Danny Hylton has warned Chelsea’s superstars that they won’t like their trip to Kenilworth Road because it was “horrible and hostile” when he used to be an opposition player.
The striker has since become a Hatters hero since he signed for the club in 2016, in what manager Nathan Jones has called the “catalyst” for Luton’s rise on the Football League.
Injuries have been cruel over the last three years, but he rekindled his lover affair with the Kenilworth Road crowd on Saturday when he scored the winner against Derby to propel the Hatters into the Championship play-offs.
It was the perfect preparation for Wednesday night’s visit of Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round and the Blues’ first trip to Bedfordshire since 1991.
Back then in the old First Division, the two clubs would have been on much more of an even keel as they were both founding members of the Premier League.
But Town never got the chance to play in the newly formed league in 1992 after they got relegated, while Chelsea went on to become a global recognised club, particularly 11 years later when billionaire Roman Abramovich bought them and turned them into perennial trophy winners.
Though the Blues lost in an epic Carabao Cup final penalty shootout to Liverpool on Sunday, they are still the reigning Champions League and Club World Cup holders.
Luton striker Hylton thinks their squad of world-class superstars won’t be used to playing in the 117-year-old surroundings of Kenilworth Road and particularly the away dressing room.
“They certainly won’t be what Chelsea are used to. It’s tight, cold and very wooden and boxy. It’s not nice at all,” said the 33-year-old, who didn’t feature when the two teams were pitted against each other at Stamford Bridge in last season’s competition.
“Hopefully that can play into our hands on Wednesday. It won’t be nice and they’re coming off the back of a cup final defeat and morale might be down slightly.
“All this stuff is going to play into our hands and we’re going to need it on the day because they’re a top group of individuals and a top team, so let’s see what can happen.”
And after the cramped confines of their changing room, Hylton knows from experience that Chelsea won’t find much relief once they emerge from the Kenilworth Road tunnel.
He said: “It’s never nice to come to Kenilworth Road. I used to hate coming here as an opposition player. It was hostile and wasn’t nice.
“They’re (fans) going to be loud and full of beans on Wednesday night and it’s not going to be a nice place for Chelsea to come.
“I remember coming here and, going through the tunnel, they would abuse you. It is horrible and hostile and they get on you. It just wasn’t a nice place. I never used to like playing here. The pitch was tight.
“Then when I signed here I love it. They make it like home and really get on your side. They make it tough for the opposition.
“It’s Luton and we love them, but you can see why opposition players and teams don’t like coming here.
“I remember coming here (with Oxford) and giving away a penalty. I tried to win a header after a free-kick I’d given away and I jumped, give away a penalty and then got subbed off straight away.
“That was probably the highlight of me coming to Kenilworth Road. It was never nice, but I love being here and playing here because we believe we can beat anyone at home. We’ll try our best on Wednesday night against Chelsea.”
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