I think thats been the beauty of our forward play....spreading the joy". "You have to create for each other and I think the boys have got a really good balance".

With the loan players time at the club coming close to the end, would whether or not they came back to the club depend on our league status next season? "I dont know. At this moment in time. Its never straight-forward anyway, especially with younger players....there`s a lot to fall into place. I will just have to assess that one as and when we get to the summer".

Planning ahead? Carrick reiterated what he has said before and emphasised that planning for all scenarios has been taking place through-out this season. What is happening now....the run in to the end of the season is more important: "Its not a pause and take our foot off the gas....we`ll keep the momentum going....performing well, trying to win. Its not a switch you can flick on and off". With injuries, "we`ve got to be a bit clever how we manage that".

We look forward to tonight`s game. (y)
 
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Last Time Out:

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Boro 2 Luton Town 1

[Akpom + Crooks for Boro]
Saturday 10th December.
Attendance: 23,187


It was the first game back after the World Cup. It followed our 2-1 League win over Norwich. Michael Carrick had been in charge for five games at that point [W3. D1. L1] and Boro were showing signs of improvement and consistency for the first time in the season. Luton were a hard watch. It was the game where Isaiah Jones was kicked to bits by Amari Bell every time he received the ball. Bell was sent off in the second half for a second yellow card, but he should have gone earlier. Chuba equalised in the first half, following a Luton goal on the half-hour.
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The second half saw Luton fade, with Boro coming out on top. Crooks came on with seven minutes to go and nicked the winner in injury time to get the mighty Boro all three points! Boro eased their way into 12th place between Sunderland and Luton. Next home game was Wigan on Boxing Day!
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Top Scorers: - Luton

Carlton Morris - 19 + 7 Assists.
At 27, one of the most travelled strikers in the Championship: having began his senior career at Norwich in 2014, he was loaned out eight times, until signing for Barnsley on a two-and-a-half-year deal in 2021! After a season at Oakwell, he signed for Luton in July 2022!
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Elija Adebayo - 9 + 4 Assists.
Now 25, he began his career at Fulham but was loaned out to Slough, Bognor Regis, Cheltenham Town, Swindon and Stevenage, before signing for Walsall in the 2019 / 20 season. He has been an ever-present since joining Luton in 2021, making 98 appearance so far. Mainly a forward - he has also played as a Central Defender.
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Jordan Clark - 3 + 4 Assists.

In a career spanning thirteen years, Clark has made a total of 328 League appearances for seven clubs and scored 31 goals. He plays mostly as a winger. His time at Luton in terms of regular football is only bettered at his previous club - Accrington Stanley.
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* Luton have a record of scoring from all over the park this season with a total of eighteen players adding to their tally of 54 league goals.
 
Rob Edwards.
What it feels like to achieve a play-off place:

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Hatters boss Rob Edwards wants the whole club to celebrate achieving a play-off place with three games to spare, following the 1-1 draw at Reading tonight.[Wednesday 19th April]

“I’m really proud of the lads in there tonight,” said the manager after Carlton Morris’ 19th goal of the season pegged the Royals back after former England striker Andy Carroll had given them the lead early in the second half, before being sent off for picking up a second yellow card.

“I know the sending off changed the game to give us probably then complete domination and control, they still obvious retained a threat on the counter attack, but I felt with 11 men, especially in the first half, I thought we were really good, really dominant, had loads of control.

“It was similar to Saturday, we were really building up and it looked like the goal was coming. We created some really big chances, unfortunately we couldn’t get one before half-time.

“The goal we conceded, Andy Carroll’s been doing that for years, at the highest level as well. There was a little block, he gets away and we conceded from a corner. It’s something for us to look at and be better from, but the lads, they just never give up, never give up.

“I’m really pleased with everyone out on the pitch, but then the changes really gave us a fresh impetus and some new ideas, a little bit more creativity in certain aspects of the pitch.


 
Luton`s Turbulent League History.
From the Top Flight to hell and back!

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Luton at Wembley in 1988 with The League Cup after defeating Arsenal 3-2.


Their League Journey makes interesting reading!


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A combination of poor Management, questionable owners, administration and huge points deductions, saw Luton fall from the successful Top Flight side under David Pleat, to starting 2009 in the Conference [Now - Vanarama National League]. In the next four years, five different Managers attempted to take the Hatters back into the Football League. It wasnt untill 2015 that Luton were promoted back to the Football League as Conference Champions.
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After a long crawl back up the leagues, facing adversity, heartbreak and disappointment, Luton made their way into the Championship back in 2019. It was 13 years since they had graced the second tier of English Football. Last season they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Huddersfield Town in the play-off semi`s, with Jordan Rhodes netting a late winner for the Terriers.
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Now they are knocking at the door again.
Its a remarkable story and one that has lead to a strong bond between the club and the fans.
Good luck to them in the next chapter of their search for a return to the Top Flight - next season.

(y)
 
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Just in case anyone missed it.........

Congratulations (y)Chuba on Winning The EFL PLAYER OF THE YEAR award last night.
🚂


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Game that in all honesty i couldn't care less about the result.

Job done so far for the season, 3 games to make sure no body gets injured.
 
Muniz on the bench.
At least Jones is starting and Djksteel showed they were up for it against Hull.
Notice Chooooba is getting relegated to the bench.

With Forss, McGree, Fry and Smith injured - what is Carrick supposed to do?
 
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