Simon Sluga will return from international duty as an even better goalkeeper, that’s the view of Luton boss Graeme Jones, after the Croatian’s name rang around Kenilworth Road on Saturday.
The club record signing had a tough start to his Hatters career, with a howler in the opening match of the season against Middlesbrough. But the 26-year-old has pulled off stunning and important saves in most of his matches and appears to be becoming something of a cult figure at Luton.
Sluga denied Huddersfield’s Steve Mounie at the weekend to preserve Town’s lead and help them to their first home league win of the season.
And the goalie hung back as his team walked off the pitch victorious, to soak in the applause and chants of his name.
Jones said: “It’ll do Simon the world of good. He’s come in, in a whirlwind for six weeks. The Championship is demanding. It’s a shock for anybody.
“I think when he goes away with Croatia and maybe has a day off, or an easier day and he’s in his hotel room, he’ll settle down and we’ll get an even better Simon Sluga when he comes back from international duty.
“But he’s shown great character because it hasn’t been straightforward for him. He’s shown the character to dig in and learn. We’re all better for these experiences, but you have to be there and you have to go through them to come out stronger and he’s somebody that has.”
Town finished their hectic first month back in the Championship with back-to-back victories sandwiched either side of an impressive 3-0 Carabao Cup win at Cardiff.
Jones said: “It was a tough start, we knew that. We feel like we could’ve done better. We have played well and lost by the odd goal here and there, but our performances have been good, we’ve adapted to the league well and the things we’ve been working on, on the training ground are coming more to fruition every week and we’ve got two results on the bounce, which is great.”
Fantastic club with a great atmosphere, great team managed by a great coach & backroom staff. The world is their lobster !!