We’ve all watched back the footage. A corner curls to the back post a thousand times. A blur of luminous yellow. Mads heads home.
Two-nil down. Back from the dead. Big Game Energy, we said last week. Oh-so close.
Still, a very, very decent point. Kenilworth Road’s been a good place for us in recent months – and long may that continue, especially with back-to-back home games on the horizon.
But anyway, this weekend. Plymouth. Away. Is travel sickness really a thing? Well, it seems an age since that sunny Autumnal day in Stockport, the last time the Town tasted victory on road. Quick pause to reminisce: That Cohen free-kick, that first senior goal for Jake, that penalty save from Josh and that moment Teden made that sliding block.
Good times!
Since, though, it’s five without a win on the road. Barnsley, Fleetwood, Orient, Reading, Exeter. Not a lot to celebrate, there, eh.
Yet it’s still two defeats in our last 10 in The League and only goal difference is keeping the Hatters out of the top six.
So, to Plymouth we go. It’s an early one, so let’s get into it shall we?
Pilgrims’ progress
It’s October. Argyle are in the midst of a six-game losing streak. The natives are fuming. Tom Cleverley’s side are languishing in the relegation places. Back-to-back demotions a distinct possibility.
But it’s January now. Three straight wins. Eight victories in their last 13 in all competitions. Now, up to 14th in the table – six points off the play-offs. Dot, dot, dot.
Imagine what they’re thinking a win over Luton Town could do.
Exactly.
This is a big one for both.
Haven’t we met before?
So, there’s this website. Hatters Heritage. You might have heard of it. Got information and line-ups of every single game we’ve ever played. Scans of every programme and photos of every player, too. Yes, even Akanni-Sunday Wasiu. Unreal work from an unsung team of Hatters heroes.
Have we met Plymouth before then? Yes, loads!
In fact, in league competition, we’ve met only four other clubs more in matches than Argyle. (Answers on a postcard if you can name the those four – without cheating!). That’s 77 league games, by the way, if that helps.
Our most recent meetings have been pretty forgettable. For us at least. This season’s 3-2 home defeat, last season’s 3-1 away defeat.
It’s just one win for Town teams in the last six – that was one to remember: a 5-1 win in League One in 2018 thanks, in part, to a treble from James Collins.
Even though we lost down there on that Friday night last season, our record at Home Park isn’t bad (although, looking back in the record books we actually took an eye-watering 22 times to win there).
It’s four wins from our last seven visits. The one to pop to the top of our heads? An 3-1 win under Nathan Jones on the opening day of the season in 2016. Other core memories include: Enoch Showunmi’s debut in 2003 and a Tony Thorpe treble in the rain in 1996 (the only Luton player to score three at Home Park).
Played for both
Argyle have two former Hatters in their ranks in the shape of Brendan Galloway and Bim Pepple, although the later never made a senior appearance for the first team. Bim, who’s developed into a bit of cult hero down in Devon, has five goals in his last 13 appearances for the Greens.
Sonny Bradley and Dwight Marshall are another two who spring immediately to mind but one that absolutely does not is Les Sealey.
The loveable Bethnal Green goalkeeper joined the Town in 1983 from Coventry and made his Luton debut in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at Highbury.
However, he was sent on loan to Home Park for a month in 1984, playing six times, before returning to Kenilworth Road and going onto a have a fine career between the sticks for us, playing 259 times. Legend.
In charge
This season’s not been dull for Elliot Bell. He’s refereed in the Championship, League One, League Two and… the Japanese J2 League.
How many refs do you know took charge of Jublio Iwata’s 2-1 win over Ventforet Kofu this season? The answer’s one: Elliot Bell. Impress your mates with that! You can tell them, seriously, “no, really, it was part of an exchange programme with the Japanese FA”. And they will be impressed.
Saturday’s whistler last season took charge of the National League play-off final between Oldham and Southend at Wembley but has never, ever reffed a game involving Luton Town.
