All good things come to an end so it’s time to wave goodbye to our 10-game unbeaten run. That streak had to finish some time of course and with our lamentable injury tally, I’m surprised it didn’t happen earlier.
As for the match itself, it surely must be said that on the day Luton were the better side, which explains the basic reason for our defeat. This you can attempt to mitigate by referencing aforementioned injuries, absences and square pegs in round holes – and also the performance of referee Darren England.
I’ve seen it written elsewhere that Mr England was possibly influenced by the meagre but enthusiastic crowd of home supporters and I must say I thought the penalty given against Grant Hanley for *handball* was a bit harsh to say the least.
Hanley, who looked very much on the tired side, appeared to be shoved in the back by a Luton forward, probably the not-so-subtle James Collins.
Alex Tettey certainly seemed to agree with me as he made his feelings known to referee England. Collins was as calm as you like to make it 3-1 and effectively end our hopes within 50 minutes.
While Michael McGovern had no chance with the penalty itself I have no idea what he was doing with that square pass across his six-yard box that eventually led to the spot-kick award.
A save from a right-footed strike from a quickly taken free-kick courtesy of George Moncur for Luton’s first would have probably been beyond even the mighty Tim Krul but Matty Pearson’s free header for their second is a moot point.
Admittedly the cross was a good one but Pearson’s header seemed to go through McGovern rather than past him. Something tells me Krul would have got a paw to that one.
So that’s the 10-game unbeaten run shot down in flames but we should have Pukki back for Saturday, which is great as we ostensibly have no alternative. Both the Stieperdude and Przemysław Placheta have had a go but rather unsurprisingly have come up short.
It’s a long time since I’ve heard Daniel Farke speak after a defeat, but what he said last night seems pretty much on the money to me:
“We have to start another run. This is the Championship. You can’t expect to win 25 games in a row and you are promoted in January. In our situation with injuries it is of course difficult to score many goals in tough away games.
“Luton were spirited and wanted to show a reaction after losing to Cardiff. In these games your defensive behaviour has to be spot on.
“We can’t expect we can come to these places and score four or five. Sometimes one goal has to be enough. We conceded too many goals. We have to accept the loss.”
Moving cruelly quickly on from Wednesday to Saturday, we have a quintet of reasons to expect a little bit more from the side, as jaded as some of them must quite naturally be.
The Goat is highly likely to return, giving us the attacking focal point we have so sadly missed.
We’ll have an element of the crowd factor back in our favour on Saturday – even 2,000 Canaries will make a lot of noise!
Wednesday played for over an hour with ten men against when Liam Shaw was sent off against Reading.
Young Tyrese Omodoye made his debut. Pity he didn’t get a little bit longer but a debut’s a debut after all.
We didn’t seem to pick up any further injuries last night. Emi looked like an archetypal case of cramp to me.
I see there are a few anti-Farke folks airing their views on various media platforms. I couldn’t disagree with them more. To cope as well as he has with the current injury situation is admirable from my perspective.
And to end on a cheerful note it would seem that Emi and his partner are expecting what I think is their second child. Unless things have changed in the last 30 years, my experience tells me that absolutely nobody likes moving with a toddler and a newborn [see the thumb-sucking celebration after his penalty conversion].
Maybe I’m clutching at straws but we’re a different side without him and anything that persuades him to stay is fine by me. 
And all the best to you ultras who will be at the Carra on Saturday. You know your mission.
Hi Martin. Can’t disagree with anything you’ve said, particularly regarding the criticism of Farke. It’s difficult to have a Plan B when you barely have the resources for a Plan A. My only minor point would be that perhaps Omodoye could have been given a few more minutes. He looked as if he had an eye for goal, and nearly managed to get on the end of one when their keeper almost dropped the ball. Maybe another opportunity for him towards the end of the next game.
Hi Jim
I totally agree with you. As I said in the original: *Pity he [Omodoye] didn’t get a little bit longer but a debut’s a debut after all*.
I’d imagine Farke might think it’s all a little bit early and pressurised for young Tyrese to be too much involved but it never stopped him fielding Max, Jamal and indeed James Maddison at a comparatively young age.
