Cauley Woodrow has been signed to play an advanced midfield role, Luton boss Nathan Jones has confirmed, insisting the former Barnsley striker will be a big player for the club.
The 27-year-old retuned to the Hatters this summer for a six-figure fee and was billed as a “marquee signing”, 11 years after leaving for Premier League Fulham, having come up through the youth ranks.
Woodrow made his top flight debut in 2014 and during his time at Craven Cottage had loan spells at Southend, Burton, Bristol City and Barnsley where, in 2019, he eventually moved permanently, scoring a total of 53 goals from 156 appearances in all competitions.
Previously considered more of a forward, Woodrow has had to make do with substitute appearances in all but one of his six Championship outings this term.
But when he has been utilised he’s largely been deployed behind the strikers, which Jones revealed was the plan when they paid money to bring the Hatter home.
“It’s an advanced midfield role, a 10 really, playing behind two strikers, is what we’ve done,” said the Town boss.
“We need a bit of guile and cleverness, that’s what I brought him on for (against Wigan) and then put him in behind the two strikers again, so that’s where we see him, as a real attacking 10.
“We know he can play upfront, but I’ve asked Cauley to be patient as he’s come into a side that’s well-oiled and we know, he’s learning that (position).
“Carlton’s (Morris) hit the ground running in terms of scoring goals, but those three players we’ve brought in, in terms of (Alfie) Doughty, Carlton and Cauley, sometimes it just takes a little bit of time to settle and that’s all it is.
“But he’s come on in most games, he’s been part of it, he’s played, so he’ll be a big player for us once everything settles down, I’m convinced of that.
“We’re pretty clinical in terms of what we do, everyone knows their role and responsibility, he’s a centre forward, but he was never a number nine. He’s one that comes in and links the play, so that’s effectively what he’s doing.
“But we’ll get the best out of Cauley as we’ve invested money in him, he’s a fantastic talent, a wonderful trainer, so we’ll get the best of Cauley.”
Woodrow’s only two starts have ended in league and Carabao Cup defeat to Bristol City and Newport, respectively, and he played just three minutes of his only victory in a Town shirt, so he still has to play his way into the first 11.
Jones said: “That’s what everyone has to do, that’s my job to manage that. We only sign good characters, so if there’s an issue or a problem, I have to deal with that, but Cauley’s fantastic.
“He wants to play, absolutely, and he deserves to play. The quality and ability he’s got, and how hard I worked to get him, he will play games for us, it’s just at the minute we do certain things and we’re looking to evolve and he’s part of that evolution process.”
