Jones left '˜euphoric' by Hatters' stunning start

Hatters boss Nathan Jones admitted that his side's terrific 3-0 win at Plymouth Argyle on the opening day of the season yesterday left him feeling slightly '˜euphoric'.
Jonathan Smith celebrates his goal against PlymouthJonathan Smith celebrates his goal against Plymouth
Jonathan Smith celebrates his goal against Plymouth

Town had taken five league games to put their first win on the board last season, but were up and running immediately, hitting the top of the table thanks to a wonderful performance at Home Park, particularly second half, as goals from Danny Hylton, Jack Marriott and Jonathan Smith blew away the Pilgrims.

Jones said: “We’re very pleased to have got the result and I’m very proud, probably a little bit euphoric if I’m honest, because I didn’t envisage that.

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“I wanted to start well, I know last year they didn’t start well and didn’t win in five, so we’ve put that to bed and now we have to build on that.

“I thought we were excellent a real top class away performance and I’m proud of them, I’m a proud manager.

“It’s a very good away performance and we’re pleased, very pleased with that, because we could have come here and not settled for a draw, but a draw’s a good result here.

“But we came here last year and won last year, similar type of performance but with a little bit more cutting edge this year and that’s why we’ve won three and we’re pleased.”

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Hatters didn’t have it all their own way though, having to weather an early 15 minute storm from the hosts, which Jones knew was vital, as he continued: “They started really well, credit to them, they came out of the

blocks, and it was key that we didn’t concede.

“If we weren’t at it and didn’t defend well enough then we could have been a different game, but we did, we showed a resilience there and to come away from home you kind of expect that.

“We want to impose ourselves on teams but it isn’t always possible because of the opposition and they’re a good side, they will be up there, they’ve recruited well and got real good players,

“But we weathered that storm and then we were the better side, I have no doubt about it.

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“We had chances first half, Glen (Rea) had a great opportunity with the header and we had other opportunities to score.

“Then second half, I thought it was outstanding, to score three away from home is a dream.

“We weren’t really fluent, but we showed we have other facets to us and it should have been more, we had other chances to go on, I’m not speaking after the fact.

“We had the better chances, clear-cut chances and from start to finish they were outstanding.

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“The work-rate, the desire to do well was superb and that’s what I’m proud of.

However, with just the one game gone, Jones wasn’t getting carried away, adding: “Our intentions haven’t changed since I took over in January, so no, it doesn’t change anything.

“There’s always results like this on the first day that don’t tell true stories and so on and so forth, so it’s a result and a good result away from home, an excellent away performance.

“But we’re not getting carried away, Plymouth are a good side, they won’t not be there, it’s not the end of Plymouth’s season for example.

“It’s just pleasing, a difficult fixture, when the fixtures came out, I had millions of texts saying difficult start for you and it is, but we wanted the result and we’re pleased we got it.”