It’s all about the win for O’Donnell

Getting one over Hatters’ rivals Cambridge United tomorrow won’t matter a jot to Luton defender Stephen O’Donnell, he just wants to win.
Stephen O'DonnellStephen O'Donnell
Stephen O'Donnell

Town’s trips to Cambridge in recent years have been full blooded affairs with the club’s developing a healthy rivalry during their race for the Conference title, ultimately won by the Hatters.

But none of that is on O’Donnell’s mind as all he wants to do is taste victory in League Two for the first time since signing on the dotted line at Kenilworth Road.

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He said: “I couldn’t care where it came (Luton’s first win), I just want it as soon as possible and Cambridge is that next game.

“Whoever’s selected has to go out with the one goal of we’re winning this game. Cambridge aren’t mugs so it’s going to be tough, but I’m sure with the squad we’ve got, hopefully we’ll have enough.”

Hatters can approach the game in good heart though after knocking Leyton Orient out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and O’Donnell urged them to take that momentum into the weekend’s fixture.

He continued: “I hope we can, but I thought that after Bristol City, as that was another great performance in the cup.

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“Lets try and do the talking on the pitch on Saturday. It’s another tough game away from home, but lets see if we can get off the mark with a great victory.”

On Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Orient, O’Donnell was once again left with a frustrated feeling by failing to keep a clean sheet, as Town remain in search of their first shut out this season.

The defender, who snatched the winner by fortunately turning in Ryan Hall’s last-minute shot, added: “It was disappointing again to concede as I thought we defended really well and that helped because we dominated the game.

“It was the first time we’ve done it here (Kenilworth Road) this season which was nice.

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“We got the goal, had a couple of other half chances which might have sealed it, then to concede put us under pressure and then the red card (to Jack Marriott) put us under immense pressure.

“I thought to a man we defended really well. Fortunately the rewards that have been due have come because albeit we might now have played our best in other games, we’ve not deserved to lose them.

“Some of the deflections that we’ve had against us and the mistakes too. It was nice to get a wee break to not go to penalties and get what I thought was a well deserved win.”