Jack Wilshere hailed the atmosphere at Kenilworth Road as one of the best he has experienced after Luton Town fought back to beat Leicester City 2-1 in injury time, with the manager also highlighting the mentality his players showed after conceding a 90th minute equaliser.
The Hatters looked set to secure back-to-back league victories before Leicester struck late on, despite having been reduced to ten men five minutes early when John Lundstram was sent off. But rather than allowing Liam Cullen’s strike to derail them, Luton found a late winner from substitute Callum Marshall to claim all three points in front of an energised home crowd.
Wilshere said the players’ reaction to Leicester’s equaliser was one of the most important aspects of the performance, pointing to their behaviour and body language as evidence of the mentality he wants to establish.
“That’s probably the biggest learning,” he said, adding: “The most important thing from today is that in the 88th minute. when they equalise with 10 men, when you look at the players, you see it in them, and it’s their behaviour, their body language, it’s there. I saw it right there, right in front of my eyes and they got what they deserved.”
The manager also praised the supporters for the atmosphere they created at Kenilworth Road, saying the noise inside the ground had helped the team during the game.
“One of the best I’ve experienced,” the manager said of the atmosphere inside Luton’s home, adding: “I’ve experienced the Kenny, when there’s been disappointment and fully understood it. I’ve experienced the Kenny when it’s been full of energy like today.
“We need them [fans]. I keep saying it. I understand and the players understand that it’s our responsibility to give them to consistency to give them something to get behind the team and that’s what we’re chasing and that’s what we’re fighting [for], and they definitely help when they’re like that.”
Wilshere also said the team’s positive start had helped build belief inside Kenilworth Road, with the atmosphere benefiting both the players and the wider stadium.
He said: “We know the importance of the first goal in this league. We know the importance of taking momentum and imposing the game that we want, whether it would be with the ball, whether it be without the ball. We were outstanding without the ball. We have to do that from the start and it builds belief. Builds believe in the stadium, builds belief in the players, and it helps everyone.”
The manager said the priority was to carry that energy into tomorrow’s match when Town host Doncaster Rovers, while continuing to improve on aspects of the Leicester performance.
“That’s the message -try and improve on a few things that we felt like we could have done better in the secondd half, but keep the spirit. Keep the energy, keep the being on the front foot right from the start,” he said.
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