Barrow AFC vs Luton Town

[pjdaly]

Magnificent in every sense, today; from the dazzling sunshine to the perfectly delivered tribute before the match (something which the club have handled badly at times in the past) and then through to the performance by every player in the team.

It may be churlish to pick an individual on a day when everyone did their job but I would suggest Matt Flynn deserves a special mention. Everyone knows he has not been performing to the required level (even Bayliss has pointedly said he is looking for a right back). I would say this to Matt - - - you were immense today and won no end of ball, both in the air and on the deck. That is the standard. Play like that more regularly and the shirt is yours for sure. And you might get your EM column back too.

It makes you wonder though when you consider the way the defence played today. We were under the cosh for a lot of the match, especially the second half, and yet Luton barely had a sniff of the goal. This raises question-marks. You showed you ARE good enough today (Mike Pearson also had his best game for ages) and so it must be down to just application, determination and concentration rather than a question of capability. Let’s have more of that.

I know the low crowds are referred to over and over again. Today though, consider everything; the weather was brilliant, we were playing against the biggest club in this league, we were playing against a team that created a national sensation in the FA Cup last week. Given all that, the crowd of (I think) 1188 is pitiful. If any of you floaters happen to read this and are perhaps starting to think of a trip to Wembley then hang your heads in shame if you simply could not be bothered getting along there today.

Finally, I’ve been doing some equations. Norwich beat Man Utd earlier this season, Luton won away at Norwich, we have beaten Luton. Granted we are inconsistent, but this suggests that according to all known laws of Logic, Mathematics, Physics and Hysteria, we must be, on our day, the best team in the country. Can’t argue with that.

[Bingo]

We were brilliant today and the atmosphere great

Thought crowd was higher than 1188 tbh

[barrowfan]

I know the low crowds are referred to over and over again. Today though, consider everything; the weather was brilliant, we were playing against the biggest club in this league, we were playing against a team that created a national sensation in the FA Cup last week. Given all that, the crowd of (I think) 1188 is pitiful.

188 were from Luton which leaves 1000, and I understand there were around 200 in corporate which means we had around 800.

[Jonty]

it might have been a low crowd but we got right behind the team for 90mins and were excellent today.

[K_BFC]

Paul Buckle Luton manager interview (they start talking Luton about the 33:00 mark, interview starts 33:21. It is followed by a Luton supporter on the line at 37:38)...
Paul Buckle on BBC Radio Three Counties on iPlayer
EDIT: Interview is also on the BBC match report page
Some quotes...
Referring to Barrow being up for it... "I don't even think we've given them a chance to be up for it, we have given them a leg up straight away"
On McNutly... "McNulty never got bullied today"
About the goal... "Taylor has made horrendous error and it has cost us"
About the Luton keeper... "he has had one save to make, that I can remember, of any note"
About the goal again... "If it's a good goal I have no problem with that"
On McNulty again... "He done great,you didn't see anyone tacking the liberty with McNulty, I don't think anyone went near him"

Most of his comments are rather misplaced. Typical manager under pressure interview, no cutting questions asked and the opposition had nothing to do with the result. He kept going back to Taylor's "mistake" heading the ball back to the keeper Tyler before Boyes scored, as if it was the source of all their problems. Sod the other 85 mins of football, no comment of how infective his strike force was today.

[Bingo]

The 200 in corporate were Barrow fans too. I thought it looked more today as I've already said - I also think we can still do more to attract more to the games

1 the sign needs to be bigger and updated. We could do with a similar sign somewhere on the way into barrow and the town centre

2 we need to be selling tickets for games in advance

3 posters in shops

4 more kids incitives

5 we could get a marketing team together to look at ways of improving this

6 long term deals with stagecoach to involve Saturday special bus services to and from the ground

7 organising away fans specials - so match ticket / night in hotel / trip to lakes / corporate at club in conjunction with a local hotel / travellers choice - use our closeness to the lakes and isolation to our advantage

8. In the longer term going to the football needs to be much more comfortable for some people

I do think tho we can build on what we had today and if we continue to play like that the crowds will grow -

[ant]

Great energy and passion from the team today.(and the fans)Thats all we ask.great result.x

[Barrowabc]

Today was class and felt like a lot more then 1188 or whateva number given were there. The way we played was top class and every player was class from 1 to 11 proud of our team just wish to [SwearFilter] we got more week in week out wish there was more true fans like are on these pages !

