Sonny Bradley says Luton will have no fear going to Huddersfield in the hunt for a play-off win to take them to Wembley, even if that means penalties.
The skipper scored the equaliser at Kenilworth Road on Friday which means the tie is all square at 1-1 going into tonight’s semi-final second leg at the John Smith’s Stadium.
It’s a ground that the Terriers only lost at four times in the regular league season, as they finished third in the division.
Town lost 2-0 in Yorkshire last month, though the game hinged on a missed spot-kick from now injured Elijah Adebayo, who manager Nathan Jones may be prepared to take a risk on after two weeks of cryotherapy to help heal a hamstring injury.
But should tonight’s winner takes all clash need to be decided from the spot, Bradley is confident Luton will be prepared.
“Any team across the world, not just in the division, if there’s a chance of a penalty shootout in the game, I think it’s important that you practise penalties,” said Bradley, speaking on Friday after the first leg, joking: “I might have to start tonight, if I’m going to take one.
“The manager will have that in mind, and I’m sure we’ll be lining up and practising our penalties, if that’s needed.”
But Bradley is hopeful that spot-kicks won’t be needed, if his side can replicate the first half showing at Kenilworth Road, when they recovered from going an early goal behind and looked dangerous.
Asked what gives the centre half the confidence of reaching a first every Championship play-off final, the 30-year-old said: “For me, it’s a question of why not? We’ve proven, even tonight, you go back and watch the first half.
“If we go up there and play in that manner, on the front foot, on a different day, we go in at the first half three, maybe 4-1 up, if those chances go our way. When we look back at the footage, we’ll think there’s nothing to fear.
“Why can’t we go up there, do exactly the same and hunt that win? It’s a case of having no fear, expressing yourself and doing your best for the club.
“The players have full trust in the manager and the coaches that they will set us up in a way to go and win the game.”
Bradley added: “We’re staying positive. We would’ve like to have won the (first) game, but we’ve been good away from home this season and we’ve kept a lot of clean sheets.
“It’s certainly positive and we’re one win away from playing at Wembley.
“They finished third in the league for a reason and we’re well aware that they are a very good team.
“Certainly, they’ll probably feel like it’s in their hands a little bit, with us going to their ground, but we believe win ourselves, we’re backing ourselves and we’re one win away from a trip to the national stadium.”
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