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  • Writer's pictureOliver Kay

4 observations as Stoke City secure 2-0 win against Luton Town amidst Nathan Jones uncertain

Luton Town suffered defeat at Stoke City last night with the Potters running out as 2-0 winners at the Bet 365 Stadium.


Nick Powell opened the scoring for the Staffordshire club with three minutes on the clock before Tom Lockyer's own goal doubled the advantage for the hosts.


Here, are four observations made during last night's defeat at Stoke...


Basic errors by not pressing crosses


Both goals were conceded from the Stoke players not being closed down.


The first goal coming from Stoke’s left centre back Morgan Fox crossing from deep while Allan Campbell, uncharacteristically, gave him all the time in the world to put the ball into the danger zone, finding an unmarked Powell, who always scores against us.


The second goal was also a result of the Scotsman letting the cross in after we got over loaded down our right side due to good play from Tarique Fosu.


The cross came in from Harry Souttar, who had a tremendous game, and Lockyer headed in while trying to clear it.


Elijah playing left wing


I noticed it more last night, than I have done in the past, Adebayo was playing on the left wing for the entire second half.


He did well tracking back, but fundamentally, if you want to score goals, and you have a player of Adebayo's ability, you need to be in between the goal posts.


Elijah Adebayo and Tom Lockyer battle away with Ben Wilmot during last night's defeat at Stoke City | Photo copyright of Gareth Owen/LTFC

This is a problem that can surface when playing two up top in Adebayo and Morris, but more often than not it’s Morris that stays central with the former Walsall man drifting off to the wing.


With strike partnerships, having them close to each other is optimal, so they can feed off each other, and help one another not feel so isolated.


Cornick not quite to the levels we know he is capable of


Harry Cornick is yet to hit the levels that us Luton fans have come to expect of him in recent seasons.


Last night was a pretty below-par display from the forward, dribbling into blind alleys, or straight into the opposition.


When he ran with the ball he didn’t look up and therefore missed early opportunities to get a quick pass away and send others, who were in better positions away.


Not incisive enough when attacking


The final ball was lacking every time we got into the attacking third, as mentioned above with Cornick not looking up to pass the ball, the play in the final third was slow and ponderous.


When seeing a lot more of the ball, as was necessary after going two goals down early on, the Hatters do sometimes struggle to carve open a low block defence.


Should Jones depart, it will be interesting to see if this changes with whoever is trusted with taking charge at Kenilworth Road.


Featured image: Copyright of Gareth Owen/LTFC

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