BFTG - Luton

[sandman]

Rafael - Nothing to to do. Kicking poor though. 6


Yiadom - Not his best game. Sometimes needs to play the ball down the channels rather than dribbling his way out. 6

Miazga, Moore and Morrison - Never troubled by a toothless Luton attack. 7

Richards - Good performance from Omar. Defended well and got forward as much as possible. Only slight criticism is that he does get the ball in to the box enough like Obita does. 8


Rinomhota - Not quite at his best today with a few lapses. Some good blocks and interceptions though. 6

Ejaria - The only thing Luton did quite well today was keep Ovie fairly quiet, bar the goal. 7

Swift - While they were concentrating on Ovie they let the MotM pick up plenty of space and he used it well. Good range of passing and did his work off the ball as well. That's the John Swift that we need to see more regularly. 9


Puscas - Should have scored in the first half but dallied for too long and the chance went. Only other chance was a header that he was stretching for. 6

Baldock - No real chances but worked his backside off. 6

Subs:

Mccleary- Great to see him get his goal. Chased it down well and a lovely cool finish. The rest of the team were clearly pleased for him. 7

Loader - Lots of energy which was good to see, needs a goal. 6

Meite - Not on long enough. N/A.

[Barney]

Bit odd to see folks posting on BFTG thread who didn't go....but anyway...

A strong performance against a very poor Luton team. Not often that after a few minutes you fairly much know that this is likely to be a decent home win.

Under Bowen, we are stronger and more aggressive. Equally, we have stopped a lot of the tippy-tappy around our own box. The back centre three were immense. Totally soaked up everything. The full/wing backs were a continual mare to Luton. Swift revelled playing in a game where he was clearly the most skillful player on the pitch. Baldock ran and ran and ran (note sure how/why Gomes could not see this).

3 good goals. 3 different scorers. Strength on the bench. Men against boys. A rare easy three points.

I am well aware that the opponents DO matter, but Gomes started with 8 points from 11 games this season. And Bowen has 10 points from 4 games. For the first time in two and a bit seasons, I feel that we can look up the table rather than worry who is behind us.

Two tough games now...Brentford away and Leeds at home. Six weeks ago I would have said zero points, but now I think 2 draws minimum, and possibly a sneaky win in there.

Take a bow Mr Bowen. Watching Reading has become a pleasure once again.

[Glory Boy]

We were actually very good today against a side above us in the table, we made them look ordinary. Great goals and we could of had more, no last 20min hanging on, we dominated what looked like a relegation side.

I have to say Bowen had worked out how to play a 4-4-2 diamond and Luton had no answer. The weather and the wider pitch helped, they seemed to swarm players around the ball so there was always space out wide.

I bumped into some Luton fans in the pub (early leavers) who said they had lost by the odd goal but today just didn't turn up and were picked off.

They weren't above us in the table but agree with your points.

Fulham are above us in the table.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Our squad was screaming out for a 3-5-2 and our only mini run before this was when Gomes went 352 before he then played around with the defence and screwed it all up.

Bowen has the 352 working beautifully and a lot of that has to be put on the shoulders of Rino and Baldock imo

[SCIAG]

We’re so bloody good.

Swift is a revelation. He’s always had the ability to split a defence but now he can do it in so many different ways, he can dictate from deep, he can switch the play, he plays passes that nobody else can see. It was like watching Iniesta today.

Also need to patronise McCleary a bit. Very lively when he came on. I’d have asked Barrett or Olise to do that job but McCleary showed the value of experience and took his goal so well. If he keeps that up he’ll put pressure on Puscas for his place.

[windermereROYAL]

Why was Baldock sidelined? A pivotal part of the team at the current time.

Team gets 8.5 from me.

..because he had run himself ragged by chasing just about every ball?

Can’t remember the last game that’s wasn’t exciting, as I knew we’d win from our first goal..of course had Mr Cabral not made a brilliant save first half, it could have looked different, as they do have the 6th most effective attack in terms of results.

Their keeper did well to save Puscas’ header, Club 1871 were on form. 9 from me to them...

Think you misunderstood the comment SD, he was wondering why Baldeck was frozen out by Gomes.

