Luton Town v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Steve67]

The squad is so thin that we can only rely on the likes of Westwood and Bacuna to come in on Saturday, unless we sign a couple of players before then. I agree with others about the fragility of this team. We must buy our way out of it, if we can persuade players to come to us that is. RDM has very little room for manoeuvre unless he brings players in quickly.  This squad is shit.  I might also consider letting Ayew go in a swap deal if we can get the players we want, and a little cash too.  He tries harder than others but isn't really a team player.  I like hime as a player but I think we need winners rather than individuals. Not singling him out as I think Okore, Richards, Gardner, Hutton, Baker, Bacuna, Westwood, Gestede are all really poor.  Where was Veretout? I know he wants out but is he injured as well?  Kozak?

[Rudy65]

I think RDM,s plan tonight was to put some of our players in the shop window in the hope that some bids may come in for them. Unfortunately the plan failed as even the rioters and looters would have passed by our shop without giving it a second look.

There will always sometone desperate for our rubbish. Explain why anyone would take Bennett or Sanchez, albeit on loan with the latter

[brontebilly]

That was fugly.

I did think Gardner was doing better than Sunday though, so surprised to see him getting singled out. Especially considering nobody mentioned how far out of position Amavi was for their equalizer. It feels like RDM surrendered at half time with those subs, probably saving them for Rotherham ?

That should also dispel the Ayew-Grealish-Green-McCormack hope.

agreed, though Gestede over the past 1.5 games looks as bad as last season at "his level" so options are minimal

McCormack doesnt look fit either which is worrying

I cant see how RHM could be any worse up top

Green needs to harden up on the evidence of tonight

Bacuna and Westwood appear better players suddenly

[pauliewalnuts]

Re Richards:

https://twitter.com/foxyn77/status/763479834383220736

[PeterWithesShin]

Like nearly everyone I was pretty happy with the lineup, RDM got a black mark for the second half though as all the changes he made only managed to make us worse.

[Matt Collins]

McCormack isn't fit. He played 45 minutes pre season

[West Derby Villan]

We desperately need two proper experienced, vocal midfielders and a right back that can read the game and defend. Without these we ain't going anyway

[black pearl of inchicore]

Why isn't Toner getting a look in.......Baker WAS, IS, WILL ALWAYS BE fucking Shite...

[Tuscans]

Judging by the comments it looks like we're not happy with more or less the whole of the playing staff. Full backs are rubbish, we need a centre back, midfield doesn't exist, we need a goalscorer. Can't really disagree so that's one hell of rebuilding job.

[avfcpg]

I said in the match thread that, in my opinion, all of our problems stem from the fact we do not have a top quality central midfielder, and haven't for many years.
As a minimum, we must, must, must resolve this before the end of this month, because the anonymous bunch of midfield clones we have now will not make us improve.

Oh for a Cowans, Taylor, Barry or Mortimer right now.

I totally agree...the midfield just isn't protecting the back 4 or getting it into the forwards quick enough..they don't retain possession or compete for the second ball. Don't support the forwards quick enough. be alright if they did some of this, but they do none of it. Ayew consequently runs all over the shop just to get the ball.
I can see what RDM is trying to do, but we don't yet have the midfielders to be able to do it.   

[Clark W Griswold]

Grealish, Green and Gardner were absolutely pathetic. Tshibola looks a safer bet and more of a presence than Westwood, Sanchez and Veretout but he's a bit slow paced and negative. Probably be ok with a dynamic, tough partner. I'm starting to lose patience with Gestede who I've always defended but he was anonymous tonight against a league 2 side. The defence is better with Elphick in as we saw on Saturday, but he needs a competent and quick partner next to him, we don't have one in the club. An entire new right side is needed too. And another left back. Maybe even another striker.

[sickbeggar]

I said in the match thread that, in my opinion, all of our problems stem from the fact we do not have a top quality central midfielder, and haven't for many years.
As a minimum, we must, must, must resolve this before the end of this month, because the anonymous bunch of midfield clones we have now will not make us improve.

Oh for a Cowans, Taylor, Barry or Mortimer right now.

It's definetely a large part of the problem that we're missing a commanding centre midfielder who can put his foot in and dominate a match.When's the last time one of our midfielders put in one of those "welcome to the game" tackles in the first 10 minutes, picked up a yellow and then took it easy for the next 80 minutes? Win the midfield and then you can start to play a bit and who's know's some of our midfield wusses could actually create something with someone covering their backs

[Tuscans]

I said in the match thread that, in my opinion, all of our problems stem from the fact we do not have a top quality central midfielder, and haven't for many years.
As a minimum, we must, must, must resolve this before the end of this month, because the anonymous bunch of midfield clones we have now will not make us improve.

Oh for a Cowans, Taylor, Barry or Mortimer right now.

I totally agree...the midfield just isn't protecting the back 4 or getting it into the forwards quick enough..they don't retain possession or compete for the second ball. Don't support the forwards quick enough. be alright if they did some of this, but they do none of it. Ayew consequently runs all over the shop just to get the ball.
I can see what RDM is trying to do, but we don't yet have the midfielders to be able to do it.   

Yep, and it's a case of it not being just a one man job either ... Ledley and Jedinak, come on down.

[Bad English]

Roberto Di Matteo let's see how you earn your bruschetta from now on.

[devilla]

Don't want to overreact and take this defeat out of context but clearly we have a serious serious problem here.

I think it's beyond RDM to sort. We probably need a psychiatrist.

I said in the match thread that I think we need a sports psychologist because we're so mentally fragile. Tonight was a classic example. A complete collapse after they equalised.