Luton came from behind to win a game for the first time this season, as Elijah Adebayo sizzled in the sunshine to inspire a quite amazing second period turnaround to earn the Hatters an unlikely three points.
Town trudged in at half time 2-0 down after one of the most abject displays the Kenny has ever seen from the home team. It was so bad that even the cardboard cutouts would have considered leaving early.
There was an astonishing lack of ideas, quality, heart and endeavour from the Luton players, as they witnessed former team-mate Izzy Brown controlling the play on his return to Kenilworth Road, while Josh Windass put the Owls two goals to the good in a 45 minutes dominated by the visitors.
That it was only 2-0 at the break was probably one of the better results Luton could have had, as it could easily have been four, five or six, such was the gulf in the performance of the two sides.
Manager Nathan Jones said: “It couldn’t have been any worse, the second half. Whatever happened, I knew I was going to get a reaction. We were totally inept in the first half. We got out-battled all over the pitch, out-worked.
“Absolutely, it could’ve been more. In the second half, we changed something, had a real calculated chat about what to do.
“I went with a little bit more of what I know, what’s tried and tested at this football club and what’s got this football club two promotions and a retention in the Championship, what’s done really well this year. They responded again.”
Talking of the half time team talk to rouse his men, the Welshman said: “We didn’t even go into the changing room until two minutes before we were due to come back out. We had a real calculated chat because we were in disarray, you would’ve said.
“You would’ve used words like that because we were all over the place. That was the worst performance, even worse than Stoke away the other day.”
But remarking on the finale, which saw Adebayo notch for a second start in a row, this time heading the winner he deserved, but didn’t get in midweek, Jones added: “What a great way to win a game. We haven’t come back from a goal down or two goals, to win a game, so we’ve put that to bed. It’s absolutely superb.
“Hopefully, it’ll answer a few. I’m just delighted. I’m so proud of our players.”
Something had to change for Luton to get back into the game, and after three half time substitutions which saw Glen Rea, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Harry Cornick introduced to the fray and a change of shape to a diamond formation, it was a completely different side that graced the hallowed turf.
Luton got one back five minutes into the second half when a training ground corner saw Kal Naismith expertly convert a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivery.
With the Town on the front foot, energised by the relentless running of Mpanzu, Cornick and the excellent Ryan Tunnicliffe, it was new signing Adebayo who took over.
Luton were level when Dewsbury-Hall sent the former Walsall striker clear down the left channel. He stood Sam Hutchison up before waltzing past him to pull back for the onrushing Tunnicliffe to fire home just before the hour mark.
The game became end-to-end after that, with both sides going in search of a winner. Town had long range shots fly over while Wednesday’s final pass thankfully failed to find a target.
You sensed Luton weren’t going to let this one slip from here though and the winning goal came five minutes from time. Mpanzu brilliantly won the ball, released Cornick down the right. His delivery was pinpoint and Adebayo thundered a header home like Mick Harford in his prime, completing the turnaround to earn a victory that looked impossible at half time.
“He just gets better week in, week out. Great recruitment,” said Jones of his newest signing, adding: “He’s got 100 per cent record. There’s plenty more to come from him because we haven’t had time to work with him, so that’s natural at the minute.
“We can take a certain amount of credit from bringing him here, a certain amount for putting him in positions. We work religiously on him being in that position for the header, but he’s hit the ground running at Luton Town and we’re delighted he has.”
On a rollercoaster afternoon, the only negative was that Kenilworth Road was not full to rafters with supporters who would’ve lifted the roof off the old girl when the winner went in.
But all those desperate to be here can take solace from the fact that in Adebayo they have a player who is going to provide plenty of entertainment when their backsides are finally reunited with the 10,000 seats.
Jones told the BBC: “We miss the fans so much. We’ve never been booed off since I’ve been here, but I think we would’ve been booed off at half time. Second half was a total change around and what a way to win a game.”
PLAYER RATINGS:
Simon Sluga – 6
Quiet afternoon for the Town stopper who never actually made a save in a Wednesday dominated first-half. Other than picking the ball out of his net a couple of times he was not given anything to do. A spectator in the second half.
Martin Cranie – 2
Gave his manager no option but to hook him at half time. Began the game at centre-half where his sloppy pass into Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall led to Wednesday opening the scoring, and he didn’t really improve when he moved to right-back. Replaced by Glen Rea at the break.
