Hatters chief picks out teenager's full Luton debut as the main plus from Trophy exit

The performance from teenage full back Harry Fox was the main plus from Luton’s Vertu Trophy exit to League Two Swindon Town on Tuesday evening according to manager Jack Wilshere.

The 18-year-old who joined the academy at the age of nine, and is now second year scholar, featuring in 47 U18s matches last season, had already made two appearances in the competition prior to midweek, coming on against both Brighton & Hove Albion U21s in the group stages and then Exeter City in the last 32 contest this term.

Up against the Robins, who are chasing promotion in the fourth tier, Wilshere opted to make seven changes to his starting line-up, one of them being Fox deployed in his natural left back role as part of a new-look Town back four on the evening, Reuell Walters on the right, with Christ Makosso and Nigel Lonwijk in the centre.

The youngster certainly impressed throughout too, showing no signs of nerves, as he had a successful passing rate of 84 percent, with 96 touches of the ball and 15 passes into the final third, also making seven defensive contributions, with three tackles, winning all of his ground duels as well. He wasn’t afraid to get forward either, letting fly with one goalbound attempt from range that was blocked away by a covering defender, as although the result went against Town, beaten 2-1, the efforts of Fox didn’t go unnoticed when his manager spoke to the press afterwards.

He said: “Forgetting everything, the result and what happened, you try to focus on the positives and I think the one that really stands out is Harry. Harry’s stepped up to the first team and he’s been in and around the first team. We’ve known about him, but when Kal (Naismith) got injured, we wanted to get another left back up with us full time around Christmas and he’s been outstanding, he’s been outstanding. He’s earned that and I thought he was probably our best player. When a young player steps into training and is so comfortable, technically really good, physically, you can see how much he cares too. I’m really happy for him as he deserved that."

The homegrown talent played behind Manchester City loanee Emilio Lawrence on the night, as the pair combined well at times in the first period, with the Scotland U21 international, who was making his second successive start after getting his senior debut in the 2-1 victory over Stevenage on Saturday, winning Luton an early penalty, while also having a number of dangerous forays until making way in the second period.

On why he opted to keep his new recruit in the starting XI, Wilshere added: “That’s part of the reason why we thought it would be best for him to go again, to try and get used to us a little bit more, how we play, the players around it, what we expect from a winger and also to experience this level. There’s things at this level that I’ve learned since I’ve been here that really, really matter and are important.

"I certainly think back to my time in the academy, you don’t really talk about those things, you don’t really develop those things, it’s more wherever you are, the style that they want. I’m a big believer that players experience something over explanation. As you can say to someone that League One is about this, it’s second balls and you have to win duels, you have to win headers, but actually throwing him in against Stevenage to experience it and then getting him to go again when maybe his body’s a little bit tired for 60 minutes, I think he’ll definitely be better for it.”