Hatters boss not getting carried away over play-off chances

Hatters Hatter boss Nathan Jones is playing down talks of a late charge for the play-offs despite his side winning their third game in succession by beating Morecambe 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Nathan Jones issues instructions against Morecambe on Tuesday nightNathan Jones issues instructions against Morecambe on Tuesday night
Nathan Jones issues instructions against Morecambe on Tuesday night

Jack Marriott’s second half strike saw Luton make it nine points from nine, moving them to within six points of the top seven.

Occupying the final play-off spot are Leyton Orient, who Town travel to this weekend, but on their chances, Jones said: “We’re taking every game as it comes, it’s clichéd, I keep saying it and I don’t like using clichés, but it is.

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“If we don’t do our jobs at the weekend that could quickly return to nine, then you think ‘okay is it over?’

“We’ve got make sure that we stay in games, make sure we prepare well, have to make sure our performances are consistent week in week out, so we’ll see.”

Like Hatters, Orient were one of the favourites to go up this season, but despite topping the table early on, they find themselves 11 points adrift of automatic promotion with 12 games remaining.

Jones continued: “It’s an opportunity to close the gap but an opportunity to come up against a side who are a good side, a strong side.

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“They came down from League One with ambitions of going straight back up against, so we know it’s a difficult game.

“Every game is in this league as we found out, but we’re looking upwards, we’re not looking over our shoulders.

“I can’t say what other teams are going to do, but at the minute we’re in decent form, gathering a little bit of momentum.

“We have to prove that and on Saturday to keep that ball rolling.

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“There’s lot of ifs and we don’t use ifs and buts, and so on, so we’ll just prepare for Leyton Orient, see how we go about our business and hope we get a positive result.”

Striker Jack Marriot certainly wasn’t giving up hope of a place in the play-offs at the end of the season, adding: “It’s definitely possible.

“Everyone will say we’ll take it game by game which we will and if we get close to the play-offs then great.

“But you’re always keeping an eye on the league and where you are, how far off the play-offs you actually are, especially after three wins on the bounce.

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“That gives everyone a little bit of confidence and the belief is going to come.

“It will be a tough game going down there, but we’ll all look forward to it.

“It’s another challenge and hopefully we can come away with three points.”