Kal Naismith hasn’t got many fond memories of the FA Cup, so he’s keen to create one tonight against a Chelsea side he was supporting at Wembley on Sunday.
The defender scored in the third round 4-0 victory over League Two minnows Harrogate Town and that’s the only moment that really stands out about his experience of the world’s oldest competition.
His first start for Luton after moving from Wigan in January last year came in the 3-1 fourth round defeat at Stamford Bridge last term, so the 30-year-old is hoping things go better when the Blues come to Bedfordshire this evening.
“I don’t have any memories of the FA Cup,” Naismith said, adding: “I’ve got a shocking memory as it is. Last year, Chelsea and Stamford Bridge we got beaten and never played particularly well.
“I probably need to say the Harrogate game, which is close to me memory. I scored a nice goal, we played well enough so I’d probably go Harrogate.
“So, let’s make Wednesday night the best memory.”
The visit of the European and World Club Cup champions to Kenilworth Road tonight is the Londoners’ first trip to Luton since 1991, such has been their extremes of the two clubs’ fortunes over the last three decades.
Luton have been on the rise in the last ten years and are currently the Championship play-off positions, but tonight’s Premier League opponents were contesting the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, which they lost to Liverpool after an epic penalty shootout saw 20 scored without a miss until goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga skied his effort.
Naismith was at the showpiece at Wembley, watching in support of former loan spell team-mates Reece James and Marcus Bettinelli and Blues’ first-team coach Anthony Barry.
Naismith said: “I went to the game. It was a brilliant day, I know a couple of the boys at Chelsea and I went to support them.
“I was a bit gutted they never got the winner. I would have liked to see them on the pitch celebrating after. I was with the families and I saw them disappointed but that is the heartache of cup finals.
“It was a good game, an exciting game for a 0-0, I’m just sad they never got the win. Obviously I’ll be desperate to beat them on Wednesday night because it’s different when we play them but I was supporting friends so I was hoping they’d get the win.”
James was the only player to feature in the final when he came on as a substitute. The pair were at Wigan together for a short time, but Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has confirmed the England international is unlikely to feature against Luton – which may come as a relief for Naismith.
The Scot said: “I played against Reece last year, it was my first start for Luton and I played left wing-back and he was right-back so we matched up against each other.
“I knew I was bang in trouble because left wing-back isn’t my best position and I knew who I was playing against so it was a tough game!
“If I play (tonight), it will be good to play in a position I feel I can really impose myself on the game.”
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