Caretaker Paul Trollope praised Luton for showing the fight and togetherness despite being knocked out of the FA Cup in their first match of a challenging week since the departure of manager Rob Edwards.
A knockout match against old Premier League relegation rivals proved something of damp squib after the split was confirmed on Thursday. It was the culmination of a ten-game losing run on the road and a four straight defeats, which has left the Hatters two points above the Championship drop zone, halfway through a season that had begun with expectations of challenging for a return the top flight.
Instead, against Forest, who Town had battled unsuccessfully to avoid the trap door last term, it highlighted two teams on very different trajectories. Amid the Hatters’ struggles, Nottingham risen from the depths and mounted a remarkable challenge for Champions League qualification at the very least.
On Tuesday, they take on Premier League leaders Liverpool in a match that, should they win, they’ll be catapulted into the title race. So, it was no surprise when the Reds made 11 changes and still ran out comfortable winners, courtesy of goals from Ryan Yates and Ramon Sosa.
But, given Luton’s predicament, the more pressing search for a new manager and the transfer window, Trollope – who, with Edwards’ other former assistant, Richie Kyle, and club legend Mick Harford, manned the dugout – was relatively pleased with what may prove his last match as a Hatters employee.
“(There were) a lot of positives and a lot of pride to take from the performance. I think, obviously, after a difficult couple of days, I’m proud of the players. I don’t think they could have given any more,” he reflected.
“The biggest thing today was showing a spirit and showing a spirit that Luton Town require, the fans require, and a togetherness and a fight that the situation called for, because it has been a difficult few days, and I think the players did that.”
The match at the City Ground saw Luton struggling to shake off their poor away form. Despite a nervy start, they grew into the game, especially in the second half. New signing Isaiah Jones made his debut, less than 24 hours after switching from Middlesbrough, replacing the injured Tahith Chong (hamstring), but Luton’s best moments came later in the match as they sought to overturn a 1-0 deficit after Yates’ opening goal, five minutes before half time.
“We always felt we were in the game,” Trollope said. “A nervy start, probably turned the ball over too many times and allowed a few attacks that were our own doing. But we sort of grew into the game, confidence grew. We asked for a little bit more action at half-time, and I certainly think we got that. We got a little bit more momentum, started playing forward, running forward a bit better, and putting them under a wee bit of pressure.”
Luton’s four-man defence, led by Mark McGuinness, worked tirelessly, particularly against Forest’s star-studded substitutes, which included Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Anthony Elanga. Trollope praised his backline’s resilience, saying: “I thought we defended ever so well. I really did. I thought the backline worked ever so hard, even when they brought their stronger attacking players on. I think we coped with it well, we tried to step on and be brave and go one-v-one and man-for-man.”
Despite some promising second-half pressure and chances, including a header from Tom Holmes cleared off the line, Luton could not find the breakthrough. Forest’s second goal came just as Luton seemed poised to capitalise on their improved attacking play.
“We were just really disappointed to concede the second as we thought we were in the ascendancy and maybe going to make those attacking subs to try and get back in the game,” Trollope admitted to the BBC. “It’s a little bit symptomatic of how it’s been away from home, fine margins, little moments, not taking a chance and obviously conceding.
“We got into some good areas and created some half decent chances. The players never gave up. They kept going and, certainly, there were some positives, as there were at QPR the other night, to move forward with.”
Who will be chosen to lead Luton into that forward march will begin in earnest, and given what’s at stake in the league, an exit from the FA Cup at the first hurdle will not lead to many sleepless nights, but channelling this determination into reversing their struggles in the Championship may do. For who, remains to be seen.
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