Criticising Luton long ball

[Black Cat Gypsy]

I was just thinking that if a foreign team played like Luton they're would be hell on. How many times have we heard pundits on Sky or BT complain about the dark arts of the Spanish or Italian teams. I can remember when Atletico Madrid knocked Man Utd out of Europe and people were outraged by Simeone's tactics. But it's ok for English teams?

I've no ill feeling towards Luton. Best of luck to them. Nine years they were in the National League and now 1 game away from the Premier League.

 

[Keith S30S]

Thought some of your playing it out from the back was incredibly naive on Tuesday. Nearly caught you out on a few occasions as it just invited our high press in dangerous areas. We’ve played some great football this season and scored some great goals but we can do the ‘ugly’ side of the game if needed. Both yourselves and Boro far too one dimensional to be able to mix it up. No one complains when City pump it long to Haaland, it’s just being effective. Trying to pass the ball around us at home was never going to work.

Whilst the atmosphere was good at your place in the first leg, it’s impossible to replicate the hostility you can make at the old grounds. It did look like your younger players wilted under the pressure but probably a learning curve for them. It was always going to be tough with a few injuries to some of your defenders.

Whilst big family ‘stadiums’ might look nice but they are not in the least bit intimidating compared to football grounds. 45k in SoL can’t come close to the atmosphere of Roker Park. Once football grounds become a home for family days out they lose their edge.I’m sure it will be exactly the same when/if we ever move from KR

Sure you’ll be up there next season.

We do play out too much from the back but unfortunately our 6'3" forward has ruptured his achilles and the other tall forward we had was recalled early from his loan by Everton in January and we failed to replace him.

Our 3 tall centre halfs have all been injured. Alese has been out since early March so he could only come on for the last 30 minutes when it was too late. You scored 2 scrappy goals off corners over 2 games as a result of this.

IMO you have half a team of cloggers. Athletes with limited football ability who foul a lot. You play a style that was popular with some clubs about 35 years. It's a dreadful watch.

I don't really care if you or Coventry go up. You basically both need about 9 players to even compete.

 

[SuperGerryHarrison]

Thought some of your playing it out from the back was incredibly naive on Tuesday. Nearly caught you out on a few occasions as it just invited our high press in dangerous areas. We’ve played some great football this season and scored some great goals but we can do the ‘ugly’ side of the game if needed. Both yourselves and Boro far too one dimensional to be able to mix it up. No one complains when City pump it long to Haaland, it’s just being effective. Trying to pass the ball around us at home was never going to work.

Whilst the atmosphere was good at your place in the first leg, it’s impossible to replicate the hostility you can make at the old grounds. It did look like your younger players wilted under the pressure but probably a learning curve for them. It was always going to be tough with a few injuries to some of your defenders.

Whilst big family ‘stadiums’ might look nice but they are not in the least bit intimidating compared to football grounds. 45k in SoL can’t come close to the atmosphere of Roker Park. Once football grounds become a home for family days out they lose their edge.I’m sure it will be exactly the same when/if we ever move from KR

Sure you’ll be up there next season.

The issue we had wasn't naivety, it was lack of choice.

Earlier on this season, when we were in the top 6, we had Simms and Stewart as options up top, both over 6ft 2. We still played the passing game but when we were under a high press we often went long to relive the pressure. This then forced teams back and created space to play through. We've had no options to do this since December due to injuries and Simms' recall.

For the last month we've also had no fit senior CB's in the club. We played a back 3 with one FB and two midfielders converted to CB's, all under 6ft.

We were incredibly vulnerable to set pieces and the high press - you executed this perfectly and clearly deserved to win on the night. Fair play, but I dare say with a bit more luck on injuries it would've been a very different game. Best of luck in the final.

 

[Alovesuperb]

Is absolutely pathetic. It's accepted by all, yes even Sunderland fans, that your players in comparison to Luton's, are small. Luton had tall forwards and midfielders. Do you REALLY think that should the roles be reversed, you wouldn't utilize the height differential to your benefit?

Luton were only using a very obvious advantage. You hardly created a chance all game and you didn't deserve to go through to the final.You were desperate and got what you deserved. The long ball argument some are trying to criticize is pathetic.

go fish on somebody else's board bisto boy.

