“Huddersfield will be OK, but Luton look like they’re going down.” - Luton Town Preview
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: Luton Town
James Cunliffe, from The Lutonian, gives us the down-low on Town’s relegation rival ahead of another crucial match.
Three matches, three clean sheets, five points. Two successive 0-0 draws isn’t much to shout about, but at least The Terriers keep picking up points. In the performance against Reading, Huddersfield looked largely in control, but with no attacking edge. Hopefully, they have a better chance of scoring against a Luton Town side that has conceded the most goals in the league, with 79.
Last time these two teams played, Huddersfield lost 2-1 at Kenilworth Road in August, but a lot has changed since then, with both sides having managerial changes. With a disappointing week for Luton Town, in which they lost 5-0 to Reading and drew 1-1 at home with fellow strugglers Barnsley, can Cowley’s side add further misery by sealing all three points?
To find out, we spoke to James Cunliffe, from The Lutonian to see if Luton can still survive, how Nathan Jones’ return has gone down with its fanbase and what Huddersfield can expect from The Hatters.
Harry Cornick has been the most improved player, according to James Cunliffe. Photo source: Luton Town
This is a crucial week for Luton, what do you make of your previous two performances against Reading and Barnsley?
Reading was a shocking rout. They didn’t even have to work hard to score their five goals and, despite Luton having the worst defensive record in the division, it came as a surprise after good performances in the first three games after the restart. The Barnsley game was a must-win match and they blew it late on. It was a really poor-quality match that showed why both teams prop up the division.
Do you think Luton can still survive or do you think relegation is certain?
Unfortunately, I thought they were down as soon as Barnsley equalised in the 84th minute on Tuesday. Other teams down there are picking up results, so they have to win at least three of their last four games and they’ve only managed that once in the league this season.
How would you rate Luton’s season so far?
I expected them to be in a relegation fight. They sold two of their best players – Jack Stacey and James Justin – for big money in the summer and started the campaign with a new manager. But the financial disparities between League One and the Championship meant it was always going to be a struggle for a club has the smallest budget in the division, with a squad largely made up of players that were in League Two 18 months earlier.
Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley expects Luton Town to come out fighting in Friday’s game. Photo source: HTAFC
Who’s going to be your key player in these last games?
The standout performer has been Spurs loan centre back Cameron Carter-Vickers. If he can inspire the side to keep it tight at the back, Luton have found ways to score without really creating too much.
What did you think of Huddersfield when they played against Luton earlier this season?
It was early in the season, so I was half expecting them to sweep Luton aside, given the two sides’ recent experiences at the opposite end of the football pyramid, plus the money spent on the forwards that featured. But Luton were on a high after beating Barnsley – their first league win of the season – and Huddersfield were without a manager after a poor start to the campaign. The Terriers looked really short of confidence, and Luton were good value for the victory after coming from a goal down, but Huddersfield could still have got something out of the game.
What have been Luton’s weaknesses, is there anything Huddersfield can take advantage of?
They’ve got the worst defensive record in the division. That’s no fluke, so Huddersfield can catch out any of the back four.
Luton reappointed former boss Nathan Jones as manager in May. Photo source: Luton Town
What have you made of Nathan Jones’ return? Do you think it’s made next season look positive, regardless of which division you’re in?
It was a shock, because he was not well thought of after leaving for Stoke, both on the terraces and the boardroom, but he’s apologised. Considering the size of the task ahead of Town to stay in the division, it was a fairly shrewd move, because he knows most of the players so they can adapt quickly to his ideas. They’re delighted he’s back, so from that perspective it’s a positive move. The fans will be a different matter, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Who has been the standout performer this season?
It’s a tough one because no-one has been consistent enough to be the standout performer for the whole season.
James Collins has proved he can score goals in the Championship, having come up through the divisions. Izzy Brown has had spells of sheer class and at one stage led the league for chances created. Then Glen Rea has only featured in 13 league games due to a knee injury from last season, but he’s been so influential since his return. He’s an organiser and enforcer in the defensive midfield position, as well as a calming influence. But he’s not been available since getting injured in the warm-up at Leeds and that’s a big blow.
Which players have performed well but gone under the radar to other clubs in the league?
Harry Cornick has been the most improved player, but he’s still learning his goalscoring trade, having transitioned from an impact sub winger to a striker. He has missed a series of chances that could have meant more points for Town, including a late chance against Barnsley on Tuesday that should have seen Luton take all three points. But, you could say, if he had more of a killer instinct, to match his pace, he probably wouldn’t be at Luton for very long.
Former Huddersfield loanee, Izzy Brown, has impressed for The Hatters this season. Photo source: HTAFC
Is there anything Huddersfield need to be on the lookout for in this game?
Since the restart, Luton have been better on the road, so they do have players that can hit Huddersfield on break.
What do you think of Huddersfield so far this season?
I’m not surprised by their predicament because it’s happened to so many teams that have been relegated out of the Premier League and have continued to struggle. I think they’ll have just enough to survive though.
What’s your score prediction for the game and end of season prediction for both teams?
1-1. Huddersfield will be OK, but Luton look like they’re going down.
How do you think Huddersfield will get on against Luton? Let us know in the comments!
