Luton Boss Nathan Jones hailed a “perfect away day” at Blackpool and then called on Wales to take Tom Lockyer to the World Cup after a 1-0 win that was full of heart and desire.
Luke Berry returned to make his first start of the campaign and first since March, making up for lost time with a 57th-minute winner, which ended a three-game winless run for Town.
On most other days, that goal would get all the plaudits but considering the defensive crisis Town are enduring, an eighth clean sheet of the campaign was a huge endeavour, which meant for a pleasingly familiar result on the road.
“Outstanding,” Jones said of his team’s performance, adding: “The group put their bodies on the line and defended the cage superbly well.
“(We) came away from home, and with masses and masses of adversity. We’ve got four centre-halves out, people playing out of position.
“Jordan Clark coming into right back, (James) Bree at centre half. Lockyer immense, immense centre-half.
“(Amari’i) Bell defending. Everyone. Pelly (Ruddock Mpanzu) coming back from injury and then Luke Berry gets the goal.
“It’s just a perfect away performance, perfect away day.”
The victory came at yet more cost for an already defensively decimated Luton, as they lost Dan Potts in the 17th minute to a back injury after nasty fall.
It means the Hatters now have four crocked centre-halves, but the one that’s still up and running is Lockyer, who put in an exceptional performance.
The defender is aiming for a place in Wales’ World Cup squad in the controversial first-ever winter edition of the tournament that kicks off later this month.
Lockyer’s last International cap came on September 1st 2021 in a 0-0 friendly against Finland, but speaking of his chances of going to Qatar to be part of his country’s first qualification since 1958, Jones said: “I think he wants to play in November. If I was (Wales coach) Rob Page… Rob’s a friend of mine. We grew up together. He’s doing a wonderful job.
“I’m not sure there’s four better Welsh defenders than Tom Lockyer. I really hope he goes because he’s been outstanding for us, absolutely outstanding.”
The former Bristol Rovers and Charlton ace wasn’t even a Luton starter when the season began and he had to wait until their sixth league outing, but he’s been superb since and, against Blackpool, his was a man-of-the-match display in a team full of top performers.
“It’s a difficult place to come to,” Jones told the BBC, adding: “I thought we had a lot of chances on the counter where we could’ve extended it and made it far more comfortable, but 1-0, sometimes, is the best one, especially when you’re clinging.
“Six minutes of added time. Played seven. There were all sorts bombarding your box and you just see the character of people. People don’t wilt, they go with runners.
“What a wonderful performance. I’m super proud of the group. To be fair, this group has been doing that for a hell of a long time.”
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