Jones labels versatile Clark as one of Luton's 'best signings for a long time'

Midfielder earns huge praise from Hatters chief
Town midfielder Jordan ClarkTown midfielder Jordan Clark
Town midfielder Jordan Clark

Luton boss Nathan Jones has described midfielder Jordan Clark as one of the club’s best signings for a ‘long time’.

The 27-year-old joined on a free transfer from Accrington Stanley in the summer, but struggled to nail a place down in the opening months of the season, starting just seven of Town's opening 25 Championship games, used primarily off the bench.

He then came back into the side for the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea, scoring the visitors only goal at Stamford Bridge, keeping his place for the following clash at Blackburn Rovers and has gone on to begin seven of the last eight league games.

Clark had been deployed as a right wingback in recent matches, as Saturday’s game against Sheffield Wednesday saw him start in that position once more, moving out of the left hand side with Town trailing, before dropping to right back for the second period, Luton scoring three times to secure a dramatic 3-2 triumph.

The ex-Barnsley and Shrewsbury player started in the same position at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, keeping first choice James Bree out of the side, going on to have a stand-out role in the 1-0 win at the City Ground.

Defensively excellent, with one brilliant covering header to prevent Glenn Murray from getting in, he also brought the ball out of defensive impressively when the chance arose.

With just over an hour gone, Clark then started the move for Ryan Tunnicliffe to score what proved to be the winner, as he then went close himself later on, dragging just wide of the far post.

When asked if he felt the midfielder, who prior to this season had not played in the second tier, could be a genuine right back for the club, Jones said: “If he wasn’t vertically challenged, I think that boy could play in goal.

“There’s nothing he can’t do.

"I think he's a real good central midfield player, he doesn’t but I do, so he could end up there.

"His mobility, his understanding, his intelligence is of a very, very high level, it’s baffling to me how the boy has never played higher than League One before in his career because for me he's been a revelation.

"The thing about it, is the humility, the energy, the work-rate, the understanding he shows on a daily basis, it far exceeds, without being disrespectful, the career he's had.

"As I've worked with players who have played in the Premier League who have not got the ability or understanding of Jordan Clark.

"So as a right back, a right wingback, midfield player, left winger, he does a job for us, but he's just a joy to have around, one of our best signings for a long time.”

Jones also didn't think that Clark's ability play in a variety of roles in any hampered his aim at nailing down a regular slot in one position.

He added: "Jordan Clark was brought here as an out and out right winger, but he’s shown us that he’s far, far more than that.

“I didn’t anticipate playing Jordan Clark at right back and I didn’t anticipate him being a wonderful central midfield player, he’s just shown us that since he’s come here.

“I wouldn’t class him as a utility player, I would just class him as a really wonderful footballer."

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