 

[sir rowell cummins]

I love that though, it's a poor-ability version of something that was lauded by Klopp. A high press done by highly skilled players is edge-of-your-seat stuff, the low-ability version has its merits to me but I love a tackle as much as I love a Roberts dribble. It's what I would have suggested we went for when the new lads came as I felt league one wasn't meant for tippy-tappy technique players, turns out I was wrong and their decisions meant we've taken to this division really well.

Pass back to the keeper and hoof. No thanks

 

[offmenut]

Is absolutely pathetic. It's accepted by all, yes even Sunderland fans, that your players in comparison to Luton's, are small. Luton had tall forwards and midfielders. Do you REALLY think that should the roles be reversed, you wouldn't utilize the height differential to your benefit?

Luton were only using a very obvious advantage. You hardly created a chance all game and you didn't deserve to go through to the final.You were desperate and got what you deserved. The long ball argument some are trying to criticize is pathetic.

Suppose we had that chance just after you scored with the blatant handball in the penalty area.
I agree though - if we had any of our centre halfs fit and we were ok defending a long ball you probably wouldnt have used it.
Every time Luton tried playing any type of footy other than a hoof Luton were absolutely abysmal though.

 

[Skylon]

Thought some of your playing it out from the back was incredibly naive on Tuesday. Nearly caught you out on a few occasions as it just invited our high press in dangerous areas. We’ve played some great football this season and scored some great goals but we can do the ‘ugly’ side of the game if needed. Both yourselves and Boro far too one dimensional to be able to mix it up. No one complains when City pump it long to Haaland, it’s just being effective. Trying to pass the ball around us at home was never going to work.

Whilst the atmosphere was good at your place in the first leg, it’s impossible to replicate the hostility you can make at the old grounds. It did look like your younger players wilted under the pressure but probably a learning curve for them. It was always going to be tough with a few injuries to some of your defenders.

Whilst big family ‘stadiums’ might look nice but they are not in the least bit intimidating compared to football grounds. 45k in SoL can’t come close to the atmosphere of Roker Park. Once football grounds become a home for family days out they lose their edge.I’m sure it will be exactly the same when/if we ever move from KR

Sure you’ll be up there next season.

You basically won because our centre halves are small.I wouldn't get too excited. With a full strength team we would compete much better. Do you really think lutons ground is famous for its atmosphere? Ha ha ha

 

[sir rowell cummins]

Thought some of your playing it out from the back was incredibly naive on Tuesday. Nearly caught you out on a few occasions as it just invited our high press in dangerous areas. We’ve played some great football this season and scored some great goals but we can do the ‘ugly’ side of the game if needed. Both yourselves and Boro far too one dimensional to be able to mix it up. No one complains when City pump it long to Haaland, it’s just being effective. Trying to pass the ball around us at home was never going to work.

Whilst the atmosphere was good at your place in the first leg, it’s impossible to replicate the hostility you can make at the old grounds. It did look like your younger players wilted under the pressure but probably a learning curve for them. It was always going to be tough with a few injuries to some of your defenders.

Whilst big family ‘stadiums’ might look nice but they are not in the least bit intimidating compared to football grounds. 45k in SoL can’t come close to the atmosphere of Roker Park. Once football grounds become a home for family days out they lose their edge.I’m sure it will be exactly the same when/if we ever move from KR

Sure you’ll be up there next season.

When your players are allowed to freely stamp on ours and you get a free hit from it it doesn’t make for a game of football. Let’s be honest you didn’t play much football. You didn’t ‘mix it up’ you went full on league 2 over both games. Hoofball , anti football. The difference was you got nastier second game and we only had the choice of a 5 foot something winger marking a basketball player. You’ll get mullered week in week out if you go up because you are bad at football in its technical form. So don’t lecture us on mixing it up - you won because you exploited our injuries caveman style and were nasty bastards and allowed to get away with it.

 

[Jersey_Mackem]

Thought some of your playing it out from the back was incredibly naive on Tuesday. Nearly caught you out on a few occasions as it just invited our high press in dangerous areas. We’ve played some great football this season and scored some great goals but we can do the ‘ugly’ side of the game if needed. Both yourselves and Boro far too one dimensional to be able to mix it up. No one complains when City pump it long to Haaland, it’s just being effective. Trying to pass the ball around us at home was never going to work.

