Team for Luton ?

[claretandy]

I didn’t think he was bigger than Harwood-Bellis?

I’ve seen him in person and didn’t think he was super tall - ok maybe taller than Mee but I don’t think aerially was good as him.

Perhaps I’m wrong on that but that’s still my line of thinking.

Playing opposition like that would be bread and butter for Long.

I agree that Taylor isn't the best in the air, we need to stop the supply of crosses.

[boatshed bill]

My take is that the more you give the ball away the more you have to defend.
The more you have to defend the more likely it is that you make a mistake.

[CoolClaret]

My take is that the more you give the ball away the more you have to defend.
The more you have to defend the more likely it is that you make a mistake.

I agree with that but unless we score every attack they’re gonna get the ball back somewhere and pump it up top to two big lads - I’d like to nullify their chance of winning them clearing headers and getting a platform to build an attack with.

(Just like Mou did with Fellaini/Matic in the anchor role against us, or as Pep did starting a bigger team against us when he could… Kompany even made reference to it in his introduction speech that the club just released)

[boatshed bill]

I agree with that but unless we score every attack they’re gonna get the ball back somewhere and pump it up top to two big lads - I’d like to nullify their chance of winning them clearing headers and getting a platform to build an attack with.

(Just like Mou did with Fellaini/Matic in the anchor role against us, or as Pep did starting a bigger team against us when he could… Kompany even made reference to it in his introduction speech that the club just released)

Yes, I get all that.
I doubt the inclusion of Kevin Long as any sort of insurance TBH.

[CoolClaret]

Yes, I get all that.
I doubt the inclusion of Kevin Long as any sort of insurance TBH.

It was just a suggestion.

Kev isn’t as bad as made out. Season we finished 7th he played 16 games including a pretty important header against Leicester to solidify our European spot…

Edit:

I’m not particularly pulling for Kev Long per say, it’s more having a bit more aerial dominance to counter what I think will be their only threat - whoever that maybe

[boatshed bill]

It was just a suggestion.

Kev isn’t as bad as made out. Season we finished 7th he played 16 games including a pretty important header against Leicester to solidify our European spot…

Edit:

I’m not particularly pulling for Kev Long per say, it’s more having a bit more aerial dominance to counter what I think will be their only threat - whoever that maybe

And, to be perfectly honest, I'm not having a go at him.
i just think we will stick to VK's footballing philosophy and deal with any threat from Luton by playing better football.
It's all a bit of fun, we can enjoy speculation.

[Grandpa Claret]

[DukeOfBar]

assuming no injuries, I'd go for the same starting line up as last week that served us well. Hopefully a few options from the bench. UTC

[claretandy]

Jay is still injured.

[FCBurnley]

Benson for Costelloe ? Twine for Bastien? So many options ! Got a headache now so will just agree with whatever VK selects

[Murger]

Vitinho in for Costelloe.

[Dark Cloud]

When you look how much of the ball we had against Huddersfield, I'd definitely pick the team we want to pick and wouldn't need fussed about Luton.

[fungus_the_bogeyman]

No way do you drop Bastien. Absolutely vital to our outstanding ball retention first half against Huddersfield. Massively important player to what Kompany wants to do in my opinion.

[ksrclaret]

No way do you drop Bastien. Absolutely vital to our outstanding ball retention first half against Huddersfield. Massively important player to what Kompany wants to do in my opinion.

And also vital to our pressing game, along with his tucking in when we had the ball which occupied a defender allowing Maatsen so much room.

We need him on the pitch against Luton, definitely.

[claretbob]

We are playing at home so need more forward options on the pitch. Twine surely must start and that means Bastien drops out Luton will really fancy playing against our style so the key will be the quickness of passing and Twine has exceptional feet and is a real goal threat. Bastien didn’t do much wrong but is not the same threat going forward and we are going to have 75% plus of the ball whether it is 3 or 4 midfielders. It is what we do with it that is key. I’d keep Costelloe but we have great options off the bench.

[Culmclaret]

If you have 70% possession and players as quick and comfortable on the ball as ours of course you will lose the odd game but over a season you will be there or thereabouts. The great thing is that teams will be thinking about how they nullify our threat rather than vice versa. If teams sit back and try to hit us on the break then fine, as we look to have the guile around the box to still create lots of chances.

[Quickenthetempo]

Has there been any team news?

[claretandy]

Has there been any team news?

Jay and JBG still out.

[boatshed bill]

Vitinho in for Costelloe.

Possibly.
Or we do much the same as at Huddersfield and bring on subs to freshen things up.
We now have so many options.

[Hurstwood_Claret]

MURIC
THB. McNally TAYLOR
CR. MATTASEN
CULLEN
BASTIEN. BROWNHILL (C)
TWINE. COSTELLO

Bit Different, Luton play with a 3-4-1-2. In my system, mcnally could also push forward to become a Deep CDM. Id bring benson on at 60mins ,I place of Costello , who would drop back to form a 3 with Bastien and Brownhill, and then give Barnes 10 mintues at the end for Twine.

