All gone a bit wrong for us in recent weeks hasn't it.
5 points in the last 4.
Overtaken by Sheffield United despite a decent points gap not long ago, and caught by Burnley despite a bigger gap.
We need a result.
As for our opponents they have struggled to adapt back in the Championship.
Probably overachieved getting out of it in the first place to he fair.
Rob Edwards has gone, former Wycombe manager Matt Bloomfield took charge and a slight improvement followed.
10 points from the last 6 games which is more than us.
Beat Hull, drew with Boro and beaten Portsmouth recently
Admittedly the rest of the top 4 have all dispatched of them recently.
But they are still in better form than the league suggests.
Been slightly better at home than away as you'd expect
However the numbers aren't kind.
Least goals scored and 4th worst defence.
With that being said the underlying numbers paint a different picture (sorry Swannie).
They have conceded far more goals than they should and have scored far less.
The analyst would tell you they are the definition of the players letting down the manager.
Tactically it's pretty as you'd expect.
Not a possession team, 4th least in the league.
They set up with a back 3 usually in a 3-5-2.
But that can become 5-4-1 put of possession or even a back 6.
They concentrate on crowding the central areas and forcing teams down the sides backing themselves to deal with crosses.
In possession they are direct and progressive.
A press is pretty useless because they usually bypass the midfield and go long into the front 2.
Heavy focus on 2nd balls and being physical.
Despite the lack of possession they are 5th for big chances missed and 7th for touches in the opposition box.
They are direct and get the ball forward at every opportunity.
A heavy focus on crosses as well which given th size of the front 2 isn't a shock.
But they are 23rd for a reason and that is largely down to individual errors.
In terms of key players.
Wing back Alfie Doughty is a very important player offensively for them with his set piece delivery and crossing ability. In the top 7 in the league for chances created and the top player in the league for chances created per game.
Midfielder Jordan Clark Is key in making runs to help support the front 2 and has helped himself to 5 goals and 3 assists this season and is 3rd in the league for big chances created.
Finally whilst his strike partner Adebayo is statistically the most wasteful player in the league for chances missed Captain Carlton Morris is still a threat. A big strong physical and highly experienced player he has 7 goals and 2 assists this season.
So not without threat and in a way a bit of a nightmare opponent in a historically iffy time and place for us.
But one who we really need to beat and given all of the top 4 have bar us recently we really have 0 excuses.
In terms of ourselves.
We need a response
We need Farke to do something he rarely ever does, back down.
He called Meslier the best in the league a few times this season and categorically backed him when the opportunity arose to replace him in January or with Darlow.
Is it time for a change?
Luton are a big physical side who love a set piece and cross and they will be targeting Mes surely if he plays?
Apart from that Farke bought Captain Ethan Ampadu back in rather surprisingly, he was clearly not ready, will we see Tanaka back in? All be it he isn't in great form either.
Or will we see Gruev in which is something DF does regularly away?
A goal from BA yesterday but also another from Gnonto, will we see Gnonto? As mentioned Luton go over a press which makes the BA runs a lot argument a bit pointless surely?
Is this perhaps a game for the more physical Joseph?
How about James and Solomon? Both struggling?
Is it too late though? Throwing in players who have barely played for ages? Darlow, Joseph, Ramazani and so on?
