Defensive frailties

[coluka]

Actually, the pitch at Wembley is the same size as the Riverside, and 4 yards longer, and 2 yards wider than Kenilworth Rd.

I don't get this notion that Wembley is so huge that it's going to help or hinder any team. Do you really think 1 yard on either side and 2 yards at either end will make any difference?

Well thats 2 different measurements of Wembley on here. I thought it was a slightly bigger pitch than the Riverside but even if it is the same width great. I do think space does make a difference for a team who like to pass and play, the more space that can be created to play within for our players the better. The more cramped the space, the tighter the play and the more it would suit Luton. Just my opinion were we to meet there that is.

 

[chickenrunner]

Luton aren’t a better side than us, they tend to bully teams and try to kick their way to a win....................................................

You're dead right they're not, we are a far better footballing side than them.
But the attributes you describe are exactly the ones we struggle against. We don't have a ball winner in midfield which means we struggle against more 'combative' teams. Everyone laughs about Maddo's second ball mantra but the reason he goes on about it is that we don't win much.
Its been like this for 3 or 4 seasons so Carrick's approach has been the right one in my opinion 'cos there wasn't much he could do to sort it in the short term. Fingers (and everything else) crossed.

 

[Jonny Ingbar]

The play offs are essentially cup games and high scoring teams tend to do well.

That's what I'm hoping anyway.

 

[wilkos_perm]

You're dead right they're not, we are a far better footballing side than them.
But the attributes you describe are exactly the ones we struggle against. We don't have a ball winner in midfield which means we struggle against more 'combative' teams. Everyone laughs about Maddo's second ball mantra but the reason he goes on about it is that we don't win much.
Its been like this for 3 or 4 seasons so Carrick's approach has been the right one in my opinion 'cos there wasn't much he could do to sort it in the short term. Fingers (and everything else) crossed.

Did we actually struggle in either game against Luton though?