Luton Town FC vs Birmingham City (30th Jul 2022)

Luton Town 0-0 Birmingham City

The Hatters kicked off the 2022-23 campaign with a goalless draw against Birmingham City at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

Manager Nathan Jones handed competitive debuts to three of his seven summer signings in Ethan Horvath, Luke Freeman and number nine Carlton Morris - the latter who was paired with Elijah Adebayo up-front.

Captain Sonny Bradley led a back five consisting of James Bree, Gabe Osho, Dan Potts and Amari'i Bell, while Allan Campbell and Jordan Clark joined summer signing Freeman in midfield.

Reece Burke, Alfie Doughty and Luke Berry missed out through injury after playing in last Saturday's final pre-season friendly with West Ham.

The Hatters started well with a raucous home crowd behind them, and with Freeman revelling in his role just behind the front two.

The summer signing had the first attempt on goal, forcing John Ruddy to dive full length to push his right-footed shot away after Freeman had danced through the Blues' defence in the ninth minute.

That opening was created by Campbell and Clark's tenacity in midfield, and the trio were smothering Birmingham's engine room, with Adebayo and Morris also pressing high up the pitch.

Several dangerous looking crosses were whipped in by Bree and Potts, with Adebayo and Morris the intended targets, while a smart short corner routine between Bree and Clark presented Freeman with a shooting opportunity, but he miscued into a thicket of legs.

Juninho Bacuna had Birmingham's first shot on 25 minutes, dragged well wide after seemingly using his hand to emerge with the ball from a challenge with Bradley, then Maxime Colin saw an effort beaten away by Horvath four minutes later.

Town were playing well and Bree was next to have a go, his 25-yard drive flying wide of Ruddy's right post, before Adebayo set Morris racing clear, but the Blues' defence managed to get back to block his shot after the former Barnsley man checked back onto his left foot.

Przemyslaw Pacheta tested Horvath with a volley from just outside the area two minutes before half-time, but the American internations dealt with it comfortably and the sides headed in for the break level.

Pacheta shot straight at Horvath within a minute of the restart, but the Hatters were soon back on the front foot with Freeman sending a left-footed curler just wide of the post on 48 minutes.

Marc Roberts saw a header blocked from a corner, then Bacuna fired into the side-netting in an open first five minutes of the second half.

But it was Morris who would go as close as anyone in the 53rd minute when he made inroads down the Hatters' right after being released by Campbell, chopping back onto his left foot only to see his attempted curler whistle inches wide of the far post.

Three minutes later the summer signing was at it again, swivelling on the edge of the box to create space for a right-footed shot that had Ruddy stretching again after more good work in the build-up from Clark.

A wonderful team move that started in the Town's own half with a short free-kick led to Clark and Bree creating the next opening for Campell in the 65th minute, but the recently capped Scotland international's side-footed effort was blocked.

Potts did well to jump with Roberts and divert the Birmingham defender's header wide of the far post two minutes later, before Jones introduced his first game changers with just over 20 minutes to go.

Cauley Woodrow made his competitive return to Kenilworth Road, with the fans quickly reminding him he's "one of our own", in place of the excellent Freeman, while Harry Cornick came on in place of Morris, who had come as close to breaking the deadlock as anyone.

Cornick and Adebayo quickly combined to set Bree free down the right, but Campbell could't quite get on the end of his low near post cross with Ruddy gathering at the second attempt.

The former Everton keeper then had to be equal to a fierce strike by Woodrow from the edge of the box as the Hatters sought a breakthrough, before Cornick bent one just the wrong side of the post with eight minutes to go, again benefitting from Campbell's energetic pressing.

Jones made his third change in the 84th minute, bringing on Cameron Jerome for Adebayo, and the veteran striker was straight into the thick of the action sending in an inviting cross from the left, but Birmingham defended it well and it was Roberts who sent the next goalward effort just off target, heading over at the other end when well placed.

ATT: 9,921 (1,032 away)

Nathan Jones on Birmingham draw

Nathan Jones said he couldn’t ask for anymore from his players who earned a hard-fought point against a stubborn Birmingham City.

The Hatters started well with a raucous home crowd behind them and had a number of good opportunities to open the scoring throughout the 90 minutes.

However, his side were made to settle for a draw on the opening day which the Welshman was forced to accept in his post-match interview.

“We always want to win the game especially at home, but it was a hard-fought game, I thought we had the better of the chances and I couldn’t ask for more from the game.

"We tried right until the end, we were lacking a little bit of sharpness which is understandable because we had two weeks less than everyone, and had a five-week pre-season so a little bit of sharpness was lacking.

