The transfer window is open and Luton Town manager Nathan Jones today admitted: “We’re not looking to do big business”. But that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from turning, while the Hatters also have some key players on loan and out on loan, who would be eligible for recalls.
Here’s every word the Welshman said about the club’s current position in the transfer window.
Former Aston Villa winger Andre Green
Jones: “(He’s) a player I know really, really well – no truth in that.”
Kilmarnock striker Eamonn Brophy
Jones: “I don’t know who is linking them! I think he is the boy that used to be at Swindon but we tend to keep our business close to our chest, we don’t speak about anyone who is with other clubs anyway but I can pretty much categorically say that they’re not two that will be entering the building any time soon.”
Brighton goalkeeper Christian Walton
“We do, we really like Christian. I know Christian really well, obviously from my time at Brighton and from his time here. He’s a Brighton goalkeeper and he is someone that will always get linked with us because of the relationship we have with him. We care about him, we want him to do well and so on but if ever I had the opportunity to re-sign Christian further down the line or whatever then I would take it.
“We’re very strong here in terms of that, but he’s someone we care about, someone we really like. Someone within the Luton family, his closeness with Glen Rea obviously, but he’s at Brighton, a good club. We love Christian, we care about him and we only hope that good things happen, you never know, good things may happen to him here.
“We are always interested in good players, he’s someone we had here and did fantastically well for us, the loan was cut short which proved costly for us in terms of things.
“You never know, if we had a clean slate and I didn’t have any goalkeepers here for example then Christian would be very high on my list because one, his goalkeeping ability, his prowess and then also we have had him here.
“He will always get linked, we always want him to do well and if I had an unlimited budget and unlimited number then he would be one we’re interested in. There is no point commenting on that now because the scope is different.”
Will Peter Kioso be recalled from his loan at Bolton Wanderers?
Jones: “Not essentially. What Peter went out for was so that when he comes back into the building, he’ll be closer to the first team. We fully expect him to play first-team games for Luton, it’s how he gets there. Now loans are part and parcel.
“Either we keep him in the environment and he develops here or he goes out and gets games – we felt that was needed. He has gone to a good place, with a good manager, with a good environment, so we’re very happy with that. The only reason we would shorten that loan is if he’s going to come into our team. We’re very happy with Peter and very happy with his progression and the place he’s at.”
Gabriel Osho’s recall from his loan at Yeovil Town
We have recalled Gabby Osho because he was only going out on a short-term loan to get game time fitness-wise. He went to a good place in Yeovil, a place I know very well, so he’s back with us now and eligible. We can a real good look at him. Again if in the coming weeks he is not closer to our first team than we would like, then the same path will be available to him.”
Josh Neufville’s loan at Yeovil Town
Jones: “Yeah we’re delighted he is doing well there and he’s in a good place. I’m a big believer in not just sending them to a level, but making sure they go to a good environment that they can get a positive experience from.
“Yeovil has a good track record because I was part of that track record of taking loans and looking after them, giving them a home, making them feel wanted. Developing them to a certain level and then going back to their parent club. The list of ones who have come from Yeovil is very, very impressive and let’s hope Josh is one of those.
“He has gone to a good place, I know the people there, obviously Darren Sarll and a good friend of mine Terry Skiverton and they’re looking after him very, very well. He’s playing games, scoring, they’re picking up some vital results, so everyone is a winner.”
Would he consider loans for any of his other players?
Jones: “No, maybe the under-23 group but we’re pretty much settled in what we have. What we want now is all ours to really be up to speed so in the forthcoming weeks, we’re looking to get everyone up to speed so we can have a strong finish to the season which is something we would like.”
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall can be recalled from his loan by parent club Leicester City. Have Luton had any assurances that he’ll remain at Kenilworth Road for the full season?
Jones: “No, we haven’t had those assurances, but I wouldn’t envisage anything happening. It’s exactly the same with us and Peter (Kioso). If he’s (Dewsbury-Hall) is going to go back to Leicester to play in their first-team, fine. If he’s not then why would you take him from an environment that’s educating him and that’s he’s really doing well in and pushing forward?
“That’s why we don’t like taking loans normally. It has to be a special case because we are enhancing his reputation and learning for someone else.
“We haven’t had assurances but I would be surprised if we were to because he’s in a very, very good place. Why unsettle him?”
What effect will the lack of match-day income have on business in the transfer window?
Jones: “It has a knock-on effect on everything but we’re very diligent in what we do and we don’t overspend. I’m not going to the board to say, we need this, we need to do that.
“If we don’t sign anyone then that’s no problem whatsoever. What we have to do is be very diligent, so, if someone comes in for ours and that will free up a little bit of money, or something, or, if there’s something long-term that benefits us, then I’m sure the board will do something.
“But, we’re not looking to do big business. We’re not looking to stretch the finances and put anyone under anything because we’re in a good place.
“The club have done fantastically well, aided by the fans, by the way, because without the season tickets, without that, we’d be in a different place.
“We’re so, so grateful for the fans. It’s not a cliche, it’s not a manager just saying it, but without our fans, it’s shown in times past, the club wouldn’t be where it is now. They’re continuing to do that and it just shows what a great fanbase we have.
“That’s not me being clever or cliche, that’s just the facts.”
Are you looking at the market?
Jones: “It’s the same every January. I think January is the hardest window because you can take numbers for the sake of it.
“We’re in a good place squad wise, in terms of numbers, in terms of positions, in terms of what we have.
“If something comes up that is doable, that fits within our budget, that is safe to do it and will significantly improve us, then we’re always open to that, but it has to be that as we won’t be taking in numbers.
“We’ve got a really settled squad, a really competitive squad, one or two coming back from injury, the likes of James Bree will be like signing a new player and one or two yet to get up to speed.
“Once we do that we’ve got a decent side, but what we will always keep our eye out for is something that improves us and if we can do that this window then we will, if we don’t then we’re in a decent place.”
