Luton manager Rob Edwards has said reinforcements and improvements will come after his first game in the hotseat ended with a “flat” feeling after Middlesbrough came from behind to beat his ten-man Hatters at the death.
Jordan Clark scored a stunning solo goal to give Town the lead, but the lead lasted only five minutes as Boro ensured the scores were all square at the break through a Chuba Akpom leveller.
Amari’i Bell then saw red for a second bookable offence in the 72nd minute and and Matt Crooks broke Hatters hearts with a stoppage-time winner.
The sending off leaves Luton even lighter in defence with Dan Potts, Reece Burke and Sonny Bradley all still out and only Tom Lockyer as a recognised centre back.
The Welshman, who didn’t make an appearance in the World Cup for his country, captained the side as Edwards opted for the same line-up that Mick Harford had picked in the final game before the FIFA tournament-enforced winter break.
Edwards said: “We’ll hopefully get one or two back fairly soon, but the bodies we’ve have at the moment are what we’ve got. But I’m really happy with them. They’re a great group and I think we’ll get stronger over the next few weeks.”
But the manner of defeat was a hard one to swallow and Edwards admitted: “The dressing room’s flat. We’re all a bit flat because we worked so hard, especially when you go down to ten men. Taking a point away from home would’ve been a good result. It wasn’t to be.
“There’s bits for us to reflect on and get better at.”
As to whether Bell deserved his marching orders, the new boss said: “I’m not going to argue with it too much, to be honest. There were a few fouls in the game. They were good in transition and Jones was obviously a threat.
“We’re asking Belly, we’re asking all the lads to be physical, fairly, but I’m disappointed to lose a man because it makes the job difficult then.”
The result saw Middlesbrough leapfrog Luton in the Championship table as Town dropped two places to 13th, but despite the late sickener, Edwards said: “I don’t think there was much in it. I was pleased with the first half. I think we quietened the crowd down, we retained a threat. We were aggressive at the right moments and I thought we pressed well.
“Clicker’s goal was amazing. It was a wonderful individual goal. We didn’t create too much and that’s something we’ll continue to work on, but we limited them to not much as well.
“It’s disappointing in how we conceded, but we’re always going to be disappointed in how we concede goals. The first half, overall, was very pleasing.”
Lockyer missed an early second half chance to put Town back in the lead, but Boro were the better side after the break and Edwards said: “We lacked a little bit of control. We gave the ball away too cheaply on a number of occasions and when we won it back we needed to be a little bit better with the ball.
“It allowed them to gain and bit of momentum and more control. And then we couldn’t press as well and they’ve got the game then.
“When we lose Amari’i it makes things a lot more difficult, but what I will say is that the lads gave absolutely everything.”
Reflecting on his first game in charge of Luton, Edwards told the BBC: “It’s an incredibly proud moment for me to come out and see the supporters there with a welcome Rob sign. Thank you for that.
“It’s a really proud moment but we all want to get results and points, don’t we? But what we will do is we’ll work really hard to bounce back and I can’t wait to be at home next week. It’s a really big game against Millwall.”
