Jack Wilshere has revealed the thinking behind making Nahki Wells the Luton Town captain, with the in-form striker today handed the armband for a second successive game as he praised the “mix” of leadership qualities within his squad.
Wells will lead the Hatters out against Leyton Orient this afternoon with regular captain Kal Naismith named among the substitutes and vice skipper Jordan Clark sidelined with a broken jaw.
Luton also have two other experienced leaders in their ranks in George Johnston and Hakeem Odoffin, who were both captains at their previous clubs Bolton Wanderers and Rotherham United, respectively.
Wilshere says there have been a number of conversations behind the scenes about what it means to captain Luton, with Wells, Johnston and others bringing different qualities to the role.
“There’s a lot that goes into that. A lot of conversations that we have as a group of staff, a lot of conversations that are happening around the club with people that have been here for a while and really understand what it means to be a Luton captain,” Wilshere said in his pre-match press conference.
“Walshie and Nahki are clear captains, in my opinion. Different types. Nahki is probably a little bit more vocal and Walshie is one that leads by example, but he’s starting to develop different leadership skills. So yeah, it’s an important conversation and an important debate. I’m really happy with Nahki and Walshie ”
Wilshere also singled out summer signing Johnston as one of the strongest leaders in his squad despite the defender not wearing the armband.
“George could easily do it. George has just come into the club so he needs to understand us a little bit more,” he said.
“Haks doesn’t wear the armband, but yeah, one of the best leaders we have. Just takes that responsibility on and is always one in the changing room that’s driving things at half time. He’s the loudest. So I like the mix we’ve got.”
The manager has also confirmed that Luton will continue to be flexible with their formation as they look to build on Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Stockport County, where they changed to three at the back with wingbacks either side.
The team sheet for Orient showe just one enforced change the backline with Isaiah Jones replacing the injured Benny Benagr (hamstring) in the wide left position. That’s one of three changes with new loan signing Dan Gore and playmaker Kasey Palmer moved to the bench, with Gideon Kodua and Jake Richards reinstated.
But, speaking on the eve of the clash, Wilshere says the systems he chooses this term will depend on the opposition and the characteristics of the players available to him.
“I think last year we done that a few times. I like it. I do like it. I think the players like it,” he said of having alternative shapes.
“There’ll be some games where we go into a four [in defence]. And sometimes when we’re in a four, we ask one of the wingers to track back and defend, especially when we’re playing against wing back, so then we look like a five.
“I think the message for the players is just to be adaptable and play within our principles in and out of possession. And then the structure or the shape doesn’t really come into it that much.”
Wilshere believes the absence of Clark can have an influence on how Luton line up, although he also pointed to the profile of his full-backs and the need for new players to understand their tactical demands.
“Some of that,” he said when asked whether Clark’s absence makes a 4-3-3 formation more difficult.
“I think also the profile of fullbacks is important as well. And I know we’ve still got JJ [Joe Johnson] in the building. JJ was integral to that, especially at the start of last year when we kind of started to really create an identity.
“He would be a fullback, he would go inside, or go a little bit higher at times. And that still is very much the profile. The other night with [Harrison] Ashby coming in, with Benny on the other side. They are probably more wing-back profiles than a JJ. Izzy Jones is that as well.”
With new eight new players signed in the summer still learning Luton’s principles, Wilshere accepts it will take time for the team to become completely comfortable in different structures.
“In midfield as well, when you’re playing [Jamie] Donley, who’s new, they have to understand us,” he said.
“We didn’t have time on the pitch to work with them and say, ‘Well, if we’re in a 4-3-3 and you recognise they’re being slightly more aggressive, one of you can drop down’. And that will come. But yeah, Jordon Clark is important to that as well.”
Attention now turns to Orient, with Wilshere expecting a difficult test against Richie Wellens’ side.
“They’ve got a manager with loads of experience at this level. Experience of being successful, experiences of struggling a bit at times last year, and a really experienced manager with a lot of knowledge of the league and what it takes to be successful,” he said.
“So yeah, he’s recruited well. I think he was clear last year with how he saw the team improving, and they’ve signed a lot of players, some of them at the end of the window. So yeah, a good team that make it difficult for opposition like us chasing consistency. And yeah, it’ll be a tough game.”
Luton took four points from their two meetings with Orient last season, although Wilshere feels neither performance provided a straightforward assessment of the contests.
“We had two tough games against them last year away from home. We weren’t very good, but we got something out of the game with a set piece at the end,” he said.
“And then the home game, we kind of blew them away in the first half without really being that good in the second half and seeing it through.
“So yeah, we know them. We know Richie. And it should be a really good game.”
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