‘Something’s not right’ – Clark calls out Luton mentality after Lincoln loss

Jordan Clark has admitted Luton are “used to losing” and hinted that the issues go deeper than tactics after a 3-1 League One defeat at Lincoln City on Saturday that left fans furious and fearing a long season ahead.

The Hatters were outplayed in key battles and have now lost four of their opening eight matches, despite a big summer or recruitment and a pre-season tag as favourites for promotion after a second successive relegation last term.

Instead, it was the Imps that rose to the top of the table, for a few hours due to the lunchtime kick-off, while leaving the Hatters in 11th place. But it was the manner of the defeat that began with lacklustre and disjointed first half an hour and then saw Town succumb to two late goals, despite Clarks leveller on 77 minutes.

It saw the travelling Luton fans boo and jeer the team and manager Matt Bloomfield apologised for the display, which he labelled “unacceptable”.

“It’s never nice to hear after the game, but, it’s justified,” said Clark, adding: “[We’re] not good enough at the minute. It’s, tough to take. I love this club so much. We’re just used to losing at the minute, which is not good, especially after last season. But we’ve just got to find it from somewhere now.”

While the current preference for three central defenders is unpopular among fans, Town struggled with the basics at Sincil Bank, plus they have created just four big chances all season, not scoring from open play in their last two outings.

Clark, 32, told the BBC: “We’ve got to look at each other in the mirror. I know I’ve said it a lot of times, and the fans are really sick of hearing it, but it’s just down to us now to get together as a group and have a lot of choice words. Something’s not right at the minute. It’s not tactics, it’s nothing to do with that. It’s what’s inside. It doesn’t look at the minute as if it means enough, which is the worrying thing.

“So, as an older player now who’s been here a while, it’s down to me to get these boys going along with the other lads. There’s a lot of new players in there, but we’ve been together for a few months now, so there’s no excuses. [It’s a] tough, tough moment at the minute.

“The only positive thing is we’ve got a lot longer of the season to go. We’ve got a bit of time to turn it around, which is the main thing.”