Lasse Nordås admitted it has been “tough” dealing with long stretches out of the Luton squad, but after responding with a brace against Exeter last night the forward insisted he has kept himself ready by working “harder than everyone else”.
The Norwegian accepted he may have been “too nice” for League One at times, though he stressed he is learning when to hide that softer side and deliver the aggression that manager Jack Wilshere wants.
He certainly delivered in the Vertu Trophy where his double and an assist had the Hatters 3-0 and cruising into the third round by half time. His first goal ended exactly three months without a strike, since he last featured in the Football League Trophy, but he’s not had a chance to add to in the league because he’s been omitted from the squad since Wilshere’s first two games in charge.
The manager explained that he wants more aggression from “possibly the nicest man I’ve ever met” and Nordås admitted: “It’s been kind of tough. Some days it’s been tough. I just try to focus on what I can focus on and it’s not always easy, but I know I have the facilities to work hard and have good coaches and they’ve been helping me a lot even though I haven’t been in the squad. They’ve always been there for me when I’m doing extra and I have made sure that I’ve been working harder than everyone else.”
Wilshere’s comment about him being one of the “nicest people” he has met prompted a smile, but Nordås agreed it was something he had to manage on the pitch.
He said: “I don’t know if it’s a compliment or not, but I’m a nice guy, but I know I am. But obviously in football and at least in this league in this country it can be too too nice. But still, I will always play my game and do what I’m good at and I do that today. And hopefully the coaches it. If not, I’m at least happy with it.”
Nordås, who signed from Trømso in January admitted he’s disovered a lot of difference between the English third tier and Norwegian top flight, saying: “It’s a lot more tactical in Norwegian football. We could keep the ball. The way we’ve started playing now, with the new manager, is ore similar to what I’m used to, keeping the ball, playing teams low, but a lot more physical, more X-factor, power, physique. Maybe not more technical but it’s a step up. Even this league is a lot harder than the Norwegian league that I’m used to.”
But he feels like he’s adapting to the rigours of the English game, adding: “I feel like defenders are struggling dealing with me and they will whenever I play. I make sure they have some trouble, even though I probably won’t do everything right all the time, I’ll make sure they’re having a hard time.”
Tuesday’s 4-0 Vertu Trophy win over Exeter, where he scored twice and made another for Shayden Morris, felt like a long overdue release. He said the confidence and rhythm returned almost immediately despite Luton making 11 changes from ther League One draw with Bolton on Saturday.
He said: “It’s a long time since I’ve had that feeling playing a game. I’m just feeling confident. Everyone, the relation felt so good. The individual bit was good, like the one we once from the wingers, from me and Zack [Nelson]. Me scoring on my opportunities, so [it’s a] very very good day from the team.
“With 11 changes, we’ve been working hard and not playing too much, none of us, so I feel like it’s very impressive that we go out and perform that on a night like this.”
His first goal came from a header he has been working on behind the scenes, while the second was finished with a more ruthless edge to smash home a snapshot.
Nordås said: “We’ve been talking about it and also I’ve been working a little bit with my head so that was nice. When you get that much time in the 18 yard it’s just terrible defending and I got told to be ruthless so there we go.”
Nordås said Luton’s wide players of Milli Alli, who provide the assist for his first, and Morris made his job easier, with their pace giving him simple targets to attack.
He said: “It’s pretty easy to know what’s happening, at least on a day like this when they go down on the sides. They just have to cross and they did that very well. They helped me a lot and the whole team was very good and from the back winning the ball high not giving them anything. It’s impressive from all 11 and also the bench the young guys.”
Nordås admitted he may have been “a bit too slow” with a late chance to complete his hat-trick, when he won the ball on the halfway line but said he would review it at home. The bigger picture for him is consistency and becoming a striker that troubles the league squad and making defenders struggle to handle him.
But almost a year after arriving from Norway, he believes he is a much improved player and now feels more at home in Wilshere’s possession style.
He said: “I would say I’ve become a much better footballer and that is the goal for me. It’s about developing, getting better physical mentally technically. And I’ve done that so I’m happy.”
Nordås wants a chance in the FA Cup at the weekend at Fleetwood, as he knows one good night alone will not change his season.
He said: “It’s about doing this like every week every game. That’s the hardest part. Be happy today maybe go home and reset and think next one.”
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