Whilst the atmosphere was good at your place in the first leg, it’s impossible to replicate the hostility you can make at the old grounds. It did look like your younger players wilted under the pressure but probably a learning curve for them. It was always going to be tough with a few injuries to some of your defenders.

Whilst big family ‘stadiums’ might look nice but they are not in the least bit intimidating compared to football grounds. 45k in SoL can’t come close to the atmosphere of Roker Park. Once football grounds become a home for family days out they lose their edge.I’m sure it will be exactly the same when/if we ever move from KR

Sure you’ll be up there next season.

Our downfall was not scoring more in the the home leg. It was always going to harder to try and manage the game at KR. Unfortunately for you should you go up your home form will not keep you up next season and as was clearly evident at the SOL a technical side are going to outplay you at more accommodating grounds. That being said, I think Coventry are likely to win at Wembley.

 

[Deleted member 49669]

Is absolutely pathetic. It's accepted by all, yes even Sunderland fans, that your players in comparison to Luton's, are small. Luton had tall forwards and midfielders. Do you REALLY think that should the roles be reversed, you wouldn't utilize the height differential to your benefit?

Luton were only using a very obvious advantage. You hardly created a chance all game and you didn't deserve to go through to the final.You were desperate and got what you deserved. The long ball argument some are trying to criticize is pathetic.

Played to their strengths and won the game. Nobody is debating that.

It’s just shit to watch and anti-football.

Also, fuck off.

 

[Coeus]

Thought some of your playing it out from the back was incredibly naive on Tuesday. Nearly caught you out on a few occasions as it just invited our high press in dangerous areas. We’ve played some great football this season and scored some great goals but we can do the ‘ugly’ side of the game if needed. Both yourselves and Boro far too one dimensional to be able to mix it up. No one complains when City pump it long to Haaland, it’s just being effective. Trying to pass the ball around us at home was never going to work.

Whilst the atmosphere was good at your place in the first leg, it’s impossible to replicate the hostility you can make at the old grounds. It did look like your younger players wilted under the pressure but probably a learning curve for them. It was always going to be tough with a few injuries to some of your defenders.

Whilst big family ‘stadiums’ might look nice but they are not in the least bit intimidating compared to football grounds. 45k in SoL can’t come close to the atmosphere of Roker Park. Once football grounds become a home for family days out they lose their edge.I’m sure it will be exactly the same when/if we ever move from KR

Sure you’ll be up there next season.

I don't think it was naive, we are one dimensional, the same way that you're, we either break your press or we don't as we haven't anyone to run in behind, we're not man city and haven't a Haaland, the same way that you won't be out footballing anyone any time soon.

I entirely agree about the stadiums. Best of luck in the final.

 

[BIG MAL]

Last season.
We move on.
The future looks bright.

 

[offmenut]

You basically won because our centre halves are small.I wouldn't get too excited. With a full strength team we would compete much better. Do you really think lutons ground is famous for its atmosphere? Ha ha ha

The 'kenny'?
World renowned. Along with the san siro and the maracana.

 

[Sons of The Wear]

I hate footballing snobs.

It's like when Wenger used to complain about teams that wouldn't let his flowery little Arsenal side run rings about them.

Fuck 'em. You do what you need to do to win. That's all it comes down to.

This isn't theatre. It's not even entertainment really. It's football. It's competition.

Absolutely. The so called big teams were exceptionally disrespectful and patronising when tiny Wimbledon of the Jones-Wise-Beasant era used to regularly beat them to finish higher in the league than could naturally be expected.

Teams can play anyway they want in order to try and win and progress, it's up to the opposition to counteract them.

The criticism of Luton by many of our fans is pathetic as they were totally committed and did what they needed to do. We were too nice on the night and possibly a few players couldn't cope plus you had the added problem that we lacked genuine height and physicality.

Yes we have played some great football, scored some classic goals and competed in the play offs this campaign but maybe next season we have to take a more pragmatic approach with more doggedness allied to our undoubted ability. What we cannot do is think our formula is a winning one-we need to get the mix right in order to compete to go up in what will be a ferociously competitive Championship.

