Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu said Saturday’s stunning derby day victory over Watford was not the result of pre-match pep talks to add fire to his belly – because he knew all about the fierce rivalry.
The midfielder was the standout player in a team of exemplary performances, as Town beat the Hornets 1-0 at Kenilworth Road on Saturday, for the first time since 1993.
In fact, the two sides had not even faced each other on Town’s turf for 15 years, when Mpanzu was 12 years old and growing up in London. He may have had little knowledge of either club then, but as Luton’s longest serving current player – joining in the Conference and becoming the only man to win three promotions with the club – the midfielder has immersed himself in what it means to be a Hatter and get one over on the yellow team down the M1.
“I understand it fully,” Mpanzu said of the fierce rivalry, adding: “The fans understand it and there was a flare thrown before the game so they know what it’s about and I know what it’s about.
“Every game, we’ve got to have the same mentality. Obviously there’s a bit more edge in a derby, so that might have played a little part that we played so well.
“We didn’t want to lose this game, for the fans, for the board and for everyone involved. From minute one, you saw we pressed them and played great, so it was a good all round performance.”
The same couldn’t be said when Town lost 1-0 at Vicarage Road in September in a poor showing from both sides and a first meeting in 14 years that, without fans, barely felt like a derby. So there was a lot of emphasis on the build-up to Saturday’s clash.
Mpanzu said: “We didn’t need it, but everyone was speaking about how Luton and Watford is a big rivalry and we haven’t played each other in a while. It’s the first season in a while, so it was always built up as a big game.
“We knew that we had to be focused and ready because they can pick you apart. They’re a great team and they’re going to be in the Premier League, most probably, so it was good to get a win over them.”
It was James Collins who claimed the goal glory as he scored the winning penalty with his first touch after being introduced to take the 78th minute spot-kick that Elijah Adebayo had won.
“He’s got ice in his veins. He’s ready,” the midfielder said of Town’s top scorer.
“He practises them every single week, so there was no doubt in his mind that he was going to put it in. I trust Collo to score. If he missed, he missed, but he’s got the balls to slot that in.”
As it has been all season, the only thing missing for a Hatters team who mathematically confirmed their Championship status with the three points at the weekend, was a full house to share in another remarkable milestone for Luton Town Football Club.
Asked if Saturday was one of the best games he’s been involved in as a Hatter, Mpanzu said: “100 per cent. Obviously, it would’ve been better with the fans. The fans would’ve had this place rocking and given us even more of a boost, but it was a great game. I don’t know how long we haven’t beaten Watford at home, but it was a great victory.
“(It would’ve been) rocking. Ten thousand in here it would’ve been madness, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. Hopefully they were watching at home or listening on the radio. Hopefully they were proud of the performance.”
