Luton boss Jack Wilshere has admitted that Gideon Kodua won’t relish in his current role as an impact substitute, but says the youngster understands it, while explaining how he can become a regular starter.
The West Ham loanee started the first three games of Wilshere’s reign, but his only other start since came in Town’s 5-0 drubbing at Barnsley. Already, Kodua has bagged two important goals for the manager when introduced from the bench.
Indeed, all four of his Hatters strikes have come during cameo appearances, including Saturday’s point saving strike against Bolton Wanderers to earn a 1-1 draw, so Kodua is already developing key role, not that he’ll enjoy the super sub tag.
“He wouldn’t like that,” Wilshere said of the label, adding: “When I first came here, he played in the first game against Mansfield and he played maybe Northampton as well. And he has had some starts. That’s also important that he does that and he experiences that.
“He’s young, he’s still developing. He’s still developing as a person. He’s a top person. I think he understands where he’s at, which is important. Not all young players do. Sometimes they have a false sense of where they’re at. I think Gideon is very sure of where he’s at and how he can help the team at the moment.
“But our job, my job and our responsibility is to try and get him to find more consistency, which I feel like it’s coming. At the moment it’s coming off the bench, but probably have an opportunity to play Tuesday [against Exeter] and show us what he can do.”
While Kodua may not enjoy the idea of being branded a super sub, his knack for late goals is making him hard to ignore when Luton are chasing a result.
Wilshere said: “He wouldn’t like that tag. But also, if you’re on the bench and I turn around and I know we’re searching for a goal, if he keeps doing that, he’s going to be the guy that we keep leaning towards.
“And then if you are on the bench, that’s how you get your opportunity in the team when you come on, do well, score a goal and help the team. And then you have to repeat that and do well in training but that’s the first step. He’s going to be important for us.”
Kodua’s goals have already elevated him to Town’s second top scorer, behind striker Jerry Yates and Wilshere knows that he’s delivering as wide players are judged on end product.
The Hatters boss said: “You want a lot from your wingers. But the biggest thing you want is output, is goals, is assists. That’s why they’re in the team. They’re the guys that are creative. They’re the guys that take more risks.
“And it’s always [about] getting that balance right of taking risks, keeping the ball, but he’s getting more consistent with it. And he’s arriving at the back post and he’s scoring goals. So, yeah, we’re really happy with him.”
Wilshere pointed to earlier moments that showed Kodua’s temperament, including the last-gasp winner to see of a spirited Forest Green Rovers comeback in the FA Cup first round, a month earlier.
“I think about Forest Green and big moments where you need a little bit of calm, big composure. That’s not easy especially for a young guy,” Wilshere said.
“He’s someone who we really like. He’s been in, he’s been out. That’s going to be part of his development. He’s still a young player and we need to get him to a place where he’s more consistent but he’s getting there and at the moment seems to be coming off the bench helping.”
A start in Tuesday’s Vertu Trophy clash at home to Exeter City could give Kodua the chance to rewrite the narrative himself.
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