[willsclarets]

I don’t like the idea of Twine up top by himself personally. I think Barnes’ contribution last week is a tad overlooked. He was an excellent outball into the channels and occupied their central defenders in a way Twine wouldn’t be able. We are lightweight as it is.

Same again for me but would consider Twine for Costelloe if Twine has enough about him defensively. Bastien has to start for me, looked a yard short fitness wise but I think he’s going to be an unreal signing

[agreenwood]

It’ll be a while before we can predict the line ups.

Last week contained a few surprises. I wouldn’t rule out some more tomorrow.

[California Colner]

Start with same as last week
Barnes up front to bully there defenders
See how it goes cause we have a good squad of players to change it

[OssyClaret]

Frightening how many teams don’t include Barnes and Bastien who were arguably (after Cullen) most integral to the performance at Huddersfield.

I’m all for a bit more rotation than Dyche showed but is there any need to change a side that delivered that performance on the back of 8 days rest?

As others have said Costelloe’s debut was exceptional bar a 5 minute spell and couple of missed chances in the first half.

[taio]

Frightening how many teams don’t include Barnes and Bastien who were arguably (after Cullen) most integral to the performance at Huddersfield.

They both did well but, as well as Cullen, I'd say that Maatsen, Cork, Taylor and Brownhill were more integral.

[jrgbfc]

Start with same as last week
Barnes up front to bully there defenders
See how it goes cause we have a good squad of players to change it

Most centre backs at this level will be perfectly happy to wrestle with Barnes for 90 minutes. We need him at the moment, but we desperately need to strengthen upfront.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Anyone think Benson starts today?

Just read that he has already played two league games this season (so fitness shouldn’t be a problem). As we know Kompany is not afraid to chuck them in at the deep end.

Could be a good move to get people even more excited

[Rileybobs]

Would be a little harsh to drop Costelloe I think. Wonder whether he’s better being introduced from the bench early into the second half.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Would be a little harsh to drop Costelloe I think. Wonder whether he’s better being introduced from the bench early into the second half.

To be honest, I was kind of expecting Twine to replace Costelloe and Benson to possibly replace Bastien?

[Rileybobs]

Fair point. Can’t see Bastien making way though. I think Twine will be on the bench again.

[RVclaret]

Don’t think so, easier for him to come off the bench today, won’t be up to speed with the system like the rest.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Think your more than likely right just a thought after reading that he’s already played twice this season.

It’s quite exciting not knowing the starting eleven haha

[Rileybobs]

Think your more than likely right just a thought after reading that he’s already played twice this season.

It’s quite exciting not knowing the starting eleven haha

I don’t even know some of the players never mind the starting eleven.

[AlargeClaret]

Jay is still injured.

Any idea what’s actually up with Jay? I heard something about his quad ( which is generally not good ) though genuinely no idea how long he’s out ?

[Juan Tanamera]

Travelling over from Rossendale waiting for the team to be announced is going to be a little less predictable these days.
Personally I would start with the 11 that started at Huddersfield.
And I'm struggling to fathom why some would prefer Twine over Costelloe.
Based on what, YouTube videos?

[BleedingClaret]

Frightening how many teams don’t include Barnes and Bastien who were arguably (after Cullen) most integral to the performance at Huddersfield.

I’m all for a bit more rotation than Dyche showed but is there any need to change a side that delivered that performance on the back of 8 days rest?

As others have said Costelloe’s debut was exceptional bar a 5 minute spell and couple of missed chances in the first half.

Bastien will be MOM in games where we’ve been getting bullied and have to wrestle for the control of the game back
Against Huddersfield we almost didn’t need what he has and the pretty little ball players shone
Bastien for me is the steel that we’ll only need when possession breaks down
Plus he may have to break forward too before we or if we don’t, get a natural centre forward in
Not knocking Barnes or Costelloe but 1 is slightly past his best and 1 isn’t quite ready. They both are an option from the bench if we can get a natural goal scorer

[Goody1975]

Any idea what’s actually up with Jay? I heard something about his quad ( which is generally not good ) though genuinely no idea how long he’s out ?

VK suggested he was back in some form of training, hopefully it's not too long till he's back.

Lowton is on the last game of his three match suspension so we'll find out soon enough if he's in the managers plans.

[Goody1975]

Not knocking Barnes or Costelloe but 1 is slightly past his best and 1 isn’t quite ready. They both are an option from the bench if we can get a natural goal scorer

They used to say that about me and you 25 years ago.

[spt_claret]

The old adage is don't change a winning team but Luton are a much more physical direct and big side. Playing that narrow could expose us to crosses or situations to win corners and the surprise factor was huge against Huddersfield so I'd mix it up again.

--------Muric
Roberts - THB -Taylor - Maatsen
-------------------Cork
------------Cullen - Bastien
Vitinho/Twine-----------------Benson
-------------Twine/Barnes

433 preferably with Twine as a false 9, but if Vitinho is seen as a bench option then Barnes in the centre as a 9 and a half.

Gives us a bit more width to cover wide areas, forces Luton to go through our congested middle or try to bypass the defence which we hopefully mop up, gives us as much pace as possible to get in behind. Doubt it's what we do though and I'll assume Kompany knows better.

[CoolClaret]

Told you they’re physical