Press Conference with Paul Buckle

Yesterday I was lucky enough to attend the pre match press conference with Paul Buckle. He came to the University to do appear in front of students and give us the opportunity to ask questions and take notes.



First off, the local press got their chance to ask the gaffer some questions, grilling him on the team’s recent performances, any changes he may be making coming up to the cup and trophy games and to find out when we will be seeing injured players back out on the field. Buckle told how he treated every game with respect whether it is in the league, FA Cup or FA Trophy and planned on doing well in all three.

Injuries then became the topic of conversation, something always on the tip of a Luton fan’s tongue is the latest player to be out injured, we must have the most over-worked physio in football! Buckle explained how winger James Dance has been “desperate for a start ever since he put his boots back on”; Danny Spiller has been in shock therapy to his Achilles and is getting closer to making his long anticipated Luton Town debut. Garry Richards may also be seen out on the pitch in January but with no reserve games the manager is finding it difficult to give the players time to get back into the game. Jon Shaw is another name on the injury list eager to get back into the squad but with strikers Fleetwood, Gray and Rendell all in good form the manager is reluctant to risk him before he is ready.

However, the manager did admit to not having too much to do with players when they aren’t in training and puts a lot of trust in the Town’s physio, Simon. Buckle said: “When players are fit they appear on the training field.”

And on the training field is where Buckle and his coaching team take over where they try to “instil a winning mentality” into the team. And the manager describes the training field as “the best place to improve”.

As Luton continue to progress in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy competitions they are falling behind in the league, something Buckle does think needs to be looked at as he is concerned about the games build up and Luton no longer have a 30+ squad they can chop and change for league and non-league games.

Buckle wouldn’t sacrifice his team or put out a weakened squad for a competition as he knows progression within the competitions could be huge for the clubs both financially and with the coverage players at this level wouldn’t normally receive.

Loan defender Simon Ainge was a big talking point the gaffer and he has certainly got fans talking since his arrival. The club recently announced they were extending his loan until December and hope to make him a permanent fixture come January. Buckle explained the young player is inexperienced at this level of football and is playing against better players than he is used to. He is also training a lot harder and a lot more often but Buckle is still sure on what he saw in the player when he applied for the loan. Describing Ainge as “a real gem” the manager stated he always has confidence in all the players he signs.