Jack Wilshere believes Jake Richards is beginning to show the “magic” that can make a big impact at Luton Town, after the 18-year-old capped a breakout performance with a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 3-0 win at League One leaders Stockport County.
Richards, who joined from Exeter City in the summer, has started three of the last four games as Wilshere’s side continue their winning run. His first goal for the club set Luton on their way to their most impressive result yet under their new manager, before he turned provider with a cheeky piece of skill and a determined run for Isaiah Jones to seal the victory.
Former boss Matt Bloomfield saw the youngster in the number eight role, though appearances were scarce and he had to wait until the end of September for his league debut for the Hatters.
But Wilshere, a former Arsenal and England international, has deployed Richards out wide said he had seen something of himself in the young midfielder from the moment he started working with him.
“I like Jake because when you start coaching you look for similarities in yourself that you had as a player,” Wilshere explained before the match. “I see a lot of that. I also had to, when I first got into the first team, play off the wing. I think it helps you, it gives you a little bit more freedom, a little bit more room for error if you like.
“But I do see him as someone who could play inside. He’s been really reliable in possession, he’s helped us keep the ball and get up the pitch. He has a little bit of magic in him as well, which I think the more he plays, the more will start to come out. But yeah, really happy with him.”
That faith was rewarded at Edgeley Park. Richards’ determined finish for the opener and his inventive dummy in the build-up to Jones’ goal caught the eye of his manager, who was quick to praise not only the youngster but the attacking unit as a whole.
“He was excellent,” Wilshere told the BBC afterwards. “And not just Jake. I thought the whole front line were brilliant. We’ve been speaking a lot about remaining calm in the final third and not rushing crosses, sometimes turning around and keeping the ball. You saw that today.
“Sometimes when you do that, spaces open up and you have quality players. Jake’s little turn under the halfway line… just brilliant. We decided to take him off because we thought he was tired — and then he does that. Excellent. Excellent attacking performance, outstanding defending performance. We have to keep that going.”
For Richards, the performance marked a personal milestone after a patient start to life in League One. “It’s a good day,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming. I struggled at the start to get in the team, which was frustrating, but I’ve worked hard. This is a moment I’m proud of.
“I signed with the only intention to come in and play and impact the team. It took a while, but hopefully now I’ve proved that I can do that and can continue to.”
Richards’ poacher’s finish to make it 1-0 came at a crucial point, turning the game after Stockport’s strong start.
“At times we’ve been on top and they score,” he said. “So it’s about capitalising on that and using the momentum to get the second, like we did. Josh’s [Keeley] save for the pen saves the game — it’s top from all the boys. I think we really deserved it.”
His confidence on the ball also stood out, particularly in the move that set up Jones for the third goal.
“That comes from within,” said Richards. “The boys have been so good with me, saying, ‘have the confidence to do what you want and express yourself’. When the ball came to me, I just had freedom. I thought the guy would gamble, and it paid off. I knew Izzy would be there for the run, and he tucked it away.”
Richards also credited Wilshere and his staff for their detailed work on his development, saying: “The manager’s been brilliant with me, and all the coaches too. They’ve really helped me, especially in a new position — giving me little tips on double movements or where to be on crosses. It’s really helped my game.”
Jones, who scored his first of the season from Richards’ assist, said the teenager’s self-belief and quality were now shining through.
“The gaffer gave belief to everyone,” he said. “Whoever plays gives 100 per cent and shows real quality. For Jake, it’s been a difficult start. From a young boy coming from Exeter to a club like Luton in League One, with all the expectations, he’s shown his quality in the last couple of weeks.
“Me and him have been building a very good relationship on the right-hand side, and it showed. He gets the ball out wide, I make the underlap run, and it was a good finish to top it off.”
For both Wilshere and Jones, the sense is that Richards is only just getting started — and that his growing confidence could be a key factor in Luton’s resurgence.
Be the first to comment