Luton Town manager Matt Bloomfield has expressed his disappointment in Christ Makosso for the violent conduct incident that saw him handed a three-match ban.
Video evidence showed the defender striking Peterborough right back Carl Johnstone in the face during the Hatters’ 2-0 League One win at London Road on Saturday.
On Tuesday, the Football Association dolled out the punishment which meant Makosso missed that night’s Carabao Cup defeat at Coventry. He will also be forced to sit out this weekend’s trip to newly-promoted Bradford City and Tuesday’s home clash against Wigan Athletic.
The news came just as the club was also dealing with an injury to Reuell Walters, which saw Bloomfield hand a debut to 17-year-old academy ace Christian Chigozie in the League Cup clash.
Reacting to Makosso’s ban, Bloomfield said: “[I’m] very disappointed. It’s not how we want to conduct ourselves. Especially considering Reuell’s injury on the same day, it compounded that disappointment. To lose two very good players in one day was obviously hard to take.”
Bloomfield made it clear that while Makosso’s actions were regrettable, he’s spoken to the youngster, and remains pragmatic, reminding fans that growing pains are part of a young player’s development.
“We’ve got lots of young players and they’re going to make mistakes at times and they’re going to have to learn from it,” he said. “That comes with developing young footballers. At times they’re going to make mistakes and at times it’s going to cost us.
“It’s not ideal in a situation where there’s so much expectation and pressure for results immediately. But we’re developing young players, there is going to be more moments like that that are going to happen. And if they learn from it, then they’re better for it and the football club’s better for it, but we just hope that they do learn and they improve along the way.”
The ban is a blow because the 21-year-old Congolese defender had started the season strongly, helping the Hatters to two wins in two League One games, complete with successive clean sheets.
The manager said of Makosso: “Defensively, he’s incredible. Athletically, 1v1, being part of that defensive unit, obviously, we’re working really hard with him in possession as well to develop his game. But yeah, we believe he’s got really high ceiling.
“But again, with young players, there’s going to be bumps along the road and we’ve had one with Christ and we hope it doesn’t happen again.”
