Allan Campbell is doing everything he can to force his way back into the Luton team, with boss Rob Edwards admitting he’s only missing out because of the fine form of Jordan Clark and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu.
The Scot, who was one of the ever-present players of the season last term, has had to make do with a place on the substitute’s bench of late and the midfielder wasn’t used on Tuesday night when Town came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Millwall.
That was one of four of the last sevens games that the 24-year-old has not got on the pitch, while he’s only completed 90 minutes twice since Edwards took charge in November.
Asked if he’s had to speak with Campbell to explain his current role, Edwards said: “I try and get round everyone, I speak to everyone, it’s part of my job.
“I speak to as many people I can on a daily basis, I’ll always get round and say hello to everyone every day.
“I’ll always have conversations with people about where I see them and what they need to do to try and get in the team if they are not and Al is someone I’ve had a number of chats with as well.
“He’s another person that’s very, very important to us, he has been and he will continue to be really important to us, no doubt about that.
“I know it will be frustrating for him as he has been used to playing more, but there’s probably no-one that gives more than him every single day, so he’s doing all he can.
“What he’s got at the moment is there’s just a few lads that have been in outstanding form, Clicker and Pelly have been absolutely terrific and no-one can really argue with that.
“So when you’re out of it, all you can do is give everything, absolutely everything and fight to be pushing the lads that are starting at the moment, and when the opportunity comes, take it, grab it with both hands.
“That’s what football’s about, competition and that’s all you can do. He’s brilliant, every day, but all the lads do, we wouldn’t have it any other way, I wouldn’t accept anything less.
“When you turn up and train, give everything, but that’s what you can see when they play. You can see that on a Saturday or Tuesday or Wednesday, whenever we do play, this group train as they play.”
Pelly better than wee al – no chance
Aye, it’s basically, “I fancy Nakamba more and currently think Clarke and Mpanzu are above him too”.
Edwards was alway going to bring in his own players. Fingers crossed the loan isn’t just for Xmas so to speak (without breaking our bank). Or that Campbell doesn’t get the hump and demand to go in the summer.
A fine flow of words, but not very convincing. Has our loanee from the Premiership also been so ‘absolutely terrific’? Nothing against the lad, but our own players should come first, especially when – like Campbell – they’ve played their hearts out in the cause.