Pearson wants to put Welsh wrongs right in Swansea

Matty Pearson is eyeing today’s second trip to South Wales in a week as the perfect chance to right the wrongs of last Saturday in Cardiff. 

Town went down 4-0 in the Welsh capital – their heaviest defeat of the campaign – compounded by two early goals inside nine minutes.

This afternoon, it’s Swansea who are the opponents and Pearson said: “We let ourselves down (in Cardiff). Mistakes happen and sometimes in football it’s how you bounce back. The test is now to go back to Wales and put it right.

“Swansea are a tough team with good players and we need to be well on it. Hopefully we are and give them a good game.” 

The Hatters have already picked themselves up from the calamity in Cardiff with a memorable 3-1 victory over Championship leaders Norwich on Wednesday night, as fans returned to Kenilworth Road after a nine-month Coronavirus shutout. 

Pearson netted the second and, as part of a much-changed backline, looked comfortable against a Norwich side that had gone unbeaten in the two months before arriving in Luton. 

The defender said: “It’s once you think you’ve cracked it, that’s when it all goes wrong, so we just need to keep on our toes, realise that they have got quality and make sure we’re on it.”

Town boss Nathan Jones added: “What I hope is that we don’t ever repeat the Cardiff one.

“They’re (Swansea) a good side. Two years ago they were in the Premier League. They had a good season under Graham Potter, they’ve had a good season under Coops (Steve Cooper) and got in the play-off last year. 

“They’ve signed well and want to build again this year and they’re a good side. 

“But when have you ever stood there and said, ‘it’ll be an easy one for you at the weekend in the Championship”? There are no easy games and everything’s different because they play a different shape.

“They play a similar way, but it’s a different shape. It’ll be an unbelievable journey we’ll have to face and there’s no respite and they’ve just got to plough on.”

Talking of his squad availability, Jones said: “Hopefully, we’ve got Danny (Hylton) back out, Pelly (Ruddock Mpanzu) should get back for the weekend and Elliot Lee we’re not quite sure about yet. 

“We need them because the schedule’s not relenting in any way so we know we’re going to need them.”