Welcome Reece .. I hope we all judge you on what we see, good and/or bad, and not make you a butt of jokes or a scapegoat before the season even starts .. keep fit n show us what you can do
2 year initial contract is smart business, im case it turns out he can't play much. Then the extra year option works if Abbot manages to get Burke fully fit.
Now expecting at least one of the Mitchell's to depart, if it's Zach it's a loan if it's Alex I suspect it's permanent, as I'd be surprised if they thought we needed Bell, Burke, Gillesphey, Jones, A.Mitchell, Z.Mitchell, Ramsay all in the squad.
I expect us to start with a back 5 of Ramsay, Burke, Jones, Gillesphey, Edwards and hope and pray that Burke stays fit. When the inevitable happens I suspect that's when we'll see Ramsay back to RCB and the as yet un-signed RWB play a more prominent role, unless we sign a properly good RWB this summer
I can't believe after the Chuks long contract fiasco that we would sign a player who has permanent underlying injury issues .. we surely cannot be that desperate to sign 'new blood'
Got no problem with the Luton incomings myself... We need to focus on staying up, and Jones needs players that he knows he can trust to follow his methods both on match day and in training - These individuals weren't part of a relegated team from the Championship under Nathan Jones.
On the flip side, Burke and Bell (Sound like an Undertakers) were part of the team that got promoted to the Premier League, so why (I bloody well know the answer) arent we looking at it from that angle?
Absolutely spot on. If team’s results were just related to the players you put on a pitch we would all be millionaires and the bookies bankrupt.
For any of us that have coached or managed at a decent step level, you know that it is the sum of players, attitudes, motivation, fitness, well executed game plans and importantly the right blend of playing styles/types. NJ has proven he can deliver this balance despite inheriting some players who weren’t necessarily in his overall ‘mould’. He is in the zone with all he wants around him now and that’s what makes me as encouraged as I am. Some players’ previous team’s performance has little to do with it. That sum of all the above parts proved to be broken/dysfunctional, having previously been the absolute opposite, that’s all.
Told you all about this a week ago and I was mocked by some people when Bell joined. My friend told me that he was spotted at the training ground. Do I get any ITK kudos?
Our players stayed fit thanks in large part to the new regime that was put in place, that in itself played a large part in a successful second half of last season. May be Reece Burke will keep his fitness with us for the same reason. He has played at a higher level than many in our current squad and a higher one than we will be this season. May be we should at this time of the year not worry too much what previous clubs supporters think they know and rather trust the guy who is in charge.
Not picking on charltonkeston but several posters have referred to players from Luton this way. "Experienced at a higher level" "premier league experience". Just to remind everyone this is spin-most were found out ie not good enough. There maybe some that progressed upward to stabile Premier League Clubs, but are these the players we're getting? ....I don't think so but please correct me ...always willing to learn.
I can't believe after the Chuks long contract fiasco that we would sign a player who has permanent underlying injury issues .. we surely cannot be that desperate to sign 'new blood'
Just looked up his injury history and it don't look good, he was out for three months last season with a quad injury...let's hope Nathan knows what he is doing, up till now the answer has been good, we will see on this one...
2 defenders & a goalkeeper. From a team that has suffered back to back relegations. 🙄
Or defenders and a goalkeeper for a team that got promoted to and competed in the Prem. What I think is clear is that if they are the same players then they are an upgrade on what we have.
I've heard there is an official inquiry going on within the Preston Recruitment Team at the moment, questions are being asked and apparently heads are going to roll as to why he's not in a shirt with "SpudBros" on the front of it
Clearly a good player... but I am getting Ben Garner / Swindon vibes about all of this. If the season doesn't go well this reliance on Luton players will get thrown back at him, and we know how well NJ takes criticism.
Anybody know exactly what Burkes injury problems have been ?
Last season he missed three months of Luton’s campaign with a quad injury, similarly in the Hatters’ Premier League season he was out for two months with a knee injury. In their promotion season 2022/23 under Jones, the 6ft 2in defender missed two months because of a hamstring injury.
Now expecting at least one of the Mitchell's to depart, if it's Zach it's a loan if it's Alex I suspect it's permanent, as I'd be surprised if they thought we needed Bell, Burke, Gillesphey, Jones, A.Mitchell, Z.Mitchell, Ramsay all in the squad.
I expect us to start with a back 5 of Ramsay, Burke, Jones, Gillesphey, Edwards and hope and pray that Burke stays fit. When the inevitable happens I suspect that's when we'll see Ramsay back to RCB and the as yet un-signed RWB play a more prominent role, unless we sign a properly good RWB this summer
Isn't Zach potentially the cover at RCB in that scenario? He had a decent time in the SPL last season so unless he's going back there then wouldn't any loan, potentially, be perceived by him as a step down on that? He made his debut, after all, for us three years ago in League 1 and has more potential as a footballer than Alex does.
Told you all about this a week ago and I was mocked by some people when Bell joined. My friend told me that he was spotted at the training ground. Do I get any ITK kudos?
ITK Kudos goes to @Pavoren007 on this one I’m afraid.
Knows and has had success with NJ. Local so no relocating needed. Adds Premier League and Championship experience to the group, particularly our brilliantly performing defence.
All positive and you’d think Abbott and staff would’ve put him through his paces before a two year deal was green lit.
Our players stayed fit thanks in large part to the new regime that was put in place, that in itself played a large part in a successful second half of last season. May be Reece Burke will keep his fitness with us for the same reason. He has played at a higher level than many in our current squad and a higher one than we will be this season. May be we should at this time of the year not worry too much what previous clubs supporters think they know and rather trust the guy who is in charge.
Not picking on charltonkeston but several posters have referred to players from Luton this way. "Experienced at a higher level" "premier league experience". Just to remind everyone this is spin-most were found out ie not good enough. There maybe some that progressed upward to stabile Premier League Clubs, but are these the players we're getting? ....I don't think so but please correct me ...always willing to learn.
I agree, the top league is a lot tougher than the one below so may be that is his level. We, in all probability, won't be challenging the top half of the division this season, he might prove to be the type of player who can do a job for us. He's not on a particularly long contract so may be thats a good thing as well.
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I expect us to start with a back 5 of Ramsay, Burke, Jones, Gillesphey, Edwards and hope and pray that Burke stays fit. When the inevitable happens I suspect that's when we'll see Ramsay back to RCB and the as yet un-signed RWB play a more prominent role, unless we sign a properly good RWB this summer
Local so no relocating needed.
Adds Premier League and Championship experience to the group, particularly our brilliantly performing defence.
All positive and you’d think Abbott and staff would’ve put him through his paces before a two year deal was green lit.