[Big E]

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/med ... 707&type=1

Few pics for any fb users

[Zak]

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/med ... 707&type=1

Few pics for any fb users

Good pictures. 6, 55 + 65 are my favourites.

[HenneysKnee]

We've beaten two of the better teams in this league, now we need to do the same against the 'smaller' clubs and on Tuesday

[Optimism]

Excellent team performance! We significantly outfought and marginally outclassed our Premier League-conquering visitors for a thoroughly deserved vital win.

Everyone contributed. Perhaps most tellingly, Danny Hurst had few saves of note to make because of the graft and quality of those up ahead. Countless times Luton - denied a clear path to goal through our defensive organisation - blasted a speculative strike from distance, to be denied by defiant Barrow blockers, both well-positioned and totally committed. This was an inspiring watch.

If the dedication was absolute, then we mustn't neglect to mention the quality on show. Possession was retained well, with the back four in particular exuding confidence here. Ball into midfield found its targets, and any loose stuff lost was often swiftly snapped back into Bluebird control, in particular by the relentless James Owen - how we've missed him! - and his able ally Richie Baker, adept in more of a holding role than of late today. Outside them, the wingers Rutherford and Rowe chugged along gamely, tracked back, intermittently threatened a menacing raid, and linked well with the team effort.

Further ahead, and once more setting a superb example, Adam Boyes ran his blue and white socks off. His work-rate has been exemplary this season. Once more, his alertness was rewarded, as a poor header across the box from the left-back allowed space for a cute lob over the 'keeper from 10 yards that seemed to take an eternity to drop to earth the correct side of the post!

My first sighting of his partner Danny L Rowe was a positive one too - he seems to have both the ability, and crucially, the temperament to be what we require. He's strong, sharp, and confident enough to drive forward with a strike in mind. Lively together, Boyes and Rowe made it an uncomfortable afternoon for Steve McNulty who didn't appear entirely settled, despite a warm Barrovian welcome.

As the game wore on, and Luton pushed further forward, with space found down the left, still the Barrow defence held firm centrally and looked assured with it. Mike Pearson was practically faultless. His understanding and distribution was first rate. Alongside, Danny O'Donnell impressed in the 40 minutes he had on debut. When he departed just prior to half-time, and with Danny Hurst also noticeably suffering with an arm injury, there was a concern tight unity could have been disrupted - but Sean Hessey - reassuring to have on the bench with his years of Football League experience - filled in consummately. Matt Flynn and Gavin Skelton had fine games, intercepting and using the ball well: Flynn vitally clearing a threatening first-half cross over the bar, and Skelton intelligently getting us moving from the back with neat ball into midfield.

Challenge: Maintain this standard!

[barrowaberdeen]

A performance to gladden the heart, a cracking day out. 100% from team and fans.

Now, where is my mind..

[mally]

The 200 in corporate were Barrow fans too. I thought it looked more today as I've already said - I also think we can still do more to attract more to the games

1 the sign needs to be bigger and updated. We could do with a similar sign somewhere on the way into barrow and the town centre

2 we need to be selling tickets for games in advance

3 posters in shops

4 more kids incitives

5 we could get a marketing team together to look at ways of improving this

6 long term deals with stagecoach to involve Saturday special bus services to and from the ground

7 organising away fans specials - so match ticket / night in hotel / trip to lakes / corporate at club in conjunction with a local hotel / travellers choice - use our closeness to the lakes and isolation to our advantage

8. In the longer term going to the football needs to be much more comfortable for some people

I do think tho we can build on what we had today and if we continue to play like that the crowds will grow -

Bingo,I couldnt agree with you more,the bloody sign at the traffic lights corner was still saying Gateshead on Friday night,what the hell are the few staff that work there doing,they would have to walk past the sign every day to get into the ground.

[Richard Ingham]

Bingo,I couldnt agree with you more,the bloody sign at the traffic lights corner was still saying Gateshead on Friday night,what the hell are the few staff that work there doing,they would have to walk past the sign every day to get into the ground.

Mally, see response on the other thread.