Dan Potts – 6.5
One of the few who could walk in with some sort of credit at half time. Defensively sound whether at centre-back or left-back. One of the better in possession in a period of the game where passing to a team-mate looked impossible.
Matty Pearson – 4
Struggled on his return from injury. A weak clearance fell to Windass to lash in the second and looked edgy throughout the game. Didn’t impose himself aerially as he normally does and his distribution was below the level.
Kal Naismith – 8
May have discovered a new position after moving to centre-half when Town went to a back four. Exemplary in that position but was one of the better players in a terrible opening 20 minutes too. A good display crowned with his first goal for the club to get the Hatters back into the game.
Jordan Clark – 7
Utilised in a number of different positions, starting off as a right wing-back before a spell on the left-wing and then playing the second period at right-back. Outstanding in the air and contributed to the attacking outlook of the second period. Continues to look the part.
Joe Morrell – 3.5
This wasn’t the classy performance the Wales international delivered against Millwall. One of the bigger culprits of misplaced passes in the first 20 minutes and couldn’t keep close enough order to Izzy Brown to stop him controlling the game. Replaced by Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu at half time.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7
Very ordinary first half by his quite high standards but he was one of the catalysts for an inspired second half display. Took the corner that set the opener up and was involved in the move for the second too. Kept Luton on the front foot after the break.
Ryan Tunnicliffe – 8
One of his best performances in a Luton shirt. One of the better players on the pitch in the first half and Town got the full use of his boundless energy and running in the second period. Levelled the scores with a wonderful late run and cool finish and kept a firm grip on the midfield in that latter 45 minutes.
Tom Ince – 5
Only played 45 minutes but struggled to get into the game. The attacking unit were separated from the rest of the side in that opening half and was hooked at the break as Nathan Jones sought about getting more pace and energy into his charges. Replaced by Harry Cornick at half time.
Elijah Adebayo – 9.5 (Star man)
Nathan Jones confessed he was happy with his recent recruit ahead of the game and he will be absolutely delighted with him after it. A complete striker’s performance. Energetic, intelligent and strong. Held the ball up well, used his mobility to set up the first goal and his instinct to be on the end of the Cornick cross for the winner. This lad has a huge career ahead of him at Kenilworth Road.
SUBSTITUTES:
Glen Rea – 7.5
Much better from the lynchpin in front of the defence. Stopped Izzy Brown impacting the game and read the play well to get Luton going a number of times. This was more like the Rea of old.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – 8
Everything his manager would have asked from his midfielder he got. Forward-thinking, relentless energy, pressing and, most importantly of all, a piece of quality for his role in the winning goal. A fantastic 45 minute cameo.
Harry Cornick – 8
Used his pace to his advantage. Provided the assist for the winner and then produced another lung-bursting run down the right before narrowly failing to pick out Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu to put the game to bed. Stretched the play and had the Wednesday defence at it in a superb second half.
UNUSED SUBS: James Shea, James Bree, Danny Hylton, George Moncur, James Collins and Luke Berry
This was a game I was unable to watch – and I wasn’t sorry to be missing it as I heard the Wednesday goals go in! At half-time you wondered just how many more they might get. But three successful substitutions, which nobody can quibble with, and two relatively unlikely goal-scorers later – and it was 2-2. Then the crowning glory as Adebayo made it 3-2 with his second in two starts! You know all this, of course – but it bears repeating! Well done, NJ and the lads. Let’s have more of the same – the second half, that is!
Well thank whatever for that second half performance! Fun at last!!! Who’d have thought fast tempo, balls in behind defences and using the pace of Cornick and Adebayo would work?! And great that Naismith has found an excellent performance and perhaps a best position – Sorry for doubting him. It also showed the benefit of attacking fullbacks. Clarke had another great game once he moved to right back. And Potts had a much better second half when he was allowed to go forward.
But boy did Jones make it unnecessarily hard! That first half was so poor that after telling folks he was flabbergasted by criticism from fans, he would have been facing a fair few calls for his sacking if the miraculous hadn’t happen. Thanks to him and the players for finally letting some attacking football do the talking! I hope Jones also accepts his tactics were inept in the first half. As just one example, Ince has no right foot and always had 2 on him, so why move him to the right? Sure wingers can be successful when cutting in, but that requires the threat of a second foot to keep defenders guessing.
Let’s follow it up with something similar the rest of the season! Two free shots away now. Let’s got for it! Then maintain some fun into the 3 home games on the spin that could see us safe from any nonsense talk of relegation.