Luton boss labels on-loan Foxes midfielder's performance against Blues as one of the best he has ever seen
Luton chief Nathan Jones labelled midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s outstanding performance against Birmingham City last night as one of the best he has ever seen during his time as manager of the Hatters.
It was high praise from the Town manager indeed, but worthy adulation too, with the Leicester City youngster superb throughout, looking every inch of the Premier League player his parent club hope he will become during his season-long spell in Bedfordshire.
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Hide AdFollowing on from an excellent showing against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend, the early signs were good, Dewsbury-Hall receiving the ball from his defence and when in the early stages of his loan spell, he might have offloaded an immediate return pass, such is his confidence now, he opted to turn in the space behind him and venture up the pitch.
He was showing a good array of passing in the first half on his cultured left foot, always eager to receive the ball, but it was after the interval he really came into his own, one barnstorming run through the middle, brushing off visiting players at will, catching the eye.
Dewsbury-Hall would and should have had an assist to his name as well, after breaking away to receive George Moncur's pass, picking out James Collins with the perfect cross, only for Blues keeper Neil Etheridge to pull off a superb save.
What was also noticeable was the 22-year-old's determination to ensure Town left with something to their name, getting back to nick the ball away from a City attacker inside the confines of his penalty area in the closing stages and prevent Birmingham from stealing a late and totally undeserved winner.
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Hide AdAlthough he tried to keep a lid on his praise, Jones said afterwards: “I don't really want to comment if I'm honest, as unless you're blind, no words I can say will do anything.
"The lad's pure class, he was outstanding.
"That's as good a midfield performance as I've seen at this football club and to be fair I've seen some very good ones as we've been dominant here for a long, long time.”
When told about Jones' comments, Dewsbury-Hall himself said: “That’s really good to hear.
"Obviously as a player you want to impress the manager as much as possible because he is the person that is picking the team.
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Hide Ad"It shows that when he has belief in you, it gives you so much confidence going into every game because you’ve got the coaches backing you, got the players respect and it allows you to express yourself.
"Everyone knows that in football, confidence is a massive thing so when your confidence is high, that’s when you play your best stuff.
"As I said, our confidence is really high at the moment and maybe we’re just not getting the rub of the green with one or two things.
"When that clicks we will be really happy and we’re be up there.”
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Hide AdIt wasn't just Jones and those in the press box left purring over the midfielder's efforts throughout the 90 minutes, as he was named man of the match by the Town supporters watching on at home for the second game running, an award he was genuinely happy to receive, saying: "It's really pleasing, that is what I wanted to do when I came in and it’s really nice that the fans are backing me and seeing what I can do on the pitch.
"Every time I go out on the pitch I try and do as well as I can and make as big an impact as I can, so really pleasing.
"I just want to keep continuing this form and then hopefully add some more wins and get up that table."
Having played 10 times in League One for Blackpool last term, Dewsbury-Hall is still very much making his way in the game, with last night's outing only a sixth in the Championship.
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Hide AdHe feels he is getting to grips with the second tier, and also declared a position as one of the two deep-lying midfield players is perfect for the way in which he wants to impose himself on the game, saying: "I play a number of positions in midfield, sitting deeper or as one of the number eights but it is a good position for me that because I can pick it up deep and I can drive with the ball as well.
"I know that the other midfielders will sit in if I do that so it gives me a bit of a licence and I like getting on the ball as much as I can and dictating play so it’s good for me.
“I think I’m used to the Championship level now.
"I’ve played quite a lot of games against different styles of teams so I know which teams play and teams that maybe go a little bit more direct.
"I feel like I’m getting up to speed and I’m just going to get stronger and stronger as the games go by."
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