James Collins had his 11th goal of the season chalked up to Preston keeper Daniel Iversen, but however they go in Luton have now won seven times on the road in the Championship and every single one of them has been by the same satisfying score.
What’s more, is that they’ve only notched nine times on their travels yet they have squirrelled away 23 outstanding points as part of a fantastic 50-point haul.
That’s already 15 points better than at this stage last term when they were starring straight at an instant return to League One. So surely, surely, that can finally put an end to any sharply vanishing outside fears of relegation this time around.
That’s not Luton Town any more. They tried that once last year, survived, and have not looked back since.
Yeah, we’re talking about mid-table team, so the uninitiated might wonder why this deserves any superlatives at all. But this is a Hatters side firmly establishing themselves as a Championship and after their very recent rock-bottom history, that is something to celebrate. If only fans could do it all together.
But when supporters are next allowed to amass, they’ll do so for a third successive season in the second tier. One where the possibilities are positively thrilling.
In the here and now, they deservedly beat a Preston side at Deepdale for the first time in 13 attempts and a long dry spell that stretched back to 1972.
Boss Nathan Jones was not even born then, but he and his men deserved every one of these three precious points. They came courtesy of a delicious cross from man-of-the-match Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu. Iversen somehow kept out Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s close range conversion, but then saw substitute Collins’ follow-up go in off his chest as he lay prostrate on the ground.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” boss Jones told the BBC afterwards. “I’m delighted for everyone involved at the club because this kind of the point that I can in last year. Since then, the group has been absolutely outstanding.
“We’ve played 44 games, got 66 points, which would be good enough for eighth or ninth in pretty much every season, so it shows that we’re establishing ourselves as a very good Championship side.
“Since 2016, when I first came in, we’ve had a goal, we’ve had certain targets in what we want to do and we hit those in pretty much every year. We’ve progressed every year and that’s a credit to everyone, right from (chief executive) Gary Sweet, to the board, to the people involved, our staff, the players we’ve recruited.
“So, we’ve kept moving forward year in, year out, and that’s what we’ve got to do, because that’s progression.
“We’re in a real good place and very, very realistic place. We feel we should be higher in the league. We feel that six, seven or eight more points would not flatter us on any occasion.
“But, we’re in a decent place but we’ll not get carried away because we know this can be a cruel game. This can be a punishing game, but we are in a position where we are relatively happy.”
For now, that happy place is 13th in the league which, after two victories on the bounce, has them comfortably above the likes of Nottingham Forest – managed by Jones’ old Brighton mentor Chris Hughton – Wayne Rooney’s Derby and stricken Sheffield Wednesday.
From where Town have come from and on the budget they have – yes, I know people don’t like to hear about that, but it’s sadly a massive part of success in the game – that is simply remarkable.
Last year, Luton had nine games to pull off the Great Escape. Now they have nine games to see out the season in style, but even though they were deserving of more goals here, they’ll take 1-0s all day long.
PLAYER RATINGS;
Simon Sluga – 7
The Croatian will head into International duties having taken a whack to the knee from Ched Evans while making a brave block, that left a nasty looking cut. But, other than launching himself at a looping headed flick, he barely had to make a save.
Jordan Clark – 7
More solid than the sublime performances of late, but he still continues to look comfortable as a full back. So much so, that when recognised left back Dan Potts returns, he may have a job getting back in the side, not for the first time.
Kal Naismith – 8.5
The utility man is fast becoming increasingly assured at the back and, with his experience as a midfielder, offers attacking intent too, bursting out from the back. He made a vital block to deny Scott Sinclair in Preston’s first real foray deep into Town territory. Otherwise, he was so domineering that he didn’t need to resort to last-ditch defending.
Matty Pearson – 8
Won his individual battles with Ched Evans and is forming a tidy partnership with Kal Naismith, which another clean sheet will attest to.
James Bree – 8
Saw a long range stinger pushed away by Daniel Iversen, and then saw the keeper do the same to deny him an assist and Elijah Adebayo another Luton goal. He got forward well down the right flank, picking out Tom Ince on one occasion.
Glen Rea – 7
Back in his more familiar defensive midfield role and back to his old tricks of breaking up play.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 8
He packed his passing, probing boots for this trip to Preston. He sent one wonderfully teasing free-kick that had Elijah Adebayo sniffing around. But did well in defensive duties, reading the game well and nipping ahead of Preston players or using his strength well to win the ball back. Probably should’ve scored but saw Daniel Iversen claw away his close range effort, only for the keeper to then have James Collins’ rebound, find the net via his torso.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – 9 (star man)
A fine performance, full of power, strong running, relentless pressing and a major role in the winner, whipping in the superb cross that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, James Collins and Daniel Iversen’s defining moment. He’s got is mojo back this month after some below par performances and when he plays like this he’s a joy to watch. But for a Preston head he might’ve even added another banger to his collection.
Ryan Tunnicliffe – 7
Good first half, given a more advanced role in the diamond. Quieter after the break and was replaced by Tom Ince on 71 minutes.
Harry Cornick – 7.5
Saw plenty of the ball and his build up play was good, but he was let down on more than one occasions by his crossing. Replaced by James Collins in the 76th minute
Elijah Adebayo – 8
Probably should’ve notched his fourth goal for Luton, but Daniel Iversen was equal to his towering header on 55 minutes. But his all-round game gives Town so much forward momentum and has worried enough defences now not to be a fluke. And his dexterity with his feet and a sharp turn of pace when needed are a real asset. Replaced by Sam Nombe in the 76th minute
SUBSTITUTES:
Tom Ince – 6
Tripped over the ball and conceded a foul in his first taste of action, then mis-kicked a James Bree cross. Not quite clicking for the loan man yet.
Sam Nombe – 7
A very determined cameo from the loan star, that should’ve ended in a first goal for Luton, but in injury time but he curled wide when Luton had a two on one breakaway. It’s the second time in two games he’s wasted a wonderful late chance, but it was his determination that caught the eye, pressuring defenders and holding the ball up well.
James Collins – 7.5
He’ll do his very best to claim the winner as his 11th of the season, but it has been awarded as a Daniel Iversen own goal. Still, his role should not be overlooked because it was a very difficult angle from which to hit the target.
UNUSED SUBS: James Shea, Martin Cranie, Luke Berry, Tom Lockyer, Kazenga LuaLua, Joe Morrell.
It’s great to see Pelly firing again the past few weeks. He’d had a little dip in form before that. Whenever he plays well, we play well. It’s been the case since the conference. He has to go down as one of the best players in Luton’s 136 year history.
It was great to see Collo have an impact on a game too for the first time in ages. And yup even Nombe looked like he might have a future. But it should depend on budget versus who else we could have by not signing him.
But it was a dull old game. One that was made worse by listening to Pitts give out “turn it off and on again” advice to those (perhaps lucky this time) who couldn’t get their video to work all the way through the first half. Alex Neil is right to be looking over his shoulder at relegation is that is the sum of PNE’s attacking ambitions at home. Very poor. I hope NJ continues to allow the team to attack after the break. There’s no reason they shouldn’t get over 60 points this year.
Nine games to go – what a difference twelve months on! And so many positives. Good to see Pelly at the top of his game, Naismith putting in another sterling performance and the attacking subs coming on early enough to make a difference. Pity Collo can’t claim the goal – not easy for him to be starting on the bench after being the main man for so long. Let’s hope he has a successful break with Ireland. And what about Nombe? Looks as if he could have a future at the club – but he’s got to stop missing the target! Thanks, NJ – not easy to come back as you did, and we all have our niggles, but the bottom line is you’re doing a great job.