Luton Town (H) Preview
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: HTAFC
Kevin from The Luton Town Supporters' Trust talks about the special bond between Nathan Jones and the Luton squad, their new signings and how this match should be better than last season for Huddersfield.
Sucker-punched by Bristol’s Antoine Semenyo. That’s what it felt like on Tuesday’s game against Bristol City as Huddersfield ran out of steam and striker Semenyo and fellow sub Jamie Paterson changed the game for the away side. For two-thirds of the game, Town had looked in control but the vastly superior bench, combined with another ten-minute spell in which The Terriers conceded two goals meant another defeat. This was so similar to the Preston game, that we were almost tempted to reuse what was said after that loss but fear not, we’ve not stooped that low… yet.
Is it frustrating to see Town lose those games to Bristol and Preston in the manner that they did? Definitely. Can we expect this to happen again this season? Probably. Can you blame Richard Stearman for both Bristol goals, the fact that we’re in a national lockdown, that the fireworks on Bonfire Night went on for a bit longer than you would have liked? Come on Richard, for goodness sake, sort it out, people had work in the morning and we saw you lighting those Catherine wheels at TEN THIRTY PM, TEN THIRTY!!! You scared the dog! Yes, he’s made mistakes this season, but as our podcast host Matt Shaw pointed out, statistically, he’s been Huddersfield’s best defender. Stearman also helped coach Romoney Crichlow during that Forest game and let’s be honest, he’s done better than you expected under Carlos Corberán too, hasn’t he? So that should give you a rocket.
The real question you’ve got to ask yourself is would you have been happy with the league position Town are currently in at the start of the season? Ten games in, they’re sat 15th in the table, winning four, drawing one and losing five. Good wins against Swansea, Nottingham Forest and Millwall and defeats to Brentford, Bristol City and Norwich. We’ll let you decide that one.
As irritating as the Bristol game was, this chaotic COVID match schedule means that just four days later, The Terriers are in action against Luton Town. We don’t need to remind you that the previous fixture, which Huddersfield lost 2-0, was arguably Town’s worst game of last season. So, will Saturday be another disaster, or because there is not as much at stake, a more even, open game? Kevin Harper, from The Luton Town Supporters' Trust, is here to answer those questions for our latest match preview.
There is a special bond between the Luton squad and their manager Nathan Jones, according to Kevin from the Luton Supporters Trust. Photo source: Luton Town
Last time our two teams played each other, it was arguably Huddersfield’s worst game of the season. What did you make of the game and what are you expecting from the game on Saturday?
It was a big game for us as we had just failed to win two big home matches. We knew if we lost that game that was pretty much it so I expected a nervy and tight affair and that's what it was. Hopefully, with a lot less on this one at this stage, the game on Saturday will be much more fluent and open!
What are your general expectations for the season?
Broadly to improve on last season. If we can climb the table and push our point total up, which would be a challenge given the pandemic, I don't think anyone could complain.
Luton Town is a team that seems to continue to defy expectations. What do you think should be the long-term aim for this team and squad going forward?
In time I see no reason why we can't establish ourselves in the upper end of the Championship. We are a well-run club who live within our means but have the ability to make marginal gains all the time. There is a new stadium on the horizon so if we can keep on gradually improving at this level that could be a game-changer for us and be the platform to push on even further.
Luton striker James Collins has been called up to Republic of Ireland squad again. Photo source: Luton Town
In our last match preview involving Luton, much of the discussion was about how much of a shrewd move it was to bring Nathan Jones back to the club. There was some resistance at first, but how much is the manager responsible for the good end to last season and the decent start to this season?
Massively. To be fair we went into the first lockdown in decent form under the previous manager but there is a special bond between Nathan and this squad as well as Nathan and the club. We make him tick and he gets the best out of everyone so it is a perfect match.
Which player from your current squad do you think will be one to watch this season?
We only have Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on loan for this season but he is said to be highly rated at Leicester and if so he should shine for us.
Luton brought in a couple of players over the transfer window, have you been impressed with your business? Any of your new signings that you think will do well?
Very impressed. As mentioned above Dewsbury-Hall looks a good player while Rhys Norrington-Davies and Joe Morrell have already impressed too.
Harry Toffolo is likely to play the match, having made over 100 consecutive starts for both Lincoln CIty and Huddersfield. Photo source: HTAFC
Is there anything Huddersfield need to be on the lookout for in this game?
We have a lot of classy midfield options who are all perfectly equipped to rotate positions in the centre of the park regularly. They all create space and chances for the attacking players to do their thing.
What are Luton’s weaknesses, is there anything Huddersfield can take advantage of?
I'm not sure if it is a weakness per se because they offer a lot but our full-backs are naturally very attacking and need to get forward in our formation which can sometimes leave us a little vulnerable defensively.
What are your expectations for Huddersfield Town this season?
It is always hard to tell when a club goes from a manager with one style to another with a completely opposite one but the division looks weaker this season so I'd expect Huddersfield to survive much easier.
What’s your score prediction for the game?
2-0 Luton!
How do you think Huddersfield will get on against Luton? Let us know in the comments!
Our Predictions:
Brady: 1-0 win for Huddersfield.
Kosi: 0-0.
Matt: 1-1.
Neil: 2-1 win for Huddersfield.
Pozza: 2-2.
Scoring system: A correct score wins three points, a correct result wins a point.
