I think you’ve summed up the thoughts of every single one of the 700 supporters that travelled to watch that. The players have basically hung Rob out to dry, I agree with you, I was waiting for the news to come through saying he had left after hearing that after the game. He looked like he’s got nothing left to give, he’s looked as if he’s had enough for a while. This is a man that truly cares about our club, and for what he and the club have had had to deal with over the last year, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
A very honest reflection chaps. Must have been a tough one to do. A very fair reflection I thought. We had a very poor transfer window, i dont know who takes the blame for that. Personally i would like Edwards to stay, but the players need to step up and fight. I just hope that Burke and Bell are fit to return we drop Mcguiness who has been a poor signing, and revert to 442. Surely we have lost enough games to realise that we need a stronger midfield. Been thinking the same about Nakamba, surely he can play one game a week? Great and tough content this week.
Oh dear. Was a hard listen but nothing that every fan isn’t talking about to their mates down the pub so well done for reviewing a bad day at the office with such brutal honesty 😢
Excellent summary! Why can't the manager & players see it? We need someone like Kev at the helm to inject some passion, steel & grit as it's simply not good enough!
Omg, it was only a few days previous we battered QPR 4-1and you don't hear them calling for their manager to be sacked and they are bottom of the table, would be refreshing to hear a Luton fan say something like "you know what fans, Boro have the highest amount of attempts at goal then any other team in the championship and by quite a margin too, meaning they we're going to give someone a spanking if/when they got their act together BTW to lads we have lost quite a few games that we've totally dominated and had shot after shot but just haven't been able to find that elusive "net" but hopefully scoring 9 goals in the last 2 games means we've solved that problem but being a Boro fan i know only too well not to get my hopes up, So my unwarranted advice is don't be too downhearted and hard on your manager, still a long way to go yet, I bet when he got Luton promoted to the Premier League he was being hailed as the next messiah lol that's football its a funny old game,
Luton Ladies beat Royston (league leaders) yesterday, 1-0. They were the better team first half and held the lead in the 2nd. Maybe the men's team could learn a thing or two about commitment and desire from them?!
Rob hasn’t had a fair run. The injuries have been crippling, I agree he looks traumatised. If he hasn’t had therapy over the Tom Lockyer incidents, the club should ensure he does even if he leaves as a duty of care. Right up to when Tom collapsed, Rob had that team winning. That massively affected Rob and because he seems to take responsibility for everything, he probably blames himself internally for what happened to Tom. The fans who are shouting abuse need to have a cold hard look at themselves. In my view that’s as damaging as the players caving in on the pitch. The team can fight, we have seen it this season with Watford and other games but this week was the players fault 100%. You have both really nailed it this week chaps, well done.
@@-_Blitz_- Do you understand words? The fans who are shouting abuse etc... does that mention clapping??? That does not mean you should shout abuse. You did, otherwise you wouldn't have replied. There's a middle ground, where you don't clap but also don't yell obscenities at the manager. Try that.
Gd to hear you guys letting out your frustrations and Kev you and other 700/800 fans that went I feel even worse for you. Agree with nearly all you say and great you brought up preseason and injuries cos that's all a shitshow. Not starting a 3 man midfield against Boro away was criminal imo. Pelly, Marv or both were needed along with Krauß. Walsh is combative but a worry when he tackles. Baptiste very smooth but needs at least one CDM alongside if gona start. Chong would have been a great impact sub if we'd managed to stay in the game. Brown should have started upfront with either Elijah or CM too. Joe Taylor not on the bench again and you say correctly that we are a team with no or little pace, well Taylor has pace to burn! Give him a crack! Not gona pile on Woodrow but so much is baffling. That team was not set up tactically or personnel wise to get a result on Sat. Players to blame and manager to blame. Very worrying. One important thing you didn't address is the board giving Rob a crazy 4yr contract and how that in turn could be why a man that feels like he is done and can't do the job anymore, is just suffering and not resigning. I like RE a lot and desperately want him to turn this around but don't think that length of contract did anyone any favours. Surely, if a new contract was needed, then it had to be shorter with a firm understanding that we had to see how we'd adjust to life back in The Champ. Bump it up to 4yrs after this season would have been far more sensible if all happy at the end of it. Maybe the board, along with RE and his staff, thought it was gona be a top 6 stroll and now each side doesn't know what to do. Clearly so much needs to be sorted this international break. Fingers crossed it is. Criticism and frustrations are completely fair. Personal insults and abuse has no place. Gdluck at the podcast awards guys. Thanks for the content. Know this one was tough. COYH 🎩
We talked up Boro plenty in the preview podcast and rightfully said their front 4 are quality in this podcast. Regardless of how well they played, this is not about Boro. Without our mistakes they'd have beaten us, but not thumped us.
That must have been difficult to record - and it’s painful reliving the match. I think the point about some of the players not wanting to be here or not giving 100% is totally valid. We need to get them out of the team, as well as some of the old guard who aren’t performing and some of our newer players who clearly aren’t that good - play 7 or 8 of the Youth team. Need a change of personnel and a change of system, but most importantly a change of attitude from some of these players. Having said all that, I have just booked my hotels for Norwich, Blackburn, Bristol C. & Swansea away - COYH
Thank you for your thoughts again, guys, but nonsense to suggest players' performance isn't down to Edwards. Try telling Fergie that. Apart from playing players out of position again, there is a massive lack of discipline which you can see with the captain getting yet another yellow card for poor self-control and a resultant suspension. Surprised you're justifying it. Walsh was lucky not to be sent off again. With that team it was always a disaster waiting to happen. And talking about Oakes a Liverpool loanee why didn't we bother to get any loans? Awful pre-season activity or lack of it from the club. We deserve what we are getting. Not the fans but certainly the board and manager. The absolute stupidity of a 4 year contract for Edwards! And that's not in retrospect. It was crazy at the time. The fact that he's a lovely guy doesn't come into it. In fact the board are derelict in not doing their human duty and relieving him of the stress he's clearly under. And BTW I heartily agree with your comments on the lack of respect and overt venom directed at anyone.
