In the end it wasn’t the fitting send off that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall deserved as the loan midfielder scored on his final Luton performance but Queens Park Rangers ran out winners.
It looks like only a miracle will see the Leicester loan man return to Town next term, with Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers confirming the 22-year-old is on his radar. He should be. The diminutive midfielder has more than staked a claim to be one of the most influential loan players that ever walked through the Kenilworth Road gates.
There are others that have affected more glorious outcomes – though Luton’s highest league finish since 1987 is nothing to be sniffed at – with Rory Allen and Cameron Carter-Vickers just two that will have a place in Hatters’ hearts.
But there’s a case to be made that Dewsbury-Hall is one of the most accomplished talents Town have had since the their halcyon days in the top-flight.
There’s no doubting he will be missed and his influence hard to replace.
Asked if there’s any chance of a second season in orange for Dewsbury-Hall, boss Nathan Jones said: “I don’t know. That’s Leicester’s decision, but let’s enjoy the season we’ve had. Planning has already started for next year and if there’s any way possible to get him back in whatever way, shape or form, then we will do that.
“I’m sure we’re high on his priority list if that’s something that can happen. We’re in as good a place as any, but when we take loans, and when we take talented players, they usually develop at such a rate that it’s very difficult to see them again, and that’s a credit to our environment.”
Though this campaign curtain-closer against Queens Park Rangers counted for little other than finishing a few places higher in the Championship, it was, in microcosm, the progressive challenges Luton face, going forwards.
Rangers had four shots on target and Charlie Austin, Stefan Johansen and Albert Adomah scored three of them. Town had 21 in total, only four of them hitting the mark.
While that signalled a period of first half dominance, even before he equalised, Dewsbury-Hall should’ve counted two assists to add to the 60-odd chances he’s created this term.
But George Moncur dithered, while a stunning save from Seny Dieng and the post denied Sonny Bradley from close quarters.
The Hatters closed out the first half totally dominant but they never hit those heights again, with the late debut for Dion Pereira, and a jinking run, one of the few highlights.
But if Town cannot convince Leicester to loan them Dewsbury-Hall for a second spell, Jones said: “We have to find something else. We did it at the end of last year. We created chances and got 1.8 points per game last year.
“It’s was only a nine-game thing and we’re slightly less than that now, but we’re still producing wonderful outputs for a Championship side.
“But, yeah, if we have to replace Kiernan, we will, and that’s the challenge year in, year out.
“We had to replace James Justin, Jack Stacey, Jack Marriott, Isaac Vassell, Cameron McGeehan and all these people, that we sold and we’ve had to replace them.
“It’s a constant building thing because, even though this club is going at a real good level and a good pace, sometimes players go slightly quicker.
“Yes, he’s been magnificent for us, but we’ve been magnificent for him and I think he’ll be the first to say that.”
The first half showed that in spade but, in the end, the scoreline perhaps should’ve been a wider in a second period dominated by QPR.
Had Chris Willock not fired over when one-on-one with Simon Sluga, it would’ve been but that still came in-between the Rs virtually walking it in the net twice to confirm their ninth place finish, while Town had to settle for 12th.
The question now will be how can Luton improve on that next season and, as a key component of that, how do they replace Dewsbury-Hall?
PLAYER RATINGS:
Simon Sluga – 6
Barely had anything to do but picked the ball out of the net twice. He did pull off a fine low save to keep out Chris Willock and then probably did enough to deny the Rs man when he was clean through on goal.
Kal Naismith – 6.5
Had a good tussle with Osman Kakay and showed some great defending to close out a dangerous Rangers counter in the first half.
Sonny Bradley – 5
Got caught out for opening goal, though it was slightly unfortunate as header from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall flicked backwards over his head. But his recovery to close down Charlie Austin wasn’t the speediest. Should’ve equalised but his close range volley was pushed onto the post. Was then caught flat-footed for the third goal.
Matty Pearson – 6
A calm and composed performance, particularly with the ball.
James Bree – 5.5
A quiet game where his forward play seemed slightly timid. Replaced on 86 minutes by Dion Pereira.
George Moncur – 6
Back in the starting line-up with a new-look of socks pulled up, he had a good chance 15 minutes in but couldn’t quite find the top corner. And he dithered after being played in by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, seeing his shot blocked. Replaced on 71 minutes by James Collins.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7.5 (star man)
Of course he was Luton’s best player as he marked his final game for Luton with an equalising goal. He was unfortunate in the Rs’ opener, but should’ve twice claimed an assist. First with a through-ball to George Moncur and then a free-kick that Sonny Bradley couldn’t convert. He pulled the strings in the first half but, like Luton in general, didn’t have as strong a second period.
