Luton let a lead slip for the fifth time in nine Championship home games this term as they drew 1-1 against Sunderland to spoil boss Nathan Jones’ 300th game in charge.
Carlton Morris bagged his eighth of the season with virtually the last kick of the first half and though six of those strikes have come at Kenilworth Road, they’ve only inspired victory on one occasion.
Elliot Embleton made sure it was another draw with an equaliser in the 78th minute and Luton just didn’t have an answer to mark Jones’ milestone match with three points.
Jones said: “That would’ve been perfect, but that was a hard-fought game and every point in the Championship is tough.
“This is Sunderland Football Club. 40,000 (fans) every week, so they’re a big club, a really tricky side to play against with the individuals they’ve got.
“It was nice to make sure we bounced back and not go back-to-back defeats after last week.”
Asked about the reaction of the fans after last week’s 4-0 derby defeat at Watford, Jones said: “I thought the fans were excellent. There’s a lot that’s been written about it and we just need to calm things down.”
He added: “With the greatest of respect to everyone, we have to have some perspective. This team has been lambasted, they’ve been called embarrassed, they’ve been called everything.
“That annoys me a little bit because I know it’s a rivalry, but they give us everything. They’ve given you more good days.
“I’ve been here 300 games. Half of those we’ve won, a quarter we’ve drawn, so they’ve only had a quarter of 300 bad days, so that ain’t bad. They’ve had promotions, play-off semis, all against the grain. Let’s not forget that.
“Yes, it was a bad result last week. I’ve been sick to recover, but this team will give you everything.”
His team started strongly against Sunderland, aiming to exorcise the derby day horror show last week. Dan Potts and Henri Lansbury were restored to the side after the sickness that swept through the squad before the last week’s defeat. But the midfielder lasted only 30 minutes when he pulled up after playing a pass.
Their fast start petered out after that, but while Luton played well it was the Black Cats that had the best chances.
Ethan Horvath made three fine saves, the most impressive from Jack Clarke after he danced past Alfie Doughty, Tom Lockyer and Dan Potts but couldn’t beat the American from close range.
Leon Dajaku and Danny Batth both hit the woodwork after Doughty’s header had almost given Luton the lead.
That came on the stroke of half time when the winger laid it on a plate for Morris, who made it two in his last three.
But it didn’t have the killer effect on Sunderland who rallied after the break and though chances were few and far between, the visitors had been banging on the door enough that when Embleton struck it was hardly a surprise.
With just two wins at Kenilworth Road this term, asked whether Town’s home form was becoming an issue, Jones said: “Not at all. It’s tough coming here. People raise their game. We haven’t lost many games here.
“We have lost many this year. In 17 games we’ve lost four. In 13 games we’ve picked up points and that’s not bad in Championship football.
“I’ve been lower. And we’ve had injury worries, we’ve come off the back of a play-off. So there’s a lot of football to be played. I’m proud of this group and they give me everything.”
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Sorry about the repetition. The original one didn’t appear to have got through.
The Watford loss – which I watched on the red button – was devastating, but there were reasons for it, and lambasting the players doesn’t achieve anything.
Yesterday – which I couldn’t watch – was disappointing, but the commentaries and media reports suggested it was a fair outcome. Even so, we would have expected to come out on top, just as we will v Reading.
The Championship looks even more ‘dog eat dog’ than ever this season, so let’s hope NJ and the squad can raise the bar at home on Tuesday and get a comfortable win in style. We really need it!
The Watford beating was hard to watch – on the screen in my case – and hard to take, but there were reasons for it, and lambasting the players doesn’t achieve anything. Yesterday’s draw – which I didn’t see – sounded a reasonable outcome, given the stats and the media reactions, but it was a pity we couldn’t hang on for that 1-0 win. Let’s hope we can have a rousing home performance and a more positive result v Reading. Then everybody will be happy – everyone in orange, that is!
I was more disappointed today than walking to the coach last weekend. We were done by a good team against a poor performance last week. It happens. Today it was a dull game after the first 15. And second half we didn’t offer enough up front.
For me, we’re halfway through the season nearly and Jones still hasn’t figured out a plan b at home. When we aren’t offered the counter attack we struggle. And we aren’t as fit as we were last season, so even when the counter is offered it’s not easy to benefit. We need that plan b quickly.
Away it’s still often fun. But home, it’s really dull at the moment (qpr aside). Please figure out how to bring the fun back to the Kenny NJ. You managed it for lots of your 150+ home games. 11 points from 27 isn’t great but when 5 of those have been draws i think it’s even worse. 4 wins, 5 draws would be more fun (albeit 1 more point than we have with 5 draws 2 wins).
Let’s start with some fun on Tuesday hammering Reading. And then finish this half of the season with another against Rotherham too. Then any points at Blackpool and Stoke away will be bonuses
Sorry, 4 wins, 5 losses (not draws) would be more fun