It's Doak mate don't be to down someone was going to get a going over of us sooner or later and yourselves and Qpr copped it big time hope you stay up best of luck
1. The squad - it's obvious to bloody everyone!! Too many injury prone players and not enough cover in key areas. The manager can only pick what is available to him and our squad was short throughout last season - and this year its even worse. How did this happen? 2. RE is a nice guy. Does he hold players accountable? Is he demanding enough of the board? None of us fans can really know, but his post match interview sounded like a public surrender from a man who didn't think he could do this any more, in which case he's probably going whatever anyone thinks. It strikes me that both RE and GJ were "nice guys" - and maybe the board needs a manager who's not quite so "nice" and will be more demanding of them and the players? 3. Whatever has happened, abusive comments are not acceptable and just make a bad situation worse. Fans don't enjoy losing badly - but personal abuse thrown at a guy who is clearly emotionally struggling is just dumb and unacceptable.
This 'performance' was up there with the 3-1 Braintree loss. I think both the players and management are to blame. We haven't been playing well but getting the odd result. Rob wants to play this high press nonsense that clearly doesn't suit the players we have and gives us so many injuries. It leaves space in behind with our crazy man marking, that draws out Mengi and McGuiness and because we just don't pass the f***ing ball, its kicked long, we lose possession, and the balls back in to the space on the flanks. THAT is a management and coaching issue. Let me change my original response. After listening carefully - what do can we do? Rob needs to grow a pair of balls and pull up the players who don't perform - including Chong. He needs dropping as his decision making and final ball 9/10 are shocking. I'm sick to the back teeth of clowns or 'supporters' claiming it was Snake's team that won promotion to the PL and not giving Rob the credit he deserves. Just to remind them - we lost 5-0 at home to Birmingham before he slithered off again, 9 points off the playoffs with 26 games left to play. I will not question Rob's passion for the club and he is clearly upset for us, the fans - that it's not working out. If Rob does stay, the board MUST bring in a better class of coaching staff to help him. Hell, I would even see a 50/50 partnership with Robbins if he was up for it. That's all I see happening, otherwise Rob falls on his sword and it's back into the whirlwind of finding a new manager. IF Rob does stay, I'd be happy to see a total shake up of the side and if we are beaten, he tells us that he dropped the liabilities, which would make fans accept the reasoning. Either way, Rob must, must must get a grip and if he needs a short break for the reasons stated, let him do it and we have an interim. He must also change this sh*tty system with 3 centre backs. It's the only way to get out of jail. Either way, it's going to be a long international break with speculation if Rob stays or goes.
James makes a valid point - for anyone under 40 years old, 27th May 2023 was the best day they will have seen as a Town fan. Anyone calling Rob a wanker or anything similar needs a good long look at themselves. Or better still, a slap!
I've supported the club for over 50 years. Since the days of Malcolm MacDonald. Don Shanks, John Ryan etc. I would agree that supporters shouldn't be so vitriolic towards the manager. But the reality of football is that its a results driven industry. I remember Mick Harford leaving in 2009 as our results in the Conference weren't up to par. Same with Ricky Hill in 2000 due to our financial difficulties. If Rob needs help, get him help. But if the team our not performing on the pitch, the manager has to explain why he picked them or why he brought them to the club. Rob's a really nice guy and we really need a bast*rd.
Edwards has been useless for 12 months , he comes across as a weak manager. The players are a bunch of bottle jobs , they have shown a real lack of character. Our Summer signings have all been useless. Not one single player has played well this season other than Krauss. We need a strong manager who will get stuck in to the players and Edwards too nice to be that man. Time for him to go, it's a shame we can't sack the players.
Get real man. It takes a hell of a lot more than one person, a manager, to build and maintain a football club. If you were in your garden having a kick around and you booted the ball through your neighbour's window and had to foot the bill then you would have to say ... well I did that
Well done chaps, you have covered a lot here. At one point I thought you were not going to mention the lack of a holding midfielder on Saturday but you did. It must have been difficult to do this recording especially so soon after the match. Hopefully the players got the hairdryer treatment and Rob gets some rest so he is in a better state of mind to continue. COYH!
I totally agree Carlton Morris was a fighter was proud of him that he stood up like a man , sad to not see his own team mates help him . Carlton had three players on him 😢😢COYH Rob does look extremely exhausted 😢
Mengi doesn't want to be here anymore. He's made that obvious now - get him, Woodrow and Walsh out the door in January. Taylor too, if he's not going to play. Big changes needed, top to bottom
Edwards is done. He looks mentally drained and ill. Hes clearly not set up to cope with the rigours of professional management at this level as much as it pains me to say.
Mick & Dicky Dosh would have got us up in 3 seasons. They were calling fot JS's head in the promotion season. Rob should get until Christmas, unless he doesn't believe he can turn it around in which case he needs to go now.
I'm not sure the current midfielders have discipline and fight. We let Campbell go although understand decision but replaced him with powder puff. Do not understand what is happening with Nakamba but he gives us cover when fit
Players, manager and board all to blame. They share the success, they need to share the failure too. Either way they need our full support and to get behind the team no matter what. Fair play to the fans that travelled though. These people are the heartbeat of the club.
Dont want Rob to leave but we need to accept our defence cannot cope without cover. Away from home we need to b tighter and stop worrying about playing football to look pretty. No point if powder puff. Remember what was successful
Nice to hear the humane words re Rob, lads. The players are letting Rob and the fans down, yet he gets the abuse? He's had a lot to deal with, as you said, and he comes over as a sensitive soul, so the abuse he's getting is disgusting. I presume by social media you're referring to Twitter, which I've swapped recently for Bluesky. A more civilised place, with a small but growing enclave of Town fans.
