3 things we learnt from the Celta Vigo friendly
Luton completed their pre season campaign with a defeat to La Liga side Celta Vigo, who scored two late goals to decide what had been a close game up until then. The Hatters fielded a strong team, one that is likely to start the game against Burnley, and it featured both of the summer signings Shandon Baptiste and Reuell Walters. Luton had plenty of the ball and were threatening enough, but there were clear weaknesses defensively and Edwards will want to make the team more secure before the Burnley game. This was a pre-season game so we can’t be too sure in our judgements, but it was against high quality opposition, and it was Luton’s final warmup before starting their Championship season.
reliant on Doughty
Alfie Doughty put in one of his regular strong performances, and it is notable just how much play goes through him. Luton always look for him on the left side, and we rely on him to get a ball into the box for our strikers. He is also on every set piece, and he makes up a good amount of our overall goal contributions, with 2 goals and 8 assists last season. Rob Edwards must ensure he is kept at all costs, as West Ham and Brentford are reportedly taking a look at him.
If the club can keep Doughty, Luton will be blessed with someone who should be the best full back in the division. His attacking mindset, crossing and link-up with teammates is superb, and he has the pace and strength to defend well (although defensive positioning is something he can work on more.) Doughty has become one of, if not the most important Luton players for how Rob Edwards’ side wants to play.
No protection in front of the defence
Baptiste and Clark both showed their ability on the ball, with Clark making several key dribbles and Baptiste showing his passing ability, when he brilliantly set up Doughty’s equaliser with a curling cross. Both players have quality in their ball carrying and range of passing, which should help replace Barkley and Sambi’s best qualities. Baptiste in particular looked comfortable showing for the ball, and spraying passes across the pitch. It was an encouraging performance from him and Clark going forwards, with Clark managing to beat his man several times too.
However, Luton’s midfield kept getting cut open, and neither player seemed to have the legs and ball winning ability to cover the back 3 today. It might be too soon to make this judgement about Baptiste for definite, but so far he seems to be more of a midfielder who wants to drive the ball forwards rather than covering the defence, which is a quality Luton need, but not from him and Clark starting together. A more defensively minded midfielder like Nakamba should be on the club’s mind for a transfer, while the team waits for Nakamba to return from injury, as well as to provide competition for Luton’s best defensive midfielder.
More injuries in defence
Unfortunately it was yet another game where one of Luton’s centre backs picked up an injury, with Teden Mengi having to go off. While Mengi did walk off, Rob Edwards admitted after the game they are unsure on the severity of the injury, so fingers crossed he can be fit for Burnley, but we need to wait for more information. With Mengi injured, Luton have one natural centre back fit in Tom Holmes, with Andersen, Burke and Bell all recovering from injuries suffered last season.
When everyone is fit Luton have five centre backs which is normally enough for most teams, but with the rate the Hatters get injuries to their defenders, it might be time for another body to be brought in. Johnson, Hashioka and Walters can cover there, but neither of those seem to be natural centre-backs and reinforcements might be looked at in the coming weeks.
By Samuel Roy
