Luton boss happy to change formation if it keeps Town in the Championship

Tpwn boss Nathan Jones will have no qualms about changing his formation in a bid to ensure Championship survival for the Hatters this term.

The Luton chief has been a long-time admirer of the diamond formation, utilising it for the majority of his first spell in charge at Kenilworth Road, as Town went from a League Two side to promotion challengers in League One.

Now back at the helm with Hatters a second tier outfit, Jones went away from his usual system on Saturday, playing a 4-2-3-1, with Elliot Lee and Harry Cornick out wide, leading to a superb 1-0 win at the Liberty Stadium.

Jones won't hesitate to switch it around again if he deems it worthy, saying: "I'm pleased with that as we worked on that all week.

"We had two days defensively, one slightly more in attacking as well and I've been criticised in the past for persevering with the diamond or persevering with the diamond when I had possibly the two players in the league (James Justin and Jack Stacey).

"So we knew we'd have to be solid and we have.

"We're playing a shape that suits us and I thought we were excellent.

"Defensively we were superb and then we always knew we've got threats on the counter and we had the best chances of the game, as Harry Cornick had a wonderful chance.

"We had the two best chances of the game and a wonderful finish (from James Collins)."

There was also a change defensively, with Matty Pearson going out to right back, allowing Sonny Bradley to start alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers in the centre.

It's a unit that has worked well, the trio now not conceding a goal in the three games they have played together, Middlesbrough and Wigan away being the other two matches.

Jones continued: "Tactically, if you play someone who's not defensively minded against (Andre) Ayew he can cause you problems.

"He's a Premier League player and he's proved that.

"He's a threat in the Premier League and he's one of the best attacking, statistically, I think he is the best attacking player in the Championship.

"Matty enjoys that side of it and tactically it took a little bit away of the fluency going forward to shore it up, but we knew we had Harry in front of him who provide that impetus and that pace.

"They defended superbly well. To limit Swansea to what we did, shows that we defended well with real nous and astuteness."

Meanwhile, Jones never had any doubt that the team he selected would give their all in Wales, adding: "I wouldn't quite say dominated, we came here as an away side against an ex-Premier League side going for promotion with the talent they have and it's an outstanding performance.

"Structurally we were excellent, we pressed at the right times and they gave me everything.

"That's what I love about this group, absolutely love about this group, is they want to work hard, they love it, there's no pretentiousness about them, no superstars.

"They are a phenomenal group and I love that group and that's what they gave me.

"All it comes down to is our work, our work as a football club, our work as a staff and if we can do good work then they will want to follow that out and that's what's really pleasing."