Nathan Jones has told his back three they have to be better after a “nervous” and “poor” defensive display that hampered the Hatters in last night’s 2-2 draw with Coventry.
Forwards Matt Godden and Viktor Gyökeres terrorised Sonny Bradley and Dan Potts in particular, the latter racing clean past both defenders in the first half but only converting one of the chances.
It was Bradley’s first game in a month after being given leave for a family matter, replacing Tom Lockyer, while Reece Burke missed out with a cracked rib.
The skipper is yet to taste victory this term and though Potts has been an able deputy while Bradley has been absent, the pair didn’t not cover themselves glory, alongside Gabriel Osho.
“Regardless of what combinations you play, individuals have got to be better,” said Jones.
“That’s not me saying that they’re this or that. They know. I’ve told them, they’ve got to be better, because we can’t look as open and as poor as we’ve looked.
“That was (against) Wigan as well. We’ve conceded, not from our own six-yard box, where they’ve carved us open, we’ve conceded from outside the box.
“So, we’ll have to look at those things as well. Closing down, defending deep, whatever it is.”
But the issues began as early as the second minute when, as the last man, Bradley was skinned by Gyökeres, but was let off by the Swede’s wayward finish.
Jones said: “Gyökeres immediately put him on the back foot and showed pace. He had a real good night, the boy.
“We started to get to grips with it a little bit more in the second half, but they caused us problems, that front two.
“We knew they would because they’re willing runners. Last year, we dealt with them, no problem, and tonight we didn’t. That didn’t give us a good enough platform.”
But Town didn’t learn from that early issue of intent and, if anything, Gyökeres’ equaliser was even worse because Potts seemed to have a head start and still lost out in a foot race.
“Defensively, we turned the ball over, then they play one ball and he shouldn’t be able to do that,” said Jones.
“One, if he gets on the ball because he’s quicker, two, he shouldn’t then skip past the last man and then be able to slot it in.
“It’s poor defending. We’ve got to be better, because if we accept that as our benchmark then we’ll do nothing this season.”
Twice Town led against Coventry but were pegged back on each occasion, meaning they’ve conceded two goal in each of their last two Kenilworth Road outings.
Jones said: “I’m really disappointed tonight. I’m really disappointed with my back three because they should’ve been dominant.
“We’ve got Sonny, who should be dominant. Potts has been in good form in terms of his aggressiveness and Gabe has athleticism.
“But we didn’t give ourselves a platform tonight and that’s disappointing.”
The draw means Luton are still without a win at home this term and
Jones said: “We pride ourselves on doing the basics well and we’re not doing the basics well enough.
“We lost Kal (Naismith to Bristol City) and he really settled us down and was a big player for us.
“We haven’t replaced him because we couldn’t really. And we looked a little bit nervous as a back three.
“Pottsy’s been excellent this year. Gabe and Sonny haven’t really played much football, so that was an opportunity for them. But we have to go again on Saturday.”
You have brought up a very wonderful points, thankyou for the post.
It isn’t all down to the players. If a manager makes a mistake in selection – for example, leaving out someone in form in favour of a player who’s been out for a month and is bound to be rusty – it’s very much down to him as well.
Sonny should be dominant? He needed to be eased back in – and Lockyer, who might well have been dominant on the day, didn’t deserve to be left on the bench.
So look at yourself, NJ. If you’re going to have a go at your players, you must accept that the fans may well have a go at you.