Luton boss Matt Bloomfield admits his side are “still an evolving group” as they look to maintain their perfect start to the League One campaign with a trip to newly promoted Bradford City tomorrow.
The Hatters have opened the third-tier season with two wins and two clean sheets but several players are still playing catch-up with their fitness.
Tuesday’s Carabao Cup exit at Coventry allowed the manager to make 11 changes and get some much-needed minutes into players like defenders Mark McGuinness and Tom Holmes, midfielder Lamine Fanne, strikers Lasse Nordås, Cauley Woodrow and Jerry Yates, as well as debuts for West Ham loan signing Gideon Kodua, new left wing-back Cohen Bramall. There was also a debut for 17-year-old academy graduate Christian Chigozie.
“We might not see the finished article of where we’re at for a little while yet, but we’re obviously trying to get there as quickly as we can. Opportunities like [at Coventry] were really key to get some fitness into some of the boys that needed it,” Bloomfield said.
He added: “We are still an evolving group. Jerry’s missed pre-season. Gideon, I thought showed some lovely moments, but he’s behind in terms of his fitness. There’s lots of them that are piecing together their fitness.
“Bramall’s only in his second week with us and he’s only been doing individual work in the off-season because he’s not been at a club. We’ve just got to be really careful with him because we don’t want him to get injured. But he’s a very, very good athlete, good experience, really hungry to contribute for us. He fits the mould we wanted for that role.”
Bloomfield is also determined to see his side build on their defensive strength, having looked solid in the games againts AFC Wimbledon and Peterborough United.
He said: “We want to create more opportunities. We don’t look like we’re going to be scoring loads and loads of goals right this moment. If we’re not going to be free scoring, we need to make sure we’re tight at the back. A solid defence gives you that opportunity. We can’t just expect it, we need to keep working towards that.”
Bradford, back in League One after promotion last season, have made an encouraging start of their own, winning their opening home league game and progressing in the League Cup in midweek, past Championship Blackburn Rovers.
“I played there several times. It’s always a great atmosphere,” said Bloomfield of the Bantams’ Valley Parade home, adding: “They’re a solid team, a real solid team, and they know their jobs absolutely. They’re drilled, they know what they’re doing, they know what they’re going after. They put you under pressure and so we’re expecting a tough test on Saturday.
“They’ve got some real sturdy characters. Josh Neufville is a real good signing from AFC Wimbledon in the summer. Max Power has been around the level for several years, a real good player. [Matthew] Pennington, [Curtis] Tilt, boys that have been around the game for a while. Antoni Sarcevic as well. They know what it’s all about. It’ll be a good atmosphere there, big crowd, we’re looking forward to it.”
The game will see Bloomfield face a familiar figure, to Luton fans at least, in Bradford manager Graham Alexander, the former right back for the Hatters.
“I’ve come up against him a few times, both at Milton Keynes and at Bradford. Real good guy,” said the Town boss. ” “He’s played so many games, managed so many games, real experience. He’s always got time to chat after the game, someone who I really respect. I don’t know him personally really, really well, but he’s got a proven track record. He’ll have his team really well organised and, like I say, is a good guy and someone I’m looking forward to coming up against.”
