Graeme Jones hailed the centre backs Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley and goalkeeper Simon Sluga after Luton shutout Sheffield Wednesday to claim only a second league clean sheet of the season in last night’s 1-0 victory.
Bradley returned from injury to captain the side, while his defensive partner put in a man-of-the-match display to keep the Owls out.
Boss Jones said: “They deserve it, they’re such honest boys. All three of them have had adversity this season but they keep putting themselves out there.
“When you keep doing that, you keep training every day and you’re a good professional, eventually you’ll get your rewards because you’ll improve that that’s what you’ve seen.”
It was Sluga’s maiden clean sheet in English football and, after a torrid first six months at the club, is now starting to show why he’s a Croatian international.
“You’ve seen his improvement,” said the manager, adding: “If we talk about performances, it’s been coming. He’s got better and better and better. He was so assured tonight, really, really good.
“That boy has not turned away from anything. He’s got his rewards and I’m delighted for Simon.”
It was a surprise to many that Bradley replaced Tottenham loan ace Cameron Carter-Vickers in the starting line-up, considering the USA international’s assured performance at the weekend, despite a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff.
Jones said: “Sonny’s the captain of this football club and he’s never shirked anything. He probably should have pulled out in the warm-up against Derby but he played for 95 minutes.
“I thought it was right to put him in tonight but, luckily now, I’ve got three centre halves that I trust and believe in. So, for the first time in this job, I’ve got options in certain positions and that makes life a little bit easier.”