“We’ve had a real disjointed pre-season so that can sometimes catch up with you. They gave me everything, I thought we created enough to win the game, we must have had at least 12 set plays, but we just couldn’t find the opening. If we found the opening then it’s a different game but in terms of endeavour, I can’t ask any more of them. Bedding in a few new players, who I thought were really effective today."

One of three new starters was midfielder Luke Freeman who impressed the gaffer: “He started the game really well. We thought we’d only play him for 60 minutes because he’s missed a bit of pre-season but I was really happy with the levels and how we went about our work.

“Ironically, we didn’t take a point off these last year, so if we get the points from everyone else we did, we will be in a better position.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqttPFKPtsM – Nathan Jones interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blaLoYo_U2U – match highlights

Luton can't break through against Blues as they are held to an opening day stalemate

Championship: Luton Town 0 Birmingham City 0

Luton's struggles in front of goal against Birmingham City continued this afternoon as they were held to a stalemate during their opening Championship contest of the season.

Last term saw the Hatters handed a 5-0 hammering on home soil, before falling to a 3-0 defeat at St Andrew's, as although this time the outcome was far better, gaining a point, try as they might, Nathan Jones' side were unable to complete what would have been a deserved victory, drawing yet another blank.

The Town chief handed three debuts to his summer signings, on-loan Nottingham Forest keeper Ethan Horvath starting, along with Luke Freeman and Carlton Morris.

Matt Macey and Cauley Woodrow were named on the bench, with Alfie Doughty, Reece Burke and Luke Berry all missing out due to injuries.

The opponents had former Watford captain Troy Deeney in their ranks, the forward booed mercilessly ahead of the game and then throughout due to his Hornets connection, eventually replaced on 78 minutes having barely been afforded a kick by Luton’s centre half trio of Gabe Osho, Sonny Bradley and Dan Potts.

Town, with Freeman picking up some good positions, began positively, the midfielder tricking his way past three players to produce some gasps from the home faithful, creating the first opening when James Bree's free kick was cleared by the legs of John Ruddy, Jordan Clark lashing a decent opportunity over the top from the edge of the box.

Luton went close again on 10 minutes as Allan Campbell won the ball with a typically strong challenge allowing Clark to spring Freeman away, the midfielder impudently turning his man and seeing a scuffed shot require a fingertip save from the experienced Ruddy, who was to prove a real thorn in Town's side for the rest of the encounter.

A clever short corner routine from the Hatters with 20 on the clock saw Freeman found in space inside the area, but his connection wasn't true and cleared away.

Midway through the half, City had their first real opening after Luton gifted possession away from a throw, Juninho Bacuna bulldozing his way through and despite a definite hint of handball from the midfielder, was allowed to carry on, dragging off target.

Buoyed by their mini spell of possession, the visitors then somehow managed to feed an overlapping and unmarked Maxime Colin on the half hour, but his shot was straight at Horvath, who then had to punch a dangerous corner away from underneath his own crossbar.

With Town winning the ball back high up once more, Bree tried his luck from 25 yards, his attempt bouncing tamely wide though.

The hosts had an even better chance just before the break, Elijah Adebayo setting partner Morris free, but the former Barnsley forward opted to cut inside his man rather than go for goal, which meant when he did pull the trigger, City had men back to charge down.

Horvath continued to look solid in his work between the posts for Luton, readjusting his body well to claim Przemyslaw Placheta's 22-yard swirling snapshot that threatened to catch him out.

After the break, Luton almost made the dream start, Morris glancing Bell's cross wide, before on-loan Norwich winger Placheta escaped Bree's attentions, only to volley into the ground and straight at Horvath.

Back came Luton, Freeman taking aim from 25 yards, narrowly missing with Ruddy at full stretch, while Blues also went close, Marc Roberts causing some problems from a corner and Bacuna, clearly City’s most dangerous outlet, firing into the side-netting.

With 55 gone, Morris almost opened the scoring in exquisite fashion, released by Campbell, he outpaced Auston Trusty, moving the ball on to his favoured left foot and bending an effort that was only inches wide.

Moments later, Morris trusted his right foot this time, but the experienced Ruddy was equal to his 20-yarder.

Another good burst by Freeman saw Clark with a cleverly weighted for the dashing Bree, who picked out Campbell, his close range shot bouncing away off a last-ditch block, as despite Blues’ time-wasting tendencies, their desire to protect Ruddy’s goal couldn’t be questioned.

Looking for the win, Jones brought on Woodrow and Harry Cornick with 20 minutes remaining, Town almost getting the goal their play deserved, Ruddy diving on the ball under pressure from Campbell after yet another raid down the right by Bree.

