Buckle demands Town make a fast start

The visiting side haven’t won an away game for over a year since triumphing 1-0 at York City last August, so Buckle is hoping his side take the game to their opponents.

He said: “All our training this week will be geared towards trying to play at the intensity we’ve spoken about.

“We want to try and get the first and second goal, the players understand that.

“We want to get in front each game and see the opposition having got quite a lot to do.

“When you see us playing at a high tempo and playing at pace, teams find it difficult.

“We’re building on that, saying that’s the way forward for us, with and without the ball as we want to play a attacking game.

Town’s squad were able to enjoy a weekend off after Friday night’s 2-1 win at Hyde, but have been worked hard in training this week.

Buckle continued: “Three games in six days is probably as heavy going as you’ll get it all season.

“We gave them a couple of days off and that was well earned because they’ve really put a shift in during training.

“When you get the wins and the players see the rewards of playing at high tempo, defending on the front foot, all of those things, it does fast-track it for you as a coach.

“We were delighted with what we’ve done. People have got things to work on but it reinforces the good things the players have been doing.”

One of the main things that Buckle wanted to implement at Kenilworth Road this season was a great fitness amongst the players as it was something he felt was lacking when he took over last year.

With Town coming from behind in two of their three matches so far this campaign, he feels it’s a factor that is definitely improving.

The boss said: “The players are getting their rewards for putting the effort in pre-season.

“We really do look fit and strong. We’re lasting in games and if you see how quick the attacks were we inflicting on Hyde, that’s because we train at a high tempo.

“Two games in quick succession, we had to show our fitness and our energy levels, so it’s the biggest thing for us.

“The lads who haven’t been lucky enough to be in that starting 11 have been doing a lot of extra training after the other boys have finished so they’re all up to speed.

“It’s really important that the whole suawd understand that at any given time they’ll get their opportunity and what they must do is take it.

“So if they’re fit and ready, they’ll get their opportunity and it’s a major part of football now, coming off the bench and.

“I changed it against Gateshead and changed it against Hyde and the players must take credit for that along with the staff as we’re very organised.”

The boss is hoping for another bumper turnout from the Town fans and hopes they continue creating a positive atmosphere for the squad to play their football in at Kenilworth Road.

At times under former manager Gary Brabin last season, there was nervy and tense feel to the place, but with away wins at Kidderminster and particularly Hyde, when Town fell a goal behind, Buckle is hoping the home supporters are fully behind their team.

He said: “I never feel I have to call for the Luton fans to come out, they’re always there, they’ve not let anyone down since I’ve been at the club.

“They play a major role and none other than you saw on Friday night. It’s amazing what a positive crowd can do, an upbeat crowd and we know we’ve got major role to play in it with energising them to get the noise levels up.

“The Luton fans can only help the players, it’s not mentioned enough. If you’ve got a real energetic crow behind you, it’s a great thing.

“People tell me stuff about the past, all I can talk about is since I’ve been at the club.

“I think the players are giving them what they want to say which is hard work and energy.

“If you get a lazy team that can’t be bothered, I wouldn’t have that if I was paying good money. I want to see a team that’s up for it and when I’m here they’ll always see a Luton team that’s up for it.”

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