Luke Berry’s outstanding performance at the base of Luton’s midfield diamond against Cardiff was the result of manager Graeme Jones’ trust in his intelligence
The 27-year-old returned from a minor injury to orchestrate Town’s triumph in the south of Wales last night to send Luton through to the Carabao Cup third round and set up a home tie with Leicester City. as a player he rates as an intelligent and technical
Berry had only featured twice before this term, but he displayed a superb range of passing at the Cardiff City Stadium, playing balls between the Bluebirds’ lines and ensuring Luton hogged 70 per cent of possession (78 per cent in the first half).
His stunning through-ball set up Jake Jervis for his first goal for the club, which completed the scoring and afterwards, boss Jones said: “Luke Berry’s another one that I can’ say anything negative about.
“I was so impressed with him as a player, when I started working with him. That’s the thing. I watched him from a distance last season, but it’s never the same, unless you work with someone up close.
“But there’s nothing that Luke Berry can’t do. He’s a very intelligent footballer. I think he’s at a better physical level now. I think the volume he had in pre-season has really helped him.
“Technically, he’s got a forward pass, he can hurt you and his got a goal in him. He’s jus very reliable in possession, that’s why he played at the base of the diamond, because he can get turned, play it forward and hurt the opposition.”
Jervis said: “That’s what Bezza does. He’s always there to thread a ball, like all the midfielders, all I’ve got to do is make the run and they’ll find me. I’m confident and I’ll back myself in a one-v-one all the time.”
However, Jones was keen to talk up a fabulous team performance at Cardiff, rather than individual performances, as he made ten changes from Saturday’s 3-1 Championship win at Barnsley.
Jones said: I think it’s unfair to try to dig anyone out in terms of praise. I could go through every individual. I could go through the two full backs that came on and we’re at it. I was just delighted overall with everybody’s contribution.”
