Nathan Jones believes his side are evolving in the Championship and, after a second straight game where they created chances galore, but this time took some, you have to think that if they find the missing link there’ll be a team heading for a hiding.
As it was they had to settle for two goals against Coventry, through James Bree’s first ever goal and Elijah Adebayo’s maiden penalty, but it was the victory that was most important as it arrested two consecutive defeats without scoring, and moved them 15 points clear of the drop zone.
Sitting in 13th place with a game in hand on 11th placed Stoke, it’s not so much the Great Escape this year as the Great Unknown, because more of this application and swagger and, when supporters finally return next season, they’ll be in for a treat and who knows what can happen.
“It should’ve been three or four and that’s the only negative to come out of the game, that we weren’t a little more clinical, a little more comfortable and Saturday was the same thing,” said boss Jones.
“We’re evolving at this level and we’re a different side to what we were last year. Totally different. We’re much more front-footed, we’re aggressive in our press, we go after people.
“We’ve created 20 shots tonight, seven on target which, again, is not a great ratio because we should’ve had more, but I’m just pleased with the win and I’m pleased with the reaction that we’ve got.
“We don’t go three, four, five on the spin without winning, that’s the good thing about us. We bounce back.”
Here they did so with a thrilling attacking display in the first half that ended with the departure of Coventry’s Kyle McFadzean for a handball on the goal-line to deny liverwire Harry Cornick his first goal of the campaign.
Yet, Town could easily have conceded two or three by the time Adebayo stroked in from the spot, with Maxime Biamou squandering two golden chances, hitting the post with one, moments after he and McFadzean kicked against their own woodwork.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Coventry dominated the early stages of the second period as the defensive three of Matty Pearson, Kal Naismith and Glen Rea, never quite clicking.
But once the latter moved into midfield around the hour mark Town settled and, like against Swansea on Saturday, fashioned a series of chances, but couldn’t convert any of them.
That was courtesy of keeper Wilson who denied Jordan Clark a stunning goal from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s sublime cross-field assist and then kept substitute Sam Nombe from registering a maiden strike. While Leo Østigård hooked off the line from the excellent Ryan Tunnicliffe – who is a man reborn in Luton’s midfield – and Dewsbury-Hall blasted high over.
Jones added: “It was really important we won the game today. We’ve had back-to-back defeats, albeit against the top two, but tonight was a much better performance.
“It was a bit open early on, which we didn’t want to happen, but we were clinical in terms of what we did and should’ve scored more.
“We should’ve gone further ahead in the first half and then, in the second half, once we got over their initial burst, where they played with a bit of freedom, we were pretty dominant really. It should’ve been far, far more.”
PLAYER RATINGS:
Simon Sluga – 7
Did enough to put Maxime Biamou off in the first half and punched well in the second period, but for all Coventry’s dominance in the first 20 minutes of the second half, he didn’t have a lot to do.
Jordan Clark – 8
He’s really making that wingback berth his own, giving Town good width in attack where he is frequently probing. Saw Ben Wilson deny him with a superb save, which would’ve been a contender for goal of the season.
Kal Naismith – 6
Got caught out trying to play offside in the first half and didn’t look comfortable in a back three for the first time, but he improved when they moved to four at the back.
Matty Pearson – 7
Made two vital blocks to deny Maxime Biamou and Callum O’Hare. He also looking more at ease in a four. Booked at the end.
Glen Rea – 6
Started off in a defensive three and Town were all at sea at times when out of possession. He got sucked in to allow Maxime Biamou through on goal, but got let off when the striker hit the post. He blasted two efforts off target when well placed and then moved into midfield around the hour mark, where he looked more assured.
James Bree – 7.5
A milestone moment for the youngster, scoring his first ever professional goal. Still not quite the marauding force he can be, but he’s getting there.
Ryan Tunnicliffe – 8.5 (star man)
Full throttle commitment, he’s having his best spell in a Luton shirt. Looked good when driving forward, but equally adept at putting his boot in. Unlucky to see Leo Østigård clear a shot off the line.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – 8
A similar all-action performance to his midfield partner, without the goal opportunities.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7
Busy but things are not quite clicking as they had been. Still managed to pick out a sublime cross that Jordan Clark caught perfectly but found Ben Wilson equal to it. He should’ve scored five minutes from time but blasted very very high and then missed out on another assist when Sam Nombe wasted a sitter late on.
Harry Cornick – 8
Claimed an assist for James Bree’s opener and had the shot that was handballed by Kyle McFadzean for the penalty. And he was the main proponent of trying to run in behind City in the second half when Town were under the cosh. Replaced by James Collins on 81 minutes.
Elijah Adebayo – 8
Scored his third Luton goal and first ever from the spot. He’s such an aerial threat and a livewire, whether that’s with balls into the box or as an outlet, it gives Town a good platform from which to mount attacks. He was less of an influence in the second half and replaced by Sam Nombe on 81 minutes.
SUBSTITUTES:
Sam Nombe – 4
His first outing since January and he immediately got booked for a silly foul and then missed an absolute sitter right at the death, firing into the legs of keeper Ben Wilson when he had all the time and freedom of the Coventry box to pick his spot and break his Hatters duck.
James Collins – 5
Had two bites at a chance, but found the City defenders in his way and then blasted over after Sam Nombe’s late strike rebounded into his path.
UNUSED SUBS: James Shea, Martin Cranie, Luke Berry, George Moncur, Kazenga LuaLua, Joe Morrell, Tom Ince
A great deal to be happy about. Cornick’s taken a bit of criticism over the season, but he’s really showing what he can do at the moment. Great if he could cap it all with a goal or two. Tunnicliffe quite a revelation – and Clark getting better game by game. Did I hear that Adebayo had only taken two penalties before – and missed both? Incredibly relaxed if so!
I’d agree on the subs point. Collins and Nombe on after 60 minutes would have made sense – the latter so desperate to impress that he got booked and then missed what looked like a sitter. With the pressure coming off, he could be given a proper chance now to see if he has a future with the club.
Agree on Tunny. Great game, shame he aimed at the one part of the goal the defender could cover. And yup Clark is a great wing back. And if Cornick had shooting boots he’d be in the prem – his play outside that end piece is brilliant at the moment.
It’s churlish to be annoyed at a 2-0 win. But I preferred the performance on Saturday. I didn’t think the intensity was as good as it should have been second half and I would have preferred some subs to freshen it up on 60 mins and really kill the game. It might have given Collo, Ince, Morrell and Nombe chance to find some form/confidence. As it is we laboured a bit against 10 men for the second time this season. It wasn’t fair to give Nombe and Collo 10 minutes as they were always going to try too hard to impress.
But great 3 points. 2 more wins and we’re totally safe.