Nathan Jones will study the footage of Luton’s last meeting with Queens Park Rangers, but believes circumstances won’t be the same for what he’s dubbed a “monumental” game.
Victory for second-from-bottom Hatters could see them move out of the Championship relegation positions, at least until Charlton travel to Birmingham 24 hours later.
“We’ll be prepared. It’s a big game for us, monumental really, so we have to make sure we’re right at it,” said Jones.
The Welshman was still at Stoke the last time Town faced QPR in September, where they were routed at Loftus Road in a woeful opening half an hour that saw them lucky to trail just 3-0 at half time.
Despite a spirited second half, where they pulled two goals back, they couldn’t overturn that dreadful start.
Asked if he’ll look at what happened that day at Loftus Road, to prepare for tonight’s clash, Jones said: “We do but it’s a different time now, with Covid, lockdown and no crowds.
“I’ve played against QPR, I’ve managed against QPR, so I know that they’re a tough side. I’ve managed against them twice in the Championship, so I know they’re a tough side to play against with some real good players.
“We’ll have to be at it, but we have to concentrate on our threats and make sure we’re as good as we can be, and if we are then hopefully, we can pick up the result we need.”
Eberechi Eze was influential in Town’s demise earlier in the season, scoring the opener after just four minutes, when Simon Sluga let a long-range shot slip through his fingers.
Jones said of the Rs attacker: “He’s a very, very good player. He was excellent against me in the first game of the season. He scored, so I don’t want a repeat of that.
“They’re a dangerous side, the away game was a real eye opener, but every game, it’s a cliché again, every game is so difficult as everyone has players who can hurt you.
“If you’re not on it and switch off you can get punished, so we were really lacklustre against Reading, who weren’t in particularly great form, but they have certain players who on their day, they really, really can hurt you and QPR are exactly the same.
“So, we’ve got to make sure we’re the best versions of ourselves and that’s all we can do.”
