Glen Rea issued a rallying cry after the 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, insisting that the Hatters are about to go on a run that will pull them out of the Championship relegation mire.
The midfielder made his long-awaited full Championship debut yesterday At the City Ground after suffering a serious knee injury 13 months ago.
Town took the lead through Harry Cornick’s first half strike but Joe Lolley bagged a brace as Forest came from behind, with Lewis Grabban adding the third from the penalty spot late on.
It was Luton’s tenth straight defeat on the road – their worst run for 92 years – but Rea, who played for an hour, saw positives in the performance.
“There’s a run coming, I’m telling you,” he said. “There is a positive run coming because everyone in there is on the same page and there is a positive run coming.
“The fans have been excellent again, travelling every week, so if we all stay together as a club we’ll be fine, I’m sure of it.”
The Hatters are bottom of the league, four points from safety and Stoke who travel to high-flying West Bromwich Albion tonight.
Asked whether the Luton players still confidence in securing great escape, Rea said: “One hundred per cent. I’m telling you there is a positive run coming. Bad times don’t last, do they?
“We are going through a bad time and we’ve been through a bad time this season, but I’m sure there is a run coming, a positive run. We’ll get out of this.”
Rea had previously made his first start this term in the 4-1 FA Cup third round exit at Bournemouth a fortnight ago.
After his first league start, he said: “On a personal note it was good to be back, but we are all gutted in there.
“It was never a three goals against game. I don’t think anyone here could say they deserved to score three goals.
“They are a very good team, don’t get me wrong, but we’ve come here and felt like we’ve given it everything. First half I felt we were right in the game and there were two bits of magic from their lad, but it’s never a three-goal game.”
Rea’s return has been a long road. He had been given the captain’s armband at the start of last term, in League One, and was thriving in the role, until he suffered an injury against Burton in December 2018 which saw him miss the remainder the campaign.
Having done his rehabilitation, the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, was sent on loan to Woking for a month in November, before making a substitute’s appearance in the league defeat at Stoke City last month.
On finally making his full Championship bow yesterday, Rea said: “It’s been a very long time. It’s been a journey, but it was excellent to be back out there.
“I’ve been chomping at the bit to get back in, get my chance again. I got my chance and hopefully it can continue. I feel fit. I’m ready to play and I felt I did all right. Hopefully it continues.”
