Graeme Jones says Stoke are filled with ‘household names’ that he respects, but is more interested in what his Hatters do in their Championship clash tonight.
Luton travel to the Bet365 Stadium for a second successive relegation six-pointer with Town in slightly higher spirits after a thrilling late victory against fellow strugglers Wigan at the weekend.
On paper, Stoke have vastly more experience and quality and Jones said: “You think about Jack Butland, he was at the World Cup 18 months ago. James McClean’s a proven international for Northern Ireland. Sam Vokes went there for big money. Joe Allen, I know really well, we gave him his debut as a 16-year-old at Swansea. He’s an ex-Liverpool player and these boys are not mugs.
“Tom Ince, I’ve followed his career closely. He’s got really good individual ability. Stephen Ward is Premier League. Bruno Martins Indi, I watched him train and play for Porto when I was at Everton and so, these are household names that we’re playing against.
“While you always have to pay respect to the opposition, I’m more interested in how we perform. We need to carry on our level of performance from the weekend because, when all said and done, yes, the final scoreline was 2-1 to us, but the performance was very, very good.
“To play under that pressure and them circumstances was really pleasing.”
The 2-1 triumph on Saturday saw Town move four points above the relegation zone, where Stoke currently reside, having lost the last three.
It’s a position the Potters didn’t expect to be in at the start of the season having spent big money on players in the summer. Nathan Jones, who left Luton acrimoniously in January for City, was sacked last month and replaced by Michael O’Neill.
The Hatters boss said: “The big thing about Stoke City was the fall out from the Premier League. Remember, I was at West Brom 18 months ago and I knew how tough that challenge was.
“It was a whole new experience where players get relegated from the Premier League and it’s difficult to keep that continuity together. I see West Brom top of the league now and I want to credit Darren Moore for his personality, being the glue that kept that together.
“Stoke have suffered from that and it’s not an easy job, but it’s a club I know really well. We had survival Sunday there when I was at Wigan in the Premier League. It’s a phenomenal football club with incredible fans and incredible owners, who are finding it tough at the minute, but I’m sure they’ll be back.”
