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Ling previews Luton

Posted on: Fri 10 Sep 2010

Martin Ling takes a confident squad to Luton Town for tomorrow's Blue Square Bet Premier match.

Two successive wins have seen the U's climb the table after a mediocre start to the season, and they will hope to make it three when they tackle Richard Money's Hatters.

Martin Ling

Manager Ling (above) said: "In the first five games we only got three points and were second from bottom, but it's a very volatile league and after a couple of wins the whole picture changes.

"It was a convincing performance against Gateshead, and a pleasing one because four of the goals stemmed from rebounds off the goalkeeper and players following up.

"Once we got that first goal there was only one team in it, and I think if we'd got one early on against Southport you would have seen a similar result.

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"The difference was Southport came to spoil the match and play for a draw, whereas Gateshead were a bit more attacking and wanted to make a game of it until we sussed out their system."

Ling is pleased with the attacking power at his disposal after seeing his charges boost their goal difference by going nap against the Heed.

"Getting an early goal opens teams up, and with Robbie Willmott and Conal Platt on the wings, and Simon Russell in central midfield, we've got an attacking line up that will always score goals and create chances," he said.

"Looking at the league table I think we've got the second best goal difference now, so it shows what an impact one game can have. We've conceded five, which is good, and scored ten, which isn't too bad having had that one game to tip the balance.

"Wayne Gray and Daryl Clare have got their first goals, so that has an impact too, and everyone around the place has had a little confidence boost."

The U's make the trip to Kenilworth Road without Adam Miller and Kevin Roberts, both of whom are several weeks away from fitness.

But Daryl Clare and Rory McAuley are both fit to play having missed a couple of days training this week.

Of the opposition, Ling said: "After they won their first three games I think the feeling was they might coast through the league, but having only got two points from their last four matches I know there are a few rumblings of discontent down there.

"The Luton fans expected their team to go straight through the league, but they'll be starting to realise now that this division isn't an easy place to get out of, you only have to look at the example of Oxford United.

"It [Luton] is a big club, probably the biggest that's ever been in this division, but you are where you are and they have to deal with that. There are probably 10 - 12 teams in the Conference now who think they should be in the football league."

Several familiar faces are likely to feature for the Hatters, with ex-U's manager Gary Brabin in the dug out alongside Money, and former players Dan Gleeson, Danny Crow, and Fred Murray in the playing squad.

Ling said: "I'm sure Richard will know plenty about us with Dan Gleeson, Danny Crow (pictured below), and Gary Brabin there.

Danny Crows celebrates his goals at Luton

"But we've had quite a change in personnel since Gary left, so they won't be as familiar with a lot of our players. And it would be nice to get a result against two of the players who chose to leave the club in the summer.

"Their ground is a good place to go and I'm sure they'll be six or seven thousand people there, and those are the kind of games you want to play in. You go to some of the grounds in this division and it can difficult to get yourself up for the match - it shouldn't be like that but it is - but Luton away is a match to look forward to," he added.

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