Town trio set their sights on victory at Mansfield

Town striker Scott Rendell has urged his side to finally lay down their title credentials starting with victory at Mansfield on Sunday, writes Mike Simmonds.

Luton’s 2-0 defeat at Dartford on Saturday saw them remain four points behind leaders Newport County, despite losing six games already.

In years gone by, the likes of Crawley and Fleetwood have started to run away with the title from an early stage, but that doesn’t appear to be the case this time round.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rendell said: “We’ve lost maybe five this year and we’re four points off the top of the league, name me another year that would happen?

“It’s up to us now, someone will put a stint of six, seven wins together and start running away with it and we need to make sure it’s us.

“While if we do slip up, we’ve got to make sure we don’t fall too far behind.”

The Stags were considered by many as one of the main title challengers this season, but have made an inauspicious start and are already 11 points adrift of top spot themselves.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When asked if he was surprised by Mansfield’s indifferent start, Rendell said: “A little bit, but this league’s tough as we’ve found out, anyone can beat anyone.

“They had a lot of new players as we have and haven’t many be quite gelled as they would have liked, but they seem to have picked up one or two results now.

“We need to go there in full confidence from Nuneaton and take three points. It’s going to be a tough game, they’re a strong team, physical team. We need to go with the right attitude and in the right mental strength to get the right result.”

Town lined up in a 4-4-2 formation on Tuesday night, with JJ O’Donnell having a fine game, setting up Rendell for his first of a match-winning brace.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Whether manager Paul Buckle persists with that at Field Mill is not yet known as Rendell continued: “The gaffer decided that was best formation and he was proven right.

“We came up with victory and a clean sheet. Whether that stays the same on Sunday I don’t know, but the boys will adapt to any system they’re asked to play.”

Town’s record at Mansfield since becoming a Conference club leaves something to be desired as they are yet to taste victory, and it’s something that midfielder Alex Lawless definitely wants to rectify.

He said: “They’ve had a few results against us over the last few years, so I personally want to get one over them. It’s a great chance to get three points and get going back again in the league.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Goalkeeper Mark Tyler is also hopeful Town can produce another impressive away performance and believes that Tuesday showcased just how they will need to defend.

He added: “I think the boys realised we’ve got to defend for our lives.

“They put their head in where it hurts and it will be another tough game Sunday, with a few long balls into the box.

“That’s all it is in this legaue, set pieces. We’ve got to be strong in both boxes, we’re working hard on it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“If we can get that part of it right, our quality will see us score goals.”

For all the latest Luton Town FC news, reports, stats, player profiles, live match updates, MOM poll, prediction table and a complete fixture list, visit our Hatters Microsite.