Luton's secrecy, including refusing to disclose transfers, injuries and other issues affecting the club, means there's no accountability. And to be fair Jimbo, Mike Simmonds and other journos need to stop the softballs and ask serious questions.
if we can see the tactical issues then the players can too. Not an excuse but maybe heads drop at a goal down as it's expected. So it's less about not caring and more about either subconsciously lacking confidence or losing concentration because they're annoyed. It's rare but managers can have the dressing room onside on the whole but have struggles with players lacking belief in the direction the manager wants to go. Only wins solve that conundrum. Great pod as usual.
Rob has decided to protect the players & lay all the blame on himself & some of our 'supporters' are fully against him & have been, since the start of the season. The players are the ones making mistakes (mistake happen) & also the ones that aren't playing with pride, passion or belief! Luckily I was over to watch the match against Watford & that is the only match (for the whole match), that ALL of our players, we're actually fully focused. Keep the manager & give the players a good lecture during the international break. In my personal opinion, Rob is a good fit for our club!!!! 🥃⚽🥃
I think RE has to shoulder SOME of the blame, but I think some of those players have to look at themselves and ask "Am I performing to my 'true' capabilities; am I letting the Manager down?" !! I think there is a 'complacent/blase' attitude running through the team like a 'cancer' !! I TOTALLY understand your frustration Kevin; you and many others have got up at some unearthly hour of the morning, spent a fair bit on match, and petrol prices, to see people turn their backs on shots, NOT tracking runners, etc !! I think you HAVE to have that 'foundation', which is, simply, getting the basics RIGHT !! Do some of our players think we are SO good that we can, simply, turn up and beat teams WITHOUT getting the basics right ? I'm sure you remember, that two years ago, we got promotion, NOT because we scored 'floods' of goals, but, because we had a very strong 'foundation' of players getting that 'ugly' side of the game right !! IF only the players on the field showed the same 'passion' as what you have Kevin, in this podcast, we might be in a 'better' place !!
Imagine being the manager & having 'supporters' booing your substitutions, shouting abuse at him & typing keyboard warrior abuse online! 🤯🤯🤯 Some of our 'supporters' need to sort themselves out! #TheStrongerTheTeamTheStrongerTheTeam
Great podcast gents. I’m so glad you’ve talked about RE. It’s so easy to forget that managers are human beings and are not immune to stress and not perform at their best but there’s no hiding place. A player can be dropped if he has a couple of shit games but a manager has to motivate himself. My worry with Rob is he is too emotionally invested in individuals that don’t reciprocate and that feeds into his decisions. He needs strong characters around him to get the players in line and he needs the backing of the board for a fixed period of time to turn it round. The personal abuse he’s getting is completely unacceptable.
As you say, the issues at the moment are nuanced and multi-dimensional. However, a club like Luton relies on passion, fight, team spirit and discipline. If they are not in place to start with, you can forget sorting out the rest. I appreciate there is a confidence issue, however, the fact that Mengi has even been allowed his own UA-cam channel says a lot to me. Sort it out Luton - all of you.
as a boro fan i beg to differ we BORO have dominated nearly every game we have played even when we lost all that was needed was the click of the attackers it has clicked its disengenuous to say you surrendered no you were dominated
and that's not a wild boast our XG was through the roof our touches in opposiotion boxes 1st place in the league you do not get those without domination check for yoursleves the stats are available
We've played well for the full 90 mins in ONE game this season. A few ok games too, but plenty have been dire. Something needs to change and fast. We thought we'd signed an All-Stars Championship team when we got promoted to the Premier League so we'd do well if we went down. Attrocious defending v Boro. We were actually playing quite well until they scored. Confidence is shot and where's the fight and passion. Yes, Pelly isn't the most technically gifted but give me his energy over the half hearted attempts to close down opponents by Walsh and Clark. Feel so sorry for him that he barely gets 5 minutes if he's lucky.
Totally agree with the condemnation of the personal abuse directed towards Rob Edwards, no one deserves that, especially him. Unlike those morons doing it, he is decent human being and deserves respect. Unfortunately, there has always been this element in football but now it is intensified because social gives a platform for every closet football manager and when normally reasonable, rational social media commentators up the ante by emotional ranting then it pushes to a new level as to what more unreasonable people think is acceptable.
Rob and the club are in a massive hole, and cannot dig themselves out of it - if Rob remains in charge. The club’s record since the high point of thrashing Brighton 4-0 has been horrendous. Last 17 games in the Prem: 12 defeats, 4 draws and just ONE win. This season: already 8 defeats in just 15 games, joint 3rd from bottom and only Portsmouth have conceded more goals. It’s over. Regrettable as it is, Rob has to be sacked. If not, the “Town are heading Down”. It’s just not working.
That was a tough listen but an even tougher watch on Saturday - I agree with most of what you said Kev but most of those players didn't deserve to be supported, there was no fight and no pride in the shirt of themselves and if they do it again they don't deserve our support and deserve to be criticised and if Rob isn't going to tell them its unacceptable and keep playing them instead of players we know have that pride and fight (and yes I am talking about Pelly) then he also doesn't deserve our support. All I want from my team is to show pride and commitment when they pull on that shirt and play the best they can
The club have some big decisions to make. It's all gone quiet for now, I assume they're either in crisis talks with Rob or talking with potential replacements. If he stays, then they need to get to the bottom of what's gone wrong, and plan a way for him regain the confidence of the dressing room and trust of the fans. If he leaves, then they need to find a replacement that brings something different, I'm thinking Rob might just be too nice to get the players out of this rut. This is the first season since maybe 2017/18 that we've been considered anything but underdogs, maybe we're just not set up for that sort of season or expectation.
