Player of the Month for September

Two candidates of the coveted prize congratulate each other on the nomination.

September saw Luton pick up a few points, but generally the performance throughout the month was pretty lacklustre. They were slightly unlucky to come away from Elland Road without any points, losing 1-0, but recovered in the Mickey Mouse Trophy, with goals from Hutchinson and Paul Peschisolido ensuring a 2-0 win over Northampton. However, in the league, Luton suffered a first home defeat of the season against Bristol Rovers, most notable for Matthew Spring having to take his penalty three times because of infringements, with Spring scoring all of them. Luton then went to Tranmere and blew a 1-0 lead from a Furlong header in the first few minutes. Two goals conceded in the last ten minutes saw Tranmere pick up all three points. Luton finally returned to winning ways the next week with a far from convincing 2-1 home victory over struggling Port Vale. Furlong and Bell scored the Luton goals, but a late consolation goal from Vale ensured a nervous end to the match. The Hatters then pulled off their performance of the month, with a 3-1 victory over Charlton after extra-time in the League Cup. Goals from Steve Robinson, Matthew Spring and Drew Talbot ensured Luton progressed to the 4th Round of the League Cup. The team couldn't continue their good form into the last weekend of the month, however, and came away from Huddersfield on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline, to end the month suitably disappointed.

Apologies for the late article on last month's Player of the Month, this was due to unforeseen circumstances of the editor not being bothered to write all of this rubbish. Anyway, I nominate five players each month, and this month I had a few problems looking for some players. However, my shortlist ended up like this:

1. Paul Furlong - The former QPR striker, who recently turned 39, continued his good form into September with another two goals, and unfortunately a red card in the last game of the month against Huddersfield. He continues to exceed everyone's expectations of him, including Kevin Blackwell's, and is rapidly proving to be one of the better signings of the summer. Which isn't necessarily saying much to be honest.

2. David Bell - The only bad thing about David Bell's form in September is that he will be keeping the Premiership scouts interested, and being under 32 and under 5 foot 7, he could be one to leave in the next transfer window. Scored a very good goal against Port Vale this month, and he provides a lot of much needed pace in the team down the right wing.

3. Matthew Spring - Not necessarily chosen because he has been on top form this month (although in most matches he has played well), but because of his work rate. Spring's efforts in midfield are second to none, and the amount of running he has done in the midfield is astonishing in some matches. He also deserves a mention for his penalty against Bristol Rovers at the start of the month, where after interferences from a ridiculously pedantic referee, he had to take his penalty three times, scoring each time. He also put in a superb performance against Charlton in the League Cup, scoring a key goal in extra-time in the process.

4. Steve Robinson - Robinson has certainly improved a lot fromlast season, after being originally drafted into the side as cover for David Edwards. Blackwell then changed his formation to fit both Edwards and Robinson into the team on the Welshman's return from international duty and injury. The highlight of the month for Robbo was probably the League Cup match against Charlton, where he put in an exceptional performance alongside Spring and also scored a superb volley to put Luton on level terms in normal time. His form in September saw him earn a call-up to the Northern Ireland full squad.

5. Chris Coyne -This may seem like a strange choice, and basically, it is. Coyne was probably our best defender of the month, and performed reasonably well in the games he appeared in without really excelling. He was definitely better than Chris Perry at the back, and it could be said he was the best of a poor bunch of defenders, with the exception of Jaroslaw Fojut.






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