Boss guarding against complacency
A guard against complacency was the message from manager Paul Buckle as his Hatters side look to put their league wounds behind them and power into the Christmas period.
A trip to AFC Telford kicks-off a busy spell for the Hatters as they prepare for three games in a week over the festive season and Buckle is ready to utilise his squad to the utmost.
After returning to winning ways against Matlock Town in the FA Trophy last weekend the Town boss faces a selection headache after making three changes to the side prior to the clash against the Gladiators.
With such strength in depth on show the Town boss is delighted with the impact the changes had ahead of a busy fixture list.
“The players did very well last week,” said Buckle at the press conference on Friday.
“Any time you win the players must take the credit and it wasn't an easy place to go to so I was pleased with the boys that came in. I'm really pleased with the squad I think there are possible changes in January, as all football clubs look to do, but we have a lot of games now so we can’t look too far ahead.”
Bouncing into the Christmas period with spirits and competition for places high is a real bonus for Buckle but he asserts his focus lies with each upcoming fixture one by one.
“First we look at tomorrow's game which will be a tough one much like it was at Kenilworth Road earlier in the season and we have got to be ready,” he said.
As the transfer window beckons, movement within the squad is possible and with such a decorated dressing room already at his disposal Buckle insists he will continue to pick his 11 on a game-by-game basis.
“I still stand by the fact if someone comes in and plays really well they keep the shirt, he makes that really easy for me in that aspect,” Buckle said.
“Obviously if the 11 do well tomorrow they will be looking to keep the shirt for the next game and I'm sure with all the games coming up they will want to be involved.
“The biggest thing for me is to try and get three points tomorrow, it’s all about a good start first and foremost and digging in away from home then we will try and open them up, we've scored goals this season and we need to keep a clean sheet and build from there.”
Tomorrow is the start of a busy spell for the Hatters over the coming weeks with league fixtures coming thick and fast before domestic cup competitions come back into the fray.
But with the Town's league opponents lurking closer to the trap door than promotion places, some believe it is a good set of games for Buckle’s men.
However, the Town boss remained adamant that to underestimate any opponent would be harmful to his squad and no complacency towards their opponents would cost them points.
“You can't make judgements like that in this league,” he said. “It's dangerous to de-value anyone and you won't ever hear that from me.
“We're in a tough league where there are some a lot of good managers and a lot of good teams. If anything was easy we would be in the football league, they are all going to be hard games, everyone is a hard game against Luton and they will be no different.”