Simon Sluga has ‘learnt his lessons’ says manager Grame Jones who praised the goalkeeper’s performance despite a 3-3 draw with Fulham.
The Croatian keeper kept the jersey after making a surprise return at the weekend against Swansea, with James Shea out with concussion.
Sluga made a string of excellent saves, particulary in the first half and Luton took the lead early on through Kazenga LuaLua and then restored it through James Collins after Bobby Decordova-Reid had levelled.
Had it not been for an electric performance from LuaLua, the club record signing would have staked a strong claim for man of the match as his flying stops continued after half time.
But, though he saved from Aboubakar Kamara, deep into injry time, Decordova-Reid pounced on the rebound to turn three Town points into just one.
At the final whistle, Sluga was visibly frustrated and Jones said: “He doesn’t want to concede goals. I haven’t seen it (the equaliser) back, I came straight in here (press conference). But he’s made some great saves in the game.
“We’ve had chances as well. I can think if Ryan’s chance and Harry’s second, so the game could’ve gone either way.”
Sluga was dropped in early October after two howling errors which led to defeat at Derby but he’s more than staked a claim for another run in the side.
“I don’t doubt his ability and his reactions. He’s come in and he’s been ready. Long may it continue,” said Jones.
“He got caught a little bit with the transition from Croatian football to the Championship. It can happen to British born players, never mind foreigners.
“That’s without settling in. I don’t think he got an apartment until the first weekend in September. It’s many, many things.
“His reaction has been an international reaction. It’s been first-class. It tells me he’s learnt his lessons, but him, like everybody else now has to be consistent.
“It’s not about the opponent any more, it’s about being consistent with your performance every time you pull on a Luton Town shirt.”
