Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 15, 2008 7:47:49 GMT -1
Well, tonight's the night - and first and foremost, are we even going to have a team? I know for a start that none of our goalies are 100% fit - Barrett and Beresford are out, and Brill's got a thigh strain. Immediately, I fear a rather painful match.
Then there's the question of who's still in the squad right now. After removing injured players, I think we have something like 16-17 players available? Just enough to make the matchday quota.
Then... Oh, then there's this:
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/7188114.stm
In honesty, I find it hard to imagine our players would pull out - they've pulled together for this long; I think there's some real team spirit in there. Further to that, it may be the only chance in their careers to play at one of the 'big four's grounds - would they really want to turn that opportunity up?
I know I'm not the only Luton fan thinking this way; has what he's said got anything to it, or is he just destabilising the club further, lashing out at anything he can as he has in the past?
Then there's the question of who's still in the squad right now. After removing injured players, I think we have something like 16-17 players available? Just enough to make the matchday quota.
Then... Oh, then there's this:
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/7188114.stm
Luton boss Kevin Blackwell says that some of his players could refuse to face Liverpool in Tuesday's FA Cup third-round replay at Anfield.
Blackwell, who handed in his notice last Friday, says players fear putting transfers from the financially-stricken club at risk.
Blackwell said: "I don't even know who I will have available to play.
"There are players talking to other clubs, and an injury could cost them a move to a club where they'll get paid."
Blackwell handed in his notice at the Coca-Cola League One club after its administrators agreed to sell captain Chris Coyne to Colchester and midfielder Dave Edwards to Wolves without his knowledge.
The former Leeds manager and coaches Sam Ellis and John Carver will leave after Luton's home game against Bournemouth on 9 February.
"I could be sat in the dressing room at Anfield an hour before kick-off and a player might decide that they don't want to run that risk and pull out," added Blackwell.
"I would be bitterly disappointed if that happened but you can understand it."
Blackwell saw his side beaten 3-1 at home to Swansea on Saturday - their first defeat in six games - and believes the loss of Coyne and Edwards has sapped morale at the club.
He said: "The psychological effects of selling those two players at that time cannot be underestimated by people.
"While we were all in the same boat, not getting paid but playing well and getting good results, the lads were still enjoying themselves.
"But once the group starts to break up it is difficult. The players are well aware that they will lose 15% of their salaries if we get relegated to League Two and that cannot be helped if we sell all our best players."
To exacerbate Blackwell's selection problems goalkeeper Dean Brill is a doubt with a thigh strain and has no deputy at the club while newly-appointed captain Chris Perry is also a doubt with the same injury.
Blackwell, who handed in his notice last Friday, says players fear putting transfers from the financially-stricken club at risk.
Blackwell said: "I don't even know who I will have available to play.
"There are players talking to other clubs, and an injury could cost them a move to a club where they'll get paid."
Blackwell handed in his notice at the Coca-Cola League One club after its administrators agreed to sell captain Chris Coyne to Colchester and midfielder Dave Edwards to Wolves without his knowledge.
The former Leeds manager and coaches Sam Ellis and John Carver will leave after Luton's home game against Bournemouth on 9 February.
"I could be sat in the dressing room at Anfield an hour before kick-off and a player might decide that they don't want to run that risk and pull out," added Blackwell.
"I would be bitterly disappointed if that happened but you can understand it."
Blackwell saw his side beaten 3-1 at home to Swansea on Saturday - their first defeat in six games - and believes the loss of Coyne and Edwards has sapped morale at the club.
He said: "The psychological effects of selling those two players at that time cannot be underestimated by people.
"While we were all in the same boat, not getting paid but playing well and getting good results, the lads were still enjoying themselves.
"But once the group starts to break up it is difficult. The players are well aware that they will lose 15% of their salaries if we get relegated to League Two and that cannot be helped if we sell all our best players."
To exacerbate Blackwell's selection problems goalkeeper Dean Brill is a doubt with a thigh strain and has no deputy at the club while newly-appointed captain Chris Perry is also a doubt with the same injury.
In honesty, I find it hard to imagine our players would pull out - they've pulled together for this long; I think there's some real team spirit in there. Further to that, it may be the only chance in their careers to play at one of the 'big four's grounds - would they really want to turn that opportunity up?
I know I'm not the only Luton fan thinking this way; has what he's said got anything to it, or is he just destabilising the club further, lashing out at anything he can as he has in the past?