Maybe as an ex-striker himself Daniel is the best to judge. Who knows where Adam Idah might be just now but for his unfortunate injury whilst on RoI duty?
I know Steven Kenny’s side are misfiring [or basically not firing at all] but to be a full international at that tender age – 20? – speaks volumes for the lad.
This is a sticky patch that we somehow have to negotiate and criticising Farke doesn’t really seem to help us very much just now.
Thanks as always
Hi Martin
Prior to the season starting I like many others couldn’t understand why city never approached Sheff Wed for the permanent signing of Rhodes yes that bus has gone along time ago now but in his career he has been a goal scorer and never had long term injuries under Pulis he will never get a game or very few as if memory serves me well he got him out of Middlesbrough as fast as he could so possibly come January he will be on the move.
As I mentio ed in Gary’s article today Mcgovern was a good keeper up in the trossachs at Hamilton and for N I but never really cut the mustard at city, his age and lack of games haven’t improved his ability so possibly SW and Farke should gave looked at getting Krul a better understudy that would continue to push him????
You really must feel for Sorensen everyone knowing that the LB position is as alien to him as playing in goal would be for Pukki and he his giving it a great go even doing a bite of wing back play f9r the team, and as most gave comment over the last few weeks why did we loan out are only LB cover to Coventry.
Last night I thought Luton used the same game plan that they did in the previous meeting this season, they jeot it simple and harried anyone with the ball won every second ball and used fouls to break up the game, As for city as you say no energy in there play, passing was terrible and some of the back to goalie passes we could have list by a lot more.
The Ref had a great game when we played Swansea with no crowd yet last night he crumbled in front of 1000 partisan supporters(can he do Saturday with 2k there) he must have got the jitters after abuse he got for cities penalty, just not good enough on the night.
Once the fane was lost Farke shoukd have tried our young striker out for a longer period he just might have come up with a Donald and Trumped it with a goal, giving a debut for 5 mins really is poor he hasn’t got a hope if proving himself.
Byram, Mcclean, Xavi, Hugill and Isah out till after Xmas, Krul, Dowell before Xmas, Pukki Rupp possibly back Saturday in this unrelenting season there is no break for the players to recuperate so just maybe loaning out so many was an error in judgement but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
11am tomorrow first ODI V South Africa can we doubleit and win a second series
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay safe and Stay Healthy
Good stuff as usual Martin, a hard watch and one better best forgotten, but credit to Luton too.
A point on McGovern, I’m not his biggest fan but I think he’s done ok given the circumstances.
A lot fans cite his lack of presence / command on crosses – I don’t disagree but this issue doesn’t have to pose a team a problem, as long the defence adjusts accordingly.
The second goal last night sums this up – if the defence know he isn’t going to come and claim the cross then they have to deal it. Yes the ball went through him but from close range it’s hard to react.
He didn’t lose us the game last night and bar some handling issues was fine against Cov, so he’ll do for me for now, but we certainly could do with TK back sooner rather later.
I can’t really comment on the merits of bringing on any of our young players, having never seen them play, so I’ll trust Farke’s judgement, after all his record on developing youth has been impressive so far.
Hi Segura
You make a couple of good points there.
McGovern has never convinced me – he reminds me a little bit of Mark Bunn under similar circumstances, albeit in a slightly different way. In all fairness to him that Luton delivery was pinpoint and not many keepers would have looked to punch it away, let alone try to claim.
As for your having never seen the young players on the pitch I’m in the same boat. I’ve always been to a couple under-23 matches every season in the past but for obvious reasons, just like you I’ve never seen any of the current crop play.
Cheers
Thanks Martin,
I liked Bunny, a decent keeper and proper character, who did a sterling job for us in difficult circumstances.
I was going to add that any adjustment a defence makes to a new keeper does take time and can distabilise any team – for example look how much weaker Sheff U now look without Henderson.
Looks like Krul will be back soon, but if not I would be fine with McGovern carrying on between the sticks (dons tin hat!)
No tin hat required. McGovern does all he is able to and a couple of bits friends [rather than myself] have picked up on is that he’s the consummate pro & terrific as an influence in the dressing room.
Your Sheffield United comment is very valid and I reckon you’re right.
