Post-Match Thread and Ratings Luton Town 1-1 Southend Utd (Southend win 4-2 on penalties)

[Grapevine]

That’s one of the things I find wrong with people....everyone takes things personally when it’s meant as a generic statement...and also that they ignore the point I’m making ...

Look no one is suggesting that was Luton’s first choice side last night. But just because they don’t have stacks of injuries and we do doesn’t make our side any more a first choice side than theirs....just that we didn’t get so much of a “choice” to make!!!

Luton had five starters last night that have featured in 4 or all 5 of their last five league games - albeit from the bench. Five of their 7 subs have STARTED all five of their last five league games......now that’s quite a strong 18 to select regardless of how you put it.....

I’m not going to do the research but given the rules of the competition unless they get a fine you would have to assume that at least 4 of the starting 11 have accrued quite a few football league appearances each?

By contrast assuming no injuries whatsoever who did we have starting that would be considered in most people’s best 11?

Oxley.
Moore.
Turner? Arguable
White? Very arguable
Mantom.
Dru.

So four certainties?

Put another way......

Yes Luton did what gave them the best chance to win their next league game, but at the same time to also win this game.

Let’s say both clubs have a first team squad of 26?

We have 8 of those injured long term. That gives us 18. We then lose Cox, Bunn and Dieng on the day of the game so that’s now 11 missing giving us a match day squad of 15 at best....

We add, Kelman, Howard and Hutchinson to make 18 and the starting 11 almost picks itself...

Luton I’m sure had one or two injuries / niggles so they now have 22-24 available and CHOOSE to use 5 of their usual 7 subs and 3 others that have featured in 3 of last five league games and throw in three fringe players that need game time......they then fill their entire bench with regular first team starters just in case they need them!!!!

Bottom line is both teams from their full 26 first team squad, used a mix of first team players, fringe players, their regular subs and some young players.....

One team did it by choice and PICKED a team and the other team picked what was available!!

Just enjoy the fact we got through the game, enjoy the fact that our squad players are as good or better than Luton’s squad players and our teenagers are also as good or better than Luton’s.....cos let’s be honest at the moment we’d all see Luton as a progressive well run club on the up......

 

[rigsby]

A good outcome nevertheless, but you did not see a win. You saw a draw.

You also saw a convincing penalty shoot out victory to decide who progresses in the event of a drawn match.

It must be a concern that almost our strongest team could not actually beat such a changed Luton XI, but for now enjoy the success and hope Oxley's performance gives him the confidence to return to the excellent standard of goalkeeping he obviously displayed previously and equally obviously hasn't been displaying of late.

No Mick what I saw was a win because it was a one off cup game, not a league game. There was no facility for a draw otherwise we would be having a replay and Luton would still be in the cup.

Just like at Wembley when we beat Wycombe or at Crawley the other week. When Oxford beat us on penalties a few years ago it wasn't a draw, we lost. Jeff Hurts goal counted on the day, unfortunately so did Maradona's hand of god.

We all knew the rules before a ball was kicked and extra time, penalties or even a perfectly good goal to make it 3-3 can be ruled off-side and can knock you out of the cup

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Great to get the win in the end. As soon as I realised we were heading towards penalties I had a horrible feeling.

It was a steady, but unremarkable performance in all honesty. Nothing sticks up front at all and we’re in desperate need of a target man. But Macca made a real difference when he came on and I really think that we’ll improve drastically if we get him back in form. He was one of the first names on the teamsheet towards the end of last season and we need that level of performance back, as he was getting a goal or assist virtually every game. Hopefully this will build towards him getting his mojo back.

Hats off to Oxley for the penalty saves. Thought Mantom was decent and Bwomono had another good game.

Such an asset when on form but bloody awful when he ain’t. Really hope he’s coming into the former because we could do with firing Macca right now.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

No Mick what I saw was a win because it was a one off cup game, not a league game. There was no facility for a draw otherwise we would be having a replay and Luton would still be in the cup.

Just like at Wembley when we beat Wycombe or at Crawley the other week. When Oxford beat us on penalties a few years ago it wasn't a draw, we lost. Jeff Hurts goal counted on the day, unfortunately so did Maradona's hand of god.

We all knew the rules before a ball was kicked and extra time, penalties or even a perfectly good goal to make it 3-3 can be ruled off-side and can knock you out of the cup

This appears to be a semantic debate for understandable reasons Riggers, but I'm sure Mick is right. We won the tie but drew the match yesterday.

 

[AndyT]

Surely a penalty shoot out is used to determine the winner of the match?

There is no draw option. A draw is only a result when it is one of the three options at the start of the game.

For example, you can draw a County Championship cricket match, but you can't draw a T20 match, as the latter has to have a winner.

Last night there were two options. Win or lose. Southend won.

 

[rigsby]

This appears to be a semantic debate for understandable reasons Riggers, but I'm sure Mick is right. We won the tie but drew the match yesterday.

Adding religion to the debate will just make things worse.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Adding religion to the debate will just make things worse.

semantic
/sɪˈmantɪk/
adjective

1. relating to meaning in language or logic.

 

[HypoTypo]

semantic
/sɪˈmantɪk/
adjective

1. relating to meaning in language or logic.

In biological terms it mean a sign of warning or danger

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

In biological terms it mean a sign of warning or danger

I wondered why someone scratched it onto my bathroom door at home. Thanks!

 

[HypoTypo]

I wondered why someone scratched it onto my bathroom door at home. Thanks!

Well that would probably make complete sense LOL

 

[Firestorm]

From the EFL site

Matches will be of ninety minutes duration, with no extra time. If the scores are level then the winners shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with procedures as approved by IFAB.

 

[Mick]

Surely a penalty shoot out is used to determine the winner of the match?

No Andy, as Law 10 states, "kicks from the penalty mark are taken after the match has ended" .

The match has finished, drawn, and we now need a method to determine who progresses (or, if you like, wins) through to the next round.

 

[AndyT]

A draw doesn't exist in a knockout match.

See post #51

You can only win or lose it.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

A good outcome nevertheless, but you did not see a win. You saw a draw.

You also saw a convincing penalty shoot out victory to decide who progresses in the event of a drawn match.

It must be a concern that almost our strongest team could not actually beat such a changed Luton XI, but for now enjoy the success and hope Oxley's performance gives him the confidence to return to the excellent standard of goalkeeping he obviously displayed previously and equally obviously hasn't been displaying of late.

We have 10 players out injured so hardly an 'almost strongest' team

 

[Mick]

We have 10 players out injured so hardly an 'almost strongest' team

And indeed that is exactly the concern. The almost strongest team was the almost strongest we could field. Are we incredibly unlucky or are we doing something wrong or both?

 

[wivs]

Adding religion to the debate will just make things worse.

semantic
/sɪˈmantɪk/
adjective

1. relating to meaning in language or logic.

Knowing Rigsby as I do I'm sure he knows what semantic means and it was quite a good attempt at humour. ?