Preston vs Luton

[Neko Bazu]

With in-form Danny Dichio suspended, Preston boss Paul Simpson is hoping striker Patrick Agyemang will recover from a slight groin problem.

Striker Neil Mellor (knee) and midfielder Adam Nowland (broken leg) remain sidelined along with defender Youl Mawene (knee).

Luton are hopeful Kevin Foley will return to ease their injury crisis.

Lewis Emanuel, Chris Coyne and Sam Parkin are big doubts. Sol Davis, Paul Underwood and Calvin Andrew are out.

Can't honestly say I'm looking forward to this one Potentially 5 first-teamers out, and an away game to a team who - let's face it - are looking good this season. I believe we lost this fixture 5-1 last year, and while I wouldn't expect that sort of scoreline again, it's not the match we needed after losing two on the trot.

As much as it pains me, my realistic prediction is 2-1 (or even 3-1) to Preston Proves me wrong boys!

*runs off in tears*

[derekhappyhatter]

** sighs **

We just can't afford a decent squad, can we Neko?

Ah well still in the top half of the table....





Just

[Neko Bazu]

Another weekend like this and we'll lose that much-loved little fact...

Desperately need a good result against whoever we've got next; this run needs to be nipped in the bud. I can only hope this is our usual christmas slump coming on early - I know Sol's stroke will have affected them for past matches, but that's not a reason or excuse any more.

Still, hopefully gonna have a couple of players back next week, so maybe things will turn around. I only hope Brill can rise to the occasion though - I don't honestly think he's up to Championship standard yet, so he's gonna haveta play out of his skin covering Beresford's suspension.

Is Beckwith still in the squad, do we know? I've always rated him quite highly, having watched him play a few times - surely he'd be a better bet in goal if he's still around? (I've heard nothing about him all season)

[dpleated]

Beckwith was let go pre-season and is playing non-league. I know what you mean about him Neko, he always looked quality to me, but he suffered a bad knee injury and MN never gave him a chance.

Like you as well mate, I don't get what MN sees in Brill though.

[Neko Bazu]

Any idea if Zach Barrett's any good? I know he was only signed professionally this season, coming up from the youth, but the grapevine's had some praise for him.

Trouble is, at his age he'll have virtually no experience, so I'm not sure personally (having never seen him play) if he really would be a better bet

I think this is... three seasons now, that we've been saying we need a better back-up goalie? Can't see Bez staying on much longer either; he turns 38 this season

So we need a GK, a CB, and really a RB and LB too... At least our midfield and strikers are okay?

(This isn't bitching, it's just a semi-concerned observation. I know hands are tied financially etc, but it doesn't change hard facts...)

[derekhappyhatter]

From here: www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1824_1665346,00.html

1: "Young Luton goalkeeper Zac Barrett has joined Conference North side Kettering Town on a month's loan"

2: "Luton are awaiting the result of their appeal against first-choice keeper Marlon Beresford's sending off against Preston last weekend".

On 1: great!!!
On 2: no chance, like it or not he was the last man

So ..... no sub 'keeper?

[Neko Bazu]

At least if we still had Nico we'd have a back-up on the pitch

Seriously though, this isn't too pretty, is it? Is it one game he's suspended for, or three? I don't much fancy the idea of playing without a back-up, and especially not given our recent luck with injury and illness!

Russ Perrett to make three match-winning saves in the last five minutes, anyone?

[derekhappyhatter]

It's a one match ban Neko :
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/6123946.stm
The appeal was lost

"Seriously though, this isn't too pretty, is it? "
Nope, it's flippin tragic!
Oh well , just have to hope Brill's in form.
(or I'll email Newell and offer to play for nothing :

I read somewhere that Newell said he hasn't got any money for loan players, geez, how bad can it get!?

[MikeNewellsBarmyArmy]

Ah the board are big fat lumps on chairs that refuse to part with there money!!!! i sent an email of support the instant after the first board meeting was called in support for newell.