Empty stadiums on the road could give Luton an advantage

Attacker Callum McManaman believes that a lack of fans could play into his side’s hands when Luton hit to the road to face Swansea City this afternoon and then travel to Leeds United on Tuesday night.

After picking up a point against Preston on Saturday, an outcome which saw Town drop to the foot of the Championship, but strangely cut the gap to safety, they now head to two teams gunning for promotion out of the second tier.

With time starting to run out for Hatters, they could really do with picking up a result in either of their trips to the Liberty Stadium or Elland Road or face the real worry of being cut adrift at the bottom.

A lack of home supporters at either stadium will make it a very different atmosphere than had been originally expected, particularly at Leeds, where the capacity is just under 40,000, as McManaman said: They’re two tough games and it will definitely help us in the Leeds game.

“With 40,000 fans, it would absolutely help them and it is a little bit of an advantage there for us in that one.”

Boss Nathan Jones was of a similar opinion as when asked for his thoughts, he said: "It might do, fans give teams a lift.

"Ours are magnificent, especially at home, it’s a big advantage to us.

"Others might not get that advantage, others might be better without the crowds, you just never know.

"We’re not trying to say we’re worse off for anyone because we’re not, but when you go to Leeds, for example, it’s probably better that there’s not 40,000 there.

"When we go away, let’s see.

"Hopefully it will be (an advantage), because we have four tough away games, four big away games.

"If we can get points in those then it’s a big reliance on our home form that, hopefully, we can gather our points total."

However, McManaman is aware it will work both ways as after their two games this week, Luton have four out their final six fixtures at Kenilworth Road.

Based on Saturday’s experience of playing in front of an empty stadium during the 1-1 draw with Preston, he said: “I would have liked the fans to be there, to celebrate with us and spur us on a little bit.

“I feel like it’s a little disadvantage at home for us, because it’s a tough place to come.

“If we had our fans that might have spurred us on to get the winner, so it’s swings and roundabouts.

"It’s the same for every team, we just need to keep chipping away and nicking points.”

Jones again echoed his winger's opinion, as he felt a real sense of sadness that there were no supporters inside the ground.

He added: "I’m just so sorry for the people who couldn’t be there, the people who are really behind us as we know this place is amazing and it’s a 12th man, we’ve always known that.

"We’re so grateful how many people worked to get the game on.

"The fans have contributed so much and it’s a real shame that they weren’t here as I think once they’re there, it really does make a massive, massive difference, especially at the Kenny.

"You have to manage it because it’s different, especially at our place.

"We missed the fans. It was such a shame they couldn’t be there because they’re the ones that make football.

"But it’s the current world and we have to adapt, we have to make sure that we are ready for that as there are some big tests coming.

"We can't cry about our fans not being here, we have to make sure that we adapt."