Luke Bolton revealed that a conversation with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola convinced him that his future lay as a wing back.
The 19-year-old joined Luton on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day and arrived, billed as a forward, a position for which he was called up to the England Under-20 side last week.
However, Bolton has been deployed in defence in Town’s last two league games and filled in there in the second half of the 3-0 Carabao Cup win at Cardiff.
Luton boss Graeme Jones has previously confirmed that the position is where his parent club thinks Bolton can excel and the youngster said: “I spoke to City and that’s where the manager (Guardiola) sees me, so I was hoping that I’d get a run out at right back (with Luton), and I’m really enjoying it.
“I played there three times last pre-season with the first team, then Pep spoke to me and thought that’s where I was going to be best, so I just took that advice on board, that’s all I can do really, listen to him.
“He’s obviously a very smart man, I’d say the best coach in the world. He pulled me into his office, we’re speaking, he thanked me for pre-season and then said that’s where he thinks I’m going to be best.
“So straight away, I said, ‘no problem, that’s where I’ll play.’ I’ll never argue and say, ‘no, I think I’m a winger,’ I’ll take it on board from someone like that, as he’s managed a lot of top players as well.”
Asked the reasons why Guardiola earmarked him for a more defensive post, Bolton added: “He said, with my pace, getting up and down the line, he just thinks I’m going to be more sorted to full back than as a winger.
“That’s all he really said, my physical attributes, he thinks I can turn into a good wing-back.”
And Bolton revealed that he’s been getting some on field advice from Hatters centre back Matty Pearson, as he tries to adapt to life in his new role, having been targeted by opposition teams.
He said: “I’d rather not get caught out. The positioning, I’m still working on it, but I feel like I’m getting better every game.
“Having to use my pace to get myself out of it, if I do get done, I try to get back as quick as I can.
“Matty helps massively, always talking and I listen, even if it’s what I don’t want to hear, I’ll always listen to him as he’s very experienced.
“I do enjoy defending, I back myself one-v-one anyway, to show down the line, it’s just tucking round and stuff like that, but I’m learning and I’ll only get better.
“I’d rather have good position and head the ball, but if I need to use my pace, it is there.”
“Graeme tells me what he wants me to do but, obviously, on the pitch sometimes things change.
“I think it’s just speaking to the players, listening for instructions from Matty and Sonny (Bradley) and just taking it all on board.
“The only way you learn, especially at this level is just doing it, and having the pressure on brings out the best in you anyway, so I’m really enjoying learning as I’m playing.”