Where are the loan players that every other club seems to obtain from up and coming players in the premier league reserves sides? (i.e. Nakamba from Villa 2 years ago, Sami form Arsenal last season etc) We have done it before
Maybe part of the answer to your question... The club have been trying to recruit a Lead Strength & Conditioning coach for quite a while now, so maybe noby is currently managing the Strength & Conditioning element. I might send my CV. 🥃⚽🥃
I rtemember some years back the Charlton Athletic fans were getting a " bit sick" of finishing mid table in the Premier league for several seasons. So they got rid of Alan Curbushley who had performed miracles really. Look where Charlton are now and have been for a very long time. Just a thought...from a Boro fan. Up the Boro!!!.
have watched this a few times its clear that THEY have to say its a surrender because the alternative is more worrying that Boro were far superior in every department
I fancied Robbins before Edwards was appointed, but why would he had left Coventry. I still think he’s the man for us, it won’t be easy but look at what he’s done for Coventry besides this season.
In the cold light of day the simple truth is that we have won two maybe three midfields all season Watford West Brom and Cardiff …there is no supply to the front two and no protection to the back three…..it doesn’t take a genius to work out that we need to change the formation to a 4 4 2 at home and a 4 5 1 away….these systems work ask Leicester city in 2015 ….We all know Edwards is a nice guy but his game management is poor even with some average players , recruitment has been a joke both on the pitch and back room staff and the board have completely lost a connection with the paying fans which is the very framework that the success of this great club has always been built on….time for wholesale changes from top to bottom.
These players are talented but no positivity, fight, honour, pride and enthusiasm. Since Ten Hag left Manchester United, they have woke up. It is cheap to swing the gauntlet towards Edwards, but he has 'lost the dressing room'; it is a simple as that. The players are not learning anything; time for new management on the green. Christ, lads, instead of over analyzing, throw up the stats on what RE has done. NJ legacy got us through to the premier league, it is naive to think otherwise. Deep down RE has not got what it takes.
Seems to me that every game our opponents are creating space and getting shots off in and around our box while we have constantly over played and trying to get within 5 yards before shooting in the few games games we have won they have had a crack from edge of box or managed to open them up not happening often enough
How many times has this now happened, with different starting 11’s. I’m afraid Robs making mistake after mistake and let’s be clear he has put these dud midfields out week after week. We’ve all seen this coming.
Well I think after that performance we will be in league 1 next season. So let's rebuild with players with some passion. I look at the fixtures and I can't see us beating anyone. When I looked at our side b4 the game I was impressed, how wrong can you be.
See what your saying but we need experience, mid 50’s is not old look at John Still when he took over. We need Championship experience, Robbins obvious choice, if he wants it or before anyone else get him like Hill City.
Agreed. I have given my full support to Rob for a long time now. But it just isn't working. I find it hard to make that comment, but I cannot see us getting any better away from home. We need someone in that can steady the ship and now is possibly the best time to do it.
Guys - please cut out the swearing, its a great podcast but let down by the amount of 'f' words - I appreciate last week was really frustrating but you still don't need to resort to foul language.
Lads Pelly is NOT the answer he’s league 1 at best …his positional awareness is non existent time and time again players drift off him …it’s time to move on , the kind of players we need are now playing for other clubs like Campbell and berry.
I thought your direct hard comments early-on were deserved and correct. However like the match on sat i turned off tv well before the end, too much of a bad thing is not good for your health. Tip keep the podcast much shorter. Also, don't want to hear your opinion on global politics brought up in such podcast. Absolutely nothing to do with the abysmal too regular performances. The players should have their pay cut for rest of year and Rob should step down. It's as much a man-management problem as it is football theory and practice. coyh.
If you think what happened across the pond was a bad thing I really don't know what to say to you. It's called democracy. The will of the people. I know mainstream journalism is dying but FFS you are way out of touch. Way out
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I think you’ve summed up the thoughts of every single one of the 700 supporters that travelled to watch that. The players have basically hung Rob out to dry, I agree with you, I was waiting for the news to come through saying he had left after hearing that after the game. He looked like he’s got nothing left to give, he’s looked as if he’s had enough for a while. This is a man that truly cares about our club, and for what he and the club have had had to deal with over the last year, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
A very honest reflection chaps. Must have been a tough one to do. A very fair reflection I thought. We had a very poor transfer window, i dont know who takes the blame for that. Personally i would like Edwards to stay, but the players need to step up and fight. I just hope that Burke and Bell are fit to return we drop Mcguiness who has been a poor signing, and revert to 442. Surely we have lost enough games to realise that we need a stronger midfield. Been thinking the same about Nakamba, surely he can play one game a week? Great and tough content this week.
Oh dear. Was a hard listen but nothing that every fan isn’t talking about to their mates down the pub so well done for reviewing a bad day at the office with such brutal honesty 😢
Excellent summary! Why can't the manager & players see it? We need someone like Kev at the helm to inject some passion, steel & grit as it's simply not good enough!
Omg, it was only a few days previous we battered QPR 4-1and you don't hear them calling for their manager to be sacked and they are bottom of the table, would be refreshing to hear a Luton fan say something like "you know what fans, Boro have the highest amount of attempts at goal then any other team in the championship and by quite a margin too, meaning they we're going to give someone a spanking if/when they got their act together BTW to lads we have lost quite a few games that we've totally dominated and had shot after shot but just haven't been able to find that elusive "net" but hopefully scoring 9 goals in the last 2 games means we've solved that problem but being a Boro fan i know only too well not to get my hopes up,
So my unwarranted advice is don't be too downhearted and hard on your manager, still a long way to go yet, I bet when he got Luton promoted to the Premier League he was being hailed as the next messiah lol that's football its a funny old game,
We talked up your attacking stats in the preview podcast
He’s playing shit football and has been for months, we’re all sick and tired of watching the utter dross that unfolds in front of us week in week out
@lutontownsupporterstrust wasn't talking about the podcast per-say was more on about the comments section
@@-_Blitz_- yeah I hear that, I can only say it from the one game I saw Luton play,
@@leethistlethwaite4381My worry is you did not have to play well to get to 2 nil. After obviously you played well but what a start we gave you
Luton Ladies beat Royston (league leaders) yesterday, 1-0. They were the better team first half and held the lead in the 2nd. Maybe the men's team could learn a thing or two about commitment and desire from them?!
