The result may not have been what Town fans were craving against Millwall on Tuesday evening, but there was a massive positive to come out of the match.
That is the impressive full debut from recent signing Elijah Adebayo, who not only scored the opening goal in the game, but delivered an all-round display in which there was a lot to like.
I have to admit to knowing absolutely nothing about the former Walsall man. I’ve become a bit of a football snob in recent seasons with the last League 2 game I watched being that amazing afternoon at Notts County the year we got promoted, so other than the usual highlight reel which does the rounds on Twitter, I was largely blind about him.
Clearly he is not going to be the finished article on his first game at this level, a point emphasised by Nathan Jones ahead of the Sheffield Wednesday game.
The boss said: “We’re very happy with him, that’s what we can say. Elijah needs work and to get to the finished article will be a while yet, but we’re very pleased.”
It is understandable why he was pleased with his latest recruit too.
As Luton fans, we are used to our centre-forwards being powerful, having the ability to score goals and win the ball in the air, but also get the ball down, play and bring others into the game. Three examples in the last 35 years or so would be Mick Harford, Steve Howard and James Collins. I think based on Tuesday we will be able to add Adebayo to that list in time.
So much impressed me about his debut. His strength and hold up play immediately caught the eye. Having someone as clever as Tom Ince playing off him meant he always had an outlet, but even when he drifted into wider areas, he was able to bring the midfield into the game.
His pressing was an obvious highlight and his movement was fantastic, as he showed with the goal where he won a header on the edge of the box before making his way to the back post. Add into the mix a brilliant first touch and cool head and we could have some player on our hands.
I’m not forgetting the wonderful contribution that James Collins has made for the club, and continues to make for it, nor am I writing him off by any means, but there will come a natural time when Adebayo takes over from the Ireland international.
If Tuesday is anything to go by, when that time comes the future will continue to look bright.
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