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Since the away game at Barnsley on Nov 9th we have had to play as follows.
Tranmere in the FA Cup. 1pm Saturday instead of 3pm.
QPR in the league. 7:45pm on Friday instead of Saturday 3pm.
Margate in the FA Cup. 1pm Saturday instead of 3pm.
Colchester in the league. 7:45pm on Friday instead of 3pm on Saturday.
Luton Town in the league. 12 noon instead of 3pm.
Then to follow Northampton in the league. 12 noon instead of 3pm.
City go to Luton on the back of a 2 - 1 win at Colchester, another 3 points for the Bluebirds would be the perfect set up for next weeks two home games against Huddersfield and Swindon.
Luton will still be smarting from the 96th minute equaliser scored by Bristol City at Ashton Gate last Saturday. Reading the reaction from the Luton supporters yeo get the impression they felt the referee would have played all night until Bristol had scored. (It brings back memories of Plymouth away for City fans).
In the next 12 games City only face two teams currently in the top 10, Luton are one. Oldham at home on Jan 31st is the other. If the Bluebirds can get something from this game then you would have to say that the other fixtures over the next couple of months should be considerably easier games to earn points from.
Thursdays game is the 23rd of the season. When the final whistle blows City will have completed exactly half of the season. Possibly on 49 points. One thing is for sure, we will not be relegated. A repeat second half of the season would surely guarantee automatic promotion.
Luton have not fared so well at home as away this season with only 1 win in the last 6 league and cup games. That was against Guisley in the FA Cup.
There is a big Lennie Lawrence connection between the teams. Lennie was in charge of the Hatters for around 250 games between 1995 and 2000.
City again find themselves going to a ground that we have not won at in a generation. It was September 1981 when we last won there, although since then we have only ever been there once, a 1 - 0 defeat in 1999. Historically we do not do well at Luton. Only 3 wins in 25 appearances is testimony to that. On two of those occasions Luton romped home 8 - 1 we really must start to address the balance.
Team news will follow on Tuesday evening with City having the same squad that won at Colchester available. The bans for Graham Kavanagh (1 game v Huddersfield) and Fan Zhiyi (3 games, Coventry, Northampton and Cheltenham) are not enforced yet. It's anyone's guess if Lennie will go with Andy Campbell in the left midfield role again, or whether the unfortunate to be dropped Gary Croft will get his starting place back.
The only surefire thing is that Robert Earnshaw will be the first name of the teamsheet, and he will be hoping to add to the 21 goals already scored this season so far. The club record is only 30 in a season. Earnie is well on course to smash that record.
There will be the usual coverage in the chat room, commentary from Radio Wales and the official website and first reaction on the messageboard.
If I do not make contact with you before the game then have a very Merry Christmas.