This goalless draw against struggling Rotherham won’t live long in the memory, but the outcome most definitely should as a point saw Luton Town surpass the class of 2005/06.
It also ensured their best haul in the top two divisions since 1986/87 when they got 66 points and finished seventh in the old Division One and their best second tier tally since the 1981/82 promotion-winning campaign when they notched 88 points.
But for relatively modern Championship era comparisons, a haul of 62 points beats the Hatters’ previous best from Mike Newell’s side of 15 years ago, which contained such Luton luminaries as Kevin Nicholls, Steve Howard, Ahmet Brkovic, Curtis Davies and Leon Barnett. The season after that marked the start of turmoil at Town and a triple relegation slide into the non-league, but this is now and Luton are most definitely back where they belong.
“That’s fantastic if we can do things like that and it shows that we are making progress,” said manager Nathan Jones on beating that 15-year record, adding: “I’m delighted it’s our best placed finish, most points and so on and so forth, but that just comes with the work we do. We’re pleased on every level.”
Though there was precious little quality on show on account of the ball wasn’t hurtling back and forth through the Kenilworth Road air, Town had some golden chances to sign off on home soil this season with a win against a Millers side hunting a victory to lift them out of the drop zone. Most notably, skipper Sonny Bradley had the ball in the net late on but referee David Webb blew for a foul that Jones was baffled by.
The manager said: “I categorically do not think it was a push. I think someone fabricated something there that I haven’t seen. It’s a real safe decision. I can understand why he’s (Webb) given it, but I’m devastated he has because it wasn’t a foul in any way shape or form.
“If he gives that as a foul then some of the stuff that went on and the treatment he (Elijah Adebayo) had. I’ve seen the replay and it is definitely 100 per cent not a foul.”
Before that, Adebayo – outstanding leading the line – hit the bar with a crashing shot and then blasted off-target after a lightning counter.
United had their chances too, their best in the first half when Matt Crooks lifted the ball over Simon Sluga but had to watch as his effort hit the post and was grabbed by the grateful keeper on the line. Webb looked at his watch but goal-line technology said ‘No!’.
But there’s no modern tech or computer algorithms needed to assess Luton’s league position. The table largely doesn’t lie and, with one game left, the Hatters can delight in a remarkable achievement, made all the more impressive by the depths from which they’ve risen and that final day Great Escape of last term.
Jones said: “We wanted to guarantee a top 12 finish, which means we’re top half. It’s a fantastic achievement because when you look at Sky Sports and you see the Championship table, we are guaranteed to be on the first page and not the second. That’s a massive thing for us.”
PLAYER RATINGS:
Simon Sluga – 7
The Croatian dealt well with a potentially nasty deflected shot and was alert to chase after a dinked shot and catch it on the line after it bounced off the post. He pushed away a late Lewis Wing free-kick. His performances and the clean sheet haul this term shows a major difference in his second season in English football.
Dan Potts – 3
Deployed as a wing back. He’s not a wing back. Replaced at half time by Harry Cornick.
Ryan Tunnicliffe – 6
A functional and committed performance in a midfield with zero space to operate. Replaced in the 76th minute by Kazenga LuaLua
Sonny Bradley – 7
He was in a bit of a war with Michael Smith, who was gaining some joy until United withdrew him in the 66th minute. After spending the evening heading away booming long balls, he nodded what he thought was the winner in injury time but the whistle had already gone for a foul at a corner.
Matty Pearson – 7
A typically resolute performance of heading, kicking and blocking everything, including the kitchen sink.
Glen Rea – 7
He excelled in a scrappy and congested middle of the park, and exhibited some intelligent touches and, most of all, calm under pressure.
James Collins – 6
Not his night and he toiled with maximum effort but nothing to show for it. Replaced on 63 minutes by Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 8 (star man)
He saw a corner hit the post and get clawed away by Jamal Blackman and was determined to do his playing on the deck which, in a game of little quality and many aerial assaults, saw him rise head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch. He was Town’s biggest influence in the second period in attack and defence. The hope is that is not the last time he graces Kenilworth Road, but it could well be. If that’s the case, there’s still one more game to enjoy his talents.
Kal Naismith – 7
he was part of three at the back in the first half, which didn’t work, but he got forward more and saw more crossing opportunities in the second period, once moved out to left back in a four.
James Bree – 6.5
Had a chance to shoot in the first half but neither did that or feed in Elijah Adebayo.
Elijah Adebayo – 7
He shook the woodwork with a stinging drive in the first half and then had a big chance in the second period with Town burst out on the counter, but he blasted high and wide. But his general play continues to impress.
SUBSTITUTES:
Harry Cornick – 6
He gave Town more pace up top but such a physical contest is not his forte.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – 6
The midfielder fired well over from a good central position, just outside the box, but despite his lack of shooting prowess, he put in an energetic shift.
Kazenga LuaLua – 5
He dug out one decent cross, but with the ball spending so little time on the grass, he’s best talents were not able to flourish.
UNUSED SUBS: James Shea, Martin Cranie, George Moncur, Sam Nome, Joe Morrell, Dion Pereira,
It was 3 points for a win in 1981/82. The first ever season of 3 points for a win IIRC
One of my group said he heard Moncur and NJ had a big falling out at Christmas. If there is any truth in that, given NJ had the mother of all second chances, the very least he should have been expected to do was forgive and move on. I agree, our leading goal scorer by minutes on the pitch this season deserves it.
Last night the first half was scrappy but open and fun. Second half was scrappy but boring. None of the subs worked out. And it was crying out for Moncur. Still, at least the point for Rotherham means there is a chance Derby can go down. I’d have preferred it to be in Rotherham’s hands though.
The rating for Potts seems harsh, and for Rea seems generous. He was in one of those moods where he was trying too hard. He was lucky his passing didn’t lead to goal or his tackling to worse.
The disallowed goal seemed very harsh. If Kaz has pushed someone it sums up his season, frustrating. But surely that should be cancelled out by the hand round the neck of Bradley?
Collo’s performance summed up his season too. Lots of effort, but always just behind play in an attacking sense perhaps cos he’s busy trying to do other things? If Adebayo gets some pace alongside him we could be very dangerous next season.
Despite costing me £27.20 per home goal this season it’s still been a good one and gives us something to hopefully build on next year. But I hope Saturday is the last of behind closed doors games. My son gave up on it in October when we could no longer watch with a friend. We need to be back in the grounds. If that means delaying any part of next season, so be it. If football is genuinely about the fans, the EFL needs to show some leadership for once in its life and prove it.
Pretty scrappy stuff, but maybe not unexpected in the circumstances. Couldn’t understand NJ’s opening formation, with Potts deployed as a wing-back. And where – yet again – was Moncur? On the bench, of course. I suspect he’ll be looking for pastures new. He deserves better, and I hope he’ll find it somewhere else.
Mustn’t grumble, though. Twelfth is a fantastic achievement – and we could have been even higher if JC hadn’t missed that penalty the other day and last night’s ref hadn’t seen something which nobody else apparently spotted.
Plenty of positives. Adebayo, yet again, and Naismith in particular, with the ongoing Bradley/Pearson combination continuing to do us proud. Goes without saying, though, that if D-H goes back to Leicester, as is more than likely, the gap will take some filling.
So, on to QPR. We owe them a beating – but it won’t be easy. I wouldn’t dream of suggesting what NJ might do with his final formation of the season! Just wish them luck – COYH!