Luton boss Jack Wilshere
League One: Luton Town v Stevenage
Luton’s transfer window signing Emilio Lawrence has been thrust straight in for his first start as Hatters boss Jack Wilshere has made seven changes to his side for this afternoon’s League One clash against Stevenage.
The 20-year-old, who is yet to make a senior Football League appearance, was only signed on Friday morning, but is expected to operate as part of a new-look front three containing the recalled duo of Gideon Kodua and Nahki Wells. Centre half Christ Makosso also makes his first start since Wilshere’s first game in charge against Mansfield, as he partners Mads Andersen in defence, Nigel Lonwijk moving out to right back, while Lamine Fanne is back in the midfield, goalkeeper Josh Keeley returning too.
Out of the side go James Shea, Reuell Walters, Jerry Yates, Shayden Morris, George Saville and Cohen Bramall to the bench, with Teden Mengi missing out completely, as on how Luton go about getting the better of a side who sit once place above them, despite being on a run of just two wins from their last 12 league matches, Wilshere said: “The main thing for me is that we match their fight and their willingness and how difficult they are to break down.
Christ Makosso is back in the Luton starting XI this afternoon - pic: David Horn / PRiME Media Imagesplaceholder image
Christ Makosso is back in the Luton starting XI this afternoon - pic: David Horn / PRiME Media Images
"I think about the team that I want to be and what we’re starting to become is a team that has the ball a lot, but we still have to have a threat and especially against a Stevenage team who don’t concede many chances, don't concede many opportunities. You have to make sure that you are constantly keeping the pressure on them, on their back four but also taking the moments when they come, which we’ve been good at, especially at home recently.”
Town go into the game in good form on home soil themselves, with big wins over both Wycombe Wanderers and Leyton Orient during the Christmas period, although were then beaten 1-0 at Exeter on New Year’s Day. An even level of performance is something that Wilshere wants Luton to find, especially against a side who triumphed 2-0 back in October, a result that saw previous manager Matt Bloomfield depart the club, adding: “Away from home and at home, we need to find some consistency.
"We had two home games, we won 4-0 and then we won 3-0, we were full of confidence and then we went to Exeter and lost the game which disappointed us and disappointed the players as well because I felt like and they felt like we were starting to find our rhythm and that knocks you off a bit. Sometimes it also makes you realise that okay you still have to make sure you’re doing everything, all the basics, make sure you’re fighting for everything, every duel.
"We know this league is a second ball game, yes we want to build something at home. It’s a local derby as well, they beat us in the last game and we kind of owe them one. The fans will feel that as well, it’s a big game, it’s an early kick off which I like. I used to love it as a player, so hopefully we can be full of energy, the crowd will be full of energy and we can give them something to cheer.”
Hatters: Josh Keeley, Nigel Lonwijk, Chris Makosso, Mads Andersen, Joe Johnson, Lamine Fanne, Liam Walsh, Jordan Clark (C), Emilio Lawrence, Gideon Kodua, Nahki Wells. Subs: James Shea, Reuell Walters, Jerry Yates, Shayden Morris, George Saville, Zack Nelson, Cohen Bramall.
Boro: Filip Marschall, Luther James-Wildin, Carl Piergianni (C), Daniel Phillips, Dan Kemp, Jordan Roberts, Charlie Goode, Lewis Freestone, Harvey White, Jamie Reid, Phoenix Patterson. Subs: Taye Ashby-Hammond, Dan Sweeney, Jasper Pattenden, Chem Campbell, Louis Thompson, Jovan Malcolm. Referee: Simon Mather.
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