[Snowflake Royal]

Rafael - Nothing to to do. Kicking poor though. 6


Yiadom - Not his best game. Sometimes needs to play the ball down the channels rather than dribbling his way out. 6

Miazga, Moore and Morrison - Never troubled by a toothless Luton attack. 7

Richards - Good performance from Omar. Defended well and got forward as much as possible. Only slight criticism is that he does get the ball in to the box enough like Obita does. 8


Rinomhota - Not quite at his best today with a few lapses. Some good blocks and interceptions though. 6

Ejaria - The only thing Luton did quite well today was keep Ovie fairly quiet, bar the goal. 7

Swift - While they were concentrating on Ovie they let the MotM pick up plenty of space and he used it well. Good range of passing and did his work off the ball as well. That's the John Swift that we need to see more regularly. 9


Puscas - Should have scored in the first half but dallied for too long and the chance went. Only other chance was a header that he was stretching for. 6

Baldock - No real chances but worked his backside off. 6

Subs:

Mccleary- Great to see him get his goal. Chased it down well and a lovely cool finish. The rest of the team were clearly pleased for him. 7

Loader - Lots of energy which was good to see, needs a goal. 6

Meite - Not on long enough. N/A.

Meite came on 10 minutes before Loader

[Zip]

We looked to be playing at a higher level than a Luton team who offered nothing once they fell behind. That was a Swift masterclass. Baldock and Puscas linked up really well

Rafael. 6 Once decent save and once decent punched clearance. Had little else to do
Yiadom. 7 Didn’t push forward quite as much but as competitive as ever
Moore. 7 Solid
Morrison. 7 Lovely header and solid in defence
Miazga. 7. Solid
Richards. 8. Has improved hugely defensively. Really impressed today
Rinomhota. 7. Got through plenty of work and kept the team ticking over
Swift. 9. Apart from one awful ballooned shot he was exceptional
Ejaria. 7. Scored a cracker but didn’t do much dribbling of the ball today
Baldock. 8. Some delightful touches and great movement
Puscas. 8. Combined really well with Baldock. Nearly scored with the header

GMac. 7. Looked a little lost to begin with but then scored and heavily involved
Meite. 6 Won a couple of free kicks and had one cracking shot well blocked
Loader. 6 One good run forward but not much time to shine

[URZZZZ]

Rafael - Nothing to to do. Kicking poor though. 6


Yiadom - Not his best game. Sometimes needs to play the ball down the channels rather than dribbling his way out. 6

Miazga, Moore and Morrison - Never troubled by a toothless Luton attack. 7

Richards - Good performance from Omar. Defended well and got forward as much as possible. Only slight criticism is that he does get the ball in to the box enough like Obita does. 8


Rinomhota - Not quite at his best today with a few lapses. Some good blocks and interceptions though. 6

Ejaria - The only thing Luton did quite well today was keep Ovie fairly quiet, bar the goal. 7

Swift - While they were concentrating on Ovie they let the MotM pick up plenty of space and he used it well. Good range of passing and did his work off the ball as well. That's the John Swift that we need to see more regularly. 9


Puscas - Should have scored in the first half but dallied for too long and the chance went. Only other chance was a header that he was stretching for. 6

Baldock - No real chances but worked his backside off. 6

Subs:

Mccleary- Great to see him get his goal. Chased it down well and a lovely cool finish. The rest of the team were clearly pleased for him. 7

Loader - Lots of energy which was good to see, needs a goal. 6

Meite - Not on long enough. N/A.

Meite came on 10 minutes before Loader

Not sure how Meite, Loader, Joao and Boye will all fit in when they’re all fit. McCleary has now earned his place on the bench so it’s most likely two from four out of that lot

[Singing Defective]

Why was Baldock sidelined? A pivotal part of the team at the current time.

Team gets 8.5 from me.

..because he had run himself ragged by chasing just about every ball?

Can’t remember the last game that’s wasn’t exciting, as I knew we’d win from our first goal..of course had Mr Cabral not made a brilliant save first half, it could have looked different, as they do have the 6th most effective attack in terms of results.

Their keeper did well to save Puscas’ header, Club 1871 were on form. 9 from me to them...

Think you misunderstood the comment SD, he was wondering why Baldeck was frozen out by Gomes.

Yup: Apologies. P!ssed on happiness. And only warming up & drying out slowly. Brain still in the Mad Stad washing machine..

[Zip]

Rafael - Nothing to to do. Kicking poor though. 6


Yiadom - Not his best game. Sometimes needs to play the ball down the channels rather than dribbling his way out. 6

Miazga, Moore and Morrison - Never troubled by a toothless Luton attack. 7

Richards - Good performance from Omar. Defended well and got forward as much as possible. Only slight criticism is that he does get the ball in to the box enough like Obita does. 8


Rinomhota - Not quite at his best today with a few lapses. Some good blocks and interceptions though. 6

Ejaria - The only thing Luton did quite well today was keep Ovie fairly quiet, bar the goal. 7


Swift - While they were concentrating on Ovie they let the MotM pick up plenty of space and he used it well. Good range of passing and did his work off the ball as well. That's the John Swift that we need to see more regularly. 9


Puscas - Should have scored in the first half but dallied for too long and the chance went. Only other chance was a header that he was stretching for. 6

Baldock - No real chances but worked his backside off. 6

Subs:

Mccleary- Great to see him get his goal. Chased it down well and a lovely cool finish. The rest of the team were clearly pleased for him. 7

Loader - Lots of energy which was good to see, needs a goal. 6

Meite - Not on long enough. N/A.

