Media View: Expert insight on Luton

Jason Tindall’s team reached the halfway stage of the season in third place following their 1-1 draw with Millwall at Vitality Stadium on Tuesday.

The Hatters do battle with the Cherries for the second time in a month, the teams having shared the points from a 0-0 draw at Kenilworth Road on December 19th.

Since then, Nathan Jones’s men have suffered league defeats against Reading and QPR as well as triumphing 2-1 over Bristol City.

They avenged their 2-1 reverse by Reading at the Madjeski Stadium on Boxing Day by beating the Royals 1-0 in the third round of the FA Cup last Saturday.

On their travels this season, the Hatters have registered 1-0 wins at Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham and drawn at Huddersfield and Coventry.

Nine points adrift of safety in early February last season, they won three of their final four games to beat the drop having won back-to-back promotions in 2018 and 2019.

Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Simon Oxley who covers the fortunes of the Hatters for BBC Three Counties Radio.

Ticketing Information

All you need to know on our ticketing, opening hours and access around Vitality Stadium.

LUTON TOWN IN PROFILE

Manager: Nathan Jones (May 2020)

Club captain: Sonny Bradley

Last game: Luton Town 0-2 QPR (Championship)

Leading goalscorer 2020/21: James Collins (nine in all competitions)

League position: 14^th

Past six league results: WLDLWL

afcb.co.uk: Is 14^th place a fair reflection of Luton’s season at the halfway stage?

SO: I think so. It has certainly been better than last season but they are still a work in progress. They are becoming Championship savvy, if you like.

At times last season, it was all very new and they were up against teams which were experienced at that level and above.

They have got a few positive results in the bag this time round and have grown in confidence.

Where they are is probably about right and would certainly be above expectations of most supporters who would be more than happy with where they are.

afcb.co.uk: Summarise the tenure of Nathan Jones (pictured above) since he returned to the club?

SO: When he left for Stoke in January 2019, there was huge disappointment because he had got the club back on the up.

It took him a while to get things going but he got them up through the League Two play-offs and they were doing very well in League One when he left.

But the momentum that had been built up plus the work that was done by those who remained, Mick Harford in particular, meant they carried on.

Since he has been back, you could argue he has surpassed his first spell just by keeping them in the Championship in unique conditions with no fans and nobody really giving them much of a chance.

There was huge anger when he left but everyone is very much Team Jones now given the fact he kept them up and has built on it this season.

afcb.co.uk: How has Harry Cornick (pictured above) fared since he joined the Hatters?

SO: He’s certainly a favourite among the fans and he continues to grow with the team. By his own admission, he would probably like to score a few more goals.

But he gives everything and there is no shortage of effort. He’s a very hard-working player and supporters appreciate that. Hopefully, the goals will come.

He stood out in a team which, more often than not, was getting beaten in the first two-thirds of last season. He was one of the ones who coped with the level and has carried that on.

Apart from James Collins, nobody is scoring regularly but other players are chipping in and I think he would like to be among those chipping in.

afcb.co.uk: How much of a blow was it for Luton to have Rhys Norrington-Davies (pictured above) recalled by Sheffield United and then immediately loaned to Stoke?

SO: It certainly didn’t go down very well. The inference was that it was his decision and it was an opportunity to step up.

I think there was a disappointment that he decided to go, particularly as he was very much given a chance. In the circumstances, he was pretty much as regular as anyone could be.

It’s a blow because he’s a good player and, since joining Luton, he became an international.

But they’ve got a strong squad so ought to be able to cope and have talked about bringing in someone now he’s gone.

If he’d gone back to Sheffield United and gone into their team people would have said ‘okay, fair enough’. But the fact he stayed in the division has left a few people scratching their heads.

afcb.co.uk: Who is Luton’s one to watch?

SO: Kieran Dewsbury-Hall (pictured above) is the one who is making all the headlines locally. He’s on loan from Leicester and has looked very assured.

The fear is he might go the same way as Norrington-Davies and everybody is hoping the window closes with him still there.

There’s no indication he will be going but there wasn’t much of an indication that Norrington-Davies would either so people are a little nervous.

He looks a really accomplished player.

afcb.co.uk: Are any players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?

SO: There are no suspensions. Matty Pearson didn’t feature against QPR in midweek so must still be a doubt.

afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?

SO: Luton’s away form isn’t their strong point at the moment and I’d like to think there will be some response from a disappointing performance against QPR. I think they would be pleased to get a 1-1 draw.

You can follow Simon on Twitter – @SimonOxley9

Officials: David Webb (referee), Ian Cooper (assistant), Adrian Waters (assistant), Craig Hicks (fourth official).

Ticketing Information

All you need to know on our ticketing, opening hours and access around Vitality Stadium.