Jack Wilshere has opened the door to using two strikers as Luton chase greater attacking variety, with Devante Cole, Nahki Wells and Ali Al-Hamadi all in contention to play key roles.
Luton have largely operated with a single central forward under Wilshere, most predominantly Wells, but the Hatters boss said flexibility has been a central theme in recent coaching discussions, as Town prepare to host play-off chasing Bradford City at Kenilworth Road tomorrow lunchtime.
“I’ve spoken so much about having variation in attack,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “Sometimes playing long, sometimes playing short, but it also is sometimes playing with two up top, sometimes playing with one.
“At times this season we played with four on the last line with two central strikers. So, yeah, they give us the variation to do that.”
Wilshere admitted the decision will often be opposition-specific, with Bradford City posing a direct and physical challenge at Kenilworth Road.
“Depending on the opposition we’re playing, depending on what they’re doing, we will look at that,” he said of potentially playing a strike partnership, adding: “We’ve been speaking a lot this week as coaches about how we can do that and what that looks like.”
Cole, 30, who arrived during the window from Port Vale as Wilshere’s first permanent signing as a manager, was singled out for praise, particularly for his mindset and hunger despite his experience.
“When I talk about hunger you can see it in Devante’s eyes,” Wilshere said. “From the first moment I spoke to him, he wanted to come here. He could see the way we were playing. He could see the chances we would create.
“He’s trained really well. He’s a quiet character who just goes about his business. But most importantly for us and the fans, he can help us right now on the pitch.”
Wilshere also highlighted Wells’ importance in allowing others to run beyond him, a dynamic that could be enhanced with a second striker.
“You’ve been seeing at times this season with Nahki dropping a bit deeper, someone to then run behind and stretch,” he said. “He can do that. He has a good understanding of when to do that.”
Looking ahead to Bradford, Wilshere acknowledged the pressure attached to the fixture – with the Bantams in fifth place and Town in seventh – but stressed the importance of balance.
“They’re above us,” he said. “It creates probably a little bit of pressure around the game for us because we know what we have to do to try and get into the playoffs.
“My job is to find that balance between motivation and energy into the game without having a fear that we really need to win this game.”
Luton are unbeaten in nine home league games since losing 2-0 to Mansfield 2-0 in Wilshere’s managerial debut in October, which is the Hatters’ longest run on home soil since a 28-match streak between March 2018 and August 2019. In contrast, Bradford have lost four of their last five away league games (L1).
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