Amari’i Bell is banking on it being third time lucky in his personal pursuit of a play-off final having lost the last two semi-finals he’s appeared in.
The defender Championship suffered heartbreak last season with Luton when a late Jordan Rhodes goal dumped the Hatters out at Huddersfield.
And in 2017, Bell was part of the Fleetwood side that succumbed to Bradford in the League One semis.
To avoid a third premature exit, the 29-year-old knows the Hatters have to beat Sunderland by two clear goals as they’re down 2-1 following the first leg at the Stadium of Light.
Bell said: “I’ve been defeated twice, but you know what they say, it’s third time lucky. That’s what I’m telling myself.”
Town have come up short in all six of their previous play-off campaigns to the point that Boss Rob Edwards had to refute that there’s a hoodoo hanging over the Hatters.
And for Bell, who wasn’t aware of Luton’s rotten record in the post-season, he said: “There’s no better time to change fortunes.“
One notable difference from this time 12 months ago is that Luton only really have Cauley Woodrow out injured compared to 13 players out last term.
Bell said of the class of 2023’s play-off push: “It definitely feels different to last year. Last year we lost but we’re more experienced now and we have to use that experience in this game and tomorrow.
“Whether I’m a fan (of the play-offs_ or not, it’s how it is. We have to deal with it.
“When you finish third and fourth it is sometimes a bit difficult, but we have to win every game to progress.”
The defeat at Sunderland on Saturday ended a 14-game unbeaten streak for Luton, but they have only suffered back-to-back losses this season, and not since Boss Rob Edwards took over in October.
“The last loss was a long time ago. We’ve forgotten what it was like to lose,” said Bell, adding: “It’s not something we’re used to but we know that we have to bounce back and, normally when that happens, we do. It’s going to be a good tie.”
