Luton manager Matt Bloomfield praised his side’s front-foot approach as they brushed aside Burton Albion 3-0 in League One.
Lasse Nordås broke his duck with his first goal for the club before Milli Alli doubled the lead with his first of the season. Academy product Zack Nelson then wrapped things up late on, as he took his chance from the start in place of Liam Walsh and after the news priot to kick-off that Shandon Baptiste has suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament knee injury.
But with the youngster at the heart of the midfield alongside experienced George Saville, it was arguably Town’s best performance of the season complete with an apt scoreline considering the Hatters debuted their controversial new green third kit, with it’s nod to the tree-named roads around the club’s Kenilworth Road home.
The 1,675 travelling Town fans took plenty of opportunity to reference the tree-loving strip in song at the Pirelli Stadium, but it was more what their team did in it that will leaf a longer impression.
Bloomfield too was delighted with both the performance and the manner of the victory, admitting it was closer to the identity he wants his team to embody.
“I really enjoyed watching us today. It looked and felt more like the team that we want to be,” he said. “Jerry Yates pressing the goalkeeper down in the first five seconds set the tone, and the boys [were] all inspired by that and followed suit.
“I thought we played on the front foot all afternoon. Had to defend some balls in the box, and we did so fairly well. There’s a couple of bits to tidy up on, but in the main we have to be happy with today.”
Nordås’ strike through the legs of Udoka Godwin-Malife in the 18th minute, to get Luton up and running in Burton, was a moment Bloomfield hopes will spark the Norwegian into life after a difficult adaptation period since joining the club in January.
“His finishing is a very strong part of his game,” the manager told the BBC, adding: “Once he gets a chance on his left foot in training we’ve seen it since he’s been here in January. It’s really unfortunate for him and for us as a football club that it hasn’t quite clicked yet, but he’s still adapting to the country, the level and the fitness and everything that comes with it. He’s showed some really encouraging signs this season and we’re really pleased for him.”
Striker Yates should have opened his Hatters account in the first half but he couldn’t steer Alli’s cross inside the post, though the wide man caught the eye despite operating from wing-back, alongside the much-maligned three at the back. But Bloomfield is keen to give him licence to attack.
“It’s something we discuss regularly,” he said, adding: “You want to make sure the players are playing in their best positions and their rightful positions. We feel that Mills does his best work out wide when he can get one-v-one, and in the formation we’re playing currently that is as a wing back. But we want him to play as high up the pitch and attack as much as possible.”
Alli’s goal on the stroke of half time was as true a strike as it’s possible to hit as his 18-yard ping found the bottom corner. It came after his side had weathered some home chances. Godwin-Malife almost made Town pay at the back post but Josh Keeley kept him out, and from the resulting corner Albion had a goal chalked off for a foul.
But the afternoon was capped by Nelson’s first senior league goal, having earlier hit the post from distance. After a positive run from Nordås the youngster pushed into the box, past the last defender and popped it past the out-rushing keeper to find the bottom corner, fully making his case for a regular starting berth, with Baptiste now set for another long road back to recovery.
“He’s come through the youth team as a ten, he’s played wide left, and in pre-season he was one of the attacking tens,” Bloomfield said of the 20-year-old. “He’s got all the energy in the world, loads to his game in possession.
“There are parts he’s adapting to out of possession in terms of senior football and league football and what it takes at this level to be a complete midfield player. But we know he’s got goals in his feet, he’s hit the post in the first and been involved in a couple of nice moves. I’m really pleased he’s got his goal as well today.”
Reflecting on August as a whole, which saw his side win four and lose two in the league, Bloomfield felt progress is being made.
“Some good moments, some tough moments. A team that’s in evolution, a group that’s knitting together. Lots of change, lots of turnover in terms of players. Probably slightly inconsistent, but with some really nice moments and I can see the group gelling. I’m really excited for what’s to come.”
For now, it will be a frantic 48 hours before the transfer window shuts and Bloomfield confirmed there is likely to be movement in and out of the club before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
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