Hatters faithful label centre half a 'colossus' after 'immense' full debut against Hornets
Town defender catches the eye during full debut in Watford win
Luton defender Tom Holmes was labelled a ‘colossus’ by Town fans after what they felt was an ‘immense’ full debut for the club against Watford on Saturday.
The 24-year-old had signed for the Hatters from Reading in January, only to finish the 2023-24 campaign back on loan with the Royals, although scarcely featured due to injury. Holmes had then made just three substitute outings this term since returning to Kenilworth Road, before finally getting his first chance from the opening whistle at the weekend.
He almost marked it in the most bizarre fashion, seeing a 45-yard backpass fly over the head of goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski and bounce inches wide of the post within the first five minutes, a true heart in your mouth moment for the centre half. After that scare though, Holmes showed just why Town signed him, seeing a volley deflect into the net off Jordan Clark for the opener, before using his physicality to dominate the Hornets forwards, never allowing them a second’s peace, in what was a quite brilliant opening 45 minutes.
Having suffered a blow to the head in the latter stages, it was a real shame when that and a number of other niggles meant he didn’t reappear after the break, but reacting to his display on social media, @MISTERPDW said: “If that back pass had gone in, Association Football would have peaked. He has limitations, but at the moment, we need some old school defending, and he provided that. Bit of Lockyer's type of defending in him. Football is a very simple game, complicated by overthinking.”
@JM11_GEE: “Surprised how "up for it" he was and "on it" for a debut. Pretty incredible.” @LTFC_Dave: “Once he realised which way we were going, he was a colossus. Probably a blessing in disguise he went off as he was 100% looking to get back at Pollock for leaving one on him. Just hope he's back for Wednesday now.” @ltfc_rhys: “A very shaky start with that backpass but immense after that.”
@LeeDeason7: “Excellent, showed fight and determination which we have been missing all season. Disappointed when he was replaced at half time. Hopefully he's fit for Wednesday night." @_danhayward01: “First goal was practically his, thought he was physically intimidating. Very solid debut.” @JohnTDMartin: “Luck is a lady. Back pass goes in and is an og and we lose.....he might never start for LTFC again. Now...I'm praying he's fit for Weds.”
@Satters88: “Old School centre half & seems vocal I was watching prior to the game 3 centre halves going through training drills and he seemed mega pumped for the game. Is a natural leader & was captain at reading when he was 21. Feel he has a role to play.” @CBthehat: “Thought he was always decent for Reading when we played them same with MMcG at Cardiff. Both need time to bed in and yesterday was a great day for both."
@gregrmatthews: “I thought he was excellent and I’m surprised he’s had hardly any game time as he looks like a fighter and a ball winner. Ideal game for him yesterday and hopefully he’s back for Wednesday.” @bradersfirst: “Agree nerves showed wiv a back pass or 2. Him and Mcguiness defended superbly kept it simple put his head in when it mattered his positioning was good and had there defenders in his pocket for the first half. Gona have tougher tests but did very well.”
@Aguirre115622: “Could see why we brought him in - that was a performance.” @Koukkoullis1: “Great commitment, want to see more of the same every week.” @Andysbrett: “Once someone pointed him in the right direction as to which Luton were attacking after he tried to dink one over Kaminski I thought he played really well, did the simple things well! Hopefully more to come.”
@lutonbadger: “Thought he was excellent apart from the early error. We looked more solid at the back with him and McGuinness settled in.” @mattyjh11: “Thought he was excellent once his 45 yard attempt was out of the way.” @Dignan92: “Apart from one mistake with the near own goal, he has been pretty decent. Give him time and he'll be far more comfortable.”
@ltfc_xw10: “Think the best way to look at Holmes yesterday that he looked hungry to impress. Don’t think he’s the best ball player, but I think he’s what we need because we play better.” @prishungry: “As we finally got rid of this slow, build from the back style it suited him better, just defend and do it simple. He's not built to be a ball player, nor is MM, but it's no coincidence that both had solid performances when operating to their strengths.”
@killawat: “Back pass aside I thought he looked good. Straightforward and simple. Exactly what we needed.” @Fowler1Gary: “A nervous first 5 minutes, but he grew onto the game, and it was a shame that he had to go off at half time.” @gezprioruk: “Like everyone else played well has hardly had any minutes.” @coles_phil: “Back pass aside I thought he was great. A proper roll yer sleeves up get stuck in old school defender, something we've lacked lately.”
@urrrzzzz: “Good to see a lot of positives about him. "@weejilou: “If you forget the first 6 minutes an absolute warrior. Would have loved that first goal to have been his.” @_louie_pepper: “Man mountain.” @GrantTheHatter: “Warrior.” @talkabouttom: “Ignoring the first 5 minutes, he played quite well.” @Seanrc951: “Very solid.”