Woodrow almost marked his first Luton appearance in over a decade in style, teed up by Clark, only to put his shot again straight at Ruddy, whose handling, as it had been all afternoon, remained secure.

He was almost beaten with eight minutes left when some sloppy play out of defence by the visitors was pounced on by Campbell who sent fellow replacement Harry Cornick away.

The sub was able to find space for the shot, his curler looking like it would beat finally beat the former Norwich and Wolves stopper, only to fly just the wrong side of the post.

Blues them almost snatched a winner that would have been desperately undeserved, centre half Roberts left unmarked to plant his header beyond Horvath, but thankfully into the stands.

Woodrow’s hooked volley in stoppage time required clearing from two City defenders, as try as they might, Town weren’t able to find a way through, held to a goalless draw on opening day.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, James Bree, Amari'i Bell, Gabe Osho, Sonny Bradley (C), Dan Potts, Allan Campbell, Jordan Clark, Luke Freeman (Cauley Woodrow 70), Carlton Morris (Harry Cornick 70), Elijah Adebayo (Cameron Jerome 84).

Subs not used: Matt Macey, Tom Lockyer, Henri Lansbury, Dion Pereira.

Blues: John Ruddy, Maxime Colin, Marc Roberts, Auston Trusty. Ryan Woods, Juninho Bacuna, Troy Deeney (C Lukas Jutkiewicz 78), Scott Hogan, Przemyslaw Placheta (Jordan Graham 83), Jordan James, Dion Sanderson.

Subs not used: Neil Etheridge, George Friend, Jonathan Leko, Jobe Bellingham, Alfie Chang.

Referee: Graham Scott.

Booked: Bacuna 35, Sanderson 50, Woods 90.

Attendance: 9,921 (1,032 Blues).

Luton chief thought his side lacked 'sharpness' during City draw

Reaction from Kenilworth Road to opening day stalemate

Town boss Nathan Jones felt his side were just lacking a little bit of ‘sharpness’ during their opening day goalless draw against Birmingham City this afternoon.

The Hatters went closest to scoring in the first half when Luke Freeman, who impressed on his debut, forced experienced keeper John Ruddy into a low save after tricking his way into a shooting position.

The former Norwich and Wolves stopper was to frustrate Luton’s attacks throughout the contest, coming off his line commandingly and slowing down play when possible as well, with referee Graham Scott not intervening.

Carlton Morris was denied by a last-ditch block, before Town upped the ante in the second period, Freeman curling wide, as did Morris after a good burst on the left, while Ruddy collected sub Cauley Woodrow’s snapshot.

He looked to have been beaten by fellow replacement Harry Cornick late on, only for the forward to curl inches past the post, as speaking afterwards, Jones, who saw the Blues win 5-0 and 3-0 in both matches last term, said: “We always want to win a game, especially at home, but it was a hard-fought game.

"I thought we had the better of the chances, had some real good chances to have at least scored a goal, but I couldn’t have asked more from them.

"They tried right until the end, we're lacking a little bit of sharpness, which is understandable, as we had two weeks less than everyone (due to the play-offs).

"We had to come back, we’ve had a five week pre-season, so a little bit of sharpness was lacking really.

"We’ve had a real disjointed pre-season, that can sometimes catch up with you, but they gave me everything.

"I thought we created enough to have won the game, we must have had 12-15 set-plays, and just couldn't find the opening.

"If we find the opening, it would have been a different game, but in terms of endeavour, in terms of everything else, I can’t ask anything more than them.

"We're bedding in a few new players who I thought were really effective,

“Luke Freeman started the game really well, and we thought we’d only play him 60 as he’s missed a bit of the pre-season, but I'm really happy with the levels and how we went about our work.

"Ironically, we didn't take a point off these last year, so at least if we take the same points we did off everyone else, we’ll actually be in a better position.”

Hatters boss has 'no idea' on the rules of football anymore after Birmingham's time-wasting goes unpunished by officials

Luton manager frustrated that new directives aren’t being followed

Hatters boss Nathan Jones declared he has ‘no idea’ of the rules of the game anymore after opponents Birmingham City’s time-wasting tactics weren’t clamped down on during yesterday’s 0-0 draw at Kenilworth Road.

The Blues, who are under new management in John Eustace following Lee Bowyer’s departure over the summer, were clearly happy with a point from early on in the contest.

Keeper John Ruddy took his time over almost every goal kick, often calling his entire defence back before eventually clearing long upfield, while on the half hour mark, the Blues were even delaying taking their own corner, which saw referee Graham Scott speak to captain Troy Deeney.

