Luton Outlaws - Independent Message Board for Luton Town FC

Ok I’ll bite..

‘We have JJ, Holmes, Anderson, Bell, Mengi, Burke, Walters’:

JJ - A very inexperienced player that has predominantly played at LB or LWB during his youth career. Based on his performances for us thus far, he looks composed on the ball, but lacks the defensive instinct/positional awareness of a CB. Still learning his craft.

Holmes - not rated at all by Reading fans, and their consensus was of surprise that we signed him. Looks composed on the ball, but lacks any pace and hasn’t pulled up any trees so far. I expect he was signed as a ‘development player’, similar in the mould of MCatee/Taylor.

Anderson - has missed a significant period of time through injury, and no timeline has been set on his return. Having not featured in pre season, and not even participated in full training, he will need several matches to regain match fitness. Even then, we signed him on the back of a good season in league 1, he’s yet to prove himself at champ level.

Bell - similar sentiments to my first couple of sentences based on Anderson. Will be a big boost when he’s back to his best, but this could take a while. With significant hamstring tears, there’s always an increased likelihood of re injuring it.

Mengi - did very well to manage as many games as he did last year, but it was publicly acknowledged that he was playing numerous matches through the pain barrier, and out of necessity.
His injury record throughout his career has been very poor.

Burke - very good defender at this level, but unfortunately very injury prone.

Walters - no experience of senior football, so is very much untested, in a very tough division. His best position is yet to be nailed down either; is he a more accomplished RWB or RCB?

Furthermore, we lack any natural DM options without Nakamba, who seems to have disappeared off the radar completely. We missed Nakamba significantly at the back end of last year as the defenders had no natural shield in front of them. We transformed as a side in the second half of the 2022/2023 season when Nakamba was signed.

We’re also lacking a creative player with guile that will be able to open up teams deploying a low block (there will be many against us this year). Chong will be instrumental for us, but his strengths lie in being rapid in transitions of player/quick counter attacks.

When you analyse the aforementioned, it’s clear that we have numerous issues in the squad that need addressing, if we are to push for a top 6 finish. If the objective is to consolidate and then go again when at Power Court, then we’re currently fine. However, this doesn’t align with the ambitions stated publicly by RE and the players.

Of course there are trolls that are feeding off the situation and posting vitriol on multiple names; however there are also many fans that see we have problems in the squad that needs addressing.

It’s not unreasonable or reminiscent of ‘hysteria’ for people to discuss this on a football messageboard.