Back to Kenilworth Road

Luton Town have aspired to a new stadium for a long time with sites near the M1 being discussed. But they are still in Kenilworth Road which must be one of the odder stadiums in the Football League. I remember visiting there in the 1990s and going through a passageway alongside a house and then climbing some steps adjacent to a back garden to get into the away end.

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I met the local Hatter in one of the Royal Spa's 47 coffee shops this morning, but he had little insight to offer beyond saying that both teams are doing 'quite well'. I might have got more out of the predominantly Portuguese speaking clientele, but they were more interested in games in their native Brazil.

Charlton are currently 2nd in the League One form table and Luton are 7th. Most of their success has been at home with three wins, one draw and no defeats. Last week they drew 0-0 at Blackpool, but that was largely due to some super saves made by the home keeper.

Four Four Two forecast a 7th place finish at the beginning of the season.

Luton supremo Nathan Jones says of the Addicks: 'A tough game. a good side, a very good side. The manager has done well there under difficult circumstances, fair play. They're a good side, a big club for this level. They've got good players and it will be a real good test of us, our structure and where we are because there are sides that are Premiership, or ex-Premiership sides at this level, and they're one of them. it'll be a tough test, but a great test for us.'

On Charlton's strike force, he said: 'They've got some potency there, Lyle Taylor and Karlan Grant are a real potent strike force at this level and we will have to be at our best. But, we're in good form at the minute, two back-to-back clean sheets, so we can't go into it in any better defensive form, so we will see. It's a wonderful game, full house. Charlton is a wonderful club, I have actually worked for them, so I know what a fantastic club it is, but I also know what a fantastic club we are.'

Jason Pearce says that the feeling in the camp is really positive at the moment. Lee Bowyer is a tough manager to please, but that is the way the defender likes it: Happy at demands

Mad as Hatters

I am meeting a Hatter tomorrow morning to discuss Saturday's game between Luton Town and Charlton Athletic.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that 'Bedfordshire Police will be running a free bussing operation for all Charlton fans attending the above game. The busses [sic] will be located at the train station and can be utilised to get to and from Kenilworth Road Station [stadium?] Officers will be at the station to assist and answer any questions. Luton has a guided busway system which if circumstances allow, will be able to get Charlton fans to the ground and back from the stadium to the station within 2 minutes.'

I do not know what you are supposed to do if you intend to go by car. Presumably the bus operation is in part intended to deal with all the Addicks hard men that will be arriving (including the Bloke Behind Me who lives in the area). Perhaps there are memories of the notorious visit by Millwall to Kenilworth Road in 1985 which influenced Mrs Thatcher's stance on football: Riot