Jordan Clark admitted that Liam Walsh’s discipline problems “can’t keep happening” after the midfielder’s second red card in six matches, which will rule the him out for the Christmas period.
The summer signing was given his marching orders for a late and reckless challenge on Yuki Ohashi just 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.
Walsh was shown a straight red card and that will mean he will now serve a four-match ban because he was previous dismissed just 36 seconds into a substitute cameo during the 2-2 draw against Oxford in October.
That will rule the 27-year-old out until January 6 and further exacerbate Luton’s injury crisis, which is unlikely to ease before the new year, for six crocked Hatters.
Walsh himself was making his first appearance after three-week hamstring lay-off and his second dismissal in his short Town career did not please captain Carlton Morris, who shoved the former Swansea man twice in the back and then bumped into him as he was leaving the pitch at Ewood Park.
“(It’s) tough for him, because obviously that’s three games (suspended) earlier in the season and then his injury and three (four) games again,” said Clark of Walsh’s red card.
“It’s so hard for him because he’s missing a lot of football and he can be such an important player because he’s got a hell of a lot of quality. He’s not done it on purpose, but it’s something he’s got to brush up on and (it) can’t keep happening.
“We were struggling for bodies as it is, as well, so, no, he’s got to look at himself in the mirror, I think. He can be such an important player for us, so it’s disappointing for him.”
The defeat at Blackburn was Town’s seven straight slump on the road in a Championship season that has not lived up to expectations so far.
Clark has come in for some criticism from some fans, but has become the leading big chance creator in the division.
But at Rovers, Luton opportunities were few and far between while two errors allowed Amario Cozier-Duberry and Owen Beck to effectively seal Town’s fate before half time.
“It’s just the, story of the season so far, and we’ve got to fix it quick,” Clark told the BBC.
“I feel sorry for the fans, obviously, traveling all these miles all the time, and we’re not giving any points and anything to cheer about.
“I thought we turned the corner a little bit against Norwich, thought the performance was really good, but just basic errors, and the same today, really.
“I don’t think there’s much in the game, first half. I thought it was comfortable. And then, just basic errors. The ball in behind, there’s a throw-in and the next thing you know, he’s shot through three players and you’re wondering how it’s gone in. Somehow no-one’s blocked the ball.
“So it’s just like said basic errors, accountability from certain players and stuff. And, like I said, we’ve got to fix it quick.”
Town’s travel sickness continues to put more pressure on them to get results at home and they host Derby County on Friday night.
“We said in there (dressing room), we know what we’re going to get at home’ and that’s the annoying thing. And that’s the worrying thing because we’re at it, at home,” said Clark.
“And obviously sometimes our performance is not the best, but we’re getting points and we’ve got a decent home record.
“But just coming away from home, I don’t know what’s wrong. It’s something we’ve got to fix and look at ourselves in the mirror and look at ourselves as a squad, you know, and sort it quickly, quickly, because half seasons ago, there’s a lot of points to get.
“Obviously, we don’t want to be down the bottom. We want to be pushing up. But it’s one of them things, it’s just disappointing again.”
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