Graeme Jones is unwavering in his belief that Luton can still §beat relegation and is undaunted by today’s trip to Nottingham Forest, despite a dismal run of ten straight defeats on the road.
That and six losses in their last seven Championship games sees Town propping up the division, four points from safety, and still yet to make a dent in the minimum of 21 points – double their current tally – that the manager believes will steer his side to safety.
Two wins on the road this season would dictate that Luton are less likely to chip away at that target on their travels, particularly against a Nottingham Forest side sitting in sixth place.
“You’ve got to start somewhere,” Jones said, adding: “Everybody will talk about the league, the position and the points, but we’ve got to affect our own destiny and our own future with our own results.
“It has to start somewhere, and the next opportunity is Nottingham Forest on Sunday, live on Sky and we’ll be ready for it.”
Asked if he still believes Luton can beat the drop, Jones said: “Absolutely. If there were seven games left, there are 21 points to play for and I’d still be believing.
“There are 19 games left. It’s a long, long way to go but until we start registering positive results it’s going to be frustrating.”
With 58 goals conceded in 27 games, Luton have the leakiest defence in the division. While Forest have the Championship’s third highest goalscorer in Lewis Grabban – who has struck 14 times this term already – Jones believes his former Wigan charge Ben Watson is Nottingham’s most important player.
While they were at the Latics the midfielder headed an injury time winner to clinch the 2013 FA Cup final and pull off one of the biggest cup shocks in recent times.
Jones said: “I’ve got great memories of Ben as a player and as a character. He’s a wonderful character. He’s a manager’s player. He really does take the message from the manager onto the football pitch and though Nottingham Forest have got some good individuals, he’s probably their most important player.
“I think, when you’ve got great history with people and you’ve been through the mill, in terms of relegation fights, and you come out of it the other end, as you do with Ben, it’s just a look sometimes.
“It’ll be a really warm feeling to see him on Sunday but hopefully after the game he can have the sad face and not me.”
Forest did a number of Luton when they last met, when they came to Kenilworth Road in November and packed the midfield, soaking up pressure and hitting Town on the break to win 2-1.
Jones said: “Tactically, they haven’t changed. You’ll see the same kind of thing. But I think, at home, a tea has to come out a little bit more and be a little bit more expansive.
“They rely a lot on their individuals, as many teams do in the Championship. (Joe) Lolly, Grabban, (Sammy) Ameobi, they’ve got Ben Watson and some excellent individuals so, before we even talk about the tactical aspect, as one thing, you have to stop the individuals as well.
“But I don’t think it will be too different from the game at home.”
