'Element of frustration' for Luton striker over his lack of goals since summer move

Luton striker Nahki Wells has admitted he is carrying an ‘element of frustration’ following his lack of goals since arriving at Kenilworth Road in the summer.

The 35-year-old moved to Bedfordshire on a free transfer once he had left Championship outfit Bristol City, following a season in which he scored 10 second tier goals for the Robins, also contributing four assists as well. Having netted seven the year before and then 11 in the 2022-23 campaign, with six assists, hopes were high he could score the goals that would push Town into the upper echelons of the League One table, especially after bagging 14 from 19 outings for Bradford City when he last at this level just over a decade ago.

However, it hasn't worked out that way at all, as during the opening few months of the campaign, Wells has been on target just once in his 16 league appearances so far, that from the penalty spot, while he has also missed two spotkicks, with his other two goals coming in the FA Cup first round win over National League side Forest Green Rovers, meaning he has scored a mere three goals in 17 games.

He is top of the xG (expected goals) table, with 5.9, also averaging 2.4 shots per 90 minutes, but disappointingly leads the way in terms of big changes missed as well with six, which had he taken those opportunities, would have greatly bolstered his tally. Wells had another frustrating hour during Luton’s 3-2 defeat at Reading on Thursday night, with just one shot on target, replaced in the second period, as the loss saw Town sitting eighth in the table going into the festive period, five points adrift of the play-offs, while they are nine away from the top two.

Speaking to the Royal Gazette, the Bermuda international knows things haven’t worked out as he wanted, but that won’t stop him trying to change his own fortunes, saying: “I am carrying some element of frustration at not having been able to make the impact that I know I should be making. But sometimes you just have to look, accept and understand that in football sometimes these periods happen and it’s not through a lack of effort or preparation. It just doesn’t seem to be falling for me at the moment, but I am going to keep working hard, keep trusting the process and keep sticking at it. I am more than sure I've got what it takes to help us achieve our goals and that is getting out of this league this season."

Wells had been a regular starter under new manager Jack Wilshere since he took over, until suffering an injury in the early stages of the 5-0 thumping at Barnsley on November 22 which saw him sidelined for over a fortnight. He was then fit enough to come off the bench in the 2-2 home draw with Port Vale last weekend, and also start at the Select Car Leasing Stadium last week, meaning he will no doubt be used over a busy schedule of matches on the horizon for the Hatters.

Discussing manner of the loss against the Royals though, Town having hit back from 2-0 down to level before conceding again moments later, the experienced attacker added: “To get back in the game and then to just throw it away quite late is frustrating, there is no doubt about that. It seems to be a continuous cycle of inconsistency for us, but I believe we are working and making progress as a group under new management. We need to turn performances and results into points because our goal is obviously slipping away from us.

“It is good to be back as I missed three weeks in total from the game I got hurt until the game I returned. I had a bit of damage to my ankle joint, which just required a bit of rest and an injection to help the healing process. I am happy and excited to be back. I got my first start the other night against Reading which ultimately didn’t end well for us. We performed well but just didn’t get the result, so that's obviously the frustrating bit.”