 

[SAFCBlandy]

Some of the replies on this thread are insane. We manage to string together a measly season and a half of playing decent passing football and now all of a sudden some of our fans think aggressive pressing and crossing into the box is somehow beneath us? "I wouldn't pay to watch that kind of football"? Seriously? Mag-like behaviour, honestly. Get a f***ing grip

 

[chriswallace85]

Absolutely. The so called big teams were exceptionally disrespectful and patronising when tiny Wimbledon of the Jones-Wise-Beasant era used to regularly beat them to finish higher in the league than could naturally be expected.

Teams can play anyway they want in order to try and win and progress, it's up to the opposition to counteract them.

The criticism of Luton by many of our fans is pathetic as they were totally committed and did what they needed to do. We were too nice on the night and possibly a few players couldn't cope plus you had the added problem that we lacked genuine height and physicality.

Yes we have played some great football, scored some classic goals and competed in the play offs this campaign but maybe next season we have to take a more pragmatic approach with more doggedness allied to our undoubted ability. What we cannot do is think our formula is a winning one-we need to get the mix right in order to compete to go up in what will be a ferociously competitive Championship.

I wonder if some of this speculation over Mowbray's future here is down to us not having that plan B.

You can play the right way to a fault.

How many times did you hear the Sky commentators saying we will not change our style?

Sometimes you have to.


I could be over analysing, but then again, our data led approach probably means the club are analysing everything.


It's all well and good people "enjoying" the football we've played this season, but sooner rather than later results are gonna be what matters first and foremost. We played some nice football under Lee Johnson at times too, but it didn't win us enough games to get to where we wanted to be. And the Championship is a pitstop, not a destination.

 

[red mackem]

Long balls are fine, it’s how dirty they were, Dan Neil could have had his leg broke. Their trampy (wanna be hard men southern fairy) fans throwing, pathetically,but not the less throwing punches at Amad that mean I hope they rot.

Like its been said Italian or Spanish team did that, elitist British press would be coming out with all manner of racism light analogies and hating on them for the next 100 years. Because it’s a tiny, minging, London satellite club, it’s good old fashioned, plucky Luton.

Fk that, cheating is cheating, scum fans are scum fans. Can’t believe I’m saying this but hope Coventry win……..

Haway Coventry

 

[redflagflyinghigh]

We were definitely utterly outplayed, but what I can't understand is how we seemed to be doing so well in the home leg by the second half. Surely it was the same tactics both games.

 

[Mr.Thunders]

Is absolutely pathetic. It's accepted by all, yes even Sunderland fans, that your players in comparison to Luton's, are small. Luton had tall forwards and midfielders. Do you REALLY think that should the roles be reversed, you wouldn't utilize the height differential to your benefit?

Luton were only using a very obvious advantage. You hardly created a chance all game and you didn't deserve to go through to the final.You were desperate and got what you deserved. The long ball argument some are trying to criticize is pathetic.

Go play with the traffic you smelly toucher

 

[redflagflyinghigh]

Thought some of your playing it out from the back was incredibly naive on Tuesday. Nearly caught you out on a few occasions as it just invited our high press in dangerous areas. We’ve played some great football this season and scored some great goals but we can do the ‘ugly’ side of the game if needed. Both yourselves and Boro far too one dimensional to be able to mix it up. No one complains when City pump it long to Haaland, it’s just being effective. Trying to pass the ball around us at home was never going to work.

Whilst the atmosphere was good at your place in the first leg, it’s impossible to replicate the hostility you can make at the old grounds. It did look like your younger players wilted under the pressure but probably a learning curve for them. It was always going to be tough with a few injuries to some of your defenders.

Whilst big family ‘stadiums’ might look nice but they are not in the least bit intimidating compared to football grounds. 45k in SoL can’t come close to the atmosphere of Roker Park. Once football grounds become a home for family days out they lose their edge.I’m sure it will be exactly the same when/if we ever move from KR

Sure you’ll be up there next season.

Think it worked on this occasion but if somehow you make it past Coventry that team is going to be humiliated in the PL without serious investment and tactics change.

VAR will put paid to the dirtiness, the PL refs won't let your challenges slide as they could cost PL clubs hundreds of millions, and the hoofball won't work.

Will be a good season to bank money though no doubt.