Edward’s biggest downfall is his post match interviews. If that’s our leader, god help us.
We are missing proper championship players and have too many wannabe prem players who are too weak for this league.
Rob hasn’t had a fair run. The injuries have been crippling, I agree he looks traumatised. If he hasn’t had therapy over the Tom Lockyer incidents, the club should ensure he does even if he leaves as a duty of care. Right up to when Tom collapsed, Rob had that team winning. That massively affected Rob and because he seems to take responsibility for everything, he probably blames himself internally for what happened to Tom.
The fans who are shouting abuse need to have a cold hard look at themselves. In my view that’s as damaging as the players caving in on the pitch.
The team can fight, we have seen it this season with Watford and other games but this week was the players fault 100%. You have both really nailed it this week chaps, well done.
I’m not clapping that crap at the end of the game, no one should
@@-_Blitz_- Do you understand words? The fans who are shouting abuse etc... does that mention clapping??? That does not mean you should shout abuse. You did, otherwise you wouldn't have replied. There's a middle ground, where you don't clap but also don't yell obscenities at the manager. Try that.
@@wotsitalabowt I don’t agree with shouting actual abuse either but telling them to sort it out is what should be going on
@@-_Blitz_- so you shouted "sort it out" but didn't add "wanker" or "cunt". Sorry but that isn't true. Think back. There you go.
Totally agree with you Lawrence.
Gd to hear you guys letting out your frustrations and Kev you and other 700/800 fans that went I feel even worse for you. Agree with nearly all you say and great you brought up preseason and injuries cos that's all a shitshow.
Not starting a 3 man midfield against Boro away was criminal imo. Pelly, Marv or both were needed along with Krauß. Walsh is combative but a worry when he tackles. Baptiste very smooth but needs at least one CDM alongside if gona start. Chong would have been a great impact sub if we'd managed to stay in the game.
Brown should have started upfront with either Elijah or CM too. Joe Taylor not on the bench again and you say correctly that we are a team with no or little pace, well Taylor has pace to burn! Give him a crack! Not gona pile on Woodrow but so much is baffling. That team was not set up tactically or personnel wise to get a result on Sat.
Players to blame and manager to blame. Very worrying.
One important thing you didn't address is the board giving Rob a crazy 4yr contract and how that in turn could be why a man that feels like he is done and can't do the job anymore, is just suffering and not resigning.
I like RE a lot and desperately want him to turn this around but don't think that length of contract did anyone any favours. Surely, if a new contract was needed, then it had to be shorter with a firm understanding that we had to see how we'd adjust to life back in The Champ. Bump it up to 4yrs after this season would have been far more sensible if all happy at the end of it.
Maybe the board, along with RE and his staff, thought it was gona be a top 6 stroll and now each side doesn't know what to do.
Clearly so much needs to be sorted this international break. Fingers crossed it is.
Criticism and frustrations are completely fair. Personal insults and abuse has no place.
Gdluck at the podcast awards guys.
Thanks for the content. Know this one was tough.
COYH 🎩
Don't you think that you're taking a lot of credit away from Middlesbrough though? Boro are a good team!!
Exactly. 👍
We talked up Boro plenty in the preview podcast and rightfully said their front 4 are quality in this podcast. Regardless of how well they played, this is not about Boro. Without our mistakes they'd have beaten us, but not thumped us.
Yes but this is a Luton podcast and the problems at our club need to be addressed and called out
Really took your chances well but in between you barely had to get out of 3rd gear. Ignore goals bet it is not your best performance
It was at home @@michaeldonohue8563
Fantastic podcast - very well thought out and considered views!
That must have been difficult to record - and it’s painful reliving the match. I think the point about some of the players not wanting to be here or not giving 100% is totally valid. We need to get them out of the team, as well as some of the old guard who aren’t performing and some of our newer players who clearly aren’t that good - play 7 or 8 of the Youth team. Need a change of personnel and a change of system, but most importantly a change of attitude from some of these players. Having said all that, I have just booked my hotels for Norwich, Blackburn, Bristol C. & Swansea away - COYH
Thank you for your thoughts again, guys, but nonsense to suggest players' performance isn't down to Edwards. Try telling Fergie that. Apart from playing players out of position again, there is a massive lack of discipline which you can see with the captain getting yet another yellow card for poor self-control and a resultant suspension. Surprised you're justifying it. Walsh was lucky not to be sent off again. With that team it was always a disaster waiting to happen. And talking about Oakes a Liverpool loanee why didn't we bother to get any loans? Awful pre-season activity or lack of it from the club. We deserve what we are getting. Not the fans but certainly the board and manager. The absolute stupidity of a 4 year contract for Edwards! And that's not in retrospect. It was crazy at the time. The fact that he's a lovely guy doesn't come into it. In fact the board are derelict in not doing their human duty and relieving him of the stress he's clearly under. And BTW I heartily agree with your comments on the lack of respect and overt venom directed at anyone.
It's Doak mate don't be to down someone was going to get a going over of us sooner or later and yourselves and Qpr copped it big time hope you stay up best of luck
@geoffboldison856 you may have expected it but at times you did not even have to play higher than 2nd gear
1. The squad - it's obvious to bloody everyone!! Too many injury prone players and not enough cover in key areas. The manager can only pick what is available to him and our squad was short throughout last season - and this year its even worse. How did this happen?