Tickets please
We announced earlier on Friday that Town fans who wake up early enough on Saturday morning and say “yes” to a four-hour drive to Plymouth can now pay on the day at Home Park. Just head to the ticket office when you arrive. Prices do increase by £3.50 though (a £2 ticket increase plus £1.50 booking fee). Click here for all the details.
If you’re struggling for parking around Home Park, why not book yourself a spot. Argyle’s official parking partner are offering a space for £10. If it’s not for you, don’t click, if it is, click here.
On this day
You have to wind the clock a fair bit back for good things on this day in our history.
Such good things include a 1-0 win at West Ham in 1953 and a top-flight victory over Leicester in 1987 thanks to a single goal from Mike Newell.
Getting in the time machine to go back further and our biggest win on 24th January was a 9-0 thrashing over Caerphilly in 1914. We’ve also actually met Plymouth too, although that was back in 1925 and that wasn’t 9-0, it was 1-1.
Back in the 21st century, happy times are thin on the ground. We’ll get cancelled if we mention the 3-3 draw with Bradford in 2009, IYKYK, and last time we played on this day was a defeat at an empty Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup (covid, on telly, Sluga saved a pen and Clicker got us back in it, Chelsea won and then sacked Lampard).
Town team news
New signing Kasey Palmer is in contention for his Town debut after signing on loan this week from Hull. He will wear squad number 54.
Jack Wilshere said at his Friday press call that Teden Mengi is close to a return having trained this week. The defender could feature but will be checked. Strikers Ali Al-Hamadi and Elijah Adebayo have both been partly training with the group but tomorrow is too soon for the duo. However, Izzy Jones and Hakeem Odoffin will definitely not be available for to take on the Pilgrims.
Jack’s presser
Watch the manager’s press conference on LTFC+ as he goes further in depth on personnel and the game itself. All 25 minutes and 53 seconds are here for all to see for free without any logging in faff. Enjoy.
Tune in, turn on
Simon Pitts was 100 per cent frothing at the mouth for what happened in the dying moments of that 3-3 draw with Bradford. We’ve listened back! Some say he still has nightmares. Anyway, back to Saturday and Simon will be in Devon to call it in his own partisan way on LTFC+.
If you’re overseas and want to watch, it’s £10. Just want audio? It’s available anywhere, and it’s just £2.50 for the pleasure. Clicking here gives you those possibilities. It’s an early kick-off for a reason: for UK viewers the game is live on Sky.
But if you are an ex-pat overseas, why not take advantage of the half-season Global Hatters subscription? It’s now just £150. All the details are right here.
You can also follow our social media channels for live updates as they happen, plus photos and behind-the-scenes content during the 90 minutes. Stay on lutontown.co.uk post-match for a full report, post-match reaction and the all-important highlights.
Don’t be that fan
A reminder to all supporters, no matter who you are, how old or who you’re supporting, to go about your day with respect. We continue to support the Love Football, Protect the Game campaign.
Luton Town Football Club has committed in its customer charter to providing safe match-day experiences for all supporters regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation, and this applies equally to home and away fixtures.
In the event that any Luton supporters do make discriminatory chants, the Club will work with the police and football authorities to help identify such individuals. Any such fans would then face the strictest club sanctions, including football banning orders that would prevent them attending any matches, in addition to any criminal charges.
Furthermore, we would like to warn against pitch incursions and the use of pyrotechnics or missiles – which could lead to potential prosecution.
The Club can also be held responsible for the behaviour of its supporters, which could lead to substantial fines being imposed.
As a diverse and inclusive football club, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow EFL clubs in supporting the FA’s ‘Love Football. Protect the Game’ campaign and call on all fans to enjoy the game in a positive spirit.
If you are offended by any discriminatory abuse of any kind at any of our games, you can report it by clicking HERE, or by contacting your nearest steward immediately.
Alternatively, email [email protected] or report the incident via Kick it Out's free, confidential reporting app on the App Store and Google Play.
We're all Luton.
This week we’re mostly liking this week…
If there’s one thing to watch this week, make it this. Sign into YouTube, stick this on your big telly and gather the family around.
There’s something in our eye.
COYH.
