Luton boss Matt Bloomfield wants to feel the full effect of Kenilworth Road today in a must-win clash against Coventry today, with Town knowing victory will mean a huge step towards Championship survival.
The lunchtime kick-off is the Hatters’ penultimate game of the season and after back-to-back Easter triumphs Town now know that two more wins will secure the great escape.
Luton start today still in the bottom three on goal difference, but with Derby and Hull – the two teams directly above them – facing each other today, Town’s destiny is in their own hands.
And Bloomfield’s boys are one of the form teams in the division, courtesy of five wins and three draws in their last ten games to give themselves a real shot at survival.
Kenilworth Road last night survived a fire in the laundry room and today’s game will go ahead and Bloomfield has one wish for the old girl.
“I want it to be bouncing,” he said, adding: “Our supporters have not had much to cheer about this season, but we’ve given them a couple of days that they’ve really kind of enjoyed, I hope, recently, away from home and at home.
“I’m sure they’ll be turning up in full voice because when the Kenny’s bouncing, it’s like no other. And I’m really looking forward to feeling that, really looking forward to us, as one club, being united and trying to put on the best show we possibly can.”
Jordan Clark is available again after sitting out Monday’s 3-1 win over play-off chasing Bristol City with a calf strain, while keeper Thomas Kaminski will play if he feels ready, following the tragic death of his father this week.
With the return of Shandon Baptiste, Marvelous Nakamba and Teden Mengi in recent weeks, Bloomfield has some welcome selection headaches, because he’s got a squad that are finally brimming with confidence.
“It’s been an awful lot of hard work and resilience and perseverance that’s gone into the last couple of months and we’ve given ourselves an opportunity now that we’ve been fighting for. And we fully intend on taking that opportunity. I believe we’re going to do it,” said Bloomfield.
“I’ve always had belief. Obviously, at times, that belief has been tested because we’ve had some tough moments, but the belief has always been there.
“The confidence and belief around the whole building, not just in the changing room has been growing, and we want to make sure we make sure we get over the line.
“We have to approach every game that we believe that we can win it. And we believe we can. We know it’s against incredibly tough opposition, Frank’s [Lampard] done an incredible job at Coventry, [they’re a] really good team, but we’re growing and we believe in ourselves and we’re looking forward to putting that out there.”
But the Sky Blues currently occupy the final play-off place and have ambitions of their own to get to the Premier League.
“The moment we get carried away, we’re in trouble. So, we cannot get carried away,” said Bloomfield.
“We have to approach the game with the same intensity, the same humility that we have done in in the past couple of months.
“And that will never change with us. We have to make sure that we we just attack the game in the right manner, tactically, we have to be aware because, again, Coventry are a good team and they’ve got some real good players.
“Seven out of the top nine we’ve played at home since since I’ve been here and we wanted to get on a run at home and give our fans plenty to shout about, but when you’re playing all against the top teams, it’s not always easy, right?
“But I think we put some good performances in and we have to focus on that again.
“We have to put good performance in and if we play the way we believe we can and it gives ourselves as a chance of winning the game.”
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