Over 2,000 Town supporters will be roaring on the Hatters as they take on Cardiff City tomorrow for their first away game of the new Sky Bet Championship season.
The Hatters played out an enthralling 3-3 draw in their opening game against Middlesbrough, whilst the Bluebirds were defeated on their return to the second tier, as they were beaten 3-2 by Wigan Athletic.
The transfer window closed for the Championship yesterday, with Graeme Jones bringing in three loan signings; Izzy Brown from Chelsea, James Bree from Aston Villa and Luke Bolton from Manchester City.
Cardiff on the other hand added Marlon Pack from Bristol City, as well as former Town striker Isaac Vassell, joining them on a three-year deal from Birmingham City.
If you’re not making the journey to the Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow, make sure you tune into iFollow Hatters for Simon Pitts’ live commentary, or if you’re an international subscriber, you can watch the game live!
GRAEME JONES SAID:
Please be aware - these quotes are taken from Graeme’s press conference on Wednesday
On facing a team managed by Neil Warnock: “Whenever you played against his teams, you always knew you were in for a tough game. I think as players then you never looked at styles, you just turned up for your team and played. That would be 20-years ago now!
“What I do remember was that it was always a challenge, it was always a physical challenge, it was always a tough game. We came up against Neil in management a few times – his first spell at Crystal Palace in the Championship, his second spell there in the Premier League. So I know we will have to earn anything we get out of Cardiff at the weekend.
“I think Neil needs to be toasted by the nation really, I played against his teams and now I am managing against his teams. He has been through everything, he has seen everything, he has seen everyone off. He has got real longevity in the game and that really needs to be respected.
On preparing for each game: “It’s just game-by-game, I don’t care if it’s at home or if it’s away. I think we have got to get the preparation correct, make sure the players are aware of the style they’re going to face – it will be a different style to Middlesbrough. That’s this league, we need to adapt, we need to be willing to adapt. We also need to assert our own style on the opposition. I address each game on it’s own merits and I will on Saturday.
On The Town’s support against Middlesbrough: “On Friday, it’s a feeling that you get, and then you go home and you analyse what’s gone on. For me, Luton Town supporters – if you want to define what the word support means, if you really go into detail with that, you hope they’re going to support their team.
“I have been involved in different clubs through the years – Friday night was the best performance I have seen from a set of fans in supporting their team. One-nil down, 3-2 down – they were there for us every second because they could see the effort on the pitch, they could see the desire.
“That’s going to be huge this season, that they continue to support their team. You’re not going to start a game, play well, score one, score two, score three and win a game 3-0, there’s going to be moments where you’re vulnerable, moments where the opposition are strong and the beauty about Friday night was the support of the supporters in certain moments of the game. I have not seen that. Maybe it’s been the clubs I have been at, but I haven’t seen that for a long, long time and that’s what was special about Friday night for me.
“They [the supporters] have to play their part, that can’t be a one off. On Friday, live on Sky, the opening game of the EFL season. It has to be permanent, it has to be consistent. The staff need to be consistent with preparations, the players need to be consistent with their performances and their lifestyle. It’s all part of that triangle – players, staff and supporters, and they certainly played their part on Friday night.”
WHO?
Celebrating 120 years since their formation in 1899, the Bluebirds have made a surprise return to the Premier League under Neil Warnock in the 2017/18 campaign, before immediately heading back down to the Championship. Having played in the second tier for 14 out of the last 16 seasons prior to this campaign, Cardiff will be hoping to find their way back into the top tier at the first attempt, having also previously played there in the 2013/14 season. A club with a fantastic history, they are the only club outside of England to lift the FA Cup, as well as more recently reaching the final of that competition in 2008, as well as the League Cup final in 2012.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Kick-off is at 3pm at The Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday 10th August.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE?
Darren Bond will be taking charge of tomorrow game. His first match of the campaign was last Saturday, as he dished out four yellow cards as QPR won 2-1 at Stoke City.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are available for purchase from the Town Ticket Office until 2pm today.
PLAYED BEFORE?
Town last took on the Bluebirds back in January 2007, drawing 0-0 at Kenilworth Road in the Championship. In total, the two have faced each other 67 times, with the Hatters winning on 26 occasions, drawing 18 and losing 23.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
The main blow-by-blow account of the action from The Cardiff City Stadium will be provided via the Match Centre on the club website, which you can access by clicking here. (*Please note that the club's Live Text will appear only by accessing through an internet browser, users of the Luton Town FC app will receive updates from Opta)
The main moments from the game will appear on the Hatters' social media feeds:
Twitter – @LutonTown
Facebook – www.facebook.com/LutonTown/
Instagram – www.instagram.com/ltfc_official/
And of course Simon Pitts will be on hand to provide commentary for iFollow Hatters which you can subscribe to by clicking here.