James Collins’ fifth goal of the season earned Luton a fifth successive win in Yorkshire, on an evening where the Town showed once again that they will be more than comfortable in the Championship this term.
Nathan Jones made six changes to his starting XI with Joe Morrell, Ryan Tunnicliffe, George Moncur, Harry Cornick and Luke Berry all joining the goalscorer in making a return to the side.
Understandably, the Hatters looked a little disjointed to begin with and had to ride their luck early on as Town stopper Simon Sluga was called into action to deny Rotherham midfielder Jamie Lindsay on two occasions in the opening 20 minutes.
He first pulled off a fine save from a top corner bound effort and then an excellent reflex stop from a shot from inside the box.
After weathering the storm for the opening half an hour, Luton finished the half on top and should have gone into the break in front as Moncur, starting in the league for the first time since the 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City last season, should have done better with an effort after great work from Collins to pick him out in the box. His effort was saved by Jamal Blackman but the home keeper shouldn’t have had the chance.
Town went close again right on half time when Matty Pearson ran and unleashed a thunderbolt which fizzed inches wide of the far post.
Despite finishing the half well, Jones chose to shake things up at the break, bringing Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu on for Morrell which allowed the Hatters to play further up the pitch, and the 45 minutes that followed was among the best since the manager returned to the club.
Luton continuously took the game to their opponents and should have been ahead long before the decisive moment came, as Collins failed to bundle a golden chance over the line after brilliant work from Moncur to beat his man and deliver a deadly ball in. Cornick then had a shot cleared off the line as wave after wave of attacks rained down on the Rotherham goal.
The breakthrough finally arrived 20 minutes from time when another excellent delivery from Luke Berry was perfect for Collins to run onto and bury a volley past Blackman, who had no chance of stopping it.
Berry himself almost rounded off a classy performance when he twisted and turned on the edge of his box, only to see his shot cannon off the post and come out, when he deserved better.
The Hatters managed the game well after that, and although the hosts pumped a number of balls in the box, Sluga was not called into action in the closing stages, as Town held on for the win that returned them to ninth position in the table.
With 16 points from their first ten games, Jones said afterwards: “It doesn’t flatter us. We’re really disappointed with the second half against Forest and Stoke. If one of those we’re slightly better at, and we attain our levels, then we’ve got a minimum of two points more, may even be three. It doesn’t flatter us, we’re in a decent position, it’s a realistic position and we’ll take it all day long.”
Speaking of the victory, the Luton boss said: “These are the games we have to win, and we did. I’m really pleased and really proud of them, as I said, I thought we were excellent.”
The second half turnaround was helped by the introduction of Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, in place of Joe Morrell, but Jones praised his whole team, saying: “They all stepped up. We stepped on a yard, we pressed a little bit higher, we won second balls, we got on second balls, aggressive with our headers and in the stuff we did, and then we got a foothold in the game.
“We have enough quality to score goals at this level, we only scored one tonight but we hit the post, Collo missed a great opportunity. George missed two. George could have had two goals tonight, so we’ve had a lot of opportunities tonight to win the game and as I said, we have won it but that doesn’t flatter us in any way.”
PLAYER RATINGS:
Simon Sluga – 8.5 (Man of the Match)
The Town stopper came up trumps in the first half in particular with two especially good saves from Lindsay in the opening 20 minutes. Keeping a clean sheet allowed his teammates to go forward and win the game. He Came for a couple of crosses late on to relieve the pressure too. A fine display from the Croatian.
Martin Cranie – 7
Played out of position at left-back after the need to give Rhys Norrington-Davies a rest and was up against a tricky customer in winger Florian Jozefzoon. He stood up to the challenge and performed his defensive duties well but Town lacked the attacking overlap down that side.
Sonny Bradley – 8
Another consummate display from the Luton skipper. He was immense defensively and regularly intercepted balls forward to deny Rotherham attacks. Possibly should have done better with a first half header from a corner but that doesn’t take anything away from a performance which continues to show that Bradley belongs at this level.
Glen Rea – 8
Moving back to the centre of a two-man defence alongside his captain for this match, Rea showed promising signs of making this position his own. More than a match for a physical threat of Smith in the air and his composure on the ball is a real bonus in that position. He read the game so well to break up a number of attacks and deserved the praise of his manager afterwards.
Matty Pearson – 8
Moved to the right-back to compensate for Martin Cranie moving to the left hand side and this might be his best position in this team. Did his defensive duties wonderfully, regularly putting his body on the line from set-pieces. He almost capped off an excellent performance with a fine 25-yard strike which fizzed just wide.
Joe Morrell – 6
He didn’t really get into the game in the way he has previously, but the ball spent a lot of time in the air during the 45 minutes he was on the pitch. Replaced by Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu at half time.
Ryan Tunnicliffe – 7
Very energetic performance on his return to the side. He broke up plenty in the centre of the park and continually looked to get the Town on the front foot. He played deeper after the break but saw the game out well.
George Moncur – 7.5
A surprise name on the team sheet but he made his chance count. He should have done better with the two chances he had to score but regularly got into good positions with the ball and should have had an assist with his cross for James Collins in the second half. He also pulled off a brilliant piece of defensive work to stop a Rotherham counter in the second period. With little game time recently he should be fresh enough to go again on Saturday too.
Luke Berry – 8
Another who returned to the side after 45 minutes on Saturday. Was excellent on the ball and his delivery from dead balls was much improved. Picked up an assist for the goal and so unlucky not to find the back of the net himself late on. Classy display from a classy footballer.
Harry Cornick – 7
He provided the threat going forward that the Town have missed in recent games. Got into some good positions in the first period and was so unlucky when seeing a shot hacked off the line after the break. Replaced by Kazenga LuaLua after 65 minutes, but he put in a solid shift.
James Collins – 7.5
Scorer of the winning goal and should have had another. Luton were able to get the ball into him on a number of occasions to link up the play and build moves. Did his usual high quality defensive effort as well.
SUBS:
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – 7
He made a big difference when he came on, pressing high from the centre of midfield and breaking up play where he could. He almost set up a goal in the second half and always wanted the ball when it was time to run the clock down.
Kazenga LuaLua – 6.5
Came on for Cornick on the right wing and was the man fouled for the free kick which led to the goal. Was another who kept the ball to run the clock down and did his bit to link up play.
Tom Lockner – N/A
Not on long enough for a mark.
Subs not used: James Shea, James Bree, Sam Nombe and Elliot Lee
