Luton slumped to a second successive 2-0 Championship defeat as manager Nathan Jones admitted his side never looked like they “were going to get anything from the game” against Millwall.
It was a stark contrast from Saturday’s promising performance, that at least ended with some optimism, because they thoroughly deserved to lose to a strong Lions outfit and could’ve lost by more.
Jones said: “We had a lot of possession, moved the ball well, but lacked penetration, we are missing four or five players, which would have given us a bit more impetus tonight, but we didn’t really look like we were going to score tonight, we didn’t look like we were going to get anything from the game.”
One of those missing players was James Collins and the news before kick-off was that top scorer had tested positive for Coronavirus, but there was nothing to sooth worried Hatters in a first half showing.
Yet, Town looked like they were going to make it to half time unscathed, thanks to their woodwork and keeper Simon Sluga, but 30 seconds past the three minutes time added on, Matt Smith’s header crashed off Martin Cranie for the opener.
It was a sickener but no-one could say it wasn’t coming after the Lions bombarded the Hatters.
And while Luton improved slightly after the break, all the chances still fell to the hosts and Jed Wallace, should have made it three but somehow blasted over when through on goal.
Just when Town looked like to be making some inroads, largely thanks to Kazenga LuaLua, Connor Mahoney dashed faint hopes, by fizzing a stunning second in off the post.
It put the seal on a dreary evening at The Den and, all of a sudden, after a heartening start to the campaign, you wonder where Luton’s next goal will come from, particularly as Collins won’t be available for another week.
But even if the striker were on the pitch tonight, the Hatters just didn’t create enough and he arguably would’ve had a similar evening to his replacement, Danny Hylton – chasing forlornly after long balls.
Jones added: “Especially first half, I thought we were pretty passive. We got out-muscled. We knew we can’t come here and have fight with Millwall as they’re probably better than you at doing that.
“We needed to really be aggressive and to play, to move the ball quickly, but we didn’t. Any time they pressed us, we went into the front and their two centre halves ate it up.
“Then they put the ball in the box. Ultimately, they did it that much first half that eventually were cracked, so I’m really disappointed with the first half. Second was much better, we controlled the game and they scored against the run of play, but we never looked like scoring.
“We conceded a goal right before half time. We thought it was well over. The goal is a real poor goal. I’ve watched the goal back and it’s a terrible goal to give away. Our biggest 6ft 7ins defender doesn’t go and head it, in the third, four, fifth minute of injury time, whatever it is.
“Then we’re on the back foot. We changed at half time. If we’d have gone in at 0-0 it could’ve been a different game. They might have had to come out a little bit more, it would’ve left more gaps.
“Once they had the lead, we controlled the game in the second half but they sat in and we couldn’t penetrate them and that, sometimes, is the lack of quality that we have.”
PLAYER RATINGS:
SIMON SLUGA – 6.5 (Man of the Match)
The keeper made a fine save to keep out Jed Wallace’s follow-up after Matt Smith had headed against the post. Had no chance with either goal, but him being the standout performer for Town tells its own story about Luton’s evening.
MARTIN CRANIE – 4
Could do nothing to prevent Matt Smith’s header from ricocheting off him and into the net. Saw Bartosz Bialkkowski pull of a wonderful save to deny him what would’ve been a consolation. Booked in the 66th minute.
SONNY BRADLEY – 4
Stood up well to the most of the aerial barrage in the first half, but then ruined that for the opener.
MATTY PEARSON – 3
His distribution is a continuing concern and gave the ball to Millwall in dangerous areas and was replaced by George Moncur late on after almost setting up a Lions third. It had the symbolic feeling that Tom Lockyer might get the nod against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
RHYS NORRINGTON-DAVIES – 4
Found it tough against Mason Bennett and Jed Wallace and when he got forward he couldn’t find his range with crosses.
GLEN REA – 4
One of his least effective games, but Millwall weren’t minded to try and play through the middle when they got such joy with crosses.
LUKE BERRY – 4
Got his head up whenever he had the ball but couldn’t find a killer pass. Replaced by Joe Morrell.
KAZENGA LUALUA – 6
Fouled relentlessly but never fails to try to find a way through. He grew into the game in the second half and moved into a central berth after Danny Hylton departed. He saw one long-ranger zip harmlessly wide, but that momentum came to an end with Millwall’s second.
JORDAN CLARK – 5
Looked positive on his return to the starting XI when, along with LuaLua, was one of two outfield players that impressed in a dire first half.
PELLY-RUDDOCK MPANZU – 4
Often bypassed by some of Millwall’s more direct play in the first half and couldn’t offer anything in attack, but the lack of fans allowed his mistakes to be soundtracked by very audible groans. Gave the ball away too easily for Millwall’s second.
DANNY HYLTON – 4
Rarely in the game, but was feeding off scraps as Town pumped aimless long balls in his direction. He was pushed in the back by Jake Cooper in the penalty box but referee Tony Harrington was having none of it. Not his night and he was replaced by Elliot Lee on 69 minutes.
SUBS:
JOE MORRELL – 5.5
Sent a stinger just wide of the post with virtually his first touch and Town had more forward momentum once he was on the pitch. Made a good case for his first start at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
ELLIOT LEE – 4
Demoted to the bench and couldn’t affect the game after his introduction.
GEORGE MONCUR – N/A
Not on long enough for a rating
UNUSED SUBS: James Shea, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Harry Cornick, Tom Lockyer
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