Glen Rea – 5
Might have been lucky to only see yellow for a late first half foul on Lyndon Dykes, that saw the Rs man unable to continue. Replaced on 71 minutes by Luke Berry.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – 5.5
Got caught in two minds as a last man and it almost led to a second QPR goal, but Kal Naismith got him out of jail. An otherwise busy performance, but not vintage.
Harry Cornick – 6
He picked out George Moncur with a cross but the winger couldn’t make the most of it. Always tried to make things happen and whip in crosses, but did so to varying degrees of satisfaction. Replaced on 71 minutes by Kazenga LuaLua.
Elijah Adebayo – 6
His link-up play was decent, but he didn’t threaten too much after he fashioned a slither of space to shoot but dragged wide in the first half.
SUBSTITUTES:
James Collins – 4
Saw one snapshot blocked but didn’t get any more joy, as the ball spent more time in Luton’s half.
Kazenga LuaLua – 3
Didn’t get the service or opportunity to do his best work.
Luke Berry – 4
Looked to get in behind and picked out James Collins with a decent pull back, though there were bodies in the six yard area.
Dion Pereira – N/A
Made his debut and had one decent run at Rangers’ backline, but not on long enough for a rating.
UNUSED SUBS: James Shea, Martin Cranie, Dan Potts, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Joe Morrell
It’s difficult to show you’re ‘better than the other midfield players’ if you’re not given the opportunity – and the opportunity has to mean more than the very occasional start and the odd few minutes off the bench. Much the same applies to Moncur.
Rather low-key end to the season. Three games which, by rights, should have yielded several more points – but we can’t really complain. Penalties get missed, refs make bizarre decisions – and chances, only too often, don’t get converted into goals. Twelfth is a tremendous achievement, however, and there’s a lot to be proud of.
Good to hear what KDH had to say in his special message. I suspect he’s played his last game for us – but you never know. Did Moncur do enough yesterday to persuade NJ to build his mid-field around him? I suspect not. The lad might need to move on.
I’ve never understood the mentality of fans who abuse players. There was an idiot at the Kenny five or six years ago who spent much of the match abusing Shaun Whalley – until we told him to shut up. Does it make them feel good? Whalley moved on to Shrewsbury, then a league above us, where I believe he’s still very much a fans’ favourite. A good player lost.
Sluga is my player of the season too. I voted for him in the LTST poll. I was one of those who wondered whether we should have paid out so much money for a new goalie – especially when we had Shea, who’d done pretty well. But Sluga came good after a tough start, despite the knockers, and he’s a commanding figure at the back now. Good to read what he had to say about his experience.
So no really meaningful footie now until August! Good luck to NJ in sorting out who stays and who goes – and who comes in. We’re bound to agree with some decisions and disagree with others – but that’s the name of the game! COYH!
Poor second half again. It’s so disappointing that given the generally poor performances this last week, we lost to qpr instead of Rotherham. It’s such a shame derby didn’t go down.
Bradley was out of position for all 3 goals. And Naismith made a couple of early period Slugas. My guess is the people I was unfortunately sat next to at QPR last season weren’t yelling at their tellies calling Naismith a “f*****g useless c**t” like they were at Sluga last year, “what? It’s not like he can even f*****g hear me” was the response.
My points with the above are:
1. Sluga is the player of the season and the best player we own by a long shot. The most consistently good of any player – yes even compared to KDH. To come from where he was (and with a fair few of us not helping him settle in) is even more amazing.
2. When we’re back next season, however it’s going don’t be those stupid dickheads that scream at our players. Watch at home if you can’t support us properly. I’m very guilty for moaning about Naismith when he was first in the team. He has proven me massively wrong even with the slips today. We have to give every player time. Even more so when back in the grounds. It’s not passion when we go nuts at any player. It’s just being a complete cock.
3. Bradley has been a great player for us. But is he among our best 3 centre backs now? My gut says Naismith and Lockyer are our best and that if we were to keep only one of Pearson and Bradley I might be inclined toward Pearson as he can fill in at right back too.
It’s going to be an interesting wait to see how we line up in August. But for tonight, thanks to everyone at the Club and the Lutonian for this season. And thanks to every player who finds themselves somewhere else next season. You’ve done you and the Town proud!
COYH’s!!!