Wilshere admits he really wants to pick 'top level' Johnson in the Hatters XI
Defender knows what he needs to do for that to happen
Hatters boss Jack Wilshere admitted he really wants to pick ‘top level’ young defender Joe Johnson for Luton’s first team, urging the academy graduate to improve in the areas that will ensure that happens.
The 20-year-old looked to have enjoyed his breakthrough campaign for Town last term, as he played 21 times in all competitions, the most since his professional debut, at one point starting 10 League One games in a row. However, he then came out of the starting line-up after the game with Doncaster Rovers on March 10, and only started a further two from the final 11 encounters, Kal Naismith preferred in his place.
This term, he began on the bench against Gillingham, but then missed out on the match-day squad at Reading, back as an unused substitute for the 2-2 draw with Notts County, going on to start the 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Chelsea, producing an impressive display as the left-sided centre half at Stamford Bridge, also coming on at half time when Town were 3-0 down at Mansfield in the league, going on to lose 5-2.
Johnson went on to miss the next two matches, only to start when Luton went to Stevenage in the league earlier this month, but it was in a wingback position, which clearly isn’t his forte, and after a tough evening in Hertfordshire, Town beaten 2-1, was dropped once more for the 1-0 home defeat against Bradford City at the weekend.
The former England U19 international was then recalled when Ipswich Town U21s were the visitors in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy group stage match on Tuesday night, starting as a traditional left back. Once Luton took a stranglehold on proceedings, he began moving into midfield consistently, particularly in the second half, bursting on to a long ball forward from Hakeem Odoffin and with the young Tractor Boys not dealing with the danger, he was able to nip in and lob a hesitant Alex Noonan to score his maiden goal for the club on his 40th outing.
Johnson then grabbed an assist for Dawid Gawel’s first ever Town strike too, as although Wilshere has played a three man defence in recent matches, when opting for a back four, have struggled for a left back. With Kal Naismith out of form and George Johnston happier as a centre half, it’s clear that the boss would love to give the youngster another run in the side, but only if he brushes up on what is required to do that.
Speaking about his midweek efforts, and on his chances of playing more regularly, Wilshere said: “It was an outstanding goal. I thought he was really good, he was full of confidence, he was in his flow, and all the stuff that we know Joe can bring and he’s really good at. When he goes into midfield and he takes the ball on the back foot, he turns the game forward, changes the rhythm, he’s really, really good at that.
"Also, and I know there’ll be harder tests for him out of possession, but he won his duels, won his headers, he competed. Joe knows what he needs to do to get into the team and we really want him in the team because of the quality he brings, but there’s also some things you have to do in this league that then you earn the right to show how good you are. So we’re working with Joe, but we love Joe and I’m really happy he scored, a really good goal.”
Asked just what that is that Johnson has to do to ensure he can break back into the Hatters XI, Wilshere added: “Listen, Joe is someone who, it’s not easy to do what Joe does. Not every full back we have, (Harrison) Ashby gives us something different on the right, he’s more of a straight-line vertical guy. Kal is someone who probably sits back a little bit, same as George, and we need that different competition with different profiles in those roles, but Joe is someone that I love as he’s so brave.
"It’s not easy to do that and I want him to keep that courage and stay brave, even when it gets tough. There is some stuff out of possession for a young full back that I think is quite natural. Young full backs coming into this league, it’s not easy, as they play diagonal balls, they put it on you. If they feel there’s a little bit of weakness there, they will put it on you even more, but to do what he does with the ball and how he rolls inside is really good. He’s top level in my opinion, but he needs the other side as well.”
Meanwhile, Johnson himself, who made his debut back as a 17-year-old when Town were in the Championship back in April 2023, was elated to get on the scoresheet as he felt the hosts displayed their credentials as holders of the competition in their first outing, adding: “It felt good (scoring), it took a long time. I don't know how I got there, the gaffer said that I was rolling inside and playing as a midfielder so I thought, why not go one more and go as a winger!
"We all know how tough it's been so far and we always uphold our standards. It’s just like, let’s get back on track, let’s take this and use all the momentum we have from this. We’re going to Colchester next and then we’re going to the league, so let’s just keep doing it. There’s always a sense of pride being the reigning champions, it gives that extra incentive to keep going and do well.”