Modest Hatters midfielder admits response from Luton fans was 'humbling'

Luton midfielder Jordan Clark described his reception from Town supporters as ‘humbling’ when he returned from just over six weeks out with a terrific cameo during Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient.

Entering the fray with the Hatters trailing 1-0 and looking a side devoid of any real hope or belief regarding getting back into the contest, Clark’s introduction instantly changed the entire match, as he immediately boosted the visitors’ attacking efforts by breaking into the box to latch on to Nigel Lonjwik’s pass, something that had been non-existent bar Jerry Yates’ early chance, although unfortunately sidefooted against the outside of the post.

He then danced around another O’s defender but could only pick out keeper Killian Cahill with his cross, before the 32-year-old was involved in the build-up that led to the corner from which Liam Walsh’s deep delivery was headed home by Gideon Kodua for a stoppage time leveller. The stats showed that Clark was the stand-out man during his half an hour or so on the pitch, having the joint most shots alongside Kodua and also the most touches in the opposition penalty area with an impressive five.

Having come on to his name being chanted by the near 1,300 visiting fans who know just how important the midfielder is to any kind of promotion charge this term, he was saluted once more after the final whistle as those in attendance recognised the game-changing influence he had made on proceedings. Discussing his own display in a typically modest fashion though, Clark, who is in his sixth season at Kenilworth Road, said: “No, it wasn’t just me, I can’t take the credit, it was the subs, every sub that came on made an impact which is what it’s got to be.

“It’s a 15, 16 man game these days when you have concussions, so just credit to everyone. Listen, that wasn’t us first half, we just didn’t have that calmness. When you come away from home, sometimes you’ve got to take a little bit of that pressure off, make an extra pass, it was like a hot potato at times and that’s not us. That’s probably why the gaffer is most disappointed as it doesn’t reflect the team that he works on day in day out. I appreciated it though and the reception was great, it was really humbling and means a lot to me.”

Both sides had gone into the game on the back of a disappointing FA Cup exit, as although Town went out on penalties to League Two Fleetwood Town following a 2-2 draw, the O’s were also sent crashing by fourth tier opponents, hammered 4-0 at Salford City, a perfomance that saw manager Richie Wellens, heavily linked with the Luton vacancy before Jack Wilshere was appointed, slam his side’s effort in the media afterwards.

Clark knew that with ex-Hatter Alan McCormack also on the coaching staff at Brisbane Road, it would lead to a response from the hosts, as they took the lead just after half time when Kal Naismith, who had a tough evening, was dispossessed by Dom Ballard, the striker going clean through on Josh Keeley, opting to square for Theo Archibald to tap into the empty net.

Thanks to yet another late Kodua goal though, Luton did manage to extend their unbeaten league run to three games, as Clark continued: “It wasn’t a classic, it’s one of those games. They had a bad result in the FA Cup so we knew it was going to be a reaction. I know the gaffer, they’ve got a really good manager, good staff with Macca and a couple of the others we know really well.

"We know he demands a lot and I knew he’d get a reaction with the fight, but we matched it. We defended our box, we didn’t really give too many chances away. The goal was sloppy, Kal knows that, he held his hand up, as he’s a true leader, the subs who came on made a real impact and that’s what we’re going to need until the end of the season.”

What was disappointing for Clark and also he thinks for manager Wilshere as well, was the way in which Town performed during the contest as they were well below par for the entire 90 minutes, barely creating anything of note until the final stages which coincided with the midfielder coming off the bench.

He said: “That’s tough for the staff to have to take as we take a lot of pride on working through the week on the quality of how we play. It just didn’t come out first half. You know the first 15, 20 minutes it’s going to be a fight, going to be long balls and headers and clearances. You’re probably going to have a sore neck after 20 minutes, that’s just the way football is sometimes, at any level.

"But that’s when you just need some calm heads. One mistake led to another and then they counter-attack and everyone’s a bit edgy, so a positive reaction at the end to get a point. A point away from home is never to be shied from so hopefully we can back it up at the weekend, turn it into four points and then it will be a good week.”

Meanwhile, on seeing his own effort hit the base of the woodwork, rather than nestle in the bottom corner, Clark, who appealed for a corner which wasn’t given by referee Darren Drysdale, added: “Omar Beckles, I know him from Accrington, a top guy, and I said to him, ‘did it catch your heel at the end? As I thought it did. Either his heel or the keeper.

"He said ‘yeah, it just got a nick on my heel.’ I couldn’t believe it and when I saw it just flick the post I was gutted as it would have been unreal to come on and do that. I got in some great areas after that and just a bit of quality which I lacked which I’m more disappointed about, but it’s credit to the subs and credit to Gids again who’s the main man for us. He’s saved us a few times now, so it’s just time for a few others to step up, myself as well now as I’m back fit.”