Luton boss Matt Bloomfield believes Carlton Morris had been “feeling” his lengthy goal drought, but after breaking his duck against Bristol City he hailed his skipper for playing through injuries to help the Hatters.
After Thelo Aasgaard’s strike was quickly cancelled out by George Tanner, the striker restored Town’s lead it 2-1 yesterday which effectively won the game for Luton, though Isaiah Jones bagged a third to make sure of the points and a second successive win for the first time since September that keeps alive Luton’s Championship survival hopes.
It was Morris’ first goal since December 29 and ended an 18-game drought, his longest as a Luton player. His celebration was quite muted but the relief of his face was there for all to see and asked how the barren spell had affected him, Bloomfield said: “He’s been good as gold. Carlton has been absolutely golden for us, but he’s human, right? So he’s not a robot. He’s human. I’m sure he’s been feeling it. I’m sure he has.
“But he’s been turning out day after day, week after week, game after game, playing through injuries, leading at the top of the pitch, taking the hits and bringing other people into play.
“So, it was maybe slightly understated celebration. I noticed that also, but I’m sure there’s a lot of relief in there for him as well.”
The manager added: “The belief has never wavered. I’m really pleased that he got the goal that put us ahead. It was a big moment for us and that showed his real desire to get at the back post. he had a big touch, a flick-on at the near post on Friday for Milli’s goal. That doesn’t go unnoticed either. That was a big, big moment. The flick-on. and then he’s had his moment today. Really pleased for him.”
With season-ending injuries to Elijah Adebayo and Jacob Brown in the last month, there had more more onus on Morris and Bloomfield said: “He’s a big player for us and we’ve probably been a little bit too reliant on him in recent weeks since Elijah got his injury.
“Before that, we had them as a pair. And I think that, a little, it took away the pressure on him and defenders’ attention since Elijah has been at the team
“Maybe it’s been with him being the real focal point, hence why we tried to move Milli up alongside him a little bit.
“So, it’s something we need to look at before the weekend and decide which way to attack the Coventry game.”
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