Luton
Emberson
Bayliss
Coyne
Johnson
Perrett
Taylor
Nicholls
Spring
Crowe
Howard
Valois

The Famous Five are Giggsy, Pauly, Jono, Becky & Sophie

A beautiful day and a large crowd (5,436) welcomed Luton's arrival at Vetch Field, and with a fan following that any home side would have been proud of. The vocals of the visiting fans created a great atmosphere for the match, which if Luton won, would secure their promotion back into Division 2.

The Swans fielded the same side that played Barry in midweek, and Darlington last Saturday with a 4-4-2 formation.

	Freestone

	De Vulgt	Todd		O'Leary	Howard

	Brodie	Mumford	Coates	Casey		
		Williams		Watkin

On the bench were – Jones, Romo, Sidibe, Cusack and Smith

The first half hour of the game saw the Swans have the majority of the possession, but despite this, there was a hugely disappointing failure by them to make any impression. The lack of penetration in front of goal is nothing short of woeful. We appear to be carrying three players in Watkin, Coates and Brodie who when given the ball and opportunity in an attacking position, can do little else but pass back or look to move the ball sideward. Where is the killer instinct that strikers, and attacking midfielders are supposed to possess?

Today's efforts on that front were partly limited anyway by the atrocious performance of Casey. The lack of effort, interest and basic skill that he demonstrates in a game is unbelievable, and if a contract is offered to a player like this, in the position we are at present then serious questions will need to be asked. A gentleman sitting behind us was very entertaining in his commentary on Casey's performance. More to the point he was very accurate – 'Bejaysus, what am I supposed to be doing with this ball now? I don't want it'.

Unfortunately today, Casey's performance was not isolated. Once we fell behind on 31 minutes to a poor goal with the defence nowhere, we seemed to lose faith in our abilities. De Vulgt, Coates, Howard and Todd all showed a lack of ability to weight a pass, and find their team mates, and once more, time and again we gave possession away and made life very difficult for ourselves.

Half time came, and we had really only created a couple of openings, with our best chance coming from a 6 yard scramble towards the end of the half. Certainly changes were needed. Both sides took the opportunity to replace players during the interval, but none so sensible as Casey being replaced by Romo.

As the second half progressed, Luton started to take control of the game. They were not an outstanding side particularly, but were doing enough to contain Swansea, and it always seemed likely that a second goal would seal it for them. Then shortly after Sidibe had replaced Williams on 57 minutes, the second came. Luton broke through the defence, and despite Roger Freestone blocking the shot with his feet, the ball went loose and was hammered in on the rebound.

Ten minutes or so later, came Swansea's best chance of the half so far, when Sidibe headed across goal from Romo's corner, but the ball went wide. With the exception of Mumford's consolation goal just into injury time, that was the end of Swansea' goal attempts. The third Luton goal came from a defensive error by Todd, with about 15 minutes to go, and but for two superb tackles by Man of the Match (say the Famous Five) O'Leary, the score would have been worse. The Luton keeper did not have a save to make throughout the game, and that is so frustrating.

In the end were we close to getting a result in this match? Answer No where 'Kinnear.

So where are we now. Looking at things overall, we played a team who were going for automatic promotion. They got it, without playing well, but we caused them little or no discomfort.

Cusack kept the same team as has played in the last two games, and I am not sure what benefit that was today. We have four games left, and decisions need to be made around retained lists and contracts. I cannot see what Cusack has learned from today, other than maybe a career with PFA isn't such a bad thing, and that Casey should be released without question. However, if he didn't know that already we should be worried. Do you think that the whole crowd can be wrong and the management team right?

Why is Jason Smith on the bench but not brought on to test the ankle? Will Jason Jones ever get a game to prove whether he is worth keeping or not. Will any youngsters taste first team football before next season? We are not just talking about contract renewals; we are looking at retention or release of players to enable us to build a squad that will give us a chance to move forward.

Too many of our players look jaded. Some of them run and work hard throughout the game, but it is often unnecessary and unproductive work. Effort doesn't equal output. We are trying too often to play fancy football in positions where we need to move the ball firmly and quickly. This is Division 3, and will be for a long time unless we get players who can play the way we need to, to get out of it.

Throughout this season, the players have had the benefit of the doubt due to off the field circumstances. The crowds have been lenient, but that is all passed. There is nowhere to hide now. Bad performances are just that – bad performances, no mitigating circumstances anymore. There doesn't seem to be such a thing as a 50/50 ball anymore. If it gets to that stage with most players, it's the oppositions, end of story.

Another point worth mentioning, Mumford was booked for throwing the ball at an opponent. Being one of our better players, we can ill afford to lose him through stupid suspensions for incidents like that. A bit of discipline work in the summer may be worthwhile.

Let's hope we move into 2002/2003 season with that in mind, and with one focus; to play football as it needs to be played to get out of this division. I am sure that we will be doing it without a few of the names mentioned below.

Next stop Rushden and Diamonds, and the Famous Five will be there to see it all. The reports are critical, but are they unjustified?

Marks as follows: -  
Roger Freestone - 5 - Poor game by his standard, at fault at all three goals
Leigh De-Vulgt - 4 - Tried hard, but had a difficult time of it
Michael Howard - 5 - Ok first half, but up against strong winger, he found it hard
Chris Todd - 5 - Several mistakes but battled throughout
Kris O'Leary - 8 - Outstanding
Andrew Mumford - 7 - Again the best of the midfield and probably deserved his goal
Jonathan Coates - 5 - Fluctuated between the brilliant and the frustrating
Ryan Casey - No mark - Did not wish to embarrass him with a mark.  Which hopefully says it all
Steve Brodie - 4 - Ineffective, always seems happier playing in the pocket behind the front two
Steve Watkin - 5 - As usual, holds the ball up well, but little or no threat in opposition's area
John Williams - 5 - Quiet game, lacked support from midfield