Clark believes a settled Luton XI has been key during Town's upturn in form
Very few changes made by Hatters boss Jack Wilshere recently
Midfielder Jordan Clark believes that operating with a settled side has been the major reason behind Town’s upturn in form since returning from the international break.
The Hatters went into the fortnight off last month with just one win from five League One matches, losing three, as although they beat Wycombe Wanderers 4-1 in their first game back, then suffered a hugely disappointing 2-1 loss at MK Dons. From there, it has been firmly uphill, as with Wilshere not making any alterations for the next match at Barnsley, and only one for the home clash with Leicester City, that due to injury, the majority of the XI have remained in place for the matches against Doncaster Rovers, Peterborough United and Huddersfield Town.
With Luton winning four of those matches to move into the play-off places, and then going third for 24 hours with an excellent 1-1 draw at the Terriers on Tuesday night, asked just why he thinks there has been such a turnaround in form, Clark, speaking after the 2-0 success at Posh on Saturday, said: “I think the international break came at a good time for us and maybe keeping a settled team.
"Obviously it’s disappointing for the lads who are not playing, but when the team’s winning, it’s hard to get into the team. You’ve got to try and keep that continuity. You look at every team in the league that’s doing really well, you can probably name eight, nine, 10 of the starting 11, so full credit to the boys for the last five, six games in keeping the shirt.
"It’s down to the boys in training to train well and then when they do come on, give the manager something to think about, but I’d say a settled 11 has been a key factor. You know in this league, you win three or four, you get into the play-offs, or you lose three or four and you’re looking down the bottom and near the bottom three. We’re not focusing on that, I think we’ve done that in the past maybe thinking we can win as many games as we can.”
The settled back four in recent games helped Town earn their first clean sheet in eight matches on Saturday, as they were able to shut out a United side, who, now managed by Robbie Savage, came on strong after the interval, only to find centre half Mads Andersen in particular, produce an impeccable defensive display.
Clark knew what it meant for the team to finally go through a contest without being breached, especially having gone so close in their previous match, Doncaster scoring in the final five minutes when Bayley McCann’s header looped over James Shea. He added: “It is big, it’s been frustrating. We attack as an 11 and defend as an 11, so it’s not just the back four deserves a clean sheet, it’s everyone, as everyone’s working for everyone.
"When we’re defending deep it’s a team game, and we’ve been a bit unlucky. Teams have scored maybe a good finish, or Tuesday night (against Doncaster), I think he’s meant to head it across and it's gone over Sheasy’s head. It’s been a bit unfortunate, but we knew it was coming and it was just a matter of putting bodies on the line week in week out and just keep doing the things that we’ve been doing for the last six games that are getting us success.”