Jack Wilshere apologised to Luton Town’s players and staff after being sent off during the Hatters’ 2-1 defeat at Stevenage last night, his assistant Chris Powell said.
The Luton boss was dismissed from the touchline for dissent just 23 minutes into a frustrating night at the SPORTA Arena, as he protested a clear foul on Liam Walsh in the build-up to Dan Kemp’s opening goal.
Wilshere was then forced to watch from the dressing room but remained in contact with the bench through an earpiece as Stevenage scored another controversial goal in the second half through an offside Dan Magennis, with Mads Andersen accredited with what proved to be a consolation for the Hatters.
Powell had to conduct media duties afterwards, because of Wilshere’s dismissal, but said the 34-year-old had subsequently accepted his dismissal and apologised to those around him.
“He apologised to the staff and to the players,” Powell said. “He’s an emotional, talented young manager and he’ll come again.
“It’s not easy. The pressure’s on, but he’ll learn, he’ll accept it and move on and carry on the way he has done since he walked through the door.”
Powell revealed that Wilshere was still able to communicate with the bench after being sent off, although he had to leave the technical area and watch the remainder of the match from inside the stadium.
“He had to go in the dressing room,” Powell said. “He was on the [phone] speaker. He had the earpiece with Tim [Corcoran – coach] and relayed stuff, and we were telling him stuff.”
It was a difficult evening for Luton, who were unhappy with both of Stevenage’s goals, with Powell believing the first should have been ruled out for a foul on Walsh and the second for offside.
“Everyone in the whole stadium is expecting the referee to blow,” Powell said of the opening, which saw Town’s midfielder held back by Dan Phillips, allowing Kemp to take the ball and score.
“I know you shouldn’t stop, I get that. It’s as blatant as that. You’re hoping that the officials spot it and they work together and they make the correct decision. It’s quite clear what happened. You could see it live. You see the replays and it just confirmed what we saw.”
On the goal that proved to be the winner, Powell added: “It’s clear offside. So they’ve scored two goals, they’ve won a game when actually they’ve had a helping hand.”
Some of the travelling Town contingent were not happy with the performance and another defeat at a ground that they’ve not tasted success in 12 years.
“Maybe they haven’t seen the replays. I get that,” said Powell, adding: “We understand emotions are always high in local derbies, whether it’s Stevenage or Watford for us. It’s frustrating.
“We understand the fans have paid their money and they have their right to voice their opinions. But when they look back on it, those two goals shouldn’t have stood. Simple as that.”
Luton now have an extended nine-day break before hosting Bradford City and though an official punishment is yet to be handed down, Wilshere will likely serve a one-match touchline ban. It will be his second after accumulating three cautions last term, meaning he had to sit in the stands for the match at Wimbledon in April.
Powell said: “Next week I’m not sure where he’ll sit, whether it be on the director’s side or our side. We’ll have to work that out and make it clear. We’ll have constant contact with him. We’ve done it before at Wimbledon last year and we’ll do it again. We’ll be ready and the team will be ready.”
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