MOTD pundit Micah Richards doesn't believe Luton are 'down and out' in relegation fight

Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards isn’t subscribing to the notion that Luton are already ‘down and out’ in their battle to stay in the Premier League this season.

The Hatters picked up a fifth point from their opening nine games on Saturday, to stay fourth bottom of the table and still just outside of the relegation zone, with a courageous 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Chris Wood’s double, the second coming on 74 minutes, appeared to be enough for Steve Cooper’s side, but they hadn’t reckoned against a Town team who showed huge character to score twice through Chiedozie Ogbene and Elijah Adebayo to snatch a result in stoppage time.

Discussing the game on BBC One’s flagship football programme, Richards said: “It was a great comeback.

“Luton, a lot of people have them as down and out, but I believed they could do something, because they’re very direct, and they’re very good from set-pieces.

“They’ve got something, we expect Burnley to play this beautiful football, it’s not quite worked, Luton at least are a bit more direct, they know what they’re doing.”

Richards, a defender who played over 200 games for Manchester City in his career, also winning 13 England caps, couldn’t believe what he was seeing from the hosts though when it came to their efforts in keeping the Hatters out.

First, Andros Townsend’s free kick caused panic, with Ogbene rifling home a volley after the Reds couldn’t clear, before Adebayo showed more power and determination than Joe Worrall to chest down Tom Lockyer’s chip perfectly and beat the onrushing Matt Turner.

He added: “It’s a nothing ball that comes in and the defending here from Forest is atrocious.

"(Serge) Aurier slips, that’s fine, (Harry) Toffolo doesn’t react, they’ve got six players, they’re not on their toes ready to see if something’s going to happen.

“It’s a wonderful finish from Ogbene, but this one (Adebayo goal) is even worse.

“As a defender if your centre half goes to win a header, Worrall is at fault of course, but (Ola) Aina has to tuck in to the left.

"The touch and finish was deserving of any point."

Meanwhile, fellow pundit Alan Shearer added: “You could hear the frustration in Steve Cooper, it’s the second time they’ve blown a two goal lead.

“They just couldn’t get that third goal, but well done Luton for never giving up.”