2. RE is a nice guy. Does he hold players accountable? Is he demanding enough of the board? None of us fans can really know, but his post match interview sounded like a public surrender from a man who didn't think he could do this any more, in which case he's probably going whatever anyone thinks. It strikes me that both RE and GJ were "nice guys" - and maybe the board needs a manager who's not quite so "nice" and will be more demanding of them and the players?
3. Whatever has happened, abusive comments are not acceptable and just make a bad situation worse. Fans don't enjoy losing badly - but personal abuse thrown at a guy who is clearly emotionally struggling is just dumb and unacceptable.
Excellent listen with a very good take on the situation. It’s far from a straight forward problem to solve.
This 'performance' was up there with the 3-1 Braintree loss. I think both the players and management are to blame. We haven't been playing well but getting the odd result. Rob wants to play this high press nonsense that clearly doesn't suit the players we have and gives us so many injuries. It leaves space in behind with our crazy man marking, that draws out Mengi and McGuiness and because we just don't pass the f***ing ball, its kicked long, we lose possession, and the balls back in to the space on the flanks. THAT is a management and coaching issue.
Let me change my original response. After listening carefully - what do can we do? Rob needs to grow a pair of balls and pull up the players who don't perform - including Chong. He needs dropping as his decision making and final ball 9/10 are shocking. I'm sick to the back teeth of clowns or 'supporters' claiming it was Snake's team that won promotion to the PL and not giving Rob the credit he deserves. Just to remind them - we lost 5-0 at home to Birmingham before he slithered off again, 9 points off the playoffs with 26 games left to play.
I will not question Rob's passion for the club and he is clearly upset for us, the fans - that it's not working out. If Rob does stay, the board MUST bring in a better class of coaching staff to help him. Hell, I would even see a 50/50 partnership with Robbins if he was up for it. That's all I see happening, otherwise Rob falls on his sword and it's back into the whirlwind of finding a new manager. IF Rob does stay, I'd be happy to see a total shake up of the side and if we are beaten, he tells us that he dropped the liabilities, which would make fans accept the reasoning.
Either way, Rob must, must must get a grip and if he needs a short break for the reasons stated, let him do it and we have an interim. He must also change this sh*tty system with 3 centre backs. It's the only way to get out of jail. Either way, it's going to be a long international break with speculation if Rob stays or goes.
We have had some dire performances against Braintree but we have never lost 3-0 to them.
@@les8475 3-1. it was that bad I forgot we scored
James makes a valid point - for anyone under 40 years old, 27th May 2023 was the best day they will have seen as a Town fan. Anyone calling Rob a wanker or anything similar needs a good long look at themselves. Or better still, a slap!
I've supported the club for over 50 years. Since the days of Malcolm MacDonald. Don Shanks, John Ryan etc. I would agree that supporters shouldn't be so vitriolic towards the manager. But the reality of football is that its a results driven industry. I remember Mick Harford leaving in 2009 as our results in the Conference weren't up to par. Same with Ricky Hill in 2000 due to our financial difficulties. If Rob needs help, get him help. But if the team our not performing on the pitch, the manager has to explain why he picked them or why he brought them to the club. Rob's a really nice guy and we really need a bast*rd.
@ agree with all of this, but give the feedback respectfully, Rob has earned that.
Edwards has been useless for 12 months , he comes across as a weak manager. The players are a bunch of bottle jobs , they have shown a real lack of character. Our Summer signings have all been useless. Not one single player has played well this season other than Krauss. We need a strong manager who will get stuck in to the players and Edwards too nice to be that man. Time for him to go, it's a shame we can't sack the players.
Get real man. It takes a hell of a lot more than one person, a manager, to build and maintain a football club. If you were in your garden having a kick around and you booted the ball through your neighbour's window and had to foot the bill then you would have to say ... well I did that
You're pinning your hopes on Pelly 😂😂😂
Well done chaps, you have covered a lot here. At one point I thought you were not going to mention the lack of a holding midfielder on Saturday but you did. It must have been difficult to do this recording especially so soon after the match. Hopefully the players got the hairdryer treatment and Rob gets some rest so he is in a better state of mind to continue. COYH!
I totally agree Carlton Morris was a fighter was proud of him that he stood up like a man , sad to not see his own team mates help him . Carlton had three players on him 😢😢COYH
Rob does look extremely exhausted 😢
Mengi doesn't want to be here anymore. He's made that obvious now - get him, Woodrow and Walsh out the door in January. Taylor too, if he's not going to play.
Big changes needed, top to bottom
Surprised Mengi left a huge club for luton..
Edwards is done. He looks mentally drained and ill. Hes clearly not set up to cope with the rigours of professional management at this level as much as it pains me to say.
Mick & Dicky Dosh would have got us up in 3 seasons.
They were calling fot JS's head in the promotion season.
Rob should get until Christmas, unless he doesn't believe he can turn it around in which case he needs to go now.
I'm not sure the current midfielders have discipline and fight. We let Campbell go although understand decision but replaced him with powder puff. Do not understand what is happening with Nakamba but he gives us cover when fit
Players, manager and board all to blame. They share the success, they need to share the failure too. Either way they need our full support and to get behind the team no matter what. Fair play to the fans that travelled though. These people are the heartbeat of the club.
Dont want Rob to leave but we need to accept our defence cannot cope without cover. Away from home we need to b tighter and stop worrying about playing football to look pretty. No point if powder puff. Remember what was successful
Good video we all love Rob but think we need a change the players need different voice perhaps sack is back room staff see if that helps.