I think his lack of command in the box on crosses, is basically because of his lack of height. He can’t be sure of snatching the ball out of the air, so he leaves it for the defenders to deal with. Unfortunately, because of the zonal marking system we use, attackers tend to get a running jump, which gives them an advantage over the static defenders (I know, it’s my favourite gripe about our system). McGovern could also do with some sticky gloves – he dropped quite simple catches in both the last two games.
Interestingly Daniel Farke commented after the match that they are trying to refine the zonal system but in what I read there wasn’t much detail concerning exactly what the coaching team are trying to achieve – and how they are trying to achieve it.
At roughly a fraction under six feet tall, McGovern is exceptionally short for a keeper in this modern era.
Hi Alex
This might sound a bit harsh but McGovern’s performance for Northern Ireland against Germany in the Euros a few seasons ago is the lintel on which his reputation hung.
A bargain from Hamilton so why not dive in?
As others have said elsewhere he’s no Tim Krul and a benchwarmer for both NI and ourselves. But everyone on the bench has to be prepared to come on, or in this case start a few games.
Do I have faith or confidence in him? Unfortunately not, and a twitchy keeper can spook the entire defence as we saw last night. His distribution is probably adequate for League One but not for what Farke requires at this level.
Luton did indeed win just about every second ball and certainly knew how to target Sorensen, who I feel for as he has done a grand job under the circs. We’ll have to see what the Villareal quacks can do with Xavi Quintilla but the cynical side of me sees a loan being cut short soon.
Mind you there was some Tw*tter/Instagram thing from Xavi during the week saying *back soon*, praying hands and a football, so you never know.
Cheers mate
Great summation as always Martin.
Yes, we had to lose sometime, and in a way I guess it’s better not to lose to those who you expect to be there around you at the end of the season.
As you correctly say, the performance of Mr. England left a bit to be desired. What really grated was his lack of consistency, as, surely if Hanley was guilty of the foul which led to their opening goal, then the keeper should have seen red being the last man and denying a clear goal scoring opportunity to Placheta.
I thought Sorensen (pretty good again overall) had no need to foul the guy for the free kick which led to number 2,. However, a cross that close to the goal line HAS to be the keepers to punch??
As for their third, McGovern instigated it with a suicide pass, but without the crowd it was obviously a push on Hanley.
However, the group who started for us last night seem to be running on empty while Luton were able to make five changes to their Saturday side…..and put in a performance which according to their manager was the best he’s seen while he’s been in charge.
For me, Barden has to be worth a go in goal on Saturday….he appears to be much more tuned into Farkeball than McGovern ever will be.
If we can get through to January still in the top 6, then with our first eleven to return from these goddam injuries the future is looking very bright.
O T B C
Hi John
Yes Shea’s bringing down of Placheta was much more clean cut than the one against Coventry and a red would then have changed the picture. Any side we had out on the pitch would pass the legs and life out of ten men and there’s no doubting that.
For a split second Placheta had the opportunity to chip Shea but probably didn’t realise that at the time.
I was almost tempted to put “Running on Empty” as a musical link at the end of the article but was so downcast I couldn’t be bothered!
Cheers
As I’ve said above I have little faith in McGovern and maybe we should address this issue in the January window. I’ve no idea how good Barden might be and when Oxborough might be back.
A very good read Martin on this wet and miserable afternoon.
Some interesting views on McGovern’s part in Luton’s 2nd goal.
I played in goal in my youth (yes, I CAN still remember!!) and was always told that any ball near the 6-yard box it was up to you to catch/punch it. It all resulted from a very soft FK awarded by a referee who resembled a ‘rabbit caught in the headlights’ when confronted by 1,000 baying fans on all 4 sides of the poky little ground.
That was the end of our 10 game unbeaten run and as DF said last night, Saturda is the time to start another one.
Interesting that you say that Emi has another child on the way, as I believe that Teemu also has 2 very young children.
It’s unbelievable that despite dropping 5 points from the last 2 games, we’re still at the top; but with only 4 points between us and Boro in 10th, we need to start winning games again.
IF we can stay in touch with the top 10 up until the FA Cup have V Coventry, it increases the likelihood that our diminutive Argentinian could be persuaded to stay.