As it showed no signs of stopping, the Town chief had to race down the touch-line at one point to retrieve the ball for the former Norwich stopper, while he spoke to the official at half time about the antics, and then even more animatedly at full time, after nothing had been done to prevent the spoiling tactics of the visitors.

Speaking afterwards, an exasperated Jones said: “I don’t know the rules of the game anymore, I’ve got to be honest with you, and they’re very educated refs now on answers and to be fair, it’s just baffling.

“If you kick a ball away now it’s not a booking, it used to be a booking, but as long as it doesn’t delay the restart, so that’s open to interpretation.

"As when you boot it up on the net, apparently, as long as someone can retrieve it in the next week or so, it doesn’t matter.

"But I don’t know the rules of the game, I honestly don’t know.

"The offside rule now, I don’t know, if it has a deflection from a defender that’s not intentional, but comes off and goes sideways, then it’s not.

"It’s crazy, and they’re just covering their backs, but it’s mental.

"We try and play as pure and as honest as we can, we try and get the ball back in play, we try to go from A to B and score goals and that’s what we do.

"But I’ve got be honest with you and you can quote me on this, I have no idea on the rules of the game.”

Although new rules have been laid out this season in an attempt to crack down on the amount of time-wasting during a game, Jones didn’t think there was any evidence of them coming into play during yesterday’s contest.

When asked if he had been made aware of such directives, he continued: “We have, but they can change them all they want, it’s crazy.

"When you go and speak to a referee, the interpretation and what they say, they’ve always got an answer, and for me, it’s plain and simple.

"You kick a ball away, you’re wasting time, you can clamp down on that.

"I spoke to the referee at half time, the same player did it twice extra.

"I think one, they’ve got a tough job, but two, nothing’s simple anymore and it’s ruining stuff.”

Midfielder Luke Freeman, who made his Luton debut, impressing during his 70 minutes on the field, was of the same opinion as his manager as well, saying: “You could see right from the start, they were time-wasting which was frustrating as we were trying to get that momentum going.

"But you could see they were time-wasting, almost from the first five, 10 minutes, so it shows how far we have come from.

“We’ve been told that (new rules) as well.

"As the gaffer has said it’s a tough job for them, but if they’re making a thing over that, I think they’ve got to start showing that they’re trying to make the effort.

"We’ve had meetings about this, it’s a tough job for them, but they don’t seem to be acting on it.

"For me personally, I know it’s tough, hats off to them for doing it, they’re making a big thing of it but it doesn’t really seem to be taking action as such.

"That's our opinion though, people might watch that and say differently.”

Following a terrific season in which the Hatters finished sixth in the table, it might be that time-wasting will be a regular occurrence at Kenilworth Road this term, with teams wary of opening up against Jones’ side.

When asked if that was a compliment and something they will need to get used to, the Town chief added: “I think we’ve always had to deal with it here, apart from one season in the Championship, we’ve always had to deal with something here.

"I don’t know what Birmingham’s tactics were, yes, it’s masked under the playing out from the back thing when you line everyone up and it takes 30 seconds.

"You do that in the final minute when you’re 1-0 up then it’s a booking, so it’s a different rule in the first 10 minutes.

"There’s so much open to interpretation, but whether we take it as a compliment or not, we’d like to create a tempo at home.

"If we can create that tempo we’re a decent side, if others don’t want to create that tempo then it’s on us and that’s how we are.”

Luton chief wasn't prepared to risk injured trio against City

Jones not expecting any lengthy absences among his squad

Luton boss Nathan Jones wasn’t prepared to risk injured trio Luke Berry, Reece Burke and Alfie Doughty against Birmingham City yesterday.

Doughty, a summer signing, from Stoke City, had impressed during the pre-season campaign, starting last weekend’s final friendly against West Ham United that ended in a 1-1 draw.

However, the 22-year-old, who missed large chunks of 2020-21 season with a hamstring tear when at Charlton, also having his loan spell with Cardiff curtailed by injuries last term, wasn’t involved against the Blues, joining Burke and Berry in missing out.

Asked how they were, Jones said: “It’s just muscular things that they’ve picked up that we couldn’t test them today.

"We could have risked Reece Burke, but we didn’t.

"Doughty we’ve got to be very careful with as he’s picked up injuries before and we’ve got to really build him up.

"Then Luke Berry again is someone who’s done really well in pre-season in patches, but we’ve got to be very careful with him as we have to build him up.

"But we’ve got a lot to come back, Pelly’s (Mpanzu) not too far away, so we’ve got a real strong squad.

"People like Admiral Muskwe and Carlos (Mendes Gomes) weren’t involved today so that shows the strength we have.”