Meite came on 10 minutes before Loader

Not sure how Meite, Loader, Joao and Boye will all fit in when they’re all fit. McCleary has now earned his place on the bench so it’s most likely two from four out of that lot

We could have a fully fit squad for Brentford. Serious competition for places. The next two games will be tough but we should be targeting four points.

[sandman]

Rafael - Nothing to to do. Kicking poor though. 6


Yiadom - Not his best game. Sometimes needs to play the ball down the channels rather than dribbling his way out. 6

Miazga, Moore and Morrison - Never troubled by a toothless Luton attack. 7

Richards - Good performance from Omar. Defended well and got forward as much as possible. Only slight criticism is that he does get the ball in to the box enough like Obita does. 8


Rinomhota - Not quite at his best today with a few lapses. Some good blocks and interceptions though. 6

Ejaria - The only thing Luton did quite well today was keep Ovie fairly quiet, bar the goal. 7

Swift - While they were concentrating on Ovie they let the MotM pick up plenty of space and he used it well. Good range of passing and did his work off the ball as well. That's the John Swift that we need to see more regularly. 9


Puscas - Should have scored in the first half but dallied for too long and the chance went. Only other chance was a header that he was stretching for. 6

Baldock - No real chances but worked his backside off. 6

Subs:

Mccleary- Great to see him get his goal. Chased it down well and a lovely cool finish. The rest of the team were clearly pleased for him. 7

Loader - Lots of energy which was good to see, needs a goal. 6

Meite - Not on long enough. N/A.

Meite came on 10 minutes before Loader

Did he? Oh well.

Ran around a lot, nothing of note. 5

[CountryRoyal]

Luton were horrific. Looked a lower league side. Really really poor.

[Royals and Racers]

Really impressed with what Mark Bowen has achieved since being appointed. Firstly he knows his best side(Obita and Richards have interchanged almost seamlessly). It`s great to see the centre back 3 bursting forward on occasions. we are much more dangerous from corners now. Miazga`s near post run has very nearly resulted in a goal in the last 2 games.

[Ascotexgunner]

Just how clueless have the last two managers been in knowing the players and the systems to get the best out of players.
So many times I posted on here just what an utter ineffective showpony Swift was.....yet now he is the player we have all been dreaming of and doing what we all wanted to see him do.
Baldock is another one, disgarded by Mr "nicey nice" Jose Gormless and showing exactly what we have been dying to see.
Thank god we have landed on our feet with Mark Bowen.

[NewCorkSeth]

Not to be a downer but he hasn't had much choice about the starting XI has he? Hard to praise a man for picking the only viable team.

I'm not criticising him btw.

[Royals and Racers]

Not to be a downer but he hasn't had much choice about the starting XI has he? Hard to praise a man for picking the only viable team.

I'm not criticising him btw.

He has had 6 outfield subs every game he could have given a start to.

[Lower West]

Puscas - Should have scored in the first half but dallied for too long and the chance went. Only other chance was a header that he was stretching for. 6

Baldock - No real chances but worked his backside off. 6

Partnership potential - 9

Signs of a promising partnership forming between the 2 of them. Great interchange play and passing. Signs of hard work being put in on the training ground.

Also Puscas was coming short to receive the ball. Rather than be expected to win headers against towering defenders all the time. Subtle changes that all contribute to a better team performance.

[marlowuk]

How on earth are Fulham the 6th highest scorers? They were like a Jaap Stam team at its absolute worst

I'm guessing their 4 goals against us helped a little!

[URZZZZ]

Meite came on 10 minutes before Loader

Not sure how Meite, Loader, Joao and Boye will all fit in when they’re all fit. McCleary has now earned his place on the bench so it’s most likely two from four out of that lot

We could have a fully fit squad for Brentford. Serious competition for places. The next two games will be tough but we should be targeting four points.

Yeah. Assuming it’s the same XI, Think I’d go for a bench of Walker, Blackett, Obita, Pele, McCleary, Boye, Meite for now against Brentford. Bowen said Joao likely won’t make Brentford but not sure who he comes in for if he does. Possibly Meite? Or even leave one defender on the bench. Difficult decisions but confident Bowen will make the right choice