Yes, I’ll be in the crowd on Saturday and really looking forward to the experience and my only hope is that EVERYONE gives their vocal support akin to what we did against Citeh last season.
Hi Ed
Here in the City it’s wet, miserable and freakin’ freezing since the sun’s gone down.
I can’t be sure if Emi has a child already but a mate told me he has, which is why I qualified the statement in the article. I know I’m clutching at straws but you never know!
My GK experience was generally limited to 5/6 aside although I did the dreaded job a few times on the big pitch when our regular Gary didn’t show up/was injured. I’m only 5’9″ so on the UEA astro I felt like David de Gea. Full-size pitch? Nope, more like McGovern I’m afraid to say. Dracula wasn’t in it, although as I was never paid to play it didn’t bother me too much really.
I’m not up for Saturday – not for fear of Covid, just the bureaucracy surrounding attending. I totally understand the common sense behind the rules but I’ll wait until we can all go back safely together and see our friends.
For your goodself, enjoy. And give me a comment on Monday morning to tell our MFW readers of your experience – we’d all be grateful for that, win or lose 🙂
Thanks a lot
A wretched evening Martin, a truly awful performance by all.
Not least mr England, who, if as it appears is as easily frightened by 1000 souls should rethink his chosen career. Pathetic.
I had to chuckle when the commentator informed us that the crowd contained not one city fan. I know of one for sure. My wily old Iranian mate had used some contacts and inveigled himself into the ground. Sadly, as is his wont, he took to texting me following important moments in the game, such as opposition goals. Thus, due to the rather hefty time lag on sky I knew the incessant jangling of my phone prior to corners and free kicks were a portent to some thing grim happening.
And how.
The lack of cover at left back, and in goal is not just biting us, it’s mauling us. As for omotoye, I would,sooner have an apprentice dentist inspect my teeth than a car mechanic. Horses for courses, even if they are colts.
McGovern. For a team who like to play out from the back to rely on a keeper with such abject feet is mind blowing. To be fair, his hands are as abject as his feet. Truly abysmal. He resembled a chubby girl in 3rd year netball practice.
In summary, the injuries are ruining us.
Hi Chris
I guess you didn’t over-enjoy your *matchday experience* then – don’t worry mate I didn’t feel like a fluffy bunny either, although at least for me i-Follow kept up in realtime.
Love the tale of your Iranian mate – there’s only one [PL] Club whereby I could call in a favour like that. Not anywhere else!
Sure the injuries are doing us in but I’m very loathe to blame Farke’s handling of what is a desperate situation – he’s done what he can with what little he has.
You make McGovern seem like the *Spotty Dog* puppet on the *Woodentops* of my youth. In my considered view, you might well have a point.
Cheers
Fair to say I didn’t enjoy it Martin! I thought he was winding me up because I’ve got tickets for Saturday – then at 7pm he started sending pictures from the ground. He’s got some fantastic stories about Various figures past and present at carrow road that I would love to share on here but Gary would have a cow!
In fairness to farke, he has done wonders lately, after I blasted him on here in an attempt to tempt fate into turning us round. It worked somewhat.
The McCollum situation though. Did anyone really expect Xavi to play about 15 games in 40 days without injury, suspension, loss of form or fatigue playing a part? Seriously.
I think they probably thought that they had Byram, Mumba, Sorensen and even the Stieperdude who *could* play there but have surely realised that the McCallum decision was very much the wrong one.
And if he’s good enough for Coventry in the Championship he’s good enough for us. Surely he must be recalled in January?
Enjoy your matchday tomorrow.
Just seen that City have lodged an official complaint about the referee and officials, in particular because no action was taken after one of their players put his arms round the ref’s neck after he awarded the penalty against us, and that one of the linesman was talking to Farke and missed an off-side decision. (Aguero was booked for tapping a linesman on the shoulder). City also feel their keeper should have been sent off after tripping Plachetta, and that the officials didn’t see that Hanley was pushed over, causing the “handball”. Certainly not Mr England’s finest hour.
I haven’t see that myself yet Jim but obviously I’ll take your word for it.
The ref was cr&p as we all agree but I had no idea we were in with an official complaint.
It will get us absolutely nowhere of course but without knowing the details I can certainly see the reasoning behind it from what you describe. Thanks.