The ACN Match Review 24/25 – Luton Town (h)

How did we play?
My last review was the game against Middlesbrough and that was crazy – this one wasn’t much different although we were certainly the better team and deserved to win, not just through the way we played (sometimes) but how well we used our substitutes. Despite a few recent worries, when mostly fit our squad is stronger than previous seasons and that showed in this match, which was enough to bring on a strong final 15 minutes dictated by Marcelino Nunez, that put Luton in their place. Before then, we spent a lot of time huffing and puffing giving silly goals away and gifting the ball to an unusually placid opposition who shouldn’t have got anywhere near our goal. It is all, at the very least, entertaining and there is some lovely football on offer so let’s be grateful for that.

What was the best bit of the game?
At 2-2 and with no one on either team being able to stop passing to the opposition / someone’s arse / elbow / into the stands, up stepped Shane Duffy who’d clearly decided enough was enough, took the ball and piled up the pitch like a JCB digger at full throttle, onto the edge of the area and created our third and decisive goal. We were all crying out, “Come on Nodge, someone wannut” – and so he did. It changed the game and was just what we needed.

What was the worst bit of the game?
Look away now if you are of a sensitive disposition. I would like to give you notice that I am about to question some of our beloved manager’s decision making. In particular his persistence at playing Kellen Fisher at left back. Fisher is very talented but, like England in the Euros, playing a right footer in that position disabled our attacking outlet down the left, one Borja Sainz, who is quite good, as we have noticed. Sainz was getting increasingly frustrated as Fisher’s body shape on receiving the ball was faced towards midfield, playing it square or backwards each time, meaning that ball into Sainz’s space was never on. Is Chrisene so bad that he can’t play there? Stacey was marauding on the right but leaving big gaps behind him when losing the ball. Sainz was desperate for the through ball that works so well for him, and we were struggling. Fisher at right back, Chrisene left back would’ve made sense to me and Borja Sainz. Just saying.

What was the atmosphere like?
Pretty fun and feisty and Luton’s fans gave us plenty to engage with especially after their first goal: “You must be shit, we’re winning away” is always nice to hear and then put four goals past the opposition.

Hero of the match
Ante Crnac. Correct player in the correct position scores goals. Who’d have thought it? For years now Norwich have been guilty of not giving young, actual strikers a decent chance to prove themselves when stepping in for Josh Sargent so it’s about time we let it happen. These weren’t lucky goals, Crnac worked hard for them and he looks like he’ll score more.

Summary in Five Words
About time we beat Luton