Rob has to start by going to a back 4. The 3 centre half’s is just not working. I don’t agree that’s it’s too hard to do now
Nice to hear the humane words re Rob, lads. The players are letting Rob and the fans down, yet he gets the abuse? He's had a lot to deal with, as you said, and he comes over as a sensitive soul, so the abuse he's getting is disgusting. I presume by social media you're referring to Twitter, which I've swapped recently for Bluesky. A more civilised place, with a small but growing enclave of Town fans.
Very good boys spot on 😢
Luton's secrecy, including refusing to disclose transfers, injuries and other issues affecting the club, means there's no accountability.
And to be fair Jimbo, Mike Simmonds and other journos need to stop the softballs and ask serious questions.
Get rid of Richie Kyle and Paul Trollop, I do not think that are helping matters, RE needs a better AM and coach than them two. Bring back Paul Hart.
if we can see the tactical issues then the players can too. Not an excuse but maybe heads drop at a goal down as it's expected. So it's less about not caring and more about either subconsciously lacking confidence or losing concentration because they're annoyed.
It's rare but managers can have the dressing room onside on the whole but have struggles with players lacking belief in the direction the manager wants to go. Only wins solve that conundrum.
Great pod as usual.
You're right, the players are to blame.Yes, some blame on the manager, but not all you need to sort.The players out Half of Then don't want to play
I think you're opening summed it up, Kev.
Rob has decided to protect the players & lay all the blame on himself & some of our 'supporters' are fully against him & have been, since the start of the season.
The players are the ones making mistakes (mistake happen) & also the ones that aren't playing with pride, passion or belief!
Luckily I was over to watch the match against Watford & that is the only match (for the whole match), that ALL of our players, we're actually fully focused.
Keep the manager & give the players a good lecture during the international break.
In my personal opinion, Rob is a good fit for our club!!!! 🥃⚽🥃
I think RE has to shoulder SOME of the blame, but I think some of those players have to look at themselves and ask "Am I performing to my 'true' capabilities; am I letting the Manager down?" !! I think there is a 'complacent/blase' attitude running through the team like a 'cancer' !! I TOTALLY understand your frustration Kevin; you and many others have got up at some unearthly hour of the morning, spent a fair bit on match, and petrol prices, to see people turn their backs on shots, NOT tracking runners, etc !! I think you HAVE to have that 'foundation', which is, simply, getting the basics RIGHT !! Do some of our players think we are SO good that we can, simply, turn up and beat teams WITHOUT getting the basics right ? I'm sure you remember, that two years ago, we got promotion, NOT because we scored 'floods' of goals, but, because we had a very strong 'foundation' of players getting that 'ugly' side of the game right !! IF only the players on the field showed the same 'passion' as what you have Kevin, in this podcast, we might be in a 'better' place !!
Imagine being the manager & having 'supporters' booing your substitutions, shouting abuse at him & typing keyboard warrior abuse online! 🤯🤯🤯
Some of our 'supporters' need to sort themselves out!
#TheStrongerTheTeamTheStrongerTheTeam
Thanks guys, enjoyed this and is a great start to the week
Great podcast gents.
I’m so glad you’ve talked about RE. It’s so easy to forget that managers are human beings and are not immune to stress and not perform at their best but there’s no hiding place. A player can be dropped if he has a couple of shit games but a manager has to motivate himself. My worry with Rob is he is too emotionally invested in individuals that don’t reciprocate and that feeds into his decisions. He needs strong characters around him to get the players in line and he needs the backing of the board for a fixed period of time to turn it round.
The personal abuse he’s getting is completely unacceptable.
As you say, the issues at the moment are nuanced and multi-dimensional. However, a club like Luton relies on passion, fight, team spirit and discipline. If they are not in place to start with, you can forget sorting out the rest. I appreciate there is a confidence issue, however, the fact that Mengi has even been allowed his own UA-cam channel says a lot to me. Sort it out Luton - all of you.
as a boro fan i beg to differ we BORO have dominated nearly every game we have played even when we lost all that was needed was the click of the attackers it has clicked its disengenuous to say you surrendered no you were dominated
and that's not a wild boast our XG was through the roof our touches in opposiotion boxes 1st place in the league you do not get those without domination check for yoursleves the stats are available
@@micky1up We referenced all of that in the preview podcast. However I/we've been watching Luton for 35+ years and we know what we saw from our team.
@@KevinHarper-ry5vf just because you referenced it doesn't make the analysis correct
oh and P.S the only stat you did dominate was fouls so don't say no challenges were being made 15 fouls given and numerous not given
well said kevin i still think rob edwards is the right man for the job
We've played well for the full 90 mins in ONE game this season. A few ok games too, but plenty have been dire.
Something needs to change and fast.
We thought we'd signed an All-Stars Championship team when we got promoted to the Premier League so we'd do well if we went down. Attrocious defending v Boro. We were actually playing quite well until they scored. Confidence is shot and where's the fight and passion. Yes, Pelly isn't the most technically gifted but give me his energy over the half hearted attempts to close down opponents by Walsh and Clark. Feel so sorry for him that he barely gets 5 minutes if he's lucky.
Totally agree with the condemnation of the personal abuse directed towards Rob Edwards, no one deserves that, especially him. Unlike those morons doing it, he is decent human being and deserves respect. Unfortunately, there has always been this element in football but now it is intensified because social gives a platform for every closet football manager and when normally reasonable, rational social media commentators up the ante by emotional ranting then it pushes to a new level as to what more unreasonable people think is acceptable.
My 11 to start next game. 442. Kaminski, Hashioka, Burke, Mengi, Bell, Chong, Kraus, Nakamba, Doughty, Morris,Adabeyo.
Rob and the club are in a massive hole, and cannot dig themselves out of it - if Rob remains in charge.
The club’s record since the high point of thrashing Brighton 4-0 has been horrendous.
Last 17 games in the Prem: 12 defeats, 4 draws and just ONE win.
This season: already 8 defeats in just 15 games, joint 3rd from bottom and only Portsmouth have conceded more goals.
It’s over. Regrettable as it is, Rob has to be sacked. If not, the “Town are heading Down”. It’s just not working.
That was a tough listen but an even tougher watch on Saturday - I agree with most of what you said Kev but most of those players didn't deserve to be supported, there was no fight and no pride in the shirt of themselves and if they do it again they don't deserve our support and deserve to be criticised and if Rob isn't going to tell them its unacceptable and keep playing them instead of players we know have that pride and fight (and yes I am talking about Pelly) then he also doesn't deserve our support. All I want from my team is to show pride and commitment when they pull on that shirt and play the best they can
26:56 - well said boys!
The club have some big decisions to make. It's all gone quiet for now, I assume they're either in crisis talks with Rob or talking with potential replacements. If he stays, then they need to get to the bottom of what's gone wrong, and plan a way for him regain the confidence of the dressing room and trust of the fans. If he leaves, then they need to find a replacement that brings something different, I'm thinking Rob might just be too nice to get the players out of this rut. This is the first season since maybe 2017/18 that we've been considered anything but underdogs, maybe we're just not set up for that sort of season or expectation.
Where are the loan players that every other club seems to obtain from up and coming players in the premier league reserves sides?
(i.e. Nakamba from Villa 2 years ago, Sami form Arsenal last season etc) We have done it before
❤ the analysis 👌🏽 definitely ❤ the hair pun 🤣
Maybe part of the answer to your question...
The club have been trying to recruit a Lead Strength & Conditioning coach for quite a while now, so maybe noby is currently managing the Strength & Conditioning element.
I might send my CV. 🥃⚽🥃
I rtemember some years back the Charlton Athletic fans were getting a " bit sick" of finishing mid table in the Premier league for several seasons. So they got rid of Alan Curbushley who had performed miracles really. Look where Charlton are now and have been for a very long time. Just a thought...from a Boro fan. Up the Boro!!!.
have watched this a few times its clear that THEY have to say its a surrender because the alternative is more worrying that Boro were far superior in every department
I fancied Robbins before Edwards was appointed, but why would he had left Coventry. I still think he’s the man for us, it won’t be easy but look at what he’s done for Coventry besides this season.
On a lighter note... Kev, NO player is capable of playing 3 matches in 90 mins! 😂😂😂
In the cold light of day the simple truth is that we have won two maybe three midfields all season Watford West Brom and Cardiff …there is no supply to the front two and no protection to the back three…..it doesn’t take a genius to work out that we need to change the formation to a 4 4 2 at home and a 4 5 1 away….these systems work ask Leicester city in 2015 ….We all know Edwards is a nice guy but his game management is poor even with some average players , recruitment has been a joke both on the pitch and back room staff and the board have completely lost a connection with the paying fans which is the very framework that the success of this great club has always been built on….time for wholesale changes from top to bottom.
"You start to lose track of the pace",Luton are fighting in the relegation places, what pace is that they are losing the track of?Deluded.
These players are talented but no positivity, fight, honour, pride and enthusiasm. Since Ten Hag left Manchester United, they have woke up. It is cheap to swing the gauntlet towards Edwards, but he has 'lost the dressing room'; it is a simple as that. The players are not learning anything; time for new management on the green. Christ, lads, instead of over analyzing, throw up the stats on what RE has done. NJ legacy got us through to the premier league, it is naive to think otherwise. Deep down RE has not got what it takes.
Seems to me that every game our opponents are creating space and getting shots off in and around our box while we have constantly over played and trying to get within 5 yards before shooting in the few games games we have won they have had a crack from edge of box or managed to open them up not happening often enough
How many times has this now happened, with different starting 11’s. I’m afraid Robs making mistake after mistake and let’s be clear he has put these dud midfields out week after week. We’ve all seen this coming.
Well I think after that performance we will be in league 1 next season. So let's rebuild with players with some passion. I look at the fixtures and I can't see us beating anyone. When I looked at our side b4 the game I was impressed, how wrong can you be.
See what your saying but we need experience, mid 50’s is not old look at John Still when he took over. We need Championship experience, Robbins obvious choice, if he wants it or before anyone else get him like Hill City.
Agreed. I have given my full support to Rob for a long time now. But it just isn't working. I find it hard to make that comment, but I cannot see us getting any better away from home.
We need someone in that can steady the ship and now is possibly the best time to do it.
We so miss Tom Lockyer
They'll probably go for a foreign manager if it comes to it
Guys - please cut out the swearing, its a great podcast but let down by the amount of 'f' words - I appreciate last week was really frustrating but you still don't need to resort to foul language.
Lads Pelly is NOT the answer he’s league 1 at best …his positional awareness is non existent time and time again players drift off him …it’s time to move on , the kind of players we need are now playing for other clubs like Campbell and berry.
I thought your direct hard comments early-on were deserved and correct.
However like the match on sat i turned off tv well before the end, too much of a bad thing is not good for your health. Tip keep the podcast much shorter.
Also, don't want to hear your opinion on global politics brought up in such podcast. Absolutely nothing to do with the abysmal too regular performances.
The players should have their pay cut for rest of year and Rob should step down. It's as much a man-management problem as it is football theory and practice.
coyh.
If you think what happened across the pond was a bad thing I really don't know what to say to you. It's called democracy. The will of the people. I know mainstream journalism is dying but FFS you are way out of touch. Way out
Hahahahaha lovers!
You prefer teddy-bears?
I love the intro..."I love this town". Consistently voted the worst town in Britain! Joke town, joke team!!
But they still beat your shower 3-0
joke comment. 3-0
who goes to Watford. do you hear tourists decking there chairs for a view of the m25