Back in October I wrote a column on this website suggesting that, in the interests of fairness, for everyone involved, it was only right that Simon Sluga was dropped from the Luton starting 11.
This was after the latest in a series of errors at Derby County. I maintain that was the case, but at the same time I suggested that there was a decent goalkeeper in there which would come out in time. So, the Croatian deserves a lot of credit for showing that to be the case in recent weeks.
The turnaround in his form has been quite remarkable when you think about it. In the first three months of the campaign I think we all feared the worst whenever the ball went near him. Now though, I’m already looking at whether an attack is on whenever I see the ball heading in his direction.
We are now seeing a man whose confidence has returned, aided by those in front of him giving him better protection, it should be said. And we may well significantly benefit from that as we plot the latest in a lengthy line of great escapes, something that was acknowledged in the latest edition of the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust podcast this week.
You don’t become an international stopper if you do not have all the tools required to do the job, and we are seeing that with our own eyes, and there might be even more to come too.
This turnaround should act as a reminder that, although it is not the modern trend among football fans, players should not be written off completely so quickly.
It should also highlight that we have a manager who knows exactly what he is doing because, although pulling him from the team had to be done, the way Graeme Jones has managed his club record signing has been admirable.
He never gave up on him, knowing how hard it is to settle in a new country and to a new style of football, he maintained belief that he would come good, and is now reaping the benefits of that.
Sluga will no doubt make the odd mistake in the future, even a robot malfunctions now and again, but if he can maintain his current form over the remaining 10 games, it might just be the difference between another season in the Championship or spending next term in League One.
