Welcome To The Play Off Thread...Where Dreams Are Fulfilled And Dashed...

[Super_horns]

Congratulations.

Well deserved win.

Very impressive strong performance.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Had a tear in my eye at the end. Seen us at lowest of the lows in the conference thinking it would never end. Or perhaps that it would ALL end in a different type of tears at other times.

The performance, the atmosphere. So proud.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Well, well, well. Luton on the pitch last night were the complete polar opposite to Saturday. I was petrified watching that match - it felt like it was never going to end.

A word for the opposition - a tremendous opponent over 2 legs. They were far far stronger than I expected coming into this tie having just scraped in on the last day, but it was simply a match too far for them and their limited reserves. If they can keep a spine and get some excellent loan players this summer, for me they have more than a chance on improving their position next season.

That said, I’ve seen a lot of comments from Sunderland fans saying about “anti-football”, “kicking our players to pieces”, “I wouldn’t want to watch that every week.” Are you serious? This has been the most fantastic season I’ve seen as a supporter, and I’ve had a season ticket for 25 years straight now. We don’t have the resources to take on a £40M striker or flood the team with PL quality. We don’t have the parachute payments to keep up with some clubs far bigger than ourselves. So we have to find a way to compete.

 

[Kenneth E End]

As an aside, Sunderland should’ve had a stonewall penalty in the first half. Justice for the pathetic decision up there?

If the referee Simon Hooper didn’t see it, his assistant should’ve done.

VAR in the final…

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

For the handball?

I don’t know the handball laws anymore to be quite honest (and not sure anyone does) but seeing the replay Bells arm is down by his side in what I’d call “a natural position”. Isn’t stopping a goal. Think it’s one of those that VAR might look at and stick with whatever the onfield call was

 

[Laker]

I didn’t really see a problem with the handball tbh, could have gone either way but wouldn’t say the ref got it wrong to not give it.

I thought Morris’s challenge when he overran the ball was worse tbh, could easily have been a red.

That all said, fully deserved win for Luton. They played really well and were all over Sunderland all over the pitch, never gave them time to settle. No reason why they can’t go into the final full of confidence.

 

[oakroader]

If our finishing had been better this could’ve been a massacre…
On a hot day on a big pitch we cannot afford to miss so many opportunities that arise
Let’s hope fortune favours the brave again…
One more game…,
Choo choo…all aboard…

 

[Kenneth E End]

I thought Morris’s challenge when he overran the ball was worse tbh, could easily have been a red.

If we’re thinking of the same incident (I’ve not watched the game back), wasn’t it pulled back for a foul on Morris? And as such, he couldn’t be penalised for it as a result. At the time, I thought it was a nasty challenge.

 

[Super_horns]

As an aside, Sunderland should’ve had a stonewall penalty in the first half. Justice for the pathetic decision up there?

If the referee Simon Hooper didn’t see it, his assistant should’ve done.

VAR in the final…

Probably one of those that might get given but who knows as it’s such a lottery.

Sometimes you need good fortune in these games .

 

[Super_horns]

Well, well, well. Luton on the pitch last night were the complete polar opposite to Saturday. I was petrified watching that match - it felt like it was never going to end.

A word for the opposition - a tremendous opponent over 2 legs. They were far far stronger than I expected coming into this tie having just scraped in on the last day, but it was simply a match too far for them and their limited reserves. If they can keep a spine and get some excellent loan players this summer, for me they have more than a chance on improving their position next season.

That said, I’ve seen a lot of comments from Sunderland fans saying about “anti-football”, “kicking our players to pieces”, “I wouldn’t want to watch that every week.” Are you serious? This has been the most fantastic season I’ve seen as a supporter, and I’ve had a season ticket for 25 years straight now. We don’t have the resources to take on a £40M striker or flood the team with PL quality. We don’t have the parachute payments to keep up with some clubs far bigger than ourselves. So we have to find a way to compete.

Know what you mean .

Think we wouldn’t even be this bitter in defeat .

Luton

No doubt Be fans slagging them off for beating us but fair play they a good side. Big strong athletic, And graft there absolute nuts off. If we want to get promoted next season i think we need to add abit of thete sytle to our game in certain matches next season

www.readytogo.net

Apparently we were the same though and our squad certainly don’t have strong physical players so maybe it’s just them .

 

[Kenneth E End]

You reckon Watford could do with a manager like Edwards?

 

[Super_horns]

If we’re thinking of the same incident (I’ve not watched the game back), wasn’t it pulled back for a foul on Morris? And as such, he couldn’t be penalised for it as a result. At the time, I thought it was a nasty challenge.

Again with VAR who knows as it did look poor on a replay but these things are subjective which is part of the issue with the system .

You could spend 5 minutes trying to decide and people wouldn’t be certain either way .

 

[Super_horns]

You reckon Watford could do with a manager like Edwards?

If we had the squad to suit his style ..

Never could have played like that with the lot we have.

 

[Laker]

If we’re thinking of the same incident (I’ve not watched the game back), wasn’t it pulled back for a foul on Morris? And as such, he couldn’t be penalised for it as a result. At the time, I thought it was a nasty challenge.

Yes it was a foul given Luton’s way for shirt pulling which the ref initially waved play on for until Morris over ran it. But you can still be sent off for dangerous play in such a situation (else once the ball is dead it would be a free for all!). It was a pretty nasty challenge.

But it shouldn’t take away from the result and performance. Luton were excellent and fully deserved to win.

 

[Caitlyn]

If we had the squad to suit his style ..

Never could have played like that with the lot we have.

Winter is around the corner so a good chance to off load some dead wood.

 

[SVH]

I thought Luton were excellent last night. I thought I was watching John Beck's Cambridge United at times and it was so affective. Sunderland had no answers to the big lads up top, along with the high press.

I'll be cheering Luton on it the final as what a story that would be. Hopefully the return of Bez too if you go up.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Love Luke. As does everyone. We nabbed an absolute diamond from you there.

Id hope he got a shot and a few games. Then you can have him for a swansong. But remember hes a legend here and more a Hatter than a U now ;-)

 

[Essex2Wessex]

Luton were astoundingly skilful |last night, really hope they manage to go up. However unpopular the manner of his departure (deservedly) made him round Nympsfield Road way, two out of three clubs that employed Rob Edwards acknowledge his quality....

 

[SVH]

Love Luke. As does everyone. We nabbed an absolute diamond from you there.

Id hope he got a shot and a few games. Then you can have him for a swansong. But remember hes a legend here and more a Hatter than a U now ;-)

Yeah the price you got him for was a joke really. We all knew it at the time but our club was a mess at the time so I'm not surprised.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Without deviating the thread too much into a Luke Berry love in (but it’s Luke Berry so I’m always down for a bit of that) The Berry signing was such a significant thing for us as well. Really was a bit of a “wow we are serious about this, we are signing serious players here”. The season prior we had wingers like Jordan Cook playing in central midfield. Went and signed McCormack and Berry that summer and we never looked back really. Something was building here already but he was a bit of an accelerant to it all imo.

Not as crucial latterly but still an absolute fantastic player to call on from the bench

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Bit surprised at the lack of goals in Boro/Coventry tie.

All the talk beforehand was about a potential high scoring tie with Gyokeres and Coventry liking to create opportunities on the break against Boro more possession style with Akpom at the forefront. Been far more cagey than that over both games

 

[oakroader]

 

[oakroader]

Expensive day out…
Thieving bastards….

 

[Super_horns]

Expensive day out…
Thieving bastards….

And that is before you get into the ground !

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Big congratulations to Coventry, really pleased for them. A similar great story to us, been through some tough times as well so, if not us then if it’s them then can’t begrudge it too much.

Kind of followed similar paths up the leagues and have had some tight games over that time, expect the same in the final. Extremely impressive to hold the leagues top scorers to not very much at all.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Preseason........ Whod of thought that as a game for a spot in the Prem.

The money talks but on occassion football Clubs like Luton and Coventry still walk the walk.

 

[Super_horns]

Congratulations to Coventry.

Preseason........ Whod of thought that as a game for a spot in the Prem.

The money talks but on occassion football Clubs like Luton and Coventry still walk the walk.

Yes certainly right there.

Shown many "bigger/richer" clubs up.

Much like we did in 99/2006 - unfaniced but won the play-offs.

 

[Laker]

View attachment 18585

They are ludicrous prices but you’re kind of over a barrel with it really. My wife is a Norwich fan and we went to their win over Middlesbrough in 2015, tickets were £72 each behind the goal on the bottom tier. I assume that’s category 2 now (category 1 must be bottom tier but on the side surely) so I guess at least they haven’t gone up that much in the last 8 years.

 

[Daz_3000]

Well, well, well. Luton on the pitch last night were the complete polar opposite to Saturday. I was petrified watching that match - it felt like it was never going to end.

A word for the opposition - a tremendous opponent over 2 legs. They were far far stronger than I expected coming into this tie having just scraped in on the last day, but it was simply a match too far for them and their limited reserves. If they can keep a spine and get some excellent loan players this summer, for me they have more than a chance on improving their position next season.

That said, I’ve seen a lot of comments from Sunderland fans saying about “anti-football”, “kicking our players to pieces”, “I wouldn’t want to watch that every week.” Are you serious? This has been the most fantastic season I’ve seen as a supporter, and I’ve had a season ticket for 25 years straight now. We don’t have the resources to take on a £40M striker or flood the team with PL quality. We don’t have the parachute payments to keep up with some clubs far bigger than ourselves. So we have to find a way to compete.

Firstly i’ll say congrats to all Luton fans. Apart from the bell end who hit diallo. Comments about Anti-Football are just stuff that comes out from supporters after a loss against teams who beat them playing to a certain strength generally like long balls etc (Stoke got plenty comments in the prem with Delaps throw in goals).

Personally i thought both refs over two legs were awful and decisions could have easliy been different with VAR but VAR was never part of the semi so just get on with it. Shit happens.

We never expected play offs prior to the season and this season has been one of the most enjoyable in my lifetime with the way these young lads have played with everything being up against them due to the injuries sustained. Simms being recalled then Stewart getting injured (for his second long lay off) and not replaced albeit with just a few days of the window shutting was the real hammer blow, losing our captain and numerous others and to top it off in the last few weeks of season we lose our main CB’s Baath and Ballard. This ultimately cost us any chance in the second leg.

Every Sunderland fan knew corners would lose us the tie if Luton got enough of them (watford scored both their corners at the SOL and Luton scored from 1 of only 2 corners in the first leg). Luton were terrific all night, won every second ball, played to their strengths and looked possessed. Our players never got a foothold and when we did created bugger all and not having a focal point helped out Luton, if we got the handball decision and get the penalty and score then naturally the game may have changed but we didn’t and by the end Luton were unfortunate not to have scored about 5 on the night.

We have a bright future now so i’m not too disheartened and PL footy (and the dosh) would be massive for Luton.

Coventry is the better final for you in my opinion. They will be a tough game but Boro would have been harder as they play like us and we were tremendous second half at our place and should have got more goals but we didn’t. I will be cheering you on to the final cos our lot and Coventry don’t get on. As i said to my mates i’d rather lose to Luton in semi than Boro or Cov in the final. Good luck to you Luton lot and to the lads on this forum who keep it going cos hardly any other fans get on.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Personally i thought both refs over two legs were awful and decisions could have easliy been different with VAR but VAR was never part of the semi so just get on with it. Shit happens.

I know this is going to sound biased, but I've seen lots of neutrals praise Simon Hooper from Tuesday - I can't disagree. I thought he was very fair. I wondered if Tim Robinson was too card happy in the first game, but I couldn't argue too much with what decisions he made. There was a lot of incident in both matches as each team decided to leave everything out on the pitch. It certainly wasn't cagey.

I'd also argue that David Coote was excellent last night too.

Amad Diallo could stay on his feet a bit more often - 4 times in the first 10 minutes he had thrown himself on the floor. The penalty at the SoL was a terrible decision which the referee apologised for after.

Lets be fair here - the last few weeks of the season, refereeing decisions have started to go back in Luton's favour but it's only